Patents Examined by Benjamin Kurtz
  • Patent number: 9409104
    Abstract: A filter element for purifying a fluid at risk of freezing such as a urea-water solution for exhaust gas after treatment has an annular filter body and a support body surrounded by the filter body. The support body is made of an elastomer and is able to yield in a radial inward direction to compensate volume expansion when the fluid freezes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Pflueger, Yashwant Udachan
  • Patent number: 9403109
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solid/liquid separation apparatus including an extruder press combined with a solid/fluid separation module for separating fluid from a mass of solids compressed by the extruder at elevated pressures. The extruder includes two or more extruder screws with flighting intercalated at least along a part of the extruder barrel. The separation module forms a continuation of the barrel, receives the pressurized mass and at least a portion of the twin screws, and includes a filter pack consisting of a filter plate and a backer plate. The filter plate has a throughgoing filter slot extending away from a core opening and into the filter plate for directing fluid away from the core opening. The backer plate has a core opening shaped and sized equal to the barrel and defines a passage for guiding fluid collected in the filter slot to an exterior of the filter pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Romeo Lehoux, Christopher Bruce Bradt
  • Patent number: 9402499
    Abstract: In an improved filter holder for espresso coffee machines, the spout (22) is applied to the hollow upper member (10) of the filter holder by a snap fitting and the bottom (14) of the upper member (10) is provided on the outside of it with a relief shape (30), the edge (32) of which forms a stable supporting surface for pressing the ground coffee powder. The filter holder is made entirely of polished stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: LA MARZOCCO, SRL
    Inventors: Piero Bambi, Paola Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 9399858
    Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bilfinger Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
  • Patent number: 9388560
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a debris catching and removing apparatus and method. For example, bar screens or grids for collecting and removing trash or debris from storm, waste water, or sewage systems, and mounting systems and methods therefore are provided. These apparatus and method may provide a long-lasting, light-weight, and low-cost debris screen screening solutions for removing trash or debris from, for example, storm, waste water, or sewage systems. The invention may be particularly applicable to small lift stations that use submersible pumps or surface mounted pumps that suction waste water from a wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew E. Raynor
  • Patent number: 9381455
    Abstract: A fluid filtration device contains a processing tank, a driving unit disposed outside the processing tank, a water pipe and a filtering unit. The processing tank is formed by plural substrate units arranged around the processing tank, each substrate unit has plural plate members connected together and formed on equal proportion, each plate member has an external surface and at least one circularly recessed portion, and on two connecting edges of any two adjacent plate members is defined a connector. The water pipe is connected with the driving unit and includes a peripheral wall, a plurality of apertures, and plural retaining protrusions. The filtering unit includes a plurality of filtration bags and plural guiding disks, each filtration bag has a first central pore, and each guiding disk has a body, a second central pore, and a plurality of coupling recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NEW CENTURY MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Kuo
  • Patent number: 9375664
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet in communication with the cavity and establishing a flow path from the inlet to the outlet. A filter is disposed in the cavity between the inlet and the outlet. The filter includes a vertex extending transversely to the flow path for diffusing the flow of fluid and increasing the surface area of the filter. The filter includes a pair of legs spaced from each other and each extending across the flow path from the vertex to the housing. The legs extend transversely to each other at the vertex with one of the legs extending along a first arcuate path from the vertex to the housing and the other of the legs extending along a second arcuate path different than the first arcuate path from the vertex to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MAXITROL COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel James Perz, Bonnie Kern-Koskela, Jeffrey L. Scheuher
  • Patent number: 9370738
    Abstract: Described are filter cartridges having an inlet opening and an outlet opening on the stem of the filter cartridges, which permit the permit the entry and exit, respectively, of a fluid in one or more radial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. These filter cartridges are suitable for use in filtration systems that allow users to install the filter cartridges by a straight line push motion and remove the filter cartridges by a straight line pull motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Maki, Jeremy A. Schmoll, Tyan M. Renner, Matt R. Branscomb, David W. Lachermeier, Richard A. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 9352253
    Abstract: A solid/fluid separation module and pretreatment apparatus and method enables pretreatment of biomass at high temperature and pressure with the ability to vary residence and processing times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GREENFIELD SPECIALTY ALCOHOLS INC.
    Inventors: Richard Romeo Lehoux, Christopher Bruce Bradt
  • Patent number: 9352983
    Abstract: A capture unit for use with an antimicrobial application unit may include an upstream filter and a downstream filter. The upstream filter may be positioned to receive effluent from the application unit and to filter solid components from the effluent. The resultant upstream effluent filtrate may then be passed downstream to the downstream filter. The downstream filter may be used to filter an antimicrobial component from the upstream effluent filtrate and the resultant downstream effluent filtrate may be suitable for disposal as wastewater discharge. The antimicrobial is preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, is more preferably an alkylpyridinium chloride, and is most preferably cetylpyridinium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman, Gary Nolen, Kelly Beers, Joe Rheingans
  • Patent number: 9314561
    Abstract: Provided is a filter apparatus, comprising two or more filter cartridges having a first end with an inlet and screen and a second end with an outlet and screen, and walls to contain a filter media held in a housing for holding the two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation, and an attachment clamp connected to the housing. Also provided is a housing for holding two or more filter cartridges in about the same orientation and a method of using the filter apparatus and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Delcath Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Appling, Stephen N. Engelhard, Matthew G. Barton
  • Patent number: 9314717
    Abstract: A fluid filter element comprising: an embossed flat filter material which is folded so as to define a plurality of substantially adjacent walls, each wall defining a planar surface between two adjacent fold lines, said wall having an embossing comprising: a first embossing row having a centrally located elongated positive embossment and a distal embossment at each end of the positive elongated embossment, wherein at least one distal embossment is negative; and, a second embossing row spaced from and parallel to the first embossing row, the second embossing row having two elongated embossments, wherein one elongated embossment is negative and one is positive. A method regarding the making of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: LPD Technologies
    Inventors: Dirk ter Horst, Hans-Joachim Lippold
  • Patent number: 9295930
    Abstract: A device for filtering a plastic melt, having a housing that has at least one inlet passage and at least one outlet passage for the plastic melt. The at least one inlet passage is separated from the at least one outlet passage by at least one filter cavity for accommodating at least one filter piston that is axially displaceable therein. The at least one filter piston has at least one filter base body with a filter surface with filter openings passing through the filter base body there, through which openings the plastic melt passes into a filtrate cavity in the filter base body. The filtrate cavity is fluidically connected to the at least one outlet passage, and the filter surface of the filter base body is enclosed by a flexible, elastic filter screen in such a manner that this filter screen can be clamped onto the filter base body there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAAG AUTOMATIK GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Pohl
  • Patent number: 9296021
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable filter system that is especially adapted for use in commercial kitchen cleaning services such as hoods used in commercial kitchens is described. The invention is defined by a container adapted for holding a filter and which has a drain opening that may be connected to the usual drain. A filter is suspended in the interior of the container with a special structure that allows for quick and easy insertion of the filter and removal of the filter when it is spent and the top of the filter is open to define a relatively large opening. In use, the tarp that is used to isolate a hood during cleaning is tucked into the opening into the filter so that effluent that flows from the hood during cleaning, and the cleaning fluids (water, degreasers, etc.) are channeled into the filter. The material used for the filter is selected for the particular type of cleaning that is being done, and in any event removes the desired compounds from the effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Cleanway Environmental Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Moulton
  • Patent number: 9289726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a membrane holder for applying in a tube filter, by mutually connecting a number of cassettes of V-shaped cross-sectional form, wherein a plurality of cassettes are placed successively and connected to each other in longitudinal direction in a row. The V-shaped cross -section of each cassette can herein be defined by two walls and a bridge piece located therebetween, wherein each wall has a number of cut-away portions. The cassettes can be mutually connected such that a cut-away portion in a wall of the one cassette is bridged by a full wall part of the other cassette. The cassettes can be mutually connected close to the base of their V-shaped cross-section, for instance by being snapped together. The invention further relates to a membrane holder obtained by applying this method, to cassettes for use in the method and in the membrane holder, and to a tube filter in which such a membrane holder is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NX Filtration Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Johan Ferdinand Berends
  • Patent number: 9290886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a screen cylinder, and a screen cylinder that is particularly suitable for screening, filtering, fractionating, or sorting cellulose pulp or fiber suspensions of the pulp and paper making industry, or other similar suspensions. The present invention relates more particularly to screening or filtering devices of the type comprising a plurality of screen wires (10) positioned at a small spacing parallel to each other, the screen wires (10) being fastened into notches in the support elements (20) by means of shrink fitting the screen wires (10) into the notches by heating the second rim area (26) of the support ring (20) after the screen wires (10) have been inserted into the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Aikawa Fiber Technologies Trust
    Inventors: Aku Asikainen, Christophe Hayart
  • Patent number: 9255372
    Abstract: A half-barrel intake screen is disclosed. The half-barrel intake screen comprises a frame including a first end, a second end, and a bottom coupled between the first end and the second end. Further, a contiguous screen segment couples between the first end and the second end of the frame. However, the screen segment couples to the frame independently of a concrete body having an outlet. In other words, the intake screen does not include a concrete body having an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: HENDRICK SCREEN COMPANY
    Inventor: John Whitaker
  • Patent number: 9238187
    Abstract: A filter device includes a main body portion having a cylinder shape, and the main body portion is inserted along a center axis of the pipe. One end portion of the main body portion structuring a filter device is blocked. At least one portion of a flange portion is provided between both end portions of the cylinder, and the flange portion divides a space inside the pipe in a liquid-tight state by elastically deforming and by being attached firmly to an inner surface of the pipe. A first passing portion of the liquid is provided in a cylinder side portion between the one end portion of the cylinder and the flange portion, and a second passing portion of the liquid is provided on a side close to the other end portion of the cylinder than the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Shoh Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9238188
    Abstract: A disc filter for dewatering cellulose fiber suspensions comprising disc-shaped filter elements (11) carried by a rotor shaft (7) in order to rotate inside a vessel (2) while being partly immersed in a suspension received in the vessel. Each filter element comprises several filter sectors (12) distributed about the rotor shaft. Loosening members (25) are provided for loosening fiber material that has been filtered out of the suspension and deposited on a filtering lining (13) of the respective filter element. Receiver chutes (30) are located in the part of the vessel where the filter sectors (12) are rotated down into the suspension from a position above the suspension. The receiver chutes receive loosened fiber material together with flushing liquid from cleaning members (26) located above the receiver chutes to thereby allow the fiber material to be diluted in the receiver chutes to a desired dry content by means of this flushing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kadant Black Clawson Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Strid, Rolf Oswaldson
  • Patent number: 9233322
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel