US6860916B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter assembly
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
•
Filing: 2002-06-14
•
Granted: 2005-03-01
•
Expires: 2022-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A filter assembly includes a reusable filter frame and a collapsible and expandable filter element. The filter frame includes a base and a cover connected with the base. The base includes a plurality of longitudinal rails and a plurality of transverse ribs for supporting and spacing the filter element. The filter frame also includes a securing mechanism for securing the filter element to the frame and maintaining the filter element in its expanded condition. The filter element includes filter media having a plurality of pleats adapted to mesh with the ribs of the filter frame and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing but allows the media to be collapsed to a compact form.
Inventors
- 👤 James O. Kubokawa
- 👤 Ben G. Rogowski
- 👤 Thomas A. Tedham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/52; B01D46/521; B01D46/0002; B01D46/0005; B01D46/10; B01D46/88; F; F24; F24C; F24C15/00; F24C15/20; F24C15/2035; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and a cover movably connected with said base; and (b) a reversibly expandable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having a plurality of pleats and a flexible sparing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and a cover movably connected with said base; and (b) a reversibly expandable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having a plurality of pleats and a flexible sparing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the length of said spacing structure between successive pleat tips is less than the length of a panel measured from one pleat tip to the next alternating pleat tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said base and said cover include corresponding first and second sides edges, said base and said cover second edges being hingably connected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 3 , wherein said base and said cover first sides edges are movable between a closed position wherein said first side edges are engaged to enclose the filter element in the frame and an open position wherein said first side edges are displaced to allow the filter element to be inserted into the frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 4 , wherein said base and said cover first side edges include a latch to releasably connect said first side edges and maintain the frame in its closed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said base includes a plurality of transverse ribs corresponding to the pleats in the filter media and said ribs mesh between the pleats in the filter media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 6 , wherein said ribs are equally spaced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein said longitudinal rail includes spacer portions corresponding to the shape of the filter pleats in the region of each rib.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 8 , wherein said longitudinal rail and said ribs form a grid structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a securing mechanism arranged to retain ends of said filter element in said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 10 , wherein said securing mechanism includes projections on said base that mate with corresponding holes in said cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 11 , wherein said base and said cover include associated first and second ends, and further wherein said base first and second ends each include a pair of spaced projections and said cover first and second ends cinch include a pair of aligned holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 12 , wherein said frame is formed of a synthetic plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a perimeter structure containing finger indentations to allow a user to manually grasp said frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said frame includes an air flow direction indicator for assisting the user in properly orienting the filter frame in an air duct.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said frame is for an air filter for a residential heating or cooling system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said spacing structure is an open scrim formed of a synthetic plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 17 , wherein said filter media has opposed inlet and outlet sides and said scrim is arranged along said inlet side.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 18 , wherein said scrim is provided in the form of at least one strip arranged perpendicular to said fold line along an interior portion of said filter media.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 19 , wherein the length of the spacing structure between successive pleat tips is equal, thereby providing uniform spacing of said pleat tips.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 20 , wherein the length of the spacing structure between successive pleat tips is at least 5 millimeters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , further comprising an attachment member along opposed first and second ends of said filter media for securing said filter element to said filter frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 22 , wherein each said attachment member contains holes adapted to mate with respective projections on said filter frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said filter media has a Gurley stiffness of less than 100 milligrams.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and a plurality of transverse ribs and a cover movably connected with said base; and (b) a replaceable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having an inlet side, an outlet side, and an interior face region, said filter media further having a plurality of pleats adapted to, mesh with said ribs and a flexible spacing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and a plurality of transverse ribs and a cover movably connected with said base; and (b) a replaceable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having an inlet side, an outlet side, and an interior face region, said filter media further having a plurality of pleats adapted to, mesh with said ribs and a flexible spacing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 25 , wherein the length of said spacing structure between successive pleat tips is less than the length of a panel measured from one pleat tip to the next alternating pleat tip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 26 , wherein the number of pleat openings in one face of said filter media corresponds to the number of ribs, and said filter element can be expanded and placed into said filter frame such that said pleat openings mesh with said ribs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A filter assembly as defined in claim 25 , wherein said spacing structure is inelastic.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A filter element as defined in claim 28 , wherein said spacing structure contains openings to allow air to flow readily through said structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A filter element as defined in claim 29 , wherein successive pleat tips define an attachment surface and said spacing structure is attached to said entire attachment surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A filter element as defined in claim 30 , wherein said spacing structure is arranged along said filter media inlet side.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A filter element as defined in claim 31 , wherein said spacing structure is an open scrim formed of a synthetic plastic material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filter element as defined in claim 25 , farther comprising attachment members along opposed first and second ends of said filter media parallel to said fold lines for securing said filter element to the filter frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
117 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and at least one transverse rib; and (b) a reversibly expandable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having a plurality of pleats and a flexible spacing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels; (c) wherein said at least one rib meshes between pleats in the filter media; (d) and further wherein said at least one rail includes a spacer portion corresponding to a shave of the fiber pleats in a region of said at least one rib.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
117 words
A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter frame including a base having at least one longitudinal rail and at least one transverse rib; and (b) a reversibly expandable filter element removably arranged in said filter frame, said filter element comprising filter media having a plurality of pleats and a flexible spacing structure attached to said filter media, each pleat including a fold line defining a pleat tip and a pair of adjacent panels; (c) wherein said at least one rib meshes between pleats in the filter media; (d) and further wherein said at least one rail includes a spacer portion corresponding to a shave of the fiber pleats in a region of said at least one rib.
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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) | 2008-02-29 | 2008-08-30 | 2009-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-29 | 2012-08-30 | 2013-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-29 | 2016-08-30 | 2017-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |