Patents Examined by Ana M. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 10584046
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for removing nitrogen from water, which makes it possible to omit equipment for controlling the supply of a carbon source (hydrogen donor), equipment for post-processing a carbon source (hydrogen donor), and circulation equipment and to prevent an increase in the size of a system. The method includes adding a solid material containing a biodegradable resin as a hydrogen donor to one water system in which bacteria cells having an ability to decompose a biodegradable resin, bacteria cells having nitrification capabilities, and bacteria cells having denitrification capabilities live together to allow a nitrification reaction and a denitrification reaction coexist in the water system. Also disclosed herein is a nitrification-reaction promoting agent for water treatment including 20 wt % or more of a biodegradable resin and having a specific gravity of more than 1 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaki Takita
  • Patent number: 10583238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable ultrafiltration unit A which comprises a blood pump 7 for conveying blood and an ultrafiltration pump 6 for conveying ultrafiltrate. The invention further relates to a stationary device B for supplying dialysate to the portable ultrafiltration unit A, and to a medical treatment system which comprises an ultrafiltration unit and a device for supplying dialysate to the ultrafiltration unit. The ultrafiltration unit according to the invention is in the form of a unit to be connected to a stationary device for supplying dialysate to the ultrafiltration unit, in such a way that a fluid connection can be established for feeding in fresh dialysate and removing used dialysate. As a result, the ultrafiltration unit can not only be used for ultrafiltration, but also, when used in conjunction with the stationary device for supplying dialysate to the ultrafiltration unit, for a blood treatment as carried out by a conventional blood treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Arne Peters
  • Patent number: 10583404
    Abstract: The present invention offers a forward osmosis composite hollow fiber membrane module having hollow fiber bundles comprising a plurality of hollow fibers, the hollow fibers having a separation layer composed of a macromolecular polymer thin film provided on the inner surface of a microporous hollow fiber supporting membrane, wherein the membrane area of the hollow fiber bundle is at least 1 m2, and a variation coefficient for the average thickness of the separation layer in the radial direction and the lengthwise direction of the hollow fiber bundles, as calculated by a method of measuring the mass of the separation layer portion in a scanning electron microscope image of a cross section of the separation layer in the thickness direction, is 0% to 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kiguchi, Tomoya Anan, Mikihiko Nakamura, Toshihiko Ohashi
  • Patent number: 10584040
    Abstract: A filter cartridge for operatively coupling to an appliance interface for treating fluid to the appliance. The filter cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a filter media contained within the cartridge housing. An engagement fitting extends from the cartridge housing. The engagement fitting to be received by the interface. The engagement fitting includes a base portion and a sealing member. The base portion has an inlet aperture on a first side of the sealing member and an outlet aperture on a second side of the sealing member. An interference member actuator extends axially and distally from one of the first end of the cartridge housing and the first end cap. The interference member actuator is configured to actuate an interference member of the interface from an interference position in which the interface is prevented from being actuated from a bypass mode to a filtering mode to a non-interference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10583377
    Abstract: A rain water filter is disclosed. The rain water filter includes a horizontal inlet and a horizontally arranged residual water outlet which are slightly offset in relation to each other. A pipe with a longitudinal slot connects to the inlet and the pipe leads into the residual water outlet. An adhesive filter which is in the form of a tunnel-shaped half-shell is arranged below the longitudinal slot, where the lateral walls are the filter surfaces of the filter. Due to the adhesion effect, the water which flows past is suctioned inwards where it passes through the longitudinal opening into a tank and from there, for example, into a cistern via a filter water outlet. The water running off from the side walls is collected on the base of the hollow cylinder and from there is guided to the residual water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: WISY AG Haustechniksysteme, Filtertechnik
    Inventors: Arnold Denk, Jan Maurer, Alfred Jost, Alexander Schweizer, Friedrich W. Poerschke
  • Patent number: 10570023
    Abstract: A water filtration system having an adapter portion defining a hollow interior adapter space; and having a first threaded portion and being configured to receive a water filter having a second threaded portion; at least a nut configured to secure the system to a container by being screwed onto the first threaded portion; at least one washer fitted onto the adapter portion and configured to prevent leaks from the container; the water filter having an exterior surface configured to absorb into a hollow interior filter space unfiltered water placed into the container by having a coconut carbon filter; the hollow interior filter space having filtration media configured to remove contaminants such that the unfiltered water becomes filtered water; the water filter further configured to allow the filtered water to drain out of the water filter by gravity, such that the filtered water exits the system and into a receiving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Minh Van Phan
  • Patent number: 10569234
    Abstract: Provided herein are copolymers and copolymer compositions that are both hydrophilic and oleophobic. The copolymers include structural units derived from a fluoroalkyl monomer and a zwitterionic monomer. It further relates to membranes formed by coating a porous substrate with the copolymeric compositions. The copolymeric coating imparts hydrophilicity and oleophobicity/oil-tolerance to the membranes. The uses of such membranes as microfiltration membrane or ultrafiltration membrane are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Louisa Ruth Carr, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr., Jason Michael Nichols, James Manio Silva
  • Patent number: 10562793
    Abstract: A method of separating heavy water from normal through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a fluid including heavy water and normal water and recovering separated normal water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SANUWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Iulian Cioanta, John Jackson
  • Patent number: 10561992
    Abstract: The invention provides a porous membrane comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and at least one inorganic filler embedded in the porous membrane wherein the inorganic filler comprises sulfuric acid precipitated silica. The invention further provides a process for the production of said porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HURRAH SARL
    Inventor: Carole Laine
  • Patent number: 10557110
    Abstract: The metal-supported zeolite for alcoholic beverages of the present invention is a zeolite that carries a metal component, wherein the metal component is silver, and the zeolite is at least one selected from a beta-type one and a Y-type one. The metal-supported zeolite is for removing unwanted components contained in alcoholic beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD., THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kawashima, Mitsuko Murata, Shun Fukasawa, Kenji Hosoi, Toshikazu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10556221
    Abstract: A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, natural glass, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has a permeability ranging from 3 to 20 darcys. A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, perlite, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has an alpha density less than 15 lbs/ft3. A method for making a composite material may include blending diatomaceous earth and perlite, adding alkali silicate to the blended diatomaceous earth and perlite, and precipitating the alkali silicate as a binder to make the composite material. A method for filtering a beverage may include using a composite filter aid and/or composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: IMERYS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 10544445
    Abstract: A rapid one-pass liquid filtration system efficiently concentrates biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. Additional concentration stages may be added in “cascade” fashion, in order to concentrate particles below the size cut of each preceding stage remaining in the separated fluid in a concentrated sample suspension. This process can also be used to create a “band-pass” concentration for concentration of a particular target size particle within a narrow range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: InnovaPrep, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Alburty, Andrew E. Page, Zachary A. Packingham, Daniel B. Marske
  • Patent number: 10538446
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is provided for treating sewage sludge by dewatering the sewage sludge, heating the sewage sludge being treated to destroy pathogens, and then reducing volatile solids in the sewage sludge being treated through biochemical decomposition to produce a treated biosolids product that meets government regulations for pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: RDP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Christy
  • Patent number: 10537853
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods of separating volatile compounds from a liquid feed mixture comprising an emulsion. In various embodiments, the method includes contacting a first side of a first membrane with a liquid feed mixture including an emulsion having a polymer, and at least one volatile compound. The method can also include contacting a second side of the first membrane with a sweep medium including at least one a sweep fluid to produce a permeate mixture on the second side of the first membrane and a retentate mixture on the first side of the first membrane, wherein the permeate mixture is enriched in the volatile compound, and the retentate mixture is depleted in the volatile compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Silicones Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchan Ahn, Aaron Greiner, Mark Keinath, James Thompson
  • Patent number: 10517317
    Abstract: An aseptic method of preparing high acid and low acid fruit and non-fruit beverages to improve flavor profiles and retain organoleptic properties of the fresh ingredients is provided, as well as the fruit and non-fruit beverages obtained through this process with the benefit of extended shelf-life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HARMLESS HARVEST, INC.
    Inventors: Giannella Alvarez, Brian Ng, David Bauer, Mathieu Lostie
  • Patent number: 10501341
    Abstract: Cross-linked polymeric resins from anilines linked together with polyamine alkyl chains. A process for producing the cross-linked polymeric resins by Mannich-type polycondensation of anilines and diaminoalkanes linked together by an aldehyde and subsequent basification. In addition, a method for removing heavy metals, such as Pb (II) and As (V) from aqueous solution via contacting and treatment with the cross-linked polymeric resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Othman Charles Sadeq Al Hamouz, Oluwafemi S. Akintola, Tawfik Abdo Saleh Awadh
  • Patent number: 10500546
    Abstract: It can be difficult to remove atomically thin films, such as graphene, graphene-based material and other two-dimensional materials, from a growth substrate and then to transfer the thin films to a secondary substrate. Tearing and conformality issues can arise during the removal and transfer processes. Processes for forming a composite structure by manipulating a two-dimensional material, such as graphene or graphene-base material, can include: providing a two-dimensional material adhered to a growth substrate; depositing a supporting layer on the two-dimensional material while the two-dimensional material is adhered to the growth substrate; and releasing the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate, the two-dimensional material remaining in contact with the supporting layer following release of the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Lloyd Sinsabaugh, Peter V. Bedworth, David Francis Casey, Jr., Scott E. Heise, Steven W. Sinton, Randall Mark Stoltenberg, Jacob Louis Swett
  • Patent number: 10494271
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ecological method for denitrification and phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment process, which relates to the field of sewage treatment technology, The present invention provides a nitrogen and phosphorus removal system, comprising a nitrogen and phosphorus removal unit and a sulfate adsorption unit. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal unit is packed with coarse sand layer, deoxidizing layer and sulfur/iron mixture layer, while the sulfate adsorption unit is filled with modified hydrotalcite. Both of the units are filled with solid material, which effectively avoid the contamination that causes by liquid carbon source feeding. The application of the present invention can realize a completely denitrification, which achieve a maximum removal rate of 100%, a phosphorus removal efficiency of about 80%. The TP concentration is below 0.5 mg/L in the treated effluent, while the average sulfate removal rate is about 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Jiangnan University
    Inventors: Shuo Wang, Zhengming Ren, Ji Li, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 10486090
    Abstract: A filter device comprising a filter candle on which filter fabrics and membrane tubes are fastened, consists of a central tube, around which a number of perforated support tubes are situated. The seal prevents deposits of filter cake on the radially projecting clamping mechanism which adversely affect the cake discharge, and the seal ensures, by way of its geometrical form and through the selection of the same type material, a permanent sealing action of the connection and fixing of the filter fabric even during operation with temperature and pressure fluctuations, by eliminating the action of difference material coefficients of expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: DrM, Dr. Mueller AG
    Inventor: Klaus Menneking
  • Patent number: 10479702
    Abstract: A cleaning module (10) for cleaning a media flow of a first medium contaminated with a second medium that has a housing (12) having an inlet (18) and an outlet (20, 21) and a replaceable filter element (30) arranged within the housing (12). In this arrangement, a flow direction (32) of the media flow is directed through the filter element (30) in the specified installed state against the force of gravity. The filter element (30) has an absorptive and/or adsorptive material (34) for picking up at least a portion of the second medium in the first medium. A filter element for the cleaning module (10) and a filter system (100) having the cleaning module (10) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Spelter, Idriss Razgani, Christoph Baumann