Filter collection unit

Abstract

A filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit weighs less than 1.90 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. A filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads according to the method of Example 1.

Description

Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 FILTER COLLECTION UNIT

[0001] This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 579,657, filed on August 30, 2023, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments discussed herein generally relate to devices and methods for filter collection units. Embodiments described herein also generally relate to filtration devices and methods using filter collection units to collect materials filtered from the fluid. Description of Related Art

[0003] Filtration is generally a process that includes a separation of one substance from another. Mechanical filtration separates a substance, such as suspended solids or molecules, from another substance, such as a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas). Chemical filtration separates one substance from another by chemical means, such as chemical bonding or precipitation. Mechanical filtering of solids (e.g., particles) from fluid can include passing the fluid containing the solids through or otherwise interacting with a filter media, such as a mesh or membrane, which collects the solids being filtered out while allowing the filtered fluid to pass through. In dead-end filtration, the flow of the fluid to be filtered is generally perpendicular to the filter media, whereas in cross-flow filtration, the flow of the fluid to be filtered is substantially parallel to the filter media. Over time, the filter media in both of these filtration methods tends to clog with filtered solids, reducing the effectiveness of the filter, increasing the pressure drop across the filter media, and requiring more energyAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 for filtering. Eventually filtration will cease to be effective, especially in dead-end filtration because the filtered solids block the flow of the fluid.

[0004] Vortical cross-flow filtration is a method involving aspects of both dead-end and cross-flow filtration, such as that described in Sanderson et al., “Fish mouths as engineering structures for vortical cross-step filtration,” Nature Communications (2016) and Brooks et al., “Physical modeling of vortical cross-step flow in the American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula,” PLOS One (2018). However, current vortical cross-flow filtration devices still face significant performance limitations, including residue build-up, lack of a cleaning method of the filter media and device, lack of residue collection method, inability to effectively filter solids and microsolids at high flow rates or high flow speeds of the fluid, and inability to consistently and robustly capture a broad range of particles, especially small particles. Thus, there remains a need for improvements in systems and methods using vortical cross-flow filtration.

[0005] Disposing of filters in traditional filters is also problematic. Many filters are heavy and made from plastic. Many such filters weigh 120 g or more, such as 150 g or 200 g, including for microplastics filtration. Although such filters are usable for multiple filtration cycles, over the lifespan in number of wash cycles of the filter between initially installing the filter and the time at which a recommended cleaning or replacement, usually by the manufacturer, (e.g., over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement) there is still a large amount of plastic / per use cycle over the course of many cycles. As a result, when such filters are discarded, they do not necessarily reduce the total amount of plastic being discarded because the high plastic mass of the filter has the net effect of causing additional plastic to enter the environment.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304

[0006] Similarly, such traditional filter devices filter only a small proportion of their weight in filtered materials, especially microplastics, even over several use cycles. As a result, the disposal of such filter may result in a new increase in the amount of plastic being disposed of when combined between the filter and the filtered material.

[0007] Moreover, the substantial mass of traditional filters may have a psychological effect on consumers who do not wish to discard the filter because of a subjective value proposition that a heavier filter should be reused. As such, consumers may self clean the filter and reuse it, rather than discarding it. In such cases, the consumer may dispose of the filtered material down a sink or drain, thereby negating the original purpose of the filter to prevent debris and microplastics from entering wastewater that is discharged to other water sources, such as streams, drinking water, reservoirs, water tables, or the ocean. Similarly, with reusable filters, consumers are known to dispose of the filtered materials down the drain, rather than proper disposal, which results in similar problems for debris and microplastics entering wastewater and other water sources.

[0008] There is, therefore, a need to provide an effective filter that has both a high filtration efficiency, but a low weight per load cycle to mitigate the amount of plastic being transferred into the environment. There is also a need for an effective filter that collects and retains a proportionally large amount of debris, such as microplastics, relative to the weight of the filter per load cycle to mitigate the amount of plastic used over time.

[0009] The disclosed systems and methods for filtering a fluid and collection units for filtering a fluid that are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and / or other problems of the prior art.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 SUMMARY

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include technological improvements to one or more technical problems in prior filtration systems and / or filter units. Various embodiments described herein may provide systems and methods for improved, more efficient, or more effective filtering of solids from fluids. Various embodiments described herein may provide improved systems and methods for filter devices and collection units.

[0011] Consistent with some disclosed embodiments, there is disclosed a filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit weighs less than 1.90 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0012] In some embodiments, the weight of the collection unit is less than 1.75 g, less than 1.50 g, less than 1.25 g, less than 1.00 gram, less than 0.9 gram, less than 0.85 g, less than 0.8 g, less than 0.75 g, less than 0.7 g, less than 0.66 g, less than 0.60 g, less than 0.55 g, less than 0.50 g, less than 0.45 g, less than 0.40 g, or less than 0.35 g, per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0013] In some embodiments, the weight of the collection unit is less than 1.75 g, less than 1.50 g, less than 1.25 g, less than 1.00 gram, less than 0.9 gram, less than 0.85 g, less than 0.8 g, less than 0.75 g, less than 0.7 g, less than 0.66 g, or less than 0.60 g, , less than 0.55 g, less than 0.50 g per load over a five-load cycle use period.

[0014] In some embodiments, the weight of the collection unit is less than 1.75 g, less than 1.50 g, less than 1.25 g, less than 1.00 gram, less than 0.9 gram,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 less than 0.85 g, less than 0.8 g, less than 0.75 g, less than 0.7 g, less than 0.66 g, less than 0.60 g, less than 0.55 g, less than 0.50 g, less than 0.45 g, less than 0.40 g, or less than 0.35 g, per load over a ten-load cycle use period.

[0015] Consistent with some disclosed embodiments, there is disclosed a filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads according to the method of Example 1.

[0016] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%, or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at least 9.0%, an average of at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, or an average ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 at least 25.0% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads according to the method of Example 1.

[0017] Consistent with some disclosed embodiments, there is disclosed a filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture at least an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0018] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%, or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at least 9.0%, an average of at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, or an average of at least 25.0% of its weight of its weight of filtered particles over the use periodAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0019] Consistent with some disclosed embodiments, there is disclosed a filtration device comprising a housing, a fluid intake portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, a fluid discharge portion configured to discharge the fluid after the fluid has been filtered, and a filtration collection unit positioned between the fluid intake portion and the fluid discharge portion, the filtration collection unit comprising a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid. In some embodiments, the filtration collection unit comprises a seating portion and a filtration portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the filtration device further comprises a primary filter disposed between the fluid intake and the filtration collection unit, the primary filter being configured to separate the fluid into a filtrate and a retentate and to provide the filtrate to the fluid discharge and to provide the retentate to the filtration collection unit for further filtration.

[0021] In some embodiments, the seating portion comprises a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the polymeric materials comprises at least one of polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof. In some embodiments, the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun- bound non-woven material. In some embodiments, the seating portion comprises a natural material. In some embodiments, the seating portion comprises a biodegradable material. In some embodiments, in the seating portion comprises wood.

[0022] In some embodiments, the filtration portion comprises a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the polymeric material comprises at least one ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof. In some embodiments, the filtration portion comprises a non-woven material. In some embodiments, the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun- bound non-woven material. In some embodiments, the filtration portion comprises a natural material. In some embodiments, the filtration portion comprises a biodegradable material.

[0023] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is disposable. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is recyclable.

[0024] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is configured to be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds.

[0025] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the subject matter that may be claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.

[0027] FIG.1 shows an exemplary filter collection unit, consistent with some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] FIG.2 shows an exemplary cross-section of a portion of an exemplary filter collection unit.

[0029] FIG.3 shows a simplified diagram of the experimental setup for Example 1.

[0030] The Figures provided herein are exemplary and not intended to beAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 limiting of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In some instances, the same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The implementations set forth in the following description are exemplary embodiments and do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. While some examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as merely examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods consistent with aspects of this disclosure.

