Plastic filter assembly

Claim 2

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (b) a lower receiving container having an upper end, said upper end having a substantially cylindrical wall; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and a positive locking of said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in either said cylindrical outer wall of said lower end of said upper container or in said cylindrical wall of said lower receiving container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion and a locking portion, and a locking pin on said cylindrical wall or said cylindrical outer wall not having said recesses for placement in each of said recesses, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated outer configuration and an engaging surface inclined with respect to longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 3

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a substantially circular resilient seal disposed between said upper and lower containers such that when said upper and lower containers are brought together and rotated into locking position said seal exerts a force between said upper and lower containers.

Claim 4

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 2 wherein said seal has means for providing two different rates of compression.

Claim 5

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical outer wall has a radially extended portion at its lower end, and the inside surface of said radially extended portion has a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the outside surface of said cylindrical outer wall.

Claim 6

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of at least about 45 degrees.

Claim 7

A plastic filter asssembly according to claim 1 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 8

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential different no greater than approximately 90 degrees.

Claim 9

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said locking pin has a substantially elongated configuration with an engaging surface shaped so that it forms an angle with said ramp at the point of contact, which continuously decreases as said locking pin is rotated into locking position.

Claim 10

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said engaging surface is disposed at an angle in the range of about 40 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 11

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said engaging surface is disposed at an angle of 55 degrees to 65 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 12

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (b) a lower receiving container having an upper end, said upper end having a substantially cylindrical wall; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and a positive locking of said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said cylindrical outer wall of said lower end of said upper container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, and a locking pin on said cylindrical wal of said lower receiving container for placement in each of said recesses, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 13

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (b) a lower receiving container having an upper end, said upper end having a substantially cylindrical wall; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and a positive locking of said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said cylindrical outer wall of said lower end of said upper container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, and a locking pin on said cylindrical wal of said lower receiving container for placement in each of said recesses, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 14

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 further comprising a substantially circular resilient seal disposed between said upper and lower containers such that when said upper and lower containers are brought together and rotated into locking position said seal exerts a force between said upper and lower containers.

Claim 15

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 12 wherein said lower end is further provided with a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced from said outer wall forming a channel therebetween, said seal being disposed within said channel.

Claim 16

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 12 wherein said recesses provide three pressure zones between said upper and lower containers when said locking pin is disposed within said recess and rotated through said first receiving portion, second ramp portion and third locking portion of said recess, said three pressure zones comprising a first relatively low pressure zone when said pin is in said receiving portion, a second relatively high pressure zone when said pin is in said ramp portion of said recess and an equilibrium pressure zone when said locking pin is in said third locking portion of said recess.

Claim 17

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 12 wherein said seal has means for providing two different rates of compression.

Claim 18

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 12 wherein said seal has a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration, said seal comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs around the inside surface of said seal such that when said seal is compressed the seal deforms at a first compression rate when the upper and lower container are rotated through said receiving portion and a second compression rate when said upper and lower containers are rotated through said ramp portion.

Claim 19

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein said cylindrical outer wall has a radially extended portion at its lower end, and the inside surface of said radially extended portion has a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the outside surface of said cylindrical outer wall.

Claim 20

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 21

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein said ramp portion comprises a contact surface disposed at an angle of at last 1 degree with respect to a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 22

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 19 wherein said contact surface is inclined at an angle in the range of 3 degrees to 8 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 23

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 19 wherein said contact surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 5 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 24

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 13 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential difference no greater than approximately 90 degrees.

Claim 25

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 13 wherein said recesses extends a circumferential distance no greater than about 45 degrees.

Claim 26

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 13 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential distance of approximately 20 degrees.

Claim 27

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein said upper end of said lower receiving container has a radial inside wall and radial outside wall, said locking pin being disposed on said radial outside surface.

Claim 28

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 11 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of at least 45 degrees.

Claim 29

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (b) a receiving container having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and a positive locking of said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said outer wall of said upper end of said lower container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, and a locking pin on said cylindrical wall of said upper container for placement in each of said recesses, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 30

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (b) a receiving container having a substantially cylindrical outer wall; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and a positive locking of said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said outer wall of said upper end of said lower container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, and a locking pin on said cylindrical wall of said upper container for placement in each of said recesses, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 31

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 further comprising a substantially circular resilient seal disposed between said upper and lower containers such that when said upper and lower containers are brought together and rotated into locking position said seal exerts a force between said upper and lower containers.

Claim 32

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 28 wherein said lower end is further provided with a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced from said outer wall forming a channel therebetween, said seal being disposed within said channel.

Claim 33

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 28 wherein said recesses provide three pressure zones between said upper and lower containers when said locking pin is disposed within said recess and rotated through said first receiving portion, second ramp portion and third locking portion of said recess, said three pressure zones comprising a first relatively low pressure zone when said pin is in said receiving portion, a second relatively high pressure zone when said pin is in said ramp portion of said recess and an equilibrium pressure zone when said locking pin is in said third locking portion of said recess.

Claim 34

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 28 wherein said seal has means for providing two different pressure zones during rotation of said locking pin through said recesses.

Claim 35

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 31 wherein said seal has a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration, said seal comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs around the inside surface of said seal such that when said seal is compressed the seal deforms at a first compression rate when the upper and lower container are rotated through said receiving portion and a second compression rate when said upper and lower containers are rotated through said ramp portion.

Claim 36

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said cylindrical outer wall has a radially extended portion at its upper end, and the inside surface of said radially extended portion has a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the outside surface of said cylindrical outer wall.

Claim 37

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of at least about 45 degrees.

Claim 38

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 39

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said locking pin has a substantially elongated configuration with an engaging surface shaped so that it forms an angle with said ramp at the point of contact, which continuously decreases as said locking pin is rotated into locking position.

Claim 40

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said locking pin is disposed at an angle with said ramp at the point of contact in the range of about 40 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 41

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said engaging surface is disposed at an angle of 55 degrees to 65 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 42

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said ramp portion comprises a contact surface disposed at an angle of at least 1 degree with respect to a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 43

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 39 wherein said contact surface is inclined at an angle in the range of 3 degrees to 8 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 44

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 39 wherein said contact surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 5 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 45

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential difference no greater than approximately 90 degrees.

Claim 46

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential distance no greater than about 45 degrees.

Claim 47

A plastic filter assembly according claim 27 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential distance of approximately 20 degrees.

Claim 48

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said outer wall of said upper receiving container has a radial inside surface and a radial outside surface, and said locking pin is disposed on said outside wall.

Claim 49

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall and a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced from said outer wall to form a channel therebetween, said cylindrical outer wall having a radially extended portion at its lower end, the inside surface of said radially extended portion having a radius substantially equal to or greater than the radius of the outside surface of said cylindrical outer wall; (b) a lower receiving container having an upper end, said upper end having a substantially cylindrical wall having a radially inside surface and a radially outside surface; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and locking said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said outer wall of said lower end of said upper container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, a locking pin on the radially outside surface of said upper end of said lower container for placement in each of said recesses respectively and an annular resilient seal disposed within said channel so that when said upper and lower containers are brought together and rotated a force is exerted between said upper and lower containers, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 50

A plastic filter assembly comprising: (a) an upper receiving container for receiving a liquid to be filtered having a lower end, said lower end having a substantially cylindrical outer wall and a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced from said outer wall to form a channel therebetween, said cylindrical outer wall having a radially extended portion at its lower end, the inside surface of said radially extended portion having a radius substantially equal to or greater than the radius of the outside surface of said cylindrical outer wall; (b) a lower receiving container having an upper end, said upper end having a substantially cylindrical wall having a radially inside surface and a radially outside surface; (c) filter means disposed between said upper and lower receiving containers for filtering said liquid placed in said upper receiving container; (d) means for providing quick assembly or disassembly and locking said upper and lower containers, said means comprising means defining at least two recesses in said outer wall of said lower end of said upper container, each of said recesses having a first receiving portion, a second ramp portion and a third locking portion, a locking pin on the radially outside surface of said upper end of said lower container for placement in each of said recesses respectively and an annular resilient seal disposed within said channel so that when said upper and lower containers are brought together and rotated a force is exerted between said upper and lower containers, said locking portion having means defining an indentation for receiving and locking in position said locking pin, said locking pin having a substantially elongated rectangular configuration and an engaging surface which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 51

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of at least about 45 degrees.

Claim 52

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said engaging surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 53

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said locking pin has a substantially elongated configuration disposed such that the engaging surface of said locking pin is shaped so that it forms an angle with said ramp at the point of contact, which continuously decreases as said locking pin is rotated into locking position.

Claim 54

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said engaging surface is disposed at an angle in the range of about 40 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 55

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said engaging surface is disposed at an angle of 55 degrees to 65 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 56

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said ramp portion comprises a contact surface disposed at an angle of at least 1 degree with respect to a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 57

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 52 wherein said ramp portion is inclined at an angle in the range of 3 degrees to 8 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 58

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 52 wherein said ramp portion is inclined at an angle of approximately 5 degrees with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Claim 59

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46, wherein said recesses provide three pressure zones between said upper and lower containers when said locking pin is disposed within said recess and rotated through said first receiving portion, second ramp portion and third locking portion of said recess, said three pressure zones comprising a first relatively low pressure zone when said pin is in said receiving portion, a second relatively high pressure zone when said pin is in said ramp portion of said recess and an equilibrium pressure zone when said locking pin is in said third locking portion of said recess.

Claim 60

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said seal has means for providing two different rates of compression.

Claim 61

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein said seal has a substantially triangular configuration, said seal comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs around the inside surface of said seal such that when said seal is compressed the seal deforms at a first compression rate when the upper and lower containers are rotated through said receiving portion and a second compression rate when said upper and lower containers are rotated through said ramp portion.

Claim 62

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential difference no greater than approximately 90 degrees.

Claim 63

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential distance no greater than about 45 degrees.

Claim 64

A plastic filter assembly according to claim 46 wherein each of said recesses extends a circumferential distance of approximately 20 degrees.