Electro-static dissipative swab

Abstract

An electro-static dissipating swab has an elongated handle defining a longitudinal axis and defining a cleaning head end and a grasping end. The cleaning head end defines a securing region. The handle is formed from an electro-static dissipative material. A cleaning tip is formed from an electro-static dissipative material and is secured to the handle cleaning head end. The handle and cleaning tip define a longitudinal axis. The swab, in a dry state, dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 500 milliseconds, and in a wetted state dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 100 milliseconds.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electro-static dissipating swab, comprising: 
 a handle defining a longitudinal axis, the handle being elongated and having a cleaning head end and a grasping end, the cleaning head end defining a securing region, the handle formed from an electro-static dissipative material; and    a cleaning tip, the cleaning tip being formed from an electro-static dissipative material and secured to the handle cleaning head end, the handle and cleaning tip defining a longitudinal axis,    wherein the swab, in a dry state, dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 500 milliseconds and in a wetted state dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 100 milliseconds.    
     
     
         2 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the handle is formed from a modified polybutylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         3 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a sealed conductive fabric.  
     
     
         4 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a knit polyester.  
     
     
         5 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a conductive foam.  
     
     
         6 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a micro-porous foam.  
     
     
         7 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a strip of static-dissipative material spirally wound onto the handle at the securing region.  
     
     
         8 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the cleaning tip is formed from a sheet of static-dissipative material wrapped around the handle and sealed thereto.  
     
     
         9 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the sheet is sealed to itself and to the handle by ultrasonic welding.  
     
     
         10 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the sheet is sealed to itself and to the handle by heat sealing.  
     
     
         11 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the static-dissipative material is in the form of a seam-less tube.  
     
     
         12 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the tube is sealed to the handle by ultrasonic welding or heat sealing.  
     
     
         13 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the tube is press-ft to the handle.  
     
     
         14 . The electro-static dissipating swab in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the tube is secured to the handle by at least one spot seals.