Solder iron dressing system having a teflon packing

• US 3,948,678 A
• Filed: 01/07/1974
• Issued: 04/06/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Dezzani
• Original Assignee: John Dezzani
• Inventors: Dezzani, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore, S. Leon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fisher, Richard V.
• Application Number:
  US05/431,261
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 134/6, 134/19, 134/31, 134/32, 134/42, 15/104 R, 15/209 R, 15/209 A, 15/210 R, 15/236 A, 15/268, 15/423, 248/176, 228/18, 228/19, 228/22, 228/57, 117/138.8 UF, 117/140 R, 428/396, 428/402, 428/422
• US Class Current: 134/6
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 3/028 Devices for cleaning soldering iron tips B23K3/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 35/22 characterised by the composition or nature of the material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 Addition polymer is perhalogenated

Abstract

An appliance is disclosed for dressing the working surface, e.g. tip, of a soldering iron. A housing of chemically-stable material defines a treatment chamber with an access opening through which the tip of a soldering iron is received. The treatment chamber is partially filled by a packing which in the disclosed embodiment includes Teflon shavings carrying a cleaning agent including ammonium chloride. The insertion of a hot iron results in the vaporization of a quantity of the cleaning agent as well as some scrubbing action by the packing with the effect that the tip of the iron is effectively dressed, removing oxides and foreign particles while leaving a coating of liquid solder on the tip at an operating temperature.

Claims

1. A process for treating the working end of a soldering iron while at an elevated temperature comprising the steps of:

providing a tetrafluoroethylene resin material in a porous mass;

placing a non-metallic halide on exposed surfaces of said material to provide a dressing member; and

contacting said dressing member with said working end whereby to sublime a quantity of said halide for treating said working end, as by removing oxide skin.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning agent comprises a non-metallic halide and a solvent in a gel form.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning agent comprises ammonium chloride.

4. An apparatus for treating the working end of a soldering iron, comprising:

a housing for containing treatment components and including a guide defining a space for receiving said working end of said soldering iron;

a packing in said housing including a non-corrosive, non-abrasive, non-metallic, tetrafluoroethylene resin material stable at operating temperatures of said soldering iron, and in a porous form and fixed to engage said working end of said soldering iron received through said guide; and

a cleaning agent disposed in said packing to provide vapor upon being heated, as by engagement with said working end of a soldering iron to thereby dress said working end.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said guide in said housing is displaceable with reference to said packing to alter the engagement location of said working end of said soldering iron on said packing.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 further including a support stand for receiving said housing.