With Storage Unit Patents (Class 210/257.1)
  • Patent number: 7153424
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water, that includes a frame, in connection with which is arranged a primary space for water to be filtered, secondary space for filtered water and a filter. The filter is arranged to filter water, that is driven by gravity from the primary space existing in the frame to the secondary space, wherein the filtering influence of the filter is based essentially on a thin filtering film made of plastic based material. Essentially underneath the primary space is arranged an accessory space for the filtering means, that is in connection with the primary space and that has an essentially smaller cross-section than the same, in order to keep the filter surrounded by unclean water in the auxiliary space of the primary space, being limited from the secondary space, totally separate from the secondary space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kari Aalto, Valery Antipov, Alexander Melnikov
  • Patent number: 7122116
    Abstract: A water treatment system that includes a water storage tank fluidly connected to a water source through an inlet, a chlorination device fluidly connected to the water storage tank and the inlet, a media filter vessel at least partially contained within the water storage tank and a pump fluidly connecting the media filter vessel with the water storage tank. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chlorination device includes a chlorination device configured as a chlorination vessel containing a chlorine tablet. Flow through the chlorination device is regulated to provide decontamination treatment. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water treatment system includes a media filter vessel contained at least partially within the water storage tank and completely within a footprint or diameter of the water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: R-Kind Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony D. Hackett, Samuel P. Kingrey
  • Patent number: 7115107
    Abstract: A blood circuit (1) for a dialysis machine is made form plastic material and is provided with a metallic plate (30), which is applied to an external face of the blood circuit (1) and is connectable to a voltage generator (34) in such a way as to form a capacitor, in which the plate (30) and the blood act as the capacitor plates and the plastic material acts as the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Annalisa Delnevo, Carlo Alberto Lodi
  • Patent number: 7112283
    Abstract: A method and system of processing animal waste, whereby liquid is removed from the waste and recycled for use in other applications. Moreover, use of the method and system facilitates capture of the solid waste, which may then be used as fertilizer. In the present method and system, waste sludge is fed into a geotextile container, which functions as a filter. The liquid from the sludge permeates the geotextile container, while the geotextile container retains the solid waste. Multiple geotextile containers may be used to further filter and clean the liquid. The liquid exiting the geotextile container flows into a liquid reservoir, from which the liquid may be drawn for use in other applications. During this process, the solid waste is trapped in the geotextile container, where it will digest and compost and may be easily accessed for use as fertilizer or other nutrients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nicolon Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7108790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for generating sterile infusion fluid from non-sterile infusion fluid produced by a machine. In one embodiment, the sterile infusion fluid is produced by a sterile fluid generating device that is an ancillary device designed to operate in conjunction with the existing machine. For example, the sterile fluid generating device is used in conjunction with a dialysis machine according to one embodiment resulting in sterile infusion fluid being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
  • Patent number: 7087157
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Phase Separation, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Patent number: 7083718
    Abstract: A water boiler system for producing steam or hot water includes an apparatus for removing dissolved minerals from the boiler water without the use of water softeners or other chemical treatment agents. An electromagnetic flux producing device first treats water of the boiler system with alternating electromagnetic flux to cause nucleation of dissolved minerals in the bulk boiler water, rather than on boiler surfaces, with nucleated particles then accumulating into particulates which settle by gravity to a low area of the boiler. Water is continuously drained from the low area of the boiler and fed by a pump to a mechanical separator which continuously separates solids from the drain water and continuously passes cleansed water at a high temperature back to the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Rudolph T. Beaupre
  • Patent number: 7077956
    Abstract: A device for preparing dialysate for a dialysis machine is provided with a cartridge (9) containing salts (S), a first line (6) for supplying purified water to the cartridge (9) to form a saturated solution in the said cartridge (9), a second lin (7) for supplying the said saturated solution from the cartridge (9) to the first line (6) and for mixing the saturated solution with the purified water and forming the dialysate, and a discharge line (18) for discharging the said saturated solution from the second line (7) and from the said cartridge (9) at the end of the dialysis treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Paolo Rovatti
  • Patent number: 7077952
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system integrates three tanks that oxidize organic compounds, retain solids, reduce nutrients, an inactivate pathogens, discharging an effluent that protects public health and the environment. The system homogenizes wastewater and controls its frequency, interval, volume, and rate of dosing into a treatment tank designed to develop, facilitate, optimize, and maintain dense microbial colonies both suspended in liquid and attached to engineered filter media. These colonies and filter media complete the oxidation, retention, reduction, and inactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Consolidated Treatment Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bennette D. Burks
  • Patent number: 7077954
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recirculating machine tool coolant in which coolant and entrained debris flowing in a shallow stream trough are raised to a higher level by rotation of a bladed wheel in a housing arranged to receive the liquid flow stream. Coolant and debris is then directed down at a magnetized body in a plunging discharge to bring ferrous debris into contact with an upwardly facing surface of the magnetized body. The coolant and nonferrous remaining entrained debris is collected in a tank and pumped back to the filter apparatus by a chopper pump which has a hardened impeller having cutting edges cutting up the remaining debris as it is pumped by the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 7067065
    Abstract: A grit removal device, as may be used in a water or wastewater treatment plant, has a vortex grit collector and a mechanical conveyor for removing the grit from the collector. The grit collector includes a tank having an influent channel and an effluent channel, and a stirrer or other mechanism for inducing vortex flow within the tank. The tank has a sump located beneath it, wherein grit settles. A mechanical conveyor, such as a rotating screw, removes and dewaters grit from the sump to an exterior location. The conveyor is preferably offset from the horizontal. The invention also includes a method of grit removal employing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Schloss Engineered Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schloss
  • Patent number: 7052606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell separation and collection procedure. Such procedures involve filtering the separated red blood cells in a diluted state after and/or prior to flushing the filter with storage solution. Storage solution may thus be passed through the leukoreduction filter before, with and/or after the RBCs have been filtered therethrough. The red blood cell collection, filtration and storage assembly is preferably preconnected to a blood component separation disposable assembly, including, for example, a centrifuge vessel and a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from a donor, passing the blood to the centrifuge vessel for separation of the blood into components for collection and providing for filtration of the separated red blood cell component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Gibbs, Jon D. Herskovits
  • Patent number: 7045061
    Abstract: A dialysis device 1 includes a water supply passage 15 for supplying clean water to solution supply chambers 35a and 35b, and a waste solution passage for discharging a used dialysis solution from solution collection chambers 34a and 34b, and the water supply passage includes a concentrate solution pump 21 that supplies a dialysis concentrate solution from concentrate solution supply source 19. The concentrate solution pump is a piston pump 40 that moves a piston 42 up and down in a cylinder 41 to feed a solution, the piston pump is provided in the way of washing passage 26 provided between the water supply passage and the waste solution passage, and an open/close valve 27 that intermittently opens and closes is provided in the washing passage to flow the clean water in the water supply passage through a gap between the cylinder and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nishimura, Yoichi Itoh
  • Patent number: 7044343
    Abstract: A backpack containing a gravity flow water filtration system. The backpack incorporates a compartment at its top to hold a reservoir of untreated water, and a compartment at the bottom to hold a reservoir for filtered water. A tube and filter connect the two compartments, and a drinking tube and mouthpiece allow the user of the backpack to drink filtered water from the filtered water reservoir. In some embodiments, the bottom compartment is accessible from both ends, and can store other items as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Anue
  • Patent number: 7025877
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Cerus Corporation
    Inventors: Serge de Gheldere, Mahmood Mohiuddin, Peyton S. Metzel, George D. Cimino, Derek J. Hei, Michael S. Clarke
  • Patent number: 7025881
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter arrangement for the separation of blood into plasma and cellular components, comprising at least one filter element with an inlet line and an outlet chamber in a closed housing, separated by a fine pore membrane. The inlet chamber is connected to an inlet line for donor blood an dan outlet line for cellular components and the outlet chamber is connected to an outlet line for plasma. The arrangement further comprises a device for the production of a backpressure in the filter element, whereby the fine pore membrane is in the form of a U-shaped bundle of n=650 hollow fibers of the type Micro PES-TF 10 from Akzo Faser AG, the ends of which are fixed in an air-tight and germ-tight manner to an aperture plate which seals the open end region of the housing, which is open at just one end, in an air-tight and germ-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Heim Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd H. Heim
  • Patent number: 7014778
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for treating a waste water waste-product mixture from a toilet by coupling the toilet to a waste product mixture to a waste product holding tank, connecting the tank with a vacuum container having a stirring member for breaking up the waste product and a heating system for drying the waste product to an ash, introducing water from a water holding tank that communicates with the toilet to the ash to form a gel, separating the water from the gel, returning the water to the water holding tank, and discharging the gel residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 6994782
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing phosphorus from a wastewater effluent stream from a hog waste lagoon. The wastewater effluent is introduced to the bottom of an inverted cone-shaped continuous crystallizer including a fluidized bed of struvite therein. An effective amount of ammonia is introduced to the wastewater effluent at the bottom of the crystallizer to elevate the pH of wastewater effluent a predetermined amount. An effective amount of magnesium is also introduced to the wastewater effluent at the bottom of the crystallizer. The composition adjusted wastewater effluent is then continuously passed upwardly through the fluidized bed of struvite to reduce the total phosphorus content of the wastewater effluent a predetermined amount of up to about 80% or more. The treated wastewater effluent stream is removed from the top of the crystallizer, and struvite crystals that grow large enough to sink from the bottom of the crystallizer are periodically removed from a collection chamber therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Keith E. Bowers, Philip W. Westerman
  • Patent number: 6986872
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for storing and transporting peritoneal dialysate in dry or lyophilized form, and for forming a deliverable peritoneal dialysis solution therefrom. In one embodiment, a dry reagent bed, including reagents sufficient to produce a dialysis solution, is suspended in a diluent flow path through the apparatus housing. Continuous pressure on the reagent bed causes the bed to compact as it erodes when purified water is passed through the housing. The pressure ensures complete and even dissolution of the reagents. Through dry storage and simple dissolution, even in a home, the invention enables a wider variety of solution constituents, including reduced acid content and the use of bicarbonate as a stable buffer component. The latter is illustrated in a double-bed embodiment, where bicarbonate is stored separately from calcium or magnesium salts within a single housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Prismedical Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6972089
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and purifying used hydraulic fluid removed from an aircraft hydraulic fluid system includes a purification system that mounted on transportable cart. Used hydraulic fluid is transferred from an aircraft to a salvage tank that is mounted on the transportable cart. A hydraulic fluid purification module is also mounted on the transportable cart and is part of the purification system. The purification system may be fluidly coupled to an external system that supplies a motive source of flow energy, and may be selectively configured so that the used hydraulic fluid in the salvage tank passes through the purification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6969459
    Abstract: A processing apparatus and an operating method of the processing apparatus, in which a water insoluble oil homogeneous to a water insoluble oil (processing oil) used for a mist-lubrication in a processing site on a work is used as a lubricating oil for a lubrication section of a processing machine, an aqueous solution is used as a cleaning liquid for cleaning the work after having been processed, and then a used processing oil and a used cleaning liquid are recovered and separated and further the separated processing oil and cleaning liquid are circulated into respective supply means, so that the used processing oil may be recovered and reused even if the lubricating oil is mixed into the processing oil since both are homogeneous oil and further the used cleaning liquid and the used processing oil can be surely separated from each other and reused, which allows to reduce an amount of waste as well as to reduce the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Ihara, Katsuji Nakanishi, Tsugumaru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6969414
    Abstract: A waste stream separator separates liquid and solid waste from a conveying air stream. The liquid and solid waste are first separated from the air steam by gravity and filtration in a removable primary waste barrel. The air is then drawn through a secondary waste barrel and vacuum chamber with a moisture separator and water-resistant HEPA filter to produce dry, filtered air at the output port of the system. The liquid passing through the filter media in the primary waste barrel and the liquid collecting in the secondary waste barrel can be withdrawn for further treatment. When filled with waste, the primary waste barrel can be readily removed and sealed for disposal. If necessary, polyacrylate can be injected into the primary waste barrel to convert any remaining liquid to a solid gel prior to disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Technical Mechanical Resource Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis P. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6962656
    Abstract: A liquid reconditioning system separates mixtures of two liquids that are insoluble in one another, such as a coolant and tramp oil from a machining operation. The mixtures of the two liquids are delivered from a sump, or collection basin, to a separator by means of a venturi pump. A tank is provided for holding the two liquids after they are separated whereby they may be individually removed from the holding tank. One of the separated liquids, in the case of a coolant and tramp oil, the coolant, is pumped through the venturi pump to create the vacuum, or negative pressure, that draws the mixtures of the two liquids from the sump to the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Zebra Skimmers Corp.
