Disposable filter assembly

Claim 2

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet; and a tubular member attached to one end cap of the filter element and having an external sealing wall and an internal wall defining a fluid passage therethrough extending between the interior of the filter element and an inlet or outlet of the filter housing, and communicating the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the housing, the tubular member attaching the filter element to the housing in a fluidtight seal between the external wall of the tubular member and an external wall of the housing at the inlet or outlet to provide a leakage path there between to the exterior of the housing in the event of leakage, and the tubular member also providing a direct through connection via the fluid passage thereof for flow of filtered fluid between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line, and a fluid-tight seal between an internal wall of the fluid line and the external wall of the tubular member to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing whereby all seals between the tubular member the filter housing and the fluid line are on external walls of the tubular member and the housing that provide leakage paths only to the exterior of the housing, and thus prevent the by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the line.

Claim 3

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 1, in which the tubular member comprises a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end of the filter element; a second tubular member mating on the inside of one end of the filter housing, to engage and form a fluidtight seal against the first tubular member and a tubular adaptor extending outwardly from the interior of the filter element and within the first tubular member to connect with the fluid line, and provide direct fluid communication between the interior of the filter element and said line.

Claim 4

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 2, in which the first tubular member and the second tubular member have tapered mating sealing surfaces.

Claim 5

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 2, in which the tubular adaptor has connecting means adapted to engage the interior surface of the second tubular member to secure the two tubular members in fluidtight contact.

Claim 6

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which the first tubular member and the tubular adaptor are formed as part of a filter element end cap.

Claim 7

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 1, in which the housing has an air vent closed off by a removable cap.

Claim 8

A disposable filter assembly comprising two bell-shaped housing portions having mating flanges at their open ends which form a fluidtight seal; a cylindrical filter element disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet comprising a corrugated filter medium; a first end cap bonded to the filter medium to close off one open end of the element to ensure that fluid will not by-pass the filter medium; and a second end cap to close off the other open end of the element, said second end cap comprising a cylindrical hollow post extending outwardly from the element; a connecting adaptor in the form of a hollow tapered nipple concentric to and extending outwardly from within the post to communicate the interior of the filter element with and engage a fluid line; a mating section extending iNwardly from the closed end of the first housing portion to mate with and seal against the cylindrical post of the filter element end cap; a cylindrical adaptor extending inwardly from the closed end of the second housing portion having a threaded interior surface; a tapered hollow nipple extending outwardly from within the threaded interior surface of the cylindrical adaptor to communicate the interior of the housing with a fluid line; and two threaded bushings to engage a threaded portion at the closed end of the first housing portion and the internally threaded surface of the cylindrical adaptor to secure the fluid lines in a fluidtight seal over the hollow tapered nipples.

Claim 9

A disposable filter assembly comprising two bell-shaped housing portions having mating flanges at their open ends which form a fluidtight seal; a cylindrical filter element disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet comprising a corrugated filter medium; a first end cap bonded to the filter medium to close off one open end of the element to ensure that fluid will not by-pass the filter medium; and a second end cap to close off the other open end of the element, said second end cap comprising a cylindrical hollow post extending outwardly from the element; a connecting adaptor in the form of a hollow tapered nipple concentric to and extending outwardly from within the post to communicate the interior of the filter element with and engage a fluid line; a mating section extending iNwardly from the closed end of the first housing portion to mate with and seal against the cylindrical post of the filter element end cap; a cylindrical adaptor extending inwardly from the closed end of the second housing portion having a threaded interior surface; a tapered hollow nipple extending outwardly from within the threaded interior surface of the cylindrical adaptor to communicate the interior of the housing with a fluid line; and two threaded bushings to engage a threaded portion at the closed end of the first housing portion and the internally threaded surface of the cylindrical adaptor to secure the fluid lines in a fluidtight seal over the hollow tapered nipples.

Claim 10

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 7, in which the cylinder hollow post of the element end cap has a tapered interior surface; the mating section of the housing comprises an inwardly extending second cylindrical hollow post having a threaded interior surface and a tapered exterior surface to mate with the tapered interior surface of the first cylindrical post; the lower portion of the connecting adaptor is threaded to engage the threaded interior surface of the second post to secure the two posts in fluidtight contact; and one threaded bushing engages the remaining threaded portion of the interior surface of the second post to secure the fluid line in a fluidtight seal over the tapered nipple connecting adaptor.

