Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
A filter element comprising: a support of generally rectangular and planar shape including a generally rectangular and planar circumscribing frame having first and second faces, and comprising a first pair of opposite side portions joined with a second pair of opposite side portions forming the frame, with an array of spaced-apart and substantially parallelly aligned ribs extending between and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of opposite side portions of said frame, said ribs being substantially parallelly aligned with said second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, so that the ribs and frame form a series of corresponding substantially parallel filtrate flow channels extending between the first pair of opposite portions of the frame and substantially parallel to the second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, and a plurality of filtrate flow passages extending through said first pair of side portions substantially in the plane of said frame and generally parallel to said ribs, each said filtrate flow passage being open at an interior edge of one of said first pair side portions in liquid flow communication with one of said filtrate flow channels, and being open at an opposite, exterior edge of said one of said first pair side portions to provide exterior edge openings in the first pair of side opposite portions of said frame in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels for egress of filtrate from said filtrate flow channels through said filtrate flow passages to said frame exterior edge openings; a first filter sheet continuously secured along its margin to said first face of said frame; and a second filter sheet continuously secured along its margins to said second face of said frame; the first and second filter sheets together with the frame defining an enclosed interior volume comprising said filtrate flow channels separated by said ribs; whereby filtrate entering said enclosed liquid volume through said first and second filter sheets may flow in said filtrate flow channels to said filtrate flow passages and be discharged from said filter element through said frame exterior edge openings in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
A filter element comprising: a support of generally rectangular and planar shape including a generally rectangular and planar circumscribing frame having first and second faces, and comprising a first pair of opposite side portions joined with a second pair of opposite side portions forming the frame, with an array of spaced-apart and substantially parallelly aligned ribs extending between and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of opposite side portions of said frame, said ribs being substantially parallelly aligned with said second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, so that the ribs and frame form a series of corresponding substantially parallel filtrate flow channels extending between the first pair of opposite portions of the frame and substantially parallel to the second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, and a plurality of filtrate flow passages extending through said first pair of side portions substantially in the plane of said frame and generally parallel to said ribs, each said filtrate flow passage being open at an interior edge of one of said first pair side portions in liquid flow communication with one of said filtrate flow channels, and being open at an opposite, exterior edge of said one of said first pair side portions to provide exterior edge openings in the first pair of side opposite portions of said frame in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels for egress of filtrate from said filtrate flow channels through said filtrate flow passages to said frame exterior edge openings; a first filter sheet continuously secured along its margin to said first face of said frame; and a second filter sheet continuously secured along its margins to said second face of said frame; the first and second filter sheets together with the frame defining an enclosed interior volume comprising said filtrate flow channels separated by said ribs; whereby filtrate entering said enclosed liquid volume through said first and second filter sheets may flow in said filtrate flow channels to said filtrate flow passages and be discharged from said filter element through said frame exterior edge openings in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the support is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, ceramics, and metals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the support is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone, polyimide, and polymeric fluorocarbons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A filter element according to claim 1, wherein each said filtrate flow channel has in liquid flow communication therewith multiple filtrate flow passages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter sheets comprise a non-woven web of cellulosic fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A filter element according to claim 1, wherein the filter sheets are formed of polysulfone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
266 words
A filter element support of a type having respective faces on which filter sheets are reposed, said support being of generally rectangular and planar shape including a generally rectangular and planar circumscribing frame having first and second faces, and comprising a first pair of opposite side portions joined with a second pair of opposite side portions forming the frame, with an array of spaced-apart and substantially parallelly aligned ribs extending between and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of opposite portions of said frame, said ribs being substantially parallelly aligned with said second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, so that the ribs and frame form a series of corresponding substantially parallelly filtrate flow channels extending between the first pair of opposite side portions of the frame and substantially parallel to the second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, and a plurality of filtrate flow passages extending through said first pair of side portions substantially in the plane of said frame and generally parallel to said ribs, each said filtrate flow passage being open at an interior edge of one of said first pair side portions in liquid flow communication with one of said filtrate flow channels, and being open at an opposite, exterior edge of said one of said first pair side portions to provide exterior edge openings in the first pair of opposite side portions of said frame in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels for egress of filtrate from said filtrate flow channels through said filtrate flow passages to said frame exterior edge openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
266 words
A filter element support of a type having respective faces on which filter sheets are reposed, said support being of generally rectangular and planar shape including a generally rectangular and planar circumscribing frame having first and second faces, and comprising a first pair of opposite side portions joined with a second pair of opposite side portions forming the frame, with an array of spaced-apart and substantially parallelly aligned ribs extending between and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of opposite portions of said frame, said ribs being substantially parallelly aligned with said second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, so that the ribs and frame form a series of corresponding substantially parallelly filtrate flow channels extending between the first pair of opposite side portions of the frame and substantially parallel to the second pair of opposite side portions of the frame, and a plurality of filtrate flow passages extending through said first pair of side portions substantially in the plane of said frame and generally parallel to said ribs, each said filtrate flow passage being open at an interior edge of one of said first pair side portions in liquid flow communication with one of said filtrate flow channels, and being open at an opposite, exterior edge of said one of said first pair side portions to provide exterior edge openings in the first pair of opposite side portions of said frame in liquid flow communication with said filtrate flow channels for egress of filtrate from said filtrate flow channels through said filtrate flow passages to said frame exterior edge openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filter element support according to claim 7, wherein each said filtrate flow channel has in liquid flow communication therewith multiple filtrate flow passages.