Disposable polymer-structured filter

Abstract

The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit includes a disposable, polymer-structured filtering funnel with a stem having a distal tip. A flow discharge end is formed at the distal tip. Preferably, a polymer fritted filter disc is positioned in the funnel, providing filtering for liquids passing therethrough. The kit preferably also includes a glass vacuum take-off adapter having a port for connecting to a vacuum source for providing negative pressure. The adapter securely and snuggly receives the funnel and maintains position of the distal tip thereof with the flow discharge end below the port, thus preventing contaminants from entering the adapter. A reusable, glass round bottle flask or a disposable vial receives the adapter and the stem of the funnel. The funnel and fritted disc are formed from disposable materials, thus removing the necessity of cleaning them following use. The adapter is reusable, since no contaminants come in contact therewith during filtering.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit, comprising:
 a disposable filtering funnel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion terminating at an inner joint;   a stem extending from the inner joint, the stem having a flow discharge end positioned at a distal tip thereof;   a filter disc within the funnel, the disposable filtering funnel being constructed of a polymer resistant to organic solvent;   a cleanse-free vacuum take-off adapter having a port adapted for connection to an external vacuum source, the vacuum take-off adapter having a chamber shape with a cap, the cap having at least a funnel engaging end on a top surface, wherein the funnel engaging end receives the inner joint; and   a flask or vial placed within the chamber, wherein the flow discharge end extends into the flask or vial.   
     
     
         22 . A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit, comprising:
 a disposable filtering funnel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion terminating at an inner joint;   a stem extending from the inner joint, the stem having a flow discharge end positioned at a distal tip thereof;   a filter disc within the funnel, the disposable filtering funnel being constructed of a polymer resistant to organic solvent;   a cleanse-free vacuum take-off adapter having a port adapted for connection to an external vacuum source, the vacuum take-off adapter having a bulbous portion, a funnel engaging end and a vial or flask engaging end, the vial or flask engaging end with a threaded joint opposite the funnel engaging end, wherein the funnel engaging end of the vacuum take-off adapter receives the inner joint, and wherein a top surface of the bulbous portion contacts the funnel engaging end and a bottom surface of the bulbous portion contacts the vial or flask engaging end, and wherein the bulbous portion extends between the funnel engaging end and the vial or flask engaging end; and   a vial or flask releasably connected to the threaded joint at the vial engaging end of the vacuum take-off adapter via an additional adapter between the threaded joint and the vial or flask.   
     
     
         23 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the vacuum port of the vacuum take-off adapter has a stopcock for adjusting the vacuum. 
     
     
         24 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the vacuum take-off adaptor includes a valve configured to open and close the port. 
     
     
         25 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the vacuum take-off adaptor includes a valve configured to open and close the port. 
     
     
         26 . A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit, comprising:
 a disposable filtering funnel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion terminating at an inner joint;   a stem extending from the inner joint, the stem having a flow discharge end positioned at a distal tip thereof;   a filter disc within the funnel, the disposable filtering funnel being constructed of a polymer resistant to organic solvent;   a cleanse-free adapter having a funnel engaging end on the upper portion and a flask engaging end on the lower portion, the flask engaging end opposite the funnel engaging end, wherein the funnel engaging end receives the inner joint; and   a vacuum Erlenmeyer shaped filtering flask with a vacuum port releasably connected to the flask engaging end of the cleanse-free adapter, wherein the flow discharge end of the filtering funnel extends past the flask vacuum port.   
     
     
         27 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the adaptor are made from a polymer material, such as rubber, silicone rubber or neoprene. 
     
     
         28 . A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit, comprising:
 a disposable filtering funnel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion terminating at an inner joint;   a stem extending from the inner joint, the stem having a flow discharge end positioned at a distal tip thereof;   a filter disc within the funnel, the disposable filtering funnel being constructed of a polymer resistant to organic solvent;   a cleanse-free vacuum take-off adapter having a port adapted for connection to an external vacuum source, the vacuum take-off adapter having a bulbous portion, a funnel engaging end and a flask or vial engaging end, the flask or vial engaging end opposite the funnel engaging end, wherein the funnel engaging end of the vacuum take-off adapter receives the inner joint, and wherein a top surface of the bulbous portion contacts the funnel engaging end and a bottom surface of the bulbous portion contacts the flask or vial engaging end, and wherein the bulbous portion extends between the funnel engaging end and the flask or vial engaging end; and   a bottle flask or vial releasably connected to the adapter at the flask or vial engaging end of the adapter, the bottle flask or vial including a neck at a top portion of the bottle flask or vial, wherein the flask or vial engaging end of the adapter is configured to be inserted into the neck.   
     
     
         29 . The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the vacuum take-off adaptor includes a valve configured to open and close the port.