The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 01, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 12, 2001
Raymond M. Khoury, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Marc Mattaroccia, Rochester, NY (US);
Jose M. Ocasio, Maybrook, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A wafer cleaning apparatus includes a wafer holding mechanism and a wafer cleaning head; the mechanism contacts the outer edge of the wafer and has a surface substantially flush with the wafer surface. The wafer cleaning head includes a wafer cleaning element, which has a flat surface contacting the wafer surface when cleaning the wafer. The wafer cleaning element may be a brush, a sponge, or other suitable material. A portion of the wafer cleaning element overlies the above-mentioned surface of the wafer holding mechanism when cleaning the edge portion of the wafer. The wafer holding mechanism and wafer cleaning head are shaped to avoid mechanical interference therebetween when the edge portion of the wafer is cleaned. Accordingly, the entire wafer surface, including the area adjacent the edge, may be effectively cleaned.