Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a swab for cleaning. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a swab having a different cleaning surfaces on a single cleaning head.  
         [0002]     Swabs are used in all manners of cleaning. For example, everyone will recognize common cotton tipped swabs that are used for person hygiene and care. Because of the compact and effective nature of these swabs, they have been adopted for use in numerous areas of technology and manufacture. One such area is the manufacture of advanced optical components for use in aerospace and navigation systems.  
         [0003]     Fiber optic components, such as fiber optic connectors, are also widely used in telecommunications. During manufacture and use of optical components it is not unusual for pieces of manufacturing debris, such as dust and fibers or other particulate debris to be left on surface of the components. It is also not unusual for light oils, such as fingerprint and other natural skin oils to be found on many of these parts.  
         [0004]     Moreover, when out “in the field”, the outer casings or shells of the connectors can become dirty and soiled from exposure to the environs. As such, during maintenance and/or repair, the connectors themselves can become soiled with dirt, oils and other debris. It will be appreciated that the debris and oils can significantly degrade, distort or prevent the proper and precise transmission of images.  
         [0005]     There are many types of connectors that are used in fiber optic cable installations. The type of connector can vary depending upon the type of use (e.g., harsh versus mild environments), the number of strands (for example, 6, 12, or 18 strands) in the cable, and the physical arrangement of the strands within the cable. The fiber (optical) strands are aligned with metal pins to assure continuity of the signal between the connections. Since the connections are minute, most commonly there are strands that are “shrouded” by the alignment pins making cleaning a difficult operation. Cleaning the connections is paramount for existing and anticipated high speed fiber optic transmissions. One particular type of connector (an MT-type ribbon connector, which has alignment pins) can be very difficult to properly clean, especially the fibers that are along side of the alignment pins.  
         [0006]     Numerous types of cleaning implements have been used, with some degrees of success, to clean these particularly sensitive components and areas. Swabs are often used, and with great success, to clean connectors and other parts of the fiber optic cable systems. However, because of the different surfaces, pin configurations and the like, it has been found that for proper cleaning of these components, a one-size-fits-all cleaning implement is not the best solution. Rather, in certain instances, a specific, preferred swab material and configuration may be best suited for the cleaning application. And, it may not always be possible to have on hand all of the various sizes and configurations needed for a given use.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there is a need for a swab that is usable with multiple types and configurations of fiber optic connectors. Desirably, such a swab can be used to efficiently and effectively clean both side and end faces of connectors, as well as different types of connectors. Most desirably, such a swab eliminates the need for maintaining an inventory of different types of swabs needed for in-field fiber optic cable maintenance and repair.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A cleaning swab is for wet or dry use. The swab includes an elongated polymeric handle having a cleaning head end and a grasping end. A cleaning head is mounted to the handle. The cleaning head is formed from a strip of material having an inner surface and an outer surface. The material is affixed to the handle at the inner surface, and extends along the handle, over the tip and along an opposite side of the handle to define a loop at the handle tip spaced from the tip. The strip of material that extends along the handle defines major cleaning surfaces and the loop defines an inner annular cleaning surface.  
         [0009]     The swab is configured for use with multiple configurations and types of fiber optic connectors. The swab efficiently and effectively cleans both side and end faces of connectors. The inner annular cleaning surface is configured to clean connectors parts that extend generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the connector. Advantageously, the swab eliminates the need for maintaining an extensive inventory of different types of swabs for in-field fiber optic cable maintenance and repair. It is expected that the swab will be used in a lightly dampened state.  
         [0010]     In a present swab, the cleaning head is formed as a strip of material that has a width about equal to the width of the handle. The handle can be formed from a static dissipative material or may have a static dissipative constituent.  
         [0011]     The cleaning head material is preferably a non-woven material. One suitable material is a synthetic chamois. The synthetic chamois can be a polyurethane or polyvinyl acetate material. The material can also be a micro denier material. The material should prevent over-saturating the fiber optic connection which can cause signal distortion.  
         [0012]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a three-sided swab embodying the principles of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the swab of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partial side view of the swab as indicted by the circled area in  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector having a pin that is oriented normal to the axis of the connector. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.  
         [0019]     It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.  
         [0020]     Referring to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1  there is shown a swab  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The swab  10  includes a handle  12  and a cleaning head  14 . The handle  12  has a grasping end  16  and a cleaning head end  18 .  
         [0021]     The cleaning head  14  is formed from a material that is applied to the handle  12  in a flat, over-end wrapped construction as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The flat construction provides two large, planar areas  20  over which components such as connectors can be cleaned and four edge areas  22  for cleaning smaller areas, for example, between the pins of connectors.  
         [0022]     Importantly, the swab  10  has an over-end wrapped end or tip as indicated at  24 . In this configuration, the cleaning head  14  has a blunted tip  26  as the cleaning head  14  material is wrapped over the tip  28  of the handle  12  to form a loop  30  at the end of the cleaning head  14 . The handle  12  defines a longitudinal axis A 12 . The loop  30  defines an inner or annular cleaning region  32 . It will be appreciated that the annular cleaning region  32  (formed by the loop  30  tip) has been found to be extremely effective for, and innovative in its ability to, clean optical fibers that may be embedded in connector elements or shrouded by alignment pins.  
