Outside Patents (Class 15/104.04)
  • Publication number: 20080250648
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a pipe cleaning tool are disclosed. In one embodiment, the pipe cleaning tool comprises a body and a plurality of pipe cleaners. The pipe cleaners are adapted to clean at least two different sizes of pipes. In another embodiment, a pipe cutter device is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore Parish
  • Patent number: 7361079
    Abstract: A pipe deburring tool (1) comprises a deburring means (2) arranged to deburr the inside surface of a pipe and a cleaning means (3) arranged to simultaneously prepare the outside surface of the pipe upon relative rotation of the tool and pipe. The deburring means (2) comprises a prism having rounded longitudinal edges. The cleaning means (3) comprises a plurality of brushes (21) arranged in a housing (4) round the outside of the deburring means (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cable Management Products Ltd.
    Inventors: John Michael Pryce, Kathleen Wigley
  • Patent number: 7356867
    Abstract: A hand-operable brush for cleaning the crevices of vehicle rims includes a handle having adjacent internal compartments and proximal and distal ends. The handle has an outer surface with linear grooves for assisting an operator to maintain a sufficient grip. The distal end is provided with an outlet in fluid communication with the compartments. A variable speed motor is disposed within one of the compartments and includes a drive shaft and a switch connected thereto. The device also includes a cleaning section including a driven shaft operable via the motor and having bristles extending away therefrom. A coupling member is positioned adjacent to the distal end and provided with isolated channels for receiving the drive shaft and the driven shaft. A power supply source including a plurality of batteries is housed within one compartment and is electrically coupled to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: David M. Beiermann
  • Patent number: 7334289
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cleaning a lubricant for dry-type wire drawing. The apparatus comprises a case provided with a cover and piercing holes at opposite sides of the case such that a steel wire can pass through the case, a plurality of driving motors provided at one side of the exterior of the case, rotating members located at an inside of the case and connected to the driving motors, respectively, by belts serving to rotate them, support plates for supporting the rotating members, and cleaning members coupled to the rotating member and adapted to provide a path through which the steel wire passes. The dry lubricant on the surface of the steel wire can be effectively cleaned by friction between the lubricant on the steel wire and the cleaning members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: LG Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-tae Kim, Jeong-ho Kim, Tae-jung Lee
  • Patent number: 7263737
    Abstract: A tool for simultaneously cleaning inside and outside surfaces surrounding an open end portion of a pipe includes a cleaning arm and a pipe-supporting arm mounted in a head for adjustment of the transverse spacing therebetween. Support portions on the cleaning arm have confronting faces spaced transversely from one another and defining a rearwardly extending, forwardly open slot adapted for the receipt of the wall of a pipe supported on the pipe-supporting arm, and a pipe-cleaning element is disposed on each of the confronting faces of the support portions. Relative rotation of the mounting head and a pipe so positioned will cause the cleaning elements to effect simultaneous cleaning of the surrounding inside and outside surfaces of the pipe end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Richard T. Walsh, Richard T. Walsh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7216393
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical-connector cleaning device, wherein an outer casing has an openable and closable window, through which a cleaning tape for cleaning fiber end surface of the optical connectors is gradually fed. The optical-connector cleaning device according to the invention includes a cassette for integrally holding a reel for feeding unused cleaning tape and a reel for taking up the used cleaning tape, wherein the cassette can be attached to and detached from the outer casing, thus facilitating the replacement of the cleaning tape. Furthermore, in the optical-connector cleaning device according to the invention, a replacement unit including a guide plate for guiding the fiber end surface of the optical connector and a rubber pad serving as a base for the cleaning tape can be detachably disposed at a position corresponding to the window in the outer casing, thus facilitating the cleaning of optical connectors having different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sato, Sadao Tomioka, Yoshiteru Kiyomura, Iwao Watanabe, Kouji Ueno
  • Patent number: 7200890
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing the welding region on the outer surface of plastic pipes, comprising elements for anchoring to a pipe; a threaded pivot being coupled to the anchoring elements to perform a longitudinal, rotary and translational motion; supporting elements for a tool being jointly coupled to the threaded pivot, that can be arranged so as to interfere with, and remove material from, the outer surface of the pipe. The anchoring elements comprise a central body with longitudinal sliding guides thereon for rod-like elements, which protrude partially from the central body, do not intersect each other, and support at ends feet for resting against the inner surface of the pipe. Respective racks are provided longitudinally on the rod-like elements and are kinematically connected to a common actuation gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ritmo S.p.A
