Disposable polymer-structured filter

Abstract

The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit includes a disposable, polymer-structured filtering funnel with a stem having a distal tip. A flow discharge end is formed at the distal tip. Preferably, a polymer fritted filter disc is positioned in the funnel, providing filtering for liquids passing therethrough. The kit preferably also includes a glass vacuum take-off adapter having a port for connecting to a vacuum source for providing negative pressure. The adapter securely and snuggly receives the funnel and maintains position of the distal tip thereof with the flow discharge end below the port, thus preventing contaminants from entering the adapter. A reusable, glass round bottle flask or a disposable vial receives the adapter and the stem of the funnel. The funnel and fritted disc are formed from disposable materials, thus removing the necessity of cleaning them following use. The adapter is reusable, since no contaminants come in contact therewith during filtering.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit, comprising:
 a disposable funnel having an upper portion and a detachable lower portion, the lower portion comprising a base, a top end of said base having a concavity and the lower end thereof defining a stem having a flow discharge end positioned at a distal tip thereof;   a filter disc received within the concavity of the lower portion of the funnel, the filtering funnel being constructed of a polymer;   a vacuum take-off adapter having a port adapted for connection to an external vacuum source, the vacuum-take off adapter having a body portion with a funnel engaging end and a flask or vial engaging end, wherein the funnel engaging end of the vacuum take-off adapter receives the lower portion of the filtering funnel, and wherein the vacuum take-off adapter has a funnel joint that receives the stem of the funnel; and   a bottle flask or vial releasably connected to the adapter at the flask or vial engaging end; wherein   the stem passes through a joint that is positioned within an upper portion of the vacuum take-off adapter such that the flow discharge end is positioned within the bottle flask or vial, such that the distal tip of the stem extends past the adapter when the funnel, adapter and flask are assembled.   
     
     
         22 . The polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 21 , wherein the filter disc is formed from a porous polymeric material. 
     
     
         23 . The polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 22 , wherein the polymeric material of the filtering funnel and the porous polymeric material of the filter disc are selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, styrene, polyfluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         24 . The polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 21 , wherein the filter disc comprises a main body having at least one aperture formed therethrough. 
     
     
         25 . The polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one sheet of filter paper, the filter disc being releasably wrapped in the at least one sheet of filter paper. 
     
     
         26 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 21 , wherein the stem has a minimum length of twenty millimeters and a preferred length of eighty millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 21 , wherein the stem has an inner joint which fits the funnel ground joint of the glass adapter tightly to prevent leakage. 
     
     
         28 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit of  claim 21 , wherein the flask has a joint in size of 14 mm/20 mm, 19 mm/22 mm, 24 mm/25 mm, 24 mm/40 mm or 29 mm/42 mm.