Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for forming a fiber-reinforced resin structure against a mold surface by vacuum bag forming. The process includes grooving the mold surface to form resin distribution conduits therein. A fiber-reinforced ply is distributed adjacent the mold surface. A flexible covering is placed over the fiber-reinforced ply and the mold surface to form a chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated. Resin is dispensed into the evacuated chamber such that the resin enters the resin distribution conduits and is thereby distributed about the ply.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes housing enclosing a replaceable filter element. A support core is provided in the housing, and includes an extension and locking assembly. The element includes a ring of filtration media with a pair of end caps. The first end cap includes a central opening to receive the support core. The extension and locking assembly prevents the cover of the housing from being attached to the housing body without a proper filter element installed. The extension and locking assembly includes a bypass member and a locking member, which are in locking engagement when an element is absent in the housing. The second end cap includes internal protrusions which engage the locking member when the filter element is installed to disengage the bypass member from the support core, and allow the element to be inserted and the cover to be installed.

Abstract: A magnetic device for attachment to an exterior wall of an oil filter canister whose purpose is to attract ferrous particles being conducted through the oil passing through the oil filter canister and cause such to be adhered to the inner wall surface of the sidewall of the oil filter canister. The device has an enclosing frame within which is mounted a series of thin walled plates. The plates are located in a stacked relationship. The plates permit flexing of the enclosing frame so that a plurality of magnets that are mounted in conjunction with the frame will always be located flush against the exterior wall surface of the canister even though the diameter of the canister may vary by the canisters being constructed by different manufacturers. The magnets are coated with a plastic coating to prevent contact with moisture to prevent rusting of the magnets.

Abstract: Colander apparatus for straining and rinsing including a first rim portion and a second rim portion hingedly movable about an axis between a generally coplanar position and a collapsed or folded position wherein the rim portions are generally parallel or oriented at a small acute angle one to the other, the first and second rim portions when in the generally coplanar position defining a bowl opening. The colander apparatus further includes a bowl portion integrally formed with, attached to or otherwise supported by the first and second rim portions around the bowl opening in spanning relation thereto, the bowl portion including a plurality of openings therethrough.

Abstract: A novel microporous membrane comprising a hot-melt adhesive and an engineering plastics, the methods of preparing such microporous membrane and the uses of the microporous membrane in, e.g., batteries, super capacitors, fuel cells, sensors, electrochromic devices or the like.

Abstract: A filter for removing undesired materials from a fluid, such as used cooking oil, for example, includes a filter envelope including first and second panels. The first panel has a permeability which is greater than that of the second panel. The first panel of the filter envelope may be formed from a filter pad and the second panel from a filter paper, and may enclose a metal spacer grid. When the filter is connected to a pump for drawing the oil through the filter, the flow of the oil is directed selectively through the filter pad, whereby undesired materials are removed from the oil. The filter provides for efficient flow of the oil to be filtered while removing undesired materials therefrom.

Abstract: The filter cake in a filter press is heated by direct contact with a heating plate opposite the pressing membrane so that a vapor phase is generated which moves uniformly in a planar pressure front through the filter cake to dry residual liquid therefrom. The filter cake is maintained under vacuum during the drying step.

Abstract: A flexible thin film battery including a film layer and a porous cathode deposited on a portion of a film and a porous anode deposited on a portion of the film, with an electrolyte and separator layer positioned between the porous anode and the porous cathode. The electrolyte is preferably dried so the battery is activated when liquid contacts the electrolyte and separator layer. In a preferred embodiment, water swellable particles are included in the cell. The film layers are least partially sealed around the edges, confining the anode, cathode, and electrolyte and separator layer. The method of producing such a battery preferably includes printing various inks in a pattern on a polymeric film.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided having a generally cylindrical housing defining a housing edge. A filtering element is disposed in the housing for filtering the fluid. A generally circular unitary tapping plate is also provided having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and mounting means for removably mounting the filter assembly to the fluid circulation system. The unitary tapping plate further having a generally U-shaped portion defining an inboard seal retaining groove and a wing portion extending radially outwardly from said U-shaped portion. The edge of the housing surrounds the tapping plate and is folded inwardly over the wing portion of the tapping plate such that a free end of the housing edge generally terminates in the seal-retaining groove. The filter assembly also includes an external seal having a generally rectangular cross-section that is retained in the seal retaining groove.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing deionized water, comprising an electrodialyzer having cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes alternately arranged to form demineralizing compartments and concentrating compartments and having ion exchangers accommodated in the demineralizing compartments, and designed to conduct an electric current while supplying water to be treated to the demineralizing compartments, wherein a spacer is arranged in each concentrating compartment to maintain the thickness of the concentrating compartment, and the cation exchange membranes or the anion exchange membranes are incorporated in their dry state in the electrodialyzer, whereby water is supplied to the electrodialyzer, while each ion exchange membrane is brought in contact with the spacer by a pressure from the demineralizing compartment side.

Abstract: A filter having filter elements with outwardly flanged ends sealed together. The seal may be secured by use of a rod extending in a lengthwise direction through apertures in the flanged ends. The rod has one end releasably securing the filter element and a second end secured to the housing. A frame can cover the filter elements, and a jack screw in the frame can be used to apply force to the filter elements to secure the seals. The filter may have a cleaning apparatus capable of suctioning material from the filter element.

Abstract: A filtering centrifuge includes a case, a perforated filter basket disposed for rotation in the case, filter media disposed along an inner surface of the filter basket, and a cake removal mechanism at least partially disposed in the case outside of the filter basket and engageable with the filter media to distort the filter media and induce separation of deposited cake from the filter media. The cake removal mechanism specifically includes an ejector element movably mounted to the case for shifting between a use position adjacent to the filter basket and a neutral position spaced from the filter basket.

Abstract: A filter for removing undesired materials from a fluid, such as used cooking oil, for example, includes a filter envelope including first and second panels. The first panel has a permeability which is greater than that of the second panel. The first panel of the filter envelope may be formed from a filter pad and the second panel from a filter paper, and may enclose a metal spacer grid. When the filter is connected to a pump for drawing the oil through the filter, the flow of the oil is directed selectively through the filter pad, whereby undesired materials are removed from the oil. The filter provides for efficient flow of the oil to be filtered while removing undesired materials therefrom.

Abstract: A waste water treating device can be simply installed in a small area and destroy combustible wastes and sludge to reduce fuel consumption cost of a burner. Moreover, the waste water treating device can increase a treating amount of the waste water per unit time to thereby reduce an activation time thereof and decrease installation and maintenance cost, to thereby obtain an economic advantage.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are provided for handling fluids in numerous industrial applications. Materials addition devices, including venturi hoppers, and other eductor assemblies, are joined in compact, horizontal, and/or vertical configurations, with one or more shearing devices, including, high and low velocity shearing devices individually, as well as, a combination high and low velocity shearing device. Pipe and valve configuration allow several alternate paths through or around such assemblies and devices, in alternate directions, including the option to backflow through the high velocity shearing device for the removal of obstructions. In the high velocity shearing devices provided, a special jet insert is provided, along with jet insert installation related apparatus, by which the jet insert is easily retained in, and removed from, the piping in the high velocity shearing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously processing a plural number of samples, each of the samples including a fluid containing particulate matter. The apparatus is useful in cytology to collect a uniform monolayer of cells from a biological fluid. Each of a plural number of processing assemblies (corresponding to the plural number of samples) comprises a container, an agitator rotatable relative to the container for contacting and dispersing particulate matter in the fluid, a filter assembly including a filter for collecting particulate matter, and a pump for moving the fluid through the filter. Each container is supported on a separate container receiver, and each pump is engaged by a separate pump engagement. A rotary driver effects relative rotation of the agitators and their respective containers simultaneously to mix the samples in the containers.

Abstract: A no-cure fuel filter and method of making same is disclosed. The no-cure fuel filter utilizes a non-organic, mineral based filter element which replaces the pleated paper type filter element of conventional fuel filters. The no-cure fuel filter may be used for gasoline blended fuels, ethanol blended fuels, diesel fuel blends, propane fuel blends, or methanol fuel blends, and may be used for primary filtration, secondary filtration or final filtration. The no-cure fuel filter comprises a non-organic mineral based filter element disposed along a path of flow of unfiltered fuel in a fuel system of a vehicle. The filter element includes an exterior periphery and an interior periphery and a first end and a second end. The no-cure fuel filter further comprises end caps disposed over and fluidly sealing the first and second ends of the filter element, such that the unfiltered fuel must pass through the filter element from one of the peripheries to the other periphery.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for processing material having a chamber (100), a rotatably driven shaft (104) extending within the chamber to which is attached at least one element (110) which engages the material (102) in the chamber during rotation thereof and a drive mechanism (150, 170, 200 and 250) for rotating the driven shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile apparatus for the production of water based liquid paints from pulverulent constituents and water. The apparatus comprises a traveling frame, a mixing container, a mixing unit for mixing the pulverulent constituents and water, a metering unit for metering the pulverulent constituents into the mixing container, and a switching unit for controlling the metering and the mixing. The dissolver comprises a shaft and a dissolver disc having a ratio d/D of the diameter d of the dissolver disc to the diameter D of the mixing container of about 0.3 to 0.5, with the shaft being dimensioned so that during the mixing operation, the dissolver disc can be lowered to a distance b from the bottom of the mixing container of about 0.3 d to about 0.7 d.