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: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides fail-safe mechanisms for final filters. The fail-safe mechanisms of the present disclosure include a prefilter that is essentially transparent or translucent to TOC contaminants and a microporous filter downstream from the prefilter that filters contaminants by means of size-exclusion, mechanical interception, coagulation, or a combination thereof, the filter being adapted to significantly reduce fluid flow and undergo blockage under a challenge by TOC contaminants.

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: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides fail-safe mechanisms for final filters. The fail-safe mechanisms of the present disclosure include a prefilter that is essentially transparent or translucent to TOC contaminants and a microporous filter downstream from the prefilter that filters contaminants by means of size-exclusion, mechanical interception, coagulation, or a combination thereof, the filter being adapted to significantly reduce fluid flow and undergo blockage under a challenge by TOC contaminants.

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