Filter device method of manufacturing the same and method of replacing a filter device

• US 7,320,719 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: van de Graaf, Peter, Valkenburg, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Minh-Chau T.
• Application Number:
  US10/504,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20050161387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,812 Days
• Field of Search: 553/851, 554/29, 553/59, 55D/IG.3, 554/73, 554/90, 153/47, 153/52
• US Class Current: 55/429
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0001 Making filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0091 Including arrangements for environmental or personal protection
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/103 Curved filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/88 Replacing filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 using active carbon
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/90 Cleaning of purification apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A filter device adapted for filtering fluids flowing one of into or out of a fluid duct. In one embodiment, the filter device comprises a container having one or more walls, wherein at least one of the walls is at least partially rigid and a first opening and a filter element mounted in the first opening so that the filter element forms at least a portion of one of the walls. The one or more container and the interior face of the filter element define an interior adapted for collecting contaminants in a fluid flowing out of the fluid duct. The container further comprises a second opening adapted for sealingly and removably connecting the filter device to the fluid duct so as to provide fluid communication between the interior of the filter device and the fluid duct, wherein the second opening is further adapted for being closed when the filter device is removed from the fluid duct. In another embodiment, the filter device comprises a container formed of first and second integral parts sealingly joined together, wherein the container comprises at least one cut-out first opening with a filter element mounted in the cut-out and a second opening for fluid communication with the fluid duct, and wherein the second opening has a first portion that is at least partially defined by the first integral part and a second portion that is at least partially defined by the second integral part. Methods of replacing a filter device and methods of making a filter device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A filter device adapted for filtering fluids flowing one of into or out of a fluid duct, said filter device comprising a container having one or more walls, at least one of said walls being at least partially rigid and comprising a first opening and a filter element mounted in said first opening so that said filter element forms at least a portion of one of said walls, said filter element comprising an interior face and an exterior face,

the one or more container walls and the interior face of said filter element defining an interior adapted for collecting contaminants contained in a fluid flowing out of said fluid duct, and

the container comprising a second opening adapted for sealingly and removably connecting said filter device to said fluid duct so as to provide fluid communication between the interior of said filter device and said fluid duct,

said filter device permitting direct contact between a fluid to be filtered and one of the interior face or the exterior face of said filter element depending on the direction of fluid flow, and

said second opening further adapted for being closed when said filter device is removed from said fluid duct.

2. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein said second opening and the filter element are arranged in the container such that the fluid flow into the filter device and the fluid flow out of the filter device are substantially non-parallel.

3. The filter device according to claim 2, wherein an angle defined between the fluid flow into the filter device and the fluid flow out of the filter device is about 70°

to 110°

.

4. The filter device according to claim 3, wherein the angle is about 90°

.

5. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the filter element covers substantially the entire circumference of the container.

6. The filter device according to claim 1, comprising a lid which is releasably securable to the container for covering the filter element.

7. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein said second opening further comprises means for closing said opening when said filter device is removed from said fluid duct.

8. A filter device adapted for filtering fluids flowing one of into or out of a fluid duct, said filter device comprising a container formed of first and second integral parts sealingly joined together, said container comprising at least one cut-out first opening and a filter element mounted in said cut-out, and a second opening for fluid communication with said fluid duct, said second opening being one of an inlet opening or an outlet opening, and said second opening having a first portion that is at least partially defined by the first integral part and a second portion that is at least partially defined by the second integral part.

9. The filter device according to claim 8, wherein the container is generally in the form of a blister package.

10. The filter device according to claim 8, wherein said second opening further comprises means for closing said opening when said filter device is removed from said fluid duct.

11. The filter device according to claim 8, wherein said second opening and the filter element are arranged in the container such that the fluid flow into the filter device and the fluid flow out of the filter device are substantially non-parallel.

12. The filter device according to claim 11, wherein an angle defined between the fluid flow into the filter device and the fluid flow out of the filter device is about 70°

to 110°

.

13. The filter device according to claim 12, wherein the angle is about 90°

.

14. A method for replacing a filter device comprising a container having at least one wall that is at least partially rigid, wherein the wall comprises a first opening and a filter element mounted in said first opening, and wherein the container comprises a second opening for connection to a fluid duct, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) disconnecting the filter device from the fluid duct;

(b) closing the second opening with a closing means;

(c) removing the filter device;

(d) providing a new filter device, the new filter device also comprising a container having at least one wall that is at least partially rigid, wherein the wall comprises a first opening and a filter element mounted in said first opening, and wherein the container comprises a second opening for connection to the fluid duct; and

(e) connecting the second opening of the new filter device with the fluid duct.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of covering the outside of the element with a cover element prior to removing the used filter device.