Abstract: A vehicle fuel filter for mounting to a fuel pump in a fuel tank comprises a tubular body having an axis, a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pump connection neck positioned on the first end of the tubular body and having a filter outlet opening for mounting the filter on a fuel pump intake tube, the filter outlet opening having an axis at a substantially right angle to the axis of the tubular body; an inlet opening on the second end of the tubular body, the inlet opening extending axially in the direction of the axis of the tubular body; an envelope of filter fabric surrounding the inlet opening such that fuel entering into the envelope can pass into the tubular body through the inlet opening; and a supporting body fixedly connected to the tubular body at the second end and at a predetermined angle to the tubular body, at least a portion of the supporting body preventing the filter envelope from collapsing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for fluids, comprising a plastic supporting body for supporting a filter material. The outer surface of the filter is provided with a pump connection piece, which has a lower end extending in an inner space of the filter, which exhibits an inlet opening. The supporting body is composed of a first part comprising the pump connection piece and of at least a second part, both parts being movably linked to each other through a hinge section so that the at least second part can be positioned angularly in relation to the first part, along with the filtration material, and the first and the at least second parts being initially aligned in a same plane. A locking device is provided to lock the second part in the angular position in relation to the first part.

Abstract: A method of making a head for a semisolid product dispenser, such as a gel deodorant dispenser, comprises the steps of: providing a piece of porous media having a desired shape with a perimeter and openings through the media in the area inside of the perimeter, compressing at least the portion of the media inside of the perimeter between two parts of a hard tool so as to crush the media, thereby reducing the size of the openings, and affixing the porous media to a head frame to form the semisolid product dispenser head. Preferably the porous media is affixed to the head frame by an insert injection molding process, and the media is crushed in the same mold tool as is used to mold the head frame.

Abstract: An integrated fuel filter and calibration tube for a fuel injector is preferably made from a filtration element comprising filtration media insert-molded into a thermoplastic frame member; and a metal calibration tube rigidly attached to the filtration element. The calibration tube is sized so as to fit inside of a fuel injector flow channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter comprises the steps of assembling multiple layers of filtration material on top of one another to form an assembly; holding the assembly between an ultrasonic weld horn and a weld nest so that the assembly has a marginal area outside of an edge formed on either the nest or the weld horn; and operating the weld horn so as to cause the marginal area to be cut off from the assembly at the edge and to simultaneously seal together the layers of filtration material of the remaining assembly at the edge. A filter made by the process and an apparatus used to practice the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transmission of the pressure in the sterile area of a medical appliance, such as a hemodialysis appliance, to a non-sterile pressure gauge having two housing halves and a sterility filter positioned between the two housing halves. The housing half on the sterile side may be made of polycarbonate, and the non-sterile housing half may be made of a polymer, preferably a polyester/polyether copolymer, which provides an easily disconnectable and leak-proof connection with the pressure gauge. The two halves are ultrasonically welded together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a plastic component with at least a first and second set of integrally molded castellations for retaining an O-ring therebetween; the component therefrom; and further embracing a method and apparatus for forming such a plastic component comprising one or more filtration windows with filtration material outwardly of the castellations.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter comprises the steps of assembling multiple layers of filtration material on top of one another to form an assembly; holding the assembly between an ultrasonic weld horn and a weld nest so that the assembly has a marginal area outside of an edge formed on either the nest or the weld horn; and operating the weld horn so as to cause the marginal area to be cut off from the assembly at the edge and to simultaneously seal together the layers of filtration material of the remaining assembly at the edge. A filter made by the process and an apparatus used to practice the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a head for a semisolid product dispenser, such as a gel deodorant dispenser, comprises the steps of: providing a piece of porous media having a desired shape with a perimeter and openings through the media in the area inside of the perimeter, compressing at least the portion of the media inside of the perimeter between two parts of a hard tool so as to crush the media, thereby reducing the size of the openings, and affixing the porous media to a head frame to form the semisolid product dispenser head. Preferably the porous media is affixed to the head frame by an insert injection molding process, and the media is crushed in the same mold tool as is used to mold the head frame.

Abstract: A needleless access device includes a housing having a fluid pathway and an inner chamber. A biased plunger is disposed within the inner chamber and movable between a first position and a second position, and a main seal seals the inner chamber from the fluid pathway. A vent between the inner chamber and the outside of the housing allows air to pass out of and into the inner chamber when the plunger is moved between the first and the second positions.

