US5795361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter configuration
Assignee: Mann and Hummel Filtration Technology US LLC
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Filing: 1996-03-12
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2016-03-12
Abstract
Abstract In a filter element, such as an air filter element used for filtering engine air or cabin air in vehicles, a pleated filter media is disposed within a plastic frame and retained therein by the same material which is used to form a gasket for sealing with a housing in which the filter element is mounted. The gasket is formed of polyurethane foam or any other flexible sealing material such as plastisol or silicone and is cast molded around the outer periphery of the frame over a plurality of interlocking tabs. The seal is therefore mechanically locked to the frame as well as being adhered to the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Vann Lanier, Jr.
- 👤 Gregory Keith Rhyne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:12
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/52; B01D46/521; B01D46/10; B01D2265/00; B01D2265/02; B01D2265/024; B01D2265/026; B01D2271/00; B01D2271/02; B01D2271/027; B01D2279/00; B01D2279/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A filter element for mounting in a filter housing, the filter element comprising: a frame having an extent defining a space of a selected area and shape, the frame having a first side and a second side, the second side being open and having inwardly extending support surfaces extending from an outer wall surface of the frame and the first side defining an opening corresponding to the selected area and shape, the first and second sides having parallel extents; laterally extending flanges projecting outwardly from the frame in a direction parallel to the extent of the first and second sides of the frame; pleated filter media configured as a continuous block having an area and shape complementing that defined by the frame and being received in the frame, the pleated filter media abutting the inwardly extending support surfaces; and a sealing gasket of sealing material molded around the outer wall surface of the frame and over the laterally extending flanges, the sealing gasket having an overlapping lip portion extending past the inner periphery of the first side of the frame and overlying a peripheral portion of the pleated filter media to adhere the pleated filter media in the frame and to provide a gasket and peripheral mounting surface for retaining the filter element within a housing, the sealing gasket having portions beneath the lip and extending between the pleats to seal the edges of the filter media to ensure that fluid being filtered passes through the filter media.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A filter element for mounting in a filter housing, the filter element comprising: a frame having an extent defining a space of a selected area and shape, the frame having a first side and a second side, the second side being open and having inwardly extending support surfaces extending from an outer wall surface of the frame and the first side defining an opening corresponding to the selected area and shape, the first and second sides having parallel extents; laterally extending flanges projecting outwardly from the frame in a direction parallel to the extent of the first and second sides of the frame; pleated filter media configured as a continuous block having an area and shape complementing that defined by the frame and being received in the frame, the pleated filter media abutting the inwardly extending support surfaces; and a sealing gasket of sealing material molded around the outer wall surface of the frame and over the laterally extending flanges, the sealing gasket having an overlapping lip portion extending past the inner periphery of the first side of the frame and overlying a peripheral portion of the pleated filter media to adhere the pleated filter media in the frame and to provide a gasket and peripheral mounting surface for retaining the filter element within a housing, the sealing gasket having portions beneath the lip and extending between the pleats to seal the edges of the filter media to ensure that fluid being filtered passes through the filter media.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The filter element of claim 1, wherein the laterally extending flanges are tabs spaced apart from one another and distributed around the periphery of the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filter element of claim 2, wherein the tabs are spaced from both the first and second sides of the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The filter element of claim 3, wherein the tabs are T-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The filter assembly of claim 4, wherein the material of the gasket is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, plastisol and silicone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The filter assembly of claim 6, wherein the frame and block configured of the filter media are rectangular and wherein the support surfaces of the frame comprise a peripheral shelf.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The filter assembly of claim 7 further including supports extending between walls of the frame, the supports providing support surfaces for the filter media in addition to the peripheral shelf.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The filter element of claim 8, wherein the laterally extending flanges are tabs spaced apart from one another and distributed around the periphery of the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filter element of claim 9, wherein the tabs are spaced from both the first and second sides of the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The filter element of claim 10, wherein the tabs are T-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein the material of the gasket is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, plastisol and silicone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter assembly of claim 8, wherein the supports are corner supports extending between adjoining walls of the frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the pleated filter media is comprised of a plurality of adjoining panels folded in accordian fashion and having opposed edge portions which are bonded to one another to form alternating oppositely opening pockets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 14, wherein the opposing panels are bonded to one another by adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 15, wherein beads of the sealing material extend between the pleats adjacent the overlapping lip portion of the sealing gasket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The filter assembly of claim 16, wherein the material of the gasket is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, plastisol and silicone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The filter assembly of claim 17, wherein the frame is plastic.
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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) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |