Apparatus for cleaning soldering iron bits
First Claim
1. An apparatus for mechanically cleaning hot soldering iron bits contaminated with contaminants, such as tin oxides and soldering residues, comprising:
- at least two cooperating oppositely situated, counter-rotating cleaning bodies for cleaning a soldering iron bit of contaminants;
each of said cleaning bodies having a lengthwise extending axis;
means for mounting said two cleaning bodies such that the distance between said lengthwise extending axes is less than the mean diameter of said cleaning bodies, so that said cleaning bodies are continuously in mutual contact with one another at least at portions of their circumference; and
means for rotatably driving said counter-rotating cleaning bodies at different rotational speeds, whereby said mutually contacting portions of said cleaning bodies exert a kneading action upon one another and thus a self-cleaning action upon one another, to thereby ensure that during cleaning of a contaminated soldering iron bit essentially only non-contaminated portions of said counter-rotating cleaning bodies come into contact with said contaminated soldering iron bit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
For cleaning hot soldering iron bits which are contaminated or soiled by tin oxides and soldering residues a flat felt or sponge has often been heretofore used. This cleaning technique is impractical, incomplete and frequently causes spatters of soldering tin or pewter at the place of work. This is unacceptable, especially when precision soldering electronic devices. This problem is solved by using an apparatus driven by an electric motor. The hot soldering iron bit or tip is momentarily placed between two cleaning bodies which rotate towards each other. These two rotating cleaning bodies thus enclose the soldering iron bit and protectively clean the same. The cleaning bodies are mounted in a removable holder or cage provided with a tin collection container or receptacle. For enhancing the self-cleaning action of the two cleaning bodies the spacing between the axes or shafts of the two cleaning bodies is smaller than the mean diameter of both cleaning bodies. Additionally, two strippers or scrapers engage into each cleaning body.
17 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mechanically cleaning hot soldering iron bits contaminated with contaminants, such as tin oxides and soldering residues, comprising:
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at least two cooperating oppositely situated, counter-rotating cleaning bodies for cleaning a soldering iron bit of contaminants; each of said cleaning bodies having a lengthwise extending axis; means for mounting said two cleaning bodies such that the distance between said lengthwise extending axes is less than the mean diameter of said cleaning bodies, so that said cleaning bodies are continuously in mutual contact with one another at least at portions of their circumference; and means for rotatably driving said counter-rotating cleaning bodies at different rotational speeds, whereby said mutually contacting portions of said cleaning bodies exert a kneading action upon one another and thus a self-cleaning action upon one another, to thereby ensure that during cleaning of a contaminated soldering iron bit essentially only non-contaminated portions of said counter-rotating cleaning bodies come into contact with said contaminated soldering iron bit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for mechanically cleaning hot soldering iron bits contaminated with contaminants, such as tin oxides and soldering residues, comprising:
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at least two oppositely situated, interacting counter-rotating cleaning bodies formed of a sponge-like material for cleaning a soldering iron bit of contaminants; each of said sponge-like cleaning bodies having a lengthwise extending axis; means for mounting said two sponge-like cleaning bodies such that the distance between said lengthwise extending axes is less than the sum of the radii of said sponge-like cleaning bodies, so that said sponge-like cleaning bodies are continuously in mutual surface contact with one another at least at portions of their circumference; means for rotatably driving said counter-rotating sponge-like cleaning bodies at different rotational speeds, whereby said mutually contacting portions of said sponge-like cleaning bodies exert a kneading action upon one another and thus a self-cleaning acting upon one another, to thereby ensure that during cleaning of a contaminated soldering iron bit essentially only non-contaminated portions of said counter-rotating, sponge-like cleaning bodies come into contact with said contaminated soldering iron bit.
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Specification