U.S. patent application number 11/130019 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for vibratory separators and screens for them.
Invention is credited to Adams, Thomas C., McClung, Guy L. III, Schulte, David L. JR., Seyffert, Kenneth Wayne.
Application Number | 20050236305 11/130019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24172731 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schulte, David L. JR. ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Vibratory separators and screens for them
Abstract
A vibratory separator (in one aspect a shale shaker) and screen
assemblies for them; the screen assemblies, in at least certain
aspects, having an undulating plate with a plurality of spaced
apart openings therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart supports
extending beneath the plate and to which the plate is secured, and
each support having a length and independent of and not connected
to the other supports along its length, each support having two
spaced apart ends, and screening connected to the plate.
Inventors: |
Schulte, David L. JR.;
(Willis, TX) ; Adams, Thomas C.; (Hockley, TX)
; Seyffert, Kenneth Wayne; (Houston, TX) ;
McClung, Guy L. III; (Spring, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Guy McClung
PMB 347
16690 Champion Forest Drive
Spring
TX
77379-7023
US
|
Family ID: |
24172731 |
Appl. No.: |
11/130019 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
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Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11130019 |
May 16, 2005 |
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10202406 |
Jul 24, 2002 |
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6892888 |
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11130019 |
May 16, 2005 |
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09834174 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
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6530483 |
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09834174 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
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09544572 |
Apr 6, 2000 |
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6283302 |
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09544572 |
Apr 6, 2000 |
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09228572 |
Jan 11, 1999 |
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6152307 |
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09228572 |
Jan 11, 1999 |
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09183005 |
Oct 30, 1998 |
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09183005 |
Oct 30, 1998 |
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09090554 |
Jun 4, 1998 |
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6267247 |
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09090554 |
Jun 4, 1998 |
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08895976 |
Jul 17, 1997 |
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5988397 |
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08895976 |
Jul 17, 1997 |
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08786515 |
Jan 21, 1997 |
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5971159 |
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08895976 |
Jul 17, 1997 |
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08598566 |
Feb 12, 1996 |
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08786515 |
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29048575 |
Jan 4, 1996 |
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D377656 |
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29048575 |
Jan 4, 1996 |
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29014571 |
Oct 25, 1993 |
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D366040 |
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29014571 |
Oct 25, 1993 |
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08056123 |
Apr 30, 1993 |
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5385669 |
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29014571 |
Oct 25, 1993 |
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08105696 |
Aug 12, 1993 |
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5392925 |
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08598566 |
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08220101 |
Mar 30, 1994 |
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5490598 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
209/403 ;
209/399; 209/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B07B 1/46 20130101; E21B
21/065 20130101; B07B 1/4672 20130101; B01D 29/012 20130101; B07B
1/4645 20130101; B07B 2201/04 20130101; B01D 33/0384 20130101; E21B
21/06 20130101; B01D 33/0183 20130101; B07B 1/4663 20130101; B07B
1/4654 20130101; B07B 1/469 20130101; B01D 29/07 20130101; B01D
33/0376 20130101; B07B 1/4609 20130101; B01D 29/445 20130101; B07B
1/4618 20130101; B07B 1/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
209/403 ;
209/399; 209/401 |
International
Class: |
B07B 001/49 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly
comprising a support plate having a plurality of alternating raised
portions and lower portions, the support plate having a plurality
of spaced apart openings therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart
supports extending beneath the support plate and to which the
support plate is secured, and each support having a length and
independent of and not connected to the other supports along its
length, each support having two spaced apart ends, and screening
material on the support plate.
2. The screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising a frame to
which the support plate is secured, and wherein each support has
two spaced apart ends each connected to a spaced apart side of the
frame.
3. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the supports are made of
a material from the group consisting of metal, plastic, fiberglass,
rubber or cermet.
4. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein wherein the screening
material is connected to the support plate.
5. The screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising the screening
material comprising at least one wire mesh connected to the support
plate.
6. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the screen material is a
plurality of layers of wire mesh.
7. The screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising bonding
material bonding the at least one wire mesh to the support
plate.
8. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one support has
at least one projecting portion for reception within a raised
portion of the support plate.
9. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein for each raised portion
of the support plate there is a corresponding projecting portion of
each support.
10. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the supports of the
plurality of spaced-apart supports range in width between about
0.10 inches and about 3.00 inches, and are spaced-apart between
about 0.2 inches to about 4.00 inches.
11. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the screening material
comprises a first mesh connected to the support plate, and a second
mesh connected to the first mesh.
12. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the screening material
ranges between 2 mesh and 500 mesh.
13. Vibratory separator apparatus comprising screen assembly
mounting apparatus, vibrator apparatus for vibrating the screen
assembly mounting apparatus, screen assembly apparatus mounted on
the screen assembly mounting apparatus, the screen assembly
apparatus comprising a support plate having a plurality of
alternating raised portions and lower portions, the support plate
having a plurality of spaced apart openings therethrough, a
plurality of spaced apart supports extending beneath the support
plate and to which the support plate is secured, and each support
having a length and independent of and not connected to the other
supports along its length, each support having two spaced apart
ends, and screening material on the support plate.
14. A method for treating fluid with a vibratory separator, the
fluid having material therein to be separated therefrom, the method
comprising, introducing the fluid onto a screen assembly in the
vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a support plate
having a plurality of alternating raised portions and lower
portions, the support plate having a plurality of spaced apart
openings therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart supports
extending beneath the support plate and to which the support plate
is secured, and each support having a length and independent of and
not connected to the other supports along its length, each support
having two spaced apart ends, and screening material on the support
plate.
15. A screen assembly for screening material in a vibratory
screening machine, said assembly comprising a frame, a plurality of
apertures in said frame, spaced frame members on opposite sides of
said plurality of apertures, a screen on said frame comprising a
support plate with a support plate undulating shape and screening
material connected to the undulating support plate and having a
screening material undulating shape corresponding to the support
plate undulating shape, the undulating shapes with elongated
substantially parallel ridges having sloping sides, troughs formed
between said sloping sides for conducting material which is being
screened longitudinally of said troughs while it is being screened,
and at least one support beneath at least one of said ridges, said
at least one support within a space defined by a lower surface of
said at least one of said ridges and an upper surface of the
frame.
16. A screen assembly for screening material in a vibratory
screening machine comprising an undulating apertured plate having
ridges and troughs between said ridges, a screen on and formed in
the same configuration as said undulating apertured plate and
connected in complementary mating relationship thereto, and at
least one support beneath at least one of said ridges, said at
least one support having at least a portion thereof beneath one of
said ridges and within a space below a lower surface of said at
least one of said ridges.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/202,406
filed Jul. 4, 2002 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,888 on May 17,
2005 and this is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/834,174
filed Apr. 12, 2001 which is a division of 09/544,572 filed Apr. 6,
2000 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,302 on Sep. 4, 2001) which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/228,572 filed
Jan. 11, 1999 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,307 on Nov. 28, 2000)
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/183,005 filed Oct. 30, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/090,554 filed Jun. 4, 1998 entitled
"Vibratory Separator Screen" which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 08/895,976 filed Jul. 17, 1997 entitled
"Screen For Vibratory Shaker" issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,397 on
Nov. 23, 1999 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 08/786,515 filed Jan. 21, 1997 entitled "Screen For Shale
Shaker" issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,159 on Oct. 26, 1999 and of
U.S. application Ser. No. 08/598,566 filed Feb. 12, 1996 entitled
"Screen For Vibrating Separator." U.S. application Ser. No.
08/786,515 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,159) is a continuation in part of
the following co-owned applications and patents: U.S. Ser. No.
29/048,575 filed Jan. 4, 1996, now U.S. Patent D 377,656 issued
Jan. 28, 1997 which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 29/014,571,
now U.S. Patent D 366,040 issued on Jan. 9, 1996 which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. applications: Ser. No. 08/56,123 filed
Apr. 30, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,669 issued on Jan. 31, 1995;
and Ser. No. 08/105,696 filed Aug. 12, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,392,925 issued on Feb. 28, 1995; U.S. Ser. No. 08/504,495 filed
Jul. 20, 1995 entitled "Shale Shaker Screen" issued as U.S. Pat.
No. 5,598,930 in Feb. 4, 1997; U.S. Ser. No. 08/598,566 filed Feb.
12, 1996 entitled "Screen For Vibrating Separator" (abandoned)
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/220,101 filed
Mar. 30, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,598 issued Feb. 13, 1996. All
of these related applications and patents are incorporated herein
in their entirety for all purposes and the present invention claims
priority from all of them under the Patent Laws.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to frames, support
structures, and screens for vibratory shakers, screens with such a
support, and methods of their use.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The prior art discloses a wide variety of vibrating screens,
devices which use them, shale shakers, and screens for shale
shakers and vibratory separators. The screens catch and remove
entrained solids from fluid, drilling fluid, and/or drilling mud as
it passes through them.
[0006] Various prior art screens have one, two or more overlying
layers of screening material, mesh, and/or screen cloth which may
be bonded together. A support, supports, or a perforated or
apertured plate is often used beneath the screen, mesh or screens
of many prior art screen assemblies. Also an outer frame is used in
many screens. The frame may include one or more crossmembers
extending across the frame and connected at the ends to sides of
the frame. The frame facilitates connection of the screen to a
separator device and provides support for the plate and screening
material.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] In at least certain preferred embodiments the present
invention provides: new, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious
screens, filtering screens, two- or three-dimensional screens; flat
or non-flat screens; mountings for them; such screens with one or
more bottom support strips or rods; such screens in which screening
material is on a corrugated perforated plate which itself is on
strip(s) and/or on a frame; and shale shakers with such items; such
a screen with a corrugated perforated solid support plate; such a
screen for a shale shaker with one or more bottom support strips;
such a screen also with one or more strip or rod projections for
projecting above a bottom strip or apertured plate into an
indentation or raised part in an upper screen layer or layers; and
a shale shaker with one or more such screens.
[0008] In one aspect the strips (or rods) have one or more
projecting portions formed integrally thereof or secured thereto
which project into troughs or areas of the layer(s). Such
projecting portions may be shaped and configured to mate with the
shape of a hill, valley, trough or indented area; may be bonded to
the layer(s) at such areas; may be bonded only to the sides of such
areas and not to the uppermost portion of a top portion thereof; or
may be adjacent such areas without bonding thereto. If there is a
series of parallel troughs or a plurality of adjacent indented
areas, such projections may be provided in all such troughs or
areas; in only on such trough or area; in troughs or areas only
adjacent frame sides; or in only middle troughs or areas.
[0009] It is within the scope of this invention in embodiments in
which the screen has a series of parallel troughs, to use
alternating flat strips and strips with one or more projections as
described above. It is also within the scope of this invention to
use non-flat strips which have a shape that corresponds to the
series of troughs, e.g. with undulating layer(s), a corresponding
undulating strip is used. Such strips may be used instead of or in
combination with flat strips. Any strip herein may have holes
through it to facilitate fluid flow. In one aspect any strip,
combination of strips, or pattern of strips disclosed herein may be
used with a generally flat ("two-dimensional") screen.
[0010] The present invention, in one embodiment includes a shale
shaker with a frame; a "basket" or screen mounting apparatus; one
or more screens as described above and below; and basket vibrating
apparatus.
[0011] The present invention discloses, in certain embodiments, a
unibody structure for a screen assembly for a vibratory separator
and a screen assembly with such a unibody structure, the unibody
structure, in certain aspects having an integral body member with a
portion having a plurality of spaced-apart openings in a pattern of
a plurality of spaced-apart screening openings and including a pair
of spaced-apart integral side members made of folded portions that
form the pair of spaced-apart integral side members.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the screen with a unibody structure
according to the present invention has one, two, three or more
upper layers of screen, screen cloth, and/or mesh, bonded or not to
the structure. If more than one layer mounted on the structure is
used, they may be bonded together at discrete points, at discrete
areas, or over their entire surface. The unibody structure may, in
certain aspects, include one or two interconnected pairs of
spaced-apart integral sides in a generally rectangular
configuration. Hook strips, channels, or other mounting structure
may be provided on opposed sides of a structure which are formed of
either separate or integral portions of the original single piece
of material.
[0013] The unibody structure may be made of any suitable plastic or
metal, including, but not limited to, steel, stainless steel,
aluminum, aluminum alloys, zinc, zinc alloys, PTFE, or some
combination thereof. The present invention may include a shale
shaker or vibratory separator with one or more screen assemblies
with a unibody structure according to the present invention.
[0014] This invention may provide a screen as in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,000,556; 5,958,236; 5,944,993; 5,876,552; 5,888,929; 5,713,077;
5,720,881; 5,673,797; 5,417,793; 5,417,858; and 5,417,859, (all
fully incorporated herein) but to delete the apertured plate or
frame and to use instead a unibody structure as disclosed
herein.
[0015] In certain aspects according to the present invention, a
single piece of material is used to form a four-sided support or
frame for screening material (one, two, three or more layers)
and/or for a plate or sheet with holes therethrough.
[0016] Alternatively, pointed corrugations may be used with no flat
top and no flat bottom or with a flat bottom and pointed top. Such
a screen (and any screen or screen assembly disclosed herein) may
be used on a frame; on a flat perforated plate; on one or more
braces and/or strip supports (flat and/or corrugated; and
corrugated to correspond to the shape of the screen 330's shapes);
on a combination thereof; and/or with upturned side edges or other
connection apparatus for connection to a vibratory separator or
shale shaker.
[0017] It is within the scope of this invention to have a strip
with three, four, five or more sets of upturned fingers and, in one
aspect, to have a set of fingers for each raised portion of a plate
and/or screen used with the strip.
[0018] In one aspect the top curved portion of a support finger
according to the present invention corresponds in shape to a curved
portion of a corrugated plate and/or screen used with one or more
strips 380. Alternatively, a strip can be made of one integral
plastic piece.
[0019] Any support disclosed herein may be fastened to a strip
and/or screen and/or plate with one or more fasteners and/or with
VELCRO.TM. material.
[0020] U.S. application Ser. Nos. 08/598,566 and 08/786,515 are
incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.
[0021] What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this
invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at
least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, other objects
and purposes will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art
who has the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures.
It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention to provide:
[0022] New, useful, unique, efficient, non-obvious screen frames,
screen assemblies with such a frame, shale shakers and vibratory
separators with such screens, and methods of their use.
[0023] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any
particular individual feature disclosed here, but include
combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their
structures and functions. There are, of course, additional aspects
of the invention described below and which may be included in the
subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in
the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and
suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure
may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures,
methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present
invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include
any legally equivalent devices or methods.
[0024] The present invention recognizes and addresses the
previously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and provides a
solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those
needs. To one skilled in this art who has the benefits of this
invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions,
other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the
following description of preferred embodiments, given for the
purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not
intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no
matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or
additions of further improvements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] A more particular description of embodiments of the
invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the
embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of
this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred
embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of
the invention which may have other equally effective or legally
equivalent embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 1A is a top view of a screen assembly according to the
present invention. FIG. 1B is a top view of part of the screen
assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a side view of the screen assembly
part shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1D is a cross-section view along line
1D-1D of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1E is a flattened out view of the screen
assembly part of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1F is a flattened out view of part
of the screen assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1G shows two screens as in
FIG. 1D end-to-end.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to
the present invention with a screen assembly according to the
present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3G are top views of alternative embodiments for a
part like the part of FIG. 1B of a screen assembly according to the
present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 4A-4J are top views of patterns of openings that may
be provided in a unibody frame according to the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 5A is a top view of a single piece of material to be
used to make a unibody structure according to the present
invention. FIG. 5B shows the material of FIG. 5A with slots cut to
form support ribs. FIG. 5C shows the material of FIG. 5B with a
pattern of openings. FIG. 5D is a side view of the material of FIG.
5C with support ribs now projecting from the material. FIG. 5E
shows the material of FIG. 5D with the portion with the pattern of
openings at an angle with respect to the portion with the support
ribs. FIG. 5F shows the piece of material with part folded or bend
over onto the other part. FIG. 5G is a top view of the piece of
material of FIG. 5F and FIG. 5H is a view along line 5H-5H of FIG.
5G. FIGS. 5I (side view), 5J (cross-section view along line 5I-5J
of FIG. 5K) and 5K (top view), show screening material on the piece
of material of FIG. 5H.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side cross-section view of a screen assembly
according to the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 6A is a top view of a panel according to the present
invention for a screen assembly.
