Abstract Apparatus and method for cleaning soldering irons in which a soldering tip of the type having capillary passages is provided with a tiny passageway through the wall of the tip into the upper portion of the capillary passages through which solder and other debris can be expelled from the tip by vapor pressure. Solder collected by capillary action in a cavity in the tip is expelled through the tubular passageway communicating with the capillary passageways when the working end of the soldering tip is pressed lightly on a moistened sponge. The sponge is mounted in a receptacle which has first and second reservoirs containing water and high temperature oil, respectively. The sponge is kept moist by a wick which extends down into the water. The reservoir containing the high temperature oil has a small access hole which supports a soldering iron with the tip substantially submerged in the oil when not in use. The receptacle also has a removable hood constructed to capture the expelled solder for later recovery and reuse.
Inventors
👤 Louis Vanyi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-01 23:32
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/02; B23K3/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a hand tool useful in performing soldering and desoldering operations, said tool having a removable heatable tip having at least one capillary passage extending away from the working end of the tip toward the interior end of the tip, the improvement which comprises: a. at least one passageway passing through the outer wall of the tip communicating with the interior end of the at least one capillary passage so that accumulated solder and debris will be purged from said at least one capillary passage and expelled from the passageway by vapor pressure when the heated working end of the solder tip is pressed down on a moistened sponge means; b. said at least one passageway which passes through the outer wall of the tip terminating in a tube attached to the soldering tip for directing expelled materials into a receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a hand tool useful in performing soldering and desoldering operations, said tool having a removable heatable tip having at least one capillary passage extending away from the working end of the tip toward the interior end of the tip, the improvement which comprises: a. at least one passageway passing through the outer wall of the tip communicating with the interior end of the at least one capillary passage so that accumulated solder and debris will be purged from said at least one capillary passage and expelled from the passageway by vapor pressure when the heated working end of the solder tip is pressed down on a moistened sponge means; b. said at least one passageway which passes through the outer wall of the tip terminating in a tube attached to the soldering tip for directing expelled materials into a receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The hand tool according to claim 1 wherein the passageway communicating with the capillary passageway is inclined downward toward the working end of the solder tip so that solder dislodged from the tip will be directed toward said receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hand tool according to claim 2 wherein the passageway is inclined forwardly so that materials expelled therefrom are directed toward the forward area of the soldering tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hand tool according to claim 2 wherein the passageway is inclined toward the rear so that materials expelled therefrom are directed away from the forward area of the tip.