# US 8,465,595 B2 · Apparatus and method for cleaning substrates/media disks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,595 B2 - Document ID: US8465595B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/534,569 - Filed: 2012-06-27 - Published: 2012-10-18 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-20 - Assignees: Invenpro (M) Sdn. Bhd. - Applicants: Kae Jeng Ng; Kien Hui Liang; Kien Yew Liang - Inventors: Kae Jeng Ng; Kien Hui Liang; Kien Yew Liang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465595B2 ## CPC - H10P 72/0412: {using mainly scrubbing means, e.g. brushes} - B08B 1/34: rotating about an axis parallel to the surface - B08B 3/04: Cleaning involving contact with liquid - H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract An apparatus and method for cleaning workpieces (5) using two pairs of substantially vertical rotating roller brushes (15) at each brush station whereby rotation of said brushes (15) propel workpieces (5) from one brush station to the next. Workpieces (5) are held for a predetermined period of time at each station by edgewheels (30, 31) which also rotate the workpieces (5). Cleaning fluid is sprayed onto workpieces (5) as they rotate to assist in removing particulate contamination. Method involves inserting a single workpiece (5) in between two pairs of rotating roller brushes (15) which scrub said workpiece as it is rotated by a pair of edgewheels (30, 31). There may be a divider shield (9) in between each brush station to prevent a large proportion of particulate matter and use cleaning fluid from traveling between the brush stations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of cleaning a workpiece comprising the following steps: a. placing a workpiece (5) of a flat disc shape in between at least one pair of roller brushes (15), said roller brushes (15) rotating in an opposite direction with respect to each other and said roller brushes (15) positioned close enough to each other so as to scrub the workpiece (5), and the frictional force between the rotating roller brushes (15) and the workpiece (5) pushing the workpiece (5) in the direction of rotation; b. holding the workpiece (5) in this position for a predetermined amount of time by using a pair of edgewheels (30, 31); and c. releasing the workpiece (5) held by the pair of edgewheels (30, 31), so that the workpiece is propelled by the rotation of the said roller brushes (15); d. wherein, the axis of rotation of said roller brushes (15) is in a substantially vertical direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of cleaning a workpiece according to claim 1 wherein the pair of edgewheels (30, 31) in step (b) prevents the workpiece (5) from movement caused by the rotating roller brushes (15). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method of cleaning a workpiece according to claim 1 wherein the pair of edgewheels (30, 31) in step (c) moves away from each other so that the rotation of the roller brushes (15) causes the workpiece (5) to be propelled away from the roller brushes (15). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method of cleaning a workpiece according to claim 1 wherein there are two pairs of roller brushes (15) arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration. ### Claim 5 A method of cleaning a workpiece using a plurality of brush stations comprising: inserting a workpiece of a flat disc shape into a first brush station, said brush station comprising: at least one pair of roller brushes (15), said roller brushes (15) rotating in an opposite direction with respect to each other and said roller brushes (15) positioned close enough to each other so as to scrub the workpiece (5), and rotation of roller brushes (15) causing the workpiece (5) to be propelled in the direction of rotation; a pair of edgewheels (30, 31), said edgewheels (30, 31) able to move towards and away from each other, and said edgewheels (30, 31) located such that when the edgewheels (30, 31) are towards each other, the edgewheels (30, 31) hold the workpiece (5) in a location so that the workpiece (5) is scrubbed by the roller brushes (15), and at least one of said edgewheels (30, 31) is in rotation causing rotation of the workpiece (5) at a predetermined rate, and when the edgewheels (30, 31) are at a position further with respect to each other the edgewheels (30, 31) allow the workpiece (5) to move freely in between the edgewheels (30, 31); and moving the edgewheels (30, 31) away from each other so that the workpiece (5) is propelled by the rotation of the roller brushes (15) towards a second brush station; wherein, the axis of rotation of said roller brushes (15) is in a substantially vertical direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method of cleaning a workpiece using a plurality of brush stations according to claim 5 wherein there are four brush stations. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A method of cleaning a workpiece using a plurality of brush stations according to claim 5 wherein each brush station has two pairs of roller brushes (15) arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration.