Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a method for preparing a fluid separation apparatus comprising polymeric, semi-permeable hollow filaments wherein at least one end segment of each of the hollow filaments is secured in a substantially fluid-tight relationship in a sealing means comprising curable resin capable of achieving high structural strength, the improvement comprising embedding the hollow filaments in a substantially liquid, curable resin; partially curing the resin under curing conditions which are not unduly deleterious to the hollow filaments to provide a solid, partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein, said partially-cured resinous mass having sufficient structural integrity that it can be cut without undue non-elastic flowing of the resinous mass but does not have a hardness which renders the cutting difficult; cutting the partially-cured resinous mass generally transverse to the orientation of the hollow filaments with a sharp knife edge, said cutting exposing the bores of the hollow filaments and providing an openness of at least about 70 percent and said cutting being conducted at temperatures below those which unduly soften the hollow filaments such that the hollow filaments tend to smear closed during cutting; and subjecting the cut, partially-cured resinous mass to curing conditions to substantially fully cure the resinous mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a method for preparing a fluid separation apparatus comprising polymeric, semi-permeable hollow filaments wherein at least one end segment of each of the hollow filaments is secured in a substantially fluid-tight relationship in a sealing means comprising curable resin capable of achieving high structural strength, the improvement comprising embedding the hollow filaments in a substantially liquid, curable resin; partially curing the resin under curing conditions which are not unduly deleterious to the hollow filaments to provide a solid, partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein, said partially-cured resinous mass having sufficient structural integrity that it can be cut without undue non-elastic flowing of the resinous mass but does not have a hardness which renders the cutting difficult; cutting the partially-cured resinous mass generally transverse to the orientation of the hollow filaments with a sharp knife edge, said cutting exposing the bores of the hollow filaments and providing an openness of at least about 70 percent and said cutting being conducted at temperatures below those which unduly soften the hollow filaments such that the hollow filaments tend to smear closed during cutting; and subjecting the cut, partially-cured resinous mass to curing conditions to substantially fully cure the resinous mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the curable resin is capable of achieving a Shore A hardness greater than about 80.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 in which the partially-cured resinous mass has a Shore A hardness of less than about 75.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 in which the curable resin comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 in which the hardness of the face of the partially-cured resinous mass having the hollow filaments embedded therein approximates the hardness of the partially-cured resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 in which the partially-cured resinous mass has a Shore A hardness of less than about 75.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 in which the curable resin comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 in which the openness is at least about 80 percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6 in which the maximum outside dimension of the hollow filaments is about 50 to 800 microns and the minimum wall thickness of the hollow filaments is about 5 to 300 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 in which the partially-cured resin has a Shore A hardness of at least about 55.