GB2364255A

GB2364255A - Filter means

Info

Publication number: GB2364255A
Application number: GB0015840A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Edward Tromans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-29
Filing date: 2000-06-29
Publication date: 2002-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-29
Also published as: GB0015840D0; GB2364255B

Abstract

A filter apparatus (11) includes a filtration means (12) and a body (13), the filter means being adapted to filter sold matter from a liquid. The body (13) includes at least one outlet aperture (15) and at least one inlet aperture (14, see figure 2), the outlet aperture being adapted to be connected to a pump. The filtration means (12) is positioned such that fluid must pass through the filtration means (12) before passing through the inlet aperture (14) and entering the body (13).

Description

2364255 PATENTS ACT 1977 A10107GB-DJL/ACL Title: Filter Apparatus

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a filter apparatus, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a filter apparatus suitable for use in a garden pond.

It is known to provide a garden pond with a filter apparatus which removes solid matter from circulating pond water, in order to maintain healthy plant and animal life within the pond, enhance the appearance of the pond, and reduce the likelihood of blockages Occurring within pipes provided for pond accessories such as fountains or cascades.

Such filter apparatus typically include a filter body which is provided with an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a filtration means, such as a mesh or a plastic foamed material, which in each case provides tortuous and restricted paths for the water between the inlet to the outlet apertures. The outlet aperture is generally connected to a punip which draws water into the filter apparatus through the inlet apertUre, thl-OLIgh the filtration means, and out of the filter apparatus through the OLItlet aperture. Solid matter within the pond water is trapped within the fiftration means, and thus removed froin the water.

The material of the filtration means becomes clogged with solid matter during use, so the filtration means must elther be cleaned or replaced periodically to maintain flow of water through the apparatLIS. Cleaning the filtration means can be time consuining as often It requires the filtration means to be removed from the filter body, and, where the filtration means includes a foam, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove solid matter from the interior of the foam, Furthermore, because there is a single inlet aperture, the suction force pulling water into the filter apparatus can be high, and the inlet aperture can quickly become clogged with plant matter, such as pond weed. In addition, 2 small creatures in the pond, such as tadpoles, may be sucked into the filter body and become trapped within the apparatus. Thus the filter apparatus can have a detrimental effect on the aninial life of the pond.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a filter apparatus including a filtration means and a filter body, the filtration means being adapted to filter solid matter from a liquid, and the filter body including at least one outlet aperture and at least one inlet aperture, the outlet aperture being adapted in use to be connected to a Pump means wbereby liquid to be filtered is drawn into the inlet aperture, characterlsed in that the filtratioii rneans is positioned such that fluid must pass through the filtration means before passing through the inlet aperture and entering the filter body.

As the filtration means is not coiitained witlini the filter body, an apparatus having a simpler COIlStrUction thaii known apparatus can be provided. The filtration means can more readily by accessed for cleaning purposes.

The filtration means is preferably -I flexible sheet, which includes an array of apertures, and which is wrapped around the filter body such that a plurality of layers of the sheet cover the Mlet aperture.

The sheet may be a flexible polyiner inesh. The apertures may be hexagonal, thus providing a hoiieycomb inesli, or trapezoidal, and inay have a maximum dimension of at least 311-ini. The filtration I's preferably inade from hydrophobic material, such as inems may be made from polypropylene.

The filtration meaiis inay be seCUred to the filter body at a first end by fastening means such as a number of rivets or otlier fasteners. Alternatively, a slit may be provided in the filter body, aiid a first end of the filtration means may be inserted into the slit in order to secure the first end of the filtration rneans as it is wrapped aI-OLMd the filter body.

A second, opposite end of tlie filtratioii means may be releasably secured around the filter body, for examples, witli Velcro (trade mark) or clip means. Alternatively, the filtration means may be coiltaMed within a framework which contains apertures which are sufficiently large so as not to impede flow of fluid into the filtration means. Thus, wlien clogged with solid matter, the flexible sheet may be unwrapped from around the filter bed for cleaning.

