Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A filter comprising a tank defining a chamber, inlet means for supplying fluid to said chamber, outlet means for removing said fluid from the said chamber, and a filter medium located in said chamber operable to filter fluids flowing between said inlet means to said outlet means, said outlet means including a centrally-located hub and a plurality of substantially straight laterals extending from said hub to locations substantially adjacent to the periphery of said chamber, said laterals providing a plurality of strainers at spaced locations along the length of said laterals, each said strainer closest to said hub having a first strainer area, each said strainer further spaced from said hub having a second strainer area substantially greater than said first strainer area, each strainer servicing an adjacent associated zone of said chamber, the ratio of sizes of said strainer areas being substantially equal to the ratio of sizes of said adjacent associated zones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A filter comprising a tank defining a chamber, inlet means for supplying fluid to said chamber, outlet means for removing said fluid from the said chamber, and a filter medium located in said chamber operable to filter fluids flowing between said inlet means to said outlet means, said outlet means including a centrally-located hub and a plurality of substantially straight laterals extending from said hub to locations substantially adjacent to the periphery of said chamber, said laterals providing a plurality of strainers at spaced locations along the length of said laterals, each said strainer closest to said hub having a first strainer area, each said strainer further spaced from said hub having a second strainer area substantially greater than said first strainer area, each strainer servicing an adjacent associated zone of said chamber, the ratio of sizes of said strainer areas being substantially equal to the ratio of sizes of said adjacent associated zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A filter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tank is substantially cyclindrical, said laterals extending substantially radially from the central axis of said tank, said zones associated with said closest strainers having an area at least substantially as small as one half of the area of said zones associated with said strainers further spaced from said hub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A filter as set forth in claim 2 wherein each strainer is located substantially at the center of its associated adjacent zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A filter as set forth in claim 3 wherein there are less than six laterals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A filter as set forth in claim 2 wherein a pivot pivotally connects each said lateral to said hub for rotation about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to said central axis between an extended substantially radial position and a compact position in which said laterals are substantially parallel, said hub and laterals being insertable through said outlet means as an assembly when said laterals are in said compact position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A filter as set forth in claim 5 wherein said strainers are substantially triangular in cross-section and nest in a generally circular group when said laterals are in such compact position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A filter as set forth in claim 6 wherein each lateral provides two strainers, the outermost of said strainers having a strainer area at least about twice the strainer area of the innermost of said strainers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A filter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outlet means includes an outlet having a first open area, said laterals have a second total open area at least about one and one half times said first open area, and said strainers having a third open area at least about one and one half times said second open area.