Patents Examined by Benjamin Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8728313
    Abstract: A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge connected to the base. The filter cartridge defines a peripheral opening and a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted through the peripheral opening and into the second chamber. The enhancement cartridge includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water and is removable from the system independently from the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Paragon Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Swain
  • Patent number: 8728308
    Abstract: A filter has an elongated filter envelope with an inner pocket containing filter material and configured to receive fluid filtered by the filter envelope. The filter envelope has a bent position defined by a port portion and a loop portion, the loop portion and the port portion overlapping each other at least partially. A port is attached to the filter envelope proximate the port end and is configured to be connected to a hydraulic device and to allow fluid to be released from the pocket. The filter envelope has a periphery with a sealed rim and a slit splitting a portion of the rim so as to form a flexible retention element unitarily attached to the loop portion of the filter envelope. The retention element is positioned around one of the port and the port portion of the filter envelope to retain the filter envelope in the bent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kuss Filtration Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schnipke, Gary L. Rickle
  • Patent number: 8727137
    Abstract: A filter housing having a vessel portion that has an inlet and a first outlet. The filter housing also includes a lid that is sealingly mateable to the vessel portion and the lid has a second outlet. A cage is designed to be fit within the vessel portion. The cage has upper and lower plates that are held apart at a fixed distance by a sidewall with an inlet. The plates are sealed against the inside of the vessel portion. Fluid can enter the vessel between the plates when the cage is installed in the vessel portion. Filters are designed to be sealed within apertures in the upper and lower plates of the cage and the filters span between the plates. When fluid enters between the plates of the cage it is forced to travel through the filters to exit from between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Blue
  • Patent number: 8702981
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wedge-shaped filter cartridges having a maximized upstream surface area. The filter cartridges are modular and may be stacked in a filter cartridge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Marco Pierobon, Luca Bezzegato, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 8696906
    Abstract: A fluid filter system including a filter housing having an inlet chamber that surrounds the inner chamber that houses the filter cartridges. The filter cartridges are positioned in an involute configuration to channel rotationally inward flow of the fluid as it loses kinetic energy and velocity. The configuration provides superior filtering of fluids flowing therethrough and provides superior filter life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Harmsco, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold H. Harms, Eric D. Seville
  • Patent number: 8691085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtering device, which comprises a base plate (12) having a threaded center hole (122); a filter housing (11) having a cap-shaped body coupleable to the base plate; an anti-drainback valve (15) having a valve hole (151) defined in the center portion thereof arranged on the base plate (12), where the valve hole (151) correspondingly aligns with the threaded center hole (122) of the base plate (12); a filter assembly (14) having a filter hole (1411) abutting on the anti-drainback valve (15), where the filter hole (1411) aligns with the valve hole (151) of the anti-drainback valve (15); and a bypass valve (13) having a central plate portion (132) and a pair of extending wing portions (131) pressingly arranged between the inner surface of the filter housing and the filter assembly. The separately removable housing (11) provides easy assembly and enables simple filter media replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Insonic Company
    Inventor: Hideo Ishikura
  • Patent number: 8685243
    Abstract: A fluid filter such as an oil filter for a vehicle is provided. The fluid filter includes a body. A plate is coupled to one end of the body, the plate having a first surface and a threaded portion having a thread pitch. A seal is disposed adjacent the plate, the plate having a second surface opposite the plate. A stop member is disposed adjacent the plate, the stop member having a third surface offset from the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fram Group IP LLC
    Inventors: Gerard W. Bilski, Michael S. Lynch
  • Patent number: 8678202
    Abstract: Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Wieczorek, Terry Shults, William C. Haberkamp, Jonathan Sheumaker, Barry Mark Verdegan, Christopher E. Holm, Brian W. Schwandt
  • Patent number: 8673146
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn
  • Patent number: 8673149
    Abstract: A liquid filter assembly comprising a filter subassembly is inserted within an elongated tubular filter body, enclosed by a pair of end caps. The filter subassembly includes a plurality of filtration discs placed onto a tubular core and inner support member. A disc aperture is provided concentrically through each filtration disc. An outer filter support member and a central filter support member support each filtration disc. The outer filter support member engages with an interior of the elongated body and an end wall engages with the disc perimeter. The central filter support member engages with an exterior of the inner support member and an end wall engages with the peripheral edge about the filtration disc aperture. Fluid passes through the first end cap orifice, continuing through the inner support member, transferring flow through the filtration discs, returning through the inner support member, and exiting the opposite end cap orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Horace Lester Gadson
  • Patent number: 8651283
    Abstract: A mesh screen, for example for filtration wheels used in water treatment, provides a set of pleated filter elements assembled by in-molding the mesh into stringers subdividing a frame. Retention strips following the pleated edges of the filter elements at the stringers include apertures permitting direct clamping of the mesh near the stringers and the ability to visually inspect, after molding, engagement between the molded elements and the mesh while providing an increased engagement area between the mesh and elements of the over-molded frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene W. Altwies
