Bottle top filter

Claim 2

A bottle top filter employing a vacuum source for filtering a fluid and passing the fluid into a bottle, the bottle top filter comprising: a funnel including a receptacle and a tube, the receptacle of said funnel for catching the fluid and directing the fluid into the tube, the tube connected to the receptacle and insertable into the bottle for channeling the fluid from the receptacle into the bottle, a filter support nested within the receptacle, a filter fitted into the receptacle over said filter support and supported by said filter support for filtering the fluid channeled from the receptacle into the tube, a gasket attached to the receptacle for sealing the receptacle to the bottle, said gasket defining a perimeter and a hole, the tube extending through the hole for inserting into the bottle, and a vacuum conduit incorporated into the receptacle, said vacuum conduit including an egress port positioned outside the perimeter of said gasket for connecting to the vacuum source and an ingress port positioned inside the hole of said gasket for opening onto the bottle and, when the receptacle is sealed to the bottle and the egress port is connected to the vacuum source, for partially evacuating the bottle, the tube, and the receptacle, whereby, after sealing the receptacle to the bottle, partially evacuating the bottle, and introducing the fluid into the receptacle, the vacuum source then urges the fluid to pass across said filter through the tube and into the bottle.

Claim 3

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 1 whereint the bottle top filter having a center of gravity stable with respect to said gasket.

Claim 4

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 1 wherein: said funnel and said vacuum conduit forming a single molded piece.

Claim 5

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 1 wherein: said funnel, said vacuum conduit, and said filter support forming a single molded piece.

Claim 6

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an adaptor for inserting into the egress port of said vacuum conduit and connecting with the vacuum source.

Claim 7

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a plug of filter material inserted into said vacuum conduit for preserving the sterility of the vacuum conduit and the bottle.

Claim 8

7, A bottle top filter employing a vacuum source for filtering a fluid and passing the fluid into a bottle, the bottle top filter comprisinas a funnel including a receptacle and a tube, the receptacle of said funnel for catching the fluid and directing the fluid into the tube, the tube connected to the receptacle and insertable into the bottle for channeling the fluid from the receptacle into the bottle, a filter support nested within the receptacle, a filter fitted into the receptacle over said filter support and supported by said filter support for filtering the fluid channeled from the receptacle into the tube, a gasket attached to the receptacle for sealing the receptacle to the bottle, said gasket defining a perimeter and a hole, the tube extending through the hole for inserting into the bottle, a vacuum conduit passing through the receptacle, said vacuum conduit including an egress port positioned outside the perimeter of said gasket for connecting to the vacuum source and an ingress port positioned inside the hole of said gasket for opening onto the bottle and, when the receptacle is sealed to the bottle and the egress port is connected to the vacuum source, for partially evacuating the bottle, the tube, and the receptacle, and an inner skirt attached to the receptacle within the hole in said gasket and adjacent to said gaaket for guiding the bottle top filter onto the bottle, whereby, after scaling the receptacle to the bottle, partially evacuating the bottle, and introducing the fluid into the receptacle, the vacuum source then urges the fluid to pass across said filter through the tube and into the bottle.

Claim 9

7, A bottle top filter employing a vacuum source for filtering a fluid and passing the fluid into a bottle, the bottle top filter comprisinas a funnel including a receptacle and a tube, the receptacle of said funnel for catching the fluid and directing the fluid into the tube, the tube connected to the receptacle and insertable into the bottle for channeling the fluid from the receptacle into the bottle, a filter support nested within the receptacle, a filter fitted into the receptacle over said filter support and supported by said filter support for filtering the fluid channeled from the receptacle into the tube, a gasket attached to the receptacle for sealing the receptacle to the bottle, said gasket defining a perimeter and a hole, the tube extending through the hole for inserting into the bottle, a vacuum conduit passing through the receptacle, said vacuum conduit including an egress port positioned outside the perimeter of said gasket for connecting to the vacuum source and an ingress port positioned inside the hole of said gasket for opening onto the bottle and, when the receptacle is sealed to the bottle and the egress port is connected to the vacuum source, for partially evacuating the bottle, the tube, and the receptacle, and an inner skirt attached to the receptacle within the hole in said gasket and adjacent to said gaaket for guiding the bottle top filter onto the bottle, whereby, after scaling the receptacle to the bottle, partially evacuating the bottle, and introducing the fluid into the receptacle, the vacuum source then urges the fluid to pass across said filter through the tube and into the bottle.

Claim 10

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 7 further comprising : an outer skirt attached to the receptacle outside the perimeter of said gasket and adjacent to said gasket for guiding the bottle top filter onto the bottle.

Claim 11

A bottle top filter as recited in claim 8 wherein: said vacuum conduit being incorporated into the receptacle and said funnel, said vacuum conduit, and said filter support, said inner skirt, and said outer skirt, forming a single molded piece.