US 11,738,218 B2
Flexible filter element having an end outlet
John S. Huberty, St. Paul, MN (US); Ryan D. Kracht, West St. Paul, MN (US); and Michael J. Svendsen, Blaine, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Mar. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/657,143.
Application 17/657,143 is a continuation of application No. 15/552,514, granted, now 11,311,752, previously published as PCT/US2016/018373, filed on Feb. 18, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/121,966, filed on Feb. 27, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0219025 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A62B 23/02 (2006.01); B01D 46/52 (2006.01); A62B 18/02 (2006.01)
CPC A62B 23/02 (2013.01) [B01D 46/523 (2013.01); A62B 18/025 (2013.01); B01D 2265/04 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter element, comprising:
filter media having a front wall and a rear wall each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a side portion at the proximal ends of the front wall and the rear wall, and an outlet, wherein the filter media comprises a folded filter media portion that forms the front wall, the rear wall, and the side portion, and wherein the side portion interfaces between the front wall and the rear wall; and,
a breather tube attached to the filter media in fluid communication with the outlet, wherein the filter media defines an internal volume enclosed by the front wall and the rear wall such that air enters the internal volume through the filter media and exits through the breather tube to be delivered to a user; and,
wherein the outlet is positioned at least partially on the side portion, and the front wall and the rear wall of the filter media are joined together at least partially along a perimeter such that leakage of air cannot occur between the front and rear walls.