Abstract: A liquid filtration system comprising a filtration tank with: a separating roof on which are mounted groups of hoses fixed to respective support plates; a fluid distributor plate comprising a central portion without perforations, and a peripheral portion with a plurality of perforations, said distributor plate being located between the hoses and a lower inlet duct for the water to be filtered comprising an upper opening for supplying liquid to the holes near the central portion of the distributor plate and a lower opening for supplying liquid to the holes of the peripheral portion which are furthest from the central portion. The filter comprises a filter material, an outlet duct for the filtered water at the upper area of the tank, a regeneration circuit of the filter medium; a filter self-cleaning circuit and a control panel.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly for a differential housing, including a filter housing for releasably mounting in a drive axle housing and defining an internal volume for containing oil to be filtered, a mounting arrangement for releasably securing the filter assembly to a drive axle housing, and a filter element for filtering particulate contaminants from oil in a drive axle. The filter housing includes an inlet on an upper portion thereof and an outlet on a lower portion thereof to define an flow path therethrough, and wherein the filter element is located downstream of the inlet.

Abstract: The present invention presents a filtration system with an integrated manifold valve. The filtration system employs only one pivotal component—the pivoting of the manifold. The manifold valve includes a dual aperture design for a two-fold alignment scheme with the ingress and egress lines of the fluid source. The invention is free of multi-component rotary valve with internal, rotatable parts, or an activation component, such as a handle, for initiating the rotary valve, allowing the user to rotate the rotational components thereof. The reduction in moveable components in this design reduces the likelihood of failure and increases the reliability of the filtration system.

Abstract: A apparatus and system for filtering wastewater from a basin is disclosed, wherein the apparatus prevents backflow of waste water, provides easy access for cleaning and replacing strainers, and a viewing window. The apparatus also provides additional ports for draining the apparatus.

Abstract: An oil-filter device, in particular for a motor-vehicle internal combustion engine, includes a filter element and a cover region. An oil outlet, which is closed by a destructible single-use closure, is provided in the cover region of the oil-filter device.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering a liquid or gaseous medium includes a filter housing for receiving an exchangeable filter insert. The filter housing has a housing head and a housing cover that can be removably connected to the housing head by means of a connecting element. The connecting element interacts with a locking element associated with the housing head so that, for the purpose of assembly, the housing cover can be connected to the housing head only if the filter insert is located in the filter housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blood processing filter comprising a sheet-like filter element, an inlet-side flexible container and an outlet-side flexible container that sandwich the filter element and are sealed thereto, an inlet port provided in the inlet-side flexible container for accepting blood before being processed by the filter element, and an outlet port provided in the outlet-side flexible container for discharging blood after being processed by the filter element. The blood processing filter also includes a flow channel securing sheet arranged between the filter element and the outlet-side flexible container. A flow channel hole through which blood processed by the filter element passes is formed in the flow channel securing sheet. The outlet port is provided so as to be capable of communicating with the flow channel hole.

Abstract: A filter (18) is fastened by means of a releasable detent connection (20) in a fastening housing part (14). One detent component (32) is connected to the filter element (18) and one detent component (36) is connected to the fastening housing part (14). At least one detent means (32) of one of the detent components engages in a bayonet-like manner in a cut-out (38) in the other detent component (36). One switching component (60) of a switching device (58) is connected to the filter element (18) and one switching component (62) is connected to the fastening housing part (14). One of the switching components (60) includes at least one switching lug (76) extending radially to a rotational/plug-in axis (30) of the filter (10), and one of the switching components (62) includes a switching slot (78) for guiding the switching lug (76).

Abstract: A blood processing filter including a flexible container (having an inlet and an outlet and a sheet-like filter member that is assembled in the flexible container) has a seal part that seals the flexible container and the filter member to form an effective filtration portion of the filter member and a partition part that seals the flexible container and the filter member to partition the effective filtration portion into a plurality of areas. The seal part and the partition part cooperate with the filter member to divide inside of the flexible container into three or more internal spaces including an inlet space that communicates with the inlet, and an outlet space that communicates with the outlet, and also form, as a blood channel, a channel that passes through each of three or more of the internal spaces and also passes multiple times through the filter member.

