Filter with integral lift tab

Details Filter with integral lift tab Filter with integral lift tab

1999-08-06

2001-03-13

Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)

Liquid purification or separation

With alarm, indicator, register, recorder, signal or...

Transparent

C055S318000, C055S357000, C055S385300, C055S502000, C055S521000, C096S417000, C210S238000, C210S450000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06200465

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a filter element with an integral lift tab. More particularly, the present invention is directed to filter elements which are periodically replaceable and include lift tabs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As automotive design evolves, there is constant effort to reduce weight and to make engine and drive train components smaller and more compact in order to conserve space. Generally, space allotments in vehicle design favor increasing space in a vehicle's cabin while reducing space in the engine compartment. As space in the engine compartment becomes smaller, it becomes more and more difficult to service a vehicle's engine. It is therefore desirable to maintain or even increase access to engine components wherever possible, even as an engine's space allotment decreases.
In order to ensure fuel efficient operation of vehicles and to minimize polluting emissions it is necessary to periodically examine and replace air filters. As an engine compartment's space decreases, it becomes more and more difficult to conveniently position and mount an air filter for inspection since in order to inspect an air filter, it is necessary to open a housing containing the air filter to observe the dirty side of the air filter. If an air filter is not positioned with its dirty side facing upwardly, then observing the condition of an air filter becomes difficult. Accordingly, there may be a tendency for mechanics to simply avoid examining air filters with the inevitable consequence that vehicles not having proper air filter maintenance not a will have lower fuel efficiency and contribute emissions to pollution. While this, of course, is difficulty if there are only a few vehicles not properly maintained, however when thousands of vehicles are not properly maintained, general fuel consumption increases and air quality is adversely affected.
Not only is it necessary to observe an air filter, but in order to completely inspect an air filter it is necessary to remove the air filter from its housing. The paucity of space can make removing an air filter difficult because the air filter is mounted against a seat within an air intake housing and may have become slightly adhered in place. Since in many rapid maintenance situations the customer waits while his or her car is serviced, the mechanic frequently removes the air filter and takes it and shows it to the customer. If the air filter resists removal, then the mechanic is more than likely to simply leave it in place and tell the customer that it is not clogged, when in fact it may well be clogged. Thus, there is a need to have air filters which are readily removable from their housings.
While engine air filters are of immediate and specific interest with respect to easy removal and replacement, the same considerations are of interest with respect to other types of air filters, or liquid filters for that matter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a new and improved filter element wherein the filter element is configured for convenient removal from a housing.
In view of this feature and other features, the present invention is directed to a filter element for filtering a fluid flowing therethrough wherein the filter element comprises a filter media having an upstream face facing the fluid to be filtered, and a downstream face. A peripheral gasket is disposed around the filter media for mounting the filter media in a seat. A pull tab is disposed between the peripheral gasket and the filter media and extends out of the gasket to provide an arrangement for facilitating the removal of the filter element from the seat.
In a further aspect, the filter element is comprised of a pleated filter media with a gasket that seals between the pleats adjacent the downstream face of the filter media and in still a further aspect, the tab projects across the downstream face of the filter media.
In an additional aspect of the invention, the filter element is an air filter used for filtering combustion air for an internal combustion engine and seats within a filter housing in the air inlet of the engine.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2992701 (1961-07-01), White
patent: 3075334 (1963-01-01), Nutting
patent: 3581478 (1971-06-01), Smith
patent: 4364757 (1982-12-01), Leonatti
patent: 4394147 (1983-07-01), Caddy et al.
patent: 5024760 (1991-06-01), Kemper
patent: 5735918 (1998-04-01), Barradas
patent: 380026 (1990-08-01), None

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