Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An unitary filter cartridge to be removably received within an opening through a tube sheet separating the clean and dirty plenums of filtration apparatus, said filter cartridge comprising: a filter sheet formed as a tubular member having an upper rim oriented toward said tube sheet and a bottom rim oriented away from said tube sheet; a tubular screen positioned interiorly of said filter sheet for structural support thereof, said tubular screen having an upper rim oriented toward said tube sheet and a bottom rim oriented away from said tube sheet; a bottom end cap permanently secured to said bottom rims of said filter sheet and said tubular screen; and an unitary tubular sleeve including a lower rim portion, a side wall portion, a peripheral groove portion and an upper ledge portion all integrally formed of flexible material, said lower rim portion of said sleeve permanently securing said upper rims of said filter sheet and said tubular screen beneath said tube sheet, said side wall portion of said sleeve extends from said lower rim portion to said peripheral groove portion, said peripheral groove portion of said sleeve corresponding to said tube sheet opening to effect sealing engagement therewith, and said upper ledge portion of said sleeve overlying said tube sheet adjacent said opening to suspendingly support the filter cartridge from the tube sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An unitary filter cartridge to be removably received within an opening through a tube sheet separating the clean and dirty plenums of filtration apparatus, said filter cartridge comprising: a filter sheet formed as a tubular member having an upper rim oriented toward said tube sheet and a bottom rim oriented away from said tube sheet; a tubular screen positioned interiorly of said filter sheet for structural support thereof, said tubular screen having an upper rim oriented toward said tube sheet and a bottom rim oriented away from said tube sheet; a bottom end cap permanently secured to said bottom rims of said filter sheet and said tubular screen; and an unitary tubular sleeve including a lower rim portion, a side wall portion, a peripheral groove portion and an upper ledge portion all integrally formed of flexible material, said lower rim portion of said sleeve permanently securing said upper rims of said filter sheet and said tubular screen beneath said tube sheet, said side wall portion of said sleeve extends from said lower rim portion to said peripheral groove portion, said peripheral groove portion of said sleeve corresponding to said tube sheet opening to effect sealing engagement therewith, and said upper ledge portion of said sleeve overlying said tube sheet adjacent said opening to suspendingly support the filter cartridge from the tube sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, said bottom end cap having an outer contour following and conforming to an outer contour of said filter sheet proximate said bottom rim thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, wherein said tubular filter sheet having a pleated cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, wherein said side wall portion of said sleeve is formed from an unitary funnel-shaped side wall having a circular cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, wherein said unitary sleeve is formed of a material having a durometer reading between 30 shore A and 70 shore A.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is configured to satisfy a relation H/D≦0.85; wherein D represents a diameter of said opening through said tube sheet and H represents a distance between the upper rim of said filter sheet and the peripheral groove of said sleeve positioned in said tube sheet opening to ensure that the portion of said sleeve above said filter sheet screen is sufficiently flexible to be manually deformed and removed from said tube sheet opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The unitary filter cartridge, according to claim 1, further comprising: a separate resilient band having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sleeve, said band engaging an inner perimeter of said sleeve proximate said opening in the support frame to increase a sealing pressure upon the sleeve with said opening.