# US 12,007,609 B2 · Dustcap with built-in cleaner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,609 B2 - Document ID: US12007609B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/299,139 - Filed: 2023-04-12 - Published: 2023-08-03 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-22 - Assignees: Clearfield, Inc. - Applicants: Clearfield, Inc. - Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek; John P. Hill; William J. Cruzen; James John Henschel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007609B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3866: {Devices, tools or methods for cleaning connectors (cleaning in general B08B)} - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)} - G02B 6/3882: {using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cleaner assembly, comprising: a body configured to snap attach to a housing of an optical fiber connector, the body comprising: an internal space configured to receive a dustcap; and a surface that is configured to receive a cleaner; and a cover configured to snap attach to the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface that is configured to receive the cleaner is a flat surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a receptacle, and wherein the surface that is configured to receive the cleaner is part of the receptacle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cleaner disposed on the surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a receptacle opening configured to receive the cleaner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dustcap disposed in the internal space of the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cleaner assembly of claim 6, wherein the dustcap is configured to receive a ferrule of the optical fiber connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a handle configured to enable removal of the cover from the body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cleaner assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a rectangular shape that matches the body. ### Claim 10 A cleaner assembly, comprising: a body configured to snap attach to a housing of an optical fiber connector, the body comprising an internal space configured to receive a dustcap; and a cover configured to snap attach to the body, the cover comprising a surface that is configured to receive a cleaner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, wherein the surface that is configured to receive the cleaner is a flat surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover further comprises a receptacle, and wherein the surface that is configured to receive the cleaner is part of the receptacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, further comprising a cleaner disposed on the surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a flat surface configured to receive the cleaner. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, further comprising a dustcap disposed in the internal space of the body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cleaner assembly of claim 15, wherein the dustcap is configured to receive a ferrule of the optical fiber connector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises a handle configured to enable removal of the cover from the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The cleaner assembly of claim 10, wherein the surface comprises a rectangular shape that matches a shape of the body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The dustcap of claim 10, wherein the dustcap is configured to receive a ferrule of the optical fiber connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The dustcap of claim 10, wherein the cleaner is secured to at least a portion of the surface.