Abstract: Provided is an improved filtration module assembly comprising a vessel having a filtration cartridge disposed within it and a header coupled to an end of the vessel, the header including a housing having an open-ended upper end and a lower end, and an end cap including a portion that mates with a complimentary structure defined by the inner all of the open ended upper end of the housing to removable engage with the housing and the end cap may further define a passageway for fluid to flow out of the vessel. The filtration module assembly may enable an improved manifold arrangement used to communicate fluids to and from a filtration system comprising a plurality of such modules and the configurations of the present invention may facilitate improved operation of such filtration systems.

Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus comprising an upper housing shell; a lower housing shell; a pleat pack element comprising a peripheral frame and a folded pleated media. The frame is at least partially molded over the media to secure the media in the frame, and the pleat pack is sandwiched between the upper and lower housing shells and a frame of the pleat pack forms a side of the housing.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a head, a filter housing which can be connected to the head, and a filter element which can be received in the filter housing. The filter element includes a tubular wall provided with a filtration medium; a first end part provided at a first axial end of the filter element; and a second end part provided at a second axial end of the filter element. The second end part of the filter element is provided with a either a protrusion or an undercut opening, on the one hand, and the second end of the housing is provided with either an undercut opening or a protrusion, on the other hand. A side of the protrusion or opening is provided with a sloping face which slopes at a slope with respect to the axial direction of the filter element.

Abstract: An end member (3A) for a spiral separation membrane element includes: an inner annular portion (31); an outer annular portion (32) surrounding the inner annular portion (31) at a distance from the inner annular portion (31); a plurality of connecting portions (33) connecting the inner annular portion (31) and the outer annular portion (32); and a shield plate (34) disposed between at least one pair of the connecting portions (33) and forming an opening (41) between the shield plate (34) and the outer annular portion (32). According to this configuration, a radially outwardly spreading flow is formed by the shield plate (34), and therefore suspended solids in a feed liquid can be effectively directed to the peripheral region.

Abstract: A fuel filter cartridge includes a housing having first and second shell sections. The shell sections are generally symmetric about a cartridge axis and joined together. The first shell section has a convex-shape when viewed from a side and includes an end portion, a cylindrical side wall portion, and a transition portion connecting the side wall portion to the end portion. The end portion has an end surface forming a cartridge opening coaxial with the cartridge axis. The transition portion has a radius of 0.125-1.125 inches. A filter having at least one filter element is disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A sealing device (24) of a filter system (10) for filtering fluids, in particular of a motor vehicle, with a sealing ring (26) is described. The sealing ring (26) serves to seal a pipe (16), in particular a central pipe of a filter housing (12), that penetrates through a flange-sided opening (18) of an end plate (20), in particular of an end element of a filter element (14). The sealing ring (26) features a central section (58) that connects it with the end plate (20). The sealing ring (26) features in its axial direction on both sides of the central section (58) elastic sealing sections (60, 62) which cause each a reduction of the inner diameter of the sealing ring (26) compared with the central section (58).

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a filter end disc (7), for example for a fluid filter (14) of a motor vehicle, a first plastic molding material (M1) and a second plastic molding material (M2) are injected in succession into a tool mold (1) in a monosandwich method or co-injection method in such a way that the second plastic molding material (M2) is substantially surrounded by the first plastic molding material (M1). To manufacture a fluid filter, the filter end disc (7) is further irradiated by a radiation beam (L) having pre-determined beam characteristics for melting the first plastic molding material (M1), and a filter material (15) is applied to the at least partially melted first plastic molding material (M1). A filter end disc (7), in particular for a fluid filter (14) of a motor vehicle, said disc being manufactured according to a monosandwich method or co-injection method, comprises a first outer plastic molding material (M1) and a second inner plastic molding material (M2).

Abstract: A filter device includes a lid (6) configured for detachable mounting to a filter housing, an annular filter element (2) mounted to the lid (6), a closure part (13) embodied as a separate component from the filter element and the lid (6) with the closure part (13) detachably secured to at least one of the lid (6) and the filter element (2).

