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AssigneeMillipore Corporation
InventorsStephen Proulx, David DeCoste, Frank Lentine, Mark Carroll, Brian Pereira, George Perivolotis, John Leonard Burns JR.
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The present invention relates to a filter element having a non-porous extrusion laminated strip formed on at least one edge and at least one side of a membrane. The strip is used to provide a means for ensuring a good bond between the filter element and the material into which it is potted. The strip is formed by the use of one or more extrusion heads that apply molten or softened polymer to one or both of the surfaces of the filter in a width and height desired. The strip is then subjected to pressure such as through a nip to at least partially embed the polymer strip into the filter pores so as to create a strong mechanical bond between the strip and the filter element. Additionally, it allows for the simultaneous formation of more than one membrane with the edge lamination at the same time.
1) A membrane having a porous structure having at least one lateral edge, the at least one lateral edge having a first and a second major surface and at least the first major surface of at least one lateral edge contains a non-porous extruded strip of plastic material.
6) A filter comprising at least one membrane having a porous structure and at least one lateral edge, the at least one of the lateral edge having a first and a second major surface and at least one of the at least one lateral edge containing a non-porous extruded strip of plastic material wherein the strip is formed by a process comprising the steps of selecting a membrane, selecting a material for the strip, heating the material for the strip to a temperature at or above its melting pointing point and applying the material to at least one major surface of at least lateral edge of the membrane.
10) A filter comprising a cartridge having a first and a second end, a first endcap and second endcap, the first endcap containing an inlet to the cartridge and the second endcap containing an outlet from the cartridge and at least one membrane having a porous structure and two lateral edges, each lateral edge having a first and a second major surface and at least the first major surface of each lateral edge contains a non-porous extruded strip of plastic material and wherein the strips are bonded to the first and second endcaps to form an integral, fluid tight seal between the lateral edges of the membrane and the endcaps such that all fluid entering the inlet must pass through the membrane before reaching the outlet.
21) A process for the formation of a sealing edge on a membrane comprising the steps of selecting a membrane, selecting a material for the sealing edge, heating the material to a temperature at or above its melting pointing point and applying the material to one or more portions of the membrane.
26) An apparatus for forming a nonporous plastic strip on one or more locations of a porous membrane comprising a roll for membrane for the apparatus, one or more tension rollers, one or more guide rollers, a lamination roll, an extrusion die capable of applying one or more strips of heated nonporous plastic material onto one or more selected portions of the membrane surface, a pressure roll to partially embedded into the membrane, one or more guide rollers, one or more tension rolls and a wind up roll.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.