Patent Description:
Typical filter frames for swine and poultry environments may allow bypass air around the one or more filters that may lead to contaminants such as, but is not limited to, viruses to be transmitted into or between animal environments. Thus, there is a need for one or more filter holding frames that may reduce air bypass, reduce the compromising or breaking of the sealing face or surfaces, reduce or remove the use of internal stiffening supports, and/or withstand harsh environmental conditions. Harsh environmental conditions may include, but is not limited to, temperature variations. <CIT> discloses a filter holding frame according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The filter holding frame according to the present invention includes a plurality of intersecting members defining an outer periphery of the filter holding frame and a plurality of filter cells. Each member includes an upstream hemmed edge adjacent the upstream portion of the filter holding frame and extending towards downstream opposing flanges adjacent the downstream portion of the filter holding frame. Moreover, the downstream opposing flanges extend outwardly away from the hemmed edge. In addition, the downstream opposing flanges define the outer periphery of the filter holding frame and a sealing face within each filter cell.

In various embodiments, the filter holding frame may include a plurality of latches coupled to the plurality of members to position a plurality of filters. In some embodiments, the plurality of latches may include a spring clip. In various embodiments, the plurality of downstream opposing flanges within each filter cell may be butt welded to each other to create a substantially planar sealing face. In some embodiments, at least one of the members defining the filter cell may include a slot extending from the downstream opposing flanges towards the upstream hemmed edge to receive another member. In various embodiments, the slot may include a first portion of at least one of the downstream opposing flanges, wherein the first portion of the slot receives a second portion of at least one of the downstream opposing flanges of another intersecting member. Moreover in some embodiments, the slot may include a first portion of at least one of the downstream opposing flanges and a second portion within the upstream hemmed edge, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion. In various embodiments, the filter holding frame is made of stainless steel.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example, the plurality of intersecting members may include a plurality of vertical support panels and a plurality of horizontal support panels defining the plurality of filter cells. In various embodiments, the filter holding frame may include a plurality of latches coupled to at least one of the plurality of vertical support panels and the plurality of horizontal support panels to position at least one filter in the plurality of filter cells. Moreover, in some embodiments, the plurality of vertical support panels and the plurality of horizontal support panels may include an upstream hemmed edge and downstream opposing flanges. In various embodiments, the downstream opposing flanges within each of the filter cells may define a sealing face. In some embodiments, the downstream opposing flanges may define an outer periphery of the filter holding frame.

In various embodiments, the downstream flanges defining the sealing face may be in a non-overlapping engagement. In some embodiments, the downstream opposing flanges defining the outer periphery and the sealing face are substantially in the same plane. In various embodiments, the filter holding frame may be in combination with a plurality of filters. In addition, in various embodiments, each of the vertical support panel and the horizontal support panel includes a slot to receive the other of the vertical support panel and the horizontal support panel. Moreover, in some embodiments, the slot of one of the vertical support panel and the horizontal support panel may extend from the upstream hemmed edge towards the downstream opposing flanges, and the slot of the other one of the vertical support panel and the horizontal support panel may extend from the downstream opposing flanges towards the upstream hemmed edge. In various embodiments, the slot extending from the downstream opposing flanges towards the upstream hemmed edge may include a first portion adj acent the downstream opposing flanges and a second portion adj acent the upstream hemmed edge. In some embodiments, the first portion may be wider than the second portion.

In addition, in various embodiments, a filter holding system may include the filter holding frame configured to support a plurality of filters. In various embodiments, a plurality of the downstream opposing flanges defining the outer periphery of the filter holding frame may combine to provide a structural mounting surface.

These and other advantages and features, which characterize the embodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and form a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are described example embodiments. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter defined by the appended claims, nor to define the field of endeavor.

Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementation of the hereinafter-described techniques for a filter holding frame <NUM>, such as the type that may be used in an agricultural environment such as, but is not limited to, structures for housing swine and poultry, or in other similar applications. However, it will be appreciated that the herein-described apparatus and techniques may also be used in connection with other types of filter holding systems in some embodiments. For example, the herein-described apparatus and techniques may be used in commercial and/or residential applications in some embodiments. Moreover, the herein-described apparatus and techniques may be used in connection with a variety of filter configurations and/or characteristics.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views, <FIG> illustrates an example filter holding frame <NUM> in which the various technologies and techniques described herein may be implemented. Filter holding frame <NUM> includes a plurality of intersecting members <NUM> that define one or more filter cells 20a. The members <NUM>, serve in part, as dividers between the filter cells 20a as well as define an outer periphery <NUM> of the filter support frame <NUM>. In a preferred embodiments, the filter holding frame <NUM> is made of stainless steel. However, a variety of suitable materials may be used. Each filter cell 20a holds one or more air filters <NUM>. Each filter cell 20a may include an aperture <NUM> through which an air filter <NUM> may pass therethough and abut against the sealing face <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM>. The air filter <NUM> may include a filter body <NUM> that passes through the aperture <NUM> and a sealing flange <NUM> disposed adjacent the upstream end of the air filter <NUM>. The sealing flange <NUM> may be configured to sit within the members <NUM> of each filter cell 20a and be pressed against the sealing face <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the filter holding frame <NUM> may not include a gasket adjacent the sealing face to engage with the air filter. However, the filter holding frame <NUM> may include a gasket in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the air filter <NUM> may include a gasket adjacent the sealing flange <NUM>.

As shown in the figures, the plurality of intersecting members <NUM> define the outer periphery <NUM> and the plurality of filter cells 20a. In the one embodiment shown, the intersecting members <NUM> include a plurality of vertical support panels 21a and a plurality of horizontal support panels 21b to create the boundaries of the filter cells 20a and the outer periphery <NUM>. Each member <NUM> includes an upstream hemmed edge <NUM> extending towards downstream opposing flanges <NUM>. The upstream hemmed edge <NUM> is adjacent the upstream portion of the filter holding frame <NUM> and the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> are adjacent the downstream portion of the filter holding frame <NUM>. The upstream hemmed edge <NUM> of the member <NUM> may at least in part reduce the airflow bypass of the air filter <NUM> and/or filter holding frame <NUM>. In the one embodiment shown, the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> is rolled flush or substantially closed to itself and the two distal opposing free ends <NUM> extend outwardly away from the hemmed edge <NUM> to define the opposing flanges. One or both of the opposing flanges <NUM> may be orientated at approximately <NUM> degrees from the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> portion of the member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of members <NUM> define the outer periphery <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM>. The vertical and horizontal support panels 21a, 21b or members <NUM> include a plurality of the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> that define the outer periphery <NUM>. These opposing flanges <NUM> combine to provide the structural mounting surface <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM>. As shown in one embodiment of <FIG>, the mounting surface <NUM> may include a plurality of openings <NUM> that may receive a plurality of fasteners <NUM> to secure the frame <NUM> to the wood frame <NUM> of the agricultural structure. Moreover in some embodiments, a foam or insulating pad <NUM> may be subsequently added or overlap the wood frame <NUM> and/or mounting surface <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM>.

The downstream opposing flanges <NUM> of the plurality of members <NUM> define the sealing face <NUM> or surfaces of each filter cell 20a. The vertical and horizontal support panels 21a, 21b or members <NUM> that define each filter cell 20a and/or outer periphery <NUM> combine to position the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> within each filter cell 20a. The sealing face <NUM> and/or the mounting surface <NUM> created by downstream opposing flanges <NUM> of adjacent members <NUM> may be in a non-overlapping engagement when combined to each other. The downstream opposing flanges <NUM> may be butt welded to each other in some embodiments and may not overlap. As a result, the sealing face <NUM> and/or the mounting surface <NUM> may be substantially planar and may create an even surface to seal or reduce bypass airflow. In some embodiments, welding between members <NUM> and/or the sealing faces <NUM> may be on the downstream side thereof to further reduce an uneven surfaces. Moreover in various embodiments, the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> of the outer periphery <NUM> may be welded on the downstream side to provide an even or planar upstream surface abutting the wood frame <NUM>. It should be understood that the flanges may overlap in some embodiments. Further in the one embodiment as shown, the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> that define the mounting surface <NUM>/outer periphery <NUM> and the sealing face <NUM> are substantially in the same plane.

In some embodiments, the filter holding frame <NUM> may include a plurality of fasteners or latches <NUM> may be used to secure and position the one or more filters <NUM> within each filter cell 20a. As shown in the figures, the one or more latches <NUM> may hold the filters <NUM> within the filter holding frame <NUM> and provide sufficient compression to the sealing face <NUM> to provide for an airtight seal between the filter <NUM> and the sealing face <NUM>. In various embodiments, the latches <NUM> are secured to one or more members <NUM>, or more specifically in some embodiments the horizontal support panels 21b. In the one embodiment shown, a spring clip <NUM> may be riveted to the hemmed edge <NUM> and used to hold the prefilter <NUM> and/or final filter <NUM>. For example in some embodiments, the spring clip <NUM> may be the FASEAL spring clip available from American Air Filter Company, Inc. In some embodiments, an intermediate bracket <NUM> with projecting locking tabs may be used to attach the spring clip <NUM> to the member <NUM>. It should be understood that a variety of fasteners or latches may be used to secure the filter <NUM> with the filter holding frame <NUM>.