    Inventor: Bruno De Franceschi
  • Patent number: 7159264
    Abstract: A scraper for removing deposits from the exterior of a tubular member which has a plurality of concatenated, resilient segments adapted to contact the exterior surface of the tubular member where each pair of adjacent segments is connected through a geniculation. The resilient segments are aligned with and interposed between a pair of opposing annular disks that are connected together by a plurality of spacers located adjacent to the outer periphery of the disks and adjacent to the chords of the segments. The chords of the segments are distributed around the circumference of the axial openings such that the various segments are deformed outwardly, whereby the resilience of the thus deformed segment urges it inwardly against the tubular member, and causes it to clean the tubular member as the scraper moves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Sotirakos, Demao Wang
  • Patent number: 7124882
    Abstract: A cleaning kit operable by a tool for cleaning pipes and fittings to prepare same for soldering. The cleaning kit includes a plurality of sockets including wire bristles attached thereto and for receiving the outer surface of a pipe therealong. The plurality of pipes are maintain in continuous contact with a pipe surface for cleaning same while a tool rotatably engages the plurality of sockets about the pipe. The cleaning kit also includes a shank for receiving the plurality of sockets therein and for removably connecting to a tool respectively. A wire brush including a lower end portion and a second shank connected thereto is removably attachable to a tool so that the wire brush can rotatably engage an interior of a pipe and thereby clean same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Emyr Jadydy
  • Patent number: 6986184
    Abstract: A brush device has a plurality of different size annular brushes encircling a single cylindrical brush. All brushes are mounted on a drive shaft associated with an electric motor which can be powered by a battery pack or by utility power. The cylindrical brush will fit into a water jet, while the annular brushes will clean the outside of the water jet. A brush head encircles the annular brushes and is located and shaped to engage a planar surface adjacent to the water jet being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventors: Rebecca Chamblee, James T. Chamblee
  • Patent number: 6983508
    Abstract: A bolt cleaning system for removing debris from the threaded portions of anchor bolts. The bolt cleaning system includes a shaft member, an inner member attached to the shaft member having an annular member, a first cleaning unit removably positionable within the inner member, a connector member connectable to the inner member, an outer member connectable to the connector member, and a second cleaning unit removably positioned between the connector member and the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: James M. Saurer
  • Patent number: 6964077
    Abstract: A plastic housing has a front shell with inwardly protruding bristles of an exterior wire brush, and a rear shell which retractably receives the outwardly protruding bristles of an interior wire brush. The interior brush is mounted to a shaft which engages the housing, and which is driven by a motor, such as by a power drill. A ring-like deburring element is mounted to the shell between the front shell and the rear shell, and has an inwardly and frontwardly protruding generally frustoconical first wall forming a deburring element which defines a central opening through which the interior brush may be projected and retracted. The first wall may be planar segments, or may have a circular cross section. The deburring element serves to position a pipe for burnishing by the exterior brush, and also deburrs the end of the inserted pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Red Cedar Plastics, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly K. Kadinger, Theodore Schonebaum
  • Patent number: 6961974
    Abstract: A pipe prepping tool for cleaning the ends of copper pipes and fittings to prepare their surfaces for soldering. The pipe prepping tool includes a hand-held housing member having an elongate handle portion and a head portion; and also includes a first brush support member being rotatably mounted to the hand-held housing member; and further includes a second brush support member being mounted to the first brush support member; and also includes a plurality of brushes being supported by the first and second brush support members for prepping threads and interior surface of a pipe; and further includes an assembly of rotating said brush members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Goolsby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6868575
    Abstract: A cleaning device and method for making which is constructed from a flexible base member of thermoplastic material to which a plurality of fibers are fused and protrude therefrom, and formed into a curvilinear configuration such as a helix-like, or U-shaped-like configuration. The method includes the steps of heating the base until it is softened and bent to a U-shape like configuration and then cooling the base member, or helically winding the base onto a rotating mandrel; stopping the mandrel and severing an end of the base member; and cooling the base member so that it retains its U-shape or helical configuration. A core member may also be inserted through the opening in the helix-like configuration and attached at one or more points of the base member permitting the cleaning device to be pushed through tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: George Koregelos
  • Publication number: 20040255414
    Abstract: A tool (10) configured for cleaning the inside and outside circumferential surfaces of the ends of a pipe (P1) is disclosed. The tool (10) broadly includes a driver (12), an inner pipe-cleaning bit (14) removably coupled to the driver (12), and an outer pipe-cleaning bit (16) removably coupled to the driver (12). The driver (12) includes first and second sockets (20, 22) and a power source (24) in power communication with the first and second sockets (20, 22) for selectively rotating the sockets (20, 22). The sockets (20, 22) are configured to removably receive the bits (14, 16). The inner pipe-cleaning bit (14) includes a brush (40) having a plurality of bristles (48) for insertion into the end of the pipe (P1) for effectively cleaning and deburring the inner circumferential surface of the end of the pipe (P1) when the bit (14) is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Tulipana
  • Publication number: 20040231079
    Abstract: A pipe end cleaning tool that attaches to a drill power source and comprise of a housing, a roller system, and an abrasive brush. The roller is designed to maintain continuity unto the brush as it rotates. As the abrasive brush wears down, the roller can be adjusted by either moving it onto new holes located on the housing, a worm driven adjustment on the housing, or spring loaded. The results are, the pipe ends gets cleaner and de-burred faster and the abrasive brush can be used to its maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Albert Bierria, Gwendolyn Bierria
  • Publication number: 20040226576
    Abstract: An In-Situ Landing Light Cleaning Apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus that permits the user to easily and thoroughly clean landing light lenses without the need for their removal and transportation to a remote cleaning machine. The apparatus has a cylindrical arrangement of brush bristles directed inwardly from a cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate may be attachable to a conventional power drill or other rotating power tool by a shaft such that the cylinder can be power-rotated. The cylindrical brush member having the brush bristles is detachable so that new bristles can be installed when wear and tear mandates it. The cylindrical substrate further has a closed top end portion having a flat bristle brush insert for cleaning the top surface of the lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Hambalek
  • Patent number: 6813797
    Abstract: The invention is an adjustable wire brush tool for cleaning either the inside or the outside end of a copper pipe or fitting in preparation for soldering the parts together. The tool includes a hollow cylindrical section with a first wire brush on the interior surface of the section. Attached at one end of the cylindrical section is a slightly smaller cylindrical section sized to hold a second cylindrical twisted steel brush having a hexagonal shaft that extends from the smaller section, opposite the larger cylindrical section. The twisted steel brush and attached shaft can be moved to extend the twisted brush beyond the open end of the larger cylindrical section, for insertion into a fitting to clean the fitting interior surface by attaching a power drill to the shaft and rotating the twisted steel brush attached thereto. To clean the outside of a pipe, the twist brush is retracted into the smaller section and secured to that section with an engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Corey D. Kadinger
  • Publication number: 20040216254
    Abstract: A sectoral ring brush with inside trimming for keeping clear and/or cleaning cylindrical bodies, preferably quartz cladding tubes in UV disinfection units, especially in UV disinfection sluices for the disinfection of waste water, characterized in that the sectoral ring brush consists of sectoral elements whose trimming can be integrated prior to the installation in a housing, with the sectoral element being fastened individually or in a connected fashion, e.g. by connecting bridges on the circumference, in a ring-shaped housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Trojan Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ueberall
  • Patent number: 6810552
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for an optical connector includes a cylindrical cleaner and a holding member for holding a proximal portion of the cleaner. The cleaner has a main body with a ferrule insertion hole extending from a ferrule insertion port at its distal end face toward the proximal end of the cleaner. The ferrule insertion hole has an inner diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a ferrule. The ferrule insertion hole is surrounded by a rough surface so as to clean an outer surface of the ferrule which is to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: NTT Advanced Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Taisei Miyake, Ai Fukuhara, Hitoshi Goto, Kazuya Sawa, Kiyoshi Nara
  • Publication number: 20040200018
