Abstract: Systems are provided for fabricating a plurality of possible pleat packs used in the formation of circumferentially pleated filter sleeves comprising a substantially horizontal contact surface, a pleating machine having cutting structure, operatively positioned proximate the substantially horizontal contact plane, for delivering continuous upstanding pleat packs of a predetermined pleat formation to the horizontal contact surface, structure for guiding the upstanding pleat packs received from the pleating machine into a flattened condition, structure for securing the pleat packs in the flattened condition and structure for forming the flattened pleat packs into a predetermined length for subsequent formation into sleeves of circumferential pleats. Methods for fabricating a plurality of possible pleat packs used in the formation of circumferentially pleated filter sleeves are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter element is disclosed comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of upstanding pleats each having first and second pleat legs, wherein the first pleat leg of one pleat is joined to the second pleat leg of a preceding pleat by a medial pleat section; moving the upstanding pleats into an overlapped condition wherein each medial pleat section becomes part of the second leg of a preceding pleat; and forming the overlapped pleats into a cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter element is disclosed comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of upstanding pleats each having first and second pleat legs, wherein the first pleat leg of one pleat is joined to the second pleat leg of a preceding pleat by a medial pleat section; moving the upstanding pleats into an overlapped condition wherein each medial pleat section becomes part of the second leg of a preceding pleat; and forming the overlapped pleats into a cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided which includes an outer filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, an inner filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, wherein the inner and outer filter sleeves define a passage therebetween. An inlet cap is secured to a first end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has at least one inlet port communicating with the passage, and an end cap is secured to a second end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has an end surface closing the passage. Methods of forming such a filter assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided which includes an outer filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, an inner filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, wherein the inner and outer filter sleeves define a passage therebetween. An inlet cap is secured to a first end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has at least one inlet port communicating with the passage, and an end cap is secured to a second end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has an end surface closing the passage. Methods of forming such a filter assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Improved composite microarray slides for use in micro-analytical diagnostic applications are disclosed. Specifically, composite microarray slides useful for carrying a microarray of biological polymers on the surface thereof including composite microarray slides having a porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process effectively attached by covalent bonding through chemical agents that comprise anchor/linker moieties to a substrate that prepares the substrate to sufficiently bond to the porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications and wherein the composite microarray slides are covalently bonded to a solid base member, such as, for example, a glass or Mylar microscope slide, such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications. Apparatus and methods for fabricating the composite microarray slides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved composite microarray slides for use in micro-analytical diagnostic applications are disclosed. Specifically, composite microarray slides useful for carrying a microarray of biological polymers on the surface thereof including composite microarray slides having a porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process effectively attached by covalent bonding through chemical agents that comprise anchor/linker moieties to a substrate that prepares the substrate to sufficiently bond to the porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications and wherein the composite microarray slides are covalently bonded to a solid base member, such as, for example, a glass or Mylar microscope slide, such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications. Apparatus and methods for fabricating the composite microarray slides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems are provided for fabricating a plurality of possible pleat packs used in the formation of circumferentially pleated filter sleeves comprising a substantially horizontal contact surface, a pleating machine having cutting structure, operatively positioned proximate the substantially horizontal contact plane, for delivering continuous upstanding pleat packs of a predetermined pleat formation to the horizontal contact surface, structure for guiding the upstanding pleat packs received from the pleating machine into a flattened condition, structure for securing the pleat packs in the flattened condition and structure for forming the flattened pleat packs into a predetermined length for subsequent formation into sleeves of circumferential pleats. Methods for fabricating a plurality of possible pleat packs used in the formation of circumferentially pleated filter sleeves are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that surrounds a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores such that the fluid contained within one hydrophilic layer region does not cross the hydrophobic zone boundary and the articles formed thereby and, more particularly, to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that separates adjacent regions of a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores mounted on a substrate such that a uniform hydrophobic zone boundary layer in the z-direction is formed in the hydrophilic porous material or the removal of the hydrophilic porous material layer from the substrate to form a hydrophilic porous material zone on the substrate, the so formed hydrophilic porous material zone having a predetermined geometric shape such th

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided which includes an outer filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, an inner filter sleeve formed at least in part by a plurality of pleats, wherein the inner and outer filter sleeves define a passage therebetween. An inlet cap is secured to a first end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has at least one inlet port communicating with the passage, and an end cap is secured to a second end of the inner and outer filter sleeves and it has an end surface closing the passage. Methods of forming such a filter assembly are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that surrounds a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores such that the fluid contained within one hydrophilic layer region does not cross the hydrophobic zone boundary and the articles formed thereby and, more particularly, to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that separates adjacent regions of a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores mounted on a substrate such that a uniform hydrophobic zone boundary layer in the z-direction is formed in the hydrophilic porous material or the removal of the hydrophilic porous material layer from the substrate to form a hydrophilic porous material zone on the substrate, the so formed hydrophilic porous material zone having a predetermined geometric shape such th

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that surrounds a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores such that the fluid contained within one hydrophilic layer region does not cross the hydrophobic zone boundary and the articles formed thereby and, more particularly, to processes and methods for producing a hydrophobic zone boundary that separates adjacent regions of a hydrophilic porous material layer mounted on a substrate, the hydrophilic porous material layer containing tortuous channels and pores mounted on a substrate such that a uniform hydrophobic zone boundary layer in the z-direction is formed in the hydrophilic porous material or the removal of the hydrophilic porous material layer from the substrate to form a hydrophilic porous material zone on the substrate, the so formed hydrophilic porous material zone having a predetermined geometric shape such th

Abstract: Improved composite microarray slides for use in micro-analytical diagnostic applications are disclosed. Specifically, composite microarray slides useful for carrying a microarray of biological polymers on the surface thereof including composite microarray slides having a porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process effectively attached by covalent bonding through chemical agents that comprise anchor/linker moieties to a substrate that prepares the substrate to sufficiently bond to the porous membrane formed by a phase inversion process such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications and wherein the composite microarray slides are covalently bonded to a solid base member, such as, for example, a glass or Mylar microscope slide, such that the combination produced thereby is useful in microarray applications. Apparatus and methods for fabricating the composite microarray slides are also disclosed.