Abstract:
An enhanced liquid filter bag is disclosed. The enhancements to a liquid filter bag disclosed herein include the addition of an internal filter cartridge and the addition of a liquid impermeable liner material that directs the flow of liquid to a centrally located void in the internal filter cartridge.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Liquid filter bags are used in liquid filtration process. Liquids, such as water, containing solid contaminants are introduced into a liquid filter bag in a liquid filtration process. The liquid flows through the liquid filter bag&#39;s filtration media. The liquid filter bag&#39;s filtration media captures the solid contaminants, so the liquid emerging through the liquid filter bag&#39;s filtration media is cleaner than the liquid entering the liquid filter bag. Liquid filter bags come in a number of standardized sizes designed to fit within housings of a corresponding size. Liquid filter bags are constructed of different filtration media designed to filter solid contaminants of a predetermined size. 
         [0002]    It is desired to provide enhancements to a liquid filter bag that improve the lifespan and efficiency of a liquid filter bag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An enhanced liquid filter bag is disclosed. The enhancements to a liquid filter bag disclosed herein include the addition of an internal filter cartridge and the addition of a liquid impermeable liner material that directs the flow of liquid to a centrally located void in the internal filter cartridge. The addition of an internal filter cartridge enhances the lifespan and efficiency of a liquid filter bag. Significantly more solid contaminants can be filtered from a flowing liquid by an enhanced liquid filter bag comprising an internal filter cartridge according to the present disclosure than by a typical liquid filter bag alone. An enhanced liquid filter bag comprising an internal filter cartridge according to the present disclosure also will need to be replaced less frequently than a typical liquid filter bag. 
         [0004]    In at least one embodiment, a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure comprises a bag shaped filter material comprising an open end and a closed end and enclosing a volume; and a liquid impermeable liner material, the liquid impermeable liner material having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, the first open end of the liquid impermeable liner material secured to an inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a cylindrical shape, a top end, a bottom end, an external wall, and an internal wall, the external wall and the internal wall being substantially concentric, the internal wall defining a void that extends from the top end to the bottom end of the filter cartridge, the filter cartridge installed within the volume of the bag shaped filter material with the bottom end of the filter cartridge adjacent an internal surface of the closed end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a rigid core within the void, the rigid core having cylindrical shape, the rigid core abutting the internal wall of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a liquid impermeable cap installed over the void at the bottom end of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a fabric flap, the fabric flap constructed of a liquid permeable material, the fabric flap having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, the fabric flap installed over the liquid impermeable liner material with the first open end of the fabric flap secured to the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material and between the liquid impermeable liner material and the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment of such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure, the second end of the fabric flap and the second end of the liquid impermeable liner material are inserted into the void adjacent the top end of the filter cartridge, whereby the fabric flap and the liquid impermeable liner cover the top end of the filter cartridge except for a portion of the void. 
         [0005]    In at least one embodiment, a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure comprises a bag shaped filter material comprising an open end and a closed end and enclosing a volume; and a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a cylindrical shape, a top end, a bottom end, an external wall, and an internal wall, the external wall and the internal wall being substantially concentric, the internal wall defining a void that extends from the top end to the bottom end of the filter cartridge, the filter cartridge installed within the volume of the bag shaped filter material with the bottom end of the filter cartridge adjacent an internal surface of the closed end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a rigid core within the void, the rigid core having cylindrical shape, the rigid core abutting the internal wall of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a liquid impermeable cap installed over the void at the bottom end of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a liquid impermeable liner material, the liquid impermeable liner material having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, the first open end of the liquid impermeable liner material secured to an inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment of such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure, the second end of the liquid impermeable liner material is inserted into the void adjacent the top end of the filter cartridge, whereby the liquid impermeable liner covers the top end of the filter cartridge except for a portion of the void. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a fabric flap, the fabric flap constructed of a liquid permeable material, the fabric flap having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, the fabric flap installed over the liquid impermeable liner material with the first open end of the fabric flap secured to the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material and between the liquid impermeable liner material and the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment of such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure, the second end of the fabric flap is inserted into the void adjacent the top end of the filter cartridge, whereby the fabric flap covers the top end of the filter cartridge except for a portion of the void. 
