US5114582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter element and spiral-wound membrane cartridge containing same
Assignee: Amicon Corp
•
Filing: 1991-04-12
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Granted: 1992-05-19
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Expires: 2011-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved spiral membrane cartridge is provided, comprising one or more filter elements, spirally wound on a cylindrical permeate transport tube. Each filter element comprises a heat-sealed membrane element and a feed spacer. The spiral membrane cartridge of the invention contains no adhesives, improving the reliability and durability of the cartridge. The invention further provides a method for making such an improved membrane cartridge, and the membrane elements used therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric L. Sandstrom
- 👤 Alfred Prokop
- 👤 II William H. Young
- 👤 Anthony M. D'Urso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:36
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D65/00; B01D65/003; B01D63/00; B01D63/10; B01D63/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A spiral wound membrane cartridge comprising: a) a cylindrical permeate transport tube having a plurality of axial apertures; b) at least one filter element spirally wound around said permeate transport tube, said filter element comprising: i) a feed spacer; and ii) a membrane element comprising a first membrane having a membrane surface and a heat-sealable backing surface with a permeate port heat sealed thereto, a second membrane having a membrane surface and a heat-sealable backing surface, and a permeate carrier layer interposed between the backing surfaces of the first and second membranes, wherein the membranes are heat sealed together around their entire periphery; wherein the filter element is wound around the permeate transport tube such that the permeate port sealingly engages one of the axial apertures therein in order that sealed fluid communication is established between the permeate carrier layer of the membrane element and the permeate transport tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A spiral wound membrane cartridge comprising: a) a cylindrical permeate transport tube having a plurality of axial apertures; b) at least one filter element spirally wound around said permeate transport tube, said filter element comprising: i) a feed spacer; and ii) a membrane element comprising a first membrane having a membrane surface and a heat-sealable backing surface with a permeate port heat sealed thereto, a second membrane having a membrane surface and a heat-sealable backing surface, and a permeate carrier layer interposed between the backing surfaces of the first and second membranes, wherein the membranes are heat sealed together around their entire periphery; wherein the filter element is wound around the permeate transport tube such that the permeate port sealingly engages one of the axial apertures therein in order that sealed fluid communication is established between the permeate carrier layer of the membrane element and the permeate transport tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a retaining means which retains the cartridge in a spiral configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 2 wherein the retaining means is a PTFE shrink wrap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 2 wherein the retaining means is a mesh tubing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 wherein the membranes are ultrafiltration membranes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a sealing gasket disposed between the permeate port and the permeate transport tube such that a fluid-tight seal is formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 comprising from 1 to 12 filter elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 wherein the membranes are polymeric membranes having a polyolefin backing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 wherein the feed spacer is selected from the group consisting of polymeric grid and mesh materials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 wherein the feed spacer is a plastic netting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 10 wherein the plastic netting is a polypropylene netting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A membrane cartridge of claim 1 wherein the permeate carrier layer is a woven or non-woven polymer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-19 | 1995-11-18 | 1996-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-19 | 1999-11-18 | 2000-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | 2004-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |