ROCKER Stainless Steel Filter Funnel

Overview

The ROCKER Stainless Steel Filter Funnel is a precision-engineered filtration component designed for high-integrity, repeatable vacuum or pressure-driven filtration in life science laboratories and bioprocessing environments. Constructed entirely from medical-grade SUS316 stainless steel — including funnel body, base, and membrane support plate — it delivers exceptional corrosion resistance against aggressive solvents, acids, bases, and biological media. Its operation relies on standard dead-end filtration principles: liquid samples are drawn through a supported membrane (47 mm or 50 mm diameter) under controlled vacuum or positive pressure, enabling particle retention, microbial enumeration, sterility testing, and sample concentration. The funnel integrates seamlessly into ROCKER’s modular filtration systems and is routinely deployed in applications requiring regulatory-compliant, non-leaching hardware — including USP , ISO 11737-1, and ASTM E2982-14 workflows.

Key Features

• Patented Twist-Lock Sealing Mechanism (TW Patent No. M381450): Eliminates the need for external clamps or O-ring compression tools; achieves leak-tight sealing with a single 90° rotation, ensuring rapid assembly and disassembly without torque variability.
• Full-SUS316 Construction: All wetted and structural components — upper funnel cup, base housing, and membrane support plate — are fabricated from austenitic 316 stainless steel (ASTM A240/A276), offering superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride-rich or oxidizing environments.
• Modular Cup Compatibility: Designed to interface interchangeably with standardized 100 mL, 300 mL, and 500 mL filter cups (part numbers 167103-10, -30, -50), supporting scalability across small-volume analytical assays and larger preparative filtrations.
• Validated Sterilization Compatibility: Withstands repeated cycles of steam autoclaving (121°C, 20 min), dry-heat sterilization (180°C, 1 hr), and direct flame sterilization — fully compliant with GLP/GMP equipment qualification requirements for reusable filtration hardware.
• Precision-Machined Membrane Support: Features a laser-cut, 9.6 cm² effective filtration area with uniform 0.15 mm support pillar spacing, minimizing membrane deformation and ensuring consistent flow distribution across the entire active surface.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The funnel supports filtration of aqueous buffers, organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate), cell culture supernatants, fermentation broths, and pharmaceutical solutions. It is compatible with all standard 47 mm and 50 mm diameter membranes — including mixed cellulose ester (MCE), polyethersulfone (PES), nylon, PVDF, and track-etched polycarbonate — without risk of metal ion leaching or surface catalysis. As a Class I reusable device under ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing controls, it meets material biocompatibility requirements per ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) and ISO 10993-12 (sample preparation). Documentation packages include material traceability certificates and sterilization validation summaries suitable for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–governed audit trails.

Software & Data Management

While the funnel itself is a passive mechanical component, its use is fully traceable within ROCKER’s integrated filtration platforms (e.g., ROCKER Vacuum Pump Series with digital controllers). When paired with ROCKER’s SmartVac™ software (v3.2+), users can log filtration parameters — including vacuum setpoint, duration, cup volume selected, and sterilization cycle history — with timestamped, password-protected entries. Audit logs comply with ALCOA+ principles and support 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signature functionality when deployed in regulated QC/QA labs.

Applications

• Microbial limit testing and sterility assurance per USP and Ph. Eur. 2.6.1
• Particle counting and clarity assessment in injectables and ophthalmic solutions
• Pre-filtration of HPLC mobile phases and LC-MS sample prep
• Cell harvesting and clarification in upstream bioprocessing
• Environmental water analysis (e.g., EPA Method 1603 for E. coli enumeration)
• Quality control of excipients, APIs, and final drug product solutions

FAQ

Is this funnel compatible with non-ROCKER filter cups?
Yes — provided the cup features standardized 47/50 mm membrane seating and a matching 5/16 in. (8 mm) inlet port, mechanical interoperability is maintained.
Can the funnel be used under positive pressure?
Yes — its pressure rating exceeds 100 psi (6.9 bar) when assembled with appropriate gasketed cups and sealed with the twist-lock mechanism.
Does the funnel require calibration?
No — as a passive, geometry-defined component, it does not require periodic calibration; however, routine visual inspection for surface pitting or thread wear is recommended per SOP-FLTR-004.
Are replacement gaskets or seals available?
The design is gasket-free; sealing is achieved via metal-to-metal contact between machined SUS316 surfaces — eliminating elastomer degradation and extractables concerns.
What documentation is supplied with each unit?
Each funnel ships with a Certificate of Conformance (CoC), material test report (MTR) per EN 10204 3.1, and a copy of TW Patent M381450 registration documentation.