Patents Examined by W. L. Walker
  • Patent number: 7220358
    Abstract: A method for treating a separation facility is provided according to the invention. The separation facility includes a plurality of membranes for providing separation of a feed product. The method includes steps of providing liquid flow through a plurality of membranes; treating the plurality of membranes with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase at a volumetric ratio of the gaseous phase to the liquid phase of at least about 5:1; and providing a liquid flow through the plurality of membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Schacht, Amy B. McBroom, Robert D. P. Hei, Richard K. Staub, Ralf Krack, Peter J. Fernholz, Srinivas Somayajula
  • Patent number: 7182868
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering fluid substances is used with a machine for injecting meat products. The device comprises a container (4) comprising filter units (3a, 3b) communicated independently with a suction outlet (6) through respective valve devices (9a, 9b) that can be moved between open and closed positions. Each filter unit (3a, 3b) is mounted to the end of a pivoting connecting conduit (22a, 22b) which is connected to the respective valve device (9a, 9b) thereof. Each conduit (22a, 22b) and filter unit (3a, 3b) can pivot between a lowered operating position, whereby the valve device (9a, 9b) is open and the filter unit (3a, 3b) is submerged in the fluid, and an erect maintenance position, whereby the valve device (9a, 9b) is closed and the filter unit (3a, 3b) and the fixing means (13) thereof emerge out from the fluid and are accessible so that they can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Metalquimia, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 7147110
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing with a central standpipe, and cover for enclosing a filter element. The filter element includes a ring of filtration media and first and second end caps. A vent orifice is formed in the first end cap into the central cavity of the media ring. A support core is disposed centrally in the media ring and extends between the first and second end caps. The core includes a separate and independent fluid channel extending from the first end cap that is fluidly connected with the vent orifice, to the second end cap. The second end cap has a central opening, and an annular sealing device bounding the opening which receives and seals to the standpipe and includes through-passages fluidly interconnecting the fluid channel in the core with flow opening(s) along the standpipe or in the lower end of the housing to a drain port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Clausen, Russell D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7143898
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris and scale from a water line includes a first portion that is attached to a faucet or to an appliance conduit that is, in turn, attached to the faucet. A second portion is attached to an existing angle stop valve. A filter screen is disposed in between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is able to separate apart from the second portion sufficient to allow removal and cleaning or replacement of the filter screen without requiring disconnection of the second portion from the angle stop valve or the first portion from either the faucet or the appliance conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Dennis Carl Hoaglin
  • Patent number: 7128218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal oil pan for engines or transmissions, with an oil filter medium arranged therein, wherein part of the oil pan forms the bottom of an oil filter housing and a plastic half-shell forms a cover of the oil filter housing, and the oil filter medium is arranged between the oil pan and the plastic half-shell, the oil pan having metal rivets at its edge, and the plastic half-shell having bores at its edge, through which the plastic half-shell is fastened to the metal oil pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunststoff-/Metallerzeugnisse GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Rosendahl, Markus Beer
  • Patent number: 7094345
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. The microfluidic element may comprise a matrix having an affinity for selected molecules in a sample. The matrix binds, reacts with and/or retains the selected molecules without affecting other molecules in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Jaishree Trikha
  • Patent number: 7090780
    Abstract: A water-treating microbicide, containing an inorganic acid and a corrosion inhibitor, and further containing a carboxylic acid having 8 or less carbon atoms or any of alkali metal salts thereof. The present invention can provide a water-treating microbicide, water treatment method and water treatment apparatus exhibiting a high sterilization effect in a membrane separation device for seawater desalination, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiko Ito, Katsufumi Oto, Kazuya Sugita, Yoshinari Fusaoka
  • Patent number: 7083726
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane cartridge wherein a cartridge head and a bottom ring are connected and fixed to each other by means of a plurality of rods or pipes, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the cartridge head side is open, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the bottom ring side is sealed, and a plurality of through-holes are provided in an adhesion and fixation layer on the bottom ring side and are located in a bundle of the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Watanabe, Yuzuru Ishibashi, Katsuhiko Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 7074172
    Abstract: A centrifugal processing bag, system and method for separating the components of a mixed material is presented. The processing bag includes a hub and a first port for receiving the mixed material, where the first port includes an outlet positioned within the processing bag at a perimeter of the bag. The processing bag also including a second port having a second port inlet spaced proximate the hub and away from a central axis of the hub. The second port directs a separated material collected from the second port inlet out of the processing bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: ZymeQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Rosiello
  • Patent number: 7067058
    Abstract: A process for imparting hydrophilic properties to a polymeric membrane by exposing the membrane to an acrylate monomer containing hydrophilic segments, such as ethylene oxide, and a hydrophilic functional group, a diacrylate monomer containing hydrophilic functional groups, and an initiator for facilitating crosslinking and polymerization reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eshan B. Yeh, Michael S. Mezhirov
  • Patent number: 7063792
    Abstract: A method for separating a metal (a) from a metal (2), preferably zirconium from hafnium, which consists in dissolving said metals in an aqueous solution wherein said metals are in a state preventing them from passing through a nanofiltration membrane; treating the aqueous medium with a ligand, for example EDTA, which is complexed with metal (1) and/or metal (2), then in passing the resulting treated medium on a filtering membrane allowing through the ligand-metal complexes, but retaining the metals not complexed with the ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne du Zirconium CEZUS
    Inventors: Noël Ozanne, Marc Lionel Lemaire, Alain Jean-Louis Guy, Jacques Henri Foos, Stéphane Pellet-Rostaing, Frédéric Chitry
  • Patent number: 7060178
    Abstract: A filter-testing fixture holds a single fuel filter and is adjustable to accommodate a range of filter sizes and shapes. The fixture has a base section that defines a water collection reservoir, and the base opens upward toward a housing. Water separated from fuel in the housing thus drains into the reservoir. A fuel inlet conduit passes through the reservoir, one end of the conduit being disposed above the base section. The first, or filter-supporting, adapter is removably attached to this end of the conduit, and both the first adapter and this end are disposed within, the housing. The housing removably and sealingly mates to the base, and a cap assembly likewise removably and sealingly mates to the housing. A second, repositionable, filter-holding adapter is connected to the inner surface of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John Korpi, Michael Manceor
  • Patent number: 7060183
    Abstract: A filtering unit, which may be used to filter blood or blood components to remove leukocytes. The filtering unit includes a rigid outer casing connected to a filter medium by an impermeable association means to define two compartments. The association means may be flexible and may be disposed around the filter medium. The filtering unit may additionally include a pre-filter and a post-filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: MacoPharma
    Inventors: Francis Goudaliez, Thierry Verpoort
  • Patent number: 7052606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell separation and collection procedure. Such procedures involve filtering the separated red blood cells in a diluted state after and/or prior to flushing the filter with storage solution. Storage solution may thus be passed through the leukoreduction filter before, with and/or after the RBCs have been filtered therethrough. The red blood cell collection, filtration and storage assembly is preferably preconnected to a blood component separation disposable assembly, including, for example, a centrifuge vessel and a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from a donor, passing the blood to the centrifuge vessel for separation of the blood into components for collection and providing for filtration of the separated red blood cell component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Gibbs, Jon D. Herskovits
  • Patent number: 7051883
    Abstract: Nonwoven fabric laminates suitable for use as semipermeable membrane supports are provided. The fabric laminates generally include at least two layers: a spunbond layer of continuous filament fibers and a wet-laid layer of discontinuous filaments. The resulting semipermeable membrane supports provide an advantageous balance of properties, including smoothness, porosity, interlaminar adhesion, and flux properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Reemay, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Angelini, Clement J. Haley
  • Patent number: 7048862
    Abstract: A free radical solution producing apparatus, which comprises: a feed port (6) in which water is drawn, a dechlorination processing section (1) which produces first water by decomposing chlorine compounds in said water, a magnetic processing section (2) which produces second water by carrying out a process that applies a magnetic field to said first water, a radiation processing section (3) which produces third water by carrying out a process that irradiates a radiation to said second water, an ion exchange section (4) which produces fourth water by carrying out a process that performs an ion exchange for said third water, an electric field applying section (5) which produces fifth water by carrying out a process that applies a strong electric field to said fourth water, and a fifth water intake (7-5) from which said fifth water is obtained, produces water which has the effects of sterilizing and disinfection, and strong cleansing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Waterware Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukui, Hiroaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7040490
    Abstract: A filter having filter openings, which openings vary in cross-section automatically in accordance with an inherent variable of the medium passing there through. The openings can vary in response to the heat of the medium passing through the openings. The openings can include a perforated plate screening the openings and having elements, which shift the plate relative to the openings. The elements can be springs and can include a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Jerg
  • Patent number: 7037428
    Abstract: A system for automatically processing blood components is described. The system includes a console, which contains all motors, pumps, sensors, valves and control circuitry, and a unique disposable set that includes a cassette supporting a centrifuge with an improved design, pump interfaces with an improved design, component and solution bags, and tubing. Various processes are implemented using a specific disposable set for each process which allows automatic identification of the process to be performed the console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Mission Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Robinson, Thomas P. Robinson, Richard D'Elia, Paul Eibe, Thomas Sahines
  • Patent number: 7033498
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis systems using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Wong
  • Patent number: 7032760
    Abstract: An inline backwash, flushing filter assembly comprising a header assembly, a rotatable valve assembly, and a filter element assembly disposed within a filter housing assembly. In operation, the controller moves the turn knob of the rotatable valve assembly a one-quarter turn which results in the reversal of fluid flow through the assembly to periodically back flush the filter utilizing fluid from the system inlet. Debris removed from the filter element during the backwash process are immediately discharged from the system through a drain port. Simultaneously, the hydraulic shearing mechanism of the backwash process dislodges and drains debris which may have accumulated on the screen and at the bottom of the lower filter assembly during normal filter operations. The controller then returns the filter assembly to filtration operation by a reverse one-quarter turn of the turn knob of the rotatable valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Dosmatic USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Walton, James Allen Mann, Jr., James E. Williams