Package and dispenser for glass fiber filter pad

Details Package and dispenser for glass fiber filter pad Package and dispenser for glass fiber filter pad

1999-04-01

2001-04-03

Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

For plate or sheet

C206S524800, C206S526000, C206S499000, C383S209000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06209724

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to filter media, and more specifically to an apparatus for dispensing packaged, compact filter media webs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Filter media webs, such as compressible nonwoven webs used for paint-room filtration, are lightweight and bulky. Filter webs are made of fiberglass or polymer strands that are adhered to one another at points of intersection to form a web. The web is cut into pads or formed into a roll. The pads or rolls are then transported to the user.
Transportation of the media from the manufacturer to the user accounts for a large part of the cost of the filter media. Although the media is inexpensive, a large amount of the space in the packaging is taken up by air. Therefore, a large amount of air is shipped with the media.
A packaging system by American Air Filter includes a package, such as a large bag. Filter pads are packaged for shipping by simply stuffing pads into the package in random orientations. Some amount of the air in the package is removed to decrease the package's size. However, when the package is opened to remove the first pad, some of the pads spring out randomly upon release of the compressive force of the vacuum.
The reason some of the pads spring out of the package is the random orientation of the filter pads. This random orientation makes some of the pads become compressed in the direction towards the eventual opening of the package. This results in some of the compressed pads springing towards the opening of the package. Unless a large number of pads are used immediately upon opening of the package, some pads will have to be put in another package, or risk becoming soiled.
Another method of packing filter pads involves compressing a stack of pads with a mechanical device or a weight, such as a steel plate. The compressed stack is then put in a rigid box as the compressing structure is removed. However, this method has the disadvantage that the handling of the compressed media must be carefully controlled to ensure that the compression is not released until the stack is contained within a package that can maintain the compression. Furthermore, removal of the first several compressed pads is difficult due to the force exerted against the box by the compressed filter media.
Therefore, the need exists for a method of packaging filter webs or pads that removes a significant amount of the air within the media to decrease shipping costs, and enhances the removal of the pads from the package. Furthermore, a dispenser is needed for dispensing packaged filter pads in an improved manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a dispenser for compressible fiberglass nonwoven pads. The invention includes a stack of substantially planar, substantially parallel fiberglass pads. The stack has first and second adjoining peripheral edges, and each peripheral edge has a predetermined length. The stack is enclosed in a fluid-impervious envelope, and the envelope has a fluidtight seal for preventing entrance of air into the envelope. The envelope has a first peripheral wall adjacent the first peripheral edge of the stack, and a second peripheral wall adjacent the second peripheral edge of the stack. The second peripheral wall adjoins the first peripheral wall of the envelope. First and second flanges are formed on the first and second peripheral walls of the envelope. Each flange is severable for at least about one-half the length of each of the adjacent peripheral edges of the stack for exposing a portion of the peripheral edges of the stack and permitting dispensing of the pads in the stack.
The invention also contemplates a method of making a dispenser. The method comprises forming a stack of substantially planar, substantially parallel fiberglass pads. The stack has first and second adjoining peripheral edges, each peripheral edge having a predetermined length. The stack is enclosed in a fluid containing, fluid-impervious envelope.
The envelope has a first peripheral wall adjacent the first peripheral edge of the stack, and a second peripheral wall adjacent the second peripheral edge of the stack and adjoining the first peripheral wall of the envelope.
Some of the fluid is drawn from the envelope and the envelope is sealed for preventing entrance of fluid into the envelope. First and second flanges are formed on the first and second peripheral walls of the envelope. Each flange is severable for at least about one-half the length of each of the adjacent peripheral edges of the stack.
In a preferred embodiment, flanges are formed on four walls of the envelope. Two adjacent flanges can be severed for about three-quarters of the length of the flange, forming an aperture at one corner of the envelope. One or more of the fiberglass pads can be removed from the envelope through the aperture.


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