Patents by Inventor Alan Smithies

Alan Smithies has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080217241
    Abstract: A composite filter media structure is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the composite filter media structure includes a corrugated base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed by a dry-laid process that corrugates the base substrate during the forming process. The composite filter media structure also includes a nanofiber membrane deposited on at least one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jack T. Clements, Jason Mei, Hyun Sung Lim, David Charles Jones
  • Patent number: 7374796
    Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: BHA Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20080078152
    Abstract: A high temperature filter medium for use in a filtering operation comprising, a nonwoven fabric substrate having a physical structure and comprising a plurality of polymeric fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of polymeric fibers comprise a base polymer and at least a portion of the plurality of polymeric fibers comprise a secondary polymer, and wherein the base polymer, the secondary polymer, or both bond at least a portion of the polymeric fibers together, the nonwoven fabric substrate being capable of retaining the physical structure at a filtering temperature greater than 135° C. A method for making a filter medium being capable of retaining the physical structure at a filtering temperature greater than 135° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: BHA GROUP
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20080072553
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a filter cartridge includes providing filtration media formed into a plurality of pleats, wherein the filtration media have a substantially tubular configuration with a pre-determined circumferential spacing between each of the plurality of pleats. The filter cartridge is configured to remove particulates from a particulate-laden fluid stream flowing in a direction through the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is also configured to be periodically subjected to a cleaning fluid stream flowing in a substantially opposite direction of the particulate-laden fluid stream. The method also includes coupling at least one retention device to the filtration media, wherein the retention device is fabricated from a melt-extrudable polymer material that is configured to facilitate extending a life expectancy of the filter cartridge when operationally exposed to operating temperatures ranging from 135° C. (275° F.) to 204° C. (400° F.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, Jason Mei
  • Publication number: 20070084786
    Abstract: A composite filter medium includes a corrogated substrate of nonwoven porous synthetic material, cellulose, or combinations thereof. The filter medium also includes a layer of bulk meltspun nanofibers anchored or bonded to the substrate. At least about 85% of the fine fibers have diameters less than 1000 nanometers in diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20070077407
    Abstract: A composite article includes a base material, and a porous membrane laminated with the base material. The porous membrane has hydrophobic properties and includes at least one of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, woven polytetrafluoroethylene, and non woven polytetrafluoroethylene. A coating layer is formed on at least a portion of the porous membrane. The coating layer has oleophobic properties and includes at least one of a perfluoro alkyl acrylic copolymer and a perfluoro alkyl methacrylic copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Karmin Olson, Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20070075014
    Abstract: A composite article includes a base material and a porous membrane laminated with the base material. The porous membrane has hydrophobic properties and includes at least one of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, woven polytetrafluoroethylene, and non woven polytetrafluoroethylene. A coating layer is formed on at least a portion of the porous membrane. The coating layer has hydrophilic properties and includes at least one of an organofunctional siloxane and a polyether urethane polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Karmin Olson, Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20060252333
    Abstract: A protective cover material includes at least two layers including a textile layer with an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane attached to the textile layer, the membrane treated to render it oleophobic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Clare King, James Doehla, Alan Smithies
  • Patent number: 7115151
    Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: BHA Group
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, William C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20050091947
    Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, William Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6872233
    Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BHA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, William C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040168419
    Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Patent number: 6752847
    Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20030192294
    Abstract: A filter medium includes at least one first fiber made from a first polymer selected for the chemical and high temperature stability properties needed for a particular operation and at least one second fiber made from a second polymer having a relatively higher glass transition temperature than the first polymer. The filter medium has a higher glass transition temperature than the first fiber, allowing the filtering media to withstand the temperature requirements of the operation, while retaining the chemical resistance of the first fiber. This is particularly useful for pleated filters that are highly temperature dependent, and in industrial baghouse operations where temperatures often exceed the operating range of the first polymers. A method for making the filter medium is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Patent number: 6610242
    Abstract: A mat of polymeric fibers is treated to alter a filtration surface by the application of heat and pressure. The filtration surface is heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the fibers and pressure is applied to compact the softened fibers in order to reduce the average pore size on or at the filtration surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventors: Malcolm Swanson, Ken L. Parris, Winston F. Budrow, Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20030140606
    Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20030110745
    Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Smithies
  • Patent number: 6409785
    Abstract: A pleatable and cleanable filter media (22) that has a HEPA filtration rating. The filter media (22) includes a porous primary filtration layer (22). The primary filtration layer tending to be less than HEPA rated upon being damaged. A first substrate layer (64) attached to said primary filtration layer (62) for maintaining the shape of the filter media (22). The first substrate layer (64) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated. A second substrate layer (82) attached to the first substrate layer (64) functioning as a secondary filter in the event of damage to the primary filtration layer (62). The second substrate layer (82) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: BHA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, James Roy Doehla, Anthony Joseph Thill
  • Patent number: 6409787
    Abstract: A filter element comprises a substrate constructed from at least two different materials. A first one of the materials has a first temperature at which the first material activates. A second one of the materials is at least a partially crystalline structure and has a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature at which the second material activates. A porous membrane is supported by the substrate. An attachment is between the substrate and the membrane. The attachment results from the second material of the substrate activated at a temperature less than the first temperature to engage portions of the membrane at spaced apart locations and fix together the membrane and the substrate upon the second material cooled to a temperature less than the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: BHA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Smithies, Vikas Madhusudan Nadkarni
  • Patent number: 6054399
    Abstract: A textile material whose fibers have been coated, at least in part, with fluorocarbon particles is usable in an electrophotographic printing machine to clean toner particles off a fuser roll, and to supply a toner release agent to the fuser roll. The textile material can include woven goods, as well as non-woven felts and the like. The resultant product has reduced friction and decreased fiber shedding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: BMP America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Lebold, Alan Smithies, Edward D. Andrew