Claim 11

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 7, in which the cylindrical hollow post of the element end cap has a flat circular shoulder formed into the leading edge of the exterior surface and a threaded interior surface; the mating section of the housing is formed with a cylindrical bore having a flat annular ledge and an inwardly extending lip encircling the outer periphery of the ledge, whereby the cylindrical post engages the cylindrical bore such that the circular shoulder abuts the annular ledge and the lip provides guidance for the cylindrical post, said shoulder being bonded to said ledge so that a permanent fluidtight seal is formed between the abutting surfaces; and one threaded bushing engages the threaded interior surface of the cylindrical post to secure the fluid line in a fluidtight seal over the tapered nipple connecting adaptor.

Claim 12

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 9, in which the shoulder and ledge are spin-welded together.

Claim 13

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein the housing and element end caps are formed from plastic material.

Claim 14

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 7, in which the threaded bushings each have two wing-like flanges 180* apart to facilitate hand tightening.

Claim 15

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 7, in which the mating flanges of the two bell-shaped housing portions are bonded together to form a permanent leakproof connection.

Claim 16

A filter element adapted for attachment to a filter housing in a manner which provides both a fluidtight seal therebetween, to prevent external leakage, and a direct filtered fluid connection between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line, to prevent the by-pass of unfiltered fluid, comprising a filter sheet folded in a closed configuration and having at least one end closed off by an end cap; a generally cylindrical hollow post extending outwardly from said end cap and adapted to seal to a mating section formed on the inside of one end of the filter housing; a hollow connecting adaptor extending outwardly from the end cap within the cylindrical post and adapted to engage a filtered fluid line and provide direct fluid communication between said line and the interior of the filter element.

Claim 17

A filter element adapted for attachment to a filter housing in a manner which provides both a fluidtight seal therebetween, to prevent external leakage, and a direct filtered fluid connection between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line, to prevent the by-pass of unfiltered fluid, comprising a filter sheet folded in a closed configuration and having at least one end closed off by an end cap; a generally cylindrical hollow post extending outwardly from said end cap and adapted to seal to a mating section formed on the inside of one end of the filter housing; a hollow connecting adaptor extending outwardly from the end cap within the cylindrical post and adapted to engage a filtered fluid line and provide direct fluid communication between said line and the interior of the filter element.

Claim 18

A filter element in accordance with claim 14, in which the generally cylindrical hollow post has a tapered interior surface, and the lower portion of the connecting adaptor has connecting means to engage the interior surface of a second post on the housing to secure the two posts in flUidtight contact.

Claim 19

A filter element in accordance with claim 15, in which the lower portion of the connecting adaptor threadably engages the interior surface of the second post to secure the two posts in fluidtight contact

Claim 20

A filter element in accordance with claim 15, in which the tapered surfaces of the cylindrical posts have locking angles so that the clearance therebetween is diminished as the connecting adaptor is tightened.

Claim 21

A filter element in accordance with claim 15, in which the relative lengths of the lower portion of the connecting adaptor and the tapered cylindrical posts are such that the mating seal surfaces of the cylindrical posts are in partial contact prior to the engagement of the connecting means, to prevent misalignment of the seal surfaces and the connecting adaptor.

Claim 22

A filter element in accordance with claim 15, in which the connecting adaptor is a hollow tapered nipple for insertion into a fluid line, and a bushing engages the interior surface of the second post to secure the fluid line in a leak-tight connection over the tapered nipple.

Claim 23

A filter element in accordance with claim 14, in which the generally cylindrical hollow post has a flat circular shoulder formed into the leading edge of the exterior surface, adapted to engage a section of a housing formed with a cylindrical bore having a flat annular ledge and an inwardly extending lip encircling the outer periphery of the ledge, whereby the cylindrical post engages the cylindrical bore such that the circular shoulder abuts the annular ledge and the lip provides guidance for the cylindrical post, said shoulder being bonded to said ledge so that a permanent fluidtight seal is formed between the abutting surfaces.