Abstract: A fuel heater module and a water-in-fuel sensor module are disclosed that are configured to be connected to an outside surface of a filter assembly. The fuel heater module includes an inlet port and an outlet port with a heating element positioned in the fluid path between the inlet and outlet. A thermostat is included for controlling operation of the heating element. The water-in-fuel sensor module is configured to detect water in the filter housing that it may be drained from the filter housing. Both modules are configured to be attached to an outside surface of the filter housing thereby being readily replaceable.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering fluids has a filter head and a filter cup with a rim area, wherein the filter cup is connected detachably by the rim area by a rotational and/or plug-in movement to the filter head. A filter element is exchangeably arranged in the filter cup. A sealing device with several sealing areas is provided that seals the filter head relative to the filter cup. The filter element has a connecting end disk arranged at an end face that is facing the rim area of the filter cup. On the connecting end disk at least two of the sealing areas of the sealing device are arranged so as to extend circumferentially in such a way that a first sealing area seals the connecting end disk relative to the filter head and a second sealing area seals the connecting end disk relative to the filter cup.

Abstract: A filter cartridge unit including a first end plate, at least one second end plate, and a filter cartridge that is arranged between the end plates. The filter cartridge is connected, in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner, to its adjacent end plates in a circumferential subarea of contact surfaces thereof using an adhesive.

Abstract: A filter for internal combustion engines of vehicles, comprising: an external casing (11) and an upper closing cover (12), which close an internal chamber (13) having an inlet for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet for filtered liquid; a filter cartridge (20) having a tubular filter means (21) located internally of the internal chamber (13) which separates the chamber (13) into a first zone communicating with the inlet and a second zone communicating with the outlet, and a lower plate (22) joined to a lower end of the filter means (21); the filter means being removably fixed to the casing (11) such as to remain internally of the casing when the casing is separated from the cover; the lower plate comprising hooking teeth (31), developing axially and having an elastic action in a radial direction; the base of the casing comprising a generally cylindrical surface sub -divided into a number of sectors which is equal to a number of hooking teeth (31), each sector defining a hooking zone (43) for axially const

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device, comprising a tubular filter element and a carrier part, with the filter element fastened thereon. The carrier part can be inserted between an unfiltered fluid pipe and a filtered fluid pipe. The pipes can be assembled into a continuous flow pipe, wherein the filter element protrudes into the pipe interior.

Abstract: A filter for filtering water includes a compound material installed between the upper supporting seat and the lower supporting seat; the compound material being formed with an high density fiber layer, an active carbon layer surrounding the high density fiber layer and a fiber layer surrounding the active carbon layer; the upper supporting seat having a cover plate, an inner ring, an middle ring and an outer ring; the lower supporting seat having a cover plate; an inner ring; a middle ring and an outer ring; the high density fiber layer being installed between the platforms of the upper and lower supporting seat; the active carbon layer being installed between the fiber filtering material of the upper supporting seat and the fiber filtering material of the lower supporting seat; and the fiber layer being installed between the upper and lower supporting seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device for fluids, comprising a filter housing (I). At least one filtering element (9) which is in the form of a filter cartridge and which defines a longitudinal axis (11) can be received in said filter housing. The filter cartridge has an end cap (17) on at least one end, said end cap fanning an enclosure for the corresponding end edge of the filtering material (23, 35). The end cap can be fixed on an element receiving means (13), which interacts with the bottom part (5) of the filter housing (1), in order to fix the position of the filtering element (9) in the functional position thereof. The element receiving means forms a fluid path for the cleaned fluid exiting the filtering hollow chamber (19) of the filtering element (9).

Abstract: Fluid filter elements and assemblies are used to separate contaminants from a fluid, such as oil or fuel, prior to reaching an engine. Fluid filter assemblies may comprise a housing, a filter element, and a filter head. The filter element may be disposed within the filter housing and enclosed by the filter head. Fluid enters the housing and passes through the filter element. The fluid may then exit the assembly. A connector may be used to connect the filter element to the filter head to ensure proper installation and simplify removal of a fouled filter element. The connector permits removable coupling of the filter element to the filter head and resists unintentional disengagement to securely couple the filter element to the filter head.

Abstract: A liquid filter has a filter housing with a first thread and a drain passage. A filter element including a filter medium is arranged in the filter housing. A filter lid is provided with a second thread configured to engage the first thread for connecting the filter lid to the filter housing. The filter lid further has a filter bypass valve for bypassing the filter element when a pressure loss that is too high occurs when liquid passes through the filter medium of the filter element. First bayonet connectors are provided on the filter lid and second bayonet connectors are provided on the filter element for connecting the filter element to the filter lid by engaging the first bayonet connectors. A double-concentric seal is arranged on the filter element for closing off the drain passage.

