Extension and locking assembly for dripless element, and container therefore

• US 20050126983A1
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Clausen, Michael D., Maxwell, Martin C., Knight, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,983,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/435
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/0415 Details of supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/162 with snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/301 Details of removable closures, lids, caps, filter heads
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4084 Snap or Seeger ring connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/21 with corrugated, folded or wound sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/96 in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; Particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements; Transport systems for filters B01D29/09, B01D29/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/147 Bypass or safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/31 including arrangements for environmental protection, e.g. pressure resisting features

Abstract

A filter assembly includes housing enclosing a replaceable filter element. A support core is provided in the housing, and includes an extension and locking assembly. The element includes a ring of filtration media with a pair of end caps. The first end cap includes a central opening to receive the support core. The extension and locking assembly prevents the cover of the housing from being attached to the housing body without a proper filter element installed. The extension and locking assembly includes a bypass member and a locking member, which are in locking engagement when an element is absent in the housing. The second end cap includes internal protrusions which engage the locking member when the filter element is installed to disengage the bypass member from the support core, and allow the element to be inserted and the cover to be installed.

Claims

1. A fluid-tight container for a cylindrical filter element having a disk-shaped end cap at either end of the filter element, the container comprising:

i) a first thin-walled container portion, the first container portion having a dimension sufficient to enclose at least a portion of the filter element;

ii) a second thin-walled container portion, said second container portion also having a dimension sufficient to enclose at least a portion of the filter element, the first and second container portions connectable to form a fluid-tight enclosure for the filter element;

iii) means integral with one of the container portions for removably coupling one of the end caps of the filter element to the one container portion; and

iv) means for removably connecting the first container portion to the second container portion so as to form a fluid-tight enclosure for the filter element, wherein the filter element remains coupled to the one container portion when the first container portion is removed from the second container portion and the one container portion is inverted.

2. The container as in claim 1, wherein the first container portion comprises a cup-shaped body with a disc-shaped end wall, and a relatively long cylindrical sidewall projecting axially away from the end wall, and the second container portion comprises a lid of the container, and also includes a disc-shaped end wall, and a relatively short annular flange, the annular flange of the lid closely receiving the cylindrical sidewall of the body to allow the lid to be easily connected to and removed from the body.

3. The container as in claim 2, wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes a bead bounding an open end of the body, the flange resiliently deflecting to engage the bead and retain the lid to the body.

4. The container as in claim 1, wherein the means to retain includes resilient means integral with the one container portion, the resilient means resiliently deflectable to engage a portion of the filter element to retain the filter element to the one container portion.

5. The container as in claim 4, wherein the means to retain includes a resilient portion of the cylindrical sidewall that resiliently deforms and can engage one of the end caps of the filter element.

6. The container as in claim 5, wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes an annular bead or ridge that can engage and resiliently deflect around the one end cap to retain the one end cap of the filter element.

7. The container as in claim 4, wherein the retaining means includes one of an annular flange, bead, channel or ridge that can deformably engage and retain the one end cap of the filter element.

8. The container as in claim 7, wherein the retaining means is unitary with the one container portion.

9. The container as in claim 4, wherein the means to retain includes an annular flange integral with a disk-shaped end wall of the first container portion and projecting internally of the first container portion, the annular flange including a deformable portion engageable with a portion of one end cap of the filter element to retain the filter element to the first container portion.

10. The container as in claim 9, wherein the deformable portion of the annular flange includes an annular catch projecting radially outward from the annular flange at a distal inner end of the annular flange.

11. The container as in claim 1, wherein the first and second container portions are formed of incineratable material.

12. The container as in claim 1, wherein the first and second container portions have a wall thickness of between 0.015 and 0.030 inches.

13. A storage container for a cylindrical filter element having a disk-shaped end cap at either end of the filter element, the container comprising:

i) a first container portion comprising an imperforate cup-shaped body sufficient to enclose at least a portion of the filter element;

ii) a second container portion comprising an imperforate cup-shaped lid sufficient to enclose at least a portion of the filter element, the body and lid connectable to form a fluid-tight enclosure for the filter element;

iii) a resilient retaining device integral with the body for cooperating with one of the end caps of the filter element and removably coupling the filter element to the body;

wherein the lid and body have cooperating structure allowing the lid to be easily attached to and removed from the body so as to form a fluid-tight enclosure for the filter element, wherein the filter element remains coupled to the body when the lid is removed from the body and the body is inverted.

14. The storage container as in claim 13, wherein the retaining device includes one of an annular flange, bead, channel or ridge that can deformably engage and retain the one end cap of the filter element.

15. The storage container as in claim 13, wherein the retaining device is unitary with the one container portion.

16. The storage container as in claim 13, wherein the first and second container portions are formed of incineratable material.

