Filtration device and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A filtration device and a method of manufacturing the same, the filter device including a tubular body having a body wall defining a rigid support structure with a plurality of inlet openings, the body wall further having an inside wall structure and an outside wall structure, a central bore extending through the tubular body and being coextensive with the body wall, and an end portion on each opposing end of the body wall. The filtration device further includes a filtering medium disposed between the inside wall structure and the outside wall structure of the body wall, thereby filling the plurality of inlet openings.

1 . A reusable filtration device for removing particulate matter from a liquid in a liquids processing system, the filtration device comprising: 
 (a) a tubular body comprising: 
 a body wall defining a rigid support structure having a plurality of inlet openings, the body wall further comprising an inside wall structure and an outside wall structure;  
 a central bore extending through the tubular body and being coextensive with the body wall; and  
 an end portion on each opposing end of the body wall; and  
   (b) a filtering medium disposed between the inside wall structure and the outside wall structure of the body wall, thereby filling the plurality of inlet openings.    
     
     
         2 . The filtration device of  claim 1  wherein each end portion further includes a coupling mechanism for positioning the filtration device within a receptacle in the liquids processing system, in a manner permitting the liquid to flow from outside the filtering device through the plurality of inlet openings and through the filtering medium, enter the central bore, and exit the bore through at least one of said end portions.  
     
     
         3 . The filtration device of  claim 2  wherein said coupling mechanism comprises an adapter attached to one of the end portions, the adapter enabling the positioning of the filtration device within liquid processing systems of different designs.  
     
     
         4 . The filtration device of  claim 3  wherein said adapter includes a plurality of wedge-shaped elements about an interior periphery thereof, said wedge-shaped elements allowing the filtration to be self-tightening.  
     
     
         5 . The filtration device of  claim 3  wherein said tubular body and said coupling mechanism are integrally molded as one piece.  
     
     
         6 . The filtration device of  claim 1  wherein the filtration device is easily removable from the liquids processing system and the filtration device being reusable after removal.  
     
     
         7 . The filtration device of  claim 1  wherein said outside wall structure includes a plurality of longitudinal and transverse struts forming said plurality of inlet openings.  
     
     
         8 . The filtration device of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of inlet openings are generally rectangular.  
     
     
         9 . The filtration device of  claim 7  wherein said inside wall structure includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs.  
     
     
         10 . The filtration device of  claim 1  wherein said tubular body is injection molded.  
     
     
         11 . The filtration device of  claim 1  wherein the body is made from a plastic material that is resistant to alkalis and acids characteristic of chemicals used in photographic processing systems.  
     
     
         12 . The filtration device of  claim 11  wherein the body is made from polypropylene.  
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a reusable filtration device for removing particulate matter from a liquid in a liquids processing system, said method comprising: 
 forming a tubular sleeve from a filtration material;    disposing the tubular sleeve about a mold core;    placing the mold core within a mold cavity;    injection molding the filtration device within the mold cavity, the filtration device comprising a tubular body having a body wall defining a rigid support structure having a plurality of inlet openings, the body wall further comprising an inside wall structure and an outside wall structure; a central bore extending through the tubular body and being coextensive with the body wall; the body wall terminating in a pair of end portions; and the tubular sleeve of filtration material being disposed between the inside wall structure and the outside wall structure of the body wall, thereby filling the plurality of inlet openings.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said tubular sleeve forming step including wrapping the filtration material around a mandrel and welding the filtration material to form a seam.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said forming step further includes laser cutting upper and lower ends of the tubular sleeve to prevent fraying of the filtration material.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said injection molding step includes injecting a molten polypropylene material.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said injection molding step includes forming the outside wall structure as a plurality of transverse and longitudinal struts so as to define the plurality of inlet openings therebetween.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said injection molding step further includes forming the inside wall structure as a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, the ribs being axially aligned with the longitudinal struts such that the filtration material is sealed therebetween during said molding step.  
     
     
         19 . A filtration device manufactured according to the method of claim  13 .