    Inventors: Steven Davidian, Christopher Fenn
  • Patent number: 6953523
    Abstract: A portable, refillable water dispenser serving batches of water purified of organic and inorganic pollutants includes a portable, refillable and hand-holdable vessel for holding and pouring water having a spout and, inside the portable, refillable and hand-holdable vessel, moving water and still water processing module cooperative to remove inorganic and organic pollutants from water received batchwise by the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Headwaters Research & Development, Inc
    Inventors: Rudy A. Vandenbelt, Jeremy Hamilton, Troy G. Anderson, Charles R. Lanning
  • Patent number: 6951762
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a solvent with a solute to form a solution, and for separating said solution from excess solute so that a sample of solution less excess solute can be obtained, and for synthesizing drug compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Zuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6936176
    Abstract: A transportable water treatment system comprising: an inlet adapted to receive water having a pressure of between 10 to 60 psig, a primary regenerable filter connected so as to receive water that has flown through the inlet, the primary regenerable filter configured to separate solids from water flowing therethrough, a secondary regenerable filter, the secondary regenerable filter connected downstream from the primary regenerable filter, and a chemical feed unit connected downstream of said secondary regenerable filter, the chemical feed unit configured to treat water flowing through introduction of chemicals to the water, a water discharge pipe adapted to discharge treated water from the chemical feed unit, where said inlet, the primary regenerable filter, the secondary regenerable filter, the chemical feed unit, and the discharge pipe make up a transportable water treatment and the transportable water treatment is adapted to fit within a bed of a sub-compact pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Water Missions International
    Inventors: George C. Greene III, George C. Greene IV, Sean P. Kerrigan
  • Patent number: 6929742
    Abstract: In the case of a fine filter for a fuel feed unit of a motor vehicle, a filter element has at least two sections which surround the fuel feed unit concentrically. In the fitted state of the fine filter, the sections are fastened to the fuel feed unit and to a surge chamber. The filter element has proven particularly cost-effective and enables the use of a particularly small mesh width while requiring little space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernrd Wehrum, Gerd Weise
  • Patent number: 6905612
    Abstract: A plasma concentrator for producing plasma concentrate from a plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed. The device comprises a concentrating chamber having an inlet port and an concentrate outlet, the concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and at least one inert agitator; and a concentrate chamber having an inlet communicating with the concentrator outlet through a filter, and having an plasma concentrate outlet port. A process for producing plasma concentrate from plasma from which erythrocytes have been substantially removed, comprising the steps of a) moving the plasma into a concentrating chamber containing hydrogel beads and an agitator to form a hydrogel bead-plasma mixture; b) causing the agitator to stir the hydrogel bead-plasma mixture, facilitating absorption of water by the beads from the plasma, until a hydrogel bead-plasma concentrate is formed; and c) separating the plasma concentrate from the hydrogel beads by passing the plasma concentrate through a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Hanuman LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Richard Wood Storrs
  • Patent number: 6902670
    Abstract: A hemodialysis machine includes a purified water tube connected with at least one or tow water pumps in parallel. Each of the water pumps is connected with a reagent jug for taking reagent or disinfectant into water tubes so as to run dialysis process or sterilize tubes. The present invention features on that an ozone water device is coupled with a water inlet end of the purified water tube so that the ozone water is used to clean the tubes of the hemodialysis machine for avoiding the problem of disinfectant residuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsin Ho
  • Patent number: 6902667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of suspended solids from water, waste water and other effluents is disclosed. The raw fluid being extracted is placed in a pressurized equalization chamber by a pumping apparatus. The fluid might be ground in advance to reduce the size of solid particles suspended therein to a manageable size. Solids can settle from the fluid before pumping into a second chamber for further setting. Chemicals are injected between the first and second chambers. The sludge recovered from from the base of the chambers can be sterilized using conventional methods, and the separated fluid discharged from the clarification chamber is further cleaned, also using conventional methods. The method and apparatus of the present replaces or supplements conventional mainframe biological treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: 3C Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick F. Dunne
  • Patent number: 6896797
