Patents Examined by Benjamin M Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11389753
    Abstract: A filter assembly that comprises a housing, an outer filter element, and an inner filter element. The outer filter element is positionable within the housing and comprises an outer filter media. The inner filter element is positionable within the outer filter element and comprises an inner filter media, a media support structure, an inner top endplate, and an inner bottom endplate. The inner top endplate comprising a top rib that extends continuously around a portion of a top surface of the inner top endplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Manikandan Annamalai, Saurabh Saboo, Jayant Singh, Zemin Jiang, Prashant Ramesh Khedkar, Kevin C. South
  • Patent number: 11383185
    Abstract: A filter assembly that comprises a housing, an outer filter element, and an inner filter element. The outer filter element is positionable within the housing and comprises an outer filter media. The inner filter element is positionable within the outer filter element and comprises an inner filter media, a media support structure, an inner top endplate, and an inner bottom endplate. The inner top endplate comprising a top rib that extends continuously around a portion of a top surface of the inner top endplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Manikandan Annamalai, Saurabh Saboo, Jayant Singh, Zemin Jiang, Prashant Ramesh Khedkar, Kevin C. South
  • Patent number: 11383184
    Abstract: A filter element for filtering a fluid that comprises a pleated filter media and a support structure. The pleated filter media comprises pleats that define an upstream gap along an upstream surface of the pleated filter media and a downstream gap along a downstream surface of the pleated filter media. The support structure extends along the downstream surface of the pleated filter media and supports the pleats. The support structure is folded into two layers comprising a first layer and a second layer within the downstream gap. The first layer inner surface and the second layer inner surface are positioned adjacent to each other within the downstream gap. The support structure comprises at least one spacer that increases a distance between the first layer outer surface and the second layer outer surface such that the differential pressure drop through portion of the support structure that is within the downstream gap is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilson L. Currier, Peter K. Herman, Arun P. Janakiraman, Jonathan D. Sheumaker
  • Patent number: 11376530
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis 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 the raw water ingress, permeate egress, and reject water egress. The reverse osmosis 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: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh
  • Patent number: 11363830
    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: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SAFE FOODS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman, Gary Nolen, Kelly Beers, Joe Rheingans
  • Patent number: 11357382
    Abstract: A bucket includes: at least two chambers which are flow connected to one another by at least one overflow channel. One of the chambers is a combined washing-out/centrifuging chamber for a cleaning device. One of the chambers is a water level-regulating chamber configured to regulate a water level in the washing-out/centrifuging chamber. The water level-regulating chamber contains a displacement body which is movable by a first actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dingert, Norbert Weis
  • Patent number: 11352863
    Abstract: A submersible well fluid system for operating submerged in a body of water may include an electric machine and a fluid end. The electric machine includes a rotor and a stator residing in a first housing at specified conditions. The fluid end may include an impeller and be coupled to the electric machine. The submersible well fluid system may also include an adjustable speed drive for the electric machine in the housing. The submersible well fluid system may also include a chemical distribution system for supplying treatment chemicals to the submersible well fluid system, a barrier fluid supply system for supplying a barrier fluid to the submersible well fluid system, and a pressure management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Eduardo Cardoso, Timothy Bartlett, Paulo Guedes-Pinto, Co Si Huynh, Robert Perry, John Davis Sink
  • Patent number: 11338228
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a continuous rotary plate filter apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to separate slurries into liquids and solids. The methods and apparatus are useful for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly using Integrated Continuous Manufacturing (ICM), but can also be integrated with other manufacturing processes, such as batch and semi-continuous processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Continuus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Born, Joshua Dittrich, Bayan T. Takizawa, Salvatore Mascia
  • Patent number: 11331603
    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: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
  • Patent number: 11325088
    Abstract: A method of cleaning spent catalyst material from a catalyst filter basket. The catalyst filter basket includes a central frame having a base ring and a generally cylindrical inner screen portion which extends upwardly from the base ring. A generally cylindrical outer screen assembly is releasably secured to the central frame by a quick release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SHELL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Edwin Maas, Ruud Kneppers
  • Patent number: 11325062
    Abstract: Structures for housing a filtration media for the removal and/or solidifying of synthetic ester-based fluids from liquids are provided. The structures disclosed include: a stormwater insert container for installation within a storm drain designed for intake of high volumes of water; an angling filter plug mounting structure and pre-filter basket for a flush installation on a planar floor, such that the filtration media rests beneath the floor and releases filtered liquids into a drainage area; a trench filtration assembly for installation into a trench below surface level, such that the unfiltered liquid passes through the trench and a trench box disposed within the trench filtration assembly prior to passing through the filtration media into a drainage area; and a liner box assembly for installation over an opening made in a non-permeable liner for purposes of pre-filtering contaminated liquids as it flows through the liner box and subsequently the filtration media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Solidification Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gannon, Paul Melaccio
