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US6740137B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Collapsible pleated filter element
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 2002-06-14
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Granted: 2004-05-25
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Expires: 2022-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A reversibly expandable filter element includes pleated filter media and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing.
Inventors
- 👤 James O. Kubokawa
- 👤 Allen J. Rivard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:40
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/52; B01D46/521; B01D46/523; B01D46/10; B01D2275/00; B01D2275/20; B01D2275/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A replaceable, reversibly collapsible and expandable air filter element for use with a reusable filter frame, said filter element comprising: (a) flexible reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media having an inlet side, an outlet side, opposed first and second ends, and an interior face region, said filter media comprising a plurality of pleats, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels; and (b) a flexible reversibly collapsible and expandable spacing structure attached to said filter media, said spacing structure comprising a flat sheet of material containing a plurality of evenly spaced openings and having an open structure that does not significantly interfere with the flow of air through the media.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A replaceable, reversibly collapsible and expandable air filter element for use with a reusable filter frame, said filter element comprising: (a) flexible reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media having an inlet side, an outlet side, opposed first and second ends, and an interior face region, said filter media comprising a plurality of pleats, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels; and (b) a flexible reversibly collapsible and expandable spacing structure attached to said filter media, said spacing structure comprising a flat sheet of material containing a plurality of evenly spaced openings and having an open structure that does not significantly interfere with the flow of air through the media.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filter element as defined in claim 1 , wherein said spacing structure is attached to said opposed first and second ends and said spacing structure is arranged adjacent said interior face region of said filter media.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A filter element as defined in claim 2 , wherein said spacing structure is attached to said filter media interior face region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter element as defined in claim 3 , wherein said spacing structure comprises at least one of an open mesh, screen, net, and scrim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A filter element as defined in claim 4 , wherein said spacing structure is an open scrim formed of a synthetic plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filter element as defined in claim 5 , wherein said scrim is provided in the form of at least one strip arranged perpendicular to said fold lines along said interior face region of said filter media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A filter element as defined in claim 1 , wherein successive pleat tips define an attachment surface and said spacing structure is attached to said entire attachment surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A filter element as defined in claim 1 , wherein said spacing structure is arranged along said filter media inlet side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A filter element as defined in claim 8 , further comprising a second spacing structure arranged along said filter media outlet side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A filter element as defined in claim 9 , wherein the length of said spacing structure between successive pleat tips is less than two times the length of a panel measured from one pleat tip to the next alternating pleat tip, whereby when the filter element is in its fully expanded condition, said spacing structure forms a generally planar structure and adjacent panels form an angle of less than 180 degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A filter element as defined in claim 10 , wherein the length of said spacing structure between successive pleat tips is equal, thereby providing uniform spacing of said pleat tips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A filter element as defined in claim 1 , further comprising attachment members along said opposed first and second ends of said filter media parallel to said fold lines for securing said filter element to the filter frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter element as defined in claim 1 , wherein the length of said spacing structure between successive pleat tips is at least 5 millimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A replaceable air filter element for use with a reusable filter frame, said filter element comprising: (a) reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media having an inlet side, an outlet aide, opposed first and second ends, and an interior face region, said filter media comprising a plurality of pleats, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels, wherein successive pleat tips define an attachment surface; (b) inelastic, flexible, open support structure attached to said filter media inlet side attachment surface, said support structure comprising a flat sheet of material selected from the group consisting of an open mesh, a screen, a net, and a scrim, said support structure containing a plurality of contiguous openings that do not significantly interfere with the flow of air through the media; and (c) attachment members arranged along said opposed first and second ends of said filter media parallel to said fold lines for securing said filter element to the filter frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
A replaceable air filter element for use with a reusable filter frame, said filter element comprising: (a) reversibly collapsible and expandable filter media having an inlet side, an outlet aide, opposed first and second ends, and an interior face region, said filter media comprising a plurality of pleats, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels, wherein successive pleat tips define an attachment surface; (b) inelastic, flexible, open support structure attached to said filter media inlet side attachment surface, said support structure comprising a flat sheet of material selected from the group consisting of an open mesh, a screen, a net, and a scrim, said support structure containing a plurality of contiguous openings that do not significantly interfere with the flow of air through the media; and (c) attachment members arranged along said opposed first and second ends of said filter media parallel to said fold lines for securing said filter element to the filter frame.
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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) | 2007-05-25 | 2007-11-24 | 2008-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-25 | 2011-11-24 | 2012-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-25 | 2015-11-24 | 2016-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |