With Drip, Overflow Or Content Draining Feature Patents (Class 210/248)
  • Publication number: 20010025812
    Abstract: A liquid filter, especially including an oil filter cartridge 12 which is contained in a pot-shaped or cylindrical housing 10 with threaded cover 11, into which a cooler 13 is preferably installed. An outlet opening 37a is contained in the oil cooler which facilitates complete emptying of the cooler when the filter is changed. In this way a complete replacement of the oil can be performed, so that the replaced oil is not contaminated from the outset by residues of the old oil. Thus, service intervals can be lengthened. To prevent a short circuit of the outlet opening 37a during operation, the opening is closed by a valve stem 33 coupled to the threaded cover and opened by unscrewing the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Herbert Jainek, Martin Weindorf, Herbert Dreher
  • Patent number: 6280621
    Abstract: The blood filter cartridge of the invention can be used as a sample cup of an analyzer without sucking bubbles, which comprises a blood filtering material, a holder containing the blood filtering material and having a blood inlet and a filtrate outlet, and a filtrate receiver for receiving filtrate discharged from the filtrate outlet, the filtrate receiver has an upper end having a difference in height or structure for returning the filtrate from the upper end of the filtrate receiver to the filtrate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Yazawa, Takaki Arai, Osamu Seshimoto
  • Patent number: 6267900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the boundary surface between the two mutually separable solutions in liquid—liquid extraction at the discharge end of the separation part and for preventing the aeration of the solutions when discharging them from the separation part, so that the overflow height of the settled, lighter organic solution is maintained constant. In order to adjust the boundary surface in between the mutually separable solutions, the overflow height of the heavier aqueous solution is adjusted by conducting the settled aqueous solution from down upwards through tubular elements, in which case the height of these overflow pipes can be adjusted. The aeration of the solutions when discharging them from the separation part is prevented by conducting the solutions into transfer pipes through covered, shaft-like weir boxes that are deeper than the discharge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Outokumpu Technology Oyj
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Launo Lilja, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Juhani Lyyra, Raimo Kuusisto, Petri Taipale, Timo Saarenp{umlaut over (aa)}
  • Patent number: 6258269
    Abstract: A drain assembly for a fluid filter includes a female valve portion unitary with an end wall of a collection bowl, and having a socket with a cylindrical sidewall and an inner end wall. The end wall includes a plug, and a vent opening radially outward from the plug. A drain opening is provided in the end wall radially outward from the socket. An annular sealing surface is provided radially outward from the drain opening. A threaded sleeve is provided radially outward from the annular sealing surface. A male valve portion is received in the female valve portion, and includes a valve body and valve seal. The valve seal is received in the socket and includes a cylindrical sidewall defining a vent passage, and an inner end with a vent opening to the vent passage. An annular sealing surface is provided radially outward from the sidewall of the valve seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Knight
  • Patent number: 6248237
    Abstract: A filter assembly including an integral filter cartridge and storage pouch is disclosed herein. The storage pouch is configured to hermetically surround the filter cartridge upon removal of the cartridge from an opening of a liquid drainage conduit of the assembly. The drainage conduit can include a shutter for closing the opening of the drainage conduit upon removal of the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Societe d'etudes et de Constructions Aero-Navales
    Inventors: Xavier Mery, Claude Chevallier
  • Patent number: 6224273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of photopolymer printing blocks, which are utilizable for producing printed matter by flexography, typography or dry offset, of the type including a stage for polymerizing areas by exposure to ultraviolet rays; a stage for engraving non-polymerized areas by immersion and brushing in an engraving bath contained in an engraving tank, the bath becoming loaded with dissolved particles or particles in suspension during the engraving stage; and a separation of the constituents of the engraving bath, with the liquid obtained at the time of separation being injected back into the engraving tank, characterized in that the separation consists of filtration, during which the particles are progressively eliminated. The invention also relates to an engraving device for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Mario Ferrante
  • Patent number: 6221246
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly has a tubular standpipe to support successive filter elements within a filter housing closed by a closure plate. A spindle is fixed to the inner surface of the closure plate in position to move into the upper end of the standpipe when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A top filter support is fixed to the spindle in position to be seated on top of a filter in the housing when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A skirt extends downwardly from the closure plate to deflect leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Zakir H. Shums
  • Patent number: 6199578