  • Patent number: 8628665
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a tank, a driving unit, a filtered-water pipe, a filtering unit and at least one scraping unit. The tank includes a wall, an inlet pipe extending through an upper portion, and an outlet pipe extending from a lower portion. The driving unit is located on an external side of the tank. The filtered-water pipe extends throughout the tank and is connected to the driving unit. The filtering unit includes flat filtering bags located around the filtered-water pipe. The flat filtering bags can be spun together with the filtered-water pipe. The scraping unit includes scrapper assemblies each located between and in contact with two adjacent ones of the flat filtering bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: New Century Membrane Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Kuo
  • Patent number: 8627964
    Abstract: A filter device for filtration of fluid has a filter element of a zigzag-folded filter medium that is flowed through in a radial direction of the filter element. An additive for functional change of fluid properties of the fluid to be filtered in the filter device is provided. The additive is applied circumferentially on the filter element onto outwardly positioned fold tips of the zigzag-folded filter medium of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Koch
  • Patent number: 8617391
    Abstract: A component (5) for filters (10) comprising a plate (50) provided with at least a through-opening (54) in a thickness thereof and a perimeter edge to which a seal (51) is fixed, which seal (51) is destined to be interposed between a beaker-shaped body (21) and a cover (22) of a casing (20) of a filter (10), and a flat filter wall (55) fixed to the plate (50) in such a way as to intercept the at least a through-opening (54) and a hollow shank (53) suitable for accommodating the end of a pipe (56) for removal of the water accumulated on the bottom of the beaker body (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UFI Filters S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Patent number: 8608964
    Abstract: A spiral reverse osmosis membrane element that improves impregnation property of a sealing resin at edges of a membrane leaf and can effectively prevent micro-leaks. The spiral reverse osmosis membrane element comprises a cylindrically wound body comprising a perforated core tube and, spirally wound therearound, a separation membrane, a feed-side passage material and a permeation-side passage material in a laminated state, and a sealing portion for preventing a feed-side liquid and a permeation-side liquid from being mixed together, wherein the separation membrane facing the permeation-side passage material has a structure that a porous support and a skin layer are successively laminated on a non-woven fabric layer, and the sealing portion sealed with a sealing resin is provided at the edges of the separation membrane, wherein the separation membrane is impregnated with the sealing resin at least up to the vicinity of the skin layer through the porous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hiro, Hiroki Fujioka, Atsuhito Koumoto
  • Patent number: 8608957
    Abstract: An oil container has a container housing receiving an oil filter and fittings for an oil inlet, an oil outlet, for filling the oil container, and for an opening that can be closed by a cover for temporarily removing or replacing the oil filter, as well as, an air outlet opening. The container housing is divided into at least two chambers by a partition, each chamber including an oil filter. Each chamber has an oil inlet fitting, an oil outlet fitting, and an opening that can be closed by a cover for filling with oil and/or for removing the oil filter. The partition includes an oil overflow opening located above a minimum oil filling level height relative to a rest state determined for the individual oil circuits. A leak occurring in one of the oil circuits does then not affect the operational reliability of the other oil circuit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andree Burgstaler, Dieter Groeger, Uwe Renner
  • Patent number: 8607989
    Abstract: A filter and a method of forming a suture structure. The filter includes layered structure(s) interior to the filter. Each layered structure includes a carbon structure comprising carbon and a coating on a surface of the carbon structure. Each layered structure may further include a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the filter includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA. The carbon structure may include an activated charcoal layer or carbon nanotube(s). The layered structure is configured to remove a contaminant flowing through the filter. The method of forming the suture structure includes forming a film on a suture that has been previously formed on a mammal. The film includes both a coating on the suture and a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the suture structure includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Vascular Vision Pharmaceutical Co.
    Inventors: Shaker A. Mousa, Robert J. Linhardt
  • Patent number: 8590712
    Abstract: Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Wieczorek, Terry Shults, William C. Haberkamp, Jonathan Sheumaker, Barry M. Verdegan, Christopher E. Holm, Brian W. Schwandt
  • Patent number: 8591731
    Abstract: A filter apparatus has a housing, an inlet port on one side of the housing and an outlet port on an opposed side of the housing. Sheet media is disposed in the housing having a first opening through the sheet media. Also dispersed in the housing is a bag media comprising an enclosed bag with a second opening into the bag. The first opening and the second opening are connected in fluid communication with each other and the sheet media is disposed before the bag media in the direction of flow through the housing so that both media are mounted inside the housing. Some fluid entering the inlet passes through both openings and through the bag media and into the outlet, and other fluid entering the inlet passes through the sheet media and then to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Filtran LLC
    Inventors: Ibrahim Khalil, John W. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8584868
    Abstract: A filter medium for removing particles from a fluid flow has a pre-filter layer and a fine-filter layer joined to each other in the flow direction. A first supporting layer is attached to the unfiltered side of the pre-filter layer and a second supporting layer is attached to the filtered side of the fine-filter layer in order to absorb the longitudinal and transverse forces in the event of tensile loading. The traverse force absorbing layer has a greater bending stiffness in a traverse direction while the longitudinal force absorbing layer has a greater bending stiffness in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Wyhler, Jochen Reyinger, Klaus Gehwolf