Patent ID: 6418946
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B05B,G03F

Abstract:
An apparatus for cleaning a photoresist dispensing nozzle comprising:at least one photoresist dispensing nozzle having a tip, said tip being clogged with dried up photoresist particles; a nozzle base having at least one opening and positioned beneath said at least one photoresist dispensing nozzle, such that said tip of said photoresist dispensing nozzle is inserted through said opening of said nozzle base; a catch pan having an opening, said catch pan positioned beneath said nozzle base such that said opening of said catch pan faces said tip of said at least one photoresist dispensing nozzle; a solvent dispensing needle having an opening, said solvent dispensing needle inserted into said opening of said catch pan such that said opening of said solvent dispensing needle faces said tip of said photoresist dispensing nozzle; and means in communication with said solvent dispensing needle for spraying photoresist cleaning solvent upwardly through said opening of said solvent dispensing needle directly onto said tip of said photoresist dispensing nozzle and for dissolving the dried up photoresist particles while said tip of said photoresist dispensing nozzle is inserted through said opening of said nozzle base; wherein said catch pan collects the photoresist cleaning solvent and the dissolved photoresist particles and said catch pan includes a drain for draining the photoresist cleaning solvent and the dissolved photoresist particles from said catch pan.