Flexible Sheet Type Maintained In Nonplanar Configuration Patents (Class 55/500)
  • Patent number: 7344577
    Abstract: A filter tube frame for use with a filter bag house. The filter tube frame includes an end cap having a pivotable handle attached thereto to facilitate removal of the tube frame from the bag house. The handle includes a lever surface adapted to engage a tube sheet surface, thus, during use, providing a force to urge the end cap away from the tube sheet and unseat the filter tube frame from the tube sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James Leonard Berkhoel
  • Patent number: 7332011
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a structure having an air intake, the filter assembly including a filter media that is sized and shaped to cover the air intake. The ends of the filter media are connected by an elastic fastener, such that the filter media and the fastener encircle the structure and are under tension to hold the filter assembly on the structure. The filter media is a web of synthetic fibers, such as a web of fibers woven in a 3-dimensional pattern or a nonwoven mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Leslye Sandberg
  • Patent number: 7318851
    Abstract: A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Brown, Steven J. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20070261374
    Abstract: An air filter arrangement, an air cleaner assembly including the air filter arrangement and methods of assembly and use are described. An air filter arrangement comprising a serviceable filter cartridge is described. The typical cartridge includes a recessed first flow face and an opposite outwardly projecting second flow face, with a central apex. Features of the cartridge, and an air cleaner for installation into the cartridge, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Benny Kevin Nelson, Gregory L. Reichter, Bruce Allen Boehrs, Paul Anthony Wendt
  • Patent number: 7294160
    Abstract: The present invention comprises concerns a novel air cleaner having an inner mesh barrier. This inner mesh barrier has a plurality of openings, and is generally cylindrical, having an inner mesh barrier liner surface, and an inner mesh barrier outer surface. Furthermore, the air filter has an upper retaining segment and a lower retaining segment, and a filtration means. Furthermore, the lower retaining segment of the air filter has an outer surface having an integral coupling means protruding outward there from. The integral coupling means of the present invention is generally molded from the same material as the lower segment of the air filter. Furthermore, the integral coupling means has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said outer surface of said integral coupling means has a plurality of threads for thereby attaching the air filter to a suitable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shawndra Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Hunsinger
  • Patent number: 7288130
    Abstract: A cassette filter comprising a frame and a pleated filter material that is inserted therein, in addition to a protective grid having passage holes. The protective grid is fastened at a distance from the filter material in the frame and has a flow resistance that is smaller than that of the pleated filter material. The protective grid includes at least one film strip that is bent around the passage holes, said film strip extending parallel relative to the direction of flow of the medium to be filtered, and in that the protective grid recurrently contacts at least one other identically bent film strip outside the passage holes in contact points and is glued to said other film strip in the contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Renate Tapper, Thomas Schroth, Thomas Caesar
  • Patent number: 7261818
    Abstract: A filter is made by the folding of a filter media to pleats after the application of strings of glue thereon and the glue serves as distance elements and fixing for the filter media. The glue contains an expandable filler, that when heated expands to a larger size that is then permanent. When the glue has set the filter is heated and the filler expands and expands the filter pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Camfil AB
    Inventor: Kjell Enbom
  • Patent number: 7255723
    Abstract: A fluid pleated filter assembly arrangement including a method and structure wherein crests of the pleated medium are sharp and narrow being enhanced by alignment of the fibers with the direction of fluid stream flow with the crests being supported by a preselectively controlled breadth and thickness support strip and adhesive fastening band disposed intermediate opposed side edges of the support strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AAF McQuay, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ju Choi, Dennis R. Porter, Ronald D. Unthank
  • Patent number: 7252704
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a first filter element having opposite first and second ends; an axial length between the first and second ends; and a plurality of flutes. Each of the flutes has a first end portion adjacent to the first filter element first end, and a second end portion adjacent to the first filter element second end. Selected ones of the flutes are open at the first end portion and closed at the second end portion; and selected ones of the flutes are closed at the first end portion and open at the second end portion. A sleeve member secured to and circumscribing the first filter element. The sleeve member is oriented relative the first filter element to extend at least 30% of the axial length of the first filter element. A seal member pressure flange at least partially circumscribes the sleeve member. The filter arrangement is particularly useful for gas turbine systems. Methods for operating and servicing filter arrangements preferably utilize constructions herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Tokar, James A. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7217309
    Abstract: A microporous paper filter (10) for particulates emitted together with the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, made in the form of a folded up sheet to form a “Greek key” i.e. having several filtering layers (13) placed substantially parallel, connected by means of folds (14), the layers (13) being separated and maintained equidistant through the interposition of spacers (20) each comprising at least one corrugated paper sheet (21, 22) or pleated paper (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Arturo Colamussi
  • Patent number: 7211124
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Scott Gieseke, William M. Juliar, Edward A. Steinbrueck, Wayne R. W. Bishop, Patrick Golden, Wayne C. Musselman
  • Patent number: 7186287
    Abstract: A fluid handling device having a support frame and a plurality of filter frames attached thereto. Each of the filter frames has an outer frame member that removably secures a filter; the filters being either a planar filter, pocket filter, or multiple pocket filter. The various filters can be arranged to correlate the change-out schedule of all of the filters across the fluid flow area. The filters with the highest particulate capacity can be arranged to be in the zone of the fluid flow area with the highest particulate concentration. The filters are easily constructed from a single piece of filtration media and collapsible to save space when storing or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Scott B. Beier
  • Patent number: 7169202
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a reusable filter frame and a replaceable, pleated, reversibly expandable, self-spacing filter removably arranged in the frame. The self-spacing pleated filter expands uniformly with equal pleat spacing to allow the filter to be easily installed in the reusable filter frame without the aid of a secondary spacing structure. When the filter is expanded to the length of the filter frame, the filter is under tension, thereby allowing the length of the filter to be readily adjusted to match the length of the frame and allowing the pleats to be aligned with corresponding ribs provided in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James O. Kubokawa
  • Patent number: 7156891
    Abstract: An air filter including a filter media having a plurality of flat pleats defining a plurality of truncated pleat tips and sloping side surfaces along a front face and a rear face. The truncated pleat tips are oriented perpendicular to the direction of pleating and are configured with a planar tip portion. The reinforcement structure includes at least one generally planar first reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of the pleating and connected to the truncated pleat tips along the rear face. The reinforcing structure further includes at least one generally planar second reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of pleating and connected to the truncate pleat tips along the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Filtration Group Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip J. Winters, Kevin Hobbs, Michael Corbat, Dean Kerstetter
  • Patent number: 7150774
    Abstract: A replaceable, self-spacing, pleated, filter insert that can be easily installed in a reusable filter frame without the aid of a secondary spacing structure includes reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media including a plurality of pleats that expand uniformly when the filter is expanded. When the filter is expanded to the length of the filter frame, the filter is under tension and behaves like a spring, thereby allowing the length of the filter to be readily adjusted to match the length of the frame and allowing the pleats to be aligned with corresponding ribs provided in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, John F. Reed
  • Patent number: 7135052
    Abstract: A cartridge filter includes a folded package including filter material and a frame holding the folded package. The frame includes a plurality of profiled strips having identical profiles, and each having two ends. The frame also includes a plurality of corner joints, each disposed at an end of a respective profiled strip. Each corner joint includes an end cap for engaging pair wise with an end cap of an adjacent one of the plurality of corner pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Michael Meierhoefer, Renate Tapper, Thomas Caesar, Heiko Knust, Thorsten Schmitt, Norbert Kuck, Rainer Kaffenberger
  • Patent number: 7097692
    Abstract: An air filter arrangement for use in a heating or cooling system including a frame and a filtration member secured within the frame. The frame is defined by a pair of opposed frame components or halves, which are removably or permanently fastened to one another with the filtration member sandwiched therebetween. The frame itself defines a template for permitting trimming of the filter arrangement to one of number of standard filter sizes. The frame is vacuum formed, which allows the frame to be formed from a thin, sheet-like plastic material, and results in a flexible, yet rigid frame which allows easy trimming by the user and provides a filter arrangement with is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: SDS Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Gerald Southland, Bryant Eugene Swart
