With Drip, Overflow Or Content Draining Feature Patents (Class 210/248)
  • Patent number: 5391293
    Abstract: Filtered water dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical seamless casing cut from an extruded PVC pipe having preselected inner and outer diameters, the casing being further characterized by having a longitudinal axis, an upper portion and a lower portion. An upper partition having a vertical central section and integral oppositely disposed top and bottom horizontally extending sections with the edges thereof being shaped to fit with the preselected inner diameter is removably mounted within and is connected to the upper portion of the casing and supports a water spigot and also provides a horizontal surface for supporting a container to receive filtered water from the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Water Horse Inc.
    Inventor: George M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5389253
    Abstract: Apparatus for pouring used fuel and other fluids into a large container comprising a funnel fabricated of a rigid material and having a lower extent of a cylindrical configuration with a small diameter and a limited height with external threads thereon, an upper extent of a cylindrical configuration with a large diameter and a limited height, and an intermediate extent of a frustroconical configuration extending between the upper extent and the lower extent, the upper and intermediate and lower extents having a common axis with the surface of the intermediate extent forming an angle of between about 20 and 40 degrees with respect to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Michael G. Cicconi
  • Patent number: 5382360
    Abstract: A spill free clean out type sink trap includes a cover sealingly and detachably mounted on a container and, in one embodiment, respective individual inlet and outlet conduits are spaced apart laterally from one another. The conduits both project downwardly below the cover into the container in which case, during use, the water level in the container is spaced from the cover. This is an air space of sufficient volume to receive and hold the liquid, normally retained in the conduits, when the seal between the cover and container is broken. In another embodiment, inlet and outlet conduits are concentric and the outlet conduit projects into a further conduit to an extent such that the lower open end thereof is below the normal liquid level. The further conduit projects sufficiently downwardly into the container such that the liquid free volume in the container is greater than the volume of liquid contained in the lower end of the inlet conduit and the further conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: George W. Vosper
  • Patent number: 5366084
    Abstract: A new and improved container positionable over oil filters of motor for precluding the spillage of oil comprising of sidewalls in a cylindrical configuration over the majority of their extent, the sidewalls forming free lower ends and free upper ends, the upper ends being formed with an outwardly flare in a cone-like configuration, the sidewalls being fabricated of an absorbent cardboard-like material. A cap formed with a lower generally planar base and upstanding cylindrical walls, the cylindrical walls including an upper interior surface of a size to receive the lower ends of the sidewalls, the lower exterior surface being formed with axially extending flutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: George Post
  • Patent number: 5366627
    Abstract: A thorough wash operation of a process fluid is conducted within the confines of an enclosed housing. The housing includes four ports at one side of the housing for transmission of process fluids through a plurality of press frames so as to (1) separate solids from a principal liquid to recover a valuable commodity in the solid cakes formed from the principal liquid, or (2) remove contaminants from the principal liquid so as to recover a cleansed principal liquid, or (3) introduce a valuable commodity into a wash liquid from filter cakes formed from the principal liquid, which valuable commodity may subsequently be removed from the wash liquid. A drip pan hopper is removably secured to a bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Stavo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Kearney, George T. Quigley
  • Patent number: 5355719
    Abstract: A drain separator in a gas analyzer is provided to rapidly remove drain or condensate from a gas flow by creating a rotary motion in the gas flow prior to introducing it into a separating chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, separating chamber 2, formed as a downwardly divergent conical space, connects with gas-inlet passage 6 at its upper end and an exhaust gas-outlet passage 3 at the periphery of its base. A sample gas-outlet passage 8 is disposed within separating chamber 2 in a coaxially aligned, vertically spaced opposing relationship to gas-inlet passage 6. Rotation of the gas flow may be accomplished by a vane 7, disposed within gas-inlet passage 6. Upon introduction of the rotating gas flow into separating chamber 2, the pressure on the flow is reduced causing the drain to condense and become distributed about the circumference of the low pressure gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltr.
    Inventors: Hiroji Kohsaka, Tokihiro Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5340477
    Abstract: A separator apparatus for breaking emulsions, particularly an emulsion formed of the hydrocarbon liquid and an aqueous solution, wherein the emulsion is introduced to a main separating tank. The latter includes at least one inlet for introducing emulsion, and a separate discharge port for conducting hydrocarbon-free aqueous component from the tank. An overflow trough positioned near the tank proportion includes a stripping weir which passes the flow of the hydrocarbon which has floated to the surface of the heavier water component. Emulsion flow to the tank is controlled by a flow regulator comprised primarily of a water level sensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Simon
  • Patent number: 5322624
    Abstract: A drain/fill/sensor port for use in fuel filters and a method for making the same. The port comprises a ferrule attached to a sheet metal shell which is formed with a domed end portion having a central aperture. The ferrule includes four angularly spaced slots adapted to receive and interlock with tabs spaced angularly around the aperture in order to fasten the ferrule securely to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. D. Rogers, Russell D. Ridgway, Wilhelm A. A. Perleberg
  • Patent number: 5322625
    Abstract: A filter element 28 for a gravity-flow water filter. An inlet screen 44 divides a cylinder 48 into two functionally distinct portions, an overflow chamber 24, and a filter body 26 which contains a filter medium 54. A wire half-loop 16 suspends overflow chamber 24 from an adjustable water source and positions overflow chamber 24 to catch the water outflow from the source. Wire half-loop 16 also positions overflow chamber 24 at a distance from the source so that there is a gap 22 between overflow chamber 24 and the source. The potential for water rising and spilling from overflow chamber 24 induces a user to adjust the source flow to less than a characteristic rate. When the flow is adjusted so that water level in overflow chamber 24 is not rising, the water level continues dropping until the flow of water from the source continuously enters the screened entrance of filter body 26 with no appreciable pressure head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Gerald Rise
  • Patent number: 5312546
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly of a type wherein a disposable cartridge element is suspended below a base is adapted so that cartridge replacement may be accomplished in a dry or spill-free fashion. A plug is dimensioned and positioned within the base and extends into the mounted cartridge to occupy a pre-established cartridge volume. When the cartridge is axially dismounted from the base, the cartridge essentially gains free volume. The free volume gain allows for the cartridge to capture any fuel which may drain from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
    Inventor: Leon P. Janik
  • Patent number: 5300223
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a base and a filter cartridge removably mounted on the base. The filter cartridge is held in place on the base by a first set of latching members or fingers. When the cartridge is to be changed, a clipping ring from which the fingers extend is rotated relative to the base, urging the fingers up a camming surface to thereby release the first set of fingers and allow the seal between the cartridge and base to be broken, while the cartridge is retained on the base by a longer second set of fingers. Upon additional rotation of the clipping ring, the longer fingers are released, thereby permitting removal of the cartridge from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Allen B. Wright
  • Patent number: 5298170
    Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber for mixing and neutralizing spent photographic developer and fixer. The fixer inlet discharging into a vertically oriented conduit located within the vessel, which contains iron therein and defines a gravity flow path for flow of the fixer within the vessel from the inlet to the bottom of the vessel. A layer of steel wool is positioned on the bottom of the vessel in the flow path of the fixer. Baffles inside the chamber promote mixing of the developer and fixer. The desilvered fluid is diluted with wash water before it is discharged from the chamber. A wash water inlet tube is aligned with an open ended vessel that surrounds the discharge outlet to dilute the mixed and neutralized developer and fixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Gunter Woog
  • Patent number: 5298160
    Abstract: A filtration system 10 for use to separate contamination from a liquid is provided, including an elongated tubular housing 14 which has a closed end 16 and an open end 18. Located within the housing 14 is an elongated perforated tubular member 20 which has openings 22. A separating baffle 24 for prohibiting flow between the housing 14 and the tubular member 20 is located near the closed end 16 of housing 14. A first fluid port 39 in the housing 32 is located between the filter element 12 and the open end 18. A second port 32 is located in the housing 14 between the filter element 12 and the closed end 16. The filter element 14 is installed and removed through the open end 16 of the housing 14 and is installed between the housing 14 and the member 20. A cover 66 is placed over the open end 16 of the housing 14 in order that fluid which is contained within the housing 14 may be sealed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Central Illinois Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: William R. Ayers, Jerald R. Rexroad
  • Patent number: 5290434
    Abstract: The invention presented relates to a septic system which doses effluent into a disposal field. More particularly, the invention includes a relatively water-tight walled structure capable of accumulating a volume of septic tank effluent; a disposal field dosing system having at least one outlet conduit having an outlet end and an inlet end; a stand pipe which extends from each of the outlet conduits towards the top of the structure; a float having a chamber having an opening on an upper surface thereof; at least one feed conduit having an inlet end located within the chamber and an outlet end in operative connection with the inlet end of the outlet conduit; and a jointed coupler which forms the operative connection between the feed conduit(s) and outlet conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: James G. Richard
