start_keeper()
  private
  
    
    
Creates a thread that scans the tuplespace for expired tuples.
   
  
    Show source    
    
      
    def start_keeper
      return if @keeper && @keeper.alive?
      @keeper = Thread.new do
        while true
          sleep(@period)
          synchronize do
            break unless need_keeper?
            keep_clean
          end
        end
      end
    end