US 12,168,195 B2
Universal bacteria filter apparatus for oxygen concentrators
John M. Rodriguez, III, Helotes, TX (US); and Alfredo Salazar, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed by John M. Rodriguez, III, Helotes, TX (US); and Alfredo Salazar, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/534,056.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/117,027, filed on Nov. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0168682 A1, Jun. 2, 2022
Int. Cl. B01D 46/00 (2022.01); A61M 16/10 (2006.01); B01D 39/16 (2006.01); B01D 46/52 (2006.01); B01D 46/62 (2022.01)
CPC B01D 46/62 (2022.01) [A61M 16/101 (2014.02); A61M 16/1055 (2013.01); B01D 39/1623 (2013.01); B01D 46/0004 (2013.01); B01D 46/0008 (2013.01); B01D 46/0028 (2013.01); B01D 46/521 (2013.01); B01D 2265/025 (2013.01); B01D 2279/65 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter apparatus for universal use in oxygen concentrators of different constructions comprising:
a filter box having an interior, a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, and an open face which extends between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end;
a discharge fitting which projects outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the filter box, the discharge fitting being a tubular segment having a distal discharge opening at a distal end of the tubular segment and a side discharge opening through a cylindrical side wall of the tubular segment;
a cover which is removably positionable over the open face of the filter box;
a plurality of filter elements which are removably receivable through the open face of the filter box for placement in the interior of the filter box, the filter elements comprising at least
a first filter element which extends longitudinally in the interior of the filter box and
a second filter element which (i) is positioned in the interior of the filter box between a longitudinal end of the first filter element and the first longitudinal end of the filter box and (ii) is perpendicular to the first filter element; and
a spout for converting the filter apparatus for use in a different orientation, the spout comprising
a cap which is receivable on the discharge fitting, the cap having a closed forward end and a cylindrical wall which extends rearwardly from the closed forward end and is receivable over the cylindrical side wall of the discharge fitting and
a side conduit segment which extends laterally outward from the cylindrical wall of the cap and has an inlet opening which is positionable over the side discharge opening of the discharge fitting.