# US 7,410,518 B2 · Filter removal devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,518 B2 - Document ID: US7410518B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/025,387 - Filed: 2004-12-29 - Published: 2006-06-29 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2004-12-29 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: Douglas C. Sundet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410518B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/88: Replacing filter elements - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - B01D 46/4227: {Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools} - F24F 13/28: Arrangement or mounting of filters - B01D 2279/50: for air conditioning - Y10S 55/31: Filter frame - 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) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A device for facilitating removal of a filter from an air circulation system includes a flexible element having a first, low profile position adjacent a surface of the filter and a second, extended position spaced from the surface of the filter. When in the extended position the flexible element provides a graspable or grippable medium for removing the filter from the air circulation system. The device also includes attaching means for securing the flexible element to the filter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for facilitating removal of a filter from an air circulation system, the filter including a filter frame and a filter media disposed within and attached to the filter frame, the filter media having a first major surface and a second major surface, and the filter frame having at least a surface that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media, the device comprising: a flexible element having a first, low profile position flat against the surface of the filter frame that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media, and a second, extended position spaced from the transversely-oriented surface of the filter frame, wherein when in the extended position the flexible element provides a graspable or grippable medium for removing the filter from the air circulation system; and attaching means for securing the flexible element to the filter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible element is ring-shaped and adapted to receive a finger. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible element comprises a handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible element comprises a foldable tab including a slot adapted for receiving a writable article. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible element comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a fastener including a plurality of resilient ribs which extend through an aperture in the filter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises an end bar of a tag fastener. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises an adhesive material. ### Claim 9 An assembly comprising: a filter frame; a filter media disposed within and attached to the filter frame for filtering particulate contaminants from an air stream, the filter media having a first major surface and a second major surface for air flow through the filter media from the first major surface to the second major surface and the filter frame having at least a surface that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media; and a device secured to the filter frame which is urgable substantially flat against the filter frame surface that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media when the filter is disposed in the air stream and which is extendable from the transversely-oriented filter frame surface to provide a graspable or grippable medium to facilitate removal of the filter from the air stream. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible element is ring-shaped and adapted to receive a finger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible element comprises a handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible element comprises a foldable tab including a slot adapted for receiving a writable article. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible element comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, and further comprising: a lattice adjacent at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the filter media for supporting the filter media. ### Claim 15 A device for facilitating removal of a filter from an air circulation system, the filter including a filter frame and a filter media disposed within and attached to the filter frame, the filter media having a first major surface and a second major surface, and the filter frame having at least a surface that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media, the device attachable to the filter frame and comprising: a flexible element which is positionable substantially flat against the surface of the filter frame that is oriented transversely to the major surfaces of the filter media when the filter is disposed in the air circulation system and which is extendable from the transversely-oriented filter frame surface to provide a grippable medium for pulling the filter from the air circulation system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible element is ring-shaped and adapted to receive a finger. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible element comprises a handle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible element comprises a foldable tab including a slot adapted for receiving a writable article. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible element comprises a polymeric material.