Self-contained, single-use hose and tubing cleaning module

A self-contained, single-use hose and tubing cleaning module which utilizes available water supplies without requiring access to precision cleaning facilities. The module is attached to the water source at the inlet side and to the hose or tubing to be cleaned at the outlet side. The water flows through a water purification zone, a detergent dispensing zone and a filtration zone before the detergent-laden water flows into the tubing to clean the tubing walls. The module contains an embedded pad which is impregnated with a pH indicator to indicate to the user when the detergent has dissolved and rinsing of the tubing begins.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention relates to an apparatus or device for cleaning hoses or tubes 
in the field. 
Hoses and tubing used in the field require periodic cleaning. This cleaning 
cannot always be performed easily because disassembly of the hoses and 
tubing may be required as well as the necessity to use cleaning water of 
unknown or questionable quality. Further, in such instances, cleaning is 
made difficult by the need for knowledgeable personnel using cleaning 
instruments to not only conduct the cleaning itself but to survey the 
water source. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Under the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 2,868,724 (McDevitt) discloses a device 
for filtering and demineralizing water on a batch scale, containing inter 
alia, ion exchange resin and filters. A color indicator mark on the 
container signals need for replacement when color of effluent water 
matches color of the indicator mark. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,610 (Hetherington) discloses a deionization unit 
containing as an ion exchange resin a material having "high-swelling" 
properties which, upon a change in the pH of the liquid passing 
therethrough, swells to block the flow indicating exhaustion of the ion 
exchange capacity of the resin. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,057 (Stanley) discloses a portable water conditioner 
comprising, in addition to the usual inlet/outlet fixtures: screens, 
activated charcoal and ion exchange resins. It also includes an indicator 
which signals when a predetermined mass of filtrates has accumulated. A 
companion patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,123 also to Stanley, discloses a 
simplified and improved apparatus for regeneration of the ion exchange 
resins such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,051. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,134 (Hassinger) discloses a water treatment apparatus 
attachable to a faucet to improve the taste of water containing screens, 
activated charcoal, sand and limestone particles. U.S. Pat. No. 1,774,004 
(Haslett), U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,002 (Mauro) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,809 
(McPherren) disclose apparatus having various combinations of screens, 
filters, activated charcoal, and ion exchange resins for the filtering or 
treating of water. 
Nowhere is disclosed the combination of water purification in the same 
module with a powdered cleaning compound which dissolves into the water 
leaving the filter as a cleaner. 
It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for field cleaning 
of hoses or tubing with minimum disassembly and reassembly of the hoses or 
tubing being cleaned. It is a further object of this invention to provide 
an apparatus for field cleaning of hoses or tubing which uses available 
water sources for the water to be used in cleaning the hoses or tubing. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which can 
be used by relatively unskilled or low skilled personnel in performing the 
task of cleaning field hoses or tubing and disposed of when cleaning is 
completed. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The apparatus of this invention is a portable, compact module usually made 
of a polyethylene (or other polymer) tube for attachment to a water tap at 
the inlet end and an adapter to receive tube or hose for the specific 
application at the outlet end. The inlet end adapter is connected at the 
water tap and the water then flows through the device where it is filtered 
and demineralized through ion exchange in a purification zone and absorbs 
a powdered cleaning compound in a detergent disposing zone and exits the 
module from a filtration zone to enter the hose or tubing to be cleaned. 
The practice of this invention allows use of existing water sources to 
clean hoses and tubing without disassembly of the hoses and tubing. The 
mere insertion of the module of this invention between the water source 
and the tubing to be cleaned provides economical as well as precise 
cleaning of hoses and tubing. Once cleaning is accomplished, the module is 
removed, the tubing and/or other equipment is reconnected into place. 
The cleansed water, after the ion exchange in the purification zone, 
becomes laden with detergent and, after passing through the filters, flows 
through the hose or tube and cleaning same by detergent action. The water 
flow may be stopped at any time to permit a soaking period. Generally, the 
water is allowed to flow until all of the cleaner is exhausted at which 
time the embedded chemical indicator will change color in response to a 
change in pH of the water. When the indicator spot has changed, no more 
cleaning compound is flowing and the water is rinsing the hose or the tube 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The following detailed description more particularly describes the 
invention. 