  • Patent number: 5269338
    Abstract: A siphon structure includes a hose having an inlet housing whose cylindrical side wall includes a lower portion formed of a mesh web, with the mesh web having openings and the openings including further intersecting filaments therebetween to minimize siphoning force against the inlet cylinder, having a cylinder diameter greater than a siphon tube diameter of the organization preventing drawing of fish thereagainst during siphoning of an associated aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Dolores B. Figas
  • Patent number: 5229009
    Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber for mixing and neutralizing spent photographic developer and fixer. A baffle and long folded ribbons inside the chamber promote mixing of the developer and fixer. A source of iron ions such as fine steel wool is immersed in the fluids. Ion exchange between the steel wool and the photographic fixer recovers silver from the fixer. The desilvered fluid is diluted with wash water before it is discharged from the chamber. A wash water inlet tube is directly aligned with the discharge outlet opening in the chamber so that wash water can flow almost directly into the outlet tube to dilute the mixed and neutralized developer and fixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Gunter Woog
  • Patent number: 5223154
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and media for filtering liquids are especially suited for insertion into an existing storm water catch basin. The filtration that occurs reduces concentration of storn water runoff pollutants including heavy metals, suspended solids, particles and oil and grease. While being able to handle the high flow rates of storm water runoff, the filters also remove small particles and oil and grease the filters are arranged such that overflow from uppermost filters, as they become clogged, is directed by overflow weirs to change direction to allow filtration by lower filters. Storm water surges during peak intensity are permitted to over flow directly into a catch basin to prevent ponding. The invention can also be used above ground to treat pumped liquid from industrial and environmental sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Emcon Northwest, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. MacPherson, Jr., Brian L. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 5207903
    Abstract: A modular filter drain assembly for a duplex filter having two upright filter canisters each containing a plurality of replaceable cylindrical filter elements includes a sump base pan, liquid impervious, with sides walls embracing the lower portion of the filter canisters and of the entire drain assembly; a stand outboard of each of the filter canisters, each of the stands having vertical legs at corners, a top drain pan near an upper end of the legs and supported thereby, a filter element support pan intermediate the top drain pan and the sump pan, and a platform extending between the stands. The top drain pan has filter element receiving passages near the platform and a drain passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 5196112
    Abstract: An oil drain apparatus is directed into an oil filter boss in an operative association with a valve to permit selective flow of oil from the valve directed from the oil filter boss. The invention is directed to further include a flexible hose positioned in tension directed through a housing, with its lower distal end positioned above a magnetic grid to permit visual observation of debris directed from the associated internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: James F. Eichman
  • Patent number: 5169541
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for inhibiting the unintentional spillage of hazardous materials, particularly while changing filters or other storage media in environments such as service station fuel dispensers and other fuel depots. A preferred embodiment includes mechanisms for permanently attaching such apparatus and securing the same against unintended rotational or translational displacement, as well as collecting and diverting mechanisms and mechanisms to inhibit the improper removal of such filters or storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Welex Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Wells
  • Patent number: 5160606
    Abstract: A waste water recovery system for transporting waste water to a reuse entity, such as an irrigation system, utilizing a holding tank having an upper portion and an opposite lower portion. A waste water conduit directs water into the holding tank. Water from the holding tank is transported through an outlet conduit by the use of a pump. An overflow conduit permits water to leave the waste water holding tank should excess amounts of waste water flow into the holding tank. A power switching mechanism activates the pump only when the holding tank contains a predetermined amount of waste water. The waste water is treated in the holding tank by gaseous ozone to obviate microbial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventors: Mitch D. De Simone, Bruce G. Heieren
  • Patent number: 5151174
    Abstract: The discharge conduit by which clarified sewage is withdrawn from a sewage clarification plant comprises a headwater conduit section and a low-water conduit section, the latter being separated from the former. The two conduit sections are connected to each other by at least one overground tube, the tube being designed as a siphon. An UV irradiation apparatus is provided for disinfecting the clarified sewage. However, the UV irradiation apparatus is not arranged in the discharge conduit, but is built in into the siphon. This solution has the advantage that the UV irradiation apparatus, which is installed overground, is less susceptible to failure and can more easily be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Rudolf Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 5149423
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying waste water by precipitating out foreign material as solids and separating the solids from the purified water comprising a rotatable semi-cylindrical open container and a band filter beneath the container for receiving the contents of the container and separating the precipitated solids from the purified water. As the container slowly rotates, the contents spill over the edge of the container onto the moving band filter. The purified water is recovered in a filtrate container beneath the filter while the solids are discharged to waste from the end of the band filter. A microprocessor controls the sequence of operations, including the rotation of the container, the stirring mechanism, the feeding of the precipitation agent and the duration of stirring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Ralf F. Piepho
  • Patent number: 5139658
    Abstract: A fluid filter mount is affixed to the top closure wall of a fluid reservoir, such as for a hydraulic power unit, wherein the housing for the filter mounting is positioned below the top closure of the reservoir with the fluid inlet and fluid outlets also being provided in the housing below the top closure of the reservoir. The filter mount housing has an upwardly extending portion which extends into an opening in the top closure of the reservoir for exposure thereabove and is adapted to receive a canister type fluid filter thereon in sealed engagement with the filter in an upright position such that the fluid inlet and outlet are registered in communication with the filter for flow-through filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Fluidraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rex Hodge
  • Patent number: 5132022
    Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber for mixing and neutralizing spent photographic developer and fixer. A baffle and long folded ribbons inside the chamber promote mixing of the developer and fixer. A source of iron ions such as fine steel wool is immersed in the fluids. Ion exchange between the steel wool and the photographic fixer recovers silver from the fixer. The desilvered fluid is diluted with wash water before it is discharged from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Gunter Woog
  • Patent number: 5132009
    Abstract: A filter arrangement (26) for a fuel system (10) having a cartridge (92) located in a bore (48) of a housing (42) for sequentially interruption flow communication from the bore (48) to a regulator (14) through an outlet port (44) and to the bore (48) through an inlet port (46) from a source (16) of fuel prior to the removal of the cartridge (94) from a housing (42). The housing (42) has a vent port (52) and a drain port (54) which are opened to allow fuel in the bore (48) to flow to a storage container (56) once the outlet (44) and inlet (46) ports are closed so that fuel is not lost from the fuel system (10) on the removal of the cartridge (94) from the bore (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Jr., Francis A. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 5104524
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for washing a solvent in the recessing of irradiated nuclear fuel. The solvent is washed with an aqueous solution in a mixer-settler having at least one stage which includes a mixing chamber and a settling chamber. The pH is measured by a sensor adjacent stirring means in the mixing chamber and is coupled to a controller controlling metering of the washing solution. The pH of the dispersion in the mixing chamber is measured and an amount of washing solution is added which influences the pH toward the desired operational value. Various recycling means and weir overflow means also influence pH control and the washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Eiben, Heinz Evers
  • Patent number: 5098559
    Abstract: A liquid filter for cleaning the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine which comprises a vertically upstanding filter housing 10 closed at the top by a removable cover 12. In this filter housing there is a filter insert 18 which is removable for maintenance and separates a dirty liquid chamber 41 from a filtrate chamber 42 in the filter housing. When the cover 12 is opened and the filter insert 18 is removed, the liquid drains out through a drain passagway 17. This drain passageway 17 is provided with a shut-off device 25 which shuts off the drain passageway 17 when the filter insert 18 is installed, and which opens this drain passageway 17 when the filter insert 18 is loosened. The shut-off device 25 is a compact unit which can be mounted and inspected outside the filter housing 10, and can be used for filter housings of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Mack, Jaroslav Pavlin
  • Patent number: 5092988
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing water quality for subsurface injection that provides for samples of infinite volume to be passed over a membrane filter at a constant pressure. The apparatus uses a positive displacement pump drawing suction on the water source and discharging to a membrane filter. Between the pump discharge and the filter is an oil/water separation vessel to allow for sampling of well production fluids before oil removal if necessary. Fitted to the oil separation vessel is an adjustable pressure regulator, also known as a back pressure regulator, for maintaining constant pressure over the filter. The filter discharge water is collected in a volume calibrated vessel. The vessel is connected to load cells, and a data collection device records weight as a function of time. By measuring the water density, a time/volume curve can be automatically plotted by the data collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Irving F. Womack, II, Mitchell F. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5087358
    Abstract: The invention discloses a machine for the filtering of solid, in particular fibrous, particles suspended in liquids, including a delivery chamber (2) collecting the liquid to be treated, a raceway (3) leading the liquid to be treated into a treatment chamber (4) having a cylindrical bottom (5), wherein there is at least one pair of revolving filters (6, 7), an overflow chamber (16) connected with a recycling tank and an area (21) for the discharge of the recovered solid particles. In the machine each filter (12) has a surface in the shape of a truncated cone and its horizontal axis is essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the liquid to be treated, the two filters are coaxial with each other and face each other, so as to form a concave space (20) therebetween. The taper of the filters causes the double effect of increasing the filtering performance of the machine and of avoiding its standstill when the delivery of liquid to be treated increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Donato Massignani
  • Patent number: 5075001
    Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of fibrous material from process water used in the manufacture of pulp and/or paper, including recycle fiber facilities. The apparatus involves hydraulic classification in the first stage to separate contaminants having a greater settling velocity than fiber, from fiber and other light contaminants with the same or slower settling velocity of fiber. The second stage of the apparatus involves classification by screening to separate the fine contaminants from the fiber. The degree of classification in each stage is determined by the end use of the fiber recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: James W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5049270
    Abstract: A filter apparatus is used to filter tap water and to automatically fill two containers. This apparatus includes a filter subassembly, a housing subassembly, a water control subassembly, and first and second containers. The water control subassembly includes a center see-saw chute receiving filtered water from a supply line from the filter subassembly, and includes a left pivoted chute and a right pivoted chute, each receiving a selectively directed water stream from the center chute. Each pivoted chute has a float at one end thereof, in contact with the water in its respective container when about full. An upward force from its container water pivots each left and right chute, when the container is about full, causing the respective water stream to be redirected in the opposite direction along its chute to a reservoir and drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Cuno, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Carrano, Raymond M. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 5047156
    Abstract: A large-scale oil recovery vessel has a primary oil separation tank, secondary and tertiary separation tanks and plural oil storage tanks for receiving, separating and recovering oil from the sea. Oily water is admitted through bow openings in the vessel to a sluiceway and an adjustable height weir for skimming oil, debris and other pollutants from the seawater for discharge into the primary separation tank. Oily water is pumped from the primary separation tank to the secondary and tertiary separation tanks which are interconnected by a gravity flow conduit for gravity flow and separation of oil from water in each tank and gravity discharge of clean water overboard. The vessel may be constructed from a converted oil tanker and includes separate pumping systems for oil transfer and storage, water separated in the primary and secondary separation tanks and ballast water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: John L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5047146
    Abstract: A swimming pool bi-flow filter has been described herein. The invention includes the following integral structural components: an influent conduit, an effluent conduit, an influent trough and a plurality of influent and effluent laterals. Ports in the influent conduit and the influent trough receive water from a source, such as swimming pool. The water entering the influent conduit flows upwards through the influent laterals to the effluent laterals, while the water entering the influent trough overflows into the filter and flows downwards to the effluent laterals. The water then passes through the effluent laterals and into the effluent conduit. As previously mentioned, the conduits, trough and laterals are an integral part of the structure, which necessarily means that thinner materials may be used in constructing the filter, without the loss of strength or durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Aquatic Amusement Associates, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dirk Bastenhof
  • Patent number: 5030345
    Abstract: A filter for liquids is disclosed, which has a base with a central inlet, and an outlet, a central post with a filtering element surrounding and sealing therewith, a cannister enclosing the element and releasably sealed to the base, a passageway in the post, which is sealed to the inlet, and which has means to permit upward flow but inhibit downward flow or drip. This retains the liquid in the cannister and element when drawn upwardly, to prevent drip or spillage, or when lowered to provide a full prime. A method of removing the filtering element without drip, and a method of installing a primed element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Albert E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5028320
    Abstract: A sewer catch basin assembly for preventing gases from being discharged from a sewer of a petroleum refinery or chemical processing plant and for preventing the ignition of gases in a sewer by flames and sparks in the area adjacent to the sewer inlet. The catch basin assembly may be connected to a vertical pipe or "Tee" inserted in an existing or new horizontal sewer pipe, and can be used to replace an existing sewer inlet or catch basin. The catch basin assembly provides a water barrier between gases contained in the sewer and the ambient air adjacent to the sewer inlet which prevents the flow of gases from the sewer to the ambient air surrounding the sewer inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventors: Carl J. Gaudin, Larry G. Lacouture