    Abstract: A fluid container draining device (10) for use in draining a fluid container, such as an oil filter (12) in a controlled manner. It has a drill bit (14) with a sharpened tip (16) and exterior channels (20) on its shaft (18) extending from its tip (16) to a rear region (22). The drill bit (14) is immobilized in an axial bore (3) of a drill bit holder (24) which has a threaded front region (26) which is preferably frustum-shaped. Located rearwardly of the drill bit holder (24) is a valve (42) which when opened up permits fluid to be drained from the fluid container (12) through the channels (20) on the drill bit's shank (18), through the axial bore (30) in the drill bit holder (24), and out through the valve (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: C.H. & I. Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark, II
  • Patent number: 6168722
    Abstract: A method for retrieving excess pharmaceutical process fluid from the hold-up volume of a primary fluid filtration device. The hold-up volume is the volume of excess process fluid which accumulates in the bottom of the filter housing below the outlet opening thereof. Because it is considered valuable, the excess pharmaceutical process fluid is retrieved from the lower housing (22) via a drainage port (23) formed therein below the level of the outlet. The excess process fluid is then filtered in a supplemental filtration device (100) that is connected to the drainage port. The supplemental filtration device has a smaller volumetric capacity than the capacity of the primary fluid filtration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel K. Olsen, John L. Pulek, Jeffrey A. Lucas, Laurie Iturrino, Thomas J. Hamlin, Eric Cizek, Clifford L. Schorr
  • Patent number: 6168710
    Abstract: Improved installation for cleaning/recovering liquids with particles in suspension, which is comprised of a first tank, which contaminated liquid with particles in suspension from cleaning the filtering equipment, reaches. This tank includes a guillotine-like mobile separation element, which subdivides it into two independent compartments. Contaminated liquid reaches one of them and the particles in suspension settle in the other compartment, forming sludge, which is evacuated to a second tank, which includes a grill-tank supplied with a renewable filter bag where the particles in suspension of this sludge are retained, recovering dirty liquid. This dirty liquid is evacuated to a third storage tank, from where it is recycled to the filtering equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ona Electro-Erosion, S.A.
    Inventor: Fernando Martinez Mugica
  • Patent number: 6162355
    Abstract: A liquid inlet opening of a cyclone filter is connected to a discharge opening of a first pump adapted to pump up untreated liquid coolant contained in a reservoir. The cyclone filter separates the liquid coolant fed by the first pump into clean liquid and dirty liquid as it swirls the liquid coolant. A clean liquid outlet of the cyclone filter is connected to the suction opening of a second pump so that liquid coolant with its pressure increased in the second pump is fed under a high pressure to a machine tool. A dirty liquid return pipe is connected to a dirty liquid outlet of the cyclone filter, with the end of the dirty liquid return pipe submerged in the liquid contained in the reservoir. A flow-directing orifice adjacent the clean liquid outlet of the cyclone filter ensures the dirty liquid flows into the dirty liquid return pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha NIKUNI
    Inventors: Yuji Mizuno, Seizo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6159363
    Abstract: A gravity-flow water filter cartridge for use in a drinking water carafe or the like includes a high-surface area cyst reduction filter element disposed in a water-retaining reservoir within the cartridge; the reservoir retains sufficient water between filtering and during dispensing cycles to maintain the filter element in a fully immersed state, whereby the primed (air-free) condition of the filter necessary for fast gravity flow at high cyst reduction efficiency is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Willard A. Cutler, David L. Hickman, Alfred N. Mack
  • Patent number: 6159366
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter assembly having a top piece and a bottom filter canister for receiving a filter element. The top piece includes inlet and outlet passages and is shaped to plunge into the bottom canister when the canister is joined to the top piece and take up space such that when the canister separated from the top piece, the liquid or fuel level in the canister stays below the top, preventing spilling of the liquid. Th inlet passage of the top piece can be angled upward, such that almost all of the air in the canister can be quickly bled back into a fuel tank holding the fuel to be filtered by the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Randall Scott Carroll
  • Patent number: 6149802
    Abstract: A solvent recovery apparatus for recovering low volatility solvent from a washing fluid slop includes a settling system and a filtering system. The settling system includes one or more settling stages and an off-take by which settled, re-usable solvent may be recovered. The filtering system uses a single filter press to filter batches of wastewater, with solids, and batches of solvent sludge, with solids, such that cleaned wastewater filtrate may be discarded, benign removed solids may be dried and sent to landfill, and solvent filtrate may be returned to the input end of the solvent recovery apparatus for re-processing. The solvent recovery apparatus can use a two stage settling system which permits an initial separation of most of the wastewater, and a secondary settling of a solvent rich portion of the slop. The secondary settling can be performed with a system of alternating settling tanks in which one tank is allowed to settle while another is being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.
    Inventors: Dino Louis Zavarise, Kenneth Oswald Dunn, Bernardus Murray Antoine Henri Tangelder
  • Patent number: 6139738
    Abstract: A filter includes a casing enclosing a filter cartridge and a removable collection bowl. The filter cartridge includes a filter media ring with upper and lower end caps. The lower end cap of the filter cartridge has a ring-shaped member projecting axially downward. The ring-shaped member has an annular portion with radially inward-directed threads, whereby the collection bowl, with radially outward-directed threads, can be removably attached to the cartridge. The ring-shaped member further includes radial flow passages between the threads and the end cap, whereby contaminants may pass from a peripheral region of the filter element interiorly of the ring-shaped member and downwardly into the attached collection bowl. The filter includes an anti-rotation feature, comprising radially outward-directed keys, disposed circumferentially around the annular portion of the ring-shaped member and projecting radially-outward therefrom, and slots formed on the inside surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Martin C. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6132602
    Abstract: This clarification plant consists of a circulating reactor in a housing which has a treatment area and a sedimentation area and which is characterized by at least one gas-input element and at least one treatment element which interlock with each other; in the gas input element, the water to be purified is highly enriched with oxygen and subsequently undergoes strong turbulence in the treatment element. The gas input elements and the treatment elements are modularly constructed out of disk-shaped components so that the clarification plant can be scaled as desired. The main purification is done by means of biological reduction processes in micro-organisms which are specifically introduced or cultivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Wolfgang Luehr
  • Patent number: 6126336
    Abstract: An etching device for preparing flexible blocks which can be used for printing in flexography, typography or dry offset generally includes an etching tank containing a bath (22) and brushes (3), a stirring and heating device, and an overfill system (20) for discharging the solution from the etching tank through an outlet duct (21) to a separation device. The separation device includes a reception vat (14) having an upper part which is equipped with a device (10) for separating the water and the polymer, and at least one filtering membrane (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Photomeca/Egg
    Inventor: Mario Ferrante
  • Patent number: 6123838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying separator waste water from a dry cleaning process. The present invention utilizes 3 stages of purification. In Stage one, highly contaminated separator waste water is put into a solvent separator tank. Liquid solvent settles out of the separator waste water, sink to the bottom of the solvent separation tank where it accumulates below the separated water. In Stage 2 air bubbles are introduced through the separated water, stripping out much of the solvent which is dissolved in the separated water and reducing the dissolved solvent concentration. This air stripping process dramatically extends to useful life of the granulated carbon in the granulated eaton filter. Stage 3 takes the air stripped water and filters it through a granulated carbon filter, which results in the carbon purified water having a dissolved solvent of less than 0.7 parts per million. The carbon purified water can then be safely and economically disposed of without harming the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Evaporation Technology International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Grossman
  • Patent number: 6120686
    Abstract: A filler casing houses a plurality of filter cartridges. Each cartridge has a permeable top and bottom surface and impermeable sides. Water is forced under pressure through the cartridges to accomplish filtering. Each cartridge may have a different filtering material and are removable from the casing. In this manner, the filter cartridges can be selected according to the types of impurities to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Roland Bilz
  • Patent number: 6110389
    Abstract: A filtration tank (1) for purification of polluted water includes a chamber (12). Upper and lower filtration screens (20, 22) are supported within the chamber. Filtration particles (18) are confined between the upper and lower screens. Polluted water enters the chamber through an inlet (26), passes through the screens and the filtration particles and exits the chamber through a purified water outlet (28). Periodically, the inlet and outlet are closed and the water in the chamber is drained through a drain outlet (32). Nozzles (42, 45) spray cleaning fluid over the filter particles and screens to dislodge trapped dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Amikam Horowitz
  • Patent number: 6090283
    Abstract: A fluid filter for liquid media with a removable filter insert and a drain opening having a spring-loaded closure element associated therewith. The closure element is held by the filter insert in a closing position that seals the drain opening, and separates from the drain opening when the filter insert is loosened or is removable. The spring is designed as an elongated spring having a U-shaped design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Firma Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Schumann, Gerhard Wiemeyer
  • Patent number: 6063272
    Abstract: An activated carbon filter is regenerated while it remains positioned in a filter vessel by first draining both unfiltered and filtered water out of the vessel and then applying an electric current through the activated carbon body of the filter to drive off contaminants. An inert gas is directed through the filter in a direction opposite to that of the liquid flow and then contaminants are moved from the filter vessel to a multi-stage catalytic converter where they are completely oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Screen Lore Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Herbst
  • Patent number: 6063275
    Abstract: An accumulator for use in a reverse osmosis (RO) system of the type in which the RO reject water is routed through a backflow prevention device, and then through a conduit section to a drainage conduit for eventual emptying into a sewer system. The accumulator is mounted around the conduit section to define a water collection chamber. Any backflowing water form the drainage conduit that flows into the conduit section is allowed to pass from the conduit section into the water collection chamber, and to drain out of the water collection chamber into the conduit section when there is an absence of backflowing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Paul L Traylor
  • Patent number: 6056874
    Abstract: Spillable oil from an oil filter and adjacent engine cavities of trapped engine oil is transferred outwardly through filter housing sidewalls at designated low points to a temporary boot container by gravity following a piercing operation through the filter housing. Oil transfer to the container is performed prior to breaking the seal between the engine block and the filter. All of the spillable oil is caught in the boot containment device which incorporates internal tack like hollow piercing elements. The required piercing force to drive the tacks into the filter wall may be applied to the exterior of the filter boot using common filter strap wrenches, or by light taps from a hammer, wrench or similar tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Lowell R. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6045693
    Abstract: A fluid filter for assembly onto a filter head includes a combination of features such that the assembly of the fluid filter onto the filter head establishes radial flow paths within the fluid filter. The filter head includes an externally threaded outer wall and includes an annular inner wall which defines a flow opening. The inner wall is shaped with a protruding portion and a substantially horizontal bearing surface. The fluid filter includes an enclosing outer shell and a filtering element positioned within the outer shell. A support spring is positioned in the base of the outer shell so that it is axially positioned between the outer shell and the filtering element. An internally threaded nutplate is assembled to the outer shell and threadedly engages the externally-threaded outer wall of the filter head. An inner seal is positioned between the nutplate and the primary filtering element and is designed so as to define a hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Miller, A. Caner Demirdogen, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 6042735
    Abstract: Process and device for draining a fibrous pulp suspension. The process may include positioning two surfaces to converge in a downstream direction, feeding the fibrous pulp suspension between the two converging surfaces, driving at least one of the two converging surfaces to move the suspension with a relative translational velocity, and draining the fibrous pulp suspension through each of the two surfaces. The device may include two arcuate surfaces positioned to form converging surfaces. One of the two arcuate surfaces may include a drivable, pivotable, and rotatable cylinder having an outer sleeve with openings, the other of the two arcuate surfaces may include a screen positioned to be guided around at least a portion of the outer sleeve. The screen and the openings may form drains for draining the fluid pulp suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Stoffaufbereitung GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Gommel, Herbert Holik, Josef Schneid
  • Patent number: 6042721
    Abstract: An effluent treatment apparatus, and associated methods of use, are provided for treating in a closed-loop configuration a volume of effluent contained in a holding vessel. The apparatus includes one or more treatment tank units arranged to hold a volume of molecular filtering material capable of removing one or more toxic contaminants from the effluent, al least in part, as the effluent contacts the surface areas of the molecular filtering material within each tank unit. A pump unit is provided to draw effluent from the holding vessel and deliver the effluent to selected tank units to effect treatment. The apparatus further includes fluidic conduit structures to fluidically couple the holding vessel, a pre-filter, the pump, and each selected tank unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fabco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Peters, Jr., James Lee McManus
  • Patent number: 6040491
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for dewatering and containing radioactive, aqueous waste (44), the latter is introduced into a filtration container (12) and is ultimately disposed of in a disposable container structure (12, 48, 50), which comprises the filtration container (12) holding the dewatered waste (44), as well as an outer container (50) enclosing the filtration container (12). The filtration container is an inner sack (12) having a bottom (13) which is provided with a straining cloth and through which essentially all the dewatering is carried out. After the dewatering operation has been completed, the inner sack (12) is sealed and placed in the outer container (50) in order to be ultimately disposed of. For purposes of cleaning, the filtration water (17) may be recirculated through the waste during the dewatering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Vattenfall AB
    Inventor: Sony Sjowall
  • Patent number: 6033578
    Abstract: Method for removing an oil filter from an engine when the filter is to be replaced or removed and apparatus for assisting such oil filter removal. An air valve is positioned on the casing of the oil filter and air is injected into the volume of the oil filter surrounding the internal filter. The air displaces oil in the oil filter. This reduces the quantity of oil in the oil filter and, after the air chuck and compressed air line are removed from the air valve, allows the oil filter to be removed without dripping oil on the floor of the garage or on the operator performing the servicing of the oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Gordon Edward Loewen
  • Patent number: 6019894
    Abstract: An assembly for connection to the drain of a cooking appliance which diverts low volume flow effluent from the drain is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipe defining a main flow channel. An auxiliary exit port is connected to said pipe in such a way that the low volume flow will be diverted from the pipe into said auxiliary exit port. A hot water entry pipe port is also connected to said pipe and is in connection with a hot water source which provides a flow of hot water into said pipe. Additionally, a solenoid valve regulates the flow of hot water into said pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Clearline Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Batten
  • Patent number: 5951865
    Abstract: This invention relates to a compact water filtering apparatus which is portable and convenient for personal use especially when travelling. The device in its simplest form comprises three interdependent members, two storage members which stack one upon the other in its working configuration, and a filtering member which is attached to the bottom of the upper storage member for filtering tap water contained in the top storage member. When desired, the top member may be inserted into the lower member in a nested configuration for convenience when travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Edward C. Mayled
  • Patent number: 5928511
    Abstract: An oil filter including a filter housing, a cover and a filter element arranged within the filter housing and provided with an outlet channel which is closed by a seal when the cover is in a closed position and which allows oil situated in the filter housing to run out into a collecting tank when the cover is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Messner, Herbert Jainek
  • Patent number: 5922196
    Abstract: A filter for filtering lubricating oil or fuel for an internal combustion engine is disclosed herein. The filter includes a filter housing having an inner end for connection to a connection flange associated with the internal combustion engine and an outer end connected to a detachable cover. The inner end of the housing includes a filter inlet duct, a filter return duct, and a plurality of coaxially spaced radial filter seals for providing a seal between the filter housing and the connection flange. The connection flange includes a connection inlet duct in matching registry with the filter inlet duct, a connection return duct in matching registry with the filter return duct, and a plurality of coaxially spaced sealing surfaces each in matching registry with a respective one of the radial filter seals. A locking connection is provided for securing the filter housing against the connection flange at a plurality of said angular positions with respect to the connecting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Baumann
  • Patent number: 5902479
    Abstract: An oil filter includes a housing having a case and a cap detachably engaged with each other and a filter element detachably contained in the housing. An oil-draining hole is provided at a bottom portion of the case. The oil filter further includes a plug member for opening and closing the draining oil hole and a spring member for operating the plug member according to an engagement state of the case and the cap. At an intermediate condition of the engagement state of the case and the cap, the plug member moves to the cap side to open the oil-draining hole. Therefore, before changing the filter element, oil staying in the oil filter can be readily securely discharged to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Sadahito Fukumori, Masahiro Tomita, Kazuki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 5888384
    Abstract: A fluid filter having a substantially pot-shaped housing 10 in which is disposed a filter insert 11 including a pleated filter element 18 and end plates 19 and 20. The housing has a mounting flange 12 and a cover 13. The cover is connected to the mounting flange by a threaded connection or a bayonet connection. The fluid filter is attached by the mounting flange 12 to a supporting structure by at least one catch or a hinge in the form of a holding flange 29 and a projection 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Wiederhold, Rainer Mueller, Leipelt Rudolf
  • Patent number: 5882508
    Abstract: An easy clean system (18) for a gutter (20) at the eaves (24) of a roof (26) on a building (28) comprising a leader (34) connected to an aperture (36) in the gutter (20), so that the leader (34) will extend vertically down along an exterior wall (38) of the building (28) and carry rainwater away from the roof (26). A facility (40) within the leader (34) is for separating any dirt and debris (30) that falls into the rainwater in the gutter (20), so that the rainwater will flow without obstruction out through the leader (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Jean St-Jacques
  • Patent number: 5876598
    Abstract: An improved modular system of solids separation is described. In the invention, a settling tank is provided which consists of one or more hoppers having sloped sides downwardly to a drain. Liquids with entrained solids are permitted to accumulate within the hopper as the solids settle until the settling has been completed; whereupon a pump lowered into the liquid is used to decant the liquid. The pump is suspended from a flexible conduit and is lowered as the liquid level lowers so that it remains submerged until the pump reaches a predetermined level above the level of the suspended solids. The sludge is removed from the hopper by gravity flow by opening a drain valve in the bottom therein and an anti-vortexing cap is provided over the drain. The cap has sides which conform to the hopper vessels but slope in the opposite direction so that the lower edge of the cap side is a predetermined distance from the hopper side adjacent the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Environmental Treatment Facility, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5871647
    Abstract: The wastewater treatment unit is operable under high intermittent flow rate variations. It comprises a first clarifier in which is carried out a gravitational settling of solids and a second clarifier comprising a network of parallel plates inclined with respect to the vertical and a portion defining a collecting pit. Each plate has an upper edge positioned at a height lower than the filling level of the first clarifier to define an overflow giving access to the collecting pit. The network of plates allows to carry out a further settling of solids to create a counterflow of settled matter toward the first clarifier and a flow of clarified wastewater falling in the collecting pit. A filtering chamber is positioned above the first clarifier and comprises a filtering media supporting a biomass for digesting the organic content of the wastewater coming from the second clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Yves Lord
  • Patent number: 5863443
    Abstract: A filter device used to remove organic and inorganic debris from a liquid stream, such as irrigation water. The device comprises a diverter tube having a plurality of apertures therein to divert a significant portion of the liquids entering the device onto a filter screen, thereby filtering out the lighter debris on the screen. A portion of the liquid flows through the diverter tube with the heavier debris entrained therein, which settles out by gravity in a dead water zone at the lowermost end of the device. A flush valve can be opened, permitting the heavier debris to be swept out, and back-flushing the lighter debris off of the filter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy Mainwaring
  • Patent number: 5855796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purifier for removing noxious pollutant substances contained in fresh water, such as tap water, to purify the water, and more particularly to a water discharging control device for a water purifier, that is capable of correctly determining an appropriate time for completing a water discharging operation on the basis of a residual amount of contaminated water remaining in a water tank, thereby correctly performing the water discharging operation for, for example, purified water which has been stored in the water tank for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geum-Suk Joung
  • Patent number: 5855780
    Abstract: A filter assembly including a filter housing having a standpipe extending upwardly therethrough, in which is located a spring-biased flow element, and about which is received a replaceable filter element. A screw threaded cover is removably attached to the housing. The filter element includes an upper endcap, a center tube, a lower endcap and cylindrical filter media around the center tube. The lower endcap includes a central opening which receives upwardly therethrough the standpipe in sealed relation. A separate actuator with a projection formed to extend therefrom is located in the center tube, either fixedly or movably, below the upper endcap. When the filter element is placed over the standpipe, and the cover attached to the housing, the projection on the actuator pushes down against the spring-biased flow element, putting cavities formed in the flow element and openings formed in the standpipe in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Performance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dye, John Lowsky, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5855774
    Abstract: A storm drain filter (10) functioning to remove selected substances from water flowing through a municipal storm drain. The storm drain filter (10) has an absorption filter (18) functioning to absorb selectable substances from a liquid. The absorption filter (18) comprises an absorption filter frame (18A) enclosing an absorption filter absorbing material (18B) between pairs of at least two absorption filter longitudinal retainers (18C) and at least two absorption filter transverse retainers (18D). The at least two absorption filter longitudinal retainers (18C) and at least two absorption filter transverse retainers (18D) function to retain the absorption filter absorbing material (18B) within the absorption filter frame (18A). A tray (16) functions to support the absorption filter (18). The tray rear (16B) comprises at least one orifice (16BA) functioning to permit liquid to flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Carl Boelter
  • Patent number: 5849202
    Abstract: A process and device for the filtration of solid-liquid mixtures, in particular, solid-liquid suspensions with readily sedimenting substances, uses a filtration device such as a rotary filter optionally operating at an overpressure and in a pressure vessel. The process primarily comprises producing a movement in addition to the natural or usual filtration movement of the or in the mixture. Conveniently, a filtration device and, in particular, with rotary filters in a pressure vessel, includes a partly open feeding device, in particular, a feeding pipe for the supply of mixture or suspension, and a device for additionally influencing the natural or usual filtration movement of or in the mixture or suspension for generating an additional flow of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft M.B.H.
