Filter element

Abstract

To provide improved filters of desired lengths by combining shorter filter elements and / or filter cartridges using joiner caps or locks, e.g., plastic pieces on the elements and / or cartridges that are mechanically locked or engaged.SOLUTION: The present invention provides fibrous porous filter elements formed by joining two fibrous porous sections, filter baskets and filter devices comprising filters and the porous filter elements comprising the joined sections, methods of making the filter elements and filters, and methods of filtration using the filter elements and filters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001]

[0001] To provide a filter of a desired length, short filter elements and / or filter cartridges are joined using a joiner cap or lock, e.g., respective plastic pieces of elements and / or cartridges that are mechanically locked or engaged. There is a need for an improved filter of a desired length.

[0002]

[0002] The present invention makes it possible to improve at least some of the problems of the prior art. The above and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description set forth below.

Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] One aspect of the present invention is a fibrous porous filter element comprising: (a) a first fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a first fibrous porous region thickness; and (b) a second fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a second fibrous porous region thickness, wherein a first or second plane of the upper end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined by a joining member to a first or second plane of the upper end portion of the second fibrous porous region, and a first or second plane of the lower end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined by a joining member to a first or second plane of the lower end portion of the second fibrous porous region, and the joining member has a portion that forms a protrusion on a first or second plane of the first fibrous porous region or on a first or second plane of the second fibrous porous region.

[0004]

[0004] Another aspect of the present invention provides a fibrous porous filter element comprising: (a) a first fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a first fibrous porous region thickness; and (b) a second fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a second fibrous porous region thickness, wherein a first or second plane of the upper end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to a first or second plane of the upper end portion of the second fibrous porous region, and a first or second plane of the lower end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to a first or second plane of the lower end portion of the second fibrous porous region, thereby forming an upright joining member, and then the upright joining member is bent such that a surface of the upright joining member contacts a first or second plane of the first fibrous porous region or a first or second plane of the second fibrous porous region.

[0005]

[0005] Other aspects of the present invention include a multiple filter basket comprising at least one fibrous porous filter element (in some aspects, at least two porous filter elements), and a filter basket housing configured to hold at least one fibrous porous filter element, or at least one porous filter including a fibrous porous filter element, preferably at least two fibrous porous filter elements, or at least two porous filters; a filter device comprising at least one porous filter having a fibrous porous filter element disposed across a fluid flow path within a filter housing; a method of making a fibrous porous filter element; a filter device comprising a multiple filter basket having a filter basket housing configured to hold at least one fibrous porous filter element or at least one porous filter including at least one fibrous porous filter element, preferably at least two fibrous porous filter elements or at least two porous filters, disposed across a fluid flow path within a filter device housing; and a method of using a fibrous porous filter element and a porous filter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fibrous porous filter element comprising: (a) a first fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a first fibrous porous region thickness; and (b) a second fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a second fibrous porous region thickness, wherein the first or second plane of the upper end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined by a joining member to the first or second plane of the upper end portion of the second fibrous porous region, and the first or second plane of the lower end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined by a joining member to the first or second plane of the lower end portion of the second fibrous porous region, and the joining member has a portion that forms a protrusion on the first or second plane of the first fibrous porous region or on the first or second plane of the second fibrous porous region.

[0008]

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a fibrous porous filter element comprising: (a) a first fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a first fibrous porous region thickness; and (b) a second fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a second fibrous porous region thickness, wherein the first or second plane of the upper end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to the first or second plane of the upper end portion of the second fibrous porous region, the first or second plane of the lower end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to the first or second plane of the lower end portion of the second fibrous porous region, an upright joining member is formed, and then the upright joining member is bent so that the surface of the upright joining member contacts the first or second plane of the first fibrous porous region or the first or second plane of the second fibrous porous region, thereby providing a fibrous porous filter element.

[0009]

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a porous filter comprising at least one fibrous porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention. In some aspects, the fibrous porous element includes one or more additional fibrous porous regions, and / or the porous filter includes at least two porous filter elements. In a preferred aspect, the porous filter is a pleated filter.

[0010]

[0014] In another aspect, a filter basket is provided that includes a filter basket housing having a first end and a second end, and a side wall having a through-opening, the filter basket being configured to hold at least one porous filter element or at least one porous filter including a porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention, the filter basket having a hollow region that is open at the first end for receiving a porous filter element or a porous filter including a porous filter element. The aspect of the filter basket can include a separate hollow region that is open at the first end for receiving a porous filter element or a porous filter including a porous filter element, so that the filter basket can be configured (by including an appropriate number of regions) to hold any number of porous filter elements or porous filters including a porous filter element.

[0011]

[0015] In another aspect, a filter device is provided that includes a device housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and at least one fibrous porous filter element or at least one porous filter including a fibrous porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention disposed within the housing across the fluid flow path. Optionally, the filter device can include a filter basket that includes at least one porous filter element or at least one porous filter including a porous filter element, the filter basket being disposed within the filter device housing such that each of the porous filter elements or porous filters including a porous filter element crosses the fluid flow path.

[0012]

[0016] Other aspects of the present invention are methods of making fibrous porous filter elements and porous filters, and methods of using fibrous porous filter elements and porous filters.

[0013]

[0017] In one aspect, a method for fabricating a filter element includes arranging a first fibrous porous medium in contact with a second fibrous porous medium such that the respective surfaces of the first fibrous porous medium and the second fibrous porous medium are in contact with each other; joining the first fibrous porous medium to the second fibrous porous medium at an end of the first fibrous porous medium and an end of the second fibrous porous medium, with the end of the first fibrous porous medium in contact with the end of the second fibrous porous medium to form a joining member; and separating and spreading the first fibrous porous medium from the second fibrous porous medium while keeping the first fibrous porous medium joined to the second fibrous porous medium by the joining member.

[0014]

[0018] In a preferred aspect, the method further includes bending a part of the joining member.

[0015]

[0019] Aspects of the method can include fabricating additional filter elements and subsequently arranging one filter element on top of another filter element prior to manufacturing a porous filter.

[0016]

[0020] Preferably, a filter element according to an aspect of the present invention can be manufactured using one or more of fewer parts, a less complex machine, and less labor compared to the manufacture of a filter element having a joiner cap for joining filter elements together. Further, since the filter elements are joined without a joiner cap, the risk of failure modes due to incorrect joining of the filter elements is low.

[0017]

[0021] The filter quality / filter efficiency of a filter element according to an aspect of the present invention is essentially the same as that of a filter element having a joiner cap.

[0018]

[0022] Hereinafter, each component of the present invention will be described in more detail, and similar components have the same reference numerals.

[0019]

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, two fibrous porous media 10 and 20 (shown as flat fibrous porous media) are arranged in contact with each other.

[0020]

[0024] As shown in the figure, the first fibrous porous medium 10 has a first plane 10a, a second plane 10b, an upper end portion 11, a lower end portion 12, a first side end portion 13, a second side end portion 14, and a first porous medium thickness 15. The second fibrous porous medium 20 shown in the figure has a first plane 20a, a second plane 20b, an upper end portion 21, a lower end portion 22, a first side end portion 23, a second side end portion 24, and a second porous medium thickness 25. To make it easier to refer to in this schematic diagram, planes 10a and 20a are arranged in contact with each other, and they are joined by a joining member 50 at their upper end portions 11 and 21. However, any plane of one porous medium can be arranged to contact any plane of the other porous medium. References to "upper", "lower", or "side" end portions are arbitrary. The joining member is formed at a contact portion where an end portion of one porous medium contacts an end portion of the other porous medium, and it is obvious that the media are joined at those end portions.

[0021]

[0025] As further shown in FIG. 1, after joining, the porous media are separated and spread out, and a first fibrous porous region 100 and a second fibrous porous region 200 are prepared. The joining member 50 (including a part of the porous media 10 and 20) is oriented upward, for example, substantially perpendicular to the planes 10b and 20. Then, the joining member is bent (forming a protrusion 51 on one side), and a porous filter element 500 (shown in FIGS. 2A, 2D, and 3 as a pleated filter element) is realized. Preferably, the surface of the fibrous porous filter element on the upstream side of the filter including the porous filter element includes the bent joining member (the side surface 552 in FIG. 2C includes the bent joining member), and the side surface 551 shows a connection seam 57 (see also FIGS. 3 and 5C), reducing the peeling stress applied to the joining member.

[0022]

[0026] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the joining member 50 has a portion that forms a protrusion 51 on the first or second plane of the first fibrous porous region or on the first or second plane of the second fibrous porous region, and a seam 57 formed on the surface where the fibrous porous regions are joined (the surface opposite to the surface where the protrusion is formed). In some embodiments, the protrusion has a protrusion thickness 55 that is thicker than the first fibrous porous region thickness 15 and thicker than the second fibrous porous region thickness 25, or has a protrusion thickness that is thinner than the first fibrous porous region thickness 15 and thinner than the second fibrous porous region thickness 25. For example, the protrusion thickness can range from about half to about twice the first fibrous porous region thickness 15 and the fibrous porous region thickness 25.

[0023]

[0027] If necessary, at least two fibrous porous filter elements can be manufactured separately as described above. Before manufacturing a porous filter including the fibrous porous filter elements, one manufactured element can be placed on top of the other manufactured element (e.g., such that the lower surface of one element contacts the upper surface of the other element). For example, the porous filter can have an upstream fibrous porous filter element for pre-filtration and a downstream fibrous porous filter element for high-precision filtration.

[0024]

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2D, and 3, the porous filter element is pleated and forms a hollow cylindrical pleated porous filter element 500 having a central cavity 550, an inner surface 551 (both shown in FIG. 2D, the seam 57 is not shown and is shown in FIG. 3), an outer surface 552, and a plurality of pleats 575 (both shown in FIGS. 2A, 2D, and 3). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5C (showing a porous filter 600 including the porous filter element 500), the seam 57 is shown on the inner surface 551. For illustrative purposes (e.g., to explain the seam 57), the porous filter element 500 within the porous filter 600 is shown in a shortened view.

[0025]

[0029] The porous filter and fibrous porous filter element according to an aspect of the present invention can include, for example, elements, layers, and / or components, and configurations disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,543,047 and 9,744,484.

[0026]

[0030] In some aspects, a fibrous porous filter element and / or a porous filter comprising one or more porous filter elements according to one or more aspects of the present invention can include additional elements, layers, and / or components having different structures and / or functions, such as at least one of pre-filtration, support, drainage, spacing, and buffering actions. Exemplarily, a porous filter element and / or a porous filter comprising a porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention further comprises one or more of a core, a drainage element, and a support element.

[0027]

[0031] Generally, a fibrous porous filter element and / or a porous filter comprising at least one porous filter element includes at least one additional element (e.g., a drainage element) such as a mesh and / or a screen, and in some aspects, has additional elements contacting the upstream and downstream surfaces. Optionally, at least one of the additional elements can be arranged in contact with the surface of the porous filter element before pleating.

[0028]

[0032] In the aspect of the porous filter 600 including the porous filter element 500 shown in FIG. 3, the porous filter includes a downstream drainage element 614 and an upstream drainage element 613 that respectively contact the downstream surface and the upstream surface of the porous filter element 500. A part of the downstream drainage element is not shown for explaining the seam 57, and a part of the upstream drainage element is not shown for explaining the protrusion 51.

[0029]

[0033] In one aspect, the porous filter includes an outer wrap member that can be porous (e.g., mesh or screen) or non-porous for support, for example. Optionally, the wrap member can be provided as a spiral wrap. For example, the aspect shown in FIG. 3 includes an outer wrap member 625. The spiral wrap can be wound around the filter element regardless of the presence or absence of overlap between adjacent turns of the wrap, and optionally, there can be a gap 626 between adjacent turns of the wrap member as shown in FIGS. 2E and 3.

[0030]

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, in some aspects, the porous filter includes any one or more of an end cap, an inner core, and an outer cage. Exemplarily, the aspect shown in FIG. 3 shows an inner perforated core 650 of the porous filter and an end cap 641 at one end thereof (in some aspects, the porous filter includes end caps at each end, for example, FIGS. 4A - 4C show an end cap 642 at the other end of the filter, and the illustrated end cap 642 includes a handle 643). In some aspects, the end cap 642 is a closed end cap, and the end cap 642 is an open end cap (as shown in FIGS. 4A - 4C, for example).

[0031]

[0035] In another aspect, a filter basket is provided, the filter basket comprising a housing having a side wall with an opening that penetrates a first end and a second end, and being adapted to hold at least one porous filter element or at least one porous filter comprising a porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention, and having a hollow region that is open at the first end for receiving the porous filter element or the porous filter comprising the porous filter element. The filter basket can be configured to hold any number of porous filter elements or porous filters comprising porous filter elements (by including an appropriate number of regions).

[0032]

[0036] Figures 4A - 4C show a filter basket 700, which has a filter basket housing 710 with a first end (upper end) 701 and a second end (lower end) 702 such that a fluid flow path is secured from a first end through an opening in a side wall, and a porous filter element or a porous filter including a porous filter element crosses the fluid flow path. It also has a side wall with a through - opening (or perforation) 715 and a hollow portion 703 that opens at a first end 701 for receiving a porous filter element or a porous filter including a porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention. The filter basket can have any number of openings in the side wall and the openings can be arranged in various patterns as needed.

[0033]

[0037] The filter basket can be configured to have a corresponding area with an open end for receiving any number of porous filter elements or porous filters including a porous filter element according to one aspect of the present invention. In Figure 4C, the filter basket is configured to receive seven porous filters 600. In some aspects, as shown in Figures 4B and 4C, a filter retainer 751 (shown as a bent wire) is inserted (e.g., fitted into a groove near the open end of the area) to hold the porous filter within the filter basket housing. Optionally, as shown in Figures 4A - 4C, the filter basket can include one or more spider plates 711 mounted on the outer surface of the filter basket housing for each filter, for example, to separate the filters to equalize the flow through the filters and the holders, and / or to allow a path for the permeate to fall, and / or to support the "free" end of the holder.

[0034]

[0038] Optionally, particularly when the filter basket is configured to hold a plurality of porous filter elements or a porous filter including porous filter elements, the filter basket can include an end plate 712 fixed (e.g., welded) to the first end 701 of the filter basket housing, as shown in FIG. 4C. Generally, the second end (lower end) 702 is closed, but in some embodiments, it may include a small opening.

[0035]

[0039] In another aspect, there is provided a filter device comprising a filter device housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a fluid flow path therebetween, and at least one porous filter element according to an aspect of the present invention or at least one porous filter including porous filter elements disposed within the housing across the fluid flow path. Optionally, the filter device can include a filter basket that includes at least one porous filter element or at least one porous filter including porous filter elements, and the filter basket is disposed within the filter device housing such that each of the porous filter elements or the porous filter including porous filter elements crosses the fluid flow path.

[0036]

[0040] FIGS. 5A - 5C show a filter device 1000 comprising a housing 1010 having an inlet 1001 and an outlet 1002 and defining a fluid flow path therebetween, and a filter basket 700 as shown in FIG. 4C including a plurality of porous filters 600 is disposed within the filter device across the fluid flow path such that the plurality of porous filters also cross the fluid flow path (e.g., fluid enters through inlet 1001, passes through the open end cap 642, through the porous filter (inside - out flow), through the opening 715, and exits through outlet 1002). Optionally, the filter device can include additional components, such as one or more ports 1020 (e.g., for sampling and / or venting).

[0037]

[0041] Preferably, at least the filter element is sterilizable.

[0038]

[0042] The filter basket housing and the filter device housing can be manufactured from any suitable rigid impermeable material that is compatible with the fluid being processed. Generally, the housing is manufactured from a metal such as stainless steel.

[0039]

[0043] In yet another aspect, a method of filtering a fluid is provided, including passing the fluid along a fluid flow path through a fibrous porous filter (e.g., within a filter basket or within a filter device with or without a filter basket), and removing undesirable materials from the fluid as the fluid passes through the fibrous porous filter.

[0040]

[0044] Various porous media including porous membranes and fibrous porous media can be joined according to aspects of the present invention, and the joined media can be configured to form filter elements and filters. Suitable porous media include glass fiber media and fibrous media such as, for example, polyester, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, and nylon.

[0041]

[0045] The porous media can be joined (including heat welding or thermal joining) by various techniques known in the art, such as, for example, melt bonding (with or without pressure), or pressure and heat (such as heat impulse bonding or continuous band sealer bonding), or pressure with heat and vibration (such as ultrasonic bonding).

[0042]

[0046] The filter element can have any suitable pore structure, such as pore size (e.g., by bubble point or, for example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,340,479 by K L(as demonstrated by, or by capillary condensation flow porometry), porosity, pore diameter (e.g., when characterized using the modified OSU F2 test as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,925,572), or a removal rate that can reduce or allow the passage of one or more substances of interest when a fluid passes through the element.

[0043]

[0047] The filter element can have any desired critical wetting surface tension (CWST, e.g., as defined in the specification of U.S. Patent No. 4,925,572). The CWST can be selected as further disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,152,905, 5,443,743, 5,472,621, and 6,074,869, as is known in the art.

[0044]

[0048] According to aspects of the present invention, fibrous porous elements and / or porous filters containing fibrous porous elements can have various configurations including planar, pleated, and hollow cylindrical. In a preferred aspect, the filter element is configured as a pleated hollow cylindrical element, more preferably a "laid over pleats" (LOP) filter configuration (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,543,047).

[0045]

[0049] The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting its scope in any way.

Example

[0046]

[0050] This example demonstrates the formation of a filter element containing fibrous glass media according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0047]

[0051] Two planar sheets of fibrous porous media (glass fibers) 22 inches wide are stacked on a polyester substrate with the sides to be joined (the polyester substrate) in contact with each other. The sides in contact with each other have a lower melting point than the sides not in contact with each other. No separate sealant material is used.

[0048]

[0052] Using an OK continuous thermal band sealer (OK International Corp., Marlborough, Massachusetts) that applies a pressure of 30 psi at a temperature of 310 °C (590 °F), pressure and heat are applied to the upper edges of the two sheets at a nominal speed of 60 feet per minute (fpm) (measured speed of about 10 fpm) such that the sides with the lower melting point melt together to form a joining member or splice having a width of at least about 0.1 inches, and this pressure and heat are applied at a location where the sheets are in contact with each other with an overlap of at least about 0.1 inches.

[0049]

[0053] Next, the unjoined lower edges of the media sheets are separated and spread to make the joined media sheets both flat.

[0050]

[0054] The joining member that is upward (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the flat sheet surface) is made parallel to one plane of the media sheet, and there is a bent joining member on the side that becomes the upstream side of the filter, which can reduce the peeling stress applied to the joining member.

[0051]

[0055] Subsequently, the resulting single flat media sheet is placed between a nylon mesh sheet and a Reemay® polyester fabric media sheet, then corrugated (or pleated), and a pleated hollow cylindrical filter pack with an outer spiral wrap of the mesh and end caps at both ends is formed.

Example

[0052]

[0056] This example demonstrates the formation of a filter element comprising a fibrous polypropylene media according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0053]

[0057] Two pairs of planar sheets of fibrous porous media (polypropylene) with a width of 22 inches are separately overlapped. One pair of sheets is graded media, and the other pair of sheets is absolute grade media. No separate sealing material is used.

[0054]

[0058] Using an ultrasonic welder with an amplitude vibration of about 32 μm and a force of 35 lbf, a force of 20 psi is applied to the upper edge of each pair of two sheets at a temperature of about 240°F. Thermal bonding is performed where the sheets contact each other with an overlap of at least about 0.1 inch such that the sides melt together to form a joining member or splice, and the joining member has a width of at least about 0.1 inch.

[0055]

[0059] Next, the unjoined lower edges of each pair of joined media sheets are separated and spread to make both joined media sheets flat.

[0056]

[0060] The joining member that is upward (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the flat sheet surface) is made parallel to one sheet plane of each pair of joined media, and there is a bent joining member on the side that becomes the upstream side of the filter, which can reduce the peel stress applied to the joining member.

[0057]

[0061] Two single sheets of flat media are overlapped and placed, sandwiched between sheets of polyphenyl sulfide (PPS) mesh (such that there is an inner mesh and an outer mesh), then corrugated (or pleated), and a pleated hollow cylindrical filter pack with an outer spiral wrap of the mesh and end caps at both ends is formed. The flat sheet of graded media provides a prefilter layer, and the flat sheet of absolute grade media provides a filter layer.

[0058]

[0062] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited in this specification, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated herein and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0059]

[0063] In the context of describing the present invention (particularly in the context of the following claims), the use of the terms "a", "an", "the", and "at least one" and similar indicators should be construed to include both the singular and plural forms, unless otherwise indicated herein or unless clearly contradicted by the context. The use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of A and B") should be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or unless clearly contradicted by the context. The terms "comprising", "having", "including", and "containing" should be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to") unless otherwise specified. The description of a range of values herein is intended only to serve as a concise way of referring individually to each distinct value falling within that range, and each distinct value is incorporated herein as if it were individually described herein. Any method described herein can be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or unless, in the alternative, the context clearly contradicts it. The use of any examples or exemplary language provided herein (e.g., "such as") is intended only to further illuminate the invention and not to limit its scope, unless otherwise specified. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating that any non-described element is essential to the practice of the invention.

