# US 12,758,906 B2 · Systems and methods for filter and/or debris disposal for an extraction system filter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,906 B2 - Document ID: US12758906B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/668,806 - Filed: 2022-02-10 - Published: 2022-08-18 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-16 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Mitchell James Muske; Allan T. Hilbert; Jeremy Bruesewitz; William Gardner; Joseph C. Schneider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758906B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads} - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/0015: {Throw-away type filters} - B01D 46/0091: {Including arrangements for environmental or personal protection} - B01D 46/42: Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof - B01D 46/4227: {Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools} - B01D 46/88: Replacing filter elements - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract The disclosed filter and/or debris disposal system is configured to easily dispose of filter elements, filter media, and/or debris with minimal resources, and/or effort. In some examples, a flexible container is employed to enclose a used filter element prior to removal of the filter from the extractor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter disposal system for an airborne extractor system comprising: a flexible container configured to enclose a filter element, the flexible container being defined by a first configuration corresponding to an airborne extraction operation and the flexible container further being defined by a second configuration corresponding to a disposal operation; and a filter enclosure including an opening configured to receive and house at least a portion of the filter element in a filter-housing area of the filter enclosure, wherein the flexible container is arranged between the filter-housing area of the filter enclosure and a periphery the filter enclosure in the first configuration, and the flexible container covers the filter-housing area of the filter enclosure in the second configuration, wherein the flexible container being stored at an end of the filter enclosure opposite the opening, when the flexible container is in the first configuration during an airborne extraction operation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible container includes one or more fasteners to attach the flexible container to the filter enclosure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more fasteners include one or more of a magnet, a screw, or a hook. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible container is stored in a sealed package configured to be opened at initiation of the disposal operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the filter element is configured to be removed through the opening during a disposal operation, the flexible container configured to be removed from the sealed package, and to enclose the filter element as the flexible container is drawn from the end of the filter enclosure toward the opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the flexible container further comprises a seal to close the filter element within the flexible container in the second configuration. ### Claim 7 A filter disposal system for an airborne extractor system comprising: a flexible container configured to enclose a filter element, the flexible container being defined by a first configuration corresponding to an airborne extraction operation and the flexible container further being defined by a second configuration corresponding to a disposal operation; and a filter enclosure configured to house at least a portion of the filter element in a filter-housing area, wherein the flexible container is arranged between the filter-housing area, of the filter enclosure and a periphery of the filter enclosure in the first configuration and covers the filter-housing area of the filter enclosure in second configuration, wherein the flexible container is configured to expand to enclose the filter element as the filter element is removed from the filter enclosure, wherein the flexible container is stored in a sealed package configured to be opened at initiation of the disposal operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible container comprises an air-tight, flexible material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible container is configured to be sealed to enclose the filter element in the second configuration as the filter element is removed from the filter enclosure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the filter enclosure is configured to permit removal of the filter element through an opening in the filter enclosure during a disposal operation, the flexible container configured to be removed from the sealed package, and to enclose the filter element as the flexible container is drawn from an end of the filter enclosure toward the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the flexible container further comprises a seal configured to close the filter element within the flexible container in the second configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the filter enclosure is configured to receive the filter element through an opening of the filter enclosure, the flexible container being stored at an end of the filter enclosure opposite the opening when the filter enclosure is in the first configuration during an airborne extraction operation.