In some embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of intersecting members <NUM> may include a joint <NUM> that may be slotted or notched to engage with each other. The one or more slots may be within one or both of the vertical support panel 21a and the horizontal support panel 21b. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical support panel and the horizontal support panel 21a, 21b are notched or slotted. The vertical support panel 21a includes a slot <NUM> extending from the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> towards the downstream opposing flanges <NUM>, or stated alternatively from upstream to downstream. The slot <NUM> receives the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> of the horizontal support panel 21b when assembled as shown in <FIG>. This slot is about the width/thickness of the hemmed edge <NUM>, or about the double the thickness of the sheet metal. The horizontal support panel 21b includes a slot <NUM> extending from the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> towards the upstream end or closed end <NUM> of the upstream hemmed edge <NUM>, or stated alternatively from downstream to upstream. The slot <NUM> receives a portion of the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> and a portion of the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> of the vertical support panel 21a. The slot or notch <NUM> of the horizontal support panel 21b includes a first portion <NUM> adjacent or within the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> adjacent or within the upstream hemmed edge <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> being wider than the second portion <NUM> of the slot <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> includes a width W1 to receive the lateral or outwardly extending extents between the two distal opposing free ends <NUM> of the downstream opposing flanges <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> includes a width W2 to receive the hemmed edge <NUM> of the vertical support panel 21a. The slots <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective members <NUM> may be in different or perpendicular planes as shown. It should be understood that the slots of the relative vertical and horizontal panels 21a, 21b may be reversed in some embodiments such that the horizontal support panel 21b may be slid into engagement from the downstream side of the vertical support panel 21a instead of from the upstream side as shown in <FIG>. When assembled as shown in <FIG>, the ends of the opposing flanges, within the slots and/or distal opposing free ends <NUM>, in engagement may be butt welded to create a smooth or flat sealing face <NUM>. Moreover in various embodiments, the members <NUM> may be caulked and/or welded together, on upstream and/or downstream sides. The joints <NUM> between members <NUM> may be sealed with a polyurethane caulking for example.

A illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the joints <NUM> between members may include a variety of configurations and constructions. The slots may extend from inside the member outwardly for a distance towards the exterior of the member <NUM> or outer periphery <NUM> in relation to the filter cell. For example, the slots may extend through the interior opposing flange <NUM> defining the sealing face <NUM> and/or extend up to the hemmed edge or include portions of the hemmed edge. In <FIG>, the outer periphery <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM> may include a joint <NUM> with the ends of a vertical support panel 21a and the horizontal support panel 21b. Each end of the members <NUM> may include an interior downstream opposing flange <NUM> or sealing face <NUM> that is slotted out. As shown in <FIG>, the slot <NUM> of the horizontal support panel 21b extends through the sealing face <NUM> and the hemmed edge <NUM> and ends adjacent the mounting surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the slot may include a first portion of at least one of the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> or both. The slot <NUM> of the vertical support panel 21a extends through the sealing face <NUM> and one wall of the hemmed edge <NUM>, thereby creating a step <NUM>. Step <NUM> receives a portion of the hemmed edge <NUM> of the vertical support panel 21b. However, a step may not be used in some embodiments. Further, in some embodiments the slots may be discontinuous between or separated from each other or positioned within one or more of the opposing flanges and/or hemmed edges. Moreover, the exterior opposing flange or mounting surface <NUM> of the horizontal support panel 21b extends beyond the extent of the upstream hemmed edge of the vertical support panel 21a.

As shown in <FIG>, the intersecting joint <NUM> between members occurs between the opposing ends of the vertical support panel 21a and one end of a horizontal support panel 21b. The horizontal support panel 21b includes a tab <NUM> extending in the same plane of the upstream hemmed edge <NUM>, one or both sheets of the hemmed edge, and engages a first slot <NUM> within the upstream hemmed edge <NUM> within the vertical support panel 21a. A slot <NUM> within the interior opposing flange <NUM> of sealing face <NUM> of the upstream support panel 21a includes a W2 to receive the lateral extent between the downstream opposing flanges <NUM> of the horizontal support panel 21b. It should be understood that the joints of the intersecting members may be a variety of sealed connections and still be within the scope of the teachings herein.

