Patents Examined by Allison M Gionta
  • Patent number: 8365925
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Wu Chen, Daniel A. Alderman, Leonardo C. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8357304
    Abstract: A self-contained storage system for hazardous materials includes a containment envelope enclosing a storage tank containing hazardous materials and forming a containment space between the storage tank and containment envelope. Leaked material is detected by one or more sensors in the containment space and, depending on the concentration or time rate of change in concentration of the leaked material, alarms and corresponding mitigation measures are reversibly activated to remove leaked material from the containment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Streamline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Alton Reich, Roberto DiSalvo, Stephen Doherty, H Waite Dykes
  • Patent number: 8354028
    Abstract: A method for separating electrolyte-containing water from an organic phase by means of permeation on a hydrophobic separating means. The permeated organic solution is substantially depleted in water and the retained water is enriched with electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer Material Science AG
    Inventors: Helmut Meyer, Guido Naberfeld, Johann Rechner, Rafael Warsitz, Michael Traving, Werner Bäcker, Thomas Elsner, Arno Nennemann, Stephan Bahnmuler, Gerhard Langstein, Julia Hitzbleck, Patrick Theato, Daniel Kessler, Daniel-Gordon Duff, Sascha Plug
  • Patent number: 8354023
    Abstract: A tank is proposed for appliances which use water, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for preparation of foodstuffs and/or drinks, such as automatic drinks machines, in particular automatic coffee machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steam appliances, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, air cleaners and conditioners or the like, wherein a suction connection is provided on the tank in order to suck in water from the tank by means for production of a reduced pressure, and a filter connection is provided for connection of a filter cartridge in the interior of the tank, while ensuring that only one permissible filter type is used. A tank according to the invention is distinguished by mechanical coding structures on the filter connecting element, in order to prevent the use of a filter cartridge which does not correspond to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau, Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventors: Kurt Wallerstorfer, Andreas Wawrla, Roland Scholz
  • Patent number: 8333891
    Abstract: A field flow fractionator to separate particles contained within an injected sample aliquot is described. As required, said fractionator may be used to capture, for subsequent removal, specific predefined classes of such particles. Based upon the cross flow or asymmetric flow field flow fractionators, the fractionator disclosed contains means to vary the applied transverse flows at a plurality of locations along the length of its separating channel. One embodiment utilizes a plurality of separated compartments, each lying below a distinct and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment, are provided individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. A corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when integrated with a hollow fiber fractionator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Wyatt Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Philip J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8328023
    Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising cationic aminoalkyl(meth)acryloyl monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as oligonucleotides or monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. Weiss, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Michael R. Berrigan, Andrew W. Rabins, Jeffrey A. Lucas, Kannan Seshadri, Catherine A. Bothof
  • Patent number: 8329034
    Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising anionic monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Douglas E. Weiss, Catherine A. Bothof, Kannan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 8318022
    Abstract: A wafer-shaped hollow fiber module adapted for in-line use in a piping system. The piping system may include two standard bolted flange connections, and at least one wafer-shaped hollow fiber module sealed between the two standard bolted flange connections. The wafer shaped hollow fiber module includes: a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end having a first sealing surface and an inlet port; at least one side port through the cylindrical housing; an end cap united to the open end having a second sealing surface and an outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8308953
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Brent Lee
  • Patent number: 8309408
    Abstract: A method for fractionating particles includes flowing a fluid having particles therein along a first channel, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid, focusing the particles within the fluid into a single file line, moving the particles in a flow rate, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid for a second time, focusing the particles based on size and acoustic contrast, producing at least two fluid fractions of the particles, and collecting at least one of the fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, Gregory Kaduchak
  • Patent number: 8286804
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Weindorf
  • Patent number: 8263251
    Abstract: An insulating plate of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell is interposed between a cell element and a cover member in a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell including the cell element formed by stacking cathodes and anodes through separators, a cell can including a can body which houses the cell element and the cover member which closes an opening of the can body to seal the cell element, and an electrolyte injected into the cell can. The insulating plate includes a plate-shaped insulating plate body having insulating property, an injection hole which passes through the insulating plate body in the thickness direction and through which the electrolyte can be injected, and a filter member permeable to only the electrolyte and provided on one of the surfaces of the insulating plate body so as to cover the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukase, Katsuhiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8262908
    Abstract: A rotary filter is provided with greatly expanded filter media area within the flow stream of material to be filtered due to use of a series of cylindrical filter cartridges consisting of a core and cylindrical filter media that are attached to and within a rotary disc, thus providing much greater filter area within the size constraints of the rotary disc and the flow channel. This allows removal of contaminating material in the flow stream. The retaining methods used for these cartridges restrains their movement within the flow stream thus allowing backflushing by reversing flow direction and venting the backflush material. The attachment and construction further allows easy removal and replacement of filter media and cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Hubert Patrovsky
  • Patent number: 8252180
    Abstract: A tank for water-carrying appliances is proposed, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for the treatment of foods and/or beverages, such as beverage vending machines, in particular coffee vending machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steam appliances, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, air purifiers and conditioners or the like, a suction connection on the tank for the intake of water from the tank, with means for generating a vacuum, and a filter connection for connecting a filter cartridge inside the tank being provided, while it is ensured that only one permitted filter type is used. A tank according to the invention is characterized by mechanical coding structures at the filter connection element in order to exclude the use of a filter cartridge which does not correspond to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau, Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventors: Kurt Wallerstorfer, Andreas Wawrla, Roland Scholz
  • Patent number: 8252184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Yinhua Wan, Xiangrong Chen, Zhiguo Su, Guanghui Ma, Xiaoguang Jiao, Fei Shen, Zhanfeng Cui
  • Patent number: 8206590
    Abstract: A method is described for separating and processing liquid-borne particles within an aliquot thereof following injection into a field flow fractionator. Said fractionation method may be employed also to capture, for subsequent segregation, specific predefined classes of such particles. The unique fractionation method disclosed contains means to control the applied transverse flow at each designated location along the length of said channel. In one embodiment of the method a separate compartment lies below each distinct location and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment of the fractionator, providing the individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. Employment of a corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when applied to a hollow fiber fractionation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Wyatt Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Philip J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8202418
    Abstract: A tank filter combination is provided for appliances which use water, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for preparation of foodstuffs and/or drinks, such as automatic drinks machines, in particular automatic coffee machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steamers, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, air cleaners and air conditioners, etc. having a suction connection on the tank for suction of water from the tank at a reduced pressure, and a filter connection for connection of a filter cartridge in the interior of and/or outside the tank to ensure use of a permissible filter type. A filter cartridge according to the invention is distinguished by mechanical coding structures with a polygonal structure on the circumferential surface on the output side of the filter cartridge to prevent the use of a filter cartridge which does not correspond to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau, Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventors: Kurt Wallerstorfer, Andreas Wawrla, Roland Scholz
  • Patent number: 8202419
    Abstract: A tank is proposed for appliances which use water, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for preparation of foodstuffs and/or drinks, such as automatic drinks machines, in particular automatic coffee machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steam appliances, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, air cleaners and conditioners or the like, with a connection being provided on the tank for supplying water from the tank to the appliance and with a filter connection being provided for connection of a filter cartridge in the interior and/or outside the tank, while providing assurance that only the permitted filter type can be used. A tank according to the invention is distinguished by mechanical coding structures on the filter connecting element, in order to preclude the use of a filter cartridge which does not correspond to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau, Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventors: Kurt Wallerstorfer, Andreas Wawrla, Roland Scholz, Bernd Heitele
  • Patent number: 8197686
    Abstract: A filter cartridge has a keyed end cap which is configured and shaped for unlocking an associated valve mechanism that comprises a latch device and a valve. In this manner, when the fuel filter cartridge is placed into a fuel filter housing having such a latch and valve mechanism, the fuel filter cartridge is operable therein to filter fluid and pass the fluid into a standpipe contained within the fuel filter housing. The fuel filter cartridge of this type generally includes pleated filter paper which is disposed between two opposed end caps. The keys may be provided along the bottom end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richmond, Steven M. Todd, Kenneth W. Stirn, Farrell F. Calcaterra
  • Patent number: 8187466
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to extracorporeal fluid circuits. In some aspects, an air-release device for allowing air to be released from a liquid in extracorporeal circuitry includes an elongate chamber having a bottom region and a top region and a fluid entry port and fluid exit port at or near the bottom region. The air release device also includes a vent structure at or near the top region of the elongate chamber that includes a porous material capable of swelling when moistened such that the vent structure can inhibit liquid from escaping the air-release device during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Irvin Folden, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Colin Weaver, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Melvin D. Jensen