    Abstract: A plastic housing has a front shell with inwardly protruding bristles of an exterior wire brush, and a rear shell which retractably receives the outwardly protruding bristles of an interior wire brush. The interior brush is mounted to a shaft which engages the housing, and which is driven by a motor, such as by a power drill. A ring-like deburring element is mounted to the shell between the front shell and the rear shell, and has an inwardly and frontwardly protruding generally frustoconical first wall forming a deburring element which defines a central opening through which the interior brush may be projected and retracted. The first wall may be planar segments, or may have a circular cross section. The deburring element serves to position a pipe for burnishing by the exterior brush, and also deburrs the end of the inserted pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Kelly K. Kadinger, Theodore Schonebaum
  • Publication number: 20040158946
    Abstract: A hand held tool for cleaning or scarifying an inner cylindrical surface of a fitting and an outer cylindrical surface of a tubing end. The tool includes a body having first and second scarifying portions interconnected by an intermediate portion, as well as front and rear sides. Each of the scarifying portions has a respective inner surface scarifying brush projecting from the front side for cleaning a fitting, and a cylindrical recess within the front side supporting a respective outer surface scarifying brush for cleaning a tubing end. During use, the tool is held by the handle in one hand, and the fitting or tubing is held in the other hand to engage the appropriate scarifying bush. The handle is rotated in the manner of a hand crank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Monson
  • Patent number: 6769151
    Abstract: A scarifying and deburring tool includes a body, a handle mounted to the body, and a scarifying brush. The body has a fixing hole in an outer periphery thereof. A deburring scraper and a fixing block are mounted inside the body. The fixing block has a fixing hole in an outer periphery thereof. A fastener extends through the fixing hole of the body and the fixing hole of the fixing block. The fixing block further has a screw hole, and the scarifying brush has a threaded section for engaging with the screw hole of the fixing block. The scarifying brush can be replaced by a connecting rod for connection with an electric tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Publication number: 20040140434
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus with cleaning rings for cleaning cylindrical bodies, preferably for the quartz cladding tubes in UV disinfection units, especially in UV disinfection sluices for waste water, which in addition to an axially parallel longitudinal movement over the outside surfaces perform an additional angularly limited and alternating rotational movement The object of the invention is a cleaning apparatus with cleaning rings for cleaning cylindrical bodies, preferably for the quartz cladding tubes in UV disinfection units, especially in UV disinfection sluices for waste water, which in addition to an axially parallel longitudinal movement over the outside surfaces perform an additional angularly limited and alternating rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Trojan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ueberall
  • Patent number: 6745426
    Abstract: A copper pipe cleaning assembly has an interior cleaning member and an exterior cleaning member, which are easily joined or separated as required, depending on the area of the pipe to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick B. Knowles
  • Patent number: 6745425
    Abstract: The invention includes a holder body having a first tubular portion flaring into a second tubular portion. A wall separates the first tubular portion from the second tubular portion. A hard wire brush is affixed to the inner surface of the first tubular portion, and a hard wire brush is affixed to the inner surface of the second tubular portion. A drive shank is provided having an end for use in a chuck or collet of a drill, and a free end sized to be received either by a socket located in the first tubular bore or a socket provided in the second tubular bore. Further, a brush shank is provided having a hard wire brush attached at one end. The free end of the brush shank sized to be removably received by either the first or second tubular sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas L. Tope
  • Patent number: 6735805
    Abstract: A motor driven and or mounted cleaning attachment manufactured of a rigid material, having no need for adjustment, for the purpose of clearing multiple bolt pitch diameters and lengths. Consist of plates sandwiched and fastened together. Mounting plate manufactured to mount directly to motor housing, or a base being driven by a motor, jack-shaft and pulley or gear driven system. The mounting plate is bored with an indexed pattern of multiple diameter bored through holes. Center working plate is mounted to the mounting plate, and has the same indexed pattern of bored through holes as the mounting plate. Except the index has been partially bored away and exposed to the cleaning wheel bore. The Cleaning wheel rotates within the cleaning wheel bore located in the center working plate. Cover plate is mounted to the center working plate, and has the same indexed pattern of through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Chad Douglas Chapin
  • Patent number: 6715370