    Abstract: A simulated moving bed connected with a sample supply apparatus is constructed such that a sample liquid can be supplied continually to a simulated moving bed separation device without causing any problems due to a penetration of gas phase and admixture of the plurality of sample liquids. At this end, the sample supply apparatus is composed of a plurality of sample supply vessels each with a sample liquid passageway disposed thereto, a sample liquid-amount management vessel for storing a sample to be supplied from the sample supply vessels through the sample liquid passageways and the supplying sample liquid through the liquid-amount management vessel to the simulated moving bed chromatographic device. The apparatus also has a control for alternatingly opening and closing opening-closing devices in the sample supply vessels in response to liquid levels in the sample liquid-amount management vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Akita
  • Patent number: 6887375
    Abstract: The invention is a system for the processing and recycling of water. Rain water or snow from a roof or other areas that collect rain water is transferred via a down spout to a rain water storage vessel. This water is transferred with a holding tank transfer pipe from the vessel to an unpurified water reservoir. A second source of water is the household domestic waste water, defined as gray water, transferred via waste water pipe to a septic tank then via discharge pipe to a open bottom ground reservoirs. The water from the dry well is transferred via unpurified water reservoir pipe from the dry well to the unpurified water reservoir. A third source of water, well water, (which can include commercial water) is transferred via well water pipe to the unpurified water reservoir. Water from the unpurified water reservoir is dispensed via a water distribution mechanism. The water distribution system further has a suction pipe which ducts water to a purification distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: William Chando Johnson
  • Patent number: 6878283
    Abstract: Filter cartridge assemblies and housings are provided and include a tubular housing having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end. The housings include inner walls with shoulders or other radially-inwardly extending flow directors at the intersections of adjacent sections of the tubular body. The assemblies include a plurality of filter media sections within the housing, and each of the plurality of filter media sections preferably has a different filter media composition. One or more of the filter media sections traverses one or more of the shoulders or other radially-inwardly extending flow directors such that the flow directors evenly direct the flow of fluid through the assembly. The assemblies find particular applicability in dialysis systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6872307
    Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods establish on line communication between a container and a source of blood containing leukocytes and platelets, such as a human donor. The systems and methods create a centrifugal field between the source of blood and the container that separates from the blood an unfinished suspension of platelets having a first physiologic characteristic different than the desired physiologic characteristic. The systems and methods pump the unfinished platelet suspension outside the centrifugal field through a finishing device. The finishing device changes the first physiologic characteristic to the desired physiological characteristic, thereby creating the finished platelet suspension. The systems and methods convey the finished platelet suspension from the finishing device directly into the container. The systems and methods function without interrupting the on line communication between the container and the source of blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel F. Bischof
  • Patent number: 6866775
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating metal-working fluid comprises: a heating vessel for receiving and holding metal-working fluid for treatment; a heater for heating the metal-working fluid in the heating vessel; an agitator for agitating the metal-working fluid within the heating vessel; an aerator for aerating the metal-working fluid within the heating vessel; and a holding vessel for receiving from the heating vessel and holding treated metal-working fluid. During heating, heated ambient air may be drawn through air inlets and through the fluid agitate and aerate the fluid, thereby ensuring uniform heating and extracting gaseous contaminants. Mist and/or gaseous contaminants may be removed from the airflow prior to its release into the environment. Concentration in the metal-working fluid of at least one metal may be reduced using an using-exchange filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony H. Gonzalez, Michael D. Birran, Michel Jammal
  • Patent number: 6860992
    Abstract: A water treatment unit for treating water in a reservoir of a coffee maker or a container water treatment system. The water treatment unit has several particulate finely divided water treatment media therein and it includes a housing which has transverse dimensions which are substantially greater than its height to cause the water to flow through the housing and the media therein in a transverse direction. Such transverse flow results in a substantially reduced pressure drop across the media with an increased water flow rate which permits a substantial reduction in size or elimination of one of two water reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6858139
