+### purge () ###################################################################
+#
+# cover our traces after a file was removed
+#
+# Params: ~none~
+#
+# Return: ~none~
+#
+sub purge {
+ my $self = shift;
+
+ $self -> set_ref (0); # reference counter = 0
+ unlink ($self -> reflock); # remove reference counter lock
+ unlink ($self -> lockfile); # remove any write lock announce
+ unlink ($self -> exshlock); # remove any excl shared lock
+ unlink ($self -> masterlock); # remove master lock
+
+ return;
+}
+