Removable Cartridge Or Hand-manipulated Container Patents (Class 210/282)
  • Patent number: 11905185
    Abstract: An eco-friendly water filtration apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a lid comprising openings that allow water to flow into the apparatus, and an enclosure that is open at one end and comprises openings at the opposing end that allow water to flow out of the apparatus. The enclosure may be configured to receive a pod of activated carbon, while allowing removal of the pod, and the lid may be configured to attach to and detach from the enclosure at the enclosure's open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FIL2R, LLC
    Inventor: Audra Alexandra Huffmeyer
  • Patent number: 11808182
    Abstract: An oil treatment system for an internal combustion engine in one implementation includes an elongated dipstick tube defining a tube axis and a first flow passageway, a housing arranged on the dipstick tube and defining an internal cavity, an oil treatment apparatus disposed in the internal cavity, and a retainer coupled to the housing. The retainer may have a cylindrical body comprising an elongated first flow protuberance insertably received through the oil treatment apparatus to establish fluid communication between the oil treatment apparatus and the first flow passageway of the dipstick tube. The retainer comprises a cavity through which oil may be added directly to the first flow passageway of the dipstick which may be fluidly coupled to an oil sump of the engine. The oil treatment apparatus may be an oil filter. An oil treatment additive may optionally be added to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Terrence M. Rotter
  • Patent number: 11779865
    Abstract: A gravity-fed filtration system interconnection structure comprising a reservoir for receiving ingress fluid, and a second, dispensing reservoir. A carrier or shuttle having a carrier magnet is connected to a sluice gate valve which normally blocks the opening to the second reservoir. A filter cartridge may be received by the reservoir and includes a housing body, and a filter magnet disposed within or fixedly connected to the housing body. The filter magnet and the carrier magnet are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the reservoir recess, to move the carrier and/or sluice gate valve as a result of shear force or rotational force generated between the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11541384
    Abstract: An ion exchange device main body 3 includes: a tubular body 31 into which an ion exchange resin bag 5 accommodating the ion exchange resin is inserted through an opening and which has a liquid outlet 312 in which a liquid outlet port 314 for discharging an ion exchange target liquid to outside is formed; a lid 32 that is supported by the tubular body 31 and has a gas injection portion 324 in which a gas injection port 325 for injecting a to an inside 311 of the tubular body 31 is formed; a lead-out pipe 42 that is connected to the liquid outlet 312 and guides the ion exchange target liquid to the outside; and a check valve 44 that is provided in the lead-out pipe 42 and prevents the ion exchange target liquid from flowing backward from the outside to the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SUN MAINTENANCE KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fukai
  • Patent number: 11401175
    Abstract: Provided is a water-purification cartridge to be replaceably accommodated in an accommodating portion of a water purifier. The cartridge includes activated carbon that removes impurities from water, forms, within the water purifier, a raw water flow path through which raw water flows downstream without passing through the activated carbon and a water purification flow path through which raw water flows downstream while passing through the activated carbon, and further includes a buffer portion that is disposed, within the water purifier, at a position upstream of flow path switching valves for selecting discharge from the raw water flow path or discharge from the water purification flow path and downstream of the activated carbon and that cuts off a water hammer propagating from the flow path switching valves to the activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KOTOBUKI HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Takagi, Jutaro Takagi
  • Patent number: 11364456
    Abstract: A container assembly is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container that contains a volume. Selected portions of the container assembly may be removable. A spigot assembly may be removed and associated with a filter assembly. An ambient light sensor may be included to determine when the filter assembly has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: BRITA LP
    Inventors: Federico Macoretta, Rick T. Nishijima, Madeline A. Donovan, Russell E. Bell, Piercy Yau
  • Patent number: 11247154
    Abstract: Filter capsules for showers and sinks used in surgical settings, clean rooms and other contaminant-sensitive settings having modified outlets for improved splash control. Flat, concave, convex, asymmetric concave and asymmetric convex outlet inserts have pluralities of fluid bores with varying orientations to permit enhanced fluid flow control out of the filter capsules including divergent, convergent and mixed divergent/convergent fluid flows. An inlet with an axis offset at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the filter capsule body permits user control over the fluid flow strike point in a sink or shower stall via rotation of the capsule about the inlet connection point. A recessed outlet improves the prevention of contaminant dispersal by recessing the outlet away from contact points and potential contaminant sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ZhenWu Lin, Hong Shen, Stephan Brinke-Seiferth
