Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for brewing a beverage. A brewing liquid, generally water, and in some cases brewing ingredients, are placed in a container having a bottom with openings that, due to surface tension of the liquid, do not allow the liquid to pass through the openings until the liquid approaches or reaches its boiling point. The liquid is heated to approach its boiling point by placing the apparatus in a microwave oven or by the use of an electrical resistance heater associated with the container. The brewed beverage is captured in a second, temporary container from which it may be consumed or served.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air filter medium comprising nanofibers, the filter medium having a thickness of less than 0.25 millimeters, a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100 cm2 in size. A coating of the nanofibers may also be used to enhance performance of existing filter media by increasing the FOM of the existing filter media. Preferably, the nanofibers are fibrillated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microporous filter medium treated with a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic chemical having a medium to high charge density and a molecular weight greater than about 5000 Daltons, adsorbed on at least a portion of the microporous structure, and a biologically active metal in direct proximity to the cationic chemical and also on at least a portion of the microporous structure, wherein the flow of fluid through the filter medium decreases in response to an amount of polyanionic acids present in an influent. Robust microbiological interception is still maintained due to the extended empty bed contact time as a result of the diminished flow rate.

Abstract: An air filter that can fit within existing building HVAC air supply systems suitable for withstanding NBC attacks, comprising a series of pleated composite layers. By using impregnated carbon particles of the proper size, nerve gases, and gases of lower molecular weight, such as cyanogen chloride, are effectively controlled, even under tests simulating large-scale attacks. A particulate filter such as, for example, a HEPA filter, may be included to control biological particles or toxic aerosol droplets. The complete filter operates at such a low differential pressure, that existing building mechanicals do not have to be upgraded or replaced. Also disclosed is a filter for use with a respirator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.

Abstract: An air filter that can fit within existing building HVAC air supply systems suitable for withstanding NBC attacks, comprising a series of pleated composite layers. By using impregnated carbon particles of the proper size, nerve gases, and gases of lower molecular weight, such as cyanogen chloride, are effectively controlled, even under tests simulating large-scale attacks. A particulate filter such as, for example, a HEPA filter, may be included to control biological particles or toxic aerosol droplets. The complete filter operates at such a low differential pressure, that existing building mechanicals do not have to be upgraded or replaced. Also disclosed is a filter for use with a respirator.

Abstract: A composite filter medium for removing at least 99.95 percent of particulates of a size in the 3 to 4 micron range and dissolved chemical contaminants from a fluid and filters of various configurations employing the composite filter medium are disclosed. The composite filter medium comprises an adsorbent layer containing an adsorbent agent and a hydrophilic particulate intercepting layer disposed adjacent to the adsorbent layer. The composite medium has a mean flow pore diameter of about 1 to 10 microns, a bubble point of about 3 to 15 microns and an air permeability of about 0.5 to 7 liters per minute/cm2 with a pressure drop of about 0.1 bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated paper wherein the paper has capabilities and functionalities provided by both the fiber and the active agent ingredients, and a method of immobilizing the active agents within the integrated paper. The tight pore structure of the integrated paper of the present invention, a mean pore diameter of less than about 2 microns, provides short diffusion distances from a fluid to the surface of the paper ingredients by adsorption or diffusive interception making it an excellent medium for fluid filtration. The integrated paper of the present invention can further include a microbiological interception enhancing agent. The integrated paper can be formed using, preferably, wet laid paper-making processes for speed and efficiency. Also disclosed are devices utilizing the integrated paper useful in fluid filtration.

Abstract: Thin, flexible composite materials, which are magnetic or magnetizable and processes for producing and using the materials. The composite material contains a laminate formed from a mixture of magnetic or magnetizable particles, binder particles (and optionally active particles), applied to and fused and/or coalesced with a first substrate. The composite preferably contains an additional second substrate fused to and/or coalesced with, the laminate on the side of the laminate opposite that of the first substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating water vapor or humidity, useful in a variety of applications, including a wood drying kiln. The apparatus may contain a hydrophilic disk, a water supply structure that supplies water so that the water is deposited on the hydrophilic disk, and a motor for rotating the disk at a speed sufficiently high so that water which is deposited on the disk is caused to leave the disk in the form of a mist of particles or droplets which are sufficiently small to evaporate rapidly to generate the water vapor. The disk may be made hydrophilic by covering with a fabric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite filter medium having a pH altering material that can raise the pH of an influent such that microbiological contaminants in the influent remain substantially negatively charged such that a positively charged medium within the composite filter medium can more effectively capture the microbiological contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filtration system including filter media that use diffusion as a method of particulate reduction that balances the contact time required for a desirable level of interception and filter performance. The filter system of the present invention includes a filter medium that removes particulate contaminants by diffusion, means for providing sufficient contact time for an influent to contact the filter medium such that the filter medium can intercept sub-micron particulates at an average flow rate below that of an on-demand or instantaneous flow rate; and a storage buffer for providing a filtered effluent at a rate independent of the average flow rate required to achieve adequate particulate reduction through the filter medium.

Abstract: There is provided composite media and a method of producing them. The composite media contain a coalesced composite mixture of particles of an active ingredient, binder particles, and stabilizing particles. The stabilizing particles fuse the composite structure to both front and back substrates while the binder particles fuse the particles of active ingredient to each other and to one of the front and back substrates.

Abstract: A desiccant system and a method for producing the same wherein a container is provided with a desiccant sheet that is trapped within the container and a water vapor impermeable cover for the container making a water impermeable seal thereto. The sheet may have a first substrate, and optionally, a second substrate, and desiccant particles adhered to the first substrate or trapped between the first substrate and the second substrate. A binder material may fuse the desiccant particles to one another and to the substrates. The sheet may be trapped within the bottle due to its tendency to unfurl to a flat condition, or it may be adhered to an inner surface of the bottle.

Abstract: An absorbent article containing a composite mixture of absorbent macroporous particles and binder particles. Preferably, the absorbent macroporous particles are those having a macroporous structure which allow for the rapid flow of liquid therein, e.g., aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, or mixtures thereof. The absorbent articles produced thereby are preferably thin and lightweight, but maintain an ample rate of absorption allowing for a more rapid uptake of higher volumes of liquids.

Abstract: Structures treated with a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising of a water-soluble cationic material having a counter ion associated therewith at specific sites on the cationic material, in combination with a biologically active metal salt, wherein the counter ion associated with the cationic material preferentially precipitates with at least a portion of the cation of the biologically active metal salt such that precipitation of the biologically active metal cation and the counter ion associated with the cationic material occurs in proximity to the cationic material are disclosed herein. The microbiological interception enhancing agent may be incorporated into articles of commerce by treating the starting materials of the structure or by applying the microbiological interception enhancing agent on to at least one surface of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating water vapor or humidity, useful in a variety of applications, including a wood drying kiln. The apparatus may contain a hydrophilic disk, a water supply structure that supplies water so that the water is deposited on the hydrophilic disk, and a motor for rotating the disk at a speed sufficiently high so that water which is deposited on the disk is caused to leave the disk in the form of a mist of particles or droplets which are sufficiently small to evaporate rapidly to generate the water vapor. The disk may be made hydrophilic by covering with a fabric.