         [0023]     In a present embodiment. The handle  12  is flat, that is, it has a generally rectangular cross-section, and the cleaning head  14  is formed as a strip that has a width w 14  that is about equal to the width w 12  of the handle  12 . The cleaning head  14  material is wrapped over the tip  28  of the handle  12 . This forms the two relatively large cleaning surfaces  20  on the major faces of the swab  10  (that is, the material covering the major sides of the handle  12 ), the smaller, edge-like cleaning surfaces  22  on the sides of the swab  10 , and the inner or annular cleaning surface  32  within the loop portion  30  of the material that is folded over the handle tip  28 . The loop portion  30  is not pulled tight over the handle tip  28 . Rather, the material is loosely wrapped over the tip  28  to specifically define the enclosed cleaning region  32 .  
         [0024]     In a present swab  10 , the swab  10  has a length  1   10  of about 3.25 inches (about 8.25 cm), including the distance created by the cleaning head  14  material being wrapped over the tip  28 . In that the material is relatively thin and the “loop”  30  is relatively small, the length  1   12  of the handle  12  is essentially equal to the overall swab length  1   10 . The length  1   14  of the head  14  is about 0.88 inches (about 22.3 mm).  
         [0025]     A present swab  10  has a width w 10  of about 0.38 inches (about 9.6 mm), and again, this is essentially equal to the width w 12  of the handle  12  so that the cleaning head  14  material is coextensive with the handle 12 width. In a present swab  10 , the handle  12  has a thickness t 12  of about 0.07 inches (about 1.7 mm). The handle  12  can be formed from a polymeric material, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The material can be formulated or filled with additional desired constituents, such as a static dissipative material, for a particular application or service.  
         [0026]     The cleaning head  14  material is a soft, absorbent material. It is anticipated that a non-woven material that is dust and lint free (that is, it does not flake or shed fibers or the like). Preferably, such a material absorbs oils as well as water and other aqueous liquids. One material that is particularly suited for use as the cleaning head  14  material is chamois, and more particularly, synthetic chamois. Such a material exhibits the above-noted desired characteristics, while at the same time, is sufficiently durable so that it an be used to remove contaminants by abrading (e.g., scrubbing the dirt) from around the fiber optic connection components. Synthetic chamois can be made from, for example, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate and other like-based materials. Other suitable materials, such as polyester, micro denier or other cleaning textiles or fabrics may also be used. Preferably, the material prevents over-saturating the fiber optic connection which can cause signal distortion.  
         [0027]     It will be understood that often, the swab  10  is used in a combination cleaning method, in conjunction with a spray cleaner or degreaser, such as one of the ELECTRO-WASH® brand cleaners (for example, ELECTRO-WASH® PX, ELECTRO-WASH® MX, and ELECTRO-WASH® CZ) commercially available from ITW Chemtronics of Kennesaw, Ga. As such, any material that is used for the cleaning head  14  should be compatible with any anticipated cleaners or solvents.  
         [0028]     One of the advantages of the present swab  10  is the annular cleaning surface  32 . As will be appreciated, the loop over the tip  28  forms the annular cleaning surface  32 . It has been found that with many connector that have projection like pins, it is difficult to assure proper cleaning of the entirely of the body of the pin. In addition, some connectors are formed having pins P that extend from the connector C at an angle (generally normal) to a longitudinal axis A C  of the connector C (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0029]     The present swab loop annular cleaning surface  32  provides an arrangement by which these projecting pins or connections P can be efficiently and effectively cleaned by use of a single cleaning implement or tool, without having to overly manipulate the tool. At the same time, it also assures that a large cleaning surface  20  is available to apply to the connector C surface, rather that having to rely on edges and comers of standard tools.  
         [0030]     It will also be appreciated that the loop cleaning surface  32  (which is formed as a looped tip) provides a cushioned surface to permit more exercised cleaning of connector C surfaces. That is, because the loop  30  essentially forms a cushion, a greater amount of force can be used to scrub surfaces clean.  
         [0031]     The present swab  10  can be used for cleaning sensitive components and surfaces such as fiber optics connectors, telecommunications components and the like. A swab  10  in accordance with the present invention leaves little to no residue (e.g., fibers) from the device within the component or on the surface, and can be used wet or dry (i.e., with or without a solvent) to facilitate cleaning. The swab  10  has been found to be structurally stable when used wet or dry. The present swab  10  has been found to be  
         [0032]     In certain connectors in which the fiber strands are aligned with metal pins (to assure continuity of the signal between the connections), since the connections are minute, they are often “shrouded” by the alignment pins, such as in MT-type ribbon connector. This makes cleaning a difficult operation. It has been found that the present swab  10  extremely effective in carrying out these difficult but necessary cleaning operations.  
         [0033]     All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.  
         [0034]     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.  
         [0035]     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 7