  • Patent number: 11161062
    Abstract: Filter systems disclosed herein collapse for storage purposes and include mechanisms to continuously fill an upper chamber, allowing it to be smaller and to include more filters. A UVC light in a lower chamber sanitizes water entering therein. Water entering the lower chamber may pass through a quartz tube near the UVC light for sufficient exposure. The UVC light may be cycled between shorter periods of higher intensity and longer periods of lower intensity. A low power source such as a small solar array and/or battery may power the UVC light. A proximity switch may control the UVC light by providing power to the light only when the upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber which may protect the user from exposure to the UVC light. Sealing mechanisms between the upper and lower chambers, as well as tote mechanisms and an alternative bucket filter system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: WellspringPure, LLC
    Inventors: Valdean Allen Johnson, Celia Roberts Johnson
  • Patent number: 10967302
    Abstract: A novel fluid filter includes a partially permeable elastic bag encapsulating a filtration medium, and providing pressure to prevent channeling. A receiver with one or more apertures fits at least partially within the filtration bag to receive treated fluid. A cover may be placed over a tube of the receiver to prevent filtration medium from exiting systems An upper portion of the filtration bag is impermeable, while the lower portion of the bag is permeable. The fluid path flows over the top and up through the lower section and through a major path through the filtration medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PERFECT WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jon-Andrew Vincent Sigona, Salvatore V. Sigona
  • Patent number: 10900931
    Abstract: A sample fluid (14) is pumped through a first cavity (38) associated with a first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) and pumped through a second cavity (40) associated with a second piezoelectric resonator (20.2). An electrode (26) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) exposed to the sample fluid (14) in the first cavity (38) is coated with an adsorption layer (34.1) that provides for adsorbing a substance (12) to be detected in the sample fluid (14). The adsorbed substance (12) changes the resonant frequency of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) relative to that of the second piezoelectric resonator (20.2), wherein a change in the frequency difference therebetween relative to an initial frequency difference is responsive to and provides a measure of the mass of adsorbed substance (12). The adsorption layer (34.1) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) is automatically refreshed when a change in the frequency difference crosses a threshold (?FEOR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Quansor Corp
    Inventors: John H. Merrill, Alex A. Waldrop, III, Eric R. Becks
  • Patent number: 10895261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbopump (10) comprising a stationary housing (12) comprising a pump (16) with a pump rotor (14) comprising pump vanes (28) and a turbine (20) housing a turbine rotor (18) provided with turbine vanes (44). According to the invention, the turbopump comprises a turbine rotor (18) coaxially arranged around the rotor of the pump (16) in a plane perpendicular to said rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignees: IFP Energies nouvelles, ENOGIA
    Inventor: Philippe Pagnier
  • Patent number: 10791859
    Abstract: A portable water purifier has a container, a lid assembly, and a filtering assembly. The container has a containing space. The lid assembly is mounted to the container by threading and has a suction nozzle communicating with the containing space. The filtering assembly is mounted in the container, is connected to the lid assembly, and has a cover and at least one filter element. The cover is disposed in the container, is adjacent to the lid assembly, and has a communicating tube communicating with the suction nozzle and an interior of the container. The at least one filter element is disposed between the cover and a bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Eastern Pure Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Heng Huang
  • Patent number: 10787370
    Abstract: A filtration system for a pet water fountain is provided. The filtration system utilizes a pump placed within or along a watering bowl. The water filtration system also utilizes a multi-stage filtering device. In one aspect, the multi-stage filtering device includes a first filtering stage representing copper zinc alloy particles, and a second filtering stage representing granulated activated carbon particles. Each stage may constitute filtering material that is separated into an array of cells residing along a vertical frame or is separated into stages placed in series within a tubular cartridge. A method for filtering water in a pet fountain is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, William S. Groh, Anita White, Kristine Kauerz, Stephen Weybrecht
  • Patent number: 10780389
