Patent ID: 7320719

Claim:
A filter device adapted for filtering fluids flowing one of into or out of a fluid duct, said filter device comprising a container having one or more walls, at least one of said walls being at least partially rigid and comprising a first opening and a filter element mounted in said first opening so that said filter element forms at least a portion of one of said walls, said filter element comprising an interior face and an exterior face, the one or more container walls and the interior face of said filter element defining an interior adapted for collecting contaminants contained in a fluid flowing out of said fluid duct, and the container comprising a second opening adapted for sealingly and removably connecting said filter device to said fluid duct so as to provide fluid communication between the interior of said filter device and said fluid duct, said filter device permitting direct contact between a fluid to be filtered and one of the interior face or the exterior face of said filter element depending on the direction of fluid flow, and said second opening further adapted for being closed when said filter device is removed from said fluid duct.