Claim 24

A filter element in accordance with claim 20, in which the shoulder and ledge are adapted to be spin-welded together.

Claim 25

A filter element in accordance with claim 20, in which the connecting adaptor is a hollow tapered nipple for insertion into a fluid line, the interior surface of the cylindrical hollow post is threaded, and a bushing engages the threaded interior surface of the cylindrical post to secure the fluid line in a leaktight connection over the tapered nipple.

Claim 26

A filter element end cap for attaching a filter element to a filter housing comprising a generally cylindrical hollow post extending from the center to engage and form a fluidtight seal against a mating section in the filter housing, and a hollow connecting adaptor extending from within the cylindrical post to engage a fluid line and provide direct filtered fluid communication between said line and the interior of the filter element.

Claim 27

A filter element end cap for attaching a filter element to a filter housing comprising a generally cylindrical hollow post extending from the center to engage and form a fluidtight seal against a mating section in the filter housing, and a hollow connecting adaptor extending from within the cylindrical post to engage a fluid line and provide direct filtered fluid communication between said line and the interior of the filter element.

Claim 28

A filter element end cap in accordance with claim 23, in which the cylindrical post has a tapered interior surface to mate with and form a fluidtight seal against a corresponding tapered surface in the housing, and the connecting adaptor has a threaded lower portion and a tapered nipple end portion to secure the mating tapered surfaces in fluidtight contact and provide means for insertion into the fluid line.

Claim 29

A filter element end cap in accordance with claim 23, in which the cylindrical post has a flat circular shoulder formed into the leading edge of the exterior surface and threaded interior surface, and the connecting adaptor is a tapered nipple for insertion into a fluid line.

Claim 30

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet; an air vent in the housing closed off by a removable cap, the air vent in the housing and the cap having tapered mating sealing surface; and means for attaching the filter element to the filter housing comprising a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end cap of the filter element; a second tubular member extending from the inside of one end of the filter housing, to engage and form a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member, and a tubular adaptor extending outwardly from said end cap and communicating with the interior of the filter element and within the second tubular member to engage and form of fluidtight seal against the second tubular member and against a fluid line, and provide direct fluid communication between the interior of the filter element and said line.

Claim 31

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet; an air vent in the housing closed off by a removable cap, the air vent in the housing and the cap having tapered mating sealing surface; and means for attaching the filter element to the filter housing comprising a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end cap of the filter element; a second tubular member extending from the inside of one end of the filter housing, to engage and form a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member, and a tubular adaptor extending outwardly from said end cap and communicating with the interior of the filter element and within the second tubular member to engage and form of fluidtight seal against the second tubular member and against a fluid line, and provide direct fluid communication between the interior of the filter element and said line.

Claim 32

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 26, in which the tubular adaptor has connecting means adapted to engage the interior surface of the second tubular member to secure the two tubular members in fluidtight contact.

Claim 33

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 27, in which the first tubular member and the tubular adaptor are formed as part of a filter element end cap.

Claim 34

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet; a first tubular member extending from one end cap of the filter element and communicating with the interior of the filter element; a second tubular member extending inwardly from an inlet or outlet of the filter housing to engage and form along an external wall thereof a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member, with a fluid-leakage path therebetween leading to the exterior of the housing; the external walls of the first tubular member and the second tubular member having tapered mating sealing surfaces, the first and second tubular members together defining a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the outlet, the fluidtight seal between the external walls of the first and second tubular members normally preventing leakage but providing a leakage path to the exterior of the housing in the event of any leakage and thereby preventing the by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the fluid line.

Claim 35

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet; a first tubular member extending from one end cap of the filter element and communicating with the interior of the filter element; a second tubular member extending inwardly from an inlet or outlet of the filter housing to engage and form along an external wall thereof a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member, with a fluid-leakage path therebetween leading to the exterior of the housing; the external walls of the first tubular member and the second tubular member having tapered mating sealing surfaces, the first and second tubular members together defining a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the outlet, the fluidtight seal between the external walls of the first and second tubular members normally preventing leakage but providing a leakage path to the exterior of the housing in the event of any leakage and thereby preventing the by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the fluid line.

Claim 36

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 29, in which a tubular adaptor connecting with a fluid line at the inlet or outlet extends interiorly of the second tubular member and exteriorly of the first tubular member, and seals therewith along an external wall of the second tubular member and an external wall of the first tubular member, the seals thereby providing a leakage flow path to the exterior of the housing and together with the first tubular member provides direct fluid communication between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line.

Claim 37

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 30, in which the tubular adaptor and the first tubular member have tapered mating sealing surfaces.

Claim 38

A disposable filter assembly in accordance with claim 31, in which the first tubular member and the second tubular member are threadably engaged one to the other.

Claim 39

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the unfiltered fluid outlet; a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end cap of the filter element towards an inlet or outlet and communicating with the interior of the filter element; a second tubular member extending from said inlet or outlet of the housing to engage and form along an external wall thereof a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member; and a one-piece tubular adaptor extending between the interior of the filter element and said inlet or outlet, separating the same from the interior of the housing and forming a fluidtight seal along an external wall thereof with external walls of both the first tubular member and the second tubular member and providing a leakage flow path from each seAl to the exterior of the housing thereby preventing the by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the line and providing a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the outlet.

Claim 40

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between end caps in a fluidtight seal and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the unfiltered fluid outlet; a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end cap of the filter element towards an inlet or outlet and communicating with the interior of the filter element; a second tubular member extending from said inlet or outlet of the housing to engage and form along an external wall thereof a fluidtight seal against an external wall of the first tubular member; and a one-piece tubular adaptor extending between the interior of the filter element and said inlet or outlet, separating the same from the interior of the housing and forming a fluidtight seal along an external wall thereof with external walls of both the first tubular member and the second tubular member and providing a leakage flow path from each seAl to the exterior of the housing thereby preventing the by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the line and providing a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow between the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the outlet.

Claim 41

A disposable filter assembly according to claim 33, in which the tubular attaching means extending between the filter element and the filtered fluid outlet is bonded to the housing at said inlet or outlet and to the filter element in a fluidtight seal integrating the same into one piece.

Claim 42

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element confined between end caps in a permanent fluidtight seal, and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the unfiltered fluid inlet to the filtered fluid; a first tubular member integral with and extending from one end cap of the filter element; a second tubular member integral with and extending from an inlet or outlet of the housing; the first tubular member extending within the second, and engaging the second in a fluidtight seal, each engaging the other along an external wall thereof providing a leakage flow path to the exterior of the housing and thereby attaching the end cap and the filter element to the housing, and providing a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow via the end cap from the interior of the filter element to a fluid line attached to the filtered fluid outlet while preventing by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the line.

Claim 43

A disposable filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element confined between end caps in a permanent fluidtight seal, and disposed within the housing across the line of fluid flow from the unfiltered fluid inlet to the filtered fluid; a first tubular member integral with and extending from one end cap of the filter element; a second tubular member integral with and extending from an inlet or outlet of the housing; the first tubular member extending within the second, and engaging the second in a fluidtight seal, each engaging the other along an external wall thereof providing a leakage flow path to the exterior of the housing and thereby attaching the end cap and the filter element to the housing, and providing a direct through connection for filtered fluid flow via the end cap from the interior of the filter element to a fluid line attached to the filtered fluid outlet while preventing by-pass of unfiltered fluid to the line.

Claim 44

A disposable filter assembly according to claim 35 in which the first and second tubular members are bonded together in a seal integrating the members into one piece.

Claim 45

A disposable plastic filter assembly integrated in one piece, comprising a plastic filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between plastic end caps and disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the unfiltered fluid inlet to the filtered fluid outlet, and a plastic tubular member attached to one end cap of the filter element and having an external sealing wall and an internal wall defining a fluid passage therethrough extending between the interior of the filter element and the filter housing, and communicating the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the housing, the tubular member attaching the filter element to the housing in a fluidtight seal between the external wall of the tubular member and an external wall of the housing at the inlet or outlet to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing in the event of leakage, and the tubular member also providing a direct through connection via the fluid passage thereof for flow of filtered fluid between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line, and a fluidtight seal between an internal wall of the fluid line and the external wall of the tubular member to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing whereby all seals between the tubular member, the filter housing and the fluid line are on external walls of the tubular member and the housing that provide leakage paths only to the exterior of the housing, and thus prevent the bypass of unfiltered fluid to the line, the tubular member being bonded to the housing at the outlet in a fluidtight seal integrating the attaching means, the housing and the end cap of the filter element in one piece.

Claim 46

A disposable plastic filter assembly integrated in one piece, comprising a plastic filter housing having an unfiltered fluid inlet and a filtered fluid outlet; a filter element permanently bonded to and confined between plastic end caps and disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the unfiltered fluid inlet to the filtered fluid outlet, and a plastic tubular member attached to one end cap of the filter element and having an external sealing wall and an internal wall defining a fluid passage therethrough extending between the interior of the filter element and the filter housing, and communicating the interior of the filter element and a fluid line attached to the housing, the tubular member attaching the filter element to the housing in a fluidtight seal between the external wall of the tubular member and an external wall of the housing at the inlet or outlet to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing in the event of leakage, and the tubular member also providing a direct through connection via the fluid passage thereof for flow of filtered fluid between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line, and a fluidtight seal between an internal wall of the fluid line and the external wall of the tubular member to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing whereby all seals between the tubular member, the filter housing and the fluid line are on external walls of the tubular member and the housing that provide leakage paths only to the exterior of the housing, and thus prevent the bypass of unfiltered fluid to the line, the tubular member being bonded to the housing at the outlet in a fluidtight seal integrating the attaching means, the housing and the end cap of the filter element in one piece.

Claim 47

A filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet; a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end of the filter element, a second tubular member extending inwardly from the filter housing at an inlet or outlet, and a fluid line connector disposed and clamped between the first and second tubular members in a fluidtight seal, at least one of the first tubular member and the second tubUlar members having a tapered mating sealing surface sealing with the line connector, and the line connector clamping surface having stepped sides, the first and second tubular members each having an external sealing wall and an internal wall defining a fluid passage therethrough extending between the interior of the filter element and the filter housing, and communicating the interior of the filter element and the interior of the line connector, the first and second tubular members attaching the filter element to the housing in a fluidtight seal between the external walls of the first and second tubular members to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing in the event of leakage, and the tubular members also providing a direct through connection via the line connector for flow of filtered fluid between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line, and a fluidtight seal between an internal wall of the line connector and the external wall of the second tubular member to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing, whereby all seals between the tubular members and the line connector are on external walls of the tubular members that provide leakage paths only to the exterior of the housing, and thus prevent the bypass of unfiltered fluid to the line.

Claim 48

A filter assembly comprising a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet; a filter element disposed within the housing across the line of flow from the inlet to the outlet; a first tubular member extending outwardly from one end of the filter element, a second tubular member extending inwardly from the filter housing at an inlet or outlet, and a fluid line connector disposed and clamped between the first and second tubular members in a fluidtight seal, at least one of the first tubular member and the second tubUlar members having a tapered mating sealing surface sealing with the line connector, and the line connector clamping surface having stepped sides, the first and second tubular members each having an external sealing wall and an internal wall defining a fluid passage therethrough extending between the interior of the filter element and the filter housing, and communicating the interior of the filter element and the interior of the line connector, the first and second tubular members attaching the filter element to the housing in a fluidtight seal between the external walls of the first and second tubular members to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing in the event of leakage, and the tubular members also providing a direct through connection via the line connector for flow of filtered fluid between the interior of the filter element and the fluid line, and a fluidtight seal between an internal wall of the line connector and the external wall of the second tubular member to provide a leakage path therebetween to the exterior of the housing, whereby all seals between the tubular members and the line connector are on external walls of the tubular members that provide leakage paths only to the exterior of the housing, and thus prevent the bypass of unfiltered fluid to the line.

Claim 49

A filter assembly according to claim 38, in which the first tubular member has a tapered sealing surface abutting the stepped side clamping surface of the line connector.