    Abstract: A modulator assembly may include a modulator tube, a magnetic end cap, a desiccant bag, and at least one magnet. The desiccant bag houses a plurality of desiccant beads and is disposed within the modulator tube. The at least one magnet is disposed in the desiccant bag and engages the magnetic end cap to position the desiccant bag against the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Sussman
  • Patent number: 10724786
    Abstract: An installation structure of an external filter case for a refrigerator is provided. The filter case may include a main body that provides an inner space in which an internal line may be installed and water filters may be installed, and a cover that covers the inner space of the main body and is detachably coupled with the main body. The main body may have an open front side and may include bosses that protrude from its bottom face. The cover may include insertion holes into which the bosses may be inserted. A lower portion of the main body may be coupled with a lower portion of the cover. Magnets may be installed in upper portions of the main body and the cover, respectively, such that the main body and the cover may be coupled with each other by a magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hyunji Park
  • Patent number: 10722066
    Abstract: A filter paper cup for making a beverage pod. The filter paper cup includes a base (or receptacle) and may include a cover. The filter paper cup is formed by forming pleats in walls and a rim around the tops of the wall. Preferably, a heat seal filter paper is used and the pleats in the walls and rim are adhered by the heat to retain the shape. The base in inserted into a pod holder and brewing material is placed into the base. A cover may be positioned over the rim, and a lid is attached to the pod holder to sandwich the cover and rim to seal the pod. The cover, if present, is held taut by the lid of the pod holder to facilitate penetration of the cover by a needle to inject water into the pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 10712064
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating and storing liquid refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit including a housing configured as a refrigerant collection container, the housing having a refrigerant outflow line disposed therein. The refrigerant outflow line extending from an inlet opening, which is disposed in a gas refrigerant region and above a level of the liquid refrigerant, via a liquid refrigerant region to the outside, and has a through-opening formed in the liquid refrigerant region. The housing includes a boiling element for liquid refrigerant disposed therein. The boiling element is connected to the refrigerant outflow line in the region of the through-opening, such that a liquid passing through the through-opening from the housing passes through the boiling element by suction of a gas refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Toni Spies, Peter Heyl, Marc Graaf, Hartmut Helm, Heinrich Ittner, Jiri Dvorsky
  • Patent number: 10702807
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a header, a bowl and a replaceable filter element. The bowl is indexed to have a single installed orientation with respect to the header. The filter element is keyed and indexed to both the bowl and the header, with index structures on the filter element engaging complementary coding structures on both the bowl and the header to define a single installed orientation of the filter element with respect to the filter assembly. The filter element lower end cap includes a notch and the filer media defines a longitudinal channel corresponding in position and configuration to the notch in the lower end cap. The lower end cap and channel in the filter media engage a protrusion inside the bowl. The bowl maintains angular orientation (prevents twisting) of the upper and lower end caps when the filter media is exposed to high differential pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Clarcor Engine Mobile Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Sasur, Jeremiah Sazama
  • Patent number: 10675564
    Abstract: A novel fluid filter includes a partially permeable elastic bag encapsulating a filtration medium, and providing pressure to prevent channeling. A receiver with one or more apertures fits at least partially within the filtration bag to receive treated fluid. A cover may be placed over a tube of the receiver to prevent filtration medium from exiting system. An upper portion of the filtration bag is impermeable, while the lower portion of the bag is permeable. The fluid path flows over the top and up through the lower section and through a major path through the filtration medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jon-Andrew Vincent Sigona, Salvatore V. Sigona
  • Patent number: 10669093
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single serve capsule for preparing a beverage, comprising a side wall and a bottom, which together define a space, a filter element being sealed to the bottom within said space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventors: Günter Empl, Andre Throm, Marco Hanisch
  • Patent number: 10669163
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge is provided, including a body for receiving a supply of filter media, the body having an open upper end and an outlet having a plurality of outlet openings, and a cap configured for sealingly engaging the upper end of the body. The supply of media directly contacts an inside surface of an outlet of the body, and the outlet openings being dimensioned for retaining the media despite direct contact with the inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PARAGON WATER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: David Swain, Shangfu Ma
