Fume filter bank with panel filter

Abstract

A filter bank includes a filter enclosure. A first filter panel and a second filter panel are flexibly joined along respective proximal ends of the first filter panel and the second filter panel by a living hinge. A first sealing gasket extends along a distal end of the first filter panel and forms a first air seal within the filter enclosure. A second sealing gasket extends along a distal end of the second filter panel and forms a second air seal within the filter enclosure. A third sealing gasket extends along the living hinge. A pivoting sealing rail pivots within the filter enclosure to form a third air seal against said third sealing gasket extending along the living hinge

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter, comprising:
 a first filter panel;   a second filter panel; and   a living hinge flexibly joining respective proximal ends of the first filter panel and the second filter panel, wherein flexing of the living hinge permits unfolding of the first filter panel and the second filter panel from a folded state in which a distal end of the first filter panel is adjacent a distal end of the second filter panel to a V-shaped state in which the distal end of the first filter panel is separated from the distal end of the second filter panel;   a first sealing gasket extending along the distal end of the first filter panel; and   a second sealing gasket extending along the distal end of the second filter panel;   wherein the distal end of the first filter panel and the distal end of the second filter panel are T-shaped.   
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the living hinge extends along the respective proximal ends of the first filter panel and the second filter panel. 
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket are elastomeric. 
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the first filter panel and the second filter panel include a filter media. 
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 4 , wherein the filter media is one of cellulose, polyester, and glass media. 
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a third sealing gasket extending along the living hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising respective additional sealing gaskets extending along the distal ends of the first filter panel and the second filter panel. 
     
     
         8 . A filter, comprising:
 a first filter panel having a first T-shaped distal flanged end;   a second filter panel having a second T-shaped distal flanged end; and   a living hinge extending between a proximal end of the first filter panel and a proximal end of the second filter panel, wherein flexing of the living hinge permits unfolding of the first filter panel and the second filter panel from a folded state in which the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel is adjacent the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel to a V-shaped state in which the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel is separated from the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel;   a first sealing gasket extending along the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel; and   a second sealing gasket extending along the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel.   
     
     
         9 . The filter of  claim 8 , wherein the living hinge extends along the proximal end of the first filter panel and the proximal end of the second filter panel. 
     
     
         10 . The filter of  claim 8 , wherein the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket are elastomeric. 
     
     
         11 . The filter of  claim 8 , wherein the first filter panel and the second filter panel include a filter media. 
     
     
         12 . The filter of  claim 11 , wherein the filter media is one of cellulose, polyester, and glass media. 
     
     
         13 . The filter of  claim 8 , further comprising a third sealing gasket extending along the living hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The filter of  claim 8 , further comprising an additional sealing gasket extending along the first T-shaped distal flanged end and another additional sealing gasket extending along the second T-shaped distal flanged end. 
     
     
         15 . A filter, comprising:
 a first filter panel having a first T-shaped distal flanged end;   a second filter panel having a second T-shaped distal flanged end; and   a living hinge extending between a proximal end of the first filter panel and a proximal end of the second filter panel, wherein flexing of the living hinge permits unfolding of the first filter panel and the second filter panel from a folded state in which the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel is adjacent the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel to a V-shaped state in which the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel is separated from the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel;   a first plurality of sealing gaskets extending along the first T-shaped distal flanged end of the first filter panel;   a second plurality of sealing gaskets extending along the second T-shaped distal flanged end of the second filter panel; and   a third plurality of sealing gaskets extending along the living hinge.   
     
     
         16 . The filter of  claim 15 , wherein the living hinge extends along the proximal end of the first filter panel and the proximal end of the second filter panel. 
     
     
         17 . The filter of  claim 15 , wherein the first plurality of sealing gaskets, the second plurality of sealing gaskets, and the third plurality of sealing gaskets are elastomeric. 
     
     
         18 . The filter of  claim 15 , wherein the first filter panel and the second filter panel include a filter media. 
     
     
         19 . The filter of  claim 18 , wherein the filter media is one of cellulose, polyester, and glass media.