    Inventors: Manfred Koch, Hubert Riemer
  • Patent number: 5846416
    Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly comprises a cylindrical housing, a top plate assembly, a top plate attachment member, and a replaceable coreless filter element. The housing has means for removably connecting the housing to the top plate, and a hollow central core having an open first end and being connected to the closed end of the housing at the second end. The central core has a plurality of fluid outlet perforations. The top plate has a rim, fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means extending through the top plate. The top plate attachment member has a tubular shape, and a fluid outlet port extending through it. The coreless filter element having annular end caps on first and second open ends is disposed in the housing. The fluid inlet means of the top plate are in fluid communication with a fluid inlet chamber defined by the filter element and housing. The central core extends into the first open end of the filter and the hollow cylindrical chamber of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Gullett
  • Patent number: 5837132
    Abstract: By providing a fuel treating system with a strategically positioned sight-glass, it is possible to replace an fuel filter without either spilling large amounts of fuel all over or allowing for air bubbles, which can degrade the lubricating system's operation and cause siphoning. The sight-glass is positioned above the fuel inlet and outlet passages but below the filter. Thus, as soon as no fuel is seen in the sight-glass, a mechanic knows that the fuel filter has been substantially emptied of fuel yet the fuel inlet and outlet are still full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Erwin E. Hurner
  • Patent number: 5827428
    Abstract: A water dispenser includes a housing in which a tank is disposed for containing purified water. A valve is disposed at a front of the housing for enabling a user to dispense the purified water. A water collecting tub is disposed beneath the valve for collecting spilled water. A drainage hose communicates with a lower portion of the tub for draining-away collected water. A removable filter is removably mounted across an inlet of the drainage passage for filtering-out foreign substances that might otherwise block the drainage hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Beung-Kwon Chang
  • Patent number: 5820762
    Abstract: An insert for a storm drain or sanitary sewer inlet such as are found in factory or warehouse floors, parking lots and car washes in which the insert holds one or more bags of filter media. The bags have a very open structure such as coarse weave cotton permitting water entering the drain to pass through each bag and the filter media inside the bag. The entire bag may be conveniently withdrawn from the insert and replaced as the filter media becomes saturated. Preferably, a first bag contains an absorbant cellulose particulate media which absorbs oils and greases and post non-volatile hydrocarbons and a second bag contains specially textured activated carbon which absorbs organically bound heavy metals and volatile hydrocarbons as well other VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Various types of filter media and configurations of these media also allows for the removal of dissolved heavy metals, and even the removal of pathogenic microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Bamer, Gregory Stevens Conrad
  • Patent number: 5814215
    Abstract: A lubricating oil filter for internal combustion engines is disclosed herein. The oil filter includes a vertical housing closed at the top by a screw cover and includes a filter support rotatably mounted on the screw cover for removably supporting an annular filter element. The filter support includes a valve element at a bottom end thereof for closing an additional outlet port at the bottom of the housing when the cover and filter support are installed on the housing and for opening the additional outlet port when the cover and filter support are removed from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Knecht Filterwerke GmbH
    Inventors: Elke Bruss, Hans Jensen, Rolf Mohle
  • Patent number: 5804080
    Abstract: A method of operating a filter system of a swimming pool in proportion to the degree of contamination of the water in said pool by processing a signal representative of the number of persons within the pool and other values characteristic of the pool and the filter system to derive a signal for controlling the output of said filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Bodo Klingenberger
  • Patent number: 5804069
    Abstract: A mesh enclosed container is provided to remove melt water from frozen blocks of contaminated sediment which has been extracted from a marine environment. The mesh enclosure has a number of porous wicking tubes for insertion into corresponding cavities in the frozen sediment blocks. Wicking material is inserted into the tubes to enhance melt water flow out of the sediment blocks during the thawing cycle. A sealed container may be provided to enclose the block and meshed container to prevent escape of volatile materials during the thawing cycle. The sealed container will also collect melt water accumulated during the thawing cycle. A method of melting frozen marine sediment blocks is provided to recover treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Lars Leander Eriksson