    Abstract: A method of inspecting district heating pipes consists in introducing into the pipe a vehicle including an uninflated balloon and a pulley in which a cable is inserted. The vehicle is immobilized in the pipe by inflating the balloon. A sensor is moved in the pipe by fixing it to one end of the cable and pulling on the other end of the cable to move the sensor toward the immobilized vehicle in order to inspect the pipe. The vehicle includes a parachute and is propelled in the pipe by introducing into the pipe a fluid under pressure that acts on the parachute. The balloon is deflated when the sensor reaches the vehicle immobilized in the pipe. The vehicle and the sensor are withdrawn from the pipe by pulling on the end of the cable so that the inspection is carried out during the return travel of the vehicle and the sensor. With this method, the inspection can be carried out with access from only one end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cegelec
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Tasca
  • Patent number: 6704964
    Abstract: A copper pipe cleaning assembly has an interior cleaning member and an exterior cleaning member, which are easily joined or separated as required, depending on the area of the pipe to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick B. Knowles
  • Patent number: 6701566
    Abstract: A system for the cleaning of male and female terminals comprised within electrical connectors. The system is a small, compact, portable system that comprises at least one cleaning element wherein the cleaning element may be a brush cleaning element, or alternatively may be a helical cleaning element, and wherein the cleaning element may be used for the cleaning of female electrical terminals. Further, the system may comprise an additional helical cleaning element that may be used for the cleaning of male electrical terminals. The system further comprises enclosing structure that isolates the cleaning element, or elements, from the environment to prevent the dropping of debris from the cleaning elements into the pocket of a user carrying the cleaning system. The system further comprises a pocket clip for the carrying of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Craig T. Rooke
  • Publication number: 20040031112
    Abstract: A bolt cleaning system for removing debris from the threaded portions of anchor bolts. The bolt cleaning system includes a shaft member, an inner member attached to the shaft member having an annular member, a first cleaning unit removably positionable within the inner member, a connector member connectable to the inner member, an outer member connectable to the connector member, and a second cleaning unit removably positioned between the connector member and the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: James M. Saurer
  • Publication number: 20040003476
    Abstract: A small transmission that has wired brushes attached to the gears (2) and (3). One of the gear/wire brush (2) has an extended shaft to receive a drill motor. Housing (1) is coupled with two closures (4) & (5) to incase the gears, and to harness the shafts. The bushings (6) combined with the bushing bolts (7) so that the top end of the transmission is secured. The right closure bolt/arresting rod (8), and a left closure (9) bolt are combined to secure the bottom of the transmission. A crank (11) is attached to a cranking gear shaft (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Albert Bierria, Gwendolyn Bierria
  • Publication number: 20030213077
    Abstract: A motor driven and or mounted cleaning attachment manufactured of a rigid material, having no need for adjustment, for the purpose of clearing multiple bolt pitch diameters. Consist of plates sandwiched and fastened together. Mounting plate (1) manufactured to mount directly to motor housing, or to a base being driven a motor, jack-shaft and pulley or gear driven system. The mounting plate (1) is bored with mounting holes (5) and assembly holes (6). Said mounting plate (1) has an index of multiple diameter holes (8). Said mounting plate armature hole (14) is center bored according to mounting needs. Center working plate (2) being of same diameter of mounting plat (1). The center plate (2) has been indexed (8) as said mounting plate (1) except said index has been partially exposed or cut away by the cleaning wheel bore (17). The center plate (2) has tapped holes (9) and tapped to half thickness of the center plate (2) from each side, for assembly to said mounting plate (1), and cover plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Chad Douglas Chapin
  • Publication number: 20030172481
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel tool for cleaning the exterior and interior ends of tubes. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel all-purpose tool for cleaning the interior and exterior cut ends of tubes such as copper piping in preparation for subsequent tasks to be performed on the tubes. A tube end preparation tool comprising: (a) a crank; (b) a socket which is associated with the crank and has a tube exterior cleaning member disposed in the interior of the socket; and (c) a brush which is associated with the crank and is suitable for cleaning the interior of a tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Victor Yehia
  • Patent number: 6604255
    Abstract: This soldering iron cleaning apparatus comprises a main body having an introduction hole, a motor, a sensor mechanism which detects the insertion of the soldering head to the introduction hole and drives the motor, a cleaning member which removes solder remaining on the soldering head, a power transmission mechanism which drives the cleaning member by the driving force from the motor. The power transmission mechanism rotates the cleaning member, by the driving force of the motor, in such a way that the cleaning member scrapes the external surface of the soldering head from the base side to the tip side of the soldering head while turning the cleaning member around the soldering head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6602703
