Abstract: An external aquarium filter of the canister type formed of a flat, substantially cylindrical container with a screw-top cover. Both inlet and outlet ports extend through the cover. The inlet port continues with a depending tube to be in flow communication with the bottom of the container and the outlet port is in flow communication with the top of the container. A sheet of foam filtering material is supported in the middle of the container to define a contaminated water chamber beneath the filtering material and a clean water chamber above the filtering material. An air pump or water pump can be used to provide the continuous flow of water through the filter. The water pump can be integrally formed on the cover and include an encapsulated stator, whose housing is integrally molded with the cover. A magnetically coupled impeller is positioned within the outlet flow path to aid in the flow of water through the filter.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing a microporous cellulosic membranes supported with an integral non-woven polymer web by preparing a casting lacquer comprising at least one cellulosic polymer, at least one solvent and at least one non-solvent wherein the casting lacquer is at the point of incipient gelation.

Abstract: An undergravel filter of an aquarium tank served by a power head to suck water from a chamber located beneath the undergravel filter to circulate this water into the tank. A riser tube connects the filter with the power head and contains a carbon cartridge, fixed to the power head. The carbon cartridge is perforated and has a substantially conical configuration. The cartridge is filled with carbon which provides chemical filtration of the water before it is returned into the aquarium tank.

Abstract: A dialysate solution suitable for peritoneal dialysis and containing hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skimmer for swimming pools which includes a float having an opening for receiving debris on the surface of the pool, and a mesh rearwardly of the opening for catching the debris, the float being connected by a line to the pipe of an automatic suction cleaner near the suction cleaner for the float to be dragged behind the suction cleaner.

Abstract: A porous anodic aluminum oxide membrane, at least one surface of which is profiled on a scale of 0.01 to 50 mm, may be made by profiling a surface of an aluminium metal substrate anodizing the substrate to form a porous membrane on the surface and separating the membrane from the substrate. The profiling may consist of a system of parallel ribs and troughs. Structure having an interesting properties as filters can be built up by the use of several such membranes bonded to one another along the crests of the ribs.

Abstract: A microwave-based emulsion treating method and system comprising a microwave energy source, a microwave applicator for treating an emulsion, a separator vessel for receiving and separating microwave-treated emulsion, an oil-water analyzer for determining water content of the emulsion feed, and water supply means including control means responsive to the analyzer for adding a controlled amount of water to the emulsion feed going to the applicator. The added water may be recirculated from the separator.

Abstract: A method for removing and recovering toxic heavy metal contaminants from an iron-bearing sludge is provided. The method comprises one or more cycles of a two step, controlled chloride leach comprising a first non-acidic chloride leaching solution and a second acidic chloride leaching solution, wherein said toxic heavy metals are separated from said sludge and said iron-bearing sludge is a substantially non-hazardous material.

Abstract: A flowing water sterilization filter comprising a clear plastic sectional canister with an inlet conduit and outlet conduit mounted to said different sections of the canister. A polyurethane iodine treated sponge is positioned in said canister between the inlet conduit and outlet conduit to sterilize water passing therethrough.

Abstract: A system for recovery of plastic material floating on the surface of water in a settling basin is disclosed. The system includes a transportable trailer having a hoist extendable from the trailer. Additionally, the trailer includes a floating boom structure extendable between the shoreline of the basin for dividing the basin into a first surface are a and a second surface area both containing floating plastic material. The trailer further includes a pump suspendable from the hoist for pumping the plastic material from the settling basin to a transportable container positioned on the shore of the settling basin. The pump includes an intake base that is positioned at a predetermined distance below the surface of the settling basin to aid in the operation of the system. The plastic recovery system of the present invention provides a method to quickly and efficiently recover plastic materials floating on the surface of the water while increasing the safety to the operator of the system during its operation.

Abstract: A pool vacuum filter bag for use in combination with a submersible pool vacuum unit is formed of a pair of mesh layers joined by a plurality of sewn seams to form an integral closed filter bag having a elongated flow chamber and an elongated closed end debris chamber. An upper chamber joins the debris chamber and the flow chamber and a mouth portion is adapted to receive and secure attachment to the discharge port of a pool vacuum unit. The upper seam of the filter bag is formed by a joined pair of hook and pile Velcro-type fastening strips and means are provided for securing the filter bag in an upright position parallel to the pool vacuum unit water supply hose. The filter bag includes a curved flow directing portion which reduces accumulation of debris within the flow chamber and enhances debris collection performance. The filter bag may be turned inside-out for cleaning while still attached to the discharge port of the pool vacuum unit.

