Porous filter

Abstract

A filter has a longitudinal axis with an inner diameter defined by a hollow longitudinally extending center. The filter has fingers extend radially outwardly arcuately from the longitudinal axis. The fingers have base ends near the longitudinal axis and outer edges at extremities spaced from the longitudinal axis. The outer diameter of the filter is defined by the outer edges of the fingers. The filter is formed from a sintered porous molded thermoplastic or another material resulting in a filter more rigid than standard filters. The fingers are spaced apart from one another a predetermined, substantially fixed distance to form slots therebetween sized to capture contaminants therein.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method for making a filter, said method comprising: 
 providing thermoplastic particles suitable for sintering within a mold;    sintering said thermoplastic particles in the mold to form a porous sintered thermoplastic filter, the filter having:    a hollow center with an inner diameter; and    fingers extending radially arcuately from the inner diameter and spaced from adjacent fingers to define slots between the fingers capable of capturing contaminants therein.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising cryogenically grinding thermoplastic particles to prepare varying size particles for sintering.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising underwater pelletizing thermoplastic particles to prepare the thermoplastic particles for sintering.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising inserting a core into said hollow center wherein the core is larger than the inner diameter of the filter such that the slots increase in size.