Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A filter apparatus comprising: a generally box-shaped casing comprising a first casing member having a concavity and a peripheral edge extending around the concavity, and a second casing member having a concavity and a peripheral edge extending around the concavity, the peripheral edges of said first and said casing members being connected to each other with a substantially uniform gap defined entirely therebetween and with the concavities of said casing members facing each other so as to collectively define the interior of the casing, and said casing having a suction port and an exhaust port each placing the interior of the casing in communication with the exterior of the casing; and a filter having the form of a bag and disposed in said casing, said filter comprising a first piece of filter medium and a second piece of filter medium, the entire peripheral edge of the first piece of filter medium being superposed with the entire peripheral edge of the second piece of filter medium, the superposed peripheral edges of said filter pieces being disposed and hermetically held in the entire gap between the peripheral edges of said first and said second casing members, and said first and said second filter pieces each having an open through-hole extending therethrough, the through-holes of said filter pieces being aligned and said filter pieces being joined to one another along portions thereof defining the peripheries of said through-holes, the aligned through-holes placing one portion of the interior of said casing defined to one side of the filter in communication with another portion of the interior of said casing defined to the other side of the filter, and the interior of the filter being in open communication with one of said ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A filter apparatus comprising: a generally box-shaped casing comprising a first casing member having a concavity and a peripheral edge extending around the concavity, and a second casing member having a concavity and a peripheral edge extending around the concavity, the peripheral edges of said first and said casing members being connected to each other with a substantially uniform gap defined entirely therebetween and with the concavities of said casing members facing each other so as to collectively define the interior of the casing, and said casing having a suction port and an exhaust port each placing the interior of the casing in communication with the exterior of the casing; and a filter having the form of a bag and disposed in said casing, said filter comprising a first piece of filter medium and a second piece of filter medium, the entire peripheral edge of the first piece of filter medium being superposed with the entire peripheral edge of the second piece of filter medium, the superposed peripheral edges of said filter pieces being disposed and hermetically held in the entire gap between the peripheral edges of said first and said second casing members, and said first and said second filter pieces each having an open through-hole extending therethrough, the through-holes of said filter pieces being aligned and said filter pieces being joined to one another along portions thereof defining the peripheries of said through-holes, the aligned through-holes placing one portion of the interior of said casing defined to one side of the filter in communication with another portion of the interior of said casing defined to the other side of the filter, and the interior of the filter being in open communication with one of said ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein adhesive adheres said filter pieces to one another along said portions thereof defining the peripheries of said through-holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first filter piece and said second piece are melted to one another at said portions thereof defining the peripheries of said through-holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a metal member crimps said filter pieces to one another along said portions thereof defining the peripheries of said through-holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a spacer interposed between said first and said second filter pieces and keeping respective portions of said first and said second filter pieces spaced apart from one another to maintain the filter in an expanded state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said spacer is a hollow perforated member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said spacer comprises an upper spacer member having a plurality of penetration holes, constituting perforations, extending therethrough, and a lower spacer member also having a plurality of penetration holes, constituting perforations, extending therethrough, said spacer members also having respective peripheral edges that are superposed with and connected to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the peripheral edges of said spacer members are interposed between and superposed with the peripheral edges of said filter pieces within the entire gap between the peripheral edges of said sealing members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said suction port is defined in said first casing member on one side of said casing, and said exhaust port is defined away from said suction port on the other side of said casing in said second casing member at a location close to said aligned through-holes.