Abstract: A binary fluid system, and components thereof for producing an impregnated metered fluid stream. Broadly, a container is included in the system and contains upper and lower, first and second fluid phases, i.e., liquids, gases or a combination of the same, which fluid phases meet at a common, unobstructed horizontal boundary or junction, extending the cross sectional width of the container. The fluid phases are of differing density, molecular weight, or specific gravity with the lighter phase being on top. Plural means are coupled to the container for replenishing both of the phases and also for drawing off, at a metered flow rate, the first or upper phase as impregnated by said second phase through diffusion processes across the common phase boundary, the withdrawal being from the container at the volumetric position of the first phase and proximate and above such phase boundary. The invention has special application to recirculating systems as may accommodate swimming pools, by way of example.

Abstract: A chlorine compound containing chemical tablet for dissolution into a surrounding body of water which includes an elongate tablet with length longer than thickness having an elongate central section connecting two opposing obliquely tapered ends along a longitudinal axis and an elongate tablet shell encasing the tablet having a corresponding elongate central section connecting two opposing obliquely tapered ends. The ends of the shell have openings therein and form an inwardly sloping and obliquely angled junction with the shell's elongate central section. The encased tablet lies in a skimmer unit on its side along a longitudinal axis and dissolves in a generally uniform and slow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a swimming pool cleaner which includes a housing which defines a chamber, at least one inlet to the chamber and an outlet from the chamber, and a bouyant ball inside the chamber. The apparatus is installed or incorporated in a weir. When suction is cyclically applied to the outlet, and removed, the ball alternately blocks the outlet, and leaves the outlet unblocked. Correspondingly the pool cleaner is operated to clean a submerged surface of a swimming pool, or water is drawn directly from the pool and through a weir, for filtration. A more efficient cleaning of the pool takes place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving a gas in a liquid comprising a long tube or conduit having an inlet connected to a source of gas and liquid mixed together under pressure and an outlet connected to a back pressure valve that maintains the pressure in the tube above the partial gas pressure necessary to ensure that the liquid is saturated with the dissolved gas. The invention is especially useful for purifying, sterilizing, and clarifying water in a pool, tank or pond with air as the dissolved gas. A primary purpose of the invention is to enhance oxidation.

Abstract: A water clarification process wherein solids are separated by filtration through a porous septum utilizes as a filter precoat a coating of keratin-composition in the form of particles wherein at least 75 weight percent of the particles have a particle size no greater than 2.0 mm. In preferred embodiment, the material to be filtered is first treated with a combination of an organic polymeric flocculant and an organic polymer coagulant.

Abstract: An accumulating tank serving as a filter for an overflowing swimming pool, and more particularly a device for filtering water from an overflowing swimming pool using an accumulating tank acting as a gravity filter. The accumulating tank (1) serves as a prefilter, and a filter for water from the pool; it filters by decantation through a filtering mass (8, 9). It comprises apparatus for cleaning the filtering mass (8, 9) by reversing the direction of water current (F2), so as to cause to overflow the volume of water from the accumulating tank (1) and recover the impurities by overflow of the used water into a gutter (15) and evacuation for emptying by a pipe (24).

Abstract: A microporous article is provided. The article comprises a thermoplastic polymeric structure having a plurality of cells with adjacent cells being interconnected by passageways to provide a network of communicating pores. The structure is oriented in at least one direction.

Abstract: A tubular body having an open and closed ends is provided for loosely receiving a conventional screw-on oil filter therein. The tubular body open end is structured to form a fluid tight seal with the outwardly facing surface of a filter mounting location and the tubular body includes a circumferentially extending zone which is accordion pleated and yieldingly axially compressible. The inner surfaces of the tubular body, at the closed end thereof, are structured to at least reasonably non-slip engage the outer surfaces of the closed end of a filter disposed within the tubular body whereby rotational torque applied to the closed end of the tubular body will be transferred to the filter. The open end of the tubular body is provided with a removable cover and the covered tubular body may comprise a container for marketing a new oil filter and thereafter containing a used oil filter for facilitating disposal thereof.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus simultaneously purifies air and water contained in an indoor institution such as an indoor swimming pool facility. Air from the interior of the institution is first treated in a cyclone to remove dust, bacteria and odors, then mixed with ozone generated from a separate air source to form an air-ozone mixture which is distributed in the form of fine bubbles in an air/water contact sterilizing chamber. Water from the pool of water in the indoor institution is filtered and transferred to the sterilizing chamber. In the sterilizing chamber, contact of the filtered water and air-ozone mixture acts to simultaneously purify both. The purified air is returned to the indoor institution after moisture removal, ozone elimination and temperature adjustment. Similarly, the purified water is returned to the pool of water after ozone elimination, temperature adjustment and chlorination.