[0060]

[0064] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors of carrying out the present invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. The inventors expect those skilled in the art to appropriately use such variations, and the inventors also intend that the present invention be practiced in ways other than those specifically described herein. Accordingly, the present invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Further, unless otherwise indicated herein or the context clearly dictates otherwise, all possible combinations of the above-described elements in all possible variations of the present invention are encompassed by the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0061] 10…First fibrous porous medium, 10a…First plane, 10b…Second plane, 11…Upper end portion, 12…Lower end portion, 13…First side end portion, 14…Second side end portion, 15…First fibrous porous region thickness, First porous medium thickness, 20…Second fibrous porous medium, 20a…First plane, 20b…Second plane, 21…Upper end portion, 22…Lower end portion, 23…First side end portion, 24…Second side end portion, 25…Second fibrous porous region thickness, Second porous medium thickness, 50…Joining member, 51…Protrusion, 55…Protrusion thickness, 57…Seam, 100…First fibrous porous region, 200…Second fibrous porous region, 500…Porous filter element, 550…Central cavity, 551…Side surface, Inner surface, 552…Side surface, Outer surface, 575…Pleat, 600…Porous filter, 613…Upstream drainage element, 614…Downstream drainage element, 625…Outer wrap member, 626…Gap, 641…End cap, 642…End cap, 643…Handle, 650…Core, 700…Filter basket, 701…First end (upper end portion), 702…Second end (lower end portion), 703…Hollow portion, 710…Filter basket housing, 711…Spider plate, 712…End plate, 715…Opening, 751…Filter retainer, 1000…Filter device, 1001…Inlet, 1002…Outlet, 1010…Housing, 1020…Port

Claims

1. (a) a first fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a first fibrous porous region thickness; and (b) a second fibrous porous region having an upper end portion, a lower end portion, a first side end portion, a second side end portion, a first plane, a second plane, and a second fibrous porous region thickness A fibrous porous filter element comprising: wherein the first plane or the second plane of the upper end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to the first plane or the second plane of the upper end portion of the second fibrous porous region by a joining member, or the first plane or the second plane of the lower end portion of the first fibrous porous region is joined to the first plane or the second plane of the lower end portion of the second fibrous porous region by a joining member, while the first fibrous porous region is joined to the second fibrous porous region by the joining member, a non-joined portion of the first fibrous porous region and the second fibrous porous region is separated and widened to provide the fibrous porous filter element, the surface of the joining member is bent to form a protrusion so as to contact the first plane or the second plane of the first fibrous porous region or the first plane or the second plane of the second fibrous porous region, and the thickness of the protrusion is thinner than the first fibrous porous region thickness and the second fibrous porous region thickness.

2. The fibrous porous filter element according to claim 1, comprising a pleated filter element.

3. The fibrous porous filter element according to claim 1, further comprising a drainage element and / or a support element.

4. A porous filter comprising at least two fibrous porous filter elements according to claim 1.

5. A porous filter comprising at least one fibrous porous filter element according to claim 1, further comprising an outer wrap and / or an end cap.

6. A filter basket comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, a side wall having a through-opening, and a hollow area opening at the first end for receiving the porous filter according to claim 5.

7. The filter basket according to claim 6, having at least two areas opening at the first end, each of the at least two areas being suitable for receiving the porous filter according to claim 5.

8. A filter device comprising a filter device housing having an inlet and an outlet and provided with a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and at least one porous filter according to claim 5 disposed in the filter device housing across the fluid flow path.

9. The filter device according to claim 8, including a filter basket for holding the at least one porous filter, the filter basket being disposed in the filter device housing across the fluid flow path.

10. A method of filtering a fluid, comprising the step of passing the fluid through the fibrous porous filter element according to claim 1.

11. Arranging a first fibrous porous region in contact with a second fibrous porous region such that the surfaces of the first fibrous porous region and the second fibrous porous region are in contact with each other; Joining the first fibrous porous region to the second fibrous porous region at the ends of the first fibrous porous region and the ends of the second fibrous porous region, the ends of the first fibrous porous region contacting the ends of the second fibrous porous region to form a joining member; Separating and spreading apart the unjoined portions of the first fibrous porous region and the second fibrous porous region to provide the fibrous porous filter element, with the first fibrous porous region remaining joined to the second fibrous porous region by the joining member; Bending the joining member such that the surface of the joining member contacts the first plane or the second plane of the first fibrous porous region or the first plane or the second plane of the second fibrous porous region; A method of manufacturing the fibrous porous filter element according to claim 1, including the above steps.

Images