Patents by Inventor Steven T. Devine

Steven T. Devine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9043989
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for economically filtering air into swine farms and other animal enclosures are provided. Advantageously, the invention substantially reduces the risk to airborne transfer of disease into animal enclosures. In one embodiment, a method for providing clean air to an animal enclosure includes providing an animal enclosure having an animal containing volume for containing a plurality of animals, removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan, and filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having a particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus downstream of the filter, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of samples collected with a cyclonic aerosol collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Camfil USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Devine, Anders Sundvik
  • Patent number: 8677842
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Devine
  • Publication number: 20120272752
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Steven T. Devine
  • Patent number: 8221681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Devine
  • Patent number: 7947101
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a filter assembly having a media pack having a single web of pleated media having at least two mini-pleated regions arranged in non-linear orientation. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack defined by a single web of media, and an adhesive layer coupling a flat end of the media pack to a frame assembly to form a lap joint. In another embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack sealed to a frame assembly. A discontinuous layer of adhesive couples at least one edge of the media pack to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Camfil AB
    Inventors: Steven T. Devine, Anders Martin Sundvik, Lennart Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7938927
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a filter assembly having a media pack having a single web of pleated media having at least two mini-pleated regions arranged in non-linear orientation. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack defined by a single web of media, and an adhesive layer coupling a flat end of the media pack to a frame assembly to form a lap joint. In another embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack sealed to a frame assembly. A discontinuous layer of adhesive couples at least one edge of the media pack to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Camfil AB
    Inventors: Anders Martin Sundvik, Lennart Karlsson, Steven T. Devine
  • Patent number: 7931726
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a filter assembly having a media pack having a single web of pleated media having at least two mini-seated regions arranged in non-linear orientation. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack defined by a single web of media, and an adhesive layer coupling a flat end of the media pack to a frame assembly to from a lap joint. In another embodiment, a filter assembly includes a media pack sealed to a frame assembly. A discontinuous layer of adhesive couples at least one edge of the media pack to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Camfil AB
    Inventors: Lennart Karlsson, Anders Martin Sundvik, Steven T. Devine
  • Publication number: 20110044853
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Steven T. Devine
  • Patent number: 7739926
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally related to a method and apparatus for scanning a v-bank filter. In one embodiment, a method for testing a v-bank filter includes providing an aerosol challenge to an upstream side of a v-bank filter, scanning a downstream side of the v-bank filter with a probe having one or more rectangular sample ports, and providing samples taken through the probe during scanning to a test instrument. In yet another embodiment, a probe for scanning a v-bank filter is provided that includes a body having a plurality of rectangular sample ports. Each sample port is tapered to a port configured to connect to a sample tube. The long sides of the rectangular sample ports are arranged in a stacked parallel orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morse, Mark Huza, Steven T. Devine
  • Publication number: 20090301402
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for economically filtering air into swine farms and other animal enclosures. Advantageously, the invention substantially reduces the risk to airborne transfer of disease into animal enclosures. In one embodiment, a method for providing clean air to an animal enclosure includes providing an animal enclosure having an animal containing volume for containing a plurality of animals, removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan, and filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having a particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus downstream the of filter, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of samples collected with a cyclonic aerosol collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Steven T. Devine, Anders Sundvik
  • Patent number: D692543
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Camfil Farr, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Gorman, Steven T. Devine