Patent ID: 7001517

Claim:
A collapsible liquid filter element for use in bag type filtration systems comprising: first and second cylindrical filter sleeves formed of flexible bag type filter media, said first filter sleeve having a cross-sectional diameter less than the cross-sectional diameter of said second filter sleeve and arranged concentrically within said second filter sleeve forming an annular space therebetween, said first filter sleeve forming a cylindrical space interiorly thereof, an inlet plate connected to both the first and second filter sleeves at one longitudinal end thereof, said inlet plate having an outer circumferential edge and a central area approximately corresponding to the area of said cylindrical space, said first filter sleeve being connected to said inlet plate proximate to the circumference of said central area of said inlet plate, said second filter sleeve being connected to said inlet plate proximate to said outer circumferential edge of said inlet plate, a terminal plate connected at the other longitudinal end of both said first and second filter sleeves, said inlet plate having spaced apart openings provided therethrough, said openings located between said outer circumferential edge and the circumference of said central area for communicating with said annular space between said first and second filter sleeves to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered through said inlet plate and into said annular space, said central area having no openings therethrough to prevent any flow of liquid to bypass said filtration media or through said central area thus preventing the flow of unfiltered liquid into said cylindrical space when said filter element is arranged within said filtration system, said terminal plate having a closed surface to prevent the flow of liquid from said annular space therethrough, said filter element being collapsible so that said inlet plate and said terminal plate are moveable toward and away from each other when said filter element is outside of said filtration system, said filter element adapted to be removeably carried within a support basket when said filter element is positioned within said filtration system, whereby when said filter element is arranged within said filtration system said inlet plate will be oriented to receive liquid to be filtered so that said liquid will pass through said openings into said annular space between said first and second filter sleeves for passing through said filter sleeves for filtration of impurities or particles therefrom.