Abstract: A combination filter element comprising a bundle of hollow microporous fibers housed within an extruded carbon block, wherein the carbon block is fabricated to balance particle retention capacity against absorption capacity to provide a composite filter with desirable pressure drop, filter life, and particulate and chemical contamination reduction, and a filtration device, in which combination filter element may be employed, having a base portion including a sump which has an inlet and an outlet and a base which has a reception port for receiving the filter element.

Abstract: A process for making a reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous filtration membrane comprising a porous support material and a continuous microporous membrane having a middle region disposed between an upper region and a lower region, wherein said support material is embedded within said middle region and said middle region has a pore size at least about 50% greater than the pore size of at least one of said upper region and said lower region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing dope for the manufacture of microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different pore sizes from a single master dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating a single master batch of dope preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane casting operation to produce phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes. The master dope batch is controllably formulated in a vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.

Abstract: A three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent greater than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for fabricating three zone reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application utilizes a lifting apparatus for lifting disk stacks, the lifting apparatus includes a structural member having a central guide bore and at least three connecting members operatively positioned about the outer periphery thereof; a central guide member, operatively positioned relative to the central guide bore of the structural member and operatively connected thereto; a ring member, operatively positioned on the central guide member, and having at least three connecting members operatively positioned thereon; at least three linking means, operatively connected to each of the structural member connecting members and to each of the ring member connecting members, for providing movement of the ring member relative to the structural member; and a gripping member, operatively connected to each of the linking members and to each of the structural member connecting members for interacting with at least one disk stack such that at least one disk stack is transported to another position.

Abstract: A process for producing a three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent greater than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus for fabricating a three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane and the fabricated membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for processing dope for the manufacture of microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different pore sizes from a single master dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating a single master batch of dope preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane casting operation to produce phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes. The master dope batch is controllably formulated in a vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.

Abstract: An encapsulated filter cartridge assembly is disclosed which is adapted and configured for reception within an elongated cartridge housing of a filtration system. The filter cartridge assembly includes an elongated filtration element, a connector head positioned adjacent an upper end portion of the filtration element, an outer shell extending axially from the connector head and encapsulating the filtration element, and an expansion joint integrally formed in the outer shell to facilitate expansion of the outer shell within the elongated cartridge housing.

Abstract: An additive dispensing apparatus for a fluid system is disclosed which includes a head having a body portion adapted and configured for fluid communication with the fluid system and having a flow path extending therethrough. A fluid inlet portion of the flow path defines a relatively high pressure region and a fluid outlet portion of the flow path defines a relatively low pressure region. A canister is operatively associated with the body portion and structure is provided for facilitating fluid communication between the fluid inlet portion and the interior of the canister.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a modified polysaccharide material which comprises: (1) polysaccharide covalently bonded to a synthetic polymer; (2) the synthetic polymer being made from (a) a polymerizable compound which is capable of being covalently coupled directly or indirectly to said polysaccharide, and (b) one or more polymerizable compounds containing (i) a chemical group capable of causing the covalent coupling of the compound (b) to an affinity ligand or a biologically active molecule or (ii) a hydrophobic compound.The invention is also directed to devices for the chromatographic separation of at least two components of a mixture comprising the modified polysaccharide material of the invention, wherein the device is configured for radial or tangential flow.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is used to filter tap water and to automatically fill two containers. This apparatus includes a filter subassembly, a housing subassembly, a water control subassembly, and first and second containers. The water control subassembly includes a center see-saw chute receiving filtered water from a supply line from the filter subassembly, and includes a left pivoted chute and a right pivoted chute, each receiving a selectively directed water stream from the center chute. Each pivoted chute has a float at one end thereof, in contact with the water in its respective container when about full. An upward force from its container water pivots each left and right chute, when the container is about full, causing the respective water stream to be redirected in the opposite direction along its chute to a reservoir and drain line.

Abstract: A microporous membrane modified by coating or grafting thereon a polyionene material. The thus-modified microporous membrane is useful for separating microorganism-originated contaminants from biological liquids.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a head intended to be permanently installed in a fluid dispensing machine and a disposable canister therefor. A central chamber is formed in the head which chamber is in communication with an inlet port and an outlet port for receiving an unfiltered liquid and supplying a filtered liquid, respectively. The disposable canister has a flask shaped main body with a flat top and a neck of substantially uniform diameter on the top. The neck fits in the central chamber. A tube extending through the neck defines an annular clearance between the tube and the interior of the neck which annular clearance is in fluid communication with the inlet port. The opening into the tube located at the top of the neck is in fluid communication with the outlet port in the head. A pair of tab receptacle on the head and a complementary pair of tabs on the canister are engageable with one another by 1/4 rotation of the canister to lock the canister to the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to an apparatus and method for water testing and, more particularly, to a simple dipstick type method for use in comparison with a color chart and suggested courses of action to correct deficiencies in water quality. Briefly stated, a detailed color chart is attached to the side of a container having a plurality of dipsticks contained therein. Each dipstick has disposed thereon a plurality of pads, the total number corresponding to the number of characteristics of the water to be tested. Additionally disclosed is a course of corrective action which may be undertaken by the unskilled user thereby greatly simplifying the process by reducing it to its simplest factors.

Abstract: A microporous nylon hollow fiber is prepared by extruding a nylon spinning solution through an annular slit of an orifice into a quench liquid while simultaneously introducing a core liquid into the inside hollow portion of the extruded spinning solution where the weighted densities of the spinning solution, quench liquid and the core liquid are regulated such that the average of the density of the core liquid and the spinning solution is about equal to the density of the quench liquid.

Abstract: A chromatography column for effecting chromatographic separation of at least two components of a sample flowing through the column. The column comprises a housing and at least one solid stationary phase within the housing. The stationary phase has chromatographic functionality and is effective for chromatographic separation. Means are provided for distributing the sample through the stationary phase and for collecting the sample after the sample has flowed through the stationary phase. The stationary phase comprises:(a) a plurality of layers of swellable fibrous matrix in sheet form having chromatographic functionality and being effective for chromatographic separation; and(b) a spacer means between each layer for permitting controlled swelling thereof and enhancing the distribution of sample flowing through the stationary phase.

Abstract: A cationic charge modified microporous membrane comprising a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and a cationic charge modifying agent bonded to substantially all of the wetted surfaces of the membrane, the charge modifying agent being an epichlorohydrin modified polyamide having tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium groups. A secondary charge modifying agent may be employed selected from: (i) aliphatic polyamines having at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines; and (ii) aliphatic amines having at least one secondary amine and a carboxyl or hydroxyl substituent. Processes for producing and using the membrane are also described.

Abstract: Process for production of anionically charged filter media sheet including pretreatment of filter elements with cationic charge modifier, preferably, employing inorganic colloidal silica charge modifiers. The resulting filters are used for the removal of haze or haze formers from beverages.

Abstract: A method for producing intravenously injectable IgG comprising a particulate separation step, an ion exchange separation step and an affinity separation step, and the substantially pure, intravenously injectable IgG produced by the method.