Abstract: A multistage filter cartridge includes a generally circular outer filtering stage composed of a melt blown polypropylene material having an outer surface and an inner surface and an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and a generally circular inner filtering stage composed of carbon and a binder material forming a carbon block having an outer surface and an inner surface and an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A first void is disposed between the inner surface of the outer layer and the outer surface of the inner layer, and a second void within the inner surface of the carbon block, said voids being filled with granular, filtering material.

Abstract: The specific field of Invention relates to the surprising and wholly unexpected findings that so-called Catalytic Activated Carbons developed, either to remove chloramines, hydrogen sulfides and bromates or to purify and de-color the hydrocarbon liquids or to remove organic compounds from air, are also capable of removing dissolved heavy metals from contaminated drinking and waste water when given a range of contact times.

Abstract: A method for treating aqueous solutions, wherein a filtrate material is manufactured to have a polymer with ion exchange properties adhered to the surface or impregnated within a porous, granular particle such that the resultant structure does not result in any agglomeration or binding of the granular particles, thereby retaining the maximum surface area of the particle for reacting with metal impurities in solution. A filtrate material comprised of a porous granulated particle and an ion exchange polymer. A method of treating aqueous solutions by passing an aqueous solution through the filtrate material to remove metal impurities in the solution. A method of regenerating the filtrate material that is saturated with metal impurities.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides reusable water filter systems and methods by modifying the design of the plastic housing in such a way so that a disposable sachet with treatment media can be used in it without allowing any bypassing of the untreated water. The present invention provides reusable water filter systems and methods for use in water pitchers and/or faucets including reusable water filter cartridges for gravity flow, reusable water filter cartridges for water pressure systems, disposable sachets (pods) with treatment material for use in the reusable water filter cartridges, molded blocks with treatment material for use in the reusable water filter cartridges, and an associated method of use. Advantageously, the present invention solves the problem of disposing of millions of plastic pitcher filter cartridges.

Abstract: A novel water flow facilitator for granular filter devices that operate under gravity and contain granular particles, further consisting of plastic pellets that are 2 to 100 times, preferably 5 to 20 times larger than the granular particles; the plastic pellets having an aspect ratio of 0.5 to 10, preferably 1 to 4; that comprise about 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 15% of the weight of the filter media; that have a specific gravity of 0.5 to 2, preferably 0.9 to 1.5. The plastic pellets should contain antimicrobial agents that protect the granular media from microbiological growth. The plastic pellets are made from any of the following plastics: polyolefins, various kinds of polyacrylates, polyvinyl polymers, nylon, polycarbonates etc. The plastic pellets may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate, titania, silica, or alumina.

Abstract: The invention is a granular media filter for in-line liquid applications that allows media as fine as 44 micron to be used to increase the removal of contaminants from the liquid with adequate flows consisting of a specific arrangement. A flow distributor has a non-woven fiber web welded to it; followed by a mixture of fine particle media (finer than 20×50 mesh); followed by a compressible chlorine resistant open cell polyurethane foam, then a 5 micron rated meltblown fiber tube attached to the outlet end by melt adhesive on one end and closed with a plastic plug on the other end. The foam can be either polyurethane or polyolefin, and it can be either open cell foam, or reticulated and open cell foam. A preferred embodiment includes within the fine particle media 10% by weight of flow-enhancing antimicrobial plastic pellets, about 4-5 mm in diameter and having an aspect ratio of 2-3, the pellets encapsulating an antimicrobial additive.

Abstract: A bacteriostatic filter cartridge having a porous core member about which is layered a yarn and/or a polyester membrane and/or melt blown web of polypropylene and/or a trilaminate polypropylene membrane, any or all of which may be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The filter cartridge is sized so as to fit tightly into a cartridge housing of a fluid filtration system. Fluid passing through the cartridge housing will be filtered by the filter cartridge to remove contaminants from the water and which prevents the growth of bacterial and other microorganisms on the filter media.

Abstract: An improved sintered porous thermoplastic filter incorporating a second thermoplastic treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent for the purification of liquids. The method of making the filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cast semi-permeable membranes made from synthetic polymer used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration are treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent to prevent its bio-fouling and bacterial breakthrough. The semi-permeable membranes include a polymeric material and a non-leaching antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into and homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric material. The polymeric material, in the case of one membrane, may be cellulose acetate. In the case of thin film composite polyamide membranes, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated in a microporous polysulfone layer that is sandwiched between a reinforcing fabric and an ultrathin polyamide material. The invention also includes a treatment of flat and hollow fiber semipermeable membranes made with polysulfones and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: An improved sintered porous thermoplastic filter incorporating a second thermoplastic treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent for the purification of liquids. The method of making the filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of a biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of an antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin. An antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin that prevents the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. A broad spectrum organic antimicrobial agent that is water insoluble and thus precipitates out and becomes encapsulated within micropores of the resin during suspension polymerization. The antimicrobial agent is submicron sized and has a high surface area. The antimicrobial agent protects the antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange bead from the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. The antimicrobial agent is nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, substantially nonleaching and durable over the lifespan of the bead.

Abstract: Cast semi-permeable membranes made from synthetic polymer used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration are treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent to prevent its bio-fouling and bacterial breakthrough. The semi-permeable membranes include a polymeric material and a non-leaching antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into and homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric material. The polymeric material, in the case of one membrane, may be cellulose acetate. In the case of thin film composite polyamide membranes, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated in a microporous polysulfone layer that is sandwiched between a reinforcing fabric and an ultrathin polyamide material. The invention also includes a treatment of flat and hollow fiber semipermeable membranes made with polysulfones and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: An improved sintered porous thermoplastic filter incorporating a second thermoplastic treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent for the purification of liquids. The method of making the filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of a biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of an antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin. An antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange resin that prevents the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. A broad spectrum organic antimicrobial agent that is water insoluble and thus precipitates out and becomes encapsulated within micropores of the resin during suspension polymerization. The antimicrobial agent is submicron sized and has a high surface area. The antimicrobial agent protects the antimicrobial synthetic ion exchange bead from the growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the subsequent establishment of biofilm on the surface and in the micropores of the resin. The antimicrobial agent is nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, substantially nonleaching and durable over the lifespan of the bead.

Abstract: A bacteriostatic filter cartridge having a porous core member about which is layered a yarn and/or a polyester membrane and/or melt blown web of polypropylene and/or a trilaminate polypropylene membrane, any or all of which may be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The filter cartridge is sized so as to fit tightly into a cartridge housing of a fluid filtration system. Fluid passing through the cartridge housing will be filtered by the filter cartridge to remove contaminants from the water and which prevents the growth of bacterial and other microorganisms on the filter media.

Abstract: An improved sintered porous thermoplastic filter incorporating a second thermoplastic treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent for the purification of liquids. The method of making the filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bacteriostatic filter cartridge having a porous core member about which is layered a yarn and/or a polyester membrane and/or melt blown web of polypropylene and/or a trilaminate polypropylene membrane, any or all of which may be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The filter cartridge is sized so as to fit tightly into a cartridge housing of a fluid filtration system. Fluid passing through the cartridge housing will be filtered by the filter cartridge to remove contaminants from the water and which prevents the growth of bacterial and other microorganisms on the filter media.

Abstract: An enclosed fluid system that is resistant to the formation of biofilm at any and all points of contact between system components and the fluid stored or transported therethrough. The enclosed fluid system includes a point of fluid entry, such as a pump from a well, and a point of fluid exit, such as a water tap, and is inclusive of the fluid entry and exit. Each of the system components comprise fluid contacting portions that are made of polymers or a polymer composite material. Between the point of fluid entry and the point of fluid exit of the invented enclosed fluid system are various conventional valves, fluid circulation members, such as pipes, filters and fluid storage members, such as water tanks, and fluid treatment filters, such as depths filters, activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis membranes and ion-exchange resins. A non-leaching antimicrobial agent that inhibits the growth of microorganisms is incorporated into the fluid contacting portions of all system components.

Abstract: An antimicrobial microfiltration filter is made from a bundle of polymeric semipermeable hollow fibers treated with an antimicrobial agent and a microporous filter medium which may also be treated with an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial filter cartridge having a perforated core member wrapped with a first microporous membrane, which is in turn overwrapped with second and third microporous membranes. The membranes are covered with a criss-cross wrapping of antimicrobial treated yarn. The filter cartridge is sized so as to fit tightly into a cartridge housing of a fluid filtration system. Fluid passing through the cartridge housing will be filtered by the filter cartridge to remove microorganisms from the water and which prevents the growth of bacterial and other microorganisms on the filter media.