Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 10th June, 1887.
1, THOMAS JAMES PORTER, of Fleetwood, in the County of Lancaster newspaper
proprietor do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention consists of an improved form of Cleaner for removing the deposit of
Nicotine and other matter from the bores or passages through the Stems and
Mouthpieces of Pipes used in smoking tobacco, and of Cigar holders.
For this purpose I construct a parallel helix, either Hexible or rigid, somewhat
longer than the length of bore of the Pipe or portion thereof to be cleaned.
The Cleaners may be of various diameters and lengths and may be formed in any
of the following ways or any mere modification thereof.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1. shews a Cleaner_constructed by twisting a
straight narrow parallel strip of metal into helical form. It may be of flat section
as at a or curved as at 6 and I do not limit myself to any given curvature either
concave or convex, or one side may be flat and the other side curved.
Fig. II shews a Cleaner constructed by a wire being wound around a central wire
of circular section. The outer wire forming the helix may be of round, square,
triangular, rectangular or other suitable section.
Fig. III shews a Cleaner formed by the twisting of a single wire of triangular
section, and any of the sections shewn at c, d, and e, or of any polygonal section may
be used without departing from my invention.
Fig. IV. shews a Cleaner formed by the turning or cutting of a spiral recess out of
a solid wire. I may cut more than one such recess and I prefer to back off
or sharpen the advancing edge of the periphery as shewn in enlarged section at f. -

page_text: The method of using such a Cleaner will be readily understood. In inserting the
Cleaner into the bore of the pipe or portion thereof to be cleaned it is revolved and
advanced simultaneously in such a way that the helix worms its way into the bore or
passage simply cutting a thread in the deposit and not scraping it away. This motion
is readily obtained and controlled by placing the finger against the end of the stem
or mouthpiece of the pipe and allowing the threads of the Cleaner to slide against it
forming thus roughly a portion of a fixed nut.
Fig. V. shews the Cleaner within the bore.
In withdrawing the Cleaner it is drawn straight out without rotation when the
whole length of the periphery of the helix acts as a scraper and removes the deposit
which then falls into the hollows or spaces of the helix.
Fig. VI shews it after withdrawal. The ends are preferably made with a champfer
or cone and the helix may be made right or left handed and of any suitable pitch.
I do not confine myself to any particular material, as any substance combining the
requisite strength, elasticity or rigidity may be used, as steel, brass, zinc, tin, vulcanite
or composition.
Having now fully set forth the nature of my invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed I desire it to be understood that I do not claim helical or
twisted Cleaners in themselves but what I claim is:-
I. The special constructional forms of parallel helical Cleaners for the purpose
herein before described and as shown in Figs. I, II, III and IV, and in section at
a, b, c, d, e and fin the drawings appended hereto, such forms being specially designed
and suitable for use and application by being wormed or screwed into the bore
without disturbance of the deposit which is removed by the subsequent withdrawal
without rotation, substantially as hereinbefore described.
.
Dated this 9th day of May 1887.