Abstract: A valve device for controlling the flow of a fluid. In a first embodiment, the valve device is designed to control the flow of a fluid, particularly a hot plastic liquid melt. The valve device comprises a first upper plate and a second lower plate with a third plate interposed between the first and second plates. The first and second plates and the third plates are provided with planar surfaces such that sealing gaskets are not required. In addition, the first and second plates are each provided with an annular protrusion, while the third plate is provided with an annular recess on each of the flat faces thereof to accommodate the protrusions on each of the plates in order to reduce the surface area of plate engagement. The first and second plates are each provided with first and second openings which extend through the protrusion, and the third plate is provided with a pair of apertures located through the recesses.

Abstract: A filtration device for filtering of temperature controlled process liquids, as for example, liquid hot melts. The filtration device includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed within and spaced from the side wall of the housing to form a temperature regulating fluid chamber therebetween. An elongate member with a groove or channel formed therein extends between the sleeve and the housing side wall. A filter assembly having an outer casing may be removably disposed within a filter chamber formed by the sleeve. In this case, the filter casing would have a fitting extending from the casing and through the elongate groove to a process liquid inlet pipe connected to the housing side wall. Releasable bolts operatively engage the filter casing to permit holding of the casing in the filter chamber. Another fitting extends from the casing and through the elongate groove to a process liquid outlet pipe connected to the housing side wall.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus having a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. Disposed within the housing is a plurality of filter elements constructed in tubular form and held together as a bundle of such elements. The entire bundle of elements may be removed from or inserted into the housing as a unit. Each of the tubular filter elements has a threaded fitting at each end thereof with the threads on each of the ends being adapted for mating engagement with each other. In this manner a plurality of the filter elements may be assembled in tandem form by threaded engagement of the mating ends thereof to provide the desired filter area and size for any particular application without the necessity of custom designing filter elements for each housing or application. The mating threads are formed on dissimilar non-galling metals.