  • Patent number: 7097684
    Abstract: A high efficiency fluid filter arrangement wherein a combined layer of scrim and filter media applications is of empirically relatively estimated weight size and depth with intermediate pleat spacing so as to arrive at a combined filtration capability value in keeping with selected approved test standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: AAF-McQuay, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung-Ju Choi
  • Patent number: 7090708
    Abstract: A filter element for filtering a fluid stream, comprising a cylindrical support body, which is provided with openings and is sealed at one axial end, and a filter medium arranged on the support body. The filter medium is a strip material, which extends over approximately the entire length of the support body, and is wrapped around the circumference of the support body, and the start and the end of the strip material are welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Winter, Bernhard Staudenmayer, Angelika Gohle, Holger Weiss
  • Patent number: 7090713
    Abstract: A deep format filter element has a peripheral frame with outwardly protruding mounting flanges. The mounting flanges simulate the periphery of a shallow format filter element to allow the deep format filter element to replace the shallow format filter element in many situations. The frame design allows the entire frame to be formed of cardboard and still provide adequate rigidity and strength. The frame includes at least a first cardboard sheet forming individual sides of the frame and panels of the mounting flange. The first cardboard sheet includes for each mounting flange at least two inside folds defining edges of the mounting flange's end panel and first and second side panels. An outside fold defines the second side panel of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brad A. Terlson
  • Patent number: 7041146
    Abstract: An air cleaner for a vehicular engine includes a pre-filter which receives air flow containing particulates and a primary filter which receives the air from the pre-filter. The pre-filter removes a first proportion of particulates from the air, and the primary filter removes a second proportion of particulates from the air. The pre-filter is separately serviceable from the primary filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neville Jimmy Bugli, Gregory Scott Green, Jeffry Marvin Leffel
  • Patent number: 7041158
    Abstract: The end cap (2) comprises a cylindrical gasket-type fitting formed of soft, malleable material. The end cap (2) is connected to the end of an air filter (1) with an adhesive (6). The end cap has a general “U” shaped end portion that encases one end of the air filter (1), and includes a locking tab (7). The locking tab (7) is formed on the end cap's (2) interior lip to assist in holding the end cap (2) in place. Pre-molded air filter end caps (2) are primarily designed for use in safety air filters (1) for heavy motor vehicle applications, specifically, off road vehicles such as bulldozers, bob cats, transfer trucks, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp.
    Inventors: Donald Troy Chilton, Mitchell Jerome Baker
  • Patent number: 7004989
    Abstract: Embodiments of a filter assembly and method of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a filter media pack disposed in a frame assembly. A first seal biases the filter media pack against a second seal along at least one edge of the media pack. In another aspect, a method of fabricating a filter assembly includes the steps of placing a filter media pack in at least a first portion of a frame assembly and compressing an edge of the media pack between a first and second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventor: Niclas Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7001450
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Scott Gieseke, William M. Juliar, Edward A. Steinbrueck, Wayne R.W. Bishop, Patrick Golden, Wayne C. Musselman
  • Patent number: 6997968
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a media construction comprising a corrugated sheet secured to a flat sheet rolled into a coiled construction. A frame and a first seal member are provided. The frame secures the first seal member to the coiled construction. The first seal member is preferably oriented to form a radial seal with a housing. A second seal member is secured to the outer annular surface of the coiled construction. The second seal member includes a gasket extension having first and second opposite ends; an attachment portion; and a protrusion extending from the attachment portion. The second seal member is preferably oriented to form an axial seal with a housing. Air cleaners preferably utilizing filter arrangements as described herein operably installed within housings. Methods of installing, filtering, assembling, and servicing preferably include arrangements as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Xu, John David Kuhn, Edward J. Kreitinger, Wayne R. W. Bishop, Steven Scott Gieseke
  • Patent number: 6994741
    Abstract: A protective cover for an engine filter having a cover upper portion and at least one cover sidewall attached to the cover upper portion, wherein the cover upper portion and the at least one cover sidewall form an enclosure, such that an inner perimeter of the enclosure has a size and a shape similar to a size and a shape of an outer perimeter of the engine filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Robert A. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6994744
