Filter System with Integral Media Retainer Seal

Abstract

A filter system having a filter media retainer seal includes: at least one underdrain block having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall; a filter media retainer mounted onto the top wall of the at least one underdrain block; and at least one rib positioned between the underdrain block and the filter media retainer. The at least one rib forms a seal between the underdrain block and the filter media retainer, and prevents filter media from entering the underdrain block. The at least one rib can be monolithically formed to the at least one underdrain block. Alternatively, the at least one rib is monolithically formed to the filter media retainer. The rib is crushable and/or it bites into a surface on the adjoining part to reduce or eliminate the need for a separate sealant.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underdrain block for a filter system, the underdrain block comprising:
 a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and at least one crushable rib projecting out from the underdrain block, wherein the at least one crushable rib is monolithically formed to the underdrain block.   
     
     
         2 . The underdrain block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one crushable rib projects out from the top wall of the underdrain block. 
     
     
         3 . The underdrain block of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one crushable rib projects out from the top wall of the underdrain block at a height ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The underdrain block of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one crushable rib comprises a width ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The underdrain block of  claim 2 , wherein the underdrain block comprises a plurality of crushable ribs projecting out from the top wall. 
     
     
         6 . The underdrain block of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of crushable ribs projecting out from the top wall have different heights ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The underdrain block of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one crushable rib extends continuously around a perimeter of the top wall of the underdrain block. 
     
     
         8 . The underdrain block of  claim 1 , wherein the underdrain block further comprises a rail that extends along at least one outer side edge of the top wall of the underdrain block, wherein the rail projects out of the top wall of the underdrain block in a direction opposite the bottom wall. 
     
     
         9 . The underdrain block of  claim 8 , wherein the rail is monolithically formed to the underdrain block. 
     
     
         10 . The underdrain block of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one crushable rib is monolithically formed to the rail. 
     
     
         11 . A filter media retainer comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib projecting from the bottom surface, wherein the rib is monolithically formed to the bottom surface of the filter media retainer.   
     
     
         12 . The filter media retainer of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rib projects out from the bottom surface of the filter media retainer at a height ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The filter media retainer of  claim 11 , wherein the filter media retainer comprises a plurality of ribs projecting out from the bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The filter media retainer of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of ribs projecting out from the bottom surface have different heights ranging from 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The filter media retainer of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rib extends continuously around a perimeter of the bottom surface of the filter media retainer. 
     
     
         16 . A filter system having a filter media retainer seal, the filter system comprising:
 at least one underdrain block comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall;   a filter media retainer mounted onto the top wall of the at least one underdrain block; and   at least one rib positioned between the at least one underdrain block and the filter media retainer,   wherein the at least one rib forms a seal between the underdrain block and the filter media retainer, thereby preventing filter media from entering the underdrain block.   
     
     
         17 . The filter system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one rib is monolithically formed to the at least one underdrain block. 
     
     
         18 . The filter system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one rib collapses when the filter media retainer is mounted onto the at least one underdrain block. 
     
     
         19 . The filter system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one rib is monolithically formed to the filter media retainer. 
     
     
         20 . The filter system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one rib bites into the at least one underdrain block when the filter media retainer is mounted onto the top wall of the at least one underdrain block.