Electric heating – Heating devices – With heater-unit housing – casing – or support means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-27
2001-01-23
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
With heater-unit housing, casing, or support means
C123S549000, C219S387000, C219S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177658
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for warming an oil filter of an automotive vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Diesel fuel may contain paraffin residues and these residues may solidify in the fuel tank or filter system when the vehicle is idle during cold weather. The solidified residues can then clog the fuel filter system. Warming the fuel filter prior to starting the engine can reduce the chances of such clogging. U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,255 discloses an oil filter with an internal plate mounted within the filter housing for warming the oil in the filter. The prior art does not disclose a means for externally warming the fuel filter or for a device that can be easily applied to an existing fuel filter without the necessity of removing the fuel filter and modifying or replacing it with a filter with a built-in heating unit. The prior art also discloses food and beverage warmers employing a flexible jacket that can be electrically powered by a cigarette lighter adapter. The prior art also discloses seat warmers powered by a cigarette lighter adapter. The prior art does not teach the use of an electric blanket for warming a fuel filter.
A need exists for a fuel filter warmer that can be used when needed on an existing fuel filter without the need to remove or replace the filter and which can be manufactured inexpensively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meeting the needs identified above is an electric blanket that can be wrapped around the fuel filter and powered by the automotive vehicle battery by means of a cigarette lighter adapter.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 316942 (1991-05-01), Johnson
patent: 2498983 (1950-02-01), D'Albora
patent: 4501255 (1985-02-01), Van Der Ploeg
patent: 4675503 (1987-06-01), Toivio et al.
patent: 5408068 (1995-04-01), Ng
patent: 5436429 (1995-07-01), Cline
patent: WO 88/01345 (1988-02-01), None
White Jay P.
White, Sr. Harvey H.
Fuqua Shawntina
Walberg Teresa
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