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a first filter element having opposite first and second ends; an axial length between the first and second ends; and a plurality of flutes. Each of the flutes has a first end portion adjacent to the first filter element first end, and a second end portion adjacent to the first filter element second end. Selected ones of the flutes are open at the first end potion and closed at the second end portion; and selected ones of the flutes are closed at the first end portion and open at the second end portion. A sleeve member secured to and circumscribing the first filter element. The sleeve member is oriented relative the first filter element to extend at least 30% of the axial length of the first filter element. A seal member pressure flange at least partially circumscribes the sleeve member. The filter arrangement is particularly useful for gas turbine systems. Methods for operating and servicing filter arrangements preferably utilize constructions herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Tokar, James A. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6974489
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting electronic devices against excessive heat build-up and particulate infiltration while implementing EMC shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Edward Behrens, Matthew Allen Butterbaugh, Don A. Gilliland, Maurice Francis Holahan, Paul Daniel Pederson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6960245
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a first filter element having opposite first and second ends; an axial length between the first and second ends; and a plurality of flutes. Each of the flutes has a first end portion adjacent to the first filter element first end, and a second end portion adjacent to the first filter element second end. Selected ones of the flutes are open at the first end potion and closed at the second end portion; and selected ones of the flutes are closed at the first end portion and open at the second end portion. A sleeve member secured to and circumscribing the first filter element. The sleeve member is oriented relative the first filter element to extend at least 30% of the axial length of the first filter element. A seal member pressure flange at least partially circumscribes the sleeve member. The filter arrangement is particularly useful for gas turbine systems. Methods for operating and servicing filter arrangements preferably utilize constructions herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Tokar, James A. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6955702
    Abstract: A reusable filter frame adapted to receive a replaceable filter element includes a base and a cover connected with the base. The base includes a plurality of longitudinal rails and a plurality of transverse ribs for supporting and spacing the filter element. The filter frame also includes a securing mechanism for securing the filter element to the frame and maintaining the filter element in its expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, Ben G. Rogowski, Thomas A. Tedham
  • Patent number: 6942708
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter construction, for filtering particulate from a flow of exhaust, includes a first layer of electrically resistive metal filter material in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein and a second layer of electrically resistive filter material which is also in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein. The layers are pleated cylinders concentrically positioned relative to one another. Current from a power supply is routed through the first layer and the second layer, which are electrically connected in series to one another. The layers are positioned so that exhaust flows through both the layers. Sufficient heat is generated by the flow of current through the layers to generate heat to, in turn, burn off entrapped particulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Rypos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus J. Peter, Osama Ibrahim, Peter Willey, Zachary Nardi, Amin Saeid
  • Patent number: 6926781
    Abstract: A continuous strip of framing material suitable for use in making filter products that can be provided of indefinite length and which is storable as a flat product capable of being wound into roll form. Moreover, the continuous strip of framing material includes features to create a three-dimensional frame structure for wrapping about filtration media in a manner to provide a strong and effective filter product assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6923841
    Abstract: A filter element of an air filter includes a main body and a substrate. The far infrared emission powder substances are embedded at certain grain sized and at certain ratio to the substrate, thereby forming the main body that is adapted in form to various internal combustion engines. The resonance effect will be created by means of the far infrared emission substances in the filter element of the air filter, thereby making tiny the molecular cluster of water in the moisture-containing air entering into the internal combustion engine for combustion, increasing the molecular freedom, enlarging the contact surface of the oil gas with the air. Therefore, it's easier that the oxygen-containing particles and the oil gas are evenly mixed for reaching an optimal mixture ratio of the original design standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Tung-Sen Chen