The members <NUM> of the filter holding frame <NUM> may be similarly made to increase production efficiency. In various embodiment, sheet metal such as stainless is hemmed on the upstream end with the opposing flanges bent to the desired orientation. The members <NUM> defining the outer periphery <NUM> and/or the filter cells may include the upstream hemmed edges to reduce the air bypass. In some embodiments, the vertical support panel 21a and horizontal support panel 21b may cut to length from the same or substantially similar stock of hemmed sheet metal and fabricated opposing flanges. The stock of hemmed members may be differentiated to create horizontal or vertical members by downstream manufacturing steps of cutting to length, joint formation such as the slots, tabs, etc., fastener attachment location and assembly, and/or creating the mounting openings within the mounting surface of the outer periphery. Individual members <NUM> are shown in the one embodiment to be manufactured from a single piece of sheet metal to reduce air bypass. Moreover, the horizontal and/or vertical support panels in embodiments span across several filter cells thereby reducing the number of separate pieces for an array. The step of welding the members <NUM> together at the joints or other locations may involve a variety of upstream and/or downstream welds. In some embodiments, the downstream side of the sealing face <NUM> may be welded to create a smooth upstream face for the filter <NUM> to seal upon. The welds may by at the abutment of the end portions of the members in some embodiments. Non-overlapping engagement of flanges in some embodiments may reduce the uneven contact with the filter holding frame and the filters and/or application structure. Downstream welds on the downstream sides of the members <NUM> and/or filter holding frame <NUM> may reduce air bypass. The welds or engagements between members may also include caulking in some embodiments. Installing the filter holding frame <NUM> within the opening of the wood framing <NUM> in some embodiments may include the step of engaging the upstream side of the mounting surface <NUM> to downstream side of the frame <NUM> and subsequently securing with a variety of fasteners <NUM>. In some embodiments, the step of adding the insulating paneling or the foam pad <NUM> over the mounting surface <NUM> may reduce air bypass about the frame and wood engagement. In some embodiments of the installation of the filter holding frame may include the step of securing one or more filters <NUM> within one or more filter cells 20a. In some embodiments when one or more latches <NUM>, such as but not limited to the spring clips <NUM>, are combined with the filter holding frame <NUM>, a gasket, if used, of the final filter <NUM> may be secured and pressure sealed to the sealing face <NUM>.

As shown in the Figures, the embodiment of the filter holding frame <NUM> is shown herein for ease of understanding. For example, the filter holding frame <NUM> may be combined with a variety of filters <NUM> to create a variety of arrays in a filter frame system <NUM>. The filters <NUM> remove contaminants such as dirt, dust, moisture, salt, carbon, viruses, and/or other contaminants from the air flowing therethrough that may tend to harm the desired environment and/or habitat of the livestock. One or more filter holding frames <NUM> with a variety of filters <NUM> may be used in a variety of applications. The filter holding frame <NUM> may be a variety of sizes and arrangements, such as varying the quantity of filter cells defines and/or array. In the one embodiment shown, the array is <NUM> by <NUM> filter cell arrangement. Moreover, the filters <NUM> may include a pre-filter <NUM> and a final filter <NUM>. The filters <NUM> may be any suitable type or size, such as a V-bank filter <NUM> and a pre-filter <NUM> as shown. The latches <NUM> used may be configured to accept multiple filter designs and still be within the scope of the invention. Implementation of the herein-described apparatus and techniques within a variety of applications would be well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure, so the invention is not limited to the agricultural implementation discussed herein.

While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope defined by the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," "in communication with," and "mounted," and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Claim 1:
A filter holding frame (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of intersecting members (<NUM>) defining an outer periphery (<NUM>) of said filter holding frame (<NUM>) and a plurality of filter cells (20a);
each member (<NUM>) includes an upstream hemmed edge (<NUM>) adjacent the upstream portion of the filter holding frame (<NUM>) and extending therefrom towards downstream opposing flanges (<NUM>) adjacent the downstream portion of the filter holding frame (<NUM>), wherein said downstream opposing flanges (<NUM>) extend outwardly away from said upstream hemmed edge (<NUM>);
characterized in that
said downstream opposing flanges (<NUM>) define said outer periphery (<NUM>) of said filter holding frame (<NUM>) and a sealing face (<NUM>) within each said filter cell (20a).