Gel stick cleaner with reusable handle and disposable cartridge

Abstract

A cleaning device is provided for removing debris from an end surface of a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connectors may be a Multi Push On (MPO) or Mechanical Transfer (MT). The end surface may have a one or more ferrules with a fiber optic glass cable. The cleaning device includes a housing with a first end open to a gel that adheres to debris. A second end of the housing may be releasably attached to a protrusion or handle to insert and remove the device from an adapter receptacle. The handle may be replaced with a plug frame and protrusion so the device may be inserted into the receptacle of the adapter. The device may be placed over the end surface of the fiber optic connector that is not inserted into an adapter receptacle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning device for removing debris from the end surface of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector, comprising:
 a housing having a longitudinal axis and a front end portion and a rear end portion spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the housing having an interior chamber comprising an enclosed rear end and an open front end that opens through the front end portion of the housing, the interior chamber having a perimeter that extends along the longitudinal axis from the enclosed rear end to the open front end, the housing comprising a chamber perimeter wall that extends circumferentially around the interior chamber along the longitudinal axis and defines the perimeter of the interior chamber, the housing further comprising a rear chamber wall adjacent the rear end portion of the housing, the rear chamber wall extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and defining the enclosed rear end of the chamber;   a gel disposed in the interior chamber on the rear chamber wall and the chamber perimeter wall such that the gel is accessible through the open front end of the interior chamber;   wherein the second end portion of the housing comprises a fitting configured to releasably couple the housing to a separate body;   wherein the housing is sized and shaped to be received in a receptacle of an adapter.