Device for handling of a filter membrane

Claim 1

A tool for removing a filter membrane from a package and aligning and positioning the membrane on a plate holder in a horizontal multiplate filter, the tool comprising: a vacuum box defined by an upper circular plate having a central opening therein and a smaller opening therethrough, which is spaced from the central opening; a lower circular plate having a central opening therein and a plurality of smaller openings therethrough which surround the central opening; wherein the upper and lower plates are spaced apart to define a chamber between the plates, the said plates are approximately the same diameter as a filter membrane to be removed from a package and the diameter of the central openings in the said upper and lower plates is slightly larger than the diameter of the alignment post of said multiplate filter; a connector fitting having a generally central bore therein, the bore including a first bore portion disposed generally vertically in the connector fitting and a second bore portion which intersects the first bore portion and is disposed generally horizontally in the connector fitting, wherein the connector fitting is positioned over the smaller opening in the upper plate such that the first bore portion is in registry with said opening; a handle means defined by an externally threaded nipple, an internally threaded T-fitting and a reducer coupling having an external thread and a tube connection, wherein the nipple threadedly engages the second bore portion of the connector fitting and a first branch of the T-fitting, and wherein the reducer coupling threadedly engages a second branch of the Tfitting.