    Abstract: A photobioreactor is disclosed for cultivating a photosynthetic organism. This photobioreactor provides innovative features that allow an easy cleaning of the light source. The photobioreactor has a container for containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating photosynthetic organisms, light-emitting tubes mounted within the container. The photobioreactor also has cleaning devices mounted within the container for cleaning the outer surface of the light-emitting tubes and actuators for actuating the cleaning devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: CO
    Inventor: Frédéric Dutil
  • Patent number: 6594852
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a grate bar comprising a pair of tongs having two limbs held in an opened position, and being squeezable into a working position by hand-applied force. A holding element at a free end of each limb. The holding elements are disposed such that: (1) when the tongs are in the opened position, there is no overlap between the holding elements, which are separated by a distance that is larger than the diameter of a grate bar, and the free ends are separated by a distance which is smaller than the distance between adjacent grate bars; and (2) when the tongs are in the working position, the holding elements overlap. The cleaning device includes, at the free ends of the limbs, a cleaning element in the form of at least one flexible cleaning cable which can be at least partially wrapped around the grate bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Jürgen Schedlinski, Stephan Recknagel
  • Patent number: 6584639
    Abstract: The dipstick fuel squeegee of the present invention includes an elongated, rigid but lightweight base with foot pegs on either end and is long enough to span the opening of most large tanks. The base has a midsection into which first a wiper member and then a securing member are releaseably attached. There are openings in the midsection, the wiper member, and the securing member which are vertically aligned. The openings of the midsection and the securing member are approximately equal in size while the opening in the wiper element is smaller. The wiper element is made of a flexible, resilient material and substantially centered over the opening in the seat. During use, a dipstick is inserted through the three openings of the squeegee, the user secures the squeegee by standing on the foot pegs, and the wiper member dislodges any liquid adhering to the dipstick as the user raises it through the squeegee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Larry L. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6582655
    Abstract: A thermoformed PVC, modified PVC, CPVC, metal or coated metal cover, covering system and method is provided for covering assemblies of pipe and pipe insulation, hangers, support rods and mechanical assemblies wherein the assembly is biocide treated, covered by and completely enclosed by the cover, the cover is sealed in order to prevent bacteria growth within the cover while allowing a smooth outside surface for biocide application. The cover can be modified to facilitate the application of biocide after the assembly is covered by providing resealable openings in said cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Christos J. Botsolas, Jeff Rebholz
  • Patent number: 6553601
    Abstract: A pipe end cleaner device formed in a set of sizes to be mounted in the chuck of an electric drill for cleaning the ends of pipes in preparation for connections by threading or soldering. The cleaner device has a plurality of internal grooves configured and dimensioned to secure a conventional bristle brush having external grooves on its ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Michael R. Major
  • Patent number: 6530109
    Abstract: A device for cleaning and re-conditioning the nap of a paint roller includes a circular collar with a plurality of resilient fingers. The fingers define a circular opening through which a paint roller is inserted. During back and forth movements of the device the resilient fingers penetrate the nap of the paint roller to remove excess paint while at the same time lifting and reconditioning the roller nap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Victor C. Cassedy
  • Publication number: 20030041399
    Abstract: A copper pipe cleaning assembly has an interior cleaning member and an exterior cleaning member, which are easily joined or separated as required, depending on the area of the pipe to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Partick B. Knowles
  • Patent number: 6513181
    Abstract: Device for mechanically cleaning wire rod for profiled metal wires, comprising at least one press (3) with gripping jaws (4a, 4b) rotating about the wire rod (2) and supporting an abrasive material (5) , such as steel wool for example, arranged in one or more layers around the wire rod (2), pressed against it by the jaws (4a, 4b) and retained by the latter so as to prevent it being drawn along; operating members (6a, 6b) consisting of floating plates (8) joined together in an ordered manner in pairs so that each pair interacts autonomously with the abrasive material (5); means (7) for actuating the operating members (6a, 6b), able to modify the opening of the jaws (4a, 4b); means (10) for synchronizing the relative sliding movement of the plates (8) of each pair in the transverse direction with respect to the rod (2) and able to cause identical displacements of the said plates (8) in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: R. Lisciani Trafilerie S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giulio Lisciani
