Abstract: A water purifier includes a diverter which can be detachably attached to a water faucet to select a plurality of water passages and a filter cartridge which can be detachably attached to the diverter to purify a water to be supplied through the diverter. The diverter is provided with a connector portion including a projection having a pair of guide grooves. The filter cartridge is provided with an engaging portion which can be inserted and fitted in the guide grooves. Disclosure is also directed to a diverter which includes a substantially cylindrical body which defines therein a main water passage to be connected to the faucet, and a rotatable selecting member which can be coaxially and rotatably fitted on the substantially cylindrical body and which is provided with a plurality of branch water passages which can be selectively registered with the main water passage of the substantially cylindrical body in accordance with the rotation of the selecting member.

Abstract: In a liquid directional control valve, a hollow rotary valve element is accommodated in a valve chamber for angular movement about a rotary axis of the rotary valve element. The rotary valve element has first, second and third openings. A liquid passageway formed by the rotary valve element is simple in construction. First seal elements are arranged about first, second and third outlet ports formed in the valve chamber and in close contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rotary valve element. A pair of circumferential grooves are provided respectively in outer circumferential surface sections of respective both ends of the rotary valve element. Each of the pair of grooves has a sloped bottom. A pair of second annular seal element are arranged respectively in the pair of circumferential grooves in concentric relation thereto.

Abstract: Water contaminated by small amounts of bacteria, pyrogens and low molecular weight organic compounds is treated by passing said contaminated water through a microporous polyolefin membrane having a multitude of rectangularly shaped nodule areas, each nodule area containing a plurality of strip-like microfibrils arranged in a longitudinal direction from one surface of a nodule to the side opposite said surface thereby forming a plurality of strip-like micropores in each nodule, said micropores being contiguous with each other from one surface to the other surface of the membrane thereby forming a micro-stacked structure, the mean pore diameter of said micropores ranging from 0.03 to 0.8 .mu..

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing synthetic tow for stretch-cut spinning process. The synthetic tow is produced by changing the coagulation condition after delivery from the spinnerets so the weak points are distributed in individual filaments in a particular condition defined by variation of uneveness of breaking strength. The coagulation condition of each filaments in the two is positively changed according to periodic changes in the filament's passage by contacting a deviation bar disposed in the filament's passage.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers containing at least 70% by weight of polypropylene fibers having a denier of at least 0.5 and a birefringence of at least 2.5 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.2 are formed into a sheet. The sheet is then frictionally calendered in the dry state at a frictional ratio of at least 15% and at a temperature in the range from 90.degree.C to 160.degree.C whereby an insulating paper having excellent air-impermeability and oil-resistance is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing synthetic tow for stretch-cut spinning process. This synthetic tow is produced by changing the coagulation condition after delivery from the spinnerets so the weak points are distributed in individual filaments in a particular condition defined by variation of unevenness of breaking strength. The coagulation condition of each filaments in the tow is positively changed according to periodic changes in the filament's passage by contacting a deviation bar disposed in the filament's passage.