SWAB TOOL FOR TEST TUBES
United States Patent 3671993
A semi-rigid, moisture-absorbent swab tool is provided for drying a test tube. The swab has a diameter slightly larger than that of the test tube. When forced into the tube it wipes it dry using a single push-pull operation.
US Patent References:
SURGICAL TYPE SCRUBBING SPONGE
Gustafson - November 1970 - 3542025
Pipe swab
Kelly - June 1953 - 2642602
SURGICAL TYPE SCRUBBING SPONGE
Gustafson - November 1970 - 3542025
Pipe swab
Kelly - June 1953 - 2642602
Application Number:
05/106790
Publication Date:
06/27/1972
Filing Date:
01/15/1971
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Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
34/95.100
International Classes:
A47L13/16; A47L25/00; A47L13/16
Field of Search:
15/211,210,209,208 34/95,95.1,95.2,104 128/296,269
Primary Examiner:
Machlin, Leon G.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A swab tool for drying test tubes comprising:
2. The swab tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
1. A swab tool for drying test tubes comprising:
2. The swab tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a swab tool for drying the inner surface of a test tube.
Heretofore, swab tools have usually consisted of a swab of moisture - absorbent material mounted on one end of a handle or shank. To use such a tool, the swab is pressed against the surface to be dried and moved about until the entire surface has been swabbed.
These prior art swab tools have some disadvantages when used to dry glass test tubes. For example there is a danger -- particularly when a rigid shank is used -- that the tube may be cracked due to the reaction between the shank and tube lip during swabbing. If this happens the user's hand may be cut. In addition, the swabbing operation is time-consuming since the swab must be maneuvered about in a cramped space until it has contacted the entire interior surface of the tube. Finally, the known swabs are relatively expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and disposable swab tool which can be rapidly inserted and removed from the tube to dry it.
It is another object to provide a flexible swab tool which does not break the test tube during the drying operation.
It is another object to provide a swab tool having a swab which cannot be left behind in the test tube when the core is withdrawn.
It is another object to provide a swab tool having swabs at each end.
It is another object to provide a relatively stiff swab having an unreinforced tip for drying the concave end surface of a test tube.
With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.
In the present case, the swab tool has at its center a long tin semi-rigid core, such as a common plastic drinking straw. A body or roll of soft moisture - absorbing material is disposed around the core. The ends of the roll extend a short distance beyond the ends of the core. A substantially rigid holder, such as a plastic tube, tightly encircles the roll intermediate its ends. String-like enwrapments encircle the roll adjacent each end of the core.
The semi-rigid core is selected to provide the tool with sufficient rigidity so that it can be forced into the test tube. However, the tool is flexible so that it cannot break the test tube. The rigid holder functions to prevent the wrapping bunching toward the center of the tool. In addition, the holder provides reinforcement to the roll which is helpful in preventing buckling when the tool is being forced into a test tube. The diameter of the soft roll is constant and slightly larger than the inside diameter of the tube to be dried. Thus, when the tool is inserted in the test tube, absorbent material presses tightly against the entire interior surface. The compressible, flexible tips of the roll are adapted to conform to the tube's concave end surface.
By virtue of its structure, the swab tool has the following advantages: It is adapted to dry the tube in one swift penetration and withdrawal. The test tube cannot be broken by flexing the inserted shank. The flexible tip of the roll is adapted to swab the concave end surface of the tube. And, finally, the inexpensive tool can be thrown away in its entirety when worn out; there is no need to keep the shank for re-assembling with a new swab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view in section of the tool;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tool in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the embodiment shown in the drawing, the swab tool 1 includes a long thin semi-rigid core 2. A common plastic drinking straw is suitable for this purpose. A sheet 3 of soft moisture - absorbing material is wrapped around the core 2 to form a roll 4. The roll 4 has a diameter equal to or a little greater than the interior diameter of the test tube to be dried. The sheet 3 may be formed of absorbent paper, such as that sold under the trade mark "J-cloth" by Johnson and Johnson.
The ends of the roll 4 extend beyond the ends of the core 2 by about one-half inch. Strings 5 are tied around the roll 4 at the ends of core 2 to define unreinforced swab tips 6.