  • Patent number: 10654728
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the purification of water. The process includes leading water laden with microorganisms and arsenic through an arsenic adsorption media followed by treating the resultant arsenic deficient water with a disinfectant releasing system to obtain water deficient of arsenic and viable microorganisms. The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for the purification of water using the afore-stated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Shankar Balajirao Kausley, Chetan Premkumar Malhotra, Dilshad Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10596535
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
  • Patent number: 10589199
    Abstract: A device for providing purified water from a silt-laden source water having an upper canister, a lower canister, and a filter mounted in the upper canister; wherein the upper canister and the lower canister are fluidly connected via the filter; wherein pre-filtered water is collected in the upper canister and purified water is collected in the lower canister; wherein a pre-filter is fluidly connected between the source water and the upper canister; wherein the pre-filter has a pre-filter canister having an inlet for source water and an outlet for pre-filtered water; wherein the pre-filter canister contains a fine depth filter and a felt filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy See
  • Patent number: 10519827
    Abstract: An oil mist filter includes: a filter body having a tubular shape, the filter body causing processing-target gas supplied to a hollow in the filter body pass through an outer peripheral surface to capture oil mist contained in the processing-target gas; and an end plate disposed at one end surface of the filter body the end plate projecting outward beyond an outer peripheral edge of the one end surface of the filter body. A plurality of ventholes are formed at a portion of the end plate projecting beyond the outer peripheral edge of the one end surface of the filter body. The processing-target gas blown out from the outer peripheral surface of the filter body passes through the ventholes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ROKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kosaku Ishida
  • Patent number: 10518201
    Abstract: A multi-mode showerhead having a housing with a front and a back and an offset integrated water filter system incorporated into the showerhead. The multi-mode showerhead has a pair of water outlets in the front and a water filter cartridge is easily added to or removed from a hollow filter chamber formed in the showerhead by the removal of a first, front facing adjustable spray nozzle assembly removably held in a first water outlet connected to the hollow filter chamber. A switch to selectively change the spray pattern of a second nozzle assembly is mounted on the front between the pair of water outlets. The entire showerhead with the first and second spray nozzle assemblies and the integrated offset water filter system is mounted on a shower arm by means of a swivel joint forming an inlet on the back of the housing and connected to the hollow filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: David K. Farley
  • Patent number: 10492475
    Abstract: A filtration system and filtration unit are disclosed herein. The filtration system can include an aquarium and the filtration unit. The filtration unit can attach to the aquarium. The filtration unit can include a pump that circulates water through the filtration unit and a plurality of chambers. The plurality of chambers of the filtration unit can include a sterilization chamber, a pre-filtration chamber, and a root chamber. The sterilization chamber can include a sterilization feature that sterilizes the water circulating through the filtration unit, the pre-filtration chamber can remove large objects from the water, and the root chamber can contain a root network of a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: AQUA DESIGN INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Z. Liang, Dillon J. Rak, Timothy Langer
  • Patent number: 10479697
    Abstract: The invention relates to container bodies configured to be used in filter-as-you-pour systems, where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. Such container bodies may have an undivided internal storage volume, so as to not include a reservoir compartment for unfiltered water. They may be part of systems configured to filter water both as water is introduced into a container body of the system and as water is poured from the container body of the system. The filter assembly may be attached to the container body at a location proximate the outlet of the system. Filter media of the filter assembly may comprise an activated carbon textile material that presents a curved surface to water passing through the filter assembly. The container body may be configured as a pitcher, carafe, water bottle, jug, or other shaped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BRITA LP
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Jonathan McDonald, Nicole Doan, Jonathan Taylor Wiegele
  • Patent number: 10427951
