Patent ID: 7870990
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for cleaning a molten solder from a hot top of a soldering iron without using water, the apparatus comprising: a dry open-celled melamine foam, the foam defining a hole extending from a surface of the dry open-celled melamine foam and configured to engage a soldering iron tip and direct molten solder from the soldering iron tip toward a lower end of the hole when the soldering iron tip engages the dry open-celled melamine foam near an upper end of the hole; wherein the hole comprises a through-hole; top and bottom surfaces of the foam are flat and parallel; a forward face of the foam comprises a lower surface which is flat and vertical and an upper portion which is inwardly inclined from vertical; and a rear face of the foam comprises an upper surface which is flat and vertical and a lower portion which is inwardly inclined from vertical; wherein the foam is configured to be rotated 180 degrees about a horizontal axis, and usable to engage a soldering tip; wherein the through-hole extends from the upper portion of the forward face to lower portion of the rear face of the foam.