Abstract: A membrane treatment apparatus includes a filtration membrane 10 filtering raw water existing in an external environment 100 by applying pressure thereto and a treated water outlet 11 from which treated water collected after filtration by the filtration membrane 10 is taken, and is provided with a filter cloth 12 placed and fixed outside the filtration membrane 10 with a predetermined space left between the filter cloth and the filtration membrane. Preferably, the filter cloth 12 is provided in such a way as to cover an outer circumferential side and a bottom of the filtration membrane 10, and the filter cloth 12 is provided in such a way as to cover the outer circumferential side of the filtration membrane 10 with the bottom thereof uncovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting element for hydraulic circuits. The device comprises a body provided with one channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, the channel being connectable with a fluid supply line, said body being further provided with an aperture which opens, to the outside, into a seat located in the channel. The devices also comprises a filter element insertable in a removable manner into the seat, through the aperture, in order to intercept the fluid in the channel. Advantageously the filter element is defined by at least two portions, coupled with angled or radiused joints to define an internal volume, one portion having a different geometry from the other.

Abstract: A blood filter device includes: a housing that includes a dome 2 provided with a blood inlet, a filter retaining portion 3 that is positioned below the dome, and a bottom portion 4 provided with a blood outlet; and a filter 8 that is mounted in a cavity of the filter retaining portion and partitions a cavity of the housing into a dome side and a bottom portion side. A sheet-like filter member 8a of the filter forms a plurality of pleats, and ridgelines of the respective pleats traverse the filter retaining portion in parallel respectively.

Abstract: A liquid filter has a filter housing with a first thread and a drain passage. A filter element including a filter medium is arranged in the filter housing. A filter lid is provided with a second thread configured to engage the first thread for connecting the filter lid to the filter housing. The filter lid further has a filter by pass valve for bypassing the filter element when a pressure loss that is too high occurs when liquid passes through the filter medium of the filter element. First bayonet connectors are provided on the filter lid and second bayonet connectors are provided on the filter element for connecting the filter element to the filter lid by engaging the first bayonet connectors. A double-concentric seal is arranged on the filter element for closing off the drain passage.

Abstract: A liquid filter suitable for motor vehicles which includes a filter head (11), a vessel (12) and a filter element (16) disposed within the vessel (12) sealingly separating an inlet (14) from an outlet (15) such that liquid from the inlet must flow through the filter element to reach the outlet. The filter element (16) has guide projections (27, 28) positioning the filter element (16) within the vessel (12). Prior to installation, the filter element (16) is preassembled into the vessel (12) and fixed in position by pushing the filter element (16) into an element guide (29), after which the preassembly is screwed onto the filter head (11). When the vessel (12) is unscrewed from the filter head (11), the filter element (16) slides out of the element guide (29) and moves axially upwardly to free a volume V. Liquid flowing into the vessel (12) from the higher regions of the liquid filter (10) can flow into this volume, thus enabling drip-free replacement of the filter element.

Abstract: A filter assembly where the filter cartridge is secured to the nutplate and a seal is provided between the filter cartridge and the nutplate. The sealing relationship between the filter cartridge and the nutplate is maintained during use of the filter assembly without using a spring engaged with the filter cartridge that biases the filter cartridge into engagement with the nutplate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oil pan with a built-in filtering element which does not easily receive influence of lateral swing of oil, which has high support rigidity of a filter, or which has excellent assembling operability of the filter, or which is light in weight as compared with a conventional oil pan. The oil pan P1 with a built-in filtering element has a filter 20. The filter 20 is provided therein with an oil flow path Q which is in communication with an oil pump. The filter 20 filters oil flowing toward the oil pump. An oil flow path includes a bottom flow path Qb having a flow path wall 7 extending along a bottom wall 5 of the oil pan, and a side flow path Qs having a flow path wall 8 extending along a first sidewall 1 of the oil pan. The first sidewall includes a drain hole 1h which opens at the bottom flow path and through which the filter can be inserted into the bottom flow path. The bottom flow path is provided with a filter retaining portion 7k which retains the inserted filter.