Abstract: In preferred aspects, the present invention comprises a self-priming needle-free “Y”-adapter for use with intravenous delivery systems. The “Y”-adapter comprises a “Y”-shaped housing having an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, and an injection access passageway. Each of the three passageways has an interior end and an exterior end. An inlet port is located at the exterior end of the inlet passageway. An outlet port is located at the exterior end of the outlet passageway. An injection access port is located at the exterior end of the injection access passageway. A needle-free access device is also located in the injection access passageway adjacent to the injection access port. The interior ends of the passageways are in fluid communication and intersect with each other. In addition, the injection access passageway comprises a non-circular cross-section near its interior end.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transmission of the pressure in the sterile area of a medical appliance to a non-sterile pressure gauge has two housing halves and a sterility filter positioned between the two housing halves. The filter is supported by a backing. The housing half on the sterile side is made of polycarbonate. The non-sterile half of the housing is made of a polymer, preferably a polyester/polyether copolymer, which provides an easily disconnectable and leak-proof connection with the pressure gauge. The two halves are ultrasonically welded together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a plastic component with at least a first and second set of integrally molded castellations for retaining an O-ring therebetween; the component therefrom; and further embracing a method and apparatus for forming such a plastic component comprising one or more filtration windows with filtration material outwardly of the castellations.

Abstract: An intravenous filter device comprises a filter housing having a front side, a back side, a first end, a second end, an inlet and an outlet, the housing containing a hydrophilic filtration media and defining a flow path such that intravenous fluid entering the housing through the inlet passes through the filtration media before passing out of the housing through the outlet. Inlet and outlet tubing connectors, both preferably attached to the front side of the filter housing, form, respectively, the housing inlet and outlet. In the preferred embodiment the connectors are raised above the front side or the housing such that tubing connected to the connectors does not intersect the front side of the housing. At least one vent hole in the housing provides a passageway for gas to escape from the housing, the vent hole being preferably open to the front side of the housing.

Abstract: An orifice filter suitable for placement in, among other environments, a motor vehicle transmission assemblage, includes a plastic body member with an orifice and filtration material overlying both orifice outlets, all received within a metal housing. A plastic overmold is provided outboard of the filtration material. The filter allows for bidirectional flow of fluid through the assembly, provides for a means of bleeding pressure between fluid volumes in an assemblage, and maintains the secure positioning of the orifice in the assemblage over a range of ambient and operating temperatures. Further, a method of forming a filter assembly, including coining the metal housing of the filter assembly, allows for providing proper dimensional tolerances of the housing axial length and/or housing flange.

Abstract: A filter-adapter for filtering amalgam and attaching multiple sizes of disposable aspirator tips to the suction line of a dental aspirator system is disclosed herein. The filter-adapter incorporates a filter for preventing amalgam from contaminating the suction line and significantly reducing the amount of amalgam that reaches the central amalgam separator in the system. The filter-adapter fits between the aspirator tip and the suction hose of the aspirator system. In particular, one embodiment of the filter-adapter comprises a substantially cylindrical, hollow body with a flowpath defined through the body, an outer surface diameter at one end sealably fitting one size aspirator tip and an inner surface diameter of the same end sealably fitting another size of aspirator tip, and a second end having an outer surface diameter sealably fitting the suction hose from the aspirator system.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of hermetically sealed filter units and a product made thereby. The process comprises aligning a porous filter element between two housing parts and a thermoplastic skirt that overlaps the edge of at least one housing part to shield the edge of the filter element disposed adjacent to the skirt, pressing the housing parts together and then injection molding a thermoplastic overmold band around the outer portions of the housing parts to form a hermetic seal at the edge of the filter element.

Abstract: A saliva ejector having a hollow tube including a cylindrical wall, a first end for placement within an oral cavity, and a second end for attachment to a suction hose. A flowpath is defined within the tube. The ejector includes a first corrugated portion defined in the cylindrical wall, a second corrugated portion defined in the cylindrical wall, and a filter element secured across the flowpath. The bending qualities of the first corrugated portion differ from the bending qualities of the second corrugated portion, thus allowing for a wide variety of bendable configurations.

Abstract: An air elimination device for removing air or gas bubbles from aqueous liquids flowing through an intravenous delivery system. The device comprises a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and one or more vent openings. The inlet passage delivers the liquid into the interior chamber. The outlet passage delivers the liquid from the interior chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is attached to the housing and positioned over the vent openings. The hydrophobic membrane allows gas bubbles in the aqueous liquid that enter the interior chamber of the housing to pass through the vent openings while preventing the liquid from passing through the vent openings. The outlet passage comprises a stem which extends inwardly into the interior chamber and terminates in an interior end.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of hermetically sealed filter units and a product made thereby. The process comprises aligning a porous filter element between two housing parts and a thermoplastic skirt that overlaps the edge of at least one housing part to shield the edge of the filter element disposed adjacent to the skirt, pressing the housing parts together and then injection molding a thermoplastic overmold band around the outer portions of the housing parts to form a hermetic seal at the edge of the filter element.