US 6,662,842 B2 · Apparatus for making melt-blown filter cartridges

Abstract

Filter cartridges may have a core element formed of a non-filtering, self-supporting non-woven mass of indefinite length continuous synthetic polymeric core fibers, and at least one annular filtration zone layer formed of a mass of non-woven indefinite length continuous synthetic polymeric filtration fibers. The non-woven core element is most preferably formed in situ during filter cartridge manufacturing by melt-blowing synthetic polymeric core fiber streams toward a forming mandrel. The non-woven core element is completely solidified prior to the filtration zone fibers being melt-blown thereon so that the core and filtration fibers are predominantly mechanically interlocked with one another, instead of being melt-bonded thereto. Filter cartridges of predetermined length may be cut from an upstream filter cartridge preform of indefinite length by subjecting the preform to forced cooling air to thereby minimize (if not eliminate entirely) significant filter cartridge shrinkage over time. In addition, a cutter assembly may be mounted laterally of the preform, but is capable of rate-synchronized longitudinal movement with the preform during its cutting operation.

Claims26

Dependent claims

Apparatus for the continuous production of filter cartridges comprising:

a melt-blowing system for melt-blowing continuous length thermoplastic filtration fibers and collecting a non-woven mass thereof to form an axially elongate filter cartridge preform;
a drive assembly for rotating the preform about its longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction and for axially translating the preform in a downstream direction at a predetermined axial translation rate;
a cutting system positioned downstream of the melt-blowing system for severing a downstream section of the preform and obtaining a filter cartridge therefrom, wherein
said cutting system includes a cutting device, and a carriage assembly for the cutting device to allow for movements of the cutting device parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform simultaneously while the cutting device is moved toward and away from the preform perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis thereof.

1 more element

Apparatus for the continuous production of filter cartridges comprising:

a melt-blowing system for melt-blowing continuous length thermoplastic filtration fibers and collecting a non-woven mass thereof to form an axially elongate filter cartridge preform;
a drive assembly for rotating the preform about its longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction and for axially translating the preform in a downstream direction at a predetermined axial translation rate;
a cutting system positioned downstream of the melt-blowing system for severing a downstream section of the preform and obtaining a filter cartridge therefrom;
and
a transfer system positioned downstream of said cutting system for transferring the filter cartridge which is severe from the filter cartridge preform to another location, wherein
said cutting system includes a cutting device, and a carriage assembly for the cutting system to allow for movements of the cutting device parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform simultaneously while the cutting device is moved toward and away from the preform perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, and wherein
said transfer system includes a transfer arm laterally positioned relative to the filter cartridge, and having a distal end which includes gripping fingers moveable between open and closed conditions, said transfer arm being pivotally mounted at a proximal end thereof for movements between a first position wherein the gripping fingers are capable of gripping the filter cartridge, and a second position wherein the gripping fingers and the filter cartridge gripped thereby is located at another location laterally of the preform.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for making melt-blown filter cartridges

Life of this patent

Apparatus for making melt-blown filter cartridges

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26