Filter assembly

Claim 2

A filter assembly comprising a filter element, a planar rectangular support panel which supports said filter element, upstanding, outwardly flared walls extending around the periphery of said support panel, each pair of adjacent walls meeting at a corner and having reinforcing means extending between adjacent walls to interconnect them, and each of said walls being formed from material folded back on itself to provide a pair of contiguous layers of material, with opposed surfaces in contact over a substantial portion of each of said walls, said reinforcing means comprising a first tab extending from a first of said walls between the layers of a second of said walls, and a second tab extending from a second of said walls between the layers of the first of said walls, said first and second tabs being held in retaining engagement with said opposed surface of the respective walls to prevent separation of said walls at said corner.

Claim 3

A filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said walls is formed from a pair of interconnected panels joined along a common edge, with one of said panels being connected to the periphery of said support panel along an edge parallel to said common edge, said first tab extending from each end of the first panel of said first wall and said second tab extending from each end of a second panel of said second wall, said panels being folded about said common edge to provide said pairs of contiguous layers of materials.

Claim 4

A filter assembly according to claim 2 wherein each of said walls has a third panel connected to said second panel along an edge thereof opposite to said common edge, said third panel having been folded about said edge opposite to said common edge such that said third panel overlies a portion of the periphery of said support panel.

Claim 5

A filter assembly according to claim 3 wherein said third panel is positioned to retain said filter elements on said support panel.

Claim 6

A filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein the interconnection between said tabs and respective panels is along a fold line inclined to said common edge, said walls thereby being inclined to said support panel to permit nesting of one filter assembly within another.

Claim 7

A blank for forming a nestable casing for a filter assembly, said blank comprising generally rectangular support panel, wall members extending along each edge of said support panel, each of said wall members comprising a first panel connected to said support panel along an edge thereof, a second panel connected to said first panel along a fold line disposed parallel to the respective edge of said support panel, each of said first and second panels being delimited at either end by respective lateral edges, said respective lateral edges being equally and oppositely inclined to the associated fold line with the included angle between lateral edges of adjacent ones of said first panels being less than a right angle, said second panel being foldable about said fold line to overlie said first panel to provide a wall formed from a plurality of contiguous layers of material, said first panel of one of said walls having a first tab extending from each end thereof and said second panel of a wall adjacent said one wall having a second tab extending from each end thereof, said first and second tabs each having an outer edge whereby upon erecting said blank the lateral edges are brought into abutment to provide upstanding walls around the periphery of said support panel, and each of said tabs is located and held between the panels of the adjacent wall with said outer edges lying adjacent to said fold line.

Claim 8

A blank for forming a nestable casing for a filter assembly, said blank comprising generally rectangular support panel, wall members extending along each edge of said support panel, each of said wall members comprising a first panel connected to said support panel along an edge thereof, a second panel connected to said first panel along a fold line disposed parallel to the respective edge of said support panel, each of said first and second panels being delimited at either end by respective lateral edges, said respective lateral edges being equally and oppositely inclined to the associated fold line with the included angle between lateral edges of adjacent ones of said first panels being less than a right angle, said second panel being foldable about said fold line to overlie said first panel to provide a wall formed from a plurality of contiguous layers of material, said first panel of one of said walls having a first tab extending from each end thereof and said second panel of a wall adjacent said one wall having a second tab extending from each end thereof, said first and second tabs each having an outer edge whereby upon erecting said blank the lateral edges are brought into abutment to provide upstanding walls around the periphery of said support panel, and each of said tabs is located and held between the panels of the adjacent wall with said outer edges lying adjacent to said fold line.

Claim 9

A blank according to claim 6 wherein said first tab is delimited by a cut line defining the lateral edge of the first panel of the adjacent wall.

Claim 10

A blank according to claim 6 wherein each wall member includes a third panel connected to said second panel along a common edge parallel to the edge of said support panel.

Claim 11

A blank according to claim 8 wherein said support panel is perforated to permit passage of air therethrough.

Claim 12

A blank according to claim 9 wherein a peripheral margin of said support panel is not perforated to provide uniform support for said third panel upon erection of said blank.