Alternatively, the filtration means may be Plurality of sheets, or concentric sleeves, each of whicli includes an array of apertures, the sheets or sleeves being positioned aqjacent to the inlet aperture sucli t1lat a plurality of layers cover the inlet aperture.

Preferably, the filter body is elongate and hollow, having at least one wall in which an array of inlet apertures is provided, a first end of the hollow being closed, and a second end being open, to provide an outlet aperture, the at least one wall enclosing a flow patli along whicli liquid may flow fi-om the inlet apertures to the outlet aperture. In t1lis case, the filtration means is arranged around the at least one wall. The filter body may be cylindrical, for example.

As the suction force provided by the pump means acts on water around the entire circumference of tile filter body, the suction force is distributed over a larger area than in existing filter al)])al'atLIS. and siriall creatures, such as tadpoles, and plant matter, SLICII as I)Olid weed, are not so readily drawn into the filter apparatus, According to a secon d aspect of the invention, I provide a method of filtering solid matter from a liqtiid using a filter apparatus liaving a filter body with at least one inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and filtration means to filter solid matter from the liquid, the inetliod including the steps of immersing the filter apparatus in the liquid to be filtered, connecting tile Outlet to a pump means and operating the I) LI1111) ineans to draw liquid into tile inlet aperture, characterised in that the inetliod includes positioning the filtration means around the filter body sucli that the liquid passes througli the filtration means before entering the inlet aperture.

According to a third aspect of the invention I provide a filter apparatus including a filtration means being adapted to filter solid inatter from a liquid, C 4 the filtration means including a flexible sheet which includes an array of apertures, the sheet rolled into a generally cylindrical form.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE I is an illustration of a filter apparatus according to the invention, FIGURE 2 is an illustration of the filter apparatus of Figure I in an unravelled condition in which the apparatus may be cleaned, FIGURE ') is an illustration of a second einbodiment of a filter apparatus according to the invention in an un.ravelled condition, FIGURE 4 is an illustration of a third einbodiment of a filter apparatus according to the invention, FIGURE 5 is an illustration of a fOLU-th enibodiinent of a filter apparatus according to the invention.

Referring now to the figures. there is shown a filter apparatus 11, including a filtration means 12 and a filter body 13, the filter body 1 3) including a plurality of inlet apertUres 14 and an 01.1tiet apel-Wre 15.

The filter body I') I's a hollow cylinder. and four axially extending arrays of circular inlet apertures 14 are provided thl'OLIgh a wall of the cylinder, the arrays being distributed UOLInd the Cil-C1.1.111ference of tile cylinder. The inlet apettures 14 are arranged in four rows parallel to 8 1011gitUdinal axis of the filter body B. At a first end 16, the hollow of the 1-ilter body I') is closed, and at a second, opposite end 15, the hollow of the filter body 1") is open and provides the outlet aperture 15. As the filter bo.dy is hollow 13, the cylinder wall encloses a flow path along which l1qL11d may flow fi-oni the inlet apertures 14 to the outlet apeiture 15.

The filtration means 12 is arranged around the cli-CU111ference of the filter body 12 and in use, as seen in FigUre 1. covers the inlet apertures 14. The filtration means 12 is a flexible mesh made from a polymer such as polypropylene, and is, in use, wound tightly around the filter body 13' such that a plurality of layers of, mesh cover each of the inlet apertures 14, as illustrated in Figure 1. The mesh 12 includes an array of trapezoidal or hexagonal perforations which have a inaxinIU111 siz e of approximately 3111111.

A first end 17 of the filtration means 12 may be secured to the filter body 13, for example by means of an array of rivets 18 or other fasteners, as illustrated in Figure 2. Alternatively, the first end 17 of the filtration means 12 may be secured to the filter body I') by means of a slit 19 provided in the cylinder wall of the filter body 13, as il I ustrated in Figure -3). The first end 17 of the filtration means 12 is of reduced width, and is inserted into the slit 19.

The first end 17 of the filtration means 12 is retained in the slit 19, thus allowing the filtration means 12 to be wound around the filter body 13.

Further alternatively,. the first end 17 of the filtration means 12 may be secured to the filter body 13) by adhesive, Velcro or any other means.

Wien the filtration means 12, is wound around the filter body 13, a second opposite end 20 of the filtration means 12 is releasably secured to retain the filtration means 12 in rolled condition as illustrated In Figure 1. A Velcro strip or a clip may be provided to secure the second end 20 of the filtration means 12 to the immediately preceding layer in the rolled condition.

C7 The apparatus I I inay include a circular cap 23 which is located at a first axial end 21 of the filter body 13, extends radially Outwardly of the filter body 13 and abuts with a first axial end 21 of the filtration means 12. An appropriately dimensioned annulus 24. Miich fits al-OLInd ffie filter body 13' may be positioned against a second. opposite, axial end 22 of the filtration means 12. The cap 23) and annulus 24 may be solid, as shown in Figure 4, and may therefore close the first 21 and second 22 axial end of the filtration means 12 and prevent liquid from entering into the filtration ineans 12 via the two axial ends 21., 22. Alternatively, the cap 23 and annUILIs 24, may include one or 6 more apertures, as shown in Figure 5, and therefore may act simply to assist in retaining the filtration means 12 in place around the filter body 1-3).

In use, the filter apparatus I I is ininiersed in liquid to be filtered, pond water for example, and the outlet aperture 15 is connected by a suitable connection directly to, or via a]lose, to a pump means (not shown) which may be operated to draw liquid into the hilet apertures 14. Before entering the inlet apertures 14, the liquid is drawn through the filtration means 12, which provides a tortuous and restricted flow path for the liquid. Solid matter contained in the liquid IS thus trapped in the layers of inesh, and removed from the liquid.

As the filter body 1-3) includes a plurality of inlet apertures 14, the suction force provided by the PL11111) ineans acts oil water around the entire circumference of the filter body 13. ThLIS tile suction force is distributed over a larger area than if a single inlet aperture were provided, so small creatures, such as tadpoles, and plant matter, such as pond weed, are not so readily drawn into the filter apparatus 11. Moreover, as the filtration ineaiis 12 is not contained within a casing, the likelihood of small creatures becoining trapped within the filtration apparatUS I I is further reduced.

During use the filtration jileans 12 will becoiiie clo- ed with solid IN matter, and flow of liquid tllrOUg1l the filtratim iileans 12 is thus progressively reduced. Thus it is desirable to clean tile filtration means 12 periodically to remove the solid matter. This may be achieved by unrolling the filtration means, so that the filter apparatus I I is M the condition shown in Figures 2 and 3, in which condition the niesh may be cleaiied.

The invention Is not restricted to the C011fi(Wratioiis of the embodiments described above.

The filter body 12 need not be cylMdrical, but ina be of any hollow, y preferably elongate C011figUratloll.

The inlet apertures 14 need not be distributed in four arrays around the filter body 13, but may be distributed In any number of arrays. The inlet apertures 14 also need not be arranged in rows along the longitudinal axis of the filter body 133, but may be arranged in a random pattern. The apertures 14 may be slits rather than circular openings.

The outlet aperture 15 need not be provided at the second end 15 of the filter body 13, but the second end 15 of the filter body 13 may be closed and an outlet aperture 15 provided In the wall of' the filter body 1-3) in a region not covered by the filtration means 12, The filtration means 12 need not be a mesh with trapezoidal or hexagonal apertures. The apertures inay be cirCLilai-, or hexagonal for examples. Alternately, the filtration means 12 may be any flexible sheet which can be wound about the filter body 1.3). While the apertures in the filtration means 12 preferably have a niaxin'11.1in diniension of approximately -3)mm, they may be smaller or larger than this.

The second end 20 of the filtration means 12 need not be secured by means such as Velcro or a clip, bUt the filtration ineans 12 may be contained in a framework, for example in a flexible or i-l(,'d cage. which retains the filtration means 12 in the rolled condition, and has stifficiently large apertures so as not to impede flow of liquid into the filtration ineans 12.

The filtration means 12 need not be sectired to the filter body 1-3) at the first end 17, but may be secured at a middle portion, and two layers of rnesh wrapped around the filter body I I The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forins or in terins of a rneans for performing the disclosed finiction, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, inay, separately, or in any combination of such features, be titillsed for reallsino the invention in diverse forms thereof

Claims

1. A filter apparatus including a fiitration ineans and a filter body, the filtration means being adapted to filter solid matter frorn a liquid, and the filter body including at least one outlet aperture and at least one inlet aperture, the outlet aperture being adapted in use to be connected to a pump means whereby liquid to be filtered is drawn into the inlet aperture, characterised in that the filtration means is positioned SUCII that fluid MLISt pass through the filtration means before passing through the inlet aperture and entering the filter body.

2. A filter apparatus as clainied in claim I wherein the filtration means is a flexible sheet, which includes an array of apertures, and which is wrapped around the filter body SUCII that a I)IIII-ality of layers of the sheet cover the inlet aperture.

3. A filter apparatus as claimed In claim 2 wherein the sheet is a flexible polymer mesh.

4. A filter apparatus as clafflied in clalm 2 or -3) wherein the apeilures of the filtration means are hexagonal.

5. A filter apparatus as clainied in clalin 2. 3) or 4 wherein the apertures of the filtration apertures have a maxiniuni dimension of 3111111.

6. A filter apparatus apparatus as claimed in any preceding clairn wherein the filtration means is made fi-oin polypi-opylene.

7. A filter apparatus as claiiiied in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the filtration means is secured to the filter body at a first end by one or more fasteners.

8. A filter apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein a slit is provided in the filter body, and a first end of the filtration means is inserted into the slit in order to secure the first end of the filtration means as it is wrapped around the filter body.

9. A filter apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein a second, opposite end of the filtration means is secured around the filter body with a releasable fastening means.

10. A filter apparatus accorditig to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the filtration means is contained within a frainework which contains apertures which are sufficiently large so as iiot to inipede flow of fluid into the filtration means.

11. A filter apparatus accordiiig to claim I wherein the filtration means is a t) plurality of sheets, or coiicentric sleeves, each Of Wl1iCII ilICILides an array of apertures, the sheets or sleeves beHig positioned aqjacent to each inlet aperture C such that a plurality of layers cover each apertUre.

12. A filter apparatus accordhig to any preceding claim wherein the filter body is elongate and hollow, havirig at least one wall in which an array of inlet apertures is provided, a first end of the hollovv being closed, and a second end being open, to provide an otitlet al)erture, the at least one wall enclosing a flow path along which liquid inay flo\v fi- oin the inlet apertures to the Outlet aperture.

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13. A filter apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the filtration means is arranged around the at least one wall.

14. A filter apparatus InChiding a filtration means being adapted to filter solid matter from a liquid, the filtration means including a flexible sheet which includes an array of apertures, rolled into a generally cylindrical forn-1.

15. A filter apparatus SUbstantially as hei-einbefore desci-lbed with reference to and / or as shown in the accompaiiyIng drawings.

16. A method of filtering solid matter from a liquid using a filter apparatus having a filter body with at least one inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and filtration means to filter solid matter fi-om the liquid, the method including the steps of immersing the filter apparatus in the liquid to be filtered, connecting the outlet to a pump means and operating the PLIIIII) meails to draw liquid into the inlet aperture, charactensed Hl tliat the inethod illClUdes positioning the filtration means around tile filter body such that the liquid passes tIlrough tile filtration means before entei-Mg the Inlet apei-wl'e.

17. A method of filterint, solid inattei- fi-om a liquid substantially as hereinbefore described witli refei-eiice to the accompanylil'.1; diawings.

18. Any novel featUre oi- novel conibinatioii of features hereinbefore described and /or shown in the accompanying drawings.