[0032] Some embodiments may provide improvements to prior filtration systems and methods, such as improved filtration performance, higher collection efficiency of suspended solids, easier ability to maintain or clean the filter, improved cleanliness of filter media, improved accessibility for user intervention (e.g., emptying a collection unit or cleaning the filter), improved packaging, reduced pressure drop across filter media, high efficiency filtration of small particles (e.g., microparticles and microplastics), efficient filtration at high flow rates or high flow speeds, improved environmental impact, decrease in the overall amount of plastic disposed of in the environment, and improved sustainability of the filtration device. As a result, embodiments provide improvements to the Life Cycle Assessment of the filter collection units. Some embodiments may provide improvements to filter technology and design, such as improved collection methods for filtered solids.

[0033] Some embodiments may achieve a filter able to collect a relativelyAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 large amount of solids over a broad range of filtered solid sizes in a collection unit, such as a disposable collection unit, while the primary filter media provides for a lessened environmental impact after extended use. In some embodiments, the filter achieves high filtration efficiency at high flow rates and high flow speeds, while mitigating the overall environmental impact. In some embodiments, a filter may filter solids or microsolids from a fluid, such as air or water. In some embodiments, a filter may filter microplastics from water, such as, for example, from wastewater, drinking water, or laundry water.

[0034] The problem of particulate waste is growing. In particular, it is becoming increasingly recognized that microsolid waste, such as microplastics, is a significant problem and is becoming a health hazard. “Microplastics,” for example, are generally considered to be any synthetic particles having regular or irregular shapes with a size less than 5 millimeters. Microplastics may come from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include textile abrasion (e.g., synthetic fibers in clothing that break down in washing machines and are discharged into the environment via laundry wastewater) and tire abrasion (e.g., tire wear from normal driving causing rubber to be constantly worn down and left on road surfaces that is washed away into the environment). Secondary sources include the breakdown of larger pieces of plastic (e.g., plastic bottles) breaking down into smaller pieces. Microplastics then make their way into the water supply for human consumption. Although some embodiments of the present description may be described in terms of microplastics to aid in explanation, the present disclosure is not limited to filtering microplastics, but can be used to filter other solids, particles, microsolids, microparticles, microfibers, particulate matter, or other filterable substances from a fluid.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304

[0035] Studies have shown that the average person may consume about five g of microplastic, which is equivalent in weight to a plastic credit card, per week. It is believed that about 35% of this plastic comes from textile abrasion, which is considered to be the single largest point source of microplastics released into the environment. Human ingestion of microplastics is associated with and linked to autism, early puberty, malignancies, such as colon and breast cancer, and heart problems.

[0036] Besides the risks to human health, microplastic and other plastic waste impacts the environment and climate, as well. Microplastics and other plastic particles may interfere with the natural biological pumping action of the world’s oceans, which is one of the earth’s largest carbon sinks (sequestering over 40% of the carbon emitted since World War II). The continued build-up of microplastics in the environment may interfere with this and others of the earth’s natural processes, such as radiative forcing. For example, microplastics in the atmosphere may contribute to the greenhouse effect by reflecting or absorbing heat released from the earth’s surface, rather than allowing it to escape.

[0037] Although efforts have been made to filter microplastics, such efforts have not been effective in effectively filtering sufficient amounts of microplastics from fluids. Moreover, such efforts require large amounts of plastic for filtration that, even over several filtering cycles, has a high plastic-to-cycle ratio, such that large amounts of plastic are disposed of in the environment when the filter is discarded. Such efforts are also hindered by their expense and size, which can cause consumers to attempt to clean and / or reuse the filters, disposing of the collected microplastics down a drain or in a manner that results in the microplastics being reintroduced into groundwater or wastewater, thereby negating the purpose ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 the filter. There is a need in the art to improve such filtration methods and encourage proper disposal of filters debris, such as microplastics, while also mitigating the overall amount of plastic introduced into the environment.

[0038] Filtering of microplastics suspended in flowing fluid (e.g., water or air) has been challenging due to the size of the particles and the flow rate of fluid, especially at high flow rates or high flow speeds. Prior filtration methods, for example dead-end and conventional cross-flow filter systems using filter media, are not effective at high flow rates, high flow speeds, or at high concentrations of microplastics. Moreover, such filters are difficult to clean and cannot effectively select for smaller sizes of microplastics or other particles. In many applications, such as, for example, laundry machines, the fluid discharge has a high flow rate and high flow speed to discharge a relatively large amount of fluid in a short time, resulting in both high-velocity and high-pressure discharge. Dead-end filtration is not effective in such situations because flow restriction caused by the filter media and the build-up of filtered residue at the filter media create a pressure drop across the filter media and back pressure, resulting in low flow through the filter, and eventual blockage, which can lead to catastrophic failure of the discharge line. Such failure may, result in pump failure, inability to drain water from the washing machine, leaks from the washing machine, error codes, or machine failure. At sufficiently high flow rates, fine filter medias can impede the filtration flow causing back pressure through the system which may blow out hoses or pipes, leading to leaks, catastrophic hose or pipe failure, or damage to various components of the system. Conventional cross-flow filtration methods are also ineffective because residue collects on the filter media, the filters are not easily cleaned, and they are relatively low efficiency such that much of the microplastic content is still discharged. Prior cross-flow filtration filtersAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 are also ineffective at high flow rates and high flow speeds because they cannot efficiently filter particles from the fluid. Conventional filters also use a single-stage filter with only one filtration media that, when clogged by the filtered material, may impede the flow of fluid through the filter. Such prior methods raise problems in the art in that they require frequent replacement of the filter in a way that results in significant amounts of additional material being disposed of in the environment, for example, because such filters require a relatively large amount of plastic to be used in the filter collecting the filtered material, resulting in a high filter-material-to-filtered- material ratio, which introduces additional environmental waste because of the amount of material in the filter itself.

[0039] An exemplary filtration system of this disclosure may address such problems involved in filtering microplastics from a flowing fluid, thus improving filtration performance. The exemplary filtration system is also more effective at filtering particles, such as microplastics, and mitigate the environmental impact of filtration systems.

[0040] FIG.1 shows an exemplary filter collection unit 100. Filter collection unit 100 includes a seating portion 102 and a filtration portion 104. Seating portion 102 is configured to hold filter collection unit 100 in place during filtration, such as in a filter system. Seating portion 102 includes an aperture 106 configured to receive a fluid 108 to be filtered by filtration portion 104. Filtration portion 104 is configured to filter materials, such as, for example, debris, plastics, microplastics, fibers, soil, or other materials, from fluid 108. Filtered fluid 110 (e.g., a filtrate) passes through filtration portion 104 as shown in FIG.1 by the dashed lines showing the flow of fluid 108 inside filtration portion 104 which continue as solid filtered fluid lines 110 as the fluid passes through filtration portion 104.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304

[0041] Seating portion 102 may comprise any material sufficient to allow filter collection unit 100 to be seated in a filtration device to receive fluid 108 to be filtered. In some embodiments, seating portion 102 may comprise a rigid material. In some embodiments, the rigid material may comprise a natural material, such as, for example, a wood material, such as bamboo, balsa wood, or bass wood. In some embodiments, seating portion 102 may comprise a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the polymeric material may comprise one or more of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof. Co-polymers may, in come embodiments, include block polymers. In some preferred embodiments, the filter material may comprise a biodegradable material, more preferably a biodegradable polymeric material, such as PLA or PHA. In some embodiments, the filter media may comprise a cellulose or cellulose-based material that may be biodegradable. In some embodiments, seating portion 102 may comprise a polymer- impregnated wood material or polymer-impregnated fibrous material.

[0042] Filtration portion 104 may comprise a filter media or other material suitable for filtering and retaining filtered material from fluid 108 while allowing filtered fluid 110 to pass through the filter media as a filtrate. In some embodiments, filtration portion 104 may comprise a woven or non-woven filter media. In some embodiments, the non-woven filter media may include a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun-bound non-woven material. In some embodiments, the filter media may comprise a polymeric filter media. In some embodiments, the polymeric filter media may comprise one or more of nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the filter material may comprise aAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 biodegradable material, more preferably a biodegradable polymeric material, such as PLA or PHA. In some embodiments, the filter media may comprise a cellulose or cellulose-based material that may be biodegradable.

[0043] The filter media for filtration portion 104 may be selected such that it filters particles greater than 50 microns. In some embodiments, the filter media for filtration portion 104 may be selected such that it filters particles greater than 40 microns. In some embodiments, the filter media for filtration portion 104 may be selected such that it filters particles greater than 30 microns. In some embodiments, the filter media for filtration portion 104 may be selected such that it filters particles greater than 20 microns. In some embodiments, the filter media for filtration portion 104 may be selected such that it filters particles greater than 10 microns.

[0044] In some preferred embodiments, the filter collection unit 100 is configured to be disposable. In some preferred embodiments, the filter collection unit 100 is biodegradable. In some preferred embodiments, the filter collection unit 100 is recyclable.

[0045] In some embodiments, the seating portion 102 may comprise a polymeric material having a thickness of 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, or 1.2 mm. Although the shape of the seating portion 102 may vary, depending on the seating requirements of the filtration system, the exemplary seating portions may have a total mass of about 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g, 0.6 g, 0.7 g, 0.8 g, 0.9 g, 1.0 g, 1.1 g, 1.2 g, 1.3 g, 1.5 g, 1.7 g, 1.8 g, 1.9 g, 2.0 g, 2.1 g, 2.2 g, 2.5 g, 2.9 g, 3.0 g, 3.1 g, 3.2 g, or 3.3 g. For example, the mass of seating portion 102 may be in a range from 0.6 g to 3.3 g, such as for example, in a range from 0.6 g to 3.3 g, from 0.6 g to 3.0 g, from 0.6 g to 2.5 g, from 0.6 g to 2.2 g, from 0.6 g to 2.0 g, from 0.6 g to 1.8 g, from 0.6 g to 1.5 g,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 from 0.6 g to 1.3 g, from 0.6 g to 1.2 g, from 0.6 g to 1.1 g, from 0.6 g to 1.0 g, from 0.6 g to 0.9 g, from 0.6 g to 0.8 g, from 0.7 g to 2.0 g, from 0.7 g to 1.8 g, from 0.7 g to 1.5 g, from 0.7 g to 1.3 g, from 0.7 g to 1.0 g, from 0.7 g to 0.9 g, from 1.0 g to 3.3 g, from 1.0 g to 3.0 g, from 1.0 g to 2.8 g, from 1.0 g to 2.5 g, from 1.0 g to 2.3 g, from 1.0 g to 2.0 g, from 1.0 g to 1.8 g, from 1.0 g to 1.5 g, from 1.0 g to 1.3 g, from 1.3 g to 3.0 g, from 1.3 g to 2.8 g, from 1.3 g to 2.5 g, from 1.3 g to 2.3 g, from 1.3 g to 2.0 g, from 1.3 g to 1.8 g, from 1.3 g to 1.5 g, from 1.5 g to 3.0 g, from 1.5 g to 2.8 g, from 1.5 g to 2.5 g, from 1.5 g to 2.3 g, from 1.5 g to 2.0 g, from 1.5 g to 1.8 g, from 1.8 g to 3.0 g, from 1.8 g to 2.8 g, from 1.8 g to 2.5 g, from 1.8 g to 2.3 g, from 1.8 g to 2.0 g, from 2.0 g to 3.0 g, from 2.0 g to 2.5 g, or from 2.5 g to 3.0 g. Such thicknesses and weights are designed to minimize the amount of plastic or other material used in the construction of seating portion 102. Such ranges are also selected to provide for proper filtration, while being light enough to encourage proper disposal of filter collection unit 100 after the recommended number of filtration cycles.

[0046] In some embodiments, filtration portion 104 may have a total surface area of filter media of about 150 cm2, about 175 cm2, about 200 cm2, about 225 cm2, about 240 cm2, about 250 cm2, about 275 cm2, about 300 cm2, about 325 cm2, about 350 cm2, about 375 cm2, about 400 cm2, about 425 cm2, about 450 cm2, about 475 cm2, about 500 cm2, or about 525 cm2. For example, filtration portion 104 may have a surface area of filter media in a range from 150 cm2to 525 cm2, such as, for example, in a range from 150 cm2to 500 cm2, from 150 cm2to 475 cm2, from 150 cm2to 450 cm2, from 150 cm2to 400 cm2, from 150 cm2to 375 cm2, from 150 cm2to 350 cm2, from 150 cm2to 325 cm2, from 150 cm2to 300 cm2, from 150 cm2to 275 cm2, from 150 cm2to 250 cm2, from 150 cm2to 225 cm2, from 150 cm2to 200 cm2,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 200 cm2to 500 cm2, from 200 cm2to 475 cm2, from 200 cm2to 450 cm2, from 200 cm2to 375 cm2, from 200 cm2to 350 cm2, from 200 cm2to 325 cm2, from 200 cm2to 300 cm2, from 200 cm2to 275 cm2, from 200 cm2to 250 cm2, 225 cm2to 500 cm2, from 225 cm2to 475 cm2, from 225 cm2to 450 cm2, from 225 cm2to 375 cm2, from 225 cm2to 350 cm2, from 225 cm2to 325 cm2, from 225 cm2to 300 cm2, from 225 cm2to 275 cm2, from 225 cm2to 250 cm2, 250 cm2to 500 cm2, from 250 cm2to 475 cm2, from 250 cm2to 450 cm2, from 250 cm2to 375 cm2, from 250 cm2to 350 cm2, from 250 cm2to 325 cm2, from 250 cm2to 300 cm2, 275 cm2to 500 cm2, from 275 cm2to 475 cm2, from 275 cm2to 450 cm2, from 275 cm2to 375 cm2, from 275 cm2to 350 cm2, from 275 cm2to 325 cm2, 300 cm2to 525 cm2, from 300 cm2to 500 cm2, from 300 cm2to 475 cm2, from 300 cm2to 450 cm2, from 300 cm2to 425 cm2, from 300 cm2to 400 cm2, from 300 cm2to 375 cm2, from 300 cm2to 350 cm2, from 325 cm2to 525 cm2, from 325 cm2to 500 cm2, from 325 cm2to 475 cm2, from 325 cm2to 450 cm2, from 325 cm2to 425 cm2, from 325 cm2to 400 cm2, from 325 cm2to 375 cm2, from 350 cm2to 525 cm2, from 350 cm2to 500 cm2, from 350 cm2to 475 cm2, from 350 cm2to 450 cm2, from 350 cm2to 425 cm2, from 350 cm2to 400 cm2, from 350 cm2to 375 cm2, from 375 cm2to 525 cm2, from 375 cm2to 500 cm2, from 375 cm2to 475 cm2, from 375 cm2to 450 cm2, from 375 cm2to 425 cm2, from 375 cm2to 400 cm2, from 400 cm2to 525 cm2, from 400 cm2to 500 cm2, from 400 cm2to 475 cm2, from 400 cm2to 450 cm2, from 400 cm2to 425 cm2, from 425 cm2to 525 cm2, from 425 cm2to 500 cm2, from 425 cm2to 475 cm2, from 425 cm2to 450 cm2, from 450 cm2to 525 cm2, from 450 cm2to 500 cm2, from 450 cm2to 475 cm2, from 475 cm2to 525 cm2, from 475 cm2to 500 cm2, or from 500 cm2to 525 cm2.