[0033] FIG. 6B is a front side view of the panel of FIG. 6A. The
back side view is like the view of FIG. 6B.
[0034] FIG. 6C is a left end view (as in FIG. 6A) of the panel of
FIG. 6A. The right end view is like the view of FIG. 6C.
[0035] FIG. 6D is a bottom view, FIG. 6E is a top view, and FIG. 6F
is an exploded view of the screen assembly of FIG. 6E.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of part of a screen with cross
strips according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a screen according to the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 11A is a top view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 11B is a view along line 23B-23B of FIG. 11A.
[0042] FIG. 11C is a view along line 23C-23C of FIG. 11B.
[0043] FIG. 11D is a cross-section view of a screen according to
the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0045] FIG. 12B is a side view along line 12B-12B of FIG. 12A.
[0046] FIG. 12C is a section view along line 19C-19C of FIG.
12B.
[0047] FIG. 12D is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0048] FIG. 13A is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0049] FIG. 13B is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 14A is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 14B is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0052] FIG. 15A is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0053] FIG. 15B is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0054] FIG. 15C is a section view of a support according to the
present invention.
[0055] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a shale shaker according to
the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 17A is a top view, partially cutaway, of a screen
according to the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 17B is an exploded side view of the screen of FIG.
17A.
[0058] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a screen according to the
present invention.
[0059] FIG. 19 is an end view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 20 is an end view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0061] FIG. 21 is a side view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0062] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of a screen
according to the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a plug for repairing the
screen of FIG. 22.
[0064] FIG. 24 is a cross-section of a plug of FIG. 23, taken along
section line 45-45.
[0065] FIG. 25 is an end view of a screen according to the present
invention.
[0066] FIGS. 26-30 present end views of corrugated perforated
plates according to the present invention which structure may also
be used for strips according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THIS
PATENT
[0067] FIGS. 1A-1F show a screen asembly 10 according to the
present invention with a unibody structure 20 according to the
present invention. The screen assembly 10 has, optionally, three
layers 11, 12, 13 of screening material bonded to a top surface 22
of the unibody structure 20. Preferably, the layers 11, 12, 13 are
also bonded together over substantially their entire surface
area.
[0068] A plurality of openings 24 through the unibody structure 20
define a plurality of support members 26. To the underside of the
unibody structure 20 are, optionally, connected a plurality of
spaced-apart ribs or strips 28 which, in one aspect are welded to a
metal unibody structure 20. In this particular embodiment the ribs
28 are positioned along a substantial majority of their length
directly beneath one of the support members 26 that extend across a
major portion of the unibody structure 20; but it is within the
scope of this invention to use no such ribs or to position them
anywhere on the underside of the unibody structure 20. The unibody
structure 20 has spaced-apart sides 36, 38.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 1C, the screen assembly 10 has an end 14
and a "ledge" end 16. The ledge end has an upper ledge portion 17
that rests on a shoulder 15 of an end 14 of an adjacent screen.
Thus one screen end 16 seals against another screen end 14 when
such screens are used end-to-end, as shown in FIG. 1G. In one
particular embodiment four screens as in FIG. 1D are used on a
shaker in two end-to-end pairs with the paris side by side. Each
pair is positioned in "C" channels. One of the screens is moved
into the "C" channel supports ledge end 16 first. Then the ledge
end 16 of the second screen is moved into the "C" channels so that
it sealingly abuts the end 14 of the first screen. The other pair
is similarly installed.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 1E, the unibody structure 20 is, initially,
a single integral piece of material in which the pattern of
openings 24 is formed, e.g. by any suitable cutting tool, punch,
laser, or plasma beam or arc. Alternatively, the area shown in FIG.
1E with the openings 24 may be removed so that all that is formed
according to the present invention is a four-sided structure to
which is applied one, two, three or more layers of screening
sheet(s) and/or screening material; including but not limited to a
perforated sheet or plate and/or any desired number of layers of
screening material, bonded or unbonded.
[0071] Extensions 31, 32, 33, and 34 are folded to form,
respectively, the end, 14, end 16 and sides 36, 38. It is within
the scope of this invention to fold the various extensions of the
unibody structure with any suitable press brake, pliers, or bending
device with or without applying heat to the structure. FIG. 1F
shows a rib 28 which has not yet been bent or folded into the form
shown in FIG. 1D. Ends 29 may be introduced into corresponding
holes or slots (not shown) in the sides 36, 38 to facilitate
securement of the ribs.
[0072] It is within the scope of this invention for the screen
assembly 10 to have none, one, two, three or more layers of
screening material, i.e., screen, mesh, and/or cloth made, e.g., of
stainless steel wire and/or plastic. Any such layer or combination
of layers may be bonded together (glued, welded, and/or sintered)
in any known manner and/or bonded to the unibody structure 20 in
any known manner. Any such layer or layers of screening material
may be substantially flat or may be undulating (with a series of
alternating ridges and valleys) as is well known in the art.
[0073] FIG. 2 shows a shale shaker S according to the present
invention with a screen assembly 8 according to the present
invention which may be any screen assembly disclosed herein
according to the present invention. Any suitable known shaker or
vibratory separator may employ one or more screens according to the
present invention including but not limited to shakers as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,925 and 5,641,070 and in the references
cited in each patent.
[0074] Edges on both sides of a unibody structure according to the
present invention can form hook strips. In such an embodiment with
hook strips a hook end (like the hook end 14), FIG. 1C) and/or a
ledge end (like the ledge end 16, FIG. 1C) may be deleted.
[0075] FIGS. 3A-3G are top views of alternative embodiments for the
unibody structure F, each with a series of different-shaped
openings 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 therethrough, respectively.
Instead of placing sheets or layers of screening material over the
openings, it is within the scope of this invention to emplace a
plug or module with screening material in some or all of the
openings of any screen assembly disclosed herein according to the
present invention. In certain aspects, the plugs or modules are as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,397 or 5,490,598, parents of this
case.
[0076] Also, e.g. as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3E, it is
within the scope of this invention to provide one or more areas or
strips T without openings.
[0077] FIGS. 4A-4J replicate the panels disclosed in FIGS. 45G-45P
of pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 288,572, filed Jan. 11, 1999,
a parent of this case, and are reproduced here to illustrate
certain possible opening/support member patterns for a unibody
structure according to the present invention. Of course if any such
opening/support pattern is used in a unibody structure according to
the present invention the ends and sides of the panels as disclosed
in FIGS. 45G-45P of the cited application may be deleted.
[0078] In certain embodiments of a screen assembly with a unibody
structure according to the present invention as described above has
no separate pieces added to form parts, e.g. sides, hook strips,
hook end, ledge end, etc. and is, therefore, relatively less
expensive to make. By reducing or eliminating seams and connection
areas, a relatively more substantial screen assembly is
possible.
[0079] FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate a unibody structure 70 according to
the present invention that is initially a single integral piece of
material that is cut or machined to the shape shown in FIG. 5A that
includes a first portion 71 in which will be made a pattern of
openings and a second portion 72 in which will be made a series of
rib supports. As shown in FIG. 5B a series of slots 74 are made
(cut, drilled, punched, or machined in any suitable manner) in the
second portion.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 5C a pattern of openings 76 is made (cut,
drilled, punched, or machined in any suitable manner) in the first
portion 71. These openings and their pattern may be any suitable
shape opening in any desired pattern, including, but not limited
to, any opening shape and pattern disclosed herein. The openings 76
may be of such a size that no additional screening material is
placed over them; or, alternatively, any screening material
disclosed herein, bonded or unbonded, may be placed over the
openings 76.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 5D rib supports 78 have been bent or folded
away from the second portion 72. As shown in FIG. 5E the first
portion 71 has been folded or bent with respect to the second
portion 72. As shown in FIGS. 5F-5G the first portion 71 has been
folded or bent over onto the second portion 72 so that an underside
of the first portion 71 contacts top surfaces 79 of the rib
supports 78. The first portion 71 may be glued, bolted, screwed, or
welded to top surfaces 79 of the rib supports 78 [or Velcro.TM.
material may be used to secure the portion 71 to the ribs 78].
FIGS. 5I-5K show the structure of FIG. 5F with screening material
80 thereon. The screening material 80 may be, in at least certain
preferred embodiments, any known screen, screens, mesh, and/or
meshes in any known combination, bonded or unbonded to each other,
bonded or unbonded to the top portion 71, and/or of different
weaves or similar weaves. As shown in FIGS. 5H and 5F the ends 73,
75 correspond, respectively, to ends 14 and 16 of the screen of
FIG. 1A and function similarly to effect the sealing end-to-end
abutment of such screens.
[0082] FIG. 6 shows a screen assembly 90 according to the present
invention which has a unibody structure 92 which is substantially
flat and with ends 93 folded or bent to form "hook strips" for
securing the screen assembly 90 in various shakers and separators
that employ such a screen connection apparatus. Such hook strips
may be provided with any unibody structure disclosed herein. Such a
unibody structure may be used instead of various prior art devices
which employ, e.g. a plate to which channel-shaped members are
welded or otherwise secured; for example, but without limitation,
the unibody structure can be used in devices like those of U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,720,881 and 4,575,421 (and those of the references
cited in these two patents) instead of the plate/channel-shaped
member combinations disclosed in these patents. Screening material
94 (as any described herein with respect to layer(s), mesh(es),
bonding etc.) has an undulating shape as viewed in FIG. 6. It is
shown with lower parts touching and fixed to a top surface of the
unibody structure 92, but it may be spaced-apart from this surface.
It is within the scope of this invention to employ undulating
screening material on any unibody structure and with any screen
assembly disclosed herein. Optionally, the screening material 94
may be substantially flat. The unibody structure 92 may be, as
viewed from above, like any unibody structure disclosed herein. In
another aspect, the screening material 94 is a portion like the
first portion 71 (FIG. 5A) and is folded over to a position as
shown in FIG. 6, rather than affixed as a separate piece.
Alternatively, what is shown as the screening material 94 in FIG. 6
may be a support structure for additional screening material placed
thereon.
[0083] FIGS. 6A-6D show a screen panel 1150 according to the
present invention with two opposed spaced-apart sides 1151 and 1152
spaced apart by two opposed sides 1153, 1154 and by a plurality of
strips 1155. Each pair of spaced-apart strips, with portions of the
sides 1151, 1152 define an open space 1156 through the panel 1150.
At each side 1153, 1154, a strip 1155 and a portion of the side
1153 and side 1154 define an open space 1157 through the panel
1150.
[0084] In one aspect the panel 1150 (and/or strips and/or sides) is
made of any suitable metal, e.g. but not limited to iron, steel,
stainless steel, zinc, zinc alloys, aluminum, and aluminum alloys.
In another aspect the panel is made of any suitable plastic,
fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene cermet or composite. In one
particular aspect the panel is made of 14 gauge cold rolled steel
about 0.074 inches thick.
[0085] The openings in the panel may be made by any suitable
method, including, but not limited to, drilling, sawing, or laser
cutting. In one particular aspect a panel of 14 gauge cold rolled
steel about 0.074 inches thick is laser cut with a CO.sub.2 laser
producing very precise and well-defined open spaces and very
precise and well-defined strips 1155, in one aspect with strips
about 0.22 inches wide, about 1.3 inches apart from each other.
[0086] In other aspects, the strips 1155 may range in width between
about 0.10 inches to about 3.00 inches and they may be spaced apart
between about 0.2 inches to about 4.00 inches. In one particular
screen with about 0.22 inch wide strips spaced about 1.3 inches
apart, the panel is 14 gauge cold rolled steel about 46.75 inches
long, about 35.86 inches wide, about 0.074 inches thick with end
portions, as viewed from above, about 1.65 inches wide between the
screen ends" outer edge and the edge of an open space.
Alternatively, the strips 1155 may be vertically oriented as viewed
in FIG. 6A and the panel 1150 may be corrugated.
[0087] Alternatively, the outer edges of the panel 1150 may be
provided and the strips, as separate pieces, connected thereto in
any manner, shape, or design as described above herein.
[0088] FIGS. 6E and 6F show a screen assembly 1160 according to the
present invention with a panel 1150. A first mesh (in one aspect a
fine mesh) 1161, e.g. 180 mesh, is bonded to a second mesh (in one
aspect a backup mesh) 1162, e.g. 12 mesh which is then bonded to
the panel 1150. In additional embodiments, the fine mesh may range
between 14 mesh and 500 mesh and the backup mesh may range between
2 mesh and 30 mesh. Also, additional meshes may be used, including,
but not limited to, any of the meshes and mesh combinations
disclosed above herein, including the above-disclosed corrugated
meshes in a flat configuration.
[0089] In other embodiments a backup mesh, middle mesh and a top
mesh (in one aspect ranging between 100 mesh to 300 mesh) are used.
In one aspect the backup mesh was 304 stainless steel 32 mesh with
wire diameter of 0.045 inches, the middle mesh was 130 mesh 304
stainless steel with wire diameter of 0.0017 inches, and the top
mesh was 304 stainless steel 180 mesh with a wire diameter of
0.0012 inches. A panel like the panel 1150 was coated with a powder
coating (e.g. such as commercially available TK NOVO B Powder from
Tuboscope Vetco) and bonded to the three meshes.
[0090] In other embodiments a backup mesh and a top mesh are used
bonded together. In one aspect the backup mesh was 304 stainless
steel 8 mesh with wire diameter of 0.025 inches, and the top mesh
was 304 stainless steel 200 mesh with a wire diameter of 0.0021
inches. A panel like the panel 1150 was coated with a powder
coating and bonded to the two meshes.
[0091] In other embodiments a backup mesh, middle mesh and a top
mesh are used bonded together. In one aspect the backup mesh was
304 stainless steel calendared 8 mesh (with tops of ridges
flattened) with wire diameter of 0.025 inches, and the top mesh was
304 stainless steel 180 mesh with a wire diameter of 0.0012 inches
(or alternatively 200 mesh with a wire diameter of 0.0010 inches).
A panel like the panel 1150 was coated with a powder coating and
bonded to the three meshes.
[0092] FIG. 7 shows a screen 1250 which has a plurality of bottom
support strips 1252, each of which has two upper in-turned edges
formed into a mounting hook (not shown). Undulating screening
material 1256 is bonded to the strips 1252. Flat material may,
alternatively, be used.
[0093] FIG. 8 shows a bottom strip support assembly 1290 for a
screen according to the present invention. A plurality of strips
1291 extend between and are secured to frame sides 1292 and
1293.
[0094] In certain embodiments of a screen as in FIG. 8, the strips
1291 are between one-thirty second and one-eighth inches thick and
about forty-five and a half inches long; the frame sides 1292, 1293
are about thirty six inches long; the strips 1291 are made from
galvanized steel; and the frame sides 1292, 1293 are made from 20
gauge galvanized steel.
[0095] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,159 issued Oct. 26, 1999 describes the
items of FIGS. 9 and 10 in detail and these descriptions are
incorporated herein fully for all purposes.
[0096] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate changes to a screen assembly 730
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,881 which is incorporated fully
herein. The screen assembly 730 has a plate 731 with holes 738
therethrough and a multi-layer screen 732 epoxied together and
bonded to the plate 731.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 11B, support 733 underlies a ridge 734 of
the screen 732 and support 735 with a series of fluid flow holes
736 therethrough underlies a ridge 737. It is within the scope of
this invention to use one or more supports 733 and/or 735 (and/or
one or more of any of the supports disclosed herein) under one,
two, three, more than three, or all of the ridges of the screen 732
(or of any screen or screen assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,720,881). In one aspect each ridge may have a series of spaced
apart supports and, in another aspect, supports under one ridge are
offset from those under another ridge. Although it is not
preferred, in certain embodiments the support(s) may be loose under
the ridges. As shown in FIG. 11B the support 733 is secured to the
screen 732 and to the plate 731 and the support 735 is secured to
the screen 732.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 11C the width of a support may be such
that, as viewed from above, it does not block off the openings 738
(support 733) or, alternatively it does block off openings 738
(support 736).
[0099] FIG. 11D shows a screen 740 like the screen assembly 730's
screen 732, but with no lower plate 731. It is to be understood
that the screens 732 and 740 represent any known single or
multi-layer screen or screen assembly with screen(s) bonded
together or unbonded. It is within the scope of this invention to
use one or more supports (any disclosed herein) with each of the
various screen assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,881
including but not limited to those of this patent's FIGS. 2, 4, 8
and 9. Ridges 741, 742, 743 of the screen 740 each has an internal
support 744, 745, 746, respectively secured thereto and thereunder.
It is within the scope of this invention for the screen 740 to have
only supports 744, 745, or 746, to have them under each ridge, for
such supports to extend along and under the entire length of a
ridge, or for there to be a plurality of spaced apart supports
beneath each ridge. The support 746 is shown with a series of fluid
flow holes 747 therethrough, but it may be solid and either or both
of the supports 744, 745 may have a series of fluid flow holes
therethrough.
[0100] FIG. 12A shows a screen frame 700 according to the present
invention. In one aspect the frame 700 is made from a single sheet
or frame piece from which areas 702 are removed, e.g. but not
limited to by an appropriate saw or laser, to form outer sides 703,
704, 705, 706 and cross strips 707 and cross strips 708. Each cross
strip 708 has two raised portions or humps 709. It is within the
scope of this invention for any of the strips 707, 708 to have one,
two, three, four five or more humps 709. As shown each hump 709 has
an internal support 710 therebeneath. The supports 710 are secured
to a strip's underside by any suitable means, including, but not
limited to, glue, adhesives, epoxy, sintering, and welding. The
strips 707, 708 and the supports 710 may be made of any suitable
metal, plastic, fiberglass, or composite material.
[0101] As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C the inner surface of a top of
the raised portion or hump 709 is spaced apart from a top surface
of the supports 710 to facilitate fluid flow over and around the
supports 710. As discussed below, the strips 707, 708 and/or
supports 710 may have a series of fluid flow holes therethrough. As
shown in FIG. 12D a hump 711 (like the humps 709, FIG. 12B) has a
series of fluid flow holes 712 therethrough and a support 713 (like
the supports 710, FIG. 12B) has a series of fluid flow holes 714
therethrough.
[0102] FIGS. 13A and 13B shows a hump 715 (like the humps 709, 711)
on a strip 716. The strip 716 has a series of fluid flow holes 719
therethrough, including holes through the hump 715. An internal
support 717 with a series of fluid flow holes 718 therethrough is
substantially as wide as the strip 716.
[0103] FIG. 14A shows a hump 720 (like the humps in FIGS. 12B, 12D,
13A) of a strip 721 (like the strips 708, 716) has an internal
support 722; but the support 722 viewed in cross-section as in FIG.
14A, occupies substantially all of the space under the hump 720
when viewed this way. The support 722 and/or hump 720 may have a
series of fluid flow holes therethrough. The support 722, as is
true of the supports in FIGS. 12D, 13A, 15A, and 15C, may be
secured to a strip's underside as is a support 710 (FIG. 12B) and
the strips in these figures and the supports may be made of any of
the materials listed above regarding the strips 707, 708 and
supports 710.
[0104] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a hump 725 of a strip 726 with an
internal support 727 adhesively secured to the strip 726 with
epoxy. Alternatively, the support 727 may be welded to the strip
726. Preferably when viewed as in FIG. 15B the support 727 occupies
less than 10% of the area beneath the hump 725 and most preferably
less than 5%. As with any other internal support and hump disclosed
herein, the hump 725 and/or support 727 may have one or a series of
fluid flow holes therethrough, as shown with the holes 728, 729 in
FIG. 15C.
[0105] Referring now to FIG. 16, a vibratory separator system 910
according to the present invention has a screen 920 (with screen or
screening cloth or mesh as desired) according to the present
invention mounted on vibratable screen mounting apparatus or
"basket" 912. The screen 920 may be any screen disclosed herein or
have any combination of any feature or features of any screen or
screen part disclosed herein; and any such screen may be used with
any appropriate shaker or screening apparatus. The basket 912 is
mounted on springs 914 (only two shown; two as shown are on the
opposite side) which are supported from a frame 916. The basket 912
is vibrated by a motor 922 and interconnected vibrating apparatus
918 which is mounted on the basket 912 for vibrating the basket and
the screens. Elevator apparatus 928 provides for raising and
lowering of the basket end. The screen 920 may be any screen
disclosed herein.
[0106] FIGS. 17A and 17B show a screen 930 according to the present
invention with wire mesh layers 931, 932, 933 (any or any two of
which are optional) on a perforated corrugated plate 934 which is
mounted over rods 936. Optionally, the layer(s) may be adhered
(adhesively, by sintering, and/or bonding) to the plate. The plate
934 is optional. The rods may be made of metal (e.g. steel,
stainless steel, zinc, zinc alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys,
copper, copper alloys) plastic, composite or fiberglass.
[0107] FIG. 18 shows a screen 10 according to the present invention
with a frame with two sides 12 and 14 with strips 20 extending
between the two sides 12 and 14; and screen material 16 on the
strips 20 and connected to the sides 12 and 14. Screen material 16
(and any other screen or screening material disclosed herein)
represents any known mesh, screen, or screens, used in any
combination, bonded together or unbonded. The screen material 16 as
shown is "three-dimensional," i.e., not generally flat and has
undulating portions with hills 22 and valleys 24. (It is within the
scope of this invention for the screening material 16 and any other
screening material herein to be generally flat.)
[0108] FIG. 19 illustrates a screen 130 according to the present
invention with screening material 131 (which may be any screen or
screening material disclosed herein) supported by a support strip
132. The support strip 132 has a bottom strip 133 and an undulating
strip 134 secured thereto. The screening material 131 may rest on
the undulating strip 134 or some or all of the undulating strip 134
may be bonded to the screening material.
[0109] FIG. 20 illustrates a screen 140 according to the present
invention which has screening material 141 (which may be any screen
or screening material disclosed herein) supported by a support
strip 142. The support strip 142 has a lower strip 143 and
projecting strip portions 144 secured to the lower strip 143. The
projecting strip portions 144 project up into hills formed in the
screening material 141. In any embodiment of this invention in
which part of a support strip projects up into a raised part of a
screen, the projecting strip may be connected to, adhesively bonded
to, or welded to the screen at any selected point, line, points, or
lines in the raised screen part. As shown in FIG. 20, the
projecting strip portions are not bonded to, connected to or welded
to the tops 145 of screening material 141; nor are they bonded to,
welded to, or connected to lower portions 146 of the raised parts
of the screening material 141. Alternatively the projecting strip
portions 144 may be bonded to, connected to, or welded to only the
tops 145 of the raised parts of the screening material; and/or to
the lower portions 146.
[0110] Any strip or rod disclosed herein may have, in certain
embodiments, holes therethrough to promote fluid flow. Any strip or
rod disclosed herein with an upper projecting portion and a lower
strip or rod may have holes in the upper strip or rod, the lower
strip or rod, or both to promote fluid flow.
[0111] FIG. 21 discloses an improvement to screens with upper
screening material and a lower rigid perforated metal sheet or
apertured plate, including but not limited to improvements for
screens as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,417,793; 5,417,858; and
5,417,859. A screen 280 with screening material 281 has a lower
apertured plate 282 (as disclosed, e.g., in the three listed
patents). Upper projecting strips 284 are secured to the lower
apertured plate 282. The upper projecting strips 284 may or may not
be bonded to the screening material 281 and may or may not have
holes therethrough. The screening material may be bonded to itself,
and/or to any apertured plate, strip, or rod. Any upper projecting
rod, strip, combination of strips or rods, or pattern of strips or
rods disclosed herein may be used with screens with a lower
apertured plate, including but not limited to those disclosed in
the three listed patents.
[0112] Referring now to FIG. 22, a perspective view of a portion of
a screen 400 shows a layer of wire mesh 562, which includes wire
mesh webs bonded to panel 302. Should a tear develop in wire mesh
layer 562, the wire mesh surrounding the tear is cut from around
the opening 304 in which the tear occurs. A plug 564 is then
inserted into the opening in the screen to seal the screen.
[0113] Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, plug 564 is made of an
elastic rubber or similar elastomeric material. Its width and
length are very slightly larger than one of the openings 304. It
has a flat top section surrounded on all sides by a skirt-like side
edge 602. The side edge is adapted for enabling the plug to be
manually inserted into one of the openings 304 and to seal securely
against the side of the opening. The side edges have an outwardly
tapering bottom section 604 and a channel 606. The tapering bottom
section is sufficiently flexible enough to deflect inwardly under
force of the edges of the opening when the plug is pushed into the
opening. Deflection of the bottom of the sides pulls inwardly a
lower edge of channel 606, thereby providing sufficient clearance
to push the plug further down into an opening 304 to the point the
upper edge of the channel engages the upper edge of the opening.
The width of channel 606 is slightly larger than the thickness of
the edge of an opening 304 (which includes the thickness of the
panel and two layers of wire mesh). Therefore, the bottom tapering
section 604 springs back, locking the plug into place and sealing
it against the edges of the opening. Support ribs 608 provide
lateral strength to the plug so that it does not deflect downward
when loaded during operation, in a manner that would pull the top
edge of the channel away from the edge of the opening and allow the
load to force the plug through the bottom of the opening.
[0114] FIG. 25 shows a screen 900 with a first layer of wire mesh
902 and a second layer of wire mesh web 904 (shown apart from the
frame prior to final assembly after which the meshes are on the
frame). It is within the scope of this invention to use only one
screening layer for any screen described herein or to use three or
more layers. A frame 906 supports the mesh and/or screening layers.
In one aspect the layers shown for the screen rest one on top of
the other and in another aspect one or more or all of the layers
are bonded together and in another aspect they are bonded to the
frame across their entire surfaces or only around the periphery
thereof. The frame 906 is configured and shaped to correspond to
the corrugated shape or undulating shape of the layer(s) above it;
alternatively the layer(s) may be made to correspond to the shape
of the frame. Ridges 908 have relatively elongated flat tops as
compared to the length of the flat tops of the ridges of the screen
700 and flat valleys 912 of the frame 906 are relatively short. It
is within the scope of this invention for the ridges and valleys to
have any desired width or shape.
[0115] FIGS. 26-30 present a variety of configurations for
corrugated perforated plates according to the present invention
and/or for strips according to the present invention.
[0116] FIG. 26 shows a corrugated plate A on a support strip B
having optional mounting hooks C.
[0117] FIG. 27 shows a corrugated plate D on a support strip E.
Optionally, mounting hooks may be used with such an assembly.
[0118] FIG. 28 shows a support strip F. A corrugated perforated
plate may have such a configuration and mounting hooks may be used
with the strips or with the plate.
[0119] FIG. 29 shows a support strip G. A corrugated perforated
plate may have such a configuration and mounting hooks may be used
with the strips or with the plate.
[0120] FIG. 30 shows a corrugated plate H on a support strip I
having optional mounting hooks J.
[0121] Any mesh, meshes, screen, screens, screening material(s) or
any combination thereof or any such as described herein may be used
with any of the items shown in FIGS. 26-30.
[0122] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present
invention and the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by
the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives
and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the
subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of
this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the
scope of this invention and it is further intended that each
element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be
understood as referring to all equivalent elements or steps. The
following claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as
legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. The invention
claimed herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in .sctn. 102.
The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in
.sctn. 103. This specification and the claims that follow are in
accordance with all of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112.
The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine
and assess the scope of their invention and of the claims that
follow as they may pertain to apparatus not materially departing
from, but outside of, the literal scope of the invention as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *