How a Septic Tank Filter Cleans Wastewater and Removes Solids
This patent describes a filter system for septic tanks, featuring a submersible housing with filter elements designed to catch solids from wastewater and then allow those collected solids to be removed.
Original patent title: “Septic tank effluent filters”
This patent describes a filter system for septic tanks, featuring a submersible housing with filter elements designed to catch solids from wastewater and then allow those collected solids to be removed. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a filter vault for septic tank effluent. This vault includes a filter housing that is at least partially waterproof and can be submerged. The housing has an inlet opening that lets dirty wastewater, containing suspended solids, flow in. Inside the housing is a filter assembly with one or more filter elements. Each filter element has an upper and lower end and a filtering surface that touches the wastewater. A key feature is that the inlet opening also allows accumulated solids from the filtering surface to exit the housing, which helps with cleaning and maintenance.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover filtration systems that are not at least partially submersible.
- Does not cover filter housings made entirely of permeable materials.
- Does not cover filtration methods that do not use distinct filter elements with exposed filtering surfaces.
- Does not cover systems where accumulated solids cannot exit the housing via the inlet opening.
- Does not cover filtering wastewater from sources other than septic tanks.
- Does not cover filters that do not allow solids to exit through the *same* inlet opening used for wastewater entry.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is how the inlet opening serves two purposes: letting unfiltered wastewater in and also allowing accumulated solids from the filter surface to exit the housing, simplifying maintenance and potentially improving filter longevity.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Residential septic systems
Commercial wastewater treatment units
Onsite wastewater disposal systems
Effluent filter cartridges
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Septic tank filters are crucial for protecting the environment by preventing harmful solids and pollutants from entering groundwater. Innovations in this area aim to make these systems more efficient and easier to maintain. This patent contributes to that goal by proposing a design that simplifies the removal of trapped solids, potentially leading to longer-lasting and more effective septic systems.
Filed
December 1, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in wastewater treatment and septic system components, such as Orenco Systems, Infiltrator Water Technologies, and Zoeller Company, are continuously innovating in this space. While this specific patent is new, these companies develop and integrate advanced filtration solutions for residential and commercial septic applications.
Market impact
Improved septic tank filtration systems contribute to better environmental protection by reducing pollutants discharged into the ground. Patents like this, when widely adopted, can lead to more efficient and lower-maintenance septic systems, potentially reducing costs for homeowners and improving public health outcomes related to wastewater management.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a filter vault for septic tank effluent. This vault includes a filter housing that is at least partially waterproof and can be submerged. The housing has an inlet opening that lets dirty wastewater, containing suspended solids, flow in. Inside the housing is a filter assembly with one or more filter elements. Each filter element has an upper and lower end and a filtering surface that touches the wastewater. A key feature is that the inlet opening also allows accumulated solids from the filtering surface to exit the housing, which helps with cleaning and maintenance.
The clever bit
The clever part is how the inlet opening serves two purposes: letting unfiltered wastewater in and also allowing accumulated solids from the filter surface to exit the housing, simplifying maintenance and potentially improving filter longevity.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover filtration systems that are not at least partially submersible.
- Does not cover filter housings made entirely of permeable materials.
- Does not cover filtration methods that do not use distinct filter elements with exposed filtering surfaces.
- Does not cover systems where accumulated solids cannot exit the housing via the inlet opening.
- Does not cover filtering wastewater from sources other than septic tanks.
- Does not cover filters that do not allow solids to exit through the *same* inlet opening used for wastewater entry.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$11K – $35K
Midpoint $22K · 17.1 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Septic Tank Filter Cleans Wastewater and Removes Solids (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,467). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734467/septic-tank-effluent-filters
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Septic Tank Filter Cleans Wastewater and Removes Solids cover?
This patent describes a filter system for septic tanks, featuring a submersible housing with filter elements designed to catch solids from wastewater and then allow those collected solids to be removed.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Septic tank filters are crucial for protecting the environment by preventing harmful solids and pollutants from entering groundwater. Innovations in this area aim to make these systems more efficient and easier to maintain. This patent contributes to that goal by proposing a design that simplifies the removal of trapped solids, potentially leading to longer-lasting and more effective septic systems.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover filtration systems that are not at least partially submersible.
Patent monitoring