[0047] Although the shape of the filtration portion 104 may vary, depending on the seating requirements of the filtration system, the exemplaryAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filtration portions may have a total mass of about 0.01 g, 0.02 g, 0.03 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g, 0.6 g, 0.7 g, 0.8 g, 0.9 g, 1.0 g, 1.1 g, 1.2 g, 1.3 g, 1.5 g, 1.7 g, 1.8 g, 1.9 g, 2.0 g, 2.1 g, 2.2 g, 2.3 g, 2.4 g, or 2.5 g. For example, the mass of filtration portion 104 may be in a range from 0.1 g to 2.5 g, such as for example, in a range from 0.01 g to 2.0 g, 0.01 g to 1.5 g, 0.01 g to 1.0 g, 0.01 g to 0.5.0 g, 0.02 g to 2.0 g, 0.03 g to 2.0 g, 0.02 g to 1.5 g, 0.02 g to 1.0 g, from 0.4 g to 2.4 g, from 0.4 g to 2.2 g, from 0.4 g to 2.0 g, from 0.4 g to 1.8 g, from 0.4 g to 1.6 g, from 0.4 g to 1.5 g, from 0.4 g to 1.4 g, from 0.4 g to 1.3 g, from 0.4 g to 1.2 g, from 0.4 g to 1.1 g, from 0.4 g to 1.0 g, from 0.4 g to 0.9 g, from 0.4 g to 0.8 g, from 0.4 g to 0.7 g, 0.5 g to 2.4 g, from 0.5 g to 2.2 g, from 0.5 g to 2.0 g, from 0.5 g to 1.8 g, from 0.5 g to 1.6 g, from 0.5 g to 1.5 g, from 0.5 g to 1.4 g, from 0.5 g to 1.3 g, from 0.5 g to 1.2 g, from 0.5 g to 1.1 g, from 0.5 g to 1.0 g, from 0.5 g to 0.9 g, from 0.5 g to 0.8 g, from 0.6 g to 2.4 g, from 0.6 g to 2.2 g, from 0.6 g to 2.0 g, from 0.6 g to 1.8 g, from 0.6 g to 1.6 g, from 0.6 g to 1.5 g, from 0.6 g to 1.4 g, from 0.6 g to 1.3 g, from 0.6 g to 1.2 g, from 0.6 g to 1.1 g, from 0.6 g to 1.0 g, from 0.6 g to 0.9 g, from 0.6 g to 0.8 g, from 0.7 g to 2.4 g, from 0.7 g to 2.2 g, from 0.7 g to 2.0 g, from 0.7 g to 1.8 g, from 0.7 g to 1.6 g, from 0.7 g to 1.5 g, from 0.7 g to 1.4 g, from 0.7 g to 1.3 g, from 0.7 g to 1.2 g, from 0.7 g to 1.1 g, from 0.7 g to 1.0 g, from 0.7 g to 0.9 g, from 0.8 g to 2.4 g, from 0.8 g to 2.2 g, from 0.8 g to 2.0 g, from 0.8 g to 1.8 g, from 0.8 g to 1.6 g, from 0.8 g to 1.5 g, from 0.8 g to 1.4 g, from 0.8 g to 1.3 g, from 0.8 g to 1.2 g, from 0.8 g to 1.1 g, from 0.8 g to 1.0 g, from 1.0 g to 2.4 g, from 1.0 g to 2.2 g, from 1.0 g to 2.0 g, from 1.0 g to 1.8 g, from 1.0 g to 1.6 g, from 1.0 g to 1.5 g, from 1.0 g to 1.4 g, from 1.0 g to 1.3 g, from 1.0 g to 1.2 g, from 1.1 g to 2.4 g, from 1.1 g to 2.2 g, from 1.1 g to 2.0 g, from 1.1 g to 1.8 g, from 1.1 g to 1.6 g, from 1.1 g to 1.5 g, from 1.1 g to 1.4 g, from 1.1 g to 1.3 g, from 1.2 g to 2.4 g, from 1.2 g to 2.2 g, from 1.2 g to 2.0 g, from 1.2 g to 1.8 g,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 from 1.2 g to 1.6 g, from 1.2 g to 1.5 g, from 1.2 g to 1.4 g, from 1.4 g to 2.4 g, from 1.4 g to 2.2 g, from 1.4 g to 2.0 g, from 1.4 g to 1.8 g, from 1.4 g to 1.6 g, from 1.4 g to 2.4 g, from 1.4 g to 2.2 g, from 1.4 g to 2.0 g, from 1.4 g to 1.8 g, from 1.4 g to 1.6 g, from 1.5 g to 2.4 g, from 1.5 g to 2.2 g, from 1.5 g to 2.0 g, from 1.5 g to 1.8 g, from 1.6 g to 2.4 g, from 1.6 g to 2.2 g, from 1.6 g to 2.0 g, from 1.6 g to 1.8 g, from 1.8 g to 2.4 g, from 1.8 g to 2.2 g, from 1.8 g to 2.0 g, from 2.0 g to 2.4 g, from 2.0 g to 2.2 g, or from 2.2 g to 2.4 g. Such sizes and weights are designed to minimize the amount of plastic or other material used in the construction of filtration portion 104. Such ranges are also selected to provide for proper filtration, while being light enough to encourage proper disposal of filter collection unit 100 after the recommended number of filtration cycles.

[0048] Exemplary filtration portions 104 may have a weight of about 30 gsm, 35 gsm, 40 gsm, 45 gsm, 50 gsm, 55 gsm, 60 gsm, 65 gsm, 70 gsm, 75 gsm, 80 gsm, 85 gsm, or 90 gsm. For example, the weight of filtration portion 104 may be in a range from 25 gsm to 100 gsm, such as for example, in a range from 30 gsm to 100 gsm, from 35 gsm to 100 gsm, from 40 gsm to 100 gsm, from 45 gsm to 100 gsm, from 50 gsm to 100 gsm, from 55 gsm to 100 gsm, from 60 gsm to 100 gsm, from 65 gsm to 100 gsm, from 70 gsm to 100 gsm, from 75 gsm to 100 gsm, from 80 gsm to 100 gsm, from 85 gsm to 100 gsm, from 90 gsm to 100 gsm, from 95 gsm to 100 gsm, from 30 gsm to 90 gsm, from 35 gsm to 90 gsm, from 40 gsm to 90 gsm, from 45 gsm to 90 gsm, from 50 gsm to 90 gsm, from 55 gsm to 90 gsm, from 60 gsm to 90 gsm, from 65 gsm to 90 gsm, from 70 gsm to 90 gsm, from 75 gsm to 100 gsm, from 80 gsm to 90 gsm, from 85 gsm to 90 gsm, from 30 gsm to 80 gsm, from 35 gsm to 80 gsm, from 40 gsm to 80 gsm, from 45 gsm to 80 gsm, from 50 gsm to 80 gsm, from 55 gsm to 80 gsm, from 60 gsm to 80 gsm, from 65 gsm to 80 gsm,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 from 70 gsm to 80 gsm, from 75 gsm to 80 gsm, from 30 gsm to 75 gsm, from 35 gsm to 75 gsm, from 40 gsm to 75 gsm, from 45 gsm to 75 gsm, from 50 gsm to 75 gsm, from 55 gsm to 75 gsm, from 60 gsm to 75 gsm, from 65 gsm to 75 gsm, from 70 gsm to 75 gsm, from 30 gsm to 70 gsm, from 35 gsm to 70 gsm, from 40 gsm to 70 gsm, from 45 gsm to 70 gsm, from 50 gsm to 70 gsm, from 55 gsm to 70 gsm, from 60 gsm to 70 gsm, from 65 gsm to 70 gsm, from 30 gsm to 65 gsm, from 35 gsm to 65 gsm, from 40 gsm to 65 gsm, from 45 gsm to 65 gsm, from 50 gsm to 65 gsm, from 55 gsm to 65 gsm, from 60 gsm to 65 gsm, from 30 gsm to 60 gsm, from 35 gsm to 60 gsm, from 40 gsm to 60 gsm, from 45 gsm to 60 gsm, from 50 gsm to 60 gsm, from 55 gsm to 60 gsm, from 30 gsm to 55 gsm, from 35 gsm to 55 gsm, from 40 gsm to 55 gsm, from 45 gsm to 55 gsm, from 50 gsm to 55 gsm from 30 gsm to 50 gsm, from 35 gsm to 50 gsm, from 40 gsm to 50 gsm, or from 45 gsm to 50 gsm. In some preferred embodiments, the weight of filtration portion 104 may be in a range from 50 gsm to 70 gsm, such as from 55 gsm to 65 gsm. Such weights are designed to minimize the amount of plastic or other material used in the construction of filtration portion 104. Such ranges are also selected to provide for proper filtration, while being light enough to encourage proper disposal of filter collection unit 100 after the recommended number of filtration cycles.

[0049] The total size and weight of filter collection unit 100 may include combinations of the sizes and weights of seating portion 102 and filtration portion 104 selected from the sizes and weights above, thus being in a range from 1.0 g to 6.0 g, inclusive of combinations selected from above. For example, in some preferred embodiments, the total weight of filter collection unit 100 may be in a range from 1.5 g to 5.5 g, such as, for example, from 1.5 g to 5.0 g, from 1.5 g to 4.5 g, from 1.5 g to 4.0 g, from 1.5 g to 3.5 g, from 1.5 g to 3.0 g, from 1.5 g to 2.5 g, fromAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 1.5 g to 2.0 g, from 2.0 g to 5.5 g, from 2.0 g to 5.0 g, from 2.0 g to 4.5 g, from 2.0 g to 4.0 g, from 2.0 g to 3.5 g, from 2.0 g to 3.0 g, from 2.5 g to 5.5 g, from 2.5 g to 5.0 g, from 2.5 g to 4.5 g, from 2.5 g to 4.0 g, from 2.5 g to 3.5 g, from 2.5 g to 3.0 g, from 3.0 g to 5.5 g, from 3.0 g to 5.0 g, from 3.0 g to 4.5 g, from 3.0 g to 4.0 g, from 3.0 g to 3.5 g, from 3.5 g to 5.5 g, from 3.5 g to 5.0 g, from 3.5 g to 4.5 g, from 3.5 g to 4.0 g, from 4.0 g to 5.5 g, from 4.0 g to 5.0 g, from 4.0 g to 4.5 g, from 4.5 g to 5.5 g, from 4.5 g to 5.0 g, or from 5.0 g to 5.5 g. Such sizes and weights are designed to minimize the amount of plastic or other material used in the construction of filter collection unit 100. Such ranges are also selected to provide for proper filtration, while being light enough to encourage proper disposal of filter collection unit 100 after the recommended number of filtration cycles.

[0050] When the weight of filter collection unit is divided by the recommended number of filtering cycles (e.g., washing machine loads) before being cleaned or replaced, the weight-per-cycle or weight-per-load can of filter collection unit 100 can be calculated. In preferred embodiments, the weight of filter collection unit 100 is less than 1.95 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, such as, for example, less than 1.90 g per load, less than 1.85 g per load, less than 1.80 g per load, less than 1.75 g per load, less than 1.70 g per load, less than 1.75 g per load, less than 1.60 g per load, less than 1.55 g per load, less than 1.50 g per load, less than 1.45 g per load, less than 1.40 g per load, less than 1.35 g per load, less than 1.30 g per load, less than 1.25 g per load, less than 1.20 g per load, less than 1.15 g per load, less than 1.10 g per load, less than 1.05 g per load, less than 1.00 g per load, less than 0.95 g per load, less than 0.85 g per load, less than 0.75 g per load, less than 0.70 g per load, less than 0.65 g per load, less than 0.60 g per load, less than 0.55 g per load, less than 0.50 g per load,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 less than 0.45 g per load, less than 0.40 g per load, less than 0.35 g per load, or less than 0.30 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. In some embodiments, the recommended cleaning or replacement may occur after 5 washing machine loads, which, for a filter collection unit 100 weighing 6.0 g results in a weight of 1.2 g per load and a filter collection unit 100 weighing 1.5 g results in a weight of 0.3 g per load. Such filter collection units have been prepared with, for example, a seating portion 102 having a volume of 3.02 cm3made from PET (weight 4.2 g) and filtration portion 104 comprising non-woven PLA filter media having a surface area of 0.04 m2(weight 1.6 g), and alternatively, a seating portion 102 having a volume of 0.90 cm3made from PS (weight 0.9 g) and filtration portion 104 comprising non-woven PET filter media having a surface area of 0.04 m2(weight 0.8 g), where the recommended replacement cycle is 5 loads of laundry, as discussed below in Example 1.

[0051] Filtration portion 104 is affixed to seating potion 102 to form filter collection unit 100. Filtration portion 104 may be affixed to seating portion 102 using, for example, an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, or a mechanical attachment. Mechanical attachments may take the form of screws, tacks, rivets, or a clamp mechanism. Exemplary clamp mechanisms may include a seating portion 102 comprising two parts with filtration portion 104 held in place between the two parts. For example, the seating portion may be configured for the filtration portion to be replaceable while the seating portion is reusable. In some example embodiments, the seating portion may contain two parts that snap or twist together such that the filtration portion comprises the disposable portion. Such a configuration results in further reducing the amount of disposed material.

[0052] It has been found that the exemplary filter collection unitsAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 described herein solve several problems in the art. For example, the low weight and construction allows them to have a low weight-to-load ratio. For example, the recommended replacement cycle for such filter collection units is typically five or ten washing machine cycles, as described below. Thus, the weight of the filter collection unit is less than 1.90 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. In some embodiments, the weight of the filter collection unit is less than 1.80 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.70 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.60 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.50 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.40 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.30 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.20 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.10 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 1.00 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.90 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.80 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.75 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.70 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.66 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.60 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.55 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.50 g per loadAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.40 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.35 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.30 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.25 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, less than 0.20 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, or less than 0.15 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. For example, in the examples described above, the filter collection unit weighing 6.0 g over the course of five washing machine loads is 1.20 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement, whereas the filter collection unit weighing 1.7 g over the course of five washing machine loads is 0.34 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. Over the course of a ten washing machine load replacement cycle (see Example 1), this becomes 0.6 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement for a 6.0 g filter collection unit and 0.17 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement for a 1.7 g filter collection unit.

[0053] Further benefits include the capture weight of the filter collection unit as compared to the captured debris, such as during a washing machine cycle, both for a set period of time (e.g., 5 washing machine loads), as discussed below in Example 1, and also over the life of the product. Testing, as discussed below, has suggested that an average washing machine load containing 3 kg of high-shedding towels yields about 0.42 g of collected debris per 10 loads. Some commercial filter collection units on the market for have a weight of about 150 g with a marketed number of loads up to 20 loads, or a weight of about 200 g with a marketed numberAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 of loads of up to about 100 loads. Thus, the weight of debris collected over the recommended over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement of these filter collection units is from about 0.5% to about 2.1%, respectively (~0.84 g collected / 150 g filter and 4.2 g collected / 200 g filter). The advantages of the light- weight filter collection units described herein, when recommended for uses over 5 loads or 10 loads is that the collection units capture a higher quantity of filtered materials, such as microplastics, relative to the weight of the collection unit. Because the filter collection units capture more microplastics and other filtered material relative to its own weight, the overall environmental impact is reduced because . For example, the filter collection units described herein collect between about 3.5% (e.g., 0.21 g collected / 6 g filter collection unit over 5 loads) and 24.7% (e.g., 0.42 g collected / 1.7 g filter collection unit over 10 loads).

[0054] As such, embodiments of filter collection units described herein are configured to capture an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%, or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at least 9.0%, an average ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, an average of at least 25.0%, an average of at least 30.0%, an average of at least 35.0%, an average of at least 40.0%, an average of at least 45.0%, an average of at least 50.0%, an average of at least 55.0%, an average of at least 60.0%, an average of at least 65.0%, an average of at least 70.0%, an average of at least 75.0%, an average of at least 80.0%, an average of at least 85.0%, an average of at least 90.0%, an average of at least 95.0%, an average of at least 100% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0055] Similarly, embodiments of filter collection units described herein are configured to capture an average in a range between 2.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 3.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 5.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.0% and 30% of itsAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 11% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 13% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 15% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 17% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 18% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 19% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 24% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0056] For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 2.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.0% and 27% of itsAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 5.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 11% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 13% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 15% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 17% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 18% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 19% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 27% of its weight ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 23% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 24% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0057] For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 6.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 8.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 18.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 22.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 40% of its weight ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 14% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0058] For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 10% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement. For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 15% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 65% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, between 10% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, between 15% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 80% of its weight of filteredAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 particles, an average in a range between 25% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 65% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, between 10% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, between 15% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

[0059] Such comparisons can also be made over the ten-load cycle such embodiments of filter collection units described herein are configured to capture an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machineAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 loads of Example 1. For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%, or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at least 9.0%, an average of at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, an average of at least 25.0%, an average of at least 30.0%, an average of at least 35.0%, an average of at least 40.0%, an average of at least 45.0%, an average of at least 50.0%, an average of at least 55.0%, an average of at least 60.0%, an average of at least 65.0%, an average of at least 70.0%, an average of at least 75.0%, an average of at least 80.0%, an average of at least 85.0%, an average of at least 90.0%, an average of at least 95.0%, an average of at least 100% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1.

[0060] Similarly, embodiments of filter collection units described herein are configured to capture an average in a range between 2.5% and 30% of its weightAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1. For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 2.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 5.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.0% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.5% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 11% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 13% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 15% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 17% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, anAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 average in a range between 18% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 19% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 24% and 30% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1.

[0061] For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 2.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 3.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 4.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 5.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 7.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.0% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 9.5% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 11% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 27% of its weight ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filtered particles, an average in a range between 13% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 15% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 17% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 18% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 19% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 23% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 24% and 27% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1.

[0062] For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 6.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1, For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 8.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 16.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 18.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20.0% and 50% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 22.0% and 50% of itsAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 6.0% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 8.0% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 10% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 10% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 12% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 45% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 14% and 40% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 14% and 35% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1.

[0063] For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 10% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1. For example, some embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 15% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 100% of itsAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 65% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, between 10% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, between 15% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 65% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, between 10% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, between 15% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 35% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 45% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, anAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 average in a range between 50% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 55% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 60% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads of Example 1.

[0064] Consistent with some disclosed embodiments, there is disclosed a filter collection unit comprising a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered, and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 10% of its weight of filtered particles over two washing machine loads according to the method of Example 2 or over five washing machine loads according to the method of Example 3.

[0065] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 13%, an average of at least 15%, an average of at least 18%, an average of at least 20%, an average of at least 23%, an average of at least 25%, an average of at least 28%, an average of at least 30%, an average of at least 33%, an average of at least 35%, an average of at least 38%, an average of at least 40%, an average of at least 43%, an average of at least 45%, an average of at least 48%, an average of at least 50%, an average of at least 52%, an average of at least 54%, an average of at least 55%, an average of at least 58%, an average of at least 60%, an average of at least 63%, or an average of at least 65%, an average of at least 68%, an average of at least 70%, an average of at least 75%, an average of at least 75%, an average of at least 78%, an average of at least 80%, an average of at least 83%, an average of at least 85%, an average of at least 88%, an average of at least 90%, an average of at least 93%, an average of at least 95%, an average of at least 98%, or an average of at least 100% of its weight of filtered particles overAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 two washing machine loads according to the method of Example 2 or over five washing machine loads according to the method of Example 3. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 105%, an average of at least 110%, an average of at least 115%, an average of at least 120%, an average of at least 125%, an average of at least 130%, an average of at least 135%, an average of at least 140%, an average of at least 145%, an average of at least 150%, an average of at least 155%, an average of at least 160%, an average of at least 165%, an average of at least 170%, an average of at least 175%, an average of at least 180%, an average of at least 185%, an average of at least 190%, an average of at least 195%, an average of at least 200%, an average of at least 205%, an average of at least 210%, or an average of at least 215%, an average of at least 220%, an average of at least 225%, an average of at least 230%, an average of at least 235%, an average of at least 240%, an average of at least 245%, an average of at least 250%, an average of at least 255%, an average of at least 260%, an average of at least 265%, an average of at least 270%, or an average of at least 275% of its weight of filtered particles over two washing machine loads according to the method of Example 2 or over five washing machine loads according to the method of Example 3.

[0066] Similarly, embodiments of filter collection units described herein are configured to capture an average in a range between 10% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles over two washing machine loads according to the method of Example 2 or over five washing machine loads according to the method of Example 3. For example, embodiments of filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture an average in a range between 20% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 280% of its weight ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 250% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 230% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 215% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 200% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 180% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 170% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 150% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 130% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 120% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 90% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 20% and 75% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 20% and 60% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 25% and 75% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 30% and 80% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 40% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 100% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 50% and 70% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 275% of its weight of filteredAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 particles, an average in a range between 70% and 250% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 225% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 200% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 175% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 150% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 70% and 125% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 100% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 100% and 275% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 100% and 250% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 100% and 225% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 100% and 200% of its weight of filtered particles an average in a range between 125% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 125% and 275% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 125% and 250% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 125% and 225% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 125% and 200% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 150% and 300% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 150% and 275% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 150% and 250% of its weight of filtered particles, an average in a range between 150% and 225% of its weight of filtered particles, or an average in a range between 150% and 200% of its weight of filtered particles over two washing machine loads according to the method of Example 2 or over five washing machine loads according to the method of Example 3.

[0067] FIG.2 shows an exemplary cross-section of a portion of an exemplary filter collection unit. FIG.2 shows a cross-section of an exemplary seatingAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 portion 102, which has an affixed filtration portion 104. The filter collection unit is composed such that seating portion 102 sits on wall 208 and filtration portion 104 that sits within chamber 210 defined by wall 208, such as a mesh or membrane, filters fluid passing through aperture 106. Filtration portion 104 extends below seating portion 102 but is shown only in partial cross-section in FIG.2. Filtration portion 104 retains and collects materials filtered from the fluid entering aperture 106 while the filtered fluid passes through filtration portion 104 and is discharged. Seating portion 102 may include a ring 202. Ring 202 may, in some embodiments, provide an attachment point for filtration portion 104. In the example of FIG.2, ring 202 may extend from the face of seating portion 102 to secure the filter collection unit in chamber 210. Ring 202 may be solid, hollow, partially hollow, indented, or partially indented. FIG.2 shows an example indented portion 203, which reduces the weight of the seating portion 102. In some embodiments, indented portion 203 may be configured to receive a holding mechanism 204. As shown in FIG.2, holding mechanism 204 may be a pin that is seated in indented portion 203. Holding mechanism 204 may be a single mechanism or may comprise a plurality of mechanisms interspersed around ring 202. In some embodiments, holding mechanism 204 may have a shape that matches the shape of ring 202 and fits around the entire shape of ring 202. In some embodiments holding mechanism 204 may comprise a seal, such as a rubber, silicone, polymer, or other material for preventing fluid leakage. In some embodiments a sealing mechanism 206 may be present and be in addition to or alternative to a sealing feature of holding mechanism 204.

[0068] The filter collection units described herein may be particularly useful in dual-stage filters, such as those having a primary filter and a secondaryAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 filter, such as described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 082570, assigned to the present applicant, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, and U.S. Provisional Application Nos.63 / 386,443, filed December 7, 2022, 63 / 437,581, filed January 6, 2023, 63 / 486,096, filed February 21, 2023, and 63 / 517,785, filed August 4, 2023, each of which is assigned to the present applicant, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Embodiments of the filter collection units described herein may be particularly beneficial as collection units and debris collection cups for receiving a retentate flow (e.g., flow containing filtered particles) from a primary filter, where the primary filter may be a vortical cross-flow filter.

[0069] The light weight of the filter collection units described herein promotes proper disposal or recycling of the collected filtered materials and discourages self-cleaning by the users that could result in the filtered microplastics being disposed down a drain or other wastewater source. The simple design also promotes replacement because such filter collection units can generally be removed and replaced in less than 30 seconds by simply removing the collection unit from a slot and replacing it with a new collection unit in the slot. Such design can be incorporated into a housing which improves the user’s experience, for example, by creating a “dry” experience, for example as described in U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 517,785, titled Fluid Filter, Housing, and Valves, filed August 4, 2023, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0070] In some embodiments, filtration systems including the filter collection units described herein may be configured to capture 90% of microplastics when post-filtered to 50 microns. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit mayAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 be configured to capture 90% of microplastics when post-filtered to 40 microns. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may be configured to capture 90% of microplastics when post-filtered to 30 microns. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may be configured to capture 90% of microplastics when post-filtered to 20 microns. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may be configured to capture 90% of microplastics when post-filtered to 10 microns.

