The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2000
Elmer C. Lupton, Boston, MA (US);
Thomas H. E. Mendum, Somerville, MA (US);
R. Edwin Hicks, Waban, MA (US);
Leslie S. Rubin, Newton, MA (US);
Justyna B. Teverovsky, Acton, MA (US);
Harris Gold, Lexington, MA (US);
Elmer C. Lupton, Boston, MA (US);
Thomas H. E. Mendum, Somerville, MA (US);
R. Edwin Hicks, Waban, MA (US);
Leslie S. Rubin, Newton, MA (US);
Justyna B. Teverovsky, Acton, MA (US);
Harris Gold, Lexington, MA (US);
Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides variable pore size filters. The variable pore size filters of the present invention comprise a fabric matrix, having a set pore size, wherein the fabric matrix is coated with a gel that expands and shrinks in response to a trigger. When the gel is expanded, the pore size of the filter is small and filtering is accomplished. When the gel is shrunken, the pore size of the filter is large and cleaning of the filter by a backwash or forward flush of fluid is accomplished.