Abstract: A marine water separating fuel filter includes a connecting tube head, an upper lid, a filter element, and a container. The filter element is accommodated in the container and sealed by the upper lid, with an axial inlet opening and a limiting ring provided on a hollow taper post to hold against the filter element. An axial pipe of the connecting tube head is screwed to the axial inlet opening. The connecting tube head has a pressing ring to hold against a washer, providing a sealing function. The unfiltered fuel from an inlet end is filtered with the filter element and then filtered fuel expelled through an outlet end. An indication ring is provided on the hollow taper post to indicate the height of liquid. This is an easy and quick way to assemble and disassemble the filter element, providing environmental and economical purposes.

Abstract: A filter element includes a cylindrical housing enclosing a ring-shaped filter media assembly. The media assembly includes inner and outer media rings, moveably supported relative to one another, to remove particulate matter and water from a fluid stream. The outer ring surrounds the inner ring and is sealed by a first seal to the housing. An end cap assembly at the upper end of the element includes an annular end cap piece attached to an upper end of the inner ring, a flat plate, and a threaded flange portion bounding the periphery of the plate. A second seal is provided between the upper end cap of the inner ring, and an upper end cap of the outer ring. The housing is secured to the media assembly by forming an open end of the housing around the flange portion.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus includes a pot-type filter housing (10), a filter element (28) accommodated in the housing, a holding mechanism (38) disposed in the filter housing (10) to removably fix the filter element along its longitudinal axis, and a sealing device (60) that seals between a lid (20) of the filter housing (10) and the filter element (28). The holding mechanism (38) is provided with cooperating holding elements embodied on the interior face of the filter housing (10) as well as on the filter element (28). The filtering apparatus dispenses with the need for O-seals that are known in prior art and extend in a radial direction between the filter element and the filter head as a housing lid because the sealing device (60) encompasses at least one sealing edge (62) or sealing surface placed parallel to the longitudinal axis in a radial direction and seals under the effect of the pressure applied it by the holding mechanism (38).

Abstract: A filter comprises a housing and a filter cartridge. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, a vent, and a filter cartridge chamber. The filter cartridge is permanently positioned in the filter cartridge chamber of the housing with an annular channel between the filter cartridge and the housing. The bottom of the filter cartridge and the interior of the bottom of the housing each include a surface which inclines upwardly toward the annular channel.

Abstract: A compact filter element in which the end faces of a plurality of nonwoven filter layers (3) are fixedly integrated into a cover (4) and in which the oncoming flow of fluid to be filtered is deflected in the cover (4) in such a way that the fluid flows respectively into every second or alternating area between two adjacent nonwoven filter layers (3) and flows through the nonwoven filter layers (3) into the intervening spaces between the spaces between filter layers in to which it initially flows, from which intervening spaces it exits the filter element.

Abstract: A filtration sealing system is provided for sealing a filter element in a housing at a mating interface therebetween. The sealing system includes a keyed interface. A replacement filter element is provided for such filtration sealing system, with the replacement filter element including a keyed interface.

Abstract: Drain trap assembly for separating sediment from discharged wastewater including a conduit with a first upper inlet portion and a second upper outlet portion. Between the inlet and outlet is located a lower bend portion. Interrupting the lower bend portion is a third conduit portion including a cup closure for sediment accumulation out of the wastewater pathway. Affixed to the cup closure and extending generally upwardly within the assembly and across the wastewater flow is a strainer including at least one plate with through-holes sized to reject particulate sediment and other solids of a predetermined size. Another strainer embodiment includes fibers affixed to the closure and extending across the wastewater flow. A strainer support leg may be concave to guide or deflect sediment-laden wastewater downwardly to the accumulation area and may include at least one wastewater flow aperture. Closure removal automatically withdraws the strainer, offering ready access to accumulated sediment.

Abstract: A micro fluidic device includes a separation membrane that has an upper surface and a lower surface opposing to each other and a side surface; a plurality of base materials that sandwiches the separation membrane; a first channel and a second channel that are partitioned from each other by the separation membrane; a first feed port that is connected to the first channel; and a first discharge port that is connected to the second channel, wherein the first channel comes into contact with at least a part of the upper surface and the lower surface of the separation membrane, the second channel comes into contact with at least a part of the side surface of the separation membrane, and a fluid is movable in a surface direction within the separation membrane.

