Gutter filter

Abstract

A rain gutter filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element of a reticulated foam material adapted for insertion into a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter. The filter element has a flat top surface with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the top width of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces extending upward from the bottom surface of the filter element to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water on front and rear sides of the bottom surface of the filter element when the filter element is installed into the gutter. The reticulated foam material of the filter element has a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.

1 . A gutter protection system, comprising; a rain gutter filter apparatus installed in a gutter, the gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter, the filter apparatus comprising, a filter element of reticulated foam material having a top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces thereof extending upward from the bottom surface, forming a front and a rear open passage for water to the front and rear of the bottom surface, the front open passage defined between the front surface and the gutter, the rear open passage defined between the rear surface and the gutter. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising multiple filter elements disposed end to end with one another in the gutter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter element is comprised of a reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reticulated foam provides a cell count in the range of 20 to 40 cells per inch. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the reticulated foam material provides a cell count of approximately 30 plus or minus 6 cells per inch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface, when the bottom surface is supported on a corresponding bottom wall of the gutter. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the filter element is comprised of reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays. 
     
     
         8 . A gutter protection system comprising:
 a reticulated foam insert adapted to fit within a gutter and further having at least substantially the same width as the gutter, and the foam insert comprising an antimicrobial additive and a fire retardant additive.   
     
     
         9 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the antimicrobial additive is incorporated in the reticulated foam. 
     
     
         10 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the reticulated foam meets the fire resistance requirements from government specifications delineated in FMVSS-302. 
     
     
         11 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the antimicrobial additive comprises a bactericide and a fungicide. 
     
     
         12 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , the foam insert further comprising a UV stabilizer additive. 
     
     
         13 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 12 , wherein the UV stabilizer additive is incorporated in the reticulated foam. 
     
     
         14 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the gutter has an open top defining the width of the gutter; and   the reticulated foam insert comprises a filter element of reticulated foam material having a top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the width of the gutter, a bottom thereof having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, to thereby form a passage for water in the gutter around the bottom of the filter element below the top of foam insert when the filter element is installed into the gutter.   
     
     
         15 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the reticulated foam comprises reticulated polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         16 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the reticulated foam comprises reticulated polyether foam. 
     
     
         17 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the gutter has an open top defining the width of the gutter; and   the reticulated foam insert comprises a filter element of reticulated foam material having a top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the width of the gutter, a bottom thereof having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, to thereby form a passage for water in the gutter around the bottom of the filter element below the top of foam insert when the filter element is installed into the gutter.   
     
     
         18 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 8 , the foam insert further comprising a color additive. 
     
     
         19 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 12 , the foam insert further comprising a color additive. 
     
     
         20 . A gutter protection system comprising:
 a reticulated foam insert adapted to fit within a gutter and further having at least substantially the same width as the gutter, and   the foam insert comprising a UV stabilizer additive and a fire retardant additive.   
     
     
         21 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 20 , wherein the UV stabilizer additive is incorporated in the reticulated foam. 
     
     
         22 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 21 , wherein the fire retardant additive is incorporated into the reticulated foam. 
     
     
         23 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 22 , wherein the reticulated foam meets the fire resistance requirements from government specifications delineated in FMVSS-302. 
     
     
         24 . A gutter protection system as described in  claim 20 , wherein the reticulated foam meets the fire resistance requirements from government specifications delineated in FMVSS-302.