Disposable Filter Cup Sealing for Cleaner Liquid Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color remediation filtration systems in the food industry face issues with contamination, health risks, and environmental impact due to leakage and airborne filter media particles, requiring inefficient cleaning and refilling processes, and allowing impurities to reach the final product.
Innovation Solution
A modular filtration system using a disposable, plastic injection-molded filter cup with integrated deformable flanges and o-rings, eliminating the need for reusable components and reducing exposure to filter media, thereby minimizing contamination and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reusable filter components (spool, filter container, rubber gasket) are used, then the system can be cleaned and refilled for multiple uses, but this requires labor time for cleaning and refilling, and causes leakage and airborne filter media particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable filter cups made of inexpensive plastic that are discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and refilling operations entirely, as each new filter cup is ready for immediate use and contains pre-loaded filter media. The low cost of the disposable cups makes this economically viable despite single-use limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system is divided into separable components: a reusable spool and disposable filter cups. This segmentation allows the complex cleaning and refilling operation to be replaced by simply discarding the contaminated filter cup and inserting a fresh one, dramatically reducing maintenance time and labor.
2Ease of operation
If reusable components with rubber gaskets are used, then the system can be assembled and disassembled, but this causes leakage and negative health and environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable filter cup eliminates leakage problems entirely by being discarded after single use, preventing the accumulation and redistribution of filter media particles that occur during repeated assembly and disassembly of reusable components with rubber gaskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cup is extracted as a complete, self-contained unit that includes pre-loaded filter media and integrated sealing features. This extraction eliminates the need for separate rubber gaskets and complex assembly procedures, reducing opportunities for leakage and particle generation.
3Productivity
If filter media is poured into reusable spool, then the system can be refilled for continuous use, but this exposes workers to harmful inhalation and creates environmental pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
Filter media is pre-loaded into filter cups during manufacturing under controlled conditions, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle and pour fine filter media particles during operation. The pre-filled cups are then simply inserted into the spool, preventing worker exposure to harmful inhalation risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable nature of the filter cups means that any potential contamination or particle release is contained within a single-use component that is discarded after use, preventing the cumulative environmental pollution that would result from repeated refilling operations with reusable components.
4Reliability
If sintered stainless steel filters are used, then filtration can be performed, but it is virtually impossible to clean all filter media powders out and they allow bypass of filter media into final product
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable plastic filter cup with replaceable filter media provides reliable filtration performance while eliminating cleaning difficulties entirely. After use, the entire filter assembly is discarded rather than attempted to be cleaned, ensuring no filter media particles remain to contaminate the final product or require extensive cleaning operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular system significantly reduces the escape of harmful particulate matter into the workplace and final product, enhancing safety and efficiency by eliminating the need for cleaning and refilling, and ensuring a secure seal without rubber gaskets, thus producing a cleaner filtered product.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable flange, with an integrated o-rings, provides a secure seal between two components
Implementation Method 2
the spool 108 containing the filter media, and the paper filter housed in the filter container 110, the resultant liquid material exits the system 100
Data Source
AI summary
A system for further filtering a liquid extract material after an initial extraction process. In an embodiment, the system includes a semi-rigid filter cup that is substantially cylindrical, the filter cup having a top and a bottom, wherein the top is oriented to receive filter media prior to a filtration process, and material to be filtered during the filtration process. The filter cup includes an integrated deformable flange at the top of the filter cup, an integrated top o-ring that is integrated into the top of the integrated deformable flange and an integrated bottom o-ring that is integrated into the bottom of the integrated deformable flange.