Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, filter is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pas through porous walls of the filter. The pores of the filter walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet and at least a first and second water treatment tank plus conduit means for passing water from the inlet to the outlet through the first and second tanks in parallel flow relation. The tanks are automatically regenerated in sequential, alternating intermittent manner in response to predetermined criteria. The tank being regenerated is connected to prevent flow from said tank through the outlet, while the tank not being regenerated is connected to provide flow through the outlet. Accordingly, continuous water treatment, with alternating, intermittent regeneration of the tanks, may be provided.

Abstract: A system for treating a portion of water passing through a pressurized water conduit. The system comprises water treatment means such as a reverse osmosis module. An upstream branch line communicates between the pressurized water conduit and the inlet of the water treatment means. Another branch line is provided for connection with pressurized water conduit at a location downstream from the upstream branch line, and communicating with a water outlet of the treatment means. A flow restrictor is provided, positioned in the pressurized water conduit between the conduit connection locations of the respective branch lines. Thus, water can flow through the upstream branch line from the conduit to the water treatment means, and water can flow from the treatment means through the other downstream branch line back to the conduit when water is flowing through the pressurized water conduit.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet and at least a first and second water treatment tank plus conduit means for passing water from the inlet to the outlet through the first and second tanks in parallel flow relation. The tanks are automatically regenerated in sequential, alternating intermittent manner in response to predetermined criteria. The tank being regenerated is connected to prevent flow from said tank through the outlet, while the tank not being regenerated is connected to provide flow through the outlet. Accordingly, continuous water treatment, with alternating, intermittent regeneration of the tanks, may be provided.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, hollow fiber filter bundle is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the hollow fibers of the filter. The pores of the hollow fiber walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in the water flow line of the faucet, in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, hollow fiber filter bundle is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the hollow fibers of the filter. The pores of the hollow fiber walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.

Abstract: A fluid metering device (10) is provided for automatically restricting (i.e., shutting off or reducing) fluid flow to a filter (16). The metering device (10) has a vane (32) which turns as fluid flows and thereby drives a gear (92). Once the vane (32) has rotated a selected number of times, as a result of the fluid flow, the rotation of the gear will break a frangible link (82), causing the fluid flow to stop or reduce by closing a valve (60). The customer will know to replace the filter (16) when the fluid no longer flows or is substantially reduced, and the customer will also have to replace the frangible link (82) to enable the fluid to flow at full volume again.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying purified water, without requiring continuous flow of water across the water purification device. A reverse osmosis unit is provided having an unpurified water inlet, a reject water outlet and a product water outlet. The unpurified water inlet is connected to a source of unpurified water. The reject water outlet and the product water outlet are connected to water regulating means. The water regulating means has outlets to drain and to an accumulator tank. When pressure in the accumulator tank is below a predetermined amount, a diaphragm responsive to the pressure operates a pair of spool valves to first automatically direct a first amount of product water only to drain. Thereafter, the spool valves automatically discontinue flow of the first amount of product water to drain and direct the product water to the accumulator tank.

Abstract: A water purifier unit mounted on the outlet end of a faucet includes a housing defining an inlet port, a labyrinth flow passage, and an output port. The flow passage communicates between the inlet and outlet ports, with the housing carrying a wall formed of ultraviolet-transmissive material adjacent to the labyrinth flow passage. An ultraviolet radiation source is positioned to irradiate the labyrinth flow passage through the wall. In the illustrative embodiment, means are provided for mounting the unit with the inlet port directly connected to the outlet of the faucet.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for treating fluid. In one illustrative embodiment, the treatment comprises the recharging of a resin bed in a water softener. A flow switch and accumulating timer are actuated when a selected flow rate is detected. The accumulating timer is set to a selected elapsed time. A chronological timer is also provided and is set for a selected time of day to recharge the resin bed. A reserve brine capacity is provided by delivering a selected amount of water to a brine tank at predetermined elapsed time intervals of the accumulating timer. The resin bed is recharged when both a selected elapsed time of the accumulating timer has occurred and it is the selected time of day.

