Abstract: Methods for a data processor implemented system monitor for enabling persons to turn over the allocation of their investment assets, and/or receive assistance concerning how to receive disbursements from investments, in a manner that is free from or ameliorates the traditional conflicts of interest in previous systems. The systems and methods are adapted to ameliorate the tension between other functions where the compensation may be affected by asset allocation. The systems and methods collect, monitor, and direct information from persons who hold indicative data, e.g., employers, to provide professional asset allocation services, including automatic allocation, rebalancing, and reallocation of investment assets, on a regular basis; as well as assistance in determining how much to save or how to receive disbursements in a manner that ameliorates conflicts of interest, which, in the case of employee benefit plans, is consistent with the regulatory restraints of ERISA.

Abstract: Methods for a data processor implemented system monitor for enabling persons to turn over the allocation their investment assets, and/or receive assistance concerning how to receive disbursements from investments, in a manner that is free from or ameliorates the traditional conflicts of interest in previous systems. The methods are adapted to ameliorate the tension between other functions where the compensation may be affected by asset allocation. The systems and methods collect, monitor, and direct information from persons who hold indicative data, e.g., employers, to provide professional asset allocation services including automatic allocation, rebalancing, and reallocation of investment assets, on a regular basis; as well as assistance in determining how much to save or how to receive disbursements in a manner that ameliorates conflicts of interest, which, in the case of employee benefit plans, is consistent with the regulatory restraints of ERISA.

Abstract: A fluid filtration unit having two or more filter medium layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter medium are presently preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter medium layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter medium element and preventing collapsing of the medium into any separator conduit. At least one of the medium elements is formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption with the various zones and the separator being operatively connected by a new and innovative edge seal.

Abstract: The filtration device of the present invention relies on materials and methodologies that achieve the formation of a structural matrix that may later accommodate the addition of other adsorbent materials as opposed to merely binding adsorbent materials together through the use of compression and/or binder materials. The filter device of the present invention relies on (i) a unique method of processing to achieve maximum density of materials, (ii) a polymeric material having a distinct morphology and (iii) a very small micron diameter of the polymeric material to create uniformity. For example, in place of compression to increase density, the materials comprising the filtration device of the present invention are instead vibrated into a mold cavity. Thus, the methodology of the current invention optimizes how all of the materials comprising the filtration device fit together without compaction. The material being processed is vibrated as it is gradually poured into the mold.

Abstract: A filter assembly is disclosed including a cartridge member having a body portion and a cylindrical neck portion depending from the body portion, the neck portion having at least one lug depending radially outwardly therefrom having a keyed surface formation thereon, and a reception member defining an axial bore for receiving the neck portion of the cartridge member, the bore having at least one reception area provided therein for receiving the at least one lug, the reception area having a compatible mating surface formation defined therein for engaging the keyed surface formation on the lug so as to prevent engagement with an incompatible cartridge member.

Abstract: A medium having a support structure configured for circulation of a fluid therein, such as a replaceable filter cartridge, including a sanitizing agent which contains one or more reactants that are chemically configured for delivering chlorine dioxide or other sanitizing agents in a controlled dose to sanitize, deodorize, and disinfect upon being wetted by the fluid and positioned in the medium support structure to be exposed to the fluid circulating therein.

Abstract: The filtration device of the present invention relies on materials and methodologies that achieve the formation of a structural matrix that may later accommodate the addition of other adsorbent materials as opposed to merely binding adsorbent materials together through the use of compression and/or binder materials. The filter device of the present invention relies on (i) a unique method of processing to achieve maximum density of materials, (ii) a polymeric material having a distinct morphology and (iii) a very small micron diameter of the polymeric material to create uniformity. For example, in place of compression to increase density, the materials comprising the filtration device of the present invention are instead vibrated into a mold cavity. Thus, the methodology of the current invention optimizes how all of the materials comprising the filtration device fit together without compaction. The material being processed is vibrated as it is gradually poured into the mold.

Abstract: The filtration device of the present invention relies on materials and methodologies that achieve the formation of a structural matrix that may later accommodate the addition of other adsorbent materials as opposed to merely binding adsorbent materials together through the use of compression and/or binder materials. The filter device of the present invention relies on (i) a unique method of processing to achieve maximum density of materials, (ii) a polymeric material having a distinct morphology and (iii) a very small micron diameter of the polymeric material to create uniformity. For example, in place of compression to increase density, the materials comprising the filtration device of the present invention are instead vibrated into a mold cavity. Thus, the methodology of the current invention optimizes how all of the materials comprising the filtration device fit together without compaction. The material being processed is vibrated as it is gradually poured into the mold.

Abstract: An encapsulated filter cartridge is disclosed, which includes a filter assembly including a carbon block filter element and a microporous filter element. The filter cartridge has a permanently sealed sump defining an interior chamber configured to accommodate the filter assembly, the sump having an inlet for permitting unfiltered fluid to enter the interior chamber for communicating with the radially outer surface of the filter assembly and an outlet for permitting filtered fluid to exit the interior chamber from the axial portion of the filter assembly. The microporous filter element of the filter assembly may include a hollow fiber subassembly housed within the axial cavity of the carbon block element, said fiber subassembly including a plurality of hollow microporous fibers, or a pleated filter element surrounding the radially outer surface of the carbon block element.

Abstract: A process for imparting hydrophilic properties to a polymeric membrane by exposing the membrane to an acrylate monomer containing hydrophilic segments, such as ethylene oxide, and a hydrophilic functional group, a diacrylate monomer containing hydrophilic functional groups, and an initiator for facilitating crosslinking and polymerization reactions.

Abstract: An at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size layers or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two layer unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering water from an external source, the filter assembly including a manifold assembly mountable to an appliance and being in fluid communication with the external source and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly being replaceably fluidly couplable to the manifold assembly, the filter assembly includes a first and a second fluid tube, the first fluid tube being fluidly couplable to the external source being an unfiltered fluid inlet, the second fluid tube being a filtered fluid outlet, the first and the second fluid tubes each having a barbed end for coupling to the manifold assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique filter assembly for ensuring replacement cartridge compatibility in filtration systems having replaceable filter cartridges with lugged mounting systems. One representative filter assembly includes a representative cartridge member having a body portion for enclosing filter media and a neck portion depending therefrom. The representative neck portion of the representative cartridge includes at least one axial inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one axial outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion. The representative neck portion also has at least two representative lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein at least one lug defines a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface.

Abstract: A fluid filtration unit having two or more filter medium layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter medium are presently preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter medium layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter medium element and preventing collapsing of the medium into any separator conduit. At least one of the medium elements is formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption with the various zones and the separator being operatively connected by a new and innovative edge seal.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 10 includes a connective end for mating with a filter head 48 and providing fluid communication between the filter media chamber and the filter head. The connective end includes a tubular member 34 disposed axially in a hollow neck 18 to define inner and radially outer axial passages (30, 32) providing independent conduits for dual flow through the neck. The outer axial passage includes an opening 38 in the elongated portion 22 of the neck and a bypass opening 42 in the distal end portion of the neck. The inner axial passage includes an opening 40 in the distal end of the neck. Proximal and distal radial seals (26, 28) are provided on the outer periphery of the elongated neck portion 22 to ensure water-tight engagement when the neck is inserted into the receiving core of the filter head.

Abstract: A medium having a support structure configured for circulation of a fluid therein, such as a replaceable filter cartridge, including a sanitizing agent which contains one or more reactants that are chemically configured for delivering chlorine dioxide or other sanitizing agents in a controlled dose to sanitize, deodorize, and disinfect upon being wetted by the fluid and positioned in the medium support structure to be exposed to the fluid circulating therein.

Abstract: A substantially non-reflective, low or non-fluorescing substrate comprising a phase-inversion support and a plurality of opaque solids that are substantially chemically non-reactive with the phase inversion support and of a size sufficient to be partially or completely contained within, or intimately bound to, the phase inversion support. Methods of making and using the substantially non-reflective, low or non-fluorescing substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly, and method for constructing the same, wherein the assembly has at least two axially adjacent filter cells separated by a spacer ring and a lifting means having a mounting portion with an opening formed therein for surrounding the outer periphery of the spacer ring. The lifting means also includes opposed elongated arms which extend radially outwardly from the central mounting portion and have gripping portions for facilitating lifting the filter cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A microporous membrane comprising a highly electropositive hydrophilic material capable of irreversibly binding one or more nucleic acids, the membrane being useful for isolating, amplifying and detecting nucleic acids is disclosed. Methods of making the membrane and using the membrane for amplifying nucleic acids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter cartridge configured to provide two or more levels of fluid filtration or conditioning from within a single filter cartridge is disclosed, the filter cartridge including a housing that defines an interior cavity and has an inlet portion for receiving fluid into the cavity, a first outlet portion for discharging fluid from the housing, and a second outlet portion for discharging fluid from the housing. The filter cartridge also includes a first stage filter disposed within the interior cavity for conditioning fluid passing therethrough, the first stage filter in fluid communication with the inlet portion and the first outlet portion by way of a first flow path, and a second stage filter disposed within the interior cavity of the housing for conditioning fluid passing therethrough, the second stage filter in fluid communication with the inlet portion and the second outlet portion by way of a second flow path.