US 6,616,785 B2Granted

Filter forming and joining method

AssigneeMidmac Systems

InventorsTimothy R. Hedlund, Wilmer E. Blietz, Kevin D. Strand, James R. Sim, Gregory V. Spaulding, Theodore W. Jagger, Michael S. Perreault

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Abstract

A filter forming and joining method of the present invention automatically forms a succession of metal-free cylindrical filter elements from a pleat block of pleated filter material, each pleat block having a first end pleat at a first end of the pleat block and a second end pleat at a second end of the pleat block. The method includes using a pleat block isolator for isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks in preparation for filter formation, a filter former for manipulating each isolated pleat block along a forming path into a hollow cylinder shape, the hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block having a first end pleat and a second end pleat positioned adjacent each other, and a filter joiner for bonding together the adjacent first and second end pleats of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block producing a metal-free cylindrical filter element.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of automatically and continuously forming a succession of metal-free cylindrical filter elements, each from a pleat block of pleated filter material having a first end of the pleat block and a second end of the pleat block, using a filter forming and joining apparatus, the apparatus including a pleat block isolator, a filter former and a filter joiner, the method comprising the steps of:

a. isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks within the pleat block isolator in preparation for filter element formation;
b. manipulating each isolated pleat block continuously along a forming path into a hollow cylinder shape within the filter former, each isolated pleat block including a first end pleat at the first end of the pleat block and a second end pleat at the second end of the pleat block, by receiving the first end pleat and the second end pleat of each isolated pleat block within a first enclosed forming rail and a second enclosed forming rail, respectively, mounted along the forming path, and guiding the first end pleat and second end pleat into position with a surface of the first end pleat and a surface of the second end pleat adjacent each other when the isolated pleat block is in the hollow cylinder shape by progressively rotating through a 180 degree rotation the first end pleat and the second end pleat while located within the first and second enclosed forming rails, respectively;
and
c. bonding together the surface of the first end pleat and the surface of the second end pleat of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block within the filter joiner while continuously moving each hollow cylinder-shaped pleat block along the forming path to produce a metal-free cylindrical filter element.

1 more element

A method of automatically and continuously forming a succession of cylindrical filter elements, each from a pleat block of pleated filter material, each pleat block having first and second ends and a plurality of pleats directed longitudinally along the pleat block between the first and second ends of the pleat block, using a filter forming and joining apparatus, the apparatus including a pleat block isolator, a filter former and a filter joiner, the method comprising the steps of:

isolating successive individual pleat blocks from other pleat blocks in a succession of pleat blocks within the pleat block isolator in preparation for filter element formation by aligning the succession of pleat blocks upon a plane with the pleats of each individual pleat block oriented perpendicular to a direction of travel of the succession of pleat blocks into the pleat block isolator;
aligning and compressing the pleats in the succession of pleat blocks prior to their entrance into the isolator using a compression conveyer;
smoothly changing direction of travel of each individual pleat upon the plane as each isolated pleat block moves from the pleat block isolator along a forming path in a direction of travel that is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the succession of pleat blocks into the pleat block isolator, and orienting the pleats of each isolated pleat block in the same direction of travel as that of the forming path;
after the step of smoothly changing direction, manipulating each isolated pleat block along the forming path into a hollow cylinder shape within the filter former, the hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block having a first end pleat and a second end pleat positioned adjacent each other;
and
bonding together the adjacent first end pleat and second end pleat of each hollow cylinder-shaped isolated pleat block within the filter joiner, while continuously moving each hollow cylinder-shaped pleat block along the forming path to produce a cylindrical filter element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/812,155Filed 19 Mar 2001 · division
Priority: 4 Feb 1999
Published: US 2003/0131925 A117 Jul 2003
Granted: 9 Sep 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B01D 46/521
Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filters embodying folded corrugated or wound sheet material: using folded, pleated material
B01D 29/111
With bag, cage, hose, tube, sleeve or like filtering elements: making filtering elements
B01D 29/21
Arranged for inward flow filtration: with corrugated, folded or wound sheets
B01D 46/0001
Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours: making filtering elements