Filter timer
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorRonald C. Johansson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A timer that starts a time cycle when a filter is placed into a housing is disclosed. The timer cycle will not reinitiate a new time cycle when the previously used filter is removed from the housing and reinserted into the housing. In one embodiment, the filter timer assembly includes a filter having a filter media surrounded by a filter frame, a housing for supporting the filter, a piercing post connected to the housing moveable between a first resting position and a second position in direct contact with the filter frame, and a timer connected to the piercing post. The piercing post punctures a portion of the filter frame to create an opening in the filter frame. The timer initiates a count when the piercing post is actuated to the second position.
Claims17
A filter timer assembly comprising:
- a filter comprising a filter media surrounded by a filter frame;
- a housing for supporting the filter;
- a piercing post connected to the housing moveable between a first resting position and a second position in direct contact with the filter frame, wherein the piercing post punctures a portion of the filter frame to create an opening in the filter frame;
- a timer connected to the piercing post;
- wherein the timer initiates a count when the piercing post is actuated from the first resting position to the second position and wherein the piercing post returns to the first resting position following puncture of the portion of the filter frame, whereby the timer maintains the count until the piercing post is returned to the second position.
A filter timer assembly comprising:
- a filter comprising a filter media surrounded by a filter frame, wherein the filter frame includes a first portion having a first structural integrity and a second portion having a second structural integrity that is less than the first structural integrity;
- a housing for supporting the filter;
- a piercing post connected to the housing moveable between a first resting position and a second position in direct contact with the second portion of the filter frame, wherein the piercing post punctures the second portion of the filter frame to create an opening in the filter frame;
- a timer connected to the piercing post;
- wherein the timer initiates a count when the piercing post is actuated from the first position to the second position and wherein the piercing post returns to the first resting position following puncture of the portion of the filter frame, whereby the timer maintains the count until the piercing post is returned to the second position.
A method of timing the life of a filter comprising:
- providing a filter comprising a filter media surrounded by a filter frame;
- providing a piercing post connected to a housing that supports the filter, wherein the piercing post is in a first resting position;
- providing a timer connected to the piercing post;
- inserting the filter into the housing;
- contacting the filter frame directly with the piercing post;
- actuating the piercing post to a second position;
- initiating a count on the timer;
- piercing the piercing post through the filter frame to create a first opening;
- actuating the piercing post through the first opening;
- returning the piercing position to the first resting position;
- maintaining the count until the piercing post is returned to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.