Enclosure ventilation filter and assembly method
Inventors
Keleny, Lloyd G. • KALAYCI, VELI E. • Hebert, Michael J. • Elsayed, Yehya A. • Mulder, David W. • Dallas, Andrew J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10646370-B2
Publication Date
2020-05-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A filter assembly for an enclosure, particularly for an ostomy bag, is described having an enclosure side, a first layer which is gas permeable, and an adsorbent layer comprising adsorbent particles dispersed in a fine fiber web. The enclosure side of the filter assembly includes an adhesive zone in which adhesive is present having an outer adhesive perimeter and a weld area surrounding at least a portion of the adhesive zone, where the filter assembly is heat-sealable to the enclosure at the weld area. A method of assembly is also described.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides an adsorbent breather filter assembly for an enclosure, including an enclosure side and a side opposite from the enclosure side. A first layer is gas permeable, and an adsorbent layer comprises adsorbent particles. The enclosure side construction integrates an adhesive zone and a weld area to enable the filter assembly to be heat-sealable to the enclosure.
The invention uses an adhesive zone having an outer adhesive perimeter positioned on the enclosure side, together with a weld area surrounding at least a portion of the adhesive zone. The adhesive zone provides positioning during assembly, while the weld area provides heat-sealing at the weld area to secure the filter assembly to the enclosure.
In preferred constructions, the adsorbent layer is implemented with activated carbon particles dispersed in a fine fiber web, and the first layer may include a microporous gas-permeable layer. The enclosure-facing configuration can include an exit window/opening defined by an inner adhesive perimeter, and optional additional barrier layers may be provided to define gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable behavior for different flow path arrangements.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim requires 5 inventive features: a gas permeable first layer, an adsorbent layer comprising adsorbent particles, an enclosure-side adhesive zone, an outer adhesive perimeter, and a weld area that enables heat-sealing to the enclosure. Dependent claims further refine the adsorbent composition, sealing geometry, and layered permeability structure.
Gas-permeable first layer and adsorbent layer
A filter assembly for an enclosure comprising a first layer which is gas permeable and an adsorbent layer comprising adsorbent particles.
Enclosure-side adhesive zone with outer adhesive perimeter and heat-sealable weld area
The enclosure side of the filter assembly comprises an adhesive zone in which adhesive is present having an outer adhesive perimeter, and a weld area surrounding at least a portion of the adhesive zone where the filter assembly is heat-sealable to the enclosure at the weld area.
Inner adhesive perimeter defining an exit window portion
The filter assembly includes an adhesive zone whose inner adhesive perimeter defines an exit window portion entirely enclosed by the adhesive zone.
Weld area fully encircling the adhesive zone
The filter assembly is configured so that the weld area fully encircles the adhesive zone.
Activated carbon adsorbent layer substantially free of binder
An adsorbent layer comprising activated carbon that is substantially free of binder material.
Across the inventive features, the claims center on combining a gas-permeable first layer with an adsorbent layer of adsorbent particles, including embodiments using activated carbon substantially free of binder, and integrating an enclosure-side adhesive zone with a weld area so the assembly is heat-sealable to the enclosure; dependent claims further specify sealing geometry including an exit window portion and layered constructions for permeability control.
Stated Advantages
Improved H2S breakthrough time versus comparative commercial products.
Low pressure drop versus comparative commercial products.
Documented Applications
A filter assembly for ostomy/other enclosures, including use with an ostomy bag and a stoma opening/vent opening via an exit window/opening portion.
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