Liquid Filtering Apparatus

• US 20070170109A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas H. Bivens
• Original Assignee: Thomas H. Bivens
• Inventors: Bivens, Thomas H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,686,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/416.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/1223 with means for filtering the frying liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/114 arranged for inward flow filtration B01D29/15, B01D29/33 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/41 mounted transversely on the tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/08 Fat fryer

Abstract

There is provided a portable liquid filtering apparatus for filtering liquid used in a container, such as cooking oil in deep fat fryers. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket that attaches to a portion of the container. The mounting bracket supports a liquid pump. A filter assembly including at least one filter element is removably disposed in the container, and is connected to the pump inlet by a suction tube. The pump draws the liquid through the filter element and suction tube and propels it into a discharge tube connected to the pump outlet. The discharge tube discharges the filtered liquid back into the container for reuse. The mounting bracket is adjustable for attachment to various sized containers. The suction tube and the discharge tube are shaped to conform generally to the shape of the container.

Claims

1. A portable liquid filtering apparatus for filtering liquid used in a container, the apparatus comprising:

a filter assembly removably disposable in the container, the filter assembly having at least one filter element;

apparatus for passing the liquid through the filter element for cleaning the liquid;

apparatus for removing the cleaned liquid from the container; and

apparatus for returning the cleaned liquid to the container for reuse.

2. The liquid filtering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for passing the liquid through the filter element comprises a pump associated with the filter element.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the filter element is connected to the pump by a suction tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filter assembly is submerged in the liquid, and wherein the suction tube has an inlet end in fluid communication with the filter element, and an opposite outlet end in fluid communication with the pump.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the suction tube is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the container.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the suction tube comprises drawn aluminum.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the suction tube comprises stainless steel.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a mounting bracket associated with the pump for removably supporting the pump from the container.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including:

a motor for operating the pump; and

a motor bracket attached to the motor, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to the motor bracket.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mounting bracket is adjustably attached to the motor bracket for mounting to various sized containers.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for removing the cleaned liquid from the container comprises a pump associated with the filter element.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is located outside the container, and further including a suction tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the filter element, and an opposite outlet end in fluid communication with the pump.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the suction tube comprises drawn aluminum.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the suction tube comprises stainless steel.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for returning the cleaned liquid to the container for reuse comprises a pump associated with the cleaned fluid.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a discharge tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the pump, and an opposite outlet end.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube is submerged in the liquid.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube terminates above the liquid surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the discharge tube comprises drawn aluminum.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the discharge tube comprises stainless steel.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the discharge tube is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the container.

22. A portable liquid filtering apparatus for filtering liquid used in a container, the apparatus comprising:

a filter assembly removably disposable in the container, the filter assembly having at least one filter element;

a pump removably attachable to the container;

a suction tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the filter element, and an outlet end in fluid communication with the pump, for drawing liquid through the filter element for cleaning the liquid; and

a discharge tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the pump, and an opposite outlet end for returning the cleaned liquid to the container for reuse.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a mounting bracket associated with the pump for removably attaching the pump to the container.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further including:

a motor for operating the pump; and

a motor bracket attached to the motor, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to the motor bracket.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the mounting bracket is adjustably attached to the motor bracket for mounting to various sized containers.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube is submerged in the liquid.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube terminates above the liquid surface.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube comprise drawn aluminum.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube comprise stainless steel.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube are shaped to conform generally to the shape of the container.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube extend laterally from opposite sides of the pump and pass around the exterior sides of at least a portion of the container.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube enter the container from opposite sides thereof.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the lateral extensions of the suction tube and the discharge tube from the pump are rigid.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein at least portions of the suction tube and the discharge tube are bendable.

35. A portable liquid filtering apparatus for filtering liquid used in a container, the apparatus comprising:

a mounting bracket removably attachable to the container;

a pump associated with the mounting bracket;

a filter assembly removably disposable in the container, the filter assembly having at least one filter element;

a suction tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the filter element, and an outlet end in fluid communication with the pump for drawing liquid through the filter element for cleaning the liquid; and

a discharge tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the pump, and an opposite outlet end for returning the cleaned liquid to the container for reuse.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further including:

a motor for operating the pump; and

a motor bracket attached to the motor and to the mounting bracket.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the mounting bracket is adjustably attached to he motor bracket for mounting to various sized containers.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube is submerged in the liquid.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the outlet end of the discharge tube terminates above the liquid surface.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube are shaped to conform generally to the shape of the container.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube extend laterally from opposite sides of the pump and pass around the exterior sides of at least a portion of the container.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube enter the container from opposite sides thereof.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the lateral extensions of the suction tube and the discharge tube from the pump are rigid.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein at least portions of the suction tube and the discharge tube are bendable.