    Abstract: In one example, a filter cartridge includes a housing having a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port, and the housing has a chamber in fluid communication with the fluid entry port and the fluid exit port. A first medium is disposed within the chamber and includes a material that serves to change the pH of a fluid passing through the first medium. A filtration medium is disposed in the chamber downstream of the first medium and arranged to receive effluent of the first medium. The filtration medium includes a material configured to remove a metal from a fluid passing through the filtration medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Andrea Diaz, Jonathan McDonald, David Lyons
  • Patent number: 10367211
    Abstract: A method for managing an ion filter of a fuel cell vehicle includes measuring a differential pressure between ends of the ion filter, calculating a change of the differential pressure according to a coolant flow at the ion filter, and determining leakage of an ion resin or a replacement time of a cartridge using the measured differential pressure or the calculated change of the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hunwoo Park, Sung Wook Na
  • Patent number: 10343108
    Abstract: An air drier includes an inlet, an outlet, and a collected liquid discharge port. Compressed air flows in the inlet. Dry compressed air is discharged through the outlet. Purge air containing oil and water is discharged through a collected liquid discharge port. The air drier further includes a drying container that is filled with desiccant, and a case that covers the drying container. The air drier is provided with, downstream of the collected liquid discharge port, a separation portion that separates clean air from oil and water in the purge air, a clean air outlet through which the clean air is discharged, and a collected liquid retaining portion in which collected liquid is retained. The collected liquid is separated oil and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NABTESCO AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Sugio, Hiroaki Kawanami, Ichiro Minato
  • Patent number: 10276275
    Abstract: A method is presented for collecting and removing radon from a confined area, a storage box or articles of clothing. The method includes collecting radon from the confined area or around a storage box via at least one collector, connecting each of a plurality of radon adsorbers to a corresponding power supply or power source such as a battery, capacitor, fuel cell, etc. diverting, via a plurality of valves, the collected radon or radon daughters through one or more of the plurality of radon adsorbers, and receiving, via a plurality of radon storage units, radon or radon daughters held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Michael S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10258908
    Abstract: A filter including a shell with at least one viewing region, a translucent bowl that fits and is installable within the shell, and an attachment mechanism. The bowl is positionable within the shell such that at least a portion of the bowl is visible through the viewing region. The attachment mechanism securely attaches the bowl the shell together and prevents at least one of vertical and rotational movement between the bowl and the shell. The shell and the bowl are not threaded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cummons Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Shubha Agrawal, Hariprasad Mohan Bhalerao, Amit Shashikant Wankhede, Ajay D. Joshi, Kevin C. South
  • Patent number: 10236089
    Abstract: A method is presented for collecting and removing radon from a confined area, a storage box or articles of clothing. The method includes collecting radon from the confined area or around a storage box via at least one collector, connecting each of a plurality of radon adsorbers to a corresponding power supply or power source such as a battery, capacitor, fuel cell, etc. diverting, via a plurality of valves, the collected radon or radon daughters through one or more of the plurality of radon adsorbers, and receiving, via a plurality of radon storage units, radon or radon daughters held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Michael S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10125027
    Abstract: The invention relates to lid bodies configured to be used in filter-as-you-pour systems, where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. Such lid bodies may be releasably attachable to the filter assembly through complementary locking structures of the lid body and the filter assembly so that the lid body may be selectively and releasably attached to the filter assembly. The lid bodies may also comprise a locking structure that is configured to releasably engage with a complementary locking structure of a container body. The lid bodies may also be configured to be directly connected to filter assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Jonathan McDonald, Nicole Doan, Jonathan Taylor Wiegele
  • Patent number: 10011499
    Abstract: A filter cartridge and closure system is described comprising a filter cartridge for holding a filter pod that may be used, for example, to filter domestic water. In one embodiment, the filter cartridge and closure system enables the use of reusable filters in water pitchers, including reusable gravity-flow water filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: STERLING FILTERS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Roy Gene Mayo
  • Patent number: 10008300