Abstract: The instant invention generally provides a porous filter medium, a porous composite filter medium, a filter assembly, processes of making the same, and processes suitable for filtering contaminants from liquids.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a seawall filters the flow of groundwater through a hole in the wall. The filter assembly includes: (a) a housing containing a flat flange and a perforated conical shell, the shell adapted to extend into the hole with its apex extending toward the landward side, the flange having a seaward side adapted to fit flushly against the seawall, the flange having a landward side connected to the shell, the flange having an opening that defines an open base for the shell; (b) a perforated conical cage having an open base that fits within the shell of the housing; (c) a conical filter element having an open base that fits within the cage; (d) a perforated conical sleeve having an open base that fits within the filter element; and (e) a perforated cap that is removably and flushly fastened to the opening in the flange to secure the cage, filter element, and sleeve within the shell of the housing.

Abstract: In a fuel filter for an automobile, a filter element for filtering fuel is accommodated in a tubular filter case having a bottom surface and a side surface. A fuel heater is mounted on the side surface of the filter case. Therefore, the filter case and the filter element can be heated directly from heat generated by the fuel heater to effectively heat the fuel flowing therethrough, thereby preventing precipitation of a wax component that could clog the filter element. Also, fuel supply passages for supplying the fuel to the filter element are formed along the side surface of the filter case. Therefore, the fuel is brought into sufficient contact with the filter case heated by the fuel heater, thereby effectively heating the fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element for filtering fluid for a motor or gearing, comprising a first filter medium which is arranged in a cylindrical way, with the fluid impinging in a perpendicular way on the circumferential surface of the first medium for filtering in an associated filter apparatus, then penetrating and passing through the same. The filter element comprises a second filter medium with a filter density differing from the first filter medium, the first filter medium and the second filter medium being stacked upon each other as filter layers and being jointly wound in a spiral manner. A desired purity of the fluid can thus be achieved more quickly than in filter elements which exclusively allow a radial passage of the fluid through the filter elements. The spiral configuration also achieves a higher dirt absorption capacity.

Abstract: A drain trap assembly for separating sediment from wastewater released from kitchen, bath or washroom appliance such as a sink or tub including a conduit with a first upper inlet portion and second upper outlet portion. Between the inlet and outlet is located a lower bend portion. Interrupting the lower bend portion is a third conduit portion including a cup closure for sediment accumulation area out of the wastewater pathway. Affixed to the closure cup and extending generally upwardly within the drain trap assembly and across the wastewater flow is a strainer in the form of at least one plate including through-holes sized to reject particulate sediment and other solids of a predetermined size. A second embodiment of the strainer takes the form of a mass of fibers affixed to the closure and extending across the wastewater flow. Closure removal automatically withdraws the strainer, offering ready access to accumulated sediment.

Abstract: A case with a partitioning member in which the welding between a case and a cover and between the case and the partitioning member can be confirmed by an airtightness test. The case with a partitioning member includes a cover and a partitioning member held between the case and the cover. On the inside of a first welding portion in which the case and cover are welded to each other, a second welding portion in which the case and partitioning member are welded to each other is provided, and on the inside of the second welding portion, a third welding portion in which the case and the partitioning member are welded to each other is provided. Holes open to the atmosphere are provided in the case between second and third welding portions.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a filtering device for bone marrow aspirate, a kit comprising said filtering device, a method to obtain a biocompatible material enriched with progenitor cells, the material per se obtained from said method and to the use of said material for bone treatment, both in humans and animals.

Abstract: A system for enhancing water is described. The system includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, source water at the inlet, which can flow through a filter component in the housing and thus become treated water, and at least one enhancement module that can dispense an enhancement into the treated water as it flows through the outlet. Water can flow through the system only by the force of gravity, pressure in a building's water line, and/or hand pumps. Enhancement that can be used in the system include flavorings, dyes, minerals, vitamins, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, phytonutrients, probiotics, homoepathic remedies, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, standard prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications, and combinations thereof. A control is also provided, through which a consumer can regulate an amount of enhancement that is added to the treated water.

Abstract: The filter 1 includes a first case member (an upper case member), a second case member (a lower case member) that are mutually joined to form a filter chamber therebetween, and a filter medium with an end portion held between the first and second case members. The first and second case members include holding portions, respectively, for holding the end portion of the filter medium in a bent position and welded portions, respectively, which are spaced apart from the holding portions and are welded together by a laser beam. The holding portions include vertical press surfaces, respectively, for pressing an inner end portion of the filter medium in the joining direction between the case members. The holding portions also include lateral press surfaces and, respectively, for pressing an outer end portion of the filter medium in a direction intersecting the joining direction.