Fuel filter device

Abstract

A fuel filter device includes a bag-shape filter body and a space forming member disposed in the filter body. The filter body includes an upper surface part, and a lower surface part welded with the upper surface part at edges to form a bag shape. At least the lower surface part has a woven mesh outer layer part, a first inner layer part situated adjacent to the outer layer part and formed of a melt blown non-woven cloth, and a second inner layer part situated adjacent to the first inner layer part at a side opposite to the outer layer part. The second inner layer part is formed of a spun-bonded non-woven cloth. The upper surface part and the lower surface part are all made of polypropylene that is not soaked and swollen with fuel to thereby maintain a mesh size of the filter body without change.

1 . A fuel filter device to be attached to a fuel intake port in a fuel tank, comprising:
 a bag-shape filter body comprising an upper surface part, and a lower surface part welded with the upper surface part at edges to form a bag shape, at least said lower surface part having a woven mesh outer layer part, a first inner layer part situated adjacent to the outer layer part and formed of a melt blown non-woven cloth, and a second inner layer part situated adjacent to the first inner layer part at a side opposite to the outer layer part, said second inner layer part being formed of a spun-bonded non-woven cloth, wherein said upper surface part and said lower surface part including said outer layer part and said first and second inner layer parts are all made of polypropylene that is not soaked and swollen with fuel to thereby maintain a mesh size of the filter body without change, and said outer layer part and said second inner layer part with the first inner layer part therebetween forming the lower surface part have welded edges welded together along the edges and spot fused portions fused together inside the edges, and   a space forming member disposed in the filter body for maintaining the filter body in an expanded bag-shape, said space forming member contacting said lower surface part only at the second inner layer part.   
   
   
       2 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second inner layer part has a fiber thicker than that of the first inner layer part, and said first inner layer part has a mesh size portion thinner than that of second inner layer part. 
   
   
       3 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 2 , wherein said woven mesh has a mesh size sufficiently small for oil-water separation. 
   
   
       4 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 3 , wherein said upper and lower surface parts are folded with the space forming member therebetween and bonded together at the edges thereof. 
   
   
       5 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an injection molded socket body made of a plastic, said socket body being located in a hole of the upper surface part and integrally molded therewith, said socket body having a first outer flange contacting an outer surface of the upper surface part, a second outer flange contacting an inner surface of the upper surface part, and a hole passing through the socket body. 
   
   
       6 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 5 , wherein said space forming member comprises a connecting part connected to the second outer flange, a round hole disposed immediately below the socket body, a plurality of branch parts joining the connecting part and extending radially outwardly from the connecting part, and bump parts projecting upwardly and downwardly from the branch parts to form the space between the upper and lower surface parts. 
   
   
       7 . A fuel filter device according to  claim 6 , wherein said branch parts have outer ends connected to each other to form peripheral portion of the space forming member.