Following thorough examination, the European Patent Office has agreed to a patent application for what is known as the "V-Shape", providing this innovative filter concept from Karl Küfner KG with effective protection against unauthorized imitation and product piracy in the whole European Union.

Both technically and economically, the new geometry of the V-Shape offers significant advantages for liquid and gaseous media across the wide range of customer applications.

Whereas classical filters usually comprise a cylindrical support shell or housing with a partially closed base in order to stabilize the filter cloth in the media flow, the filter cloth in the V-Shape is held by rigid bars at the sides. This innovative, streamlined support geometry results in a far greater outflow cross-section with the V-Shape as compared to classical filters.

In the case of the classical cylindrical filter, its design inherently results in an annular gap between the base of the filter and the inside wall through which the medium has to pass after flowing through the filter. This leads in conventional cylinder filters to increased flow resistance and to the flow being deflected and consequently to an unwanted drop in pressure in the flow system.

This flow resistance is effectively minimized in the V-Shape due to the fact that there is no impermeable filter base and the flow is not deflected as a result. On the contrary, the filter base consists of the filtration cloth that allows the medium to permeate through it and is reliably held in position by the rigid, side support elements.

All common, standard types of fabric can be used as filtration cloth for the V-Shape. However, as material for filters is stainless steel possible as well as plastic mesh.

The V-Shape has proven to be especially well suited to use with braided fabric, since the new support geometry greatly improves filtration. Utilization of braided fabric also offers enhanced filtration due to its ability to filter out and retain 'oblong' particles as well as thread and fibres.

The sealing edge of the V-Shape features a metal ring which, compared to a plastic edge, offers the advantage of a rigid surface which may be easily introduced and fixed into the flow contour via a permanent press fit. This precludes the need for positive locking of the filter.

In addition, the V-Shape series also offers the option of a plastic sealing edge. Separate, media-resistant and flexible sealing elements are also available, thereby offering greater flexibility in meeting the application specific needs of our customers.

The revolutionary production concept of the V-Shape series is suitable for production volumes ranging from manually manufactured small batches right up to fully automated runs of millions of units. This broad spectrum of production quantities is made possible by an intelligent tool concept. Structurally, the tool is designed in such a way that it can be adapted to produce cost-effectively in response to a wide range of customer demand.
This flexibility creates a degree of scope especially in the initial stages of a new product.

The V-Shape is already in use in a diverse range of applications- ranging from high-pressure filtration in fuel injection systems to water treatment systems. The V-Shape has also demonstrated its ability to provide sound, reliable and discrete protection against contamination and potential destruction caused by particles of all kinds.