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for eliminating radioactive iodine using a hydrophilic resin that adsorbs radioactive iodine, wherein the hydrophilic resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin, a hydrophilic polyurea resin, and a hydrophilic polyurethane-polyurea resin and has a hydrophilic segment and, in the principal chain and/or a side chain in the structure thereof, has a tertiary amino group or has a tertiary amino group and polysiloxane segment. By means of the present invention, a novel method for eliminating radioactive iodine is provided that is simple and low-cost, furthermore does not require an energy source such as electricity, moreover can take in and stably immobilize the eliminated radioactive iodine within a solid, and is capable of reducing the volume of radioactive waste as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd., Ukima Chemicals & Color Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hanada, Manabu Uruno, Kazuya Kimura, Kenichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9994459
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of filtering water utilize an integrated gravity-fed, dual ion-exchange filtration bottle. Flow-through multi-stage filtration technology is applied to a personal water bottle. The system filters water from an upper unfiltered water reservoir through a multi-stage filter to a lower filtered water reservoir. A user then drinks from the lower reservoir. The bottle includes a cap with a filtered water outlet through which filtered water in the lower reservoir is accessed with a straw, spout, or other access device. The cap includes an unfiltered water inlet to allow filling and refilling of the upper reservoir without disassembling the bottle. The bottle includes a filter vent that eliminates air locks and partial vacuum that can develop when unfiltered water drains from the upper reservoir through the filter to the lower reservoir. This gravity-fed dual ion-exchange filtration system allows for more complete removal of dissolved solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ZERO TECHNOLIGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Kellam, Byron Stanger, Rajan Rajan, Ajit Dighe, Charles Lieppe
  • Patent number: 9901078
    Abstract: A filtration system and filtration unit are disclosed herein. The filtration system can include an aquarium and the filtration unit. The filtration unit can attach to the aquarium. The filtration unit can include a pump that circulates water through the filtration unit and a plurality of chambers. The plurality of chambers of the filtration unit can include a sterilization chamber, a pre-filtration chamber, and a root chamber. The sterilization chamber can include a sterilization feature that sterilizes the water circulating through the filtration unit, the pre-filtration chamber can remove large objects from the water, and the root chamber can contain a root network of a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AQUA DESIGN INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Z. Liang, Dillon J. Rak, Timothy Langer
  • Patent number: 9878925
    Abstract: Described herein is a filtration medium comprising a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a thermolysis product of (i) a carbon substrate having a surface of COxEy, wherein E is selected from at least one of S, Se, and Te; and wherein x and y are greater than 0; and (ii) a metal salt; and methods of removing chloramine from aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Meredith McMurdo Doyle, Allen R. Siedle, Mark R. Stouffer, Thomas E. Wood
  • Patent number: 9809379
    Abstract: A cartridge for preparing a beverage comprises a container, a pod for containing a substance from which a beverage is to be extracted, a separating element for protecting the pod, and one or more supporting elements for holding the separating element in a preferred position. The cartridge is of the type which is pierced by at least one piercing tool to allow the injection of a liquid and extraction of a beverage. The separating element comprises a platform upon which the pod is disposed. The platform forms a boundary within the container, thereby defining first and second portions of the container. Liquid is injected into the first portion of the container, and the beverage is removed from the second portion. The separating element is positioned an appropriate distance from the piercing tools by the supporting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: 1675119 Ontario Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Goncalves Cardoso
  • Patent number: 9737165
    Abstract: A device for preparing tea using a tea bag which dunks the bag for a selected amount of time, then removes the bag from the tea to end the infusion process. The device allows for a more convenient way to brew healthier and more precisely made tea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: David Joseph Talarico
  • Patent number: 9714457
    Abstract: Submersible media filters and submersible columns for use in removing radioactive isotopes and other contaminants from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop of a nuclear reactor system or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool. Generally, these submersible media filters and submersible columns are adapted to be submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the filters are adapted to be vitrified after use, resulting in a stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume compared to the original filter. In several embodiments, the submersible media filters and submersible columns include isotope-specific media (ISM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KURION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Denton, Joshua Mertz, Trevor Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9707572
