Patent ID: 7806274
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A vacuum filter assembly for filtering a feed liquid into a filtrate container consisting essentially of a closed housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the housing having a cross sectional design selected from the group consisting of curves and domes wherein the design is of a height and volume sufficient to retain any air that may be introduced from the feed liquid into the housing without disrupting the vacuum flow, a vertically oriented inlet formed in the upper portion of the housing such that liquid enters the housing in a vertically downward direction and wherein the inlet is formed in the upper portion at a height lower than the highest point of the upper portion of the housing, an outlet formed in the lower portion of the housing, a filter sealed in a liquid tight manner in the housing upstream of the outlet wherein the filter in the housing upstream of the outlet consists only of a hydrophilic, microporous filter, a vacuum port in the lower portion of the housing downstream of the filter and located to communicate with an interior of the filtrate container to produce a vacuum within the filtrate container when the housing is attached to the filtrate container and when the vacuum port is connected to a vacuum supply, wherein the outlet and vacuum port are separate and located adjacent each other and the housing containing a gasket at its lower most surface for establishing a seal for the vacuum with the filtrate container.