  • Patent number: 5021157
    Abstract: An improved continuous, smooth, porous, rigid surface is supported by an array of shaped, porous, support blocks mounted on an impervious planar foundation and surrounded by bi-functional containment walls to form a gravity filtration and drainage apparatus. The particular shape of the support blocks in contact with the foundation creates a plurality of parallel flumes, the center-lines of which align with the slope, if any, of the plane to facilitate drainage to contiguous drainage ditches. Accessibility of these drainage flumes at both ends of the overall structure provide for inspection, flushing, and purging of the overlying filter surface to assure functionality by simplified maintenance procedures. The drainage apparatus can be attached to an impervious evaporation surface, on which residual solids harvested from the surface of the drainage apparatus are deposited and periodically manipulated for further accelerated dewatering by evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Drake, John W. Anderson, Lee D. Carr, Fred I. Peyton
  • Patent number: 5021156
    Abstract: The truck has an hydraulic pump for receiving dredged mixture of solids and water from a pumping site and delivering the mixture to the truck body. A fixed partition wall is mounted transversely in the body and divides the body into first and second open compartments. The first compartment receives the mixture from the pump means to enable solids to settle at the bottom of the first compartment and the water rises towards the top of the compartment. The second compartment receives the water which rises in the first compartment and the partition wall. Drain means are selectively operable to effect removal of substantially all water from the second compartment. A one-way valve is located between the first and second compartments and is operable when the body is tilted to permit residual water in the second compartment to flow into the first compartment to effect removal of remaining solid matter from the first compartment by washing it out of the tilted body via the open tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Subaqueous Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert H. Sloan
  • Patent number: 5013432
    Abstract: A filtering system for liquids with suspended particles is disclosed. The system consists of a receptacle for the liquid with suspended particles, a receptacle for the filtered liquid, a decanting receptacle for residual liquid, a filter, and a valve unit. The valve unit interconnects the receptacles through the filter in order for the filter to perform a filtering phase of filtering the liquid with suspended particles from the receptacle for liquid with suspended particles to the receptacle for filtered liquid; a filter-washing phase against the filter-flow from the receptacle for liquid with suspended particles to the decanting receptacle; and a rinsing phase from the receptacle for liquid with suspended particles to the decanting receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Fernando Martinez-Mugica
  • Patent number: 5002660
    Abstract: An aquarium filter is disclosed that provides an overflow window for indicating a blocked filter cartridge. The filter cartridge extends across the full width of the filter box and includes an overflow weir, or lip. The overflow weir forms part of the filter structure and controls the flow of water when the filter cartridge is blocked. Since the filter cartridge extends across the width of the filter box, the size of the filter for a given flow rate is reduced. The filter provides the feature of overflow indication in a more compact and efficient structure than otherwise possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Aquaria, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sherman, Robert F. Reinoehl, Charles O. Fuerst, Leonard Pitts, John Fisher
  • Patent number: 4975205
    Abstract: A dump truck has a tiltable dump body with a tailgate at its rear end. A partition or weir mounted in the dump body and of lesser height than the walls of the dump body divides the dump body into front and rear compartments. A siphon is connected between the two compartments and extends over the partition. The rear compartment, having a discharge opening at its rear end which is closed by a tailgate, receives dredged material in the form of a mixture of water and sand (or silt) pumped thereinto through a supply conduit on the dump body. As the rear compartment is being filled with dredged material, gravity causes the sand (silt) to settle at the bottom and the water to rise to the top and spill over the partition into the front compartment. Some water also flows through the sipon into the front compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Subaqueous Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert H. Sloan
  • Patent number: 4957632
    Abstract: A filter vessel including a vessel body having a bottom outlet opening; a carrying handle mounted on the vessel body; a closing rod extending alongside the vessel body and being longitudinally movably supported thereby between first and second positions; a valve mounted on the closing rod for maintaining the outlet opening open or closed in the respective first or second position of the closing rod; a spring urging the closing rod into the first position; an engagement face carried on the closing rod; an operating lever pivotally supported by the vessel body in an upper zone of the carrying handle and having a depressed position and a raised position; and a clamping cam carried by the operating lever. The clamping cam is in contact with the engagement face and displaces the closing rod toward the second position upon manual movement of the operating lever into the depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn
    Inventors: Jurgen Bockstiegel, Dieter Brindopke, Peter Ullrich
  • Patent number: 4929356
    Abstract: A protective cover (10) is provided to contain any spillage of liquid during changing of a filter cartridge from a filter canister assembly (12). The cover (10) comprises an elastomer that is resistant to gasoline and oil. The cover (10) is slidably positioned over the filter canister assembly (12) to form a liquid-tight seal. An outlet (30) is provided with a drainage tube (32) to remove any spillage from chamber (28) to a separate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Todd
  • Patent number: 4913813
    Abstract: A cover for preventing the spillage of a liquid upon the removal of a filter cartridge from a filter adapter includes a collar member mounted over the filter adapter, and a housing member snap-fitted over the other end of the collar member, whereby the other end of the housing member is cut an angle for exposing a portion of a filter cartridge connected to the filter adapter, thereby permitting easy removal and installation of the filter cartridge with the spill prevention cover in place, the housing member also including along a bottom portion a drainage spout for draining away any liquid collected during removal of the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Covarrubias, G. Frank Dye
  • Patent number: 4908904
    Abstract: A portable cleaning container for use with a conventional mop and wringer for cleaning floors and other surfaces. The container includes a bucket with a drain opening formed through the bucket floor and closable by an elastomeric stopper supported on the end of a threaded drive rod extending through a threaded bore formed through a drive rod mount attached to the inside of the bucket within a stopper drive recess formed in the wall of the bucket and extending vertically from the floor of the bucket above the drain opening. A filter recess is formed in portions of the upper surface of the bucket floor to receive an interior filter having a planar portion that extends across the filter recess and a semitubular portion that extends about lower portions of the stopper drive recess to enclose the entrance of the drain opening to the bucket interior. Troughs in the planar portion of the interior filter and corrugations in the floor of the bucket adjacent the filter recess trap detritus when the bucket is drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Don A. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4908136
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for creating a more uniform filter cake on a vacuum filter belt. A weir box for depositing a slurry on the filter belt has an outlet in the form of a plurality of slots spaced transversely of the filter belt with each slot being in the form of a truncated triangle with the base of the triangle being located closer to the filter belt than the truncated portion of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventors: Tai-sheng Chou, Thomas R. Kiliany, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4906365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for cleaning lubricating oil, especially for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, with a filter case which, when installed, is in an at least approximately upright position. It has a cylinder-shaped oil filter cartridge and an inlet for the dirty oil flowing through the filter cartridge, plus an outlet for clean oil connected to the central interior part of the filter case and situated in a base at the bottom end of the filter case. A drain passage at the bottom end of the filter case becomes connected to the inlet chamber of the filter case whenever the filter cartridge is removed, plus a closure which cuts the drain passage off from the filter case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Dieter Baumann, Norbert Prinz
  • Patent number: 4902410
    Abstract: An interceptor for the continuous removal of solid matter from a mixture of solids and liquids includes a screening drum rotating while in operation in a given direction of rotation. The mixture is fed to the outer surface of the jacket of the drum, whereby the liquid enters the drum and solid matter remains on the outer surface of the drum jacket. A solids discharge device is provided adjacent the outer surface of the drum to remove deposited solid matter. At least the lower half of the screening drum is surrounded by a tank to which a mixture inlet is connected. A liquid outlet is connected to the interior of the screening drum. The level of the mixture in the tank is controlled in such a way that it is above the level of the cleansed liquid inside the screening drum. The mixture introduced into a flow chamber surrounding the drum jacket flows substantially in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Hellmut Geiger GmbH. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bertram Botsch
  • Patent number: 4882051
    Abstract: This invention has an object to provide a cartridge filter which can prevent the interior of a filter housing from being contaminated when paint or ink is filtered. In this invention, a cartridge filter element is contained in a bag-like body or a cylindrical body made of an aqueous non-osmotic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Roki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Itoh
  • Patent number: 4880535
    Abstract: A water supply station is provided with series connected reservoirs for receiving and storing potable water or the like under different temperature conditions. The station includes a first reservoir for receiving an incoming water flow, and a second reservoir coupled to the first reservoir via an overflow conduit. When the first reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition, additional water flow spills through the overflow conduit for passage into the second reservoir. The water within the two reservoirs is maintained under different conditions, such as at selected cold and hot temperatures, respectively, ready for immediate dispensing through appropriate dispensing valves. The water supply station is particularly adapted for use as a countertop unit wherein the reservoirs respectively store water for immediate dispensing and use, for example, in cold or hot beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows