SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR A FILTER MEMBRANE AND DISC-SHAPED POROUS SUPPORT MEMBER FOR A FILTER MEMBRANE

摘要

A support apparatus of the present invention for a filter membrane comprises a base support and a disc-shaped porous support member for the filter membrane. The disc-shaped porous support membrane is removably received in a seat portion of the base support in fluid communication with a drain, such that a bottom side of the disc-shaped porous support member is supported in a support plane. The bottom side of the disc-shaped porous support member is unsupported in an area and the unsupported area is adjacent to a space in the seat portion of the base support that is located and dimensioned such that application of a force, preferably of a vertical force or force component directed downward, onto the top side of the disc-shaped porous support member at a location substantially within the boundaries of the unsupported area at the bottom side will cause the disc-shaped porous support member to pivot/tilt into the space and lift up above the support plane at a diagonally opposite side from the location where the force is applied so that it can be easily grasped and removed. Alternatively, a disc-shaped porous support member of the invention for a filter membrane has a bottom side provided with a recess extending from a support plane and extending over an area that is located and dimensioned such that application of a force onto the top side at a location substantially within the boundaries of the recess will cause the disc-shaped porous support member to pivot/tilt and lift up from the support plane in a similar manner.