  • Patent number: 11305219
    Abstract: A filter system for liquid media has a filter housing with housing pot and housing cover. The housing pot has a drainage channel with bottom-side drainage opening. A bottom end disk of a filter element has a closure element arranged off-center to a longitudinal filter element axis. The closure element, in predetermined installation position of the filter element, extends seal-tightly across or into the drainage opening. The bottom end disk has a cutout corresponding with a positioning aid of the housing pot. By screwing on the housing cover, the filter element moves with the housing cover axially toward the drainage opening and rotates until positioning aid and cutout engage and lock the filter element relative to the housing pot in a predetermined rotational position where the closure element is axially aligned with the drainage opening. The filter element moves with the housing cover axially into the predetermined installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Jainek
  • Patent number: 11291937
    Abstract: A filter unit includes a body portion and an engagement protrusion that extends from the body portion with a first water containment seal. At least one cross-section of the engagement protrusion at a location of the first water containment seal, taken perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the body portion, includes an egg-shaped outer perimeter with a single axis of symmetry. At least one engagement surface traverses around at least part of the body portion. The at least one engagement surface has a linear movement section for linear movement of the body portion. The linear movement section transitions to a rotational movement section for rotational movement of the body portion. The rotational movement section is angled relative to the linear movement section. A water inlet path and a water outlet path extend through a portion of the engagement protrusion defined by the at least one cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kruckenberg, John W. Morrison, Jeffrey A. Spindler
  • Patent number: 11273397
    Abstract: A filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly. The filter base includes a base platform having fluid ingress and egress stanchions, and a wire harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly includes conductors extending between first and second connectors, with one or more resilient contacts provided on the second connector. The connector housing has an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and is dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts. The contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the filter housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11247156
    Abstract: A water filter system includes a removable filter unit having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted into a filter head assembly. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion and adapted to engage a key slot in the filter head assembly. An engagement protrusion extends from the proximal end. The engagement protrusion includes a first portion that has a first radius of curvature and a second portion opposing the first portion that includes a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kruckenberg, John W. Morrison, Jeffrey A. Spindler
  • Patent number: 11247153
    Abstract: Provided is a filter module for a gravity-type water purifier. The filter module for a gravity-type water purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of filter members which are plate shaped, and which are fixed to each other via one or more fastening bars while arranged spaced apart from each other in parallel having gaps therebetween; and a common water collecting member coupled to the respective water collecting holes formed in the filter members, and in which filtered water produced from the filter members is collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Gu Han
  • Patent number: 11247154
    Abstract: Filter capsules for showers and sinks used in surgical settings, clean rooms and other contaminant-sensitive settings having modified outlets for improved splash control. Flat, concave, convex, asymmetric concave and asymmetric convex outlet inserts have pluralities of fluid bores with varying orientations to permit enhanced fluid flow control out of the filter capsules including divergent, convergent and mixed divergent/convergent fluid flows. An inlet with an axis offset at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the filter capsule body permits user control over the fluid flow strike point in a sink or shower stall via rotation of the capsule about the inlet connection point. A recessed outlet improves the prevention of contaminant dispersal by recessing the outlet away from contact points and potential contaminant sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ZhenWu Lin, Hong Shen, Stephan Brinke-Seiferth
  • Patent number: 11236499
    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: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Matthew E. Raynor
  • Patent number: 11198623
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid container having a hollow handle located adjacent to the center of mass of a container filled with liquid. With the hollow handle located adjacent to the center of mass, the total bending moment exerted on a user's wrist is drastically reduced. The container may contain a reservoir tank to retain any type of liquid. Further, the handle is hollow such that liquid may flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber through the handle. In some embodiments, the handle is structured to house a filtration system. In some embodiments, the reservoir is structured to house a filtration system. A liquid may pass through the filtration system to become treated before being stored in the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Tyron Pretorius, Valeria Gonzalez, Alexander Wimber
  • Patent number: 11179660
    Abstract: A system for filtering water in a spa that provides safety and greater filtration. The system may include a filter secured to a core. The core may include first and second cages with a plurality of openings allowing water to freely pass through the filter and core while preventing larger objects from passing through. The first cage may provide an orientation feature to position the filter in one direction. The second cage may hold mineral cartridges. The core may be secured to a fitting that is secured to the suction line of a spa via a ratchet like engagement feature. The fitting and core prevent back out of the core unless manually overriding the arm on the core which engages fins on the fitting. The filter may be removed and replaced while the core remains in place providing safety to the user. A cap secures the whole assembly into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, L.C.
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark W. McLane