  • Patent number: 6916353
    Abstract: A curved side oil or fluid separator element for separating liquid or oil from a gas flow has a body portion made of filter media with opposing upper and lower ends. A curved side extends between the upper and lower ends and rotates 360° about a central axis of the body portion to form a curved surface of the body portion. The curved side of the body portion can be any one of a hyperbolically curved side, a circular arc curved side, an elliptically curved side, or any other curve except a straight line, and any combinations of these curves. In one aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for in-out gas flow allowing the gas flow to exit through the curved side to a communicating outlet of a separator housing. In another aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for out-in gas flow for receiving the gas flow through the curved side from a communicating inlet of the separator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Yan Tang
  • Patent number: 6884274
    Abstract: Air filter with a sidewall and inverted cone cap sections; a beveled crown unifying the sidewall with the cap to form a one-piece filter; a seat on the bottom of the wall section with seals for contact with a support; and a flange affixed to the cap to adjust contact with a support surface. The filter media includes four-layer oleophilic cotton mesh layers supported between two structural mesh layers, with an efficacious amount of oil to increase particle trapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Flow Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar Nick Niakan, Stuart T. Miyagishima, Christopher C. Beau, Oscar Morales
  • Patent number: 6878190
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a media construction comprising a corrugated sheet secured to a flat sheet rolled into a coiled construction. A frame and a first seal member are provided. The frame secures the first seal member to the coiled construction. The first seal member is preferably oriented to form a radial seal with a housing. A second seal member is secured to the outer annular surface of the coiled construction. The second seal member includes a gasket extension having first and second opposite ends; an attachment portion; and a protrusion extending from the attachment portion. The second seal member is preferably oriented to form an axial seal with a housing. Air cleaners preferably utilizing filter arrangements as described herein operably installed within housings. Methods of installing, filtering, assembling, and servicing preferably include arrangements as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Xu, John David Kuhn, Edward J. Kreitinger, Wayne R. W. Bishop, Steven Scott Gieseke
  • Patent number: 6860916
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a reusable filter frame and a collapsible and expandable filter element. The filter frame includes a base and a cover connected with the base. The base includes a plurality of longitudinal rails and a plurality of transverse ribs for supporting and spacing the filter element. The filter frame also includes a securing mechanism for securing the filter element to the frame and maintaining the filter element in its expanded condition. The filter element includes filter media having a plurality of pleats adapted to mesh with the ribs of the filter frame and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing but allows the media to be collapsed to a compact form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, Ben G. Rogowski, Thomas A. Tedham
  • Patent number: 6843820
    Abstract: A filter assembly with a frame and a filter element including a sheet of filter media with attachment strips at opposite ends. The frame positions the filter element with the filter media across a passageway in the frame and with the attachment strips along opposite end parts of a perimeter portion of the frame. Abutments extend along the perimeter portion between its end parts and along opposite edges of the filter material. Projections on the end parts are engaged in openings in the attachment strips and are spaced from the abutments such that the filter element can be mounted on the frame with either of the attachment strips engaged with the projections at either of the end parts while the filter element can only be mounted on the frame with an inlet surface of the sheet of filter material facing the same direction as a front surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James O. Kubokawa
  • Patent number: 6833017
    Abstract: A filter assembly and method includes a filter media attached to a perimeter frame using a polyimide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: John Patrick Quigley
  • Patent number: 6814773
    Abstract: 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 panels 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 each collapsing of the filter for storage. Forming a part of the nondisposable framework for support of the disposable filter are a pair of end plates which are C-shaped in cross section for slidably receiving an end panel of the media filter therein. The depth of the C-shaped channel is sufficient to allow a plurality of the unexpended pleats to be stored therein so that a single sized filter may be used for various sizes of cabinet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Dwight H. Heberer, Danny L. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6793715