    Abstract: A single housing comprising a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein said reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Prismedical Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6858149
    Abstract: A method is provided for the treatment of water so as to reduce or destroy micro-organisms therein as well as other causes of skin diseases or waterborne diseases in human beings and animals, wherein the water is passed through a magnetic field being presented by a permanent magnet showing an energy product (BH)max of more than 20 kJ/m3 to which the water is exposed and a coercive force Hc of more than of about 200 kA/m at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: John Nikolaj Hvarre
  • Patent number: 6858136
    Abstract: A method for treating silicone emulsion waste includes the steps of adding base chemical materials to the silicone emulsion waste in an amount effective to cause separating of the silicone emulsion waste. The added chemicals separate the silicone emulsion waste into silicone oil and an emulsion-free water. The components can be separated, with the silicone oil laden liquid being sent to an incinerator and the emulsion-free water being sent to a wastewater treatment plant. The base chemicals can include sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride and/or combinations thereof. To enhance separating of the silicone emulsion waste, the silicone emulsion waste can be heated prior to the addition of the chemicals. Also, by recycling the treated water and adding the same to the silicone emulsion waste and base chemicals separation of the silicone emulsion waste can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amy Rene Freshour, Bang Mo Kim, Roy Fred Thornton
  • Patent number: 6849176
    Abstract: An oil/grease separator separates a lighter liquid from a mixture of the heavier liquid and a lighter liquid. A housing has an inner volume, an inlet to receive influent flow, an outlet to discharge the heavier liquid, which defines a static liquid level, and an outlet port above the static liquid level to discharge substantially all of the lighter liquid and portions of the heavier liquid. The lighter liquid floats on the heavier liquid, so that large volume flows into the inlet raises the liquid level in the housing, flowing the floating lighter liquid through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce Kyles, Charles Kemp
  • Patent number: 6837994
    Abstract: The special features of the water treatment apparatus in the present invention are that a tank fitted with a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet on the upper part, has within said tank an upper chamber and lower chamber which divide said tank into two sections, upper and lower, and is fitted with a separating wall which can be raised and lowered to adjust the water level in said upper and lower chamber, the upper chamber above said separating wall and the lower chamber below said separating wall both being filled with water. By use of this apparatus, a novel water treatment apparatus is provided which can be extremely easily assembled into a water treatment facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Izawa
  • Patent number: 6837990
    Abstract: A new vacuum cyclone seafood collection retainer is disclosed. Two men easily assemble this new cyclone collection retainer, made in portable sections, and the sections can be rotated for best orientation of the hose connections. This vacuum cyclone facilitates the use of a large-scale vacuum system to offload shrimp from the holds and bins of shrimp boats and trawlers up onto the dock and into collection tubs for weighing and processing. This new vacuum cyclone system will offload shrimp and other small seafood much faster, cheaper, and with less damage to the shrimp than the conventional methods now employed. One large-scale vacuum supply pump can be connected through a common vacuum supply tank to multiple vacuum cyclone collection retainers providing multiple unloading dockside facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Layne Orillion
  • Patent number: 6821445
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed at treating rainwater in a combined sewer system, while enabling removal of a majority of pollution substances even if a large amount of entering rainwater. The invention relates to a rainwater-treating apparatus in a combined sewer system, said apparatus comprising a plurality of upward flow type high-speed filter vessels each having a layer of a floating filter medium, a common treated water vessel which is located at upper faces of said high-speed filter vessels and is adapted to collect treated water from the high-speed filter vessels, a used wash water vessel which collects used wash water from said high-speed filter vessels, a rainwater inflow channel for distributing the entering rainwater into upper portions of the high speed filter vessels, and rainwater inflow portions for flowing downwardly the rainwater distributed from the rainwater inflow channel under the respective floating filter media of the filter vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyata, Yoshihiko Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6818127
