Abstract: A water tank is proposed with a filter cartridge especially for use in automatic vending machines in which the risk of contamination and bed compaction of the filter bed are reduced or avoided. This is accomplished according to the invention by the water inlet opening of filter cartridge being located at the bottom, with a passageway provided for the water to pass through filter cartridge upward and a descending drop line to guide the water to drain of water tank, located at the bottom.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage, The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: A treatment carafe for an apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a water inlet which is automatically sealed when the user places the carafe on a base member. There is also provided a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulate in the carafe may be vented during the treatment cycle. The gas conduit is automatically connected in air flow communication with an off gas conduit when the carafe is placed on the base member.

Abstract: An automatic filter shutoff device removably connected to a water container and in fluid communication with a water dispenser, which is adapted to monitor water dispensing and disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of water usage. The device includes a housing containing a water filter and removably connected to the water container; a monitoring and disabling mechanism having a shutoff apparatus moveable between first and second locations, the first location being one in which water dispensing is monitored by the mechanism, and the second location being one in which the mechanism is placed in an interfering position with the connection between the housing and the water container.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a flask (1) with variable internal volume having a rigid neck (5) wherein is arranged the body (3) of a dispensing head (2) ending in a conduit (41) discharging the liquid and containing a microporous pad (6) for generating a head loss regulating the liquid flow pushed therethrough into a distribution chamber (31) communicating with said conduit. The pad is advantageously made of a material inert with respect to the liquid and combined with an antibacterial filtering element (9) preventing outside air from entering the flask. It evenly occupies the body (3) over the whole cross-section of the liquid passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water filtration apparatus for mounting on the exposed exterior surfaces of a refrigerator to provide filtered water to the interior of a refrigerator cabinet. The apparatus may be mounted on the exposed or visible surfaces of the refrigerator for ease of installation, monitoring, and filter replacement. A readily replaceable filter cartridge is also provided.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and filtering fluid is disclosed, in which the fluid flow path is substantially vertical from the fluid inlet through fluid dispense. Substantially all wetted surfaces are Teflon® or some similar non-contaminating fluid, for applications such as cleanroom processes. A valve and a filter chamber are incorporated into a pump head to simplify the flow path and reduce potential contamination points. Preferred methods, and chips or other microelectronic devices fabricated from the apparatus or methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the carbonated water supply system 1, water supplied from the water supply 2 through the water supply conduit 3 is supplied to the carbonator 5 through the water supply valve 4 and high pressure strong carbonated water is produced in the carbonator 5 and supplied to the water purifier 7 through the conduit 8A. Further, high pressure strong carbonated water in the water purifier 7 is purified therein while retaining its high pressure and is supplied to the pressure releasing valve 9 through the conduit 8B, the water supply valve 10. High pressure strong carbonated water is discharged out of the system 1 through the pressure releasing valve 9 as low pressure carbonated water the pressure of which is as same as the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assembly comprises a removable inline nozzle filter which is mounted within the hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assembly at a position or location which is immediately upstream of the hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assembly nozzle. The filter member or component is interposed between the valve seat for the hot melt adhesive dispensing valve which is formed within the hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assembly adapter and the hot melt adhesive dispensing valve assembly nozzle which is threadedly mounted within the adapter.

Abstract: A water filtering system for a refrigerator includes a mounting head preferably arranged under a temperature control housing in a fresh food compartment. A replaceable filter cartridge is adapted to be selectively attached to the mounting head in order to complete a fluid circuit from a water supply source to at least one of a water dispenser and an ice maker. The filter cartridge and the mounting head have cooperating camming structure which axially draws a stem portion of the cartridge into a port of the mounting head upon rotation of the cartridge relative to the mounting head during installation of the cartridge. Furthermore, camming structure is also provided to at least partially, axially withdraw the stem portion from the port upon rotation of the cartridge a predetermined amount in an opposing direction. Also provided as part of the water filtering system is a plug which can be used to complete the fluid circuit in the absence of a filter cartridge.

Abstract: A chemical delivery system for delivering chemicals having at least a high purity includes at least one first reservoir for containing a fluid and at least one second reservoir for containing the fluid. The system also includes a first conduit, a first fluid sensor, and a controller. The first conduit is for transferring the fluid over time from the at least one first reservoir to the at least one second reservoir. The first conduit is metallic and has a first end in communication with the at least one first reservoir and a second end in communication with the at least one second reservoir. The fluid being transferred from the at least one first reservoir to the at least one second reservoir flows through the first conduit from the first end to the second end. The first fluid sensor is adjacent the first conduit, and the first fluid sensor is adapted to detect a presence of the fluid and to detect an absence of the fluid in the first conduit.

Abstract: A strainer device for use in straining a liquid such as paint from a container into an open receptacle. The strainer device comprises a side wall with a top end and a bottom end, an outwardly extending lip at its top end for engaging the top end of an open top container so as to support the strainer device in the open top of the container, and a screen mesh member fixed to a flange on the bottom end of said side wall. A selected portion of the side wall is indented from top to bottom so as to provide a channel along its length to permit introduction of an intake hose or other implement to a container in which the strainer device is suspended without having to first remove the strainer from the container.

Abstract: An amorphous potassium aluminosilicate filtration media which may be mixed with activated carbon filters water to remove oxygen, chlorines, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sodium sulfite and other contaminants. The particular sodium aluminosilicate is a porous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 Å to 250 Å at ambient temperatures (20° C.-35° C.) and low relative humidity (5%-20%). The media is initially formed as a microporous primarily amorphous gel containing Na2O, Al2O3, SiO2 and H2O. The sodium therein is displaced by potassium, whereby the filter removes impurities from water without introducing sodium. The potassium aluminosilicate may be a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of a strong base anion media charged with potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endpiece for dispensing and/or measuring out liquid pharmaceutical substances, the endpiece comprising a cylindro-conical body (1) fitted with a bottom base (13) for receiving thrust and for coupling to a tank capable of being put under pressure, and an axial ejection duct (10) containing a central core (2) and communicating firstly at its top end with a spray nozzle, and secondly at its bottom end with the tank, it is characterized in that the top end of the ejection duct (10) is closed in temporary and leakproof manner by a wall (111) which is secured to the top portion (1a) of the body (1) and which extends perpendicularly to the duct, the wall being movable in reversible manner under drive from the substance, said wall being provided with a central orifice (110) capable of being closed in the closed position by a stud (20) secured to the core (2) being forced thereagainst, the periphery of the wall being attached to said body (1) via an elastically deformable link element (112)

Abstract: Currently microfiltration devices use hydrophillic membranes to sterilize liquids. Air locks may develop on the upstream side of the filter membrane within these apparatus. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing an air lock from the upstream side of a microfilter in a device for dispensing a sterile liquid from a storage container by forcing the liquid through a microfilter.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive applicator assembly comprises a hot melt adhesive applicator head which is provided with an upper or top surface portion, and a back or rear surface portion, upon which connectors are respectively provided so as to selectively alternatively connect an adhesive supply hose thereto. Provisions are likewise made for selectively alternatively mounting support brackets upon such upper or rear surface portions of the applicator head, and a filter assembly is adapted to be removably mounted upon an angled or inclined surface portion of the applicator head such that the filter assembly is disposed at a position intermediate the two alternative adhesive hose connectors.