US4038190A — Fluid fractionation apparatus and method of manuf…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 234 words

A method for the continuous preparation of hollow fiber apparatus in which the fibers rest in a groove in a core, said method comprising the steps of: a. fixedly positioning a core having a groove formed therein; b. feeding into the groove of the core at least one bundle of hollow fibers fed from a plurality of bobbins, and maintaining the said bundle at its ends by gripping means, while moving the gripping means parallel to the axis of the groove with the bundle substantially from one end to the other of the core; c. stopping the movement of the bundle gripping means when they are slightly past one end of the core after having entrained the bundle along the full length of the groove; d. maintaining by other means the gripping of the bundle adjacent the other end of the groove; e. forming fluidtight walls by joining the hollow fibers to themselves and to the ends of the core; f. sectioning the hollow fibers between each end of the core and the means for clamping the bundle close to its ends; g. loosening the ends of the bundle, by loosening the clamping means towards the end of the core opposite to that where the bundle has been fed to the groove; h. lifting the core, the groove of which is filled with hollow fibers; and i. repeating the steps (a) to (h) successively.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 234 words

A method for the continuous preparation of hollow fiber apparatus in which the fibers rest in a groove in a core, said method comprising the steps of: a. fixedly positioning a core having a groove formed therein; b. feeding into the groove of the core at least one bundle of hollow fibers fed from a plurality of bobbins, and maintaining the said bundle at its ends by gripping means, while moving the gripping means parallel to the axis of the groove with the bundle substantially from one end to the other of the core; c. stopping the movement of the bundle gripping means when they are slightly past one end of the core after having entrained the bundle along the full length of the groove; d. maintaining by other means the gripping of the bundle adjacent the other end of the groove; e. forming fluidtight walls by joining the hollow fibers to themselves and to the ends of the core; f. sectioning the hollow fibers between each end of the core and the means for clamping the bundle close to its ends; g. loosening the ends of the bundle, by loosening the clamping means towards the end of the core opposite to that where the bundle has been fed to the groove; h. lifting the core, the groove of which is filled with hollow fibers; and i. repeating the steps (a) to (h) successively.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the means of clamping and of feeding the bundle in the groove of the core comprise at least three grippers carried by an endless belt.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 99 words

Fluid fractionating apparatus comprising: a. an elongate rigid core of H-shaped cross-section defining two longitudinally extending grooves in said core; b. a plurality of hollow fibers arranged longitudinally within said grooves, said grooves acting as a bed for said fibers; c. two end walls which secure the hollow fibers to one another at their ends, these walls being firmly secured to the core; d. a jacket enclosing at least the said two grooves and end walls; e. at least one fluid inlet passage provided in the jacket; and g. at least one fluid outlet passage provided in the jacket.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 99 words

Fluid fractionating apparatus comprising: a. an elongate rigid core of H-shaped cross-section defining two longitudinally extending grooves in said core; b. a plurality of hollow fibers arranged longitudinally within said grooves, said grooves acting as a bed for said fibers; c. two end walls which secure the hollow fibers to one another at their ends, these walls being firmly secured to the core; d. a jacket enclosing at least the said two grooves and end walls; e. at least one fluid inlet passage provided in the jacket; and g. at least one fluid outlet passage provided in the jacket.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 92 words

Fluid fractionating apparatus, comprising: a. an elongate core of cross-shaped cross-section having four arms defining grooves therebetween; b. a plurality of hollow fibers arranged longitudinally within said grooves, said grooves acting as a bed for said fibers; c. two end walls which secure the hollow fibers to one another at their ends, these walls being firmly secured to the core; d. a jacket closing said grooves and end walls; e. at least one fluid inlet passage provided in the jacket; and g. at least one fluid outlet passage provided in the jacket.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 92 words

Fluid fractionating apparatus, comprising: a. an elongate core of cross-shaped cross-section having four arms defining grooves therebetween; b. a plurality of hollow fibers arranged longitudinally within said grooves, said grooves acting as a bed for said fibers; c. two end walls which secure the hollow fibers to one another at their ends, these walls being firmly secured to the core; d. a jacket closing said grooves and end walls; e. at least one fluid inlet passage provided in the jacket; and g. at least one fluid outlet passage provided in the jacket.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 83 words

A method of preparing a unit cell for fluid fractionating apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: α 1 : winding up the hollow fibers around a plurality of channel cross-section cores placed on the sides of a polygonal support, effective to form a skein which holds all the cores tightly on the support, β 1 : gluing the hollow fibers to the core and to one another at the ends of each of the cores, γ 1 : sectioning the hollow fibers.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 83 words

A method of preparing a unit cell for fluid fractionating apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: α 1 : winding up the hollow fibers around a plurality of channel cross-section cores placed on the sides of a polygonal support, effective to form a skein which holds all the cores tightly on the support, β 1 : gluing the hollow fibers to the core and to one another at the ends of each of the cores, γ 1 : sectioning the hollow fibers.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gluing is carried out as the winding-up process proceeds, with a quick-setting glue injected by means of at least one nozzle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gluing is effected by immersing the ends of cores in the glue.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the polygonal support has 3 to 6 sides.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of preparing a unit cell for fluid fractionating apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: α 2 : winding up the hollow fibers around two cores having hollow fiber receiving grooves on opposite faces so as to form a skein around the said cores, β 2 : gluing the hollow fibers to the core and to one another at both ends of the skein, γ 2 : sectioning of the hollow fibers.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of preparing a unit cell for fluid fractionating apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: α 2 : winding up the hollow fibers around two cores having hollow fiber receiving grooves on opposite faces so as to form a skein around the said cores, β 2 : gluing the hollow fibers to the core and to one another at both ends of the skein, γ 2 : sectioning of the hollow fibers.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein two channel section cores are temporarily joined together at their base by a U-clamp at each of their ends.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the core is a single core having a cross-section selected from the group comprising H-shaped, cross-shaped and star-shaped.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gluing is carried out via a groove situated on the grooves of the core and around the fibers.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-07-25	1981-01-24	1981-07-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-07-25	1985-01-24	1985-07-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-07-25	1989-01-24	1989-07-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fluid fractionation apparatus and method of manufacturing the same

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