Abstract:
A filtering apparatus is described in which a filter assembly is encapsulated in a flexible, pliable, light weight shell and is removable as a unit from the filter housing without manually contacting filter media and/or liquid. The filter housing comprises a manifold and a cylindrical casing joined together to form a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The manifold further includes inlet and outlet conduits extending therethrough. The filter cartridge comprises a pair of cylindrical shells interconnected at their open ends, with the interior of the shells forming a cavity for receiving a filter assembly. The end plane of one of the cylindrical shells includes a pair of tubular extensions extending into the inlet and outlet conduits of the manifold. The two cartridge shells are made of plastic or other suitable material and are sufficiently flexible to bear against the side walls of the housing cavity during operation. In one embodiment, the mating ends of the cartridge shells are coupled by a telescoping connection and bonded. In another embodiment, the ends of the cartridge shells form mating annular flanges which are bonded together and further secured between two shoulders formed by the interconnecting housing members. The filter assembly preferably comprises a plurality of annular filter pads surrounding a perforated open ended sleeve and stacked between a pair of annular compression plates. To replace the encapsulated filter cartridge, the manifold and casing are separated and the used filter cartridge is removed as a unit. A new cartridge can be installed within the housing in a similar manner.