[0071] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may comprise a collection unit to collect particles and debris filtered by the primary filter. The filter collection unit may comprise a further filtration material. In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may comprise a disposable collection unit. In some embodiments, the collection unit may be made of various materials and configured to isolate the collection of filtered particles into a disposable structure. For example, a disposable collection unit may have a design configured to use cross-flow filtration from the fluid entering the collection unit. This design allows for a more concentrated fluid to be processed using a wide range of inexpensive mesh materials without a substantial loss in filtration efficacy or decrease in service life. For example, in one embodiment, the disposable collection unit includes a cotton fiber mesh, which can be disposed of after use. In some embodiments, the disposable collection unit may comprise a disposable filter media portion and a reusable base portion or reusable frame portion. In other embodiments, the filter media and base / frame portion may be disposable. In some embodiments, the filtration portion may comprise any disposable filtration material, such as those previously described herein, including stainless steel, various woven filtration media, non-woven filtration media, filtration meshes, synthetic filtration media, organic filtration media, polymer-based filtration media, or cellulose fiber filtration media. In some embodiments, the filter collectionAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 unit may comprise a woven or non-woven bag, sack, or other non-rigid structure to facilitate particle collection. In some embodiments, the seating portion may comprise a rigid structure.

[0072] In some embodiments, the filter collection unit may comprise a disposable filter media that is configured to seal the disposable filter media before disposal. Such embodiments mitigate the risk of unwanted collected waste (e.g., filtered material / residue) from falling out of the secondary filter. Such sealing may also encourage disposal of the secondary filter, rather than manual cleaning by a user to mitigate the collected residue from being washed down a drain or sink. For example, filter collection unit may comprise a tab of a resilient material having an opening or aperture configured to receive fluid containing filtered particles from a primary filter. The resilient material may comprise metal or plastic, but is some embodiments is made of a natural, disposable or biodegradable material, such as wood, cardboard, cellulose, or bamboo. Fluid received through the tab opening is filtered by a secondary filter media to collect particles in the filter collection unit, while a second filtered fluid is discharged via a fluid discharge line from the filter collection unit to a fluid outlet. Thus, the fluid being filtered may flow through a disposable filter media of the filter collection unit, which may have a conical, hemispherical, cylindrical, or balloon shape in some embodiments, or a loose bag or sack shape in some embodiments, that acts as a collection unit containing materials filtered from the fluid. A user may then extract the filter collection unit, such as by pulling a tab on the seating portion. In some embodiments, pulling the tab may close the open end of the filter collection unit to enclose the captured materials in the collection unit. The user may then affix a new or replacement filter collection unit, which may also be disposable, to the filtration device. It is contemplated that a closure of a disposableAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 embodiment of the filter collection unit need not be a fluid-tight or watertight closure or provide a complete closure, but need only reduce the size of the entry aperture to enclose the captured materials. In some embodiments, the entry aperture may not be closable. In some embodiments, the construction of the filter collection unit may facilitate recyclability because the materials used in its construction are recyclable. Example 1:

[0073] A first experimental test method was used to evaluate the efficiency of filter collection units for washing machines. The first method may be applied to filter collection units that are internal or external to the washing machine. Specifications of the first experimental method may include the following.

[0074] FIG.3 shows a simplified diagram of the experimental setup 300 for Example 1.

[0075] An American Electrolux® washing machine 302, model number Electrolux® Lux Care ELFW4222AW was used along with TIDE® brand powdered detergent. The testing procedure generally follows methods of IEC Energy Efficiency Testing procedures outlined in IEC EN 60456:2014-04 and European Energy Label test.

[0076] For testing, the Electrolux® washing machine 302 was set up with available water and power as specified by the manufacturer. The wastewater discharge 304 was connected to the input of the filter device 306, with an Omega™ pressure sensor (PX309-015GI) 308 present between the washing machine discharge 302 and the filter inlet of filter device 306. The fluid outlet of the filter device 306 was connected to a Picomag ultrasonic flow meter (DMA20-AAACA1) 310, the flow output of which was connected via conduit 311 to a drain 312.

[0077] Filter device 306 includes a vortical cross-flow filter 312, such asAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 described in International PCT Application No. PCT / US2022 / 082570, having a tapered-helical coil having one rib and an outer diameter of about 92 mm at the inlet side and an inlet inner diameter of 63.5 mm (first opening). The rib had a rib width of 14.4 mm, a rib thickness of 3 mm, conical angle of 11.5 degrees, a pitch of 19.05 PP^^D^UDNHU^UHGXFWLRQ^UDWLR^ȕ^Į^RI^^^^^^^DQG^D^UHYROXWLRQ^FRXQW^RI^^^^^UHYROXWLRQV^IRU^ the tapered-helical coil from the inlet side to the outlet side. The helix was surrounded by a 50 micron porometric mesh from GKD for filtration. The inflow into the filter passed through the tapered-helical-coil vortical filter 312 such that filtered fluid from the vortical filter 312 was discharged via conduit 314 to the flow meter 310 and the retentate fluid passed to via conduit 318 to an inlet of a filter collection unit 316 comprising a bamboo seating portion weighing 2.37 g and a filtration portion comprising a Nylon non-woven material having a surface area of 0.04 m2, weighing 1.1 g, the filter collection unit having a total weight of 3.47 g. Fluid filtered by filter collection unit 316 was discharged via conduit 320 to conduit 314 and flow meter 310.

[0078] The weight of a full washing load was determined to be 9 kg based on Electrolux® washing machine capacity. A full test washing load consists of 88 Terry cloth cotton towels from Linteum Textile Supply, series 100% Cotton Premier Quality Hair Towels, 16s Ring Spun, size 20 inches by 40 inches, each weighing 103 g, that had been pre-washed. A quarter load was determined to contain 22 towels, and a half load contained 44 towels. For each load, towels were selected randomly from the available towels.12 washing machine cycles were performed according to Table 1 below, with loads 1 and 2 being run without any towels. The weight of the towels was recorded for each load. The weight of the dry collection unit 318 was measured before placing it into the filter device. An amount ofAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 randomly selected towels comprising the load were selected and placed into the washing machine drum. Coconut oil was also spread onto the towels in the load. The powdered detergent was measured and added in the labeled detergent container for the washing machine without any other additives. The machine was selected for the specified wash cycle. Pressure data was gathered using pressure sensor 308 throughout the entire wash cycle. After washing, the towels were transferred to a tumble dryer and dried. After all tests were completed, filter collection unit 316 was removed and dried. The filter collection unit was removed and placed in a dehydrator and the resulting weight of the collection unit and captured microfibers was recorded.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304TABLE 1

[0079] Using the testing method above, the collected material in the filter collection unit was 0.42 g for the 10-washing machine load cycle. Based on the weight of collected fibers the captured microfibers are 12.1% of the weight of the collection unit. Example 2:

[0080] A second experimental test method was used to evaluate the efficiency of filter collection units for washing machines. The second method may be applied to filter collection units that are internal or external to the washing machine. The second experimental method used the same setup as shown in FIG.3, except the washing machine was an LG F4WV709AT1 machine. In the second experimental test, two washing machine load cycles were run using 3 kg new towels (Möve Superwuschel Collection 50 cm x 100 cm) in the first load and then using the same towels in the second load. The second experimental test was performed using 2 g oil and 30 g TIDE® powdered detergent. The washer setting was “cotton” cycleAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 (temp: 40° C). The collection unit was of similar construction to Example 1, but weighing 3.58 g. Such second experimental method was performed because most fiber shedding for cotton towels occurs in the first few wash cycles. Thus, as compared to the first experimental method, which uses pre-washed towels, the filter material load of the second experimental method is higher and also simulates the filter collection unit’s ability to perform over several washing machine cycles (e.g., five or more washing machine cycles).

[0081] The average dry weight of the filtered material (e.g., fibers and microplastics) collected over two loads using the second experimental test was 1.23 g, or 34% of the weight of the filter collection unit. For other collection units described herein, such average collections of filtered materials would be higher than 130% of its weight (e.g., a 0.95 g filter collection unit). Similar experiments would, if course, result in greater collections over a five-load cycle. Example 2 confirms that the filter collection units described herein are capable of capturing significant amounts of filtered material relative to their weight over two or five washing machine load cycles and over the recommended replacement period. Example 3:

[0082] A third experimental test method was used to evaluate the efficiency of filter collection units for washing machines. The third method may be applied to filter collection units that are internal or external to the washing machine. Specifications of the third experimental method used the same setup as Example 1 shown in FIG.3, except that a 20 LPM-pump fluid flow booster, such as described in U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 579,349, titled Filtration System Having a Fluid Flow Booster Device, filed August 29, 2023, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, wasAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 placed between the washing machine discharge line and the filter device. In the third experimental test, five washing machine load cycles were run using 3 kg new cotton towels in the first load and then using the same towels for loads 2-5, before beginning with new towels again in the next testing cycle. Other parameters (e.g., coconut oil and detergent) were calculated or used as in Example 1.

[0083] The average dry weight of the filtered material (e.g., fibers and microplastics) collected over five loads using the third experimental test was 1.9 g, or 54% of the weight of the filter collection unit. For other collection units described herein, such average collections of filtered materials would be higher than 200% of its weight (e.g., a 0.95 g filter collection unit). Example 3 confirms that the filter collection units described herein are capable of capturing significant amounts of filtered material relative to their weight over five washing machine load cycles and over the recommended replacement period.

[0084] These results confirm not only that the filter collection units described herein are capable of collecting larger amounts of filtered materials relative to their low weights, thereby improving the collection efficiency, but they retain the advantages they possess over heavier collection units in the prior art by being disposable or biodegradable, discouraging self-cleaning, and improving the environmental impact of washing machine filter collection units.

[0085] Unless otherwise stated, weights and masses described herein are measured as “dry” weights after removing residual water from fluid filtration. For example, weights of filtered materials are measured after drying off washing machine fluid from the filtered materials.

[0086] Apparatuses, systems, and methods of the disclosure may be beneficially utilized in filtering applications in which the substance being filteredAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 results in a “cake” (e.g., a build-up of particles) on the filter media that resulting in an increasing pressure drop across the filter media. A filtration system of some embodiments of the disclosure may reduce the pressure drop, allowing for reduced filter cleaning and higher filter flow rates with low risk of problems such as flooding or equipment damage. Applications include microplastic filtering, whole house filters, gray water filters, boat filters, chemical process filtration, water filters, plastic resin filtration for recycling purposes, etc.

[0087] Ranges recited here in are inclusive of the end points of the range.

[0088] As used herein, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “or” encompasses all possible combinations of elements, except where infeasible. For example, if it is stated that a component includes X or Y, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include X, or Y, or X and Y. As a second example, if it is stated that a component includes X, Y, or Z, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include X, or Y, or Z, or X and Y, or X and Z, or Y and Z, or X and Y and Z. Furthermore, the phrase “one of X and Y” or “one of X or Y” shall each be interpreted in the broadest sense to include one of X, or one of Y, or one of X and one of Y.

[0089] The block diagram in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer hardware / software products according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in a schematic diagram may represent certain arithmetical or logical operation processing that may be implemented using hardware such as an electronic circuit or an electronic control unit. Blocks may also represent a module, a segment, or a portion of code thatAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical functions. Controllers may be programmed to execute such instructions. It should be understood that in some implementations, functions indicated in a block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may be executed or implemented substantially concurrently, or two blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Some blocks may also be omitted.

[0090] It should also be understood that each block of the block diagram, and combination of the blocks, may be implemented by special purpose hardware- based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or by combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the exact construction that has been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. For example, while examples have been discussed in the context of microplastic filtration, embodiments of the disclosure may be applicable to other forms of mass transport.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A filter collection unit comprising: a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered; and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit weighs less than 1.90 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

2. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the weight of the collection unit is less than 1.75 g, less than 1.50 g, less than 1.25 g, less than 1.00 gram, less than 0.9 gram, less than 0.85 g, less than 0.8 g, less than 0.75 g, less than 0.7 g, less than 0.66 g, or less than 0.60 g per load over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

3. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the seating portion comprises a polymeric material.

4. The filter collection unit of claim 3, wherein the polymeric materials comprises at least one of polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

5. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the seating portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

6. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the seating portion comprises wood.

7. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the filtration portion comprises a polymeric material.

8. The filter collection unit of claim 7, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one of nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 9. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the filtration portion comprises a non-woven material.

10. The filter collection unit of claim 9, wherein the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun-bound non-woven material.

11. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the filtration portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

12. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the filter collection unit is disposable.

13. The filter collection unit of claim 1, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds.

14. A filter collection unit comprising: a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered; and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads according to the method of Example 1.

15. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%,Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at least 9.0%, an average of at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, or an average of at least 25.0% of its weight of filtered particles over ten washing machine loads according to the method of Example 1.

16. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the seating portion comprises a polymeric material.

17. The filter collection unit of claim 16, wherein the polymeric materials comprises at least one of polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

18. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the seating portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

19. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the seating portion comprises wood.

20. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filtration portion comprises a polymeric material.

21. The filter collection unit of claim 20, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one of nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

22. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filtration portion comprises aAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 non-woven material.

23. The filter collection unit of claim 22, wherein the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun-bound non-woven material.

24. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filtration portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

25. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filter collection unit is disposable.

26. The filter collection unit of claim 14, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds.

27. A filter collection unit comprising: a seating portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered; and a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein the wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture at least an average of at least 2.5% of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

28. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to capture an average of at least 2.7%, an average of at least 2.9%, an average of at least 3.0%, an average of at least 3.2%, an average of at least 3.3%, an average of at least 3.5%, an average of at least 3.7%, an average of at least 3.8%, an average of at least 4.0%, an average of at least 4.2%, an average of at least 4.5%, an average of at least 4.8%, an average of at least 5.0%, an average of at least 5.5%, an average of at least 5.7%, an average of at least 5.8%, an average of at least 6.0%, an average of at least 6.3%, an average of at least 6.5%, an average of at least 6.8%, an average of at least 7.0%, an average of at least 7.5%, or an average of at least 8.0%, an average of at least 8.5%, an average of at leastAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 9.0%, an average of at least 10.0%, an average of at least 11.0%, an average of at least 12.0%, an average of at least 13.0%, an average of at least 14.0%, an average of at least 15.0%, an average of at least 16.0%, an average of at least 17.0%, an average of at least 18.0%, an average of at least 19.0%, an average of at least 20.0%, an average of at least 21.0%, an average of at least 22.0%, an average of at least 23.0%, an average of at least 24.0%, an average of at least 24.5%, or an average of at least 25.0% of its weight of its weight of filtered particles over the use period before a recommended cleaning or replacement.

29. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the seating portion comprises a polymeric material.

30. The filter collection unit of claim 29, wherein the polymeric materials comprises at least one of polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

31. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the seating portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

32. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the seating portion comprises wood.

33. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filtration portion comprises a polymeric material.

34. The filter collection unit of claim 33, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one of nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

35. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filtration portion comprises a non-woven material.Attorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 36. The filter collection unit of claim 35, wherein the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun-bound non-woven material.

37. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filtration portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

38. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filter collection unit is disposable.

39. The filter collection unit of claim 27, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds.

40. A filtration device comprising: a housing; a fluid intake portion configured to receive a fluid to be filtered; a fluid discharge portion configured to discharge the fluid after the fluid has been filtered; and a filtration collection unit positioned between the fluid intake portion and the fluid discharge portion, the filtration collection unit comprising a filtration portion configured to retain filtered particles from the fluid, wherein filtration device is configured such that the filtration collection unit is replaceable in less than 30 seconds.

41. The filtration device of claim 40, wherein filtration collection unit comprises a seating portion and a filtration portion.

42. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the seating portion comprises a polymeric material.

43. The filter collection unit of claim 42, wherein the polymeric materials comprises at least one of polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymersAttorney Docket No.16105.0039-00304 thereof.

44. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the seating portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

45. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the seating portion comprises wood.

46. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the filtration portion comprises a polymeric material.

47. The filtration device of claim 46, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one of nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyester, or co-polymers thereof.

48. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the filtration portion comprises a non- woven material.

49. The filtration device of claim 48, wherein the non-woven material comprises a melt-blown, melt-spun, or spun-bound non-woven material.

50. The filtration device of claim 41, wherein the filtration portion comprises a natural or biodegradable material.

51. The filtration device of claim 40, wherein the filter collection unit is disposable.

52. The filtration device of claim 40, wherein the filter collection unit is configured to be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds.

53. The filtration device of claim 40, further comprising a primary filter disposed between the fluid intake and the filtration collection unit, the primary filter being configured to separate the fluid into a filtrate and a retentate and to provide the filtrate to the fluid discharge and to provide the retentate to the filtration collection unit for further filtration.

Images