         [0006]    In at least one embodiment, a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure comprises a bag shaped filter material comprising an open end and a closed end and enclosing a volume; and a fabric flap, the fabric flap constructed of a liquid permeable material, the fabric flap having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, with the first open end of the fabric flap secured to the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a cylindrical shape, a top end, a bottom end, an external wall, and an internal wall, the external wall and the internal wall being substantially concentric, the internal wall defining a void that extends from the top end to the bottom end of the filter cartridge, the filter cartridge installed within the volume of the bag shaped filter material with the bottom end of the filter cartridge adjacent an internal surface of the closed end of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a rigid core within the void, the rigid core having cylindrical shape, the rigid core abutting the internal wall of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a liquid impermeable cap installed over the void at the bottom end of the filter cartridge. In at least one embodiment of such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure, the second end of the fabric flap is inserted into the void adjacent the top end of the filter cartridge, whereby the fabric flap covers the top end of the filter cartridge except for a portion of the void. In at least one embodiment, such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure further comprises a liquid impermeable liner material, the liquid impermeable liner material having a first open end, a second open end, and a substantially tubular shape, the liquid impermeable liner installed within the fabric flap, the first open end of the liquid impermeable liner material secured to an inside surface of the bag shaped filter material near the open end of the bag shaped filter material, with the first open end of the fabric flap secured to the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material between the liquid impermeable liner material and the inside surface of the bag shaped filter material. In at least one embodiment of such a liquid filter bag according to the present disclosure, the second end of the liquid impermeable liner material is inserted into the void adjacent the top end of the filter cartridge, whereby the liquid impermeable liner covers the top end of the filter cartridge except for a portion of the void. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an enhanced liquid filter bag according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of an enhanced liquid filter bag according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a filter cartridge according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a filter cartridge according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of an enhanced liquid filter bag according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure with a filter cartridge according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure inserted therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of an enhanced liquid filter bag according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure with a filter cartridge according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure inserted therein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of an enhanced liquid filter bag according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure with a filter cartridge according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure inserted therein; and 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Enhanced liquid filter bag  10  is constructed from a liquid filter bag  24  of a type known in the art, such as, for example, a #2 size liquid filter bag manufactured and sold by American Melt Blown &amp; Filtration, Inc. As shown in  FIG. 1 , liquid filter bag  24  comprises closed bottom end  12  and open top end  14 . Liquid filter bag  24  is constructed of filter material  26 , which may be any liquid permeable filter material suitable for the filtration process into which enhanced liquid filter bag  10  is deployed, such as, for example, polyester felt, polypropylene felt, polypropylene monofilament mesh, polyester multifilament mesh, nylon multifilament mesh, nylon monofilament mesh, nomex felt, and the like. Liquid filter bag  24  comprises ring  16  encircling open top end  14 . Ring  16  may be constructed of any rigid material suitable for the filtration process into which enhanced liquid filter bag  10  is deployed, such as, for example, carbon steel, stainless steel, polypropylene, and the like. Ring  16  is sewn into or otherwise affixed to filter material  26  at open top end  14 , so that open top end  14  is held by ring  16  in an open, substantially circular configuration. Optionally, enhanced liquid filter bag  10  may further comprise a flexible handle (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) installed across open top end  14 . 
         [0017]    Enhanced liquid filter bag  10  according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises fabric flap  18  and liner  20 . In at least one embodiment, fabric flap  18  is constructed of a flexible filter material such as the filter material used in liquid filter bag  24 . In other embodiments, the filter material of fabric flap  18  is a different material from the filter material of liquid filter bag  24 . Fabric flap  18  comprises a generally tubular shape, with an outer diameter sized to fit within the inner diameter of liquid filter bag  24 . 
