US5141637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter units with end connectors
Assignee: Pall Corp
•
Filing: 1990-11-30
•
Granted: 1992-08-25
•
Expires: 2010-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An end connector system for connecting a plurality of filter units in series has first and second end connectors secured to the ends of filter units. Each end connector has a base with a sealing surface and a connecting portion for engagement with the connecting portion of another end connector. The connecting portions have overlapping surfaces that overlap in the radial direction of the bases when the connecting portions are engaged with one another. A seal member is disposed between the first and second end connectors and is pressed into sealing contact with the sealing surfaces of the bases by a compression-generating member such as a tie rod. When the sealing surfaces are in sealing contact with the seal member, the overlapping surfaces of the connecting portions are separated from one another. As a result, all forces for producing a liquid-tight seal between the end connectors are generated by the compression-generating member and not by the end connectors themselves.
Inventors
- 👤 Clayton L. Reed
- 👤 James T. Connors, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:47
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D29/00; B01D29/11; B01D29/13; B01D29/15; B01D29/50; B01D29/52; B01D29/54; B01D2201/00; B01D2201/04; B01D2201/0415; B01D2201/34; B01D2201/40; B01D2201/4038; B01D2201/4084; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A filter unit comprising: a filter element having a generally cylindrical configuration and first and second ends; first and second end connectors respectively positioned at the first and second ends of the filter element, each end connector including a sealing surface and a connecting portion having a latch member, wherein the latch members of the first and second end connectors overlap in a radial direction; and a seal positioned at the sealing surface of at least one of the first ad second end connectors, whereby the first end connector is connectable to a second end connector of an identical filter unit by an engagement of the connecting portions of the end connectors in which the latch members overlap in the radial direction and the first and second end connectors are arranged such that contact between the latch members applies insufficient force on the seal to provide a fluid tight connection between the filter unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A filter unit comprising: a filter element having a generally cylindrical configuration and first and second ends; first and second end connectors respectively positioned at the first and second ends of the filter element, each end connector including a sealing surface and a connecting portion having a latch member, wherein the latch members of the first and second end connectors overlap in a radial direction; and a seal positioned at the sealing surface of at least one of the first ad second end connectors, whereby the first end connector is connectable to a second end connector of an identical filter unit by an engagement of the connecting portions of the end connectors in which the latch members overlap in the radial direction and the first and second end connectors are arranged such that contact between the latch members applies insufficient force on the seal to provide a fluid tight connection between the filter unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A first unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first end connector further includes a base, wherein the connecting portion of the first end connector comprises a tang which has a wall portion extending away from the base, and wherein the latch member of the first end connector comprises a flange which extends away from the wall portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the connecting portion of the second end connector comprises a plate having a slot for receiving the tang of the first end connector and wherein the latch member of the second end connector comprises a ledge of the plate adjacent to the slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first end connector includes a plurality of tangs circumferentially spaced from one another, wherein the second end connector includes a plurality of slots correspondingly circumferentially spaced from one another, and wherein each slot comprises first and second circumferentially extending sections which communicate with one another, the first section having a width greater than the flange of the first end connector and the second section having a width less than the flange of the first end connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second end connector further comprises a base, wherein the connecting portion of the second end connector comprises a wall extending away from the base, and wherein the latch member of the second end connector comprises a flange extending away the wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wall has a generally cylindrical configuration and the flange has a generally arcuate configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the wall comprises a plurality of sections and a plurality of slits separating the sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second end connectors respectively comprise first and second end caps respectively sealed to he first and second ends of the filter element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second end connectors are integrally joined to the first and second ends of the filter element, respectively, and serve as end caps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A filter unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal comprises first and second seal members respectively positioned at the sealing surfaces of the first and second end connectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A filter system comprising: a first filter unit having a first end connector which includes a first sealing surface and a first connecting portion having a first latch member; a second filter unit having a second end connector which includes a second sealing surface and a second connecting portion having a second latch member, the second end connector being connected to the first end connector by an engagement of the connecting portions in which the latch members overlap in a radial direction; a seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of the first and second end connectors, contact between the latch members of the first and second end connectors applying insufficient force against the seal to provide a fluid-tight connection between the filter units; and a compression-generating member coupled to the filer units and arranged to press the sealing surfaces of the first and second end connectors into sealing contact with the seal member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
A filter system comprising: a first filter unit having a first end connector which includes a first sealing surface and a first connecting portion having a first latch member; a second filter unit having a second end connector which includes a second sealing surface and a second connecting portion having a second latch member, the second end connector being connected to the first end connector by an engagement of the connecting portions in which the latch members overlap in a radial direction; a seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of the first and second end connectors, contact between the latch members of the first and second end connectors applying insufficient force against the seal to provide a fluid-tight connection between the filter units; and a compression-generating member coupled to the filer units and arranged to press the sealing surfaces of the first and second end connectors into sealing contact with the seal member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the overlapping latch members of the first and second connecting portions are separable by a gap when the sealing surfaces are in sealing contact with the seal member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first and second connectors each include a base, wherein the first connecting portion is integrally formed with the first base, and wherein the second connecting portion is integrally formed with the second base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the first and second connecting portions each include a base; the first connecting portion comprises a tang having a wall portion extending from the first base and the first latch member comprises a flange extending from the wall portion; and the second connecting portion comprises a plate spaced from and connected to the second base and having a circumferentially extending slot for receiving the tang of the first connecting portion and the second latch member comprises a ledge of the plate adjacent tot he slot, the slot comprising a first section having a width greater than the flange of the tang and a second section adjoining the first section and having a width less than the flange of the tang.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 14 further comprising means for providing resistance to movement by the tang between the first and second sections of the slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the first and second connectors each include a base; the first connecting portion comprises a tang having a wall portion extending from the first base and the first latch member comprises a flange extending from the wall portion; the second connecting portion comprises a wall extending from the second base and the second latch member comprises a flange extending from the wall; and at least one of the firs connecting portion and the second portion is deformable to permit the flange of the first connecting portion to slide past the flange of the second connecting portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the seal member includes an annular gasket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the seal member comprises first and second seals mounted on the first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, the seals being separable by a gap when the latch members of the first and second connecting portions are in contact.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of the sealing surfaces has a projection formed thereon for increasing the sealing force between the sealing surface and the sealing member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first and second end connectors comprise first and second end caps secured to the first and second filter units, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each filter unit includes a filter element and each end connector is integrally joined to an end of the filter element and serves as an end cap.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of the end connectors has a central hole for the passage of fluid through the end connector, and the connecting portion of the end connector is disposed radially outward from the central hole.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the compression-generating member comprises a tie rod which extends through the holes in the end connectors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the compression-generating member comprises a tie rod which extends along the first and second filter units.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
A filter system as claimed in claim 24 wherein each filter unit has a hollow configuration and each end connector has a central hole and wherein the tie rod extends through the center of the filter units and end connectors.
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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) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |