Cleaning tool for a connecting end face of an optical connecting part and method

Abstract

A connecting end face cleaning tool having superior cleaning properties includes a cleaning fabric. This cleaning tool removes soiling attached to the connecting end face of an optical connecting part when that connecting end face is detached. The cleaning fabric is constructed such that the woof threads protrude from the surface of the fabric more than the warp threads. The cleaning fabric has a tape-like shape, the lengthwise direction of which is the direction of the extension of the warp threads. Soiling is removed from a connecting end face as the connecting end face and cleaning fabric are moved relatively such that the connecting end face moves transverse to the woof threads of the cleaning fabric. A method of cleaning a connecting end face uses a cleaning fabric with woof threads protruding from the surface of the fabric more than the warp threads and the fabric is moved relative to the connecting end face transverse to the woof threads of the fabric.

1 . A connecting end face cleaning tool for an optical connecting part comprising a cleaning fabric made of woven fabric having a surface and woof and warp threads, the woof threads protruding out more from the surface of the fabric than the warp threads, said cleaning fabric having a tape-like form, the lengthwise direction of which is the direction of the extension of said warp threads. 
   
   
       2 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning fabric is woven of warp threads comprised of a plurality of fibers and woof threads comprised of a plurality of fibers that are finer than the fibers of said warp threads. 
   
   
       3 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning fabric is one of plain woven, twill woven or satin woven. 
   
   
       4 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said woof threads comprise fibers having a diameter of 2 μm or less. 
   
   
       5 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the tape-like form of said cleaning fabric has a cut edge cut by ultrasonic or thermal cutting. 
   
   
       6 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said woof threads comprise fibers having a diameter of 2 μm or less and said warp threads comprise fibers having a diameter of 15 μm or greater. 
   
   
       7 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical connecting part is a male type connector. 
   
   
       8 . The connecting end face cleaning tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical connecting part is a female type connector. 
   
   
       9 - 11 . (canceled)