Carrier Corporation

Rps Products, Inc.

Robert C Squier

Daniel E Schuld

Rajendra K Shah

Dwight H Heberer

Danny L Jenkins

Donald N Jursich

Robert G Fisher

Michael T Fredrick

Edward M Hopman

A folding filter frame includes two end assemblies, each having a stationary panel having two ends, two folding panels, each having a folding end and a free end, and at least one track. The folding end of each folding panels is foldably secured to one of the ends of the stationary panel and the track runs perpendicular to a length of the end assembly. There is a stationary support extending from one end assembly to the other end assembly. Two side assemblies are present, each including a side panel with two ends and a engagement device secured to each end. The engagement device follows one the tracks of the end panels. The filter frame converts from a folded configuration to a deployed configuration by unfolding the folding panels and sliding the engagement devices in the tracks. A filter is made by positioning a filter media inside the folding frame.

Folding filter frame and filter

An expandable media filter structure is composed largely of biodegradable materials and is environmentally disposable. A plurality of pleated panes are interconnected at their edges so as to be collapsible for storage and shipping purposes but expandable for installation and use. A plurality of ribbons are ultrasonically welded to each of the panel edges, with the ribbon portions between edges being of substantially equal lengths, thereby maintaining equal spacing between the panel edges when the filter is in the expanded condition but allowing an easy collapsing of the filter for storage. Forming a part of the disposable filter are pair of end plates, with each being adhesively attached to an end panel and having a pair of slots formed near their ends for attachment to a nondisposable support structure. The end panels are formed of multiple layers of paperboard which are adhesively bonded and compressed into a U-shaped structure that rigidly supports the filter in its expanded condition. The nondisposable support structure includes a pair of molded plastic side caps that fit over the respective ends of the filter panels and the end plates. Each side cap has a pair of flanges at its opposite ends which act to maintain the filter in its expanded condition when the end pates are placed in abutting position therewith. Each side cap also includes a boss which fits into a respective end plate slot to hold the end plates in their installed positions within the side caps.

Method and apparatus for assembling an expandable media filter with spacing ribbons

An expandable media filter structure is composed largely of biodegradable materials and is environmentally disposable. A plurality of pleated panels are interconnected at their edges so as to be collapsible for storage and shipping purposes but expandable for installation and use. A plurality of ribbons are ultrasonically welded to each of the panel edges, wit the ribbon portions between edges being of substantially equal lengths, thereby maintaining equal spacing between the panel edges when the filter is in the expanded condition but allowing an easy collapsing of the filter for storage. Forming a part of the disposable filter are pair of end plates, with each being adhesively attached to an end panel and having a pair of slots formed near their ends for attachment to a nondisposable support structure. The end panels are formed of multiple layers of paperboard which are adhesively bonded and compressed into a U-shaped structure that rigidly supports the filter in its expanded condition. The nondisposable support structure includes a pair of molded plastic side caps that fit over the respective ends of the filter panels and the end plates. Each side cap has a pair of flanges at its opposite ends which act to maintain the filter in its expanded condition when the end plates are placed in abutting position therewith. Each side cap also includes a boss which fits into a respective end plate slot to hold the end plates in their installed positions within the side caps.

Method and apparatus for assembling an expandable and disposable media filter

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Carpenterville, IL, United States of America

Robert C Squier