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder, Amruta Velapure
  • Patent number: 9708204
    Abstract: A multi-function water treatment container for magnetizing water comprises a base, a connection barrel, a son bottle body, a first magnetic element, a second magnetic element, a cap, and a mother bottle body. The N, S poles of the first magnetic element and the N, S poles of the second magnetic element are corresponding to each other and a repelling magnetic field is generated. When shaking the container, the water molecules may be affected by magnetic waves with low frequencies to make the water become the magnetizing and resonating water. The water molecules may become finer. After being cut by the magnetic fields and vibrating with the frequencies, the activity of the water may be enhanced and the molecule arrangement may be more orderly. Furthermore, the oxygen content, the solubility, and the permeability of the water molecules are enhanced substantially so as to being absorbed more easily by human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Hann Huang, Wei-Hsiang Huang, Chi-En Huang
  • Patent number: 9650767
    Abstract: A sink faucet assembly that includes a sink faucet and a filter faucet combined together into a single unit. The sink faucet is of the single-handle type for mixing hot and cold water and includes a body member, base, or escutcheon mount upon which the filter faucet is attached. The filter faucet includes a faucet body and spout that may dispense filtered water from an undersink filter and it may further include a water filter fluidly disposed between the faucet body and spout. A filter replacement kit is provided in an embodiment that includes a generally inline water filter, an optional water spout, and an elongated hollow tubular stem adapter attachable to the filter faucet body in a generally push-in manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Anthony Nightlinger, Grzegorz Loniewski
  • Patent number: 9550138
    Abstract: A gravity-driven fluid filtering system that includes a universal fluid (typically water) filter and a plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters. The universal fluid filter includes: at least one gravity-driven fluid filter media; a housing having an interior and at least one fluid inlet aperture configured to allow a fluid to be treated to enter the interior of the housing by a force of gravity and into contact with the at least one gravity-driven water filter media spaced within the interior of the housing; and at least one treated fluid outlet aperture configured to deliver treated fluid to at least one of a plurality vessels each having a differently sized fluid receiving aperture. The plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters each having a sloped and contoured fluid receiving portion, which is different for each adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hugh Bradford, Marco Casucci, David P. Cooper, Nihat O. Cur, Beth M. Jackson, Timothy A. Kee, James W. Kendall, Italo Renzo Menegon, Verne H. Myers, Ginger Elayne Patera, Mark M. Senninger, Gordon Jay Stannis, Sara Manfredini-Taube, Torsten Rickard Mathias-Tingstrom, Joel Graham Vanfaasen
  • Patent number: 9539537
    Abstract: Radon is removed from a gas in an apparatus having: (a) a liquid-gas contacting apparatus containing a fresh working liquid in which radon is soluble; (b) a shielded reservoir containing the working liquid; and (c) a means for causing a stream of gas containing radon to pass through the liquid-gas contacting apparatus. When the radon level in the working liquid reaches a certain level, the working liquid is either taken out of service and stored until the radon level is reduced or the working liquid is diluted with additional working liquid having no radon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Radon Scrubber LLC
    Inventors: Colin G. Meyer, Allan H. Moyse
  • Patent number: 9359183
    Abstract: A bottle pouring dispenser featuring a dispenser housing having a lower end configured to be removably attached to and cover an open end of a bottle. The bottle pouring dispenser includes a valve providing one-way hydraulic communication from the bottle to a chamber defined within the dispenser housing. The dispenser housing has upper and lower chamber portions. A flavorant is disposed within the upper chamber portion in solid form and it is dissolvable in liquid so as to add flavoring to liquid flowing through the chamber. The flavorant is held spaced above a floor of the chamber, such that a lower portion of the chamber defines a drain volume beneath the flavorant for receiving liquid draining from about the flavorant. The bottle pouring dispenser further includes a pour spout extending from an upper end of the dispenser housing, for dispensing the flavored liquid from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Carlon Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Alan Henderson
  • Patent number: 9321805
    Abstract: Large-scale downstream processing of secreted recombinant proteins is provided in a single device, wherein the contents of a plurality of bioreactors are combined simultaneous to their harvesting and purification resulting in significant savings of time and the cost of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi