Patent ID: 8272418
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: B01D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for manufacturing irregularly shaped panel filters, comprising: a filter medium source capable of dispensing a continuous length of filter medium; a scoring section in filter medium receiving communication with the filter medium source, the scoring section operable to form score lines in the filter medium; a first gathering section in filter medium receiving communication with the scoring section, the first gathering section operable to fold the filter medium along the score lines; an unfolding section in filter medium receiving communication with the first gathering section, the unfolding section operable to unfold the folded filter medium received from the first gathering section and flattening said folded filter medium such that said filter medium is substantially flat; a shaping section in filter medium receiving communication with the unfolding section, the shaping section comprising at least one cutting head comprising a filter medium cutting portion, wherein said cutting head is moveable laterally across a width of the filter medium; and a second gathering section downstream of and in filter medium receiving communication with the shaping section, the second gathering section operable to re-fold the filter medium along the score lines; wherein: said shaping section including said cutting head is downstream of said scoring section, said first gathering section, and said unfolding section; said shaping section including said cutting head is upstream of said second gathering section; said unfolding section and said shaping section are between said first and second gathering sections, wherein the first gathering section comprises a first number of filter medium driving rollers and the second gathering section comprises a second number of filter medium driving rollers, wherein the first number is greater than the second number in order to exert a higher force to bend the filter medium at each of the score lines forming a plurality of pleats.