17. The storage container as in claim 13, wherein the body and lid are both thin-walled.

18. An assembly including a cylindrical filter element having a disk-shaped end cap at either end of the filter element, and a container for the element, the container comprising:

i) a first container portion comprising an imperforate cup-shaped body enclosing at least a portion of the filter element;

ii) a second container portion comprising an imperforate cup-shaped lid also enclosing at least a portion of the filter element, the body and lid forming a fluid-tight enclosure for the filter element and disconnectable from each other so as to provide access to the filter element; and

iii) a resilient retaining device integral with the body cooperating with one of the end caps of the filter element and retaining the filter element within the body;

wherein the lid and body have cooperating structure allowing the lid to be easily attached to and removed from the body, wherein the filter element remains retained within the body when the lid is removed from the body and the body is inverted.

19. The assembly as in claim 18, wherein the retaining device includes one of an annular flange, bead, channel or ridge that can deformably engage and retain the one end cap of the filter element.

20. The assembly as in claim 19, wherein the retaining device is unitary with the first container portion.

21. The assembly as in claim 18, wherein the first and second container portions are formed of incineratable material.

22. The assembly as in claim 18, wherein the body and lid are both thin-walled.

23. A filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;

a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;

the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;

said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media; and

a series of distinct protrusions spaced radially outward from said annular flange and radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said protrusions permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the housing portions.

24. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein said elongated protrusions are evenly spaced in an annular arrangement surrounding said annular flange.

25. The filter element as in claim 24, wherein the protrusions extend in arcuate segments in an annular configuration along a surface of the first end cap.

26. The filter element as in claim 24, wherein the annular flange has a tapered inner distal end.

27. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein each of said protrusions has a distal free end, and the distal free end of the protrusions has a helical ramped surface.

28. The filter element as in claim 27, wherein the helical ramped surfaces extend in an annular direction around a surface of the first end cap.

29. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein said protrusions are unitary with said first end cap.

30. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein the ring of filtration media radially outwardly bounds the protrusions.

31. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein said flange is spaced radially inward apart from the filtration media, and defines an annular gap between the flange and the media.

32. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein said protrusions are radially spaced inward apart from the filtration media, and radially spaced outward apart from the flange.

33. The filter element as in claim 23, wherein said second end cap has an annular body portion with a surface that is sealingly bonded in surface-to-surface contact with an annular end surface of the filtration media ring.

34. A filter element removably positionable between a pair of housing portions, with a central support core projecting axially away from one of the housing portions toward the other of the housing portions, said filter element comprising:

i) a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central cavity along a central axis and having first and second ends, and first and second end caps at opposite ends of the media;

ii) the first end cap having a surface sealingly bonded to a surface at the first end of the filtration media and having a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap being defined by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media; and

a series of protrusions permanently fixed to the first end cap and extending axially inward a short first distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap, said protrusions spaced radially outward apart from said flange and radially inward apart from said ring of filtration media, and being radially outwardly bounded by the ring of filtration media; and

iii) the second end cap having a surface sealingly bonded to a surface at the second end of the filtration media;

the second end cap also having a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said second end cap having a larger diameter than said central opening of said first end cap and dimensioned to receive the central support core, wherein the protrusions remain with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the pair of housing portions.

35. The filter element as in claim 34, wherein the protrusions are unitary with the first end cap.

36. The filter element as in claim 34, wherein the protrusions are evenly-spaced in an annular arrangement around the annular flange.

37. A filter element removeably positionable between a pair of housing portions, the filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;

a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;

the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;

said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;

at least one protrusion spaced radially outward from said annular flange and radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the housing portions.

38. The filter element as claim 37, wherein the at least one protrusion extends in an arcuate segment in an annular configuration along a surface of the first end cap.

39. The filter element as in claim 38, wherein said at least one protrusion has a distal free end with a helical ramped surface.

40. The filter element as in claim 39, wherein the helical ramped surface extends in an annular direction around a surface of the first end cap.

41. The filter element as in claim 37, wherein said at least one protrusion is unitary with said first end cap.

42. The filter element as in claim 37, wherein the ring of filtration media radially outwardly bounds the at least one protrusion.

43. The filter element as in claim 37, wherein said flange is spaced radially inward apart from the filtration media, and defines an annular gap between the flange and the media.

44. The filter element as in claim 37, wherein said at least one protrusion is radially spaced inward apart from the filtration media, and radially spaced outward apart from the flange.

45. The filter element as in claim 37, wherein said second end cap has an annular body portion with a surface that is sealingly bonded in surface-to-surface contact with an annular end surface of the filtration media ring.

46. A filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;

a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;

the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;

said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;

at least one protrusion located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap.

47. The filter element as in claim 46, further including a plurality of protrusions equally spaced apart and located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said protrusions permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap.

48. A filter element removeably positionable within a housing, the filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;

a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;

the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;

said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;

at least one protrusion located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap, and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from the housing.

49. The filter element as in claim 48, further including a plurality of protrusions equally spaced apart and located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said protrusions permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap.