Inventor's corner
08/01/2002
Molecular contamination control system
The system and method for molecular contamination control allows a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) box, or pod (A), to be purged at desired levels of relative humidity, oxygen or particles. The SMIF pod includes an inlet port (B) that includes a check valve and filter assembly for supplying a clean, dry gaseous working fluid to maintain low levels of moisture, oxygen and particle content around materials contained in the SMIF pod. The SMIF pod outlet port, which also includes a check valve and filter assembly, is connected with an evacuation system. Flow of purge gas inside the SMIF pod can be directed with one or more nozzle towers (C) that create a laminar flow inside the pod, while one or more outlet towers (D) functions similar to that of the inlet tower. The purge gas can be dried by exposure to a desiccant, heated to temperatures from 100 to 120 degrees Centigrade, and can be tested for baseline constituent levels prior to or after introduction into a SMIF pod. A single contamination control base unit can also purge multiple SMIF pods.
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6,368,411 B2
April 9, 2002
Glenn A. Roberson, Robert M. Genco, Robert B. Eglinton, Wayland Comer and Gregory K.. Mundt, of Semifab Inc. (Hollister, CA)
Removable-layered glove
The protective gloves have removable outer layers (A) made of polyolefin and have contaminant-free inner layers underneath them (B) made of nonpyrogenic, elastomeric materials, including polyurethane, polyolefin, polyester, polyacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene or blends.
The gloves can be worn with outer layers removed or intact, but when layers are removed, a new clean layer is exposed, making the gloves ideal for environments where pharmaceuticals, electronics and optical parts are manufactured. The outer layer material has a lower melt temperature than the inner glove material and can be easily peeled from the inner glove. The invention also includes a stamp (C) that is used in the glove's manufacturing process. (See drawing).
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6,360,373 B1
March 26, 2002
Richard Rehn and Martin H.G. Deeg, of LL Safety West (Ritzville, WA)
Sterilizing AC system
The air conditioning system has a sterilization/deodorization gas supply device (A) that includes a chemical container (B) and an evaporation acceleration unit (C) for vaporizing chemicals stored in the container. It is located along an air channel extending from an air inlet (D) to a heat exchanger (E). An appropriate amount of a sterilization/deo dorization gas is mixed with cooled or heated air discharged from the air conditioning system, so that the generation of bad odors, generated by mold and microorganisms, as well as the growth and dispersion of bacteria can be suppressed.
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6,363,734 B1
April 2, 2002
Kohei Aoyagi, of Kabushiki Kaisha Sunseal (Osaka-fu, Japan)
Gas filter
A filter for gases, particularly for ventilation, includes elongated flow channels (A), which are partly formed by superimposing material layers (B). There, the flow channels (A) open to a gas inlet (C), while the terminal ends open to a gas outlet (D), and gas flows between the channels (A). The material layers (B) contain an adsorbent so impurities are retained in the channels (A).
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6,379,437 B1
April 30, 2002
Kimmo Heinonen and Virve Christiansen, of Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus (Espoo, Finland)
Ultrasonic fogger
The hand-held, portable, battery-operated ultrasonic (visible) vapor, or fog generator, is designed for cleanrooms and other types of controlled en vironments. The ultrasonic fog generator is de signed to monitor laminar airflow between rooms, around equipment and around ventilation systems. It includes a housing (A), a handle (B) and a battery pack (C) that is carried by the user, making the fog generator portable and compact so it does not take up valuable floor space.
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6,361,024 B1
March 26, 2002
Jerry D. Carson, of PWC Technologies Inc. (Beaverton, OR)