    Abstract: A rain collection system for collecting and storing rainwater. The rain collection system includes a collection assembly being designed for being positioned on a support surface. The collection assembly is designed for collecting rain that has fallen on the support surface. A storage assembly has a tank. The tank is in fluid communication with the collection assembly whereby rain collected by the collection assembly is stored in the tank of the storage assembly for use by the user. A filtration assembly is in fluid communication between the collection assembly to the storage assembly. The filtration assembly is designed for filtering contaminates from the rain being transferred from the collection assembly to the storage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: James L. Ketrow
  • Patent number: 6814862
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuous processing of intra- or postoperative blood loss for autotransfusion. According to the present invention, certain cells of the cell suspension to be processed, mainly the red blood cells, are concentrated by centrifuging in a separation unit and removed from the separation unit without being rinsed or washed in the separation unit. The concentrated cell fraction is diluted with a physiological solution, preferably a Ringer's solution, after being removed from the separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventor: Wolgang Biesel
  • Publication number: 20040200775
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood filtration method and a blood filtration apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fukuda, Morikazu Miura
  • Publication number: 20040195157
    Abstract: A water supply sub-system for connection to a main water supply system includes a storage tank having an inlet with a flow control valve for connection to the main water supply system. The sub-system may be disconnected from the main system and configured as a closed system for disinfecting the sub-system. An outlet line connects the storage tank to a pump that pumps water from the tank to a sub-system supply line. One or more branch connections may connect the sub-system supply line to high-demand water using devices, such as dialysis machines. The supply line may be a feedback loop. A shunt feedback loop parallel to the feedback loop of the supply line has a pressure control valve that regulates pressure in the supply line feedback loop. A filtration device may also be included to ensure the purity of the water circulating through the sub-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: GAMBRO, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Mullins, Douglas A. Luehmann, John D. Bielefeld
  • Patent number: 6797159
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water through a magnetic field comprises an inverted vortexing ampul capable of holding water, the vortexing ampul having a wide body and a narrow neck. A water inlet located inside the vortexing ampul at its wide body portion is used to introduce water along an inner side of the vortexing ampul thereby facilitating flow in a vortexing pattern. A valve controls the flow of water. A pair of axially placed magnets are aligned around the neck of the ampul. A recirculating ampul for the collection of the treated or “living water” is included. A collar of paramagnetic material may be located close to the axially placed magnets. The apparatus includes a circulating system that pumps processed water from the recirculating ampul for reprocessing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Randy M Hatton
  • Patent number: 6797181
    Abstract: To optimally mix treatment additives to a contaminated liquid, treatment additives are selected. A mixing energy requirement of the contaminated liquid and treatment additives is then determined by mixing the treatment additives over a range of time and mixing speeds, and measuring turbidity to determine the mixing time and speed which results in the lowest turbidity. A low mixing energy requirement requires a lower mixing time and mixing speed than a higher mixing energy requirement. The contaminated liquid and selected treatment additives are then directed into a mixing system including at least one hydrocyclone. Each hydrocyclone has an inlet aspect ratio, a barrel length and diameter selected based upon the mixing energy requirement determination. Altering the aspect ratio, diameter, and length of the hydrocyclone results in different mixing speeds and mixing time, which can be optimized for the given contaminated liquid and treatment additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Patent number: 6797165
    Abstract: A modular water filter system having a plurality of filter canister receptacles, each receptacle having a diverter valve for routing water into and out of the particular canister installed in the receptacle. The diverter valves are interconnected by water hoses such that water is sequentially filtered by flowing into the first diverter valve, through its installed filter canister, then to the second diverter valve and through its installed filter canister, and through the succeeding diverter valves and filter canisters to a final tap. The filter configuration, including filter type, filter quality, and filter sequence, is changed by simply installing different filter canisters into the diverter valves. An intermediate taps can be connected to the output of any diverter valve to provide the user with water filtered by that diverter valve's filter canister and all preceding filter canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Dana Harrison