Dispensing – With recorder – register – indicator – signal or exhibitor – Audible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-03-27
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With recorder, register, indicator, signal or exhibitor
Audible
C222S064000, C222S082000, C222S095000, C222S389000, C285S009100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206240
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a dispensing system for the storage and dispensing of liquid chemicals including acids; solvents; bases; photoresists; dopants; inorganic, organic and biological solutions; pharmaceuticals; and radioactive chemicals. In particular, the invention relates to using pressurization for safe dispersement of liquid chemicals from the container once proper coupling is assured.
Certain manufacturing processes require the use of liquid chemicals such as acids, solvents, bases, and photoresists. Often, these processes require a specific liquid chemical for each particular process. Furthermore, each process may require a specific liquid chemical at various stages of the process. Storage and dispensing systems allow alternative containers to be used to deliver liquid chemicals to a manufacturing process at a specified time. Consequently, manufacturing personnel need to change the liquid chemical being used for the particular process at the specified time so that the system delivers the correct liquid chemical to the manufacturing process. It is critical that the proper liquid chemical be installed into the systems for the particular process. If the incorrect liquid chemical is installed for a particular process, personnel may be put at risk. Furthermore, equipment and the articles under manufacture may be severely damaged.
Prior art systems have attempted to utilize unique pump connectors that will only fit with a correct container. Each container has a unique configuration based on the liquid chemical contained therein. The intention is that only the correct chemical can be used in any particular manufacturing process, because the process will dictate a unique pump connection and a corresponding container with the correct chemical liquid. Prior art systems, however, do allow the pump connectors to be partially connected to the incorrect chemicals such that pumping can take place even though the connection is not proper. In addition, personnel have a propensity to attach the wrong chemical to the wrong process or at the wrong time. Such incorrect connections can be dangerous to personnel and have caused millions of dollars of damage to equipment and to articles of manufacture. The present invention solves these and other problems associated with the prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system for handling high purity liquid and a method for the same. The system has a container with a mouth. A cap, including a first key element, is coupled with the mouth. A connector is coupled with the cap. The connector includes a connector head, a probe, and a second key element. The probe extends from the connector head and is insertable through a center of the cap and into the mouth of the container. The probe has a flow passage. The second key element is configured to mate with the first key element.
The system includes a pump coupled with the probe and with the flow passage. The pump pumps liquid through the probe and the flow passage. A sensor then senses when the first and second key elements are mated and senses when the first and second key elements are not mated.
The system also includes a controller coupled with the sensor and the pump. The controller enables the pump when the sensor senses that the first and second key elements are mated and disables the pump when the sensor senses that the first and second key elements are not mated.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensor includes a Hall effect sensor and a magnet. The Hall effect sensor is mounted on the connector and has two states; one state is defined by the Hall effect sensor and the magnet being immediately adjacent each other, and the other state is defined by the Hall effect sensor and magnet being spaced apart from each other.
In a preferred embodiment, the first key element is a notch in the cap and the second key element is a protrusion carried on the connector. The protrusion is configured to mate with the notch in the cap such that the cap and connector can be coupled only in a single predetermined orientation when the protrusion and the notch are mated.
Finally, the system includes a pressurization means for forcing the liquid from the container to an intermediate holding reservoir; sensors for the reservoir alert an operator when the liquid level in the reservoir drops.
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patent: 5577638 (1996-11-01), Takagawa
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patent: 5875921 (1999-03-01), Osgar et al.
patent: 1005866 (1955-02-01), None
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O'Dougherty Kevin T.
Osgar Michael L.
Derakshani Philippe
Kinney & Lange , P.A.
NOW Technologies, Inc.
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