Patents Examined by W. L. Millard
  • Patent number: 5205931
    Abstract: A filter mechanism which includes conventional filtration techniques such as calcium and/or carbon filtration components. In addition, the mechanism includes a portion thereof comprising a substantial number of ceramic spheres which include a Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component. The Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component is formed as part of the ceramic sphere wherein a small portion of the Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component is adsorbed or absorbed by the water as it passes through the filter mechanism. The water produced by this filter mechanism therefore approximates many standard body fluids wherein the water enhances bodily funtions when ingested into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Yukio Iida
  • Patent number: 5205932
    Abstract: A compression sealed bacteriostatic purification and filtration system canister for the treatment of water and other piped liquids which includes a plurality of sequential granular filtering media beds separately contained within respective sections of the canister. The canister walls have molded internal grooves to prevent channeling and to hold section separators; the structural filter separators are highly porous semi-rigid discs, and snap into the grooves. The cylindrical sections increase in diameter in the direction of liquid flow. The sections are axially stacked within the canister. Liquid is admitted at the top end of the pressure vessel tank canister, runs down through the series of sections, and then returns to the canister top to exit through an axial riser tube. The tank canister has a screw-on compression sealed cap which contains fluid inlet and outlet pressurized disconnect couplings to allow leak-free back flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Nu-Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Solomon, Bruce Benefield
  • Patent number: 5202021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter assembly for use in a baghouse having a cell plate provided with openings. The filter assembly includes a molded collar, filter bag, tubular supporting cage and locking ring. The filter bag filters particulate material and extends from below the cell plate. The collar supports the filter bag and has a longitudinally extended portion and a flange portion. The longitudinally extended portion is affixed to the filter bag below the cell plate, while the flange portion extends along the cell plate as a rim above a respective opening. The collar acts as a gasket to seal a respective opening in the cell plate. The tubular supporting cage structurally supports the filter bag and has a longitudinally extended portion and a collar portion. The longitudinally extended portion supports the filter bag, while the collar portion partially overlaps the flange portion of the collar. The locking ring locks the filter bag, collar and cage in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hosokawa Micron International Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Griffin, Billy A. Bunn, Darrell Dunning, Larry E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5200072
    Abstract: The screen cylinder includes a screening plate having contoured grooves along an inflow side and a backing cylinder having a plurality of openings therethrough and disposed on the outflow side of the screening cylinder. The contoured grooves are elongated in the axial direction and are closely circumferentially spaced one from the other about the screen cylinder. In one embodiment, circumferentially extending grooves are formed along the outflow side of the screening cylinder whereby pulp flows through the contoured grooves into the recesses and then through the openings of the backing cylinder. In another embodiment, the recesses are formed on the inflow side of the backing cylinder, the screening cylinder being provided with elongated slots along its outflow side in registry with the contoured slots. In this manner, increased flow capacity is provided. Additionally, the screening cylinder is removable when worn for replacement by a fresh screening cylinder which may then be secured to the backing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Screen Plates Inc.
    Inventors: Frey A. Frejborg, Lassi J. Halonen
  • Patent number: 5198108
    Abstract: An assembly for removing wash water for washing filters containing granular filter material, which are washed simultaneously with water and air, such as those employed especially in water treatment, and recovering the particles of granular filter material entrained by the water during the washing which includes a collecting member having calibrated holes for collecting and removing dirty water, internal and external partitions placed on each side of the collecting member, defining a water recovering zone inside the internal partitions and between the internal and external partitions, tranquil flow zones promoting the separation, by downward concurrent settling of the particles of granular material and of the dirty water to be removed, and a baffle intended to avoid disturbing the preceding zones by the water/air/granular material three-phase mixture formed during the washing, placed under said zones and directing the three phase mixture towards an external degassing zone where the air is removed before the re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Vincent Savall, Marie-Pierre Gaudin
  • Patent number: 5196118
    Abstract: A filter apparatus for a percussion device to be powered by fluid pressure, which when the apparatus is in an assembled position, comprises a filter recess formed within a housing encasing the percussion device. An assembly fastener is disposed within the recess. A first filter is disposed about the assembly fastener. A filter support is disposed about the first filter. A second filter is mounted around the filter support. Both the first and the second filter have a filtering gauge size, and the filtering gauge of the first filter exceeds the filtering gauge of the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Leland H. Lyon, Richard L. Eggeling
  • Patent number: 5196119
    Abstract: A filtering system comprises an outer housing into which fluid enters tangentially through a side inlet port to create rotational flow therein. Solid contaminants which clog filtering media are precipitated to the bottom of housing through action of centrifugal force in rotational flow. An inner can, disposed within the housing shrouds a filter cartridge. Unfiltered fluid flows rotationally into the inner can and is filtered through a vertical cylindrical filter cartridge. Filtered fluid flows up through the center of said cartridge to a clean fluid chamber below a domed cover and exists downwardly through a vertical outlet tube extending through the filter cartridge to an outlet port in the bottom of the housing. Gases in the system are collected in the clean fluid chamber and transported by the fluid flow through the outlet tube, thereby automatically purging gases from the filtering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Harmsco, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold H. Harms, Edmund B. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 5194149
    Abstract: A manifold structure for connecting rows of cartridges (100) to adjacent like rows of cartridges (100). The manifold structure includes a first fluid passage (153, 183) adapted to pass either feed or filtrate through the body of the manifold structure, a second fluid passageway (169, 197) adapted to be coupled to a first passageway of a filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway, a third fluid passageway (167, 199) adapted to be coupled to a second passageway of the filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway; only one of the second fluid passageway or the third fluid passageway being enabled for fluid communication at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Memtec Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. L. Selbie, Bruce G. Biltoft
  • Patent number: 5192424
    Abstract: A filter apparatus having an identification and filter subassembly. The identification and filter subassembly includes a bag filter and a top end collar and a radial identification tag. The collar has a lower portion fixedly connected to the bag filter, and has a middle portion to be supported within a vessel, and has a top lip portion to engage a cover plate of the vessel. The collar has a pivotable web portion disposed between the middle portion and the top lip portion, and has an inner surface with a groove having sidewalls. The identification tag is cantilevered radially outwardly from the top lip portion for reading information disposed thereon from the exterior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: ISP Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Beyne, Georges Seon
  • Patent number: 5192437
    Abstract: A cleanable ultrafiltration device and method of making same is the subject of the present invention. The device comprises a housing for receiving a feed stream of a liquid to be filtered and a membrane cartridge disposed in the housing for separating the feed stream into concentrate and permeate. The cartridge is disposed within that housing in spaced relationship to accommodate the flow of the feed stream around the periphery of the cartridge along its length. A plastic netting is typically used for the cartridge/housing spacer. A potted end seal blocks the flow of the by-pass feed stream at the outlet end of the cartridge/housing assembly and forces all of the feed stream through the cartridge. This approach improves operating efficiency by elimination of the wasted by-pass flow associated with the prior art design, while maintaining module cleanability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jikuo Chang, Robert G. Blanck
  • Patent number: 5192427
    Abstract: A water filter assembly for use with a shower bath comprises a housing containing a filter and a bypass adapter which allows the filter to be displaced, e.g. downwardly, from the direct line leading from the water source to the shower head. The housing is also preferably adapted to hold containers for cosmetics or the like. Several forms of containers, particularly adapted for use in such a holder, are disclosed. Also disclosed are several preferred forms of filter adapted for this use, as well as improved quick disconnect type couplers allowing simultaneous operation of two adjacent such couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Douglas R. Eger
    Inventors: Douglas R. Eger, Douglas W. Smith, Robert E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 5192429
    Abstract: A self-cleaning filter having an enclosed screen assembly, a rotatable mounted cleaning system located within the enclosed screen assembly, and a propulsion system which causes the cleaning system to rotate is disclosed. The cleaning system and the propulsion system use a frame with a fluid delivery system that is connectable to a pressurized fluid source. Fluid is delivered to propulsion apertures which generate propulsion fluid streams to provide the propulsion for the frame. Fluid also is delivered to a plurality of cleaning apertures which generate cleaning fluid streams that strike apertures in an outer cylindrical surface as the frame rotates. The cleaning fluid streams prevent clogging of the apertures in the outer cylindrical surface ensuring the filters function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Bernard R. Bader
  • Patent number: 5190653
    Abstract: A reusable filtration element for a coffee brewer has a microscopic arrangement of holes which permit coffee beverage to pass through while turbidity and sediment causing solids are effectively removed. The holes are preferably from 12 to 60 microns across and provide from 5 to 30 % open area in the filter element. In one preferred embodiment, the holes are circular, arranged in rows such that intersecting rows form an angle of 60.degree., and preferably taper from top to bottom. A preferred filtration element is preferably formed by photoetching stainless steel foil. The filtration element is preferably positioned over a foraminous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Herrick, Robert F. Smith, Mete Bruncaj
  • Patent number: 5190651
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a known cylindrical, annular fluid filter cartridge of the type having a lower end cap supporting spaced, concentric filter elements. The spaced elements define an effluent path therebetween. In known cartridges of the foregoing type, the inner and outer perimeters of the end cap (or either of them) have a significant circumferential "Perimeter of engagement" which seats into a pocket with friction fit. As a result, significant force is required to remove a cartridge, especially a large cartridge, from the housing. The improvement comprises a channel (either a tube-like riser or a manifold) and a discharge port for receiving effluent, e.g., filtered water, from the effluent path. The discharge port (with its relatively small perimeter of engagement) is configured and arranged for attachment to and detachment from an outlet vent located near the bottom of the cartridge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrel F. Spencer, Gary L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5190652
    Abstract: A filter holder for coffee cartridges, comprising a cartridge-receiving portion (4) with a closed bottom and a lateral extract passage (9), a by-pass (5) which has its inlet (6) spaced above the cartridge-receiving portion (4) and terminates adjacent the extract passage (9), as well as an upper supporting rim (7) which is so inclined relative to the axis of the closed bottom, that when the filter pan is arranged by the supporting rim (7) thereof on the upper edge of a receptacle for brewed coffee, the outlets of the by-pass (5) and the extract passage (9) are disposed substantially at the lowest point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus M. van Thoor, Jan C. van Hattem
  • Patent number: 5186830
    Abstract: Abstract for filtering drinking water which includes a lower non-porous container to receive the filtrate. An upper filter vessel closed at its lower end by a high density ceramic filter is stacked in nested relationship to the lower container. When water containing contaminants and pollutants is poured into the filter vessel, it drips through the ceramic filter under gravitational forces and is stored in the lower receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph M. Rait
  • Patent number: 5186828
    Abstract: A strainer for liquids such as paint is disclosed herein having a collection bucket or pail which includes a circular opening defined by a lip. An intermediate retaining member is removably supported on the pail lip and detachably supports a strainer bag or meshed sheet across its circular opening to filter the liquid poured into the bag. A retainer member detachably fits over the edge marginal region of the filter bag to retain the bag in its supported position on the intermediate member. This latter member includes a cut-out opening adjacent to the pail lip for conducting a spray gun attachment or hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Gary L. Mankin
  • Patent number: 5182017
    Abstract: Filtrate separating device having a pair of walls connected by a frame defining a receiving space for sludge to be filtered. The walls being displaceable away from one another, and made of a flexibly deformable liquid and gas impermeable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Ralph Ippendorf
  • Patent number: 5180488
    Abstract: A filter screen assembly for removing particulate material from a slurry in a vessel. Mass producible slotted faced plates are assembled in pairs to enclose a chamber means between two slotted faces, an apertured edge and three closed edges mounted on a collector tube with the chamber in communication with the bore of the tube through said apertured edge, one end of the tube being closed and the other end being in communication with an intake port of a pump and said chambers. A filter media envelopes assembled pairs of slotted faced plates and the portion of the collector tube they are mounted on, while the other portion of the collector tube projects from an opening in said envelope and is sealingly engaged by a collar portion of the media secured against the collector tube. Reduced pressure impressed on the interior of the collector tube causes a slurry of liquid and particulate no greater than a predetermined size to be drawn through the media and slots in the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Venture Production Company
    Inventors: Gerald P. Dietrick, Michael J. Vagedes
  • Patent number: 5178760
    Abstract: A filter device including a separable housing and cannister-like means, with the improved filter element retained in the latter. The filter element being an elongated tapered strip having a predetermined transverse dimension at its midsection generally equivalent to the diametral measurement of the interior of said cannister and the initial configuration of the tapered sides being equated to the various chordal dimensions of the interior of the cannister-like means integrated with the folds of the filter element, thereby providing a filter element of controllable increased filtration area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Solberg Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Charles H. Solberg, Jr.