초록 ▼

Disclosed is a disposable filter capsule apparatus that incorporates integral quick connect components and check valves to facilitate assembly to, and dis-assembly from, larger assemblies and apparatus. The quick connect elements and valves are configured to eliminate the need for auxiliary sealing

Disclosed is a disposable filter capsule apparatus that incorporates integral quick connect components and check valves to facilitate assembly to, and dis-assembly from, larger assemblies and apparatus. The quick connect elements and valves are configured to eliminate the need for auxiliary sealing elements, e.g., o-rings and valve springs so as to prevent unwanted reactions with fluids and/or gases flowing through the capsules, and to further prevent the disposal of expensive re-usable elements in the disposable capsules.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A disposable filter capsule apparatus comprising: a capsule body having portions defining a filter chamber;a filter secured in the chamber;at least one port having an inner wall defining a port chamber in fluid communication with the filter chamber wherein the port extends from the capsule body,

1. A disposable filter capsule apparatus comprising: a capsule body having portions defining a filter chamber;a filter secured in the chamber;at least one port having an inner wall defining a port chamber in fluid communication with the filter chamber wherein the port extends from the capsule body, and wherein an inner junction of the capsule body and the port forms a tapered annular wall having a small diameter end and a large diameter end, wherein the small diameter end connects to the port chamber;a quick connect fitting integral to the at least one port;an O-ring-free and rigid dual-flange check valve secured in the at least one port, wherein the check valve defines an inner valve chamber and comprises a bottom flange and a top flange, wherein the bottom flange has a frustoconically shaped upper surface, wherein the bottom flange upper surface has portions defining a plurality of concentrically oriented annular shoulders of consecutively larger cross-sectional diameters and arranged along the axial length of the bottom flange upper surface so as to collectively form a uniformly sloped, uniformly serrated, frusta-conical flange in cross-section, wherein the uniform slope of the combined annular shoulders is substantially parallel with the slope of the tapered annular wall, and wherein an annular apex of each annular shoulder registers against the tapered annular wall to form a multi-segmented face seal when the check valve is in a closed position; and,a valve spring secured in the capsule body and registered against a bottom surface of the top valve flange. 2. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the top flange extends radially outwardly from a top end of the check valve and is dimensioned to fit within the port chamber. 3. The filter capsule of claim 2 wherein the top flange further comprises a plurality of valve flange segments extending radially outwardly from a top surface of the top flange. 4. The filter capsule of claim 3 wherein the check valve further comprises at least one lateral port in fluid communication with the port chamber and the inner valve chamber. 5. The filter capsule of claim 4 wherein the valve spring at one end registers against bottom surfaces of the plurality of valve flange segments and registers against an annular spring support shoulder formed in the filter chamber at the other end having a cross-sectional diameter smaller than the port chamber cross-sectional diameter, wherein the spring urges the valve upwardly so as to register the bottom flange against the tapered annular wall. 6. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the port further comprises a top flange having portions defining a flange channel, and wherein the quick connect fitting is structured as a female fitting and comprises a locking sleeve engaged in the channel and locking pin secured in a bore formed in a wall of the port, wherein the sleeve has portions defining a slot, and wherein the locking pin passes through the slot. 7. The filter capsule of claim 6 wherein the quick connect fitting further comprises a sleeve-releasing latch secured to the top flange and having portions engaged in the channel in registration with the locking sleeve. 8. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the capsule is constructed from thermal plastic materials selected from the group consisting of acrylic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), nylon, Polysulfone, Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer resin, Polycarbonate (PC), PS, Polyethersulfone (PES), Ethylene-clorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Polyoxymethylene (POM or Metal) and mixtures thereof. 9. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a single layer with pore sizes from about 0.01 microns to about 50 microns. 10. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a plurality of membrane layers wherein each layer has the same pore size from about 0.01 microns to about 50 microns. 11. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a plurality of membrane layers wherein each layer has a different pore size each within the range of about 0.01 microns to about 50 microns. 12. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises at least one microporous, hydrophilic or hydrophobic membrane, constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, cellulose acetate, Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (Tenon® PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and its derivatives, MFA (co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer (FEP) and mixtures thereof. 13. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of microfibers and nanofibers of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, carbon, fiberglass, polypropylene sulfide (PPS), Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (Teflon® PTFE), cellulose including cellulose/diatomaceous earth or silica blends, cellulose/carbon particles or fibers, cellulose/ion exchange resins and mixtures thereof. 14. The filter capsule of claim 1 further comprising: at least one outlet port defining an outlet port chamber wherein the port extends from, and is integral to, the capsule body, and wherein a second inner junction of the capsule body and the outlet port forms a second tapered annular wall;a second quick connect fitting integral to the at least one outlet port;a second check valve secured in the at least one outlet, wherein the second check valve registers against the second tapered annular wall to form a second face seal when the second check valve is in a closed position. 15. The filter capsule of claim 1 wherein the check valve comprises a first segment having portions defining a first segment press-fit surface and having the portions defining the bottom flange, and a second segment having portions defining a second segment press-fit surface and having a plurality of valve flange segments, wherein the first segment press-fit surface is connected to the second segment press-fit surface.