  • Patent number: 6505372
    Abstract: A wire cleaning device using non-woven fibrous material rolls to wipe the surface of a wire to remove oil, dirt, and other contaminants. The device has a top feeder roller and a top receiving roller, and a complementary bottom feeder roller and receiving roller. The top and bottom rollers provide two sheets of material through which a wire is fed. The material sheets wipe the surface of the wire as it travels from the feeder roller to the receiving roller, providing a continually clean wiping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Drozd
  • Publication number: 20020166190
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for an optical connector includes a cylindrical cleaner and a holding member for holding a proximal portion of the cleaner. The cleaner has a main body with a ferrule insertion hole extending from a ferrule insertion port at its distal end face toward the proximal end of the cleaner. The ferrule insertion hole has an inner diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a ferrule. The ferrule insertion hole is surrounded by a rough surface so as to clean an outer surface of the ferrule which is to be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Taisei Miyake, Ai Fukuhara, Hitoshi Goto, Kazuya Sawa, Kiyoshi Nara
  • Patent number: 6434776
    Abstract: The invention concerns a manual scraping device (10) by rotation about the external surface of a tube (112) of plastics material, comprising an annular structure (11) having a passage (20) which is to receive the tube in order to guide it and a blade (30) secured to the annular structure (11). The passage extends right through the annular structure and is partially obstructed by a shoulder (50) defining a region (52) for restricting the passage, so that the shoulder defines an abutment for a non-scraped portion of the tube and permits the passage of a scraped portion of the tube through the restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Gaz de France (GDF) Service National
    Inventors: Dominique Pfeiffer, Patrick Lecointe
  • Patent number: 6432213
    Abstract: A scraper for removing deposits from the exterior of a tubular member includes elements defining an outer jacket which has an inwardly open circumferential recess and two aligned axial openings, and a scraper element in the form of an elongate resilient wire bent to define a series of integral, concatenated, resilient segments, each pair of adjacent segments being connected through a bend or geniculation. All geniculations are received within the recess, and each segment of wire extends generally along a chord of the aligned axial openings. The positions of the chords are distributed around the circumference of the axial openings such that, in order for the tubular member to be accommodated through the aligned openings, the various segments must be deformed outwardly, whereby the resilience of the thus deformed segment urges it inwardly against the tubular member, and causes it to clean the tubular member as the scraper moves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Photoscience Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Demao Wang, Bill Sotirakos
  • Publication number: 20020095735
    Abstract: A hand tool (5) is provided wherein a pipe engages a female (20) or male brush (30) at one end (10d) of the tool and the other end (10c) has a grippable member (15, 16) that allows a rotation bicycling motion to permit the easy cleaning of the pipe end. Variations include a hinge between such ends to allow cleaning the pipe end at an angle or a ratchet version.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Victor Yehia
  • Patent number: 6393645
    Abstract: The invention outlined in the disclosure is an adjustable wire brush tool for cleaning either the inside or the outside end of a copper pipe or fitting in preparation for soldering the parts together. The tool includes a hollow cylindrical section with a first wire brush on the interior surface of the section. Attached at one end of the cylindrical section is a slightly smaller cylindrical section sized to hold a second cylindrical twisted steel brush having a hexagonal shaft that extends from the smaller section, opposite the larger cylindrical section. The twisted steel brush and attached shaft can be moved to extend the twisted brush beyond the open end of the larger cylindrical section, for insertion into a fitting to clean the fitting interior surface by attaching a power drill to the shaft and rotating the twisted steel brush attached thereto. To clean the outside of a pipe, the twist brush is retracted into the smaller section and secured to that section with an engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Corey D. Kadinger
  • Patent number: 6357119
    Abstract: A tubing/pipe cleaning attachment is provided which can be attached to a conventional tubing cutter. The cleaning attachment can be pivotally affixed to the tubing cutter and cleans round pipe or tubing while such tubing or pipe is being cut by the cutter, and thus, within a single operation. The cleaning attachment preferably comprises a substantially V-shaped body member to which an abrasive pad member is attached. The cleaner attachment cleans the pipe when attached to the tubing cutter when it is rotated about the tubing by the abrasive pad member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ace Mechanical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Acerra