    Abstract: The invention provides a filter that can be cut-to-fit or deformed to fit a variety of differently shaped and sized intakes. The invention also provides a filter kit that allows a user to create a filter of a desired size with attaching mechanisms to secure the filter to or on the intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Leslye Sandberg
  • Patent number: 6780216
    Abstract: A filter bag of rectangular shape is fitted over the computer to be protected. It has a main opening for receiving the computer, and is longer than the computer with the open-ended position extended beyond the computer and tied to close the main opening against the passage of air therethrough. After fitting the bag over the computer, a piece of the bag is cut to form an inner flap, and this flap with an outer flap remains hingedly secured to the bag, in register with a hole in the computer. The flap is momentarily opened for providing access to the computer and closed, and when closed provides an almost perfect seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Erik Kiilunen
  • Patent number: 6773480
    Abstract: A ring filter comprising a star-shaped folded filtering material and a closure on both front sides thereof in the form of a closed end disc. This closure has a plate-shaped insert forming the central area of the closure and located radially inside the filtering material. The insert is made of a different material from that of the rest of the closure. The invention aims at providing a ring filter than can be rationally produced and that is more resistant and durable. To this end, the ring filter has a radially permeable tubular frame that extends approximately along the entire axial length of the ring filter that borders radially inward on the filtering material; and wherein the plate-shaped insert is connected to the tubular frame and wherein the material of the closure is a foamed plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mahle Filtersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Köhler, Wilhelm Schönherr, Norbert Vorbach
  • Patent number: 6758878
    Abstract: Self-supporting pleated fluid filter medium and method of making the same wherein the filter medium and accompanying flow-through border frame are of coated thermobondable materials, which are heat bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: AAF McQuay, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ju Choi, Dennis R. Porter, Paul B. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6758877
    Abstract: A filter and a method of manufacturing the filter which is formed by spinning a fiber in a semi-molten state onto a mold such that the mold is provided as a filter structural member. The method obviates the need to remove the filter from the mold and thus simplifies the manufacture of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Boshoku Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Oda, Tomohide Nishino
  • Patent number: 6749657
    Abstract: A filter system, including a folded filter (1) and a cover (2) of a filter housing (3), the folded filter (1) and the cover (2) forming a preassemblable unit (4) and being essentially sealingly joined to each other so as to be detachable without destruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Carl Freudenberg KG, Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Uwe Felber, Björn Boschert, Christoph Malig, Tilo Rinckleb, Dieter Schöttmer
  • Patent number: 6746518
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Scott Gieseke, William M. Juliar, Edward A. Steinbrueck, Wayne R. W. Bishop, Patrick Golden, Wayne C. Musselman
  • Patent number: 6743282
    Abstract: A furnace filter system or kit for installation on an existing furnace duct having upper and lower supply roll supports respectively mountable on the top and bottom walls of the duct adjacent one side wall of the duct for removably receiving a supply roll of filter media therebetween, and upper and lower take-up roll supports respectively mounted on the top and bottom walls of the duct adjacent the other side thereof for removably receiving a filter media take-up roll therebetween. Slots are provided in the side walls of the duct inwardly adjacent the corresponding one of the supply roll and take-up roll and between the top and bottom walls of the duct, and a filter media supporting frame assembly is received in the duct and has opposite sides provided with guide slots therein aligned with the duct slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph L. Najm
  • Patent number: 6740136
    Abstract: A filter product includes a filtration media combined with a multi-component frame assembly that can effectively support the filtration media in place proximal to its edges and in accordance with its desired orientation and wherein the assembly can be selectively taken apart to provide access to the filtration media by way of a releasable lock connection. Preferably, a snap-fit releasable locking system is incorporated within the frame design. The present invention is particularly applicable to filtration media comprising pleated filtration media. Such support features include rack-like media engagement elements, which elements are advantageously provided so as to preferably engage the filtration media proximal to its side and end edges from above and below to preferably compress and ensure an effective seal and support connection between the frame and the filtration media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6740137
    Abstract: A reversibly expandable filter element includes pleated filter media and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, Allen J. Rivard