Chromatographic filter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016114262-A1
Application number	US-201414896135-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 6, 2014
Priority date	Jun 7, 2013
Publication date	Apr 28, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention provides filters and methods of assembling filters. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter includes a porous element, a compression element, and a housing. The compression element can be configured to receive the porous element, thereby forming an assembly. For example, the compression element can receive the porous element in a slip-fit relationship. The housing can have an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly can be retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein. For example, the opening can receive the assembly in a press-fit relationship.

First claim

1 . A filter comprising:
a porous element, a compression element configured to receive the porous element, thereby forming an assembly, and a housing having an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive the assembly, wherein the assembly is retained within the opening when the assembly is received therein.

2 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the compression element receives the porous element in a slip-fit relationship.

3 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the opening receives the assembly in a press-fit relationship.

4 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the porous element has a uniform radial porosity when the assembly is retained within the housing.

5 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the compression element comprises a cylindrical body having an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface.

6 . (canceled)

7 . The filter of claim 5 , wherein the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body has a first diameter at an intersection between the outer circumferential surface and the upper surface and a second diameter at an intersection between the outer circumferential surface and the lower surface, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

8 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the porous element comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential sidewall intersecting the upper surface and the lower surface and wherein a porosity of the upper surface of the porous element is substantially the same as a porosity of the lower surface of the porous element when the assembly is retained within the opening in the housing.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the opening in the housing comprises an inner circumferential sidewall, the inner circumferential sidewall comprising an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the inner circumferential sidewall of the opening has a first diameter at an intersection between the inner circumferential sidewall and the upper edge and a second diameter at an intersection between the inner circumferential sidewall and the lower edge, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

11 . (canceled)

12 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the compression element is flush with an upper edge of the opening in the housing when the assembly is retained within the housing.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the compression element extends beyond an upper edge of the opening in the housing when the assembly is retained within the housing.

15 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the porous element comprises a frit.

16 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the compression element comprises a polyetheretherketone ring.

17 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the compression element includes a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, polyetheretherketone, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

18 - 20 . (canceled)

22 . A method of assembling a filter comprising:
providing a porous element; providing a compression element configured to receive the porous element; inserting the porous element into the compression element to form an assembly; providing a housing having an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive the assembly; inserting the assembly into the opening such that the assembly is retained therein.

23 - 27 . (canceled)

28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the compression element receives the porous element in a slip-fit relationship and the step of inserting the porous element into the compression element comprises slipping the porous element into the compression element and wherein the opening receives the assembly in a press-fit relationship and the step of inserting the assembly into the housing comprises pressing the assembly into the housing.

29 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the step of inserting the assembly into the opening comprises applying a force to the assembly, the force being sufficient to advance the assembly into the opening in the housing.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the porous element and the compression element remain stationary relative to one another as the assembly is advanced into the opening in the housing.

31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein an interaction between the inner circumferential wall of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the compression element converts the force applied to the assembly into a radial force between the inner circumferential surface of the compression element and the outer surface of the porous element.

32 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the porous element has a uniform radial porosity when the assembly is retained within the housing.

33 . The method of claim 22 , wherein a porosity of the upper surface of the porous element is substantially the same as a porosity of the lower surface of the porous element when the assembly is retained within the housing

34 - 38 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Waters Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Delano Mathew H
• Belanger Jonathan
• Fisk Raymond P

Classifications

• G01N30/6047

  with supporting means; Holders · CPC title

• B01D15/22

  relating to the construction of the column · CPC title

• B01D35/04

  Plug, tap, or cock filters {filtering elements mounted in or on a faucet} · CPC title

• B01D35/02

  Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, (B01D35/05 takes precedence; {water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70}) · CPC title

• B01D27/08

  Construction of the casing · CPC title