Abstract: A system is provided for connecting a plastic tank lining to a penetration fitting which forms an opening through a tank wall. A collar fabricated from a conforming material is arranged to cover a portion of the penetrating fitting. The collar is affixed to the tank lining and forms a tight fit between the lining and the penetrating fitting.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of liquids in predetermined amounts, such as in meat tenderization, through a plurality of relatively small conduits includes a manifold chamber communicating with the relatively small conduits, a source of liquid for delivery, and conduit means providing flow communication between the source of liquid and the manifold chamber. Centrifugal pump means are positioned to pump liquid from the source of liquid to the manifold chamber, with the pump being of a capacity sufficient to create and maintain a generally constant liquid pressure in the manifold chamber irrespective of whether one or all of the relatively small conduits are open to permit liquid flow therethrough. The system typically utilizes a series of liquid delivery stations, with a microprocessor system controlling the amount of liquid delivery through each of the relatively small conduits in a manner dependent upon the weight of the object to which the liquid is being delivered.

Abstract: Apparatus for the administration of solution to a patient at a precisely controlled rate. A length of flexible, collapsible tubing filled with the solution and connectable at one end to a conduit communicating with the vascular system of a patient is advanced through roller means, so that the solution expelled from the tubing is proportional to the rate of advancement of the tubing through the roller means.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for manufacturing flexible plastic blood containers (10) having closed ports (22, 24) and a donor tube (26) extending from one end (20) of the containers. First (12a) and second (12b) webs of plastic material are conveyed to a port sealing station. Mandrels (71-85) are provided intermediate the first and second webs at the port sealing station. The mandrels are moved forwardly through both webs so that the front ends of the mandrels extend past opposed ends of the webs to engage the closed ports and donor tubes. The mandrels are retracted to bring the closed ports and donor tubes intermediate the opposed ends of the webs, and the opposed ends are heat sealed to each other. The mandrels are retracted further to disengage from the closed ports and donor tubes. The webs are conveyed to sealing and cutting stations (64, 66) to seal the sides and other end of the webs and to cut the webs transverse their direction of conveyance.

Abstract: In a potted-type seal for sealing an opening in a relatively rigid housing stress-relief means is provided to prevent excessive shrinkage-induced stress between the compound and the housing. The stress relief means includes a relatively flexible peripheral lip portion as part of the housing or, preferably, as part of the potting compound, which lip portion flexes when the potting compound shrinks to reduce stress between the compound and the housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming novel flexible, collapsible containers from a pair of facing sheet sections, and a stiffener bar positioned between the sheet sections, is disclosed. The pair of facing sheet sections are passed along a process path through a sealing die, with a continuous length of the stiffener bar being positioned between the sheet sections and passed along with process path with the sheet sections. The sealing die forms seal lines between the facing sheet sections to define a group of collapsible containers, each carrying the stiffener bar in transverse relation thereto. Then, at least one of the sheet sections and the stiffener bar is cut through at positions adjacent the edges of the collapsible containers, to permit the separation of the formed collapsible containers, carrying separated stiffener bar sections, from each other.

Abstract: A system is provided for injecting slaughtered animal carcasses with tenderizing solution. The carcasses to be injected are weighed and are conveyed to a plurality of sequential injection stations. A number of injection headers are energized for calculated energization time periods. Each carcass is injected by each injection header with solution that flows automatically for a calculated time period that is directly proportional to the carcass weight. A microprocessor is utilized to provide a separate data storage location for each injection station. Data is provided to each storage location in proper sequence as the side to be injected is conveyed to sequential injection stations. A separate timing means is provided for each injection station, and data from the storage location is transferred to the timing means in sequence as the carcass to be injected is conveyed to sequential injection stations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming novel flexible, collapsible containers from a pair of facing sheet sections, and a stiffener bar positioned between the sheet sections, is disclosed. The pair of facing sheet sections are passed along a process path through a sealing die, with a continuous length of the stiffener bar being positioned between the sheet sections and passed along with process path with the sheet sections. The sealing die forms seal lines between the facing sheet sections to define a group of collapsible containers, each carrying the stiffener bar in transverse relation thereto. Then, at least one of the sheet sections and the stiffener bar is cut through at positions adjacent the edges of the collapsible containers, to permit the separation of the formed collapsible containers, carrying separated stiffener bar sections, from each other.