Patent ID: 7147490

Claim:
A cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a nozzle assembly adapted to be positioned in proximity to an endface of an optical fiber associated with a fiber optic connector in a bulkhead adaptor; and (b) a delivery system coupled in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly, wherein the delivery system is adapted to deliver a liquid upon the endface via the nozzle assembly to aid in removal of contaminants on the endface and also adapted to deliver a gas substantially free of the liquid upon the endface via the nozzle assembly to aid in removal of the liquid from the endface; wherein the delivery system is configurable between a first position in which the liquid is permitted to be delivered through the nozzle assembly and a second position in which a spring biases a fluid delivery valve in a closed position such that the liquid is impeded from being delivered through the nozzle assembly while the gas is permitted to be delivered from the nozzle assembly.