         [0018]    Liner  20  is constructed of a flexible, liquid impermeable material such as a plastic material. Liner  20  also is of a generally tubular shape, with an outer diameter sized to fit within the inner diameter of liquid fabric flap  18 . Liner  20  is placed inside fabric flap  18 , and then both liner  20  and fabric flap  18  are sewn or otherwise permanently attached to an internal surface of liquid filter bag  24 . Stitching  22  in  FIG. 1  shows the point at which liner  20  and fabric flap  18  are attached to liquid filter bag  24  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]    In at least one embodiment, fabric flap  18  is of a length sufficient to extend from its point of attachment to liquid filter bag  24  until fabric flap  18  is visible above open top end  14  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In at least one embodiment, liner  20  is of a length sufficient to extend from its point of attachment to liquid filter bag  24  until liner  20  is visible above open top end  14 . In at least one other embodiment, liner  20  is of a length sufficient to extend from its point of attachment to liquid filter bag  24  until liner  20  is visible above fabric flap  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a view of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  of  FIG. 1 , looking through open top end  14  into enhanced liquid filter bag  10 . Shown in  FIG. 2  is enhanced liquid filter bag  10  comprising open top end  14 , ring  16 , fabric flap  18 , and liner  20 . Also visible in  FIG. 2  is the interior surface of closed bottom end  12 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of filter cartridge  30  according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 4  shows a top view of filter cartridge  30  of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , filter cartridge  30  is a substantially cylindrical filter cartridge comprising bottom end  32 , top end  34 , end cap  36 , internal wall  38 , rigid core  40 , and external wall  42 . As is shown in  FIG. 4 , internal wall  38  and external wall  42  are substantially concentric, with internal wall  38  defining void  46  that extends the full height of filter cartridge  30 . The interior surface of end cap  36  is visible in  FIG. 4  is at the bottom of void  46 . 
         [0022]    According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, filter cartridge  30  is a melt blown filter cartridge of a type known in the art, such as, for example, a melt blown filter manufactured and sold by American Melt Blown &amp; Filtration, Inc. Filter cartridge  30  comprises filter media  44 , which may be any liquid permeable filter media suitable for the filtration process into which filter cartridge  30  and/or enhanced liquid filter bag  10  is/are deployed, such as, for example, polypropylene, nylon, and the like. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , end cap  36  is affixed to bottom end  32  of filter cartridge  30 , such as by thermal welding or another permanent attachment process. End cap  36  is affixed in a manner that closes the bottom end of void  46  so that fluid entering the top end of void  46  cannot escape through the bottom end of void  46 . Instead, the fluid is forced through internal wall  38  and into filter media  44 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , rigid core  40  is inserted into void  46  and fits snugly against internal wall  38  to add rigidity to filter cartridge  30 . Rigid core  40  comprises apertures therethrough (not shown in  FIGS. 3-4 ), thereby allowing fluid entering void  46  to pass through rigid core  40  and reach filter media  44 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  with filter cartridge  30  inserted therein. Shown in  FIG. 5  is enhanced liquid filter bag  10  comprising open top end  14 , ring  16 , fabric flap  18 , liner  20 , and filter cartridge  30 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , filter cartridge  30  fits snugly within enhanced liquid filter bag  10 . The interior surface of end cap  36  is visible in  FIG. 5  is at the bottom of void  46 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows another top view of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  with cylinder  30  inserted therein. In  FIG. 6 , fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are folded inwardly over top end  34  of filter cartridge  30 . The ends of fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are inserted into void  46  in a manner that leaves a gap  48  so that a fluid can enter void  46  through gap  48 . When fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are folded inwardly over top end  34  of filter cartridge  30  and the ends of fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are inserted into void  46 , fabric flap  18  covers liner  20 , and liner  20  no longer is visible from open top end  14 , except that the end of liner  20  may be visible in gap  48 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inward folding of fabric flap  18  and liner  20  causes fabric flap  18  and liner  20  to crease and overlap as the material of fabric flap  18  and liner  20  is urged toward void  46 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  of  FIG. 6 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , after fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are folded inwardly over top end  34  of filter cartridge  30  and the ends of fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are inserted into void  46 , fabric flap  18  and liner  20  are no longer visible above ring  16  from a side view. 
         [0026]    In use, enhanced liquid filter bag  10  as shown in  FIGS. 6-7  is deployed into a fluid filtration process. Fluid is introduced into enhanced liquid filter bag  10  through top end  14 , which is held in a substantially circular shape by ring  16 . However, liner  20  covers top end  34  of filter cartridge  30  and extends into void  46  of liquid filter cartridge  30 , and because liner  20  is impermeable to fluids, the fluid entering top end  14  of enhanced liquid filter bag  10  is directed through gap  48  and into void  46 . As additional fluid is introduced into top end  14  of enhanced liquid filter bag  10 , the building pressure forces the fluid through internal wall  38 , through filter material  44 , through external wall  42 , and through filter material  26 , thereby effectively filtering the fluid. 
         [0027]    While this disclosure has been described as having preferred designs, the apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure can be further modified within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For example, any method disclosed herein and in the appended claims represent one possible sequence of performing the steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation that a plurality of steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a different sequence of steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation falls within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended claims. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.