In its most detailed embodiment, the water flows from the inlet end and 
passes through in series a mesh retaining screen to prevent entry of large 
particles; then a zone of activated carbon particles for the removal of 
organic material from the water; a second retaining screen; a zone 
containing ion exchange resin granules for removal of dissolved minerals; 
a third retaining screen; a zone containing water soluble powdered 
cleaning compound; a fourth retaining screen; a stack of filters of 
decreasing size containing an embedded chemical indicator to show when the 
cleaning powder is exhausted. 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1, the tube cleaning module 10 of the 
invention comprises inlet fitting 11 attached to a water source 8 through 
an optional bushing 9, a body 12, an enlarged diameter filter holder 13, 
and fitting for outlet hose attachment 14 attached to the hose on tube to 
be cleaned. The module 10 is usually cylindrical in shape and preferably 
made of polyethylene or a similar polymer. This material is relatively 
inexpensive and appropriate for a disposable device. With simple 
modifications, a reusable device could be constructed. Whether disposable 
or reusable, the material must be of sufficient strength to withstand the 
pressures the water will exert. 
The water source may be tap water from a standard municipal supply system 
or well water, or any other suitable supply which will not be overly 
polluted and is supplied at sufficient pressure. Outlet hose attachment 14 
is connected to the hose or tube 21 to be cleaned. The water source 8 is 
then opened so that water flow starts and cleaning begins. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the water flow initially passes through first 
screening means 15a. The screening means is a mesh retainer placed at the 
inlet end of body 12 adjacent inlet 11 to remove particulates from the 
water. Water flow continues into a purification zone 16 which includes an 
organic matter removal zone 16a preferably containing activated carbon or 
a similar material to remove any organic matter in the water to continue 
purification of the water. After flowing, it is demineralized in zone 16b, 
preferably containing an ion exchange resin, which removes dissolved 
minerals or salts, thus decontaminating the water. 
The selection of the materials to use in the purification zone 16 is a 
matter of choice depending upon the contamination expected in the water to 
be used for the cleaning job but normally an activated charcoal would be 
used to remove organics and on ion exchange resin used to remove minerals. 
The size of the zone for removal of organic material 16a and the 
demineralization zone 16b are also dictated by the contamination of the 
water. This is a particular advantage when the module of the invention is 
to be included in a kit with the tubing and other apparatus to be cleaned 
having a known destination. The modules then can be tailored to cope with 
the expected ecological conditions. 
Upon leaving purification zone 16, flow continues into a detergent 
dispensing zone 17 containing a water soluble powdered cleaning compound 
which will dissolve into the water and be used for cleaning the tubing. 
The composition of the cleaning compound depends on the material or soil 
which is ultimately to be cleaned from the hose or tubing. Again, this can 
also be tailored to suit a particular need. After the water flows through 
the detergent dispensing zone it enters a filtration zone 18 housed in a 
filter holder 13 which generally is an enlarged diameter portion of the 
body 12. The decontaminated water is now laden with the soluble cleaning 
compound and ready for use to clean. 
As the water flows into the filter holder 13, the cross-sectional area is 
normally increased as shown in FIG. 2. The filtration zone 18 has a larger 
cross-section area than the body 12 in order to slow the velocity and to 
reduce the pressure drop across the filter 18a in the filtration zone 18. 
The slower velocity prevents the filters from tearing or breaking due to 
high water pressure and allows the filters to effectively filter finely 
divided particles which might remain. While virtually any filter medium is 
appropriate a packed paper or fiber filter being preferred. The filters 18 
in the filter holder 13 of the filtration zone 18 are preferably arranged 
in a decrementing manner to remove progressively smaller particulates. 
Each zone of the module 10 within the body 12 is secured and separated by a 
screening means 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d to maintain the integrity of the 
purification zones 16 and the detergent dispensing zone 17. Screening 
means 15a is shown at the inlet end of body 12 to catch and remove larger 
particulates before they enter the purification zone 16. 
After flowing through the filters, the water, laden with detergent, flows 
through a pad 19, which could also be part of the filter 18a, embedded 
with a pH indicator. This pad is viewable from the outside through a clear 
opening 20 (FIG. 1). The water eventually dissolves and carries away all 
the cleaning agent resulting in a change in pH of water which is reflected 
by a color change of the indicator pad 19 viewable through opening 20. Of 
course, a transparent or translucent material could be used for the body 
12 through which the change in indicator color can be observed. 
If desired, once the detergent has all been dissolved, the water supply may 
be shut off at the tap 8. If the detergent is still within the hose or 
tubing, stopping the water flow allows the cleaning compound to soak and 
react with the deposits being cleaned. When the cleaning compound is fully 
exhausted and water is flowing, the water is now rinsing the tubing and 
carrying away the removed deposits. The purification zone 16a and 16b 
should be of sufficient capacity to continue to remove organic matter and 
dissolved materials through the duration of the rinsing phase. Therefore, 
the sizes of zones 16a, 16b and 17 may not be equal but are dependent upon 
the amount of activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and cleaning compound 
needed to clean and rinse the tubing. Once cleaning and rinsing are 
complete the module can be removed from the cleaned tubing and water 
source and discarded. The cleaned tubing can then be put back into service 
from where it came until a subsequent cleaning is required.