Cuno, Inc.

3m Innovative Properties Company

John L Pulek

Clifford L Schorr

Thomas J Hamlin

C Thomas Paul

William A Larsen

Francis J Swiatek

Art Artinyan

Mahesh Z Patel

Jeffrey A Lucas

Daniel K Olsen

Aaron Spearin

Laurie Iturrino

Eric Cizek

Brian L Fall

Eugene A Ostreicher

Richard D Sale

Robert G Barnes

Charles Thomas Paul

Daniel Marcinczyk

A method of forming a filter element is disclosed comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of upstanding pleats each having first and second pleat legs, wherein the first pleat leg of one pleat is joined to the second pleat leg of a preceding pleat by a medial pleat section; moving the upstanding pleats into an overlapped condition wherein each medial pleat section becomes part of the second leg of a preceding pleat; and forming the overlapped pleats into a cylindrical configuration.

Circumferentially pleated filter assembly and method of forming the same

A filter assembly is provided which includes an outer filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, an inner filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, wherein the inner and outer filter sleeves define a passage therebetween. An inlet cap is secured to a first end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has at least one inlet port communicating with the passage, and an end cap is secured to a second end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has an end surface closing the passage. Methods of forming such a filter assembly are also provided.

A fluid filtration unit having two or more filter medium layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter medium are presently preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter medium layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter medium element and preventing collapsing of the medium into any separator conduit. At least one of the medium elements is formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption with the various zones and the separator being operatively connected by a new and innovative edge seal. The new and innovative edge seal is presently preferably formed from a thermoplastic material having a modulus of elasticity which is sufficient to permit radial expansion of the edge seal when the unit medium swells in size.

Graded particle-size retention filter medium for fluid filtration unit with improved edge seal

A cell-type filter unit having two or more filter media layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter media are preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter media layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter media element and preventing collapsing of the media into any separator conduit.

Graded particle-size retention filter medium for cell-type filter unit

A filter element comprising at least one elastomeric end-cap, a thin-walled pleated filter medium having edges thereon constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to the elastomeric end-caps, and a polymeric adhesive material within the end-caps for sealing the edges of the filter media therein, and a method for producing the same.

Method of applying an end-cap to a pleated filter element

A fluid filtration cell is disclosed which includes a separator disposed between two media elements having outer peripheries which are secured together by an edge seal. The media elements are formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption. The edge seal is formed from a thermoplastic material having a modulus of elasticity which is sufficient to permit radial expansion of the edge seal when the cell media swells in size.

Edge seal for filter cartridge

A spiral wound filter element is disclosed which includes alternating layers of filter medium and diffusion medium wrapped about a cylindrical core defining a central axis of the filter element. The alternating layers extend from a radially innermost layer of the filter element to a radially outermost layer of the filter element, the diffusion medium is defined by a continuous lengthwise sheet of mesh material, and the filter medium is defined by at least one sheet of filter material arranged along the length of the continuous sheet of mesh material. The alternating layers of filter medium and diffusion medium define three distinct radially disposed layered filtering sections surrounding the cylindrical core, and include a first filtering section having radially outer prequalifying layers, a second filtering section having middle prequalifying layers and a third filtering section having radially inner qualifying layers. The radially outer prequalifying layers and the middle prequalifying layers define about two-thirds of the radial distance from the radially outermost layer of the filter element to the radially innermost layer of the filter element.

Filter and method of filtering a fluid

A method for retrieving excess pharmaceutical process fluid from the hold-up volume of a primary fluid filtration device. The hold-up volume is the volume of excess process fluid which accumulates in the bottom of the filter housing below the outlet opening thereof. Because it is considered valuable, the excess pharmaceutical process fluid is retrieved from the lower housing (,) via a drainage port (,) formed therein below the level of the outlet. The excess process fluid is then filtered in a supplemental filtration device (,) that is connected to the drainage port. The supplemental filtration device has a smaller volumetric capacity than the capacity of the primary fluid filtration device.

Method for retrieving excess pharmaceutical process fluid from a filter

A fluid filtration device is disclosed which includes a capsule housing having an upper housing portion defining an axial fluid inlet and a lower housing portion defining an axial fluid outlet, a filter assembly including an elongated mounting post and a plurality of filtration cells supported on the mounting post in axially spaced apart relationship, and structure operatively associated with the mounting post and the lower housing portion for effectuating axial compression of the filtration cells relative to the mounting post when the mounting post is engaged in the lower housing portion during assembly.

Encapsulated lenticular filter cartridge

A compressible differential pressure energized seal (18) coacting between a filter element (10) and the like and a housing (21) comprises a compressible portion (35) having a large open end (36) and a small open end (37), the large end (36) directed toward and contacting the housing (21 ) and the small end (37) directed toward the filter (10) element; and an annular flange (38) integrally attached to the compressible portion (35) at its small end (37) and extending outwardly, the flange (38) operatively communicating with the filter element (10). The seal (18) may also include at least one flap (43) to center the filter element (10) to which it is attached onto a centering rod (31 ) carried within the housing (21 ). Such a seal (18) is compressed when the element (10) is operationally enclosed within the housing (21 ) to provide a leak-proof seal during operation and is self-energizing during operation such that as the differential pressure increases, it more forcefully engages the sealing surface.

Compressible differential pressure energized seals for filter elements

A filter apparatus for use in filtering a fluid is provided. The filter apparatus has a plug-in, quick-connect cartridge. The filter apparatus has walls forming a first chamber and a second chamber. The filter apparatus also has a diaphragm having a first surface and having a second surface for separating the chambers. The diaphragm has an aperture with an inner surface for receiving the cartridge. The cartridge has a connector member for attachment to the diaphragm, and has a filter member for filtering the fluid passing between the chambers. The first and second chambers have respective inlet and outlet ports. The connector member has an upset portion which bears against the diaphragm first surface. The connector member also has an extended portion, which extends through the aperture. The extended portion has a groove, which has a snap locking ring that bears against the diaphragm second surface. The upset portion and the snap locking ring provide a rigid cantilever attachment of the cartridge to the diaphragm. The extended portion also has a second groove, which has an O-ring seal that bears against the inner surface of the aperture for preventing fluid flow past the snap locking ring.

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Cheshire, CT, United States of America

John L Pulek