Importance

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Abstract

A filter and muffler device for use with a vacuum mechanism having an outlet port is particularly designed to muffle sound exiting from the outlet port as well as to filter the outlet exhaust. The device includes a filter element which is generally rectangular in plan view and which has opposed lateral sides and opposed longitudinal sides. The filter element has a direction of filtration from a planar bottom to a planar top thereof, and is preferably a HEPA type filter. The device also includes a housing in which the filter element is located. This housing includes a generally flat upper wall parallel to and spaced from the top of the filter element; respective lateral and longitudinal side walls connected to the upper wall and extending generally parallel to the respective lateral and longitudinal sides of the filter element; and a lower wall spaced from the upper wall, extending between the lateral and longitudinal side walls of the housing, and located opposite the bottom of the filter element. This lower wall has a lateral peak which produces a trochoidal shape so that the lower wall includes a major surface and a minor surface. The housing further includes an inlet port extending outwardly from the minor surface which is adapted to be mounted to the outlet port of the vacuum device, a mounting mechanism for mounting the filter element sealingly between the upper wall and the lower wall, and spaced exhaust ports located adjacent the upper wall.

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First Claim