A holder 7 tightly clasps the roll 4 at its mid-section. The holder 7 may be a rigid plastic tube which is slipped on over one end of the roll 4.
In use, the swab tool 1 is grasped by the holder 7 and forced into the test tube 8. The compressible roll 4 presses and moves against the entire interior surface of the tube 8, thereby drying it. The core, holder and roll construction combine to provide the roll with enough rigidity so that it may be forced into the tube. One push-pull insertion of the swab is sufficient to dry the tube.
Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that changes in the details of construction and selection of materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
This invention relates to a swab tool for drying the inner surface of a test tube.
Heretofore, swab tools have usually consisted of a swab of moisture - absorbent material mounted on one end of a handle or shank. To use such a tool, the swab is pressed against the surface to be dried and moved about until the entire surface has been swabbed.
These prior art swab tools have some disadvantages when used to dry glass test tubes. For example there is a danger -- particularly when a rigid shank is used -- that the tube may be cracked due to the reaction between the shank and tube lip during swabbing. If this happens the user's hand may be cut. In addition, the swabbing operation is time-consuming since the swab must be maneuvered about in a cramped space until it has contacted the entire interior surface of the tube. Finally, the known swabs are relatively expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and disposable swab tool which can be rapidly inserted and removed from the tube to dry it.
It is another object to provide a flexible swab tool which does not break the test tube during the drying operation.
It is another object to provide a swab tool having a swab which cannot be left behind in the test tube when the core is withdrawn.
It is another object to provide a swab tool having swabs at each end.
It is another object to provide a relatively stiff swab having an unreinforced tip for drying the concave end surface of a test tube.
With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.
In the present case, the swab tool has at its center a long tin semi-rigid core, such as a common plastic drinking straw. A body or roll of soft moisture - absorbing material is disposed around the core. The ends of the roll extend a short distance beyond the ends of the core. A substantially rigid holder, such as a plastic tube, tightly encircles the roll intermediate its ends. String-like enwrapments encircle the roll adjacent each end of the core.
The semi-rigid core is selected to provide the tool with sufficient rigidity so that it can be forced into the test tube. However, the tool is flexible so that it cannot break the test tube. The rigid holder functions to prevent the wrapping bunching toward the center of the tool. In addition, the holder provides reinforcement to the roll which is helpful in preventing buckling when the tool is being forced into a test tube. The diameter of the soft roll is constant and slightly larger than the inside diameter of the tube to be dried. Thus, when the tool is inserted in the test tube, absorbent material presses tightly against the entire interior surface. The compressible, flexible tips of the roll are adapted to conform to the tube's concave end surface.
By virtue of its structure, the swab tool has the following advantages: It is adapted to dry the tube in one swift penetration and withdrawal. The test tube cannot be broken by flexing the inserted shank. The flexible tip of the roll is adapted to swab the concave end surface of the tube. And, finally, the inexpensive tool can be thrown away in its entirety when worn out; there is no need to keep the shank for re-assembling with a new swab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view in section of the tool;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tool in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the embodiment shown in the drawing, the swab tool 1 includes a long thin semi-rigid core 2. A common plastic drinking straw is suitable for this purpose. A sheet 3 of soft moisture - absorbing material is wrapped around the core 2 to form a roll 4. The roll 4 has a diameter equal to or a little greater than the interior diameter of the test tube to be dried. The sheet 3 may be formed of absorbent paper, such as that sold under the trade mark "J-cloth" by Johnson and Johnson.
The ends of the roll 4 extend beyond the ends of the core 2 by about one-half inch. Strings 5 are tied around the roll 4 at the ends of core 2 to define unreinforced swab tips 6.
A holder 7 tightly clasps the roll 4 at its mid-section. The holder 7 may be a rigid plastic tube which is slipped on over one end of the roll 4.
In use, the swab tool 1 is grasped by the holder 7 and forced into the test tube 8. The compressible roll 4 presses and moves against the entire interior surface of the tube 8, thereby drying it. The core, holder and roll construction combine to provide the roll with enough rigidity so that it may be forced into the tube. One push-pull insertion of the swab is sufficient to dry the tube.
Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that changes in the details of construction and selection of materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.