Abstract: A firestopping apparatus including a sleeve with at least one pair of airflow-blocking elements, at least one element of which is movable towards, and away from, the other element.

Abstract: A firestopping apparatus including a sleeve with at least first and second airflow-blocking elements, with at least the first airflow-blocking element comprising a resiliently compressible body and being slidably movable generally along a long axis of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter element is disclosed comprising introducing a mixture into a mold, the mixture comprising a plurality of susceptor particles and a plurality of polymeric binder particles. Eddy currents are induced in the susceptor particles by subjecting the mixture to a high-frequency electromagnetic field, the eddy currents being sufficient to elevate the temperature of the susceptor particles to cause adjacent polymeric binder particles to be heated to at least a softening point. The susceptor particles bind with the heated polymeric binder particles in the mold to form a coherent mass. The coherent mass is cooled to form the filter element.

Abstract: Fluid filtration articles, including composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and methods of making and using such articles as gas or liquid filtration elements. The articles include a population of coarse microfibers having a population median diameter of at least 1 micrometer (?m) formed as a first layer, and a population of fine fibers having a population median diameter less than 10 ?m formed as a second layer adjoining the first layer. At least one of the fiber populations may be oriented. In one implementation, the coarse microfibers and fine fibers are polymeric, the coarse microfibers have a population median diameter of at least 10 ?m, and the fine fibers have a population median diameter less than 10 ?m. In another implementation, the population of fine fibers has a population median diameter less than 1 ?m. Optionally, one or both of the first and second layers may include particulates.

Abstract: A filter media is disclosed comprising a carrier and a web collected on the carrier. The web comprises hydrophilic polymeric meltblown fibers and a plurality of sorbent particles enmeshed in the hydrophilic polymeric meltblown fibers. The carrier comprises a porous sheet and has a carrier basis weight. The web has a web basis weight. The hydrophilic polymeric melt-blown fibers comprise at least 3% of the web basis weight and the plurality of sorbent particles comprise at most 97% of the web basis weight.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide composite carbon blocks with improved capacity for the removal of contaminants such as THMs (trihalomethanes) and trace VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in water. In one aspect, a filtration matrix comprises a polymeric binder and an adsorptive media comprising activated carbon having a bulk density of 0.54 (0.57, or even 0.60) g/cc or greater. The carbon BET surface area can be 1100 (950, or even 550) m2/g or less. The polymeric binder can be ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Also provided are methods of making filtration matrixes.

Abstract: Fluid filtration articles, including composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and methods of making and using such articles as gas or liquid filtration elements. The articles include a population of coarse microfibers having a population median diameter of at least 1 micrometer (?m) formed as a first layer, and a population of fine fibers having a population median diameter less than 10 ?m formed as a second layer adjoining the first layer. At least one of the fiber populations may be oriented. In one implementation, the coarse microfibers and fine fibers are polymeric, the coarse microfibers have a population median diameter of at least 10 ?m, and the fine fibers have a population median diameter less than 10 ?m. In another implementation, the population of fine fibers has a population median diameter less than 1 ?m. Optionally, one or both of the first and second layers may include particulates.

Abstract: Provided are filter elements and methods of making and using the same where the filter elements are suitable for liquid filtration and contain particle-loaded meltblown fiber webs. A filter element comprises: a porous article comprising a web of self-supporting nonwoven polymeric fibers and a plurality of sorbent particles enmeshed in the web, the article comprising a first surface and a second surface; a liquid-impermeable housing surrounding the porous article; an inlet in fluid communication with the first surface; and an outlet in fluid communication with the second surface. Spiral-wound webs, web-covered blocks, and stacked disks of webs are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are filter elements and methods of making and using the same where the filter elements are suitable for liquid filtration and contain particle-loaded meltblown fiber webs. A filter element comprises: a porous article comprising a web of self-supporting nonwoven polymeric fibers and a plurality of sorbent particles enmeshed in the web, the article comprising a first surface and a second surface; a liquid-impermeable housing surrounding the porous article; an inlet in fluid communication with the first surface; and an outlet in fluid communication with the second surface. Spiral-wound webs, web-covered blocks, and stacked disks of webs are also provided.