Patents Examined by Cynthia L. Nessle
  • Patent number: 4891142
    Abstract: A bed of particulate material of varying sizes is located within a vessel. This bed comprises an upper and lower region. Particulate material is supplied continuously to the center of the upper region so as to form a peak shape which descends downwardly and radially outwardly from the center. Liquid to be filtered is introduced to this peak shape and is filtered downwardly through the bed. A majority of the filtered liquid passes through a screen located between the upper and the lower regions into a screen filtrate enclosure. The remaining liquid continues to the lower region. This liquid and dirty particulate material are transported by an air lift tube from the lower region to a position above the upper region. At this position, the particulate material is washed and supplied to the center of the upper region. The remaining liquid and filtered particles are removed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Ashbrook-Simon-Hartley Corporation
    Inventor: C. J. Hering, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4865724
    Abstract: Versatile filtering apparatus is provided, particularly for processing liquid or coolant used with metal-working machines. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a dirty liquid tank in side-by-side relationship with a clean liquid tank, a coalescing unit, a filtering unit, an automatic supply or fill valve for supplying liquid to the apparatus from the coolant system, and an automatic discharge valve for supplying processed liquid from the apparatus back to the coolant system. The coalescing unit separates free oils from the liquid and the filtering unit separates solid particles from the liquid. The processed liquid is then discharged back to the coolant system along with fresh coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
  • Patent number: 4859345
    Abstract: A bath water heater and circulator-purifier apparatus that removes microorganisms and other organic substances found in bath water and maintains the temperature of water at a given level without changing water.An apparatus according to the present invention comprises a removable filter for filtering bath water pumped up from a bath tub, a heater for heating the pumped up water, a temperature sensor for controlling the heater, an ejector for ejecting the filter and heated water into the bath tub with air bubbles having a cleansing and skin-stimulating effect and a container for adding to the bath water a water purifying agent having an effect of separating and agglomerating organic substances as well as an effect of sterilizing and deodorizing bath water and suppressing generation of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Jitsuo Inagaki
  • Patent number: 4846973
    Abstract: A liquid flow device includes filter tubes which act as reverse osmosis tubes, ultrafiltration tubes or microfiltration tubes. The device also includes a stack of discs having apertures defining a plurality of elongated passages; an end disc provided at each end of the stack of discs; and a membrane tube provided in each elongated passage and projecting at opposite open ends through and beyond the end discs. A liquid inlet feeds liquid into the interior of at least one membrane tube; and a liquid outlet withdraws liquid from inside the membrane tubes. Tubular interconnector members are provided at both open ends of at least two of the membrane tubes for interconnecting the open ends of the various membrane tubes at both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Bintech (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Johan P. Barnard