Magnetic device and method of using such device to clean the inner surface of a tube, and methods and devices for siphoning fluid
OwnerJulian Sprunginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tube cleaning device is provided including a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first magnetic or magnetically attractable element and an abrasive cleaning surface. The second member includes a second magnetic or magnetically attractable element magnetically attracted to or by the first magnetic or magnetically attractable element. When the first member is inserted within a tube and the second member is positioned adjacent an outer wall of the tube, the abrasive surface of the first member contacts an inner wall of the tube. By moving the second member along and/or around the outer wall of the tube, the abrasive surface cleans the inner wall of the tube.
Claims21
A tube cleaning device comprising:
- a first member including a first magnetic or magnetically attractable element and an abrasive cleaning surface;
- a second member including a second magnetic or magnetically attractable element and being magnetically attracted to or by the first magnetic or magnetically attractable element, whereby when the first member is inserted within a tube and the second member is positioned adjacent an outer wall of the tube, the abrasive surface of the first member contacts an inner wall of the tube.
A method for cleaning the inner surface of a tube, comprising:
- inserting a first member within a tube, wherein the first member includes a first magnetic or magnetically attractable element and an abrasive cleaning surface;
- placing a second member adjacent to or on an outer surface of the tube, the second member including a second magnetic or magnetically attractable element magnetically attracted to or by the first magnetic or magnetically attractable element such that the abrasive surface of the first member contacts an inner wall of the tube;
- and
- moving the second member along and/or around the outer wall of the tube to clean the inner wall of the tube with the abrasive surface.
A device for creating a siphon within a tube, comprising:
- a housing including an inner lumen extending between first and second open ends, at least one of the first and second open ends configured to be coupled to the tube;
- a first member including a magnetic or magnetically attractable element and having a dimension approximately equal to a diameter of the inner lumen, the first member configured to be moveably received in the inner lumen of the housing;
- and
- a second member including a magnetic or magnetically attractable element attracted to or by the first magnetic or magnetically attractable element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.