Methods, apparatus and products for filtering

Abstract

A device for filtering a gas stream, having a vessel partitioned into a first stage and a second stage, with an opening between stages. A filter element is positioned in the opening, with ends of the filter element extending into the first and second stages. The first member is removable from the second member while the filter element is positioned in the opening, to allow for replacement with a new clean member.

1 . A apparatus for filtering a gas comprising
 A vessel having a partition dividing the vessel into a first stage and a second stage, wherein the partition defines an opening providing liquid communication between the stages; and,   A filter element positioned in the opening comprising first member having a first connection end and a first filtering characteristic, and a second member having a second connection end and a second filtering characteristic, wherein the first and second members are connected by a connection system in which the first connection end and the second connection end form a mating pair to provide the connection, wherein at least a portion of the first member extends into the first stage, and at least a portion of the second member extends into the second stage, wherein the first member is removable from the second member while the filter element is positioned in the opening, and wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are the same or different.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connection ends form a mating pair by at least one of snapping, bolting, friction fitting, interlocking, engaging, coupling, hook/looping, adhering, adhesion with a time released adhesive, adhesion with a solvent releasing adhesive, magnetic coupling, locking, and threadably engaging. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a replacement member for the first member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection end and the second connection end comprise an engaging member and a slot adapted to receive the engaging member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are different. 
     
     
         6 . A method of operating a filtering apparatus, wherein the filtering apparatus comprises a vessel having a partition dividing the vessel into a first stage and a second stage, wherein the partition defines an opening providing liquid communication between the stages, and further comprises a filter element positioned in the opening comprising a first member having a first connection end and a first filtering characteristic and a second member having a second connection end and a second filtering characteristic, wherein the first and second members are connected by a connection system in which the first connection end and the second connection end form a mating pair to provide the connection, wherein at least a portion of the first member extends into the first stage, wherein at least a portion of the second member extends into the second stage, and wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are the same or different, the method comprising:
 Separating the first member from the second member, while the filter element is positioned in the opening, thereby leaving at least a portion of the second member extending into the second stage.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, connecting a replacement member to the second member, while at least a portion of the second member extends into the second stage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second connection ends form a mating pair by at least one of snapping, bolting, friction fitting, interlocking, engaging, coupling, hook/looping, adhering, adhesion with a time released adhesive, adhesion with a solvent releasing adhesive, magnetic coupling, locking, and threadably engaging. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first connection end and the second connection end comprise an engaging member and a slot adapted to receive the engaging member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are different. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a filtering apparatus, wherein the filtering apparatus comprises a vessel having a partition dividing the vessel into a first stage and a second stage, wherein the partition defines an opening providing liquid communication between the stages, and further comprises a filter element positioned in the opening comprising a first member having a first end and a first filtering characteristic and a second member having a second connection end and a second filtering characteristic, wherein the first and second members are connected by a connection system in which the first connection end and the second connection end engage to provide the connection, wherein at least a portion of the first member extends into the first stage, wherein at least a portion of the second member extends into the second stage, and wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are the same or different, the method comprising:
 Replacing the first member with a replacement member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second connection ends form a mating pair by at least one of snapping, bolting, friction fitting, interlocking, engaging, coupling, hook/looping, adhering, adhesion with a time released adhesive, adhesion with a solvent releasing adhesive, magnetic coupling, locking, and threadably engaging. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first connection end and the second connection end comprise an engaging member and a slot adapted to receive the engaging member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first filtering characteristic and the second filtering characteristic are different.