Abstract: A filtering device 10 that includes a housing 12 having a plurality of subsections 32, 34, and 36 where each subsection is adapted to receive a filter element 26, 28, and 30. An inlet 18 is disposed at a first location on the housing 12, and an upstream air distribution system is placed in fluid communication with the inlet 18 and with each of the subsections 32, 34, and 36. A downstream air distribution system is located in fluid communication with each subsection 32, 34, and 36, and an outlet 20 in fluid communication with the downstream air distribution system. The upstream and downstream air distribution systems are constructed to cause the same airflow velocity through each subsection. Using such a construction, overall product service life may be increased while minimizing pressure resistance of the total filter.

Abstract: An automatic-darkening filter 10, 10? that comprises a first polarizer 14, a second polarizer 18, a first liquid-crystal cell 16, and a sensor 64. The first polarizer 14 has a first polarization direction, and the second polarizer 18 has a second polarization direction. The liquid crystal cell 16 is disposed between the first and second polarizers 14, 18 and contains first and second optically-transparent, flexible, glass layers 40 and 42 with the liquid crystal layer 48 being located between these layers. The sensor 64 detects incident light and causes a signal to be sent, which causes molecular rotation within the liquid crystal layer. The inventive automatic-darkening filter is beneficial in that overall product weight can be reduced and the view field can be increased.

Abstract: An air filter that includes a primary filter and a polishing filter. The primary filter comprises a monolith 10 that contains active-particulate. The air-to-be-filtered travels through the primary filter in a path generally parallel to the passageways 12. The polishing filter 36 has first and second major surfaces and also contains active-particulate. The polishing filter is generally arranged such that air travels from the first major surface to the second major surface when passing through it. The inventive filter demonstrates extraordinary performance over the same primary and polishing filters taken individually.

Abstract: A filter element utilizes a porous shape-retaining self-supporting non-woven web. The web includes thermoplastic elastomeric polymer fibers and active particles disposed in the fibers. The web also possesses a three-dimensional deformation.

Abstract: A filtering device 10 that includes a housing 12 having a plurality of subsections 32, 34, and 36 where each subsection contains a filter element 26, 28, and 30. An inlet 18 is disposed at a first location on the housing 12, and an upstream air distribution system is placed in fluid communication with the inlet 18 and with each of the subsections 32, 34, and 36. A downstream air distribution system is located in fluid communication with each subsection 32, 34, and 36, and an outlet 20 is in fluid communication with the downstream air distribution system. The subsections are fashioned such that each subsection 32, 34, and 36 is not in fluid communication with each other. Using a filtering device so constructed, airflow through the device may be better managed to enable overall product service life to be increased while minimizing pressure resistance of the total filter.

Abstract: A filtering device 10 that includes a housing 12 having a plurality of subsections 32, 34, and 36 where each subsection is adapted to receive a filter element 26, 28, and 30. An inlet 18 is disposed at a first location on the housing 12, and an upstream air distribution system is placed in fluid communication with the inlet 18 and with each of the subsections 32, 34, and 36. A downstream air distribution system is located in fluid communication with each subsection 32, 34, and 36, and an outlet 20 in fluid communication with the downstream air distribution system. The upstream and downstream air distribution systems are constructed to cause the same airflow velocity through each subsection. Using such a construction, overall product service life may be increased while minimizing pressure resistance of the total filter.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that has a first and second layer of filter media 38, 40 that each have first and second major surfaces 32, 44 and a perimeter 46 and that each contain active particulate that is bonded together. A plenum 42 is disposed between the first and second layers of filter media 38, 40 such that the plenum 42 interfaces with the second major surface 44, 44? of each layer of filter media. A housing sidewall 30 extends from the first layer of filter media 38 to the second layer of filter media 40 and is secured to the perimeter 46 of the first and second layers of filter media. The first major surfaces 32, 32? of the first and second layers of filter media 38, 40 are each fluid permeable and are each in fluid communication with an exterior gas space. A filter cartridge 12 having such a construction provides a bifurcated flow pattern in a higher volume structure.

Abstract: A filtering device 10, 10? that has a fluid inlet 12, a plenum 14, first and second filter layers 16 and 18, first and second fluid outlets 20 and 22, and a housing 24. The plenum 14 receives air that passes through the fluid inlet 12, and the first and second filter layers 16 and 18 are located on opposing sides of the plenum 14. The first and second fluid outlets 20 and 22 are located downstream to the first and second filter layers 16 and 18, respectively, on a side of each filter layer 16, 18 opposite the plenum 14. The housing 12 supports the first and second filter layers 16, 18 on opposing sides of the plenum 14. Very good distribution of fluid through the device 10 may be achieved because the plenum 14 and the filtering layers 16, 18 maintain their original relative positioning throughout use. Complex shapes can be produced, which enable the filtering device to accommodate devices of various configurations.

Abstract: A radial flow filtration system includes a housing and one or more generally cylindrical filter cartridges including a filter cartridge shell and a filter section. The filter cartridge is removable with respect to the housing and the filter section in removable with respect to the filter cartridge shell.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that has a first and second layer of filter media 38, 40 that each have first and second major surfaces 32, 44 and a perimeter 46 and that each contain active particulate that is bonded together. A plenum 42 is disposed between the first and second layers of filter media 38, 40 such that the plenum 42 interfaces with the second major surface 44, 44? of each layer of filter media. A housing sidewall 30 extends from the first layer of filter media 38 to the second layer of filter media 40 and is secured to the perimeter 46 of the first and second layers of filter media. The first major surfaces 32, 32? of the first and second layers of filter media 38, 40 are each fluid permeable and are each in fluid communication with an exterior gas space. A filter cartridge 12 having such a construction provides a bifurcated flow pattern in a higher volume structure.

Abstract: A method of making a filter cartridge, which method includes: (a) providing first and second filter media layers that each contain active particulate that is bonded together and that each comprise a perimeter; (b) stacking the filter media layers in a spaced apart relationship; and (c) securing a roll based housing sidewall to at least a portion of the perimeter of each filter media layer. The resulting filter cartridge is light in weight but has increased volume that provides an improved service life. The cartridge has a very good service life to weight ratio.

Abstract: A filter element includes a porous non-woven web. The porous non-woven web includes a first layer with first thermoplastic elastomeric polymer fibers and first active particles disposed therein and a second layer including second thermoplastic elastomeric polymer fibers and second active particles disposed therein. The web possesses a three-dimensional deformation and the first layer is contiguous with the second layer across the deformation.

Abstract: A filter element utilizes a porous shape-retaining self-supporting non-woven web. The web includes thermoplastic elastomeric polymer fibers and active particles disposed in the fibers. The web also possesses a three-dimensional deformation.

Abstract: An air filter that includes a primary filter and a polishing filter. The primary filter comprises a monolith 10 that contains active-particulate. The air-to-be-filtered travels through the primary filter in a path generally parallel to the passageways 12. The polishing filter 36 has first and second major surfaces and also contains active-particulate. The polishing filter is generally arranged such that air travels from the first major surface to the second major surface when passing through it. The inventive filter demonstrates extraordinary performance over the same primary and polishing filters taken individually.

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article 10 that comprises a layer of optical elements 12 that are partially embedded in a binder layer 14. A reflective layer 16 is disposed functionally behind the optical elements 12, and a colored layer 18 is disposed between the reflective layer 16 and the optical elements 12. The colored layer 18 is colored by a dye that is covalently bonded to a polymer. The exposed lens retroreflective article can retain its color and retroreflective abilities well after multiple industrial washing cycles. The article therefore may be particularly suited for use on clothing such as a fireman's jacket.

Abstract: Simplified continuous processes are disclosed for converting standard woven or nonwoven fabric into reflectorized fabric in a continuous fashion and in bulk quantities. These processes are easily capable of achieving reflectivities of well over 100 cd/(lux·m2). In the processes, an extended length of fabric is provided such as by unwinding an input roll of fabric to be reflectorized, and the fabric is passed through a station that applies a coating of binder material to the fabric. The fabric then passes through a station where aluminum-coated beads are applied to the coating of binder material. An etching station removes exposed portions of the aluminum coating from the beads after the binder material is allowed to substantially solidify. End-use materials other than fabrics but suitable for enhancing personal conspicuity can be reflectorized in the same way.

Abstract: A retroreflective article has first and second segments each comprising a binder layer and a multitude of microspheres partially embedded in the front surface of the binder layer. The first segment also has an opaque reflective metal layer disposed on the embedded portions of the microspheres; whereas, the second segment lacks such an opaque reflective metal layer and thereby allows the color of the underlying binder layer to be seen from the front side of the retroreflective article. The first and second segments display noticeably different colors under daytime lighting conditions, and each possesses a distinctly different retroreflective efficiency when viewed under retroreflective lighting conditions. The first and second segments therefore stand out in contrast to each other to enhance the conspicuity of the retroreflective article.

Abstract: An article of clothing 10 bearing a retroreflective applique 12 that has a binder layer 14 onto which a retroreflective layer 19 is disposed. The retroreflective layer 19 includes a layer of optical elements 16 and a metal reflective layer 18, and the binder layer 14 includes a thermoplastic copolymer that includes units which contain carboxyl groups. A retroreflective applique, which uses such a binder layer in conjunction with aluminum-coated or silver-coated optical elements, demonstrates very good home laundering durability.

Abstract: A retroreflective applique (10) includes a supporting structure (12), a layer of optical lens elements (14), and a reflective material (16). The layer of optical lens elements (14) is partially embedded in the supporting structure (12), and the reflective material (16) is disposed on the embedded portion of the layer of optical lens elements (14). The supporting structure (12) may contain a binder layer (24) and a heat-activatable adhesive layer (26). The binder layer (24) includes a non-filamentary acrylic polymer layer. The use of such a supporting structure (12) eliminates the need for a release liner on the rear surface (20) of the heat-activatable adhesive layer (26), and it also enables a carrier web (28) to be separated from the polymeric supporting structure (12) before the applique (16) is permanently secured to a substrate. The separation step can be accomplished without causing substantial harm to the retroreflective performance of the applique (10).

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article 10 has in sequence a layer of microspheres 12, a polymeric intermediate layer 18, a metal reflective layer 16, and a polymeric binder layer 14. Microspheres 12 are partially embedded in the binder layer 14, and the intermediate layer 18 and the metal reflective layer 16 are disposed between the microspheres 12 and the binder layer 14 such that the intermediate layer 18 is in contact with microspheres 12. Retroreflective articles of this construction provide improved laundering durability.