Selective Units Or Compartments Patents (Class 210/264)
  • Patent number: 5464533
    Abstract: A filtration system removes both particulate and dissolved matter from liquid cleaning solvent. The system is enclosed within a single unit which incorporates both a positive displacement pump and a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a two stage filter with a hollow, cylindrical, activated carbon core which is connected to the intake side of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: KX Industries, L.P.
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 5454944
    Abstract: A new and improved self-contained, portable, treated drinking water, refrigerator storage jug assembly is provided. The jug assembly includes a storage jug configured to be placed in a refrigerator. A water treating subassembly is mounted to the back of the storage jug and is placed in the refrigerator together with the jug. A fluid connector for connecting the portable jug and water treating subassembly to a kitchen sink for refilling is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the water treating subassembly includes a plurality of water treating modules interconnected to each other. Also in the preferred embodiment, a modular, leak-free flow block connector and a treatment module monitoring device form a part of the overall jug apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Clack
  • Patent number: 5453183
    Abstract: A fluidized bed biological filter system for fish tanks having a primary container structure for receiving particulate material and a secondary container structure for receiving contaminated water from a fish tank. The front and rear walls of the primary container structure converge downwardly toward each other to form an acute angle. The rear wall of the primary container structure incorporates a manifold having an inlet port at its top end and an outlet port adjacent the bottom of the primary container structure. The outlet end of the manifold is linear in shape and extends between the laterally spaced side walls of the primary container structure. Particulate material having a specific gravity greater than water is placed in the bottom of the primary container structure. The contaminated water from a fish tank is first pumped into the secondary container structure and a pump therein pumps the contaminated water into the inlet port of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Gary Hoffa
  • Patent number: 5431809
    Abstract: A traveling bridge filtration system includes a tank configured to include a plurality of side-by-side filter cells all extending longitudinally in a first direction, and a common filtrate channel extending longitudinally in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each filter cell has an outlet extending through an interior wall of the tank thereby establishing fluid communication with the filtrate channel. A traveling bridge is mounted atop the tank and movable from cell to cell in the second direction. A backwash pump, having an inlet and a discharge pipe connected to a backwash shoe, is pivotally suspended from the bridge within the filtrate channel. A fluid operated bellows is used for moving the backwash shoe selectively into sealing engagement with a tank wall surface surrounding one of the filter cell outlets in response to actuation of the backwash pump. A related method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mack McDougald
  • Patent number: 5427683
    Abstract: An axial flow filtration cartridge, a system, a support assembly, an apparatus, as well as a process are provided for removing particulate matter as well as dissolved heavy metal ions and the like from an aqueous effluent stream. The invention is useful for removing contaminants from industrial waste streams. The cartridge contains features which make it relatively resistant to fouling by solid particles. Additionally, the cartridge has no central void volume. No separate housing for the cartridges is required. In a system embodiment the cartridge has a filtering chamber containing absorbent clay particles confined between porous liquid-permeable retainer. An upstream cartridge cap and a downstream cartridge cap removably receive the ends of the filter cartridge in a liquid-tight seal. The flow of aqueous effluent to each of the cartridges is individually controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Oil-Dri Corporation of America
    Inventors: Norman B. Gershon, David J. Truluck
  • Patent number: 5415773
    Abstract: A head flush apparatus for a pressure vessel uses an equalization chamber that channels the fluid generated by the head flush into a low volume chamber and withdraws fluid from the pressure vessel through the low volume chamber. Withdrawing fluid generated by the head flush and channeling the fluid through the low volume chamber reduces or eliminates the circulation of fluid between the equalization chamber and the adjacent process chamber and minimizes the amount of contamination that can result from any circulation of fluid resulting from pressure fluctuations. The withdrawal of fluid through the low volume chamber also provides a non-contaminating path for withdrawing leakage from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Robert J. L. Noe
  • Patent number: 5411661
    Abstract: Water filter module for filtration of water used to brew coffee, having a series of vertically aligned filters placed in a body member and having a charcoal filtration member bounded by screen at its upper and lower ends and in the water filter module. An alternate embodiment includes a water permeable containment device having encapsulated filtering medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: UltraPure Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy B. Heiligman
  • Patent number: 5393548
    Abstract: A method of making coffee from ground coffee beans and water includes providing an automatic drop coffee maker including a heater mechanism for heating the water wherein the heater means has a hot water drip outlet, a basket for holding the ground coffee beans wherein the basket has an inlet and an outlet and is positioned below the hot water drip outlet such that the hot water drips into the basket and mixes with the ground coffee beans, and a collection vessel for collecting hot water after it mixes with the ground coffee beans. The method further includes providing a water filtration device for filtering impurities from the water; positioning the water filtration device between the hot water drip outlet and the ground coffee beans; heating the water using the heater mechanism; and passing the heated water through the water filtration device and the ground coffee beans and into the collection vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: UltraPure Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy B. Heiligman
  • Patent number: 5384032
    Abstract: A WATER PURIFYING AND STERILIZING APPARATUS including a box (1) within which three filtering chambers are provided, one of which (4) containing resin as a filtering element within its interior, the other (5) with charcoal as a filtering element within its interior, while the third (6) carries within an ultraviolet lamp (8), with said chamber (6) being provided with a flow baffle (13), comprised of a circular part (14) centrally provided with a circular orifice (15) that surrounds the said lamp (8), being made up of U-shaped sections (16), interconnected by ramps (17), describing rectangular openings (18) for water to flow through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Brasfilter Industria e Commercio Ltd.
    Inventor: Dacio M. de Souza
  • Patent number: 5380466
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion of metal surfaces in an aqueous medium, comprising incorporating into the medium a corrosion inhibitor in an amount sufficient to inhibit corrosion, the corrosion inhibitor comprising a water-soluble agent selected from the group consisting of compositions of the formula ##STR1## compositions of the formula and mixtures thereof, wherein R is R.sup.2 --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x --wherein R.sup.2 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl group of from about five to about fifteen carbon atoms, each carbon atom having at least one hydrogen and x is an integer of from about one to about ten, and R'N is a basic nitrogen compound that is at least water-dispersible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Petrolite Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Martin
  • Patent number: 5350513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight and durable flexible-walled adsorber vessel that may be a freestanding unit, may be hung from an overhead support frame or ceiling, may float or be submersed in a body of liquid, or otherwise be suspended during use. The flexible adsorber of the present invention utilizes an internal screen, mesh, pallet or similar means to support carbon or other porous filter media so as to permit the pressurized or unpressurized removal of undesirable vapors, liquids or solids that may be present in streams of gas or liquid. Embodiments of the flexible adsorber are capable of supporting filter media weighing a ton or more, can resist deterioration in the presence of a variety toxic chemicals and/or corrosive agents, and can serve as a shipping container before or after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Markowitz
  • Patent number: 5320750
    Abstract: A two stage raw water clarifier with first stage flotation and second stage filtration divides at least the lower portion of a flotation tank into independent cells. A branched slotted conduit located in a filter medium in each cell collects clarified water. Valves control the flow of clarified water from each branched conduit either to a clarified water ring conduit or to a first filtrate/backwash ring conduit connected to a storage tank. The filter media is preferably a dual media, a layer of anthracite or activated carbon over a layer of sand. High cell walls and inclined baffles in each cell retain the filter media during backwashing. The baffles also slow the flotation process. A decompression valve for pressurized water with dissolved air has a very narrow annular slot in the flow path through the valve to create microscopic air bubbles of optimal size for the flotation. A movable member sets this annular slot at a proper value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Milos Krofta
  • Patent number: 5318703
    Abstract: Water filter module for filtration of water used to brew coffee, having a series of vertically aligned filters placed in a body member and having a charcoal filtration member bounded by screen at its upper and lower ends and in the water filter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: UltraPure Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy B. Heiligman
  • Patent number: 5290457
    Abstract: A regenerable deep bed filter element and method for making it, the element being provided as a closed system, in the case of which a deep bed filter (21), disposed inside at least one hollow-cylindrical chamber (17), is formed by a bulk material filling of regenerable, filtration-active substances of a particulate and/or fibrous structure. The hollow-cylindrical chamber accommodates radial flow by means of porous inner and outer peripheral walls (18, 19). The deep bed filter can be either washed, or regenerated by flushing back with water, steam or chemical cleansing agents, during which the filtration-active substances remain inside the chamber (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Seitz-Filter-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Massoud Karbachsch, Peter P. Breitbach, Helmut Ruger
  • Patent number: 5290442
    Abstract: A new and improved self-contained, portable, treated drinking water, refrigerator storage jug assembly is provided. The jug assembly includes a storage jug configured to be placed in a refrigerator. A water treating subassembly is mounted to the back of the storage jug and is placed in the refrigerator together with the jug. A fluid connector for connecting the portable jug and water treating subassembly to a kitchen sink for refilling is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the water treating subassembly includes a plurality of water treating modules interconnected to each other. Also in the preferred embodiment, a modular, leak-free flow block connector and a treatment module monitoring device form a part of the overall jug apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Clack
  • Patent number: 5277828
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluids such as air and water employs a cleanable filter. The filter is located within a housing having a reservoir, and a steam generator which can be selectively operated to clean the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Fleming
  • Patent number: 5273650
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge for use in a water filtration system comprises a generally cylindrical ceramic pre-filter having a chamber containing a purification resin. An exit cap having a porous disc therein is attached at a first end of the pre-filter. Water to be filtered passes radially through the pre-filter into the chamber. The water then passes through the purification resin and the porous disc and exits the water filter cartridge through an opening in the exit cap. The ceramic pre-filter can be cleaned when it begins to lose its effectiveness, enabling it to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: WTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon A. Vermes, David M. Botts
  • Patent number: 5273649
    Abstract: Low volume, personal water purification systems including cartridges containing multi-valent iodine resins, granulated active carbons, and porous separation and filtration means. In one assembly, a first section of a multi-sectioned cartridge includes an inlet, a mouthpiece and a coupler. A second section includes mating coupling means and each section includes separate filtration and/or purification media. In other assemblies, cartridges of a variety of filtration/purification organizations mount within squeezable, vented housings including straws or self-sealing outlet ports. In still other assemblies, the cartridges couple to a manifold housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Jan H. Magnusson, Kristofer J. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5242589
    Abstract: The main feature of this invention is a water filter, made up of a top cover, multiple layers of filtration containers (with net board at the bottom of each container) piled up unit by unit, an axle double-deck sleeve (with vents made on edges of the sleeve linking to one of the middle filtration containers) set in the middle to link all of the filtration containers and a pedestal, installed under all the other units, that has a control valve with five square vents to allow the control the direction of water current, to go from the water inlet to internal sleeve and top cover, spread out and flow down from all layers of filtration containers, and the exhausted from the water outlet, after accumulation in the pedestal, to perform a direct filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Cheng-Wei Hsu
    Inventors: Long-Far Kuo, Cheng-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 5238559
    Abstract: A filter device has a filter container closed on all sides, into the bottom of which a cartridge-shaped filter insert has been inserted, under which a filtrate catch reservoir is disposed. An air supply tube is inserted into the filter container which terminates on the inside in an air compensation hole at an adjustable height above the inlet of the filter insert, so that the corresponding hydrostatic pressure of the liquid determines the flow-through speed of the filtrate. The air supply tube terminates at the bottom above the filtrate outlet of the filter insert, so that a filtrate build-up terminates on the corresponding level and the filter insert is closed airtight in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Heinrich Nieweg
  • Patent number: 5225078
    Abstract: A pour-through pitcher filter assembly includes a compact filter element including a thin annular disk of molded activated carbon and a peripheral annular seal element. The seal element allows the filter to be replaceably mounted in the lower end of a plastic reservoir, which reservoir is adapted to be supported in the top of a pitcher for receiving filtered water. The reservoir may be made by a blow molding process and includes an integral bellows member which is manually collapsible to pressurize the interior of the reservoir to initiate gravity flow through an initially dry filter element. The seal element utilizes a synthetic rubber material and is preferably insert molded around the carbon filter disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc. Plymouth Products Division
    Inventors: Ralph A. Polasky, Vue X. Yang
  • Patent number: 5223132
    Abstract: A water filtering apparatus includes a filter unit, a container and a support member. The filter unit includes three filters which perform different filtering functions. One of the filters, which includes a filter membrane, has a flow control valve at the bottom thereof. The container has a connecting member which permits the filter unit to be connected to the container and an open and close member which is closed only when the container is separated from the remainder of the apparatus for purposes of transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Deok J. Yoon
  • Patent number: 5205931
    Abstract: A filter mechanism which includes conventional filtration techniques such as calcium and/or carbon filtration components. In addition, the mechanism includes a portion thereof comprising a substantial number of ceramic spheres which include a Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component. The Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component is formed as part of the ceramic sphere wherein a small portion of the Fe.sub.x Cl.sub.y component is adsorbed or absorbed by the water as it passes through the filter mechanism. The water produced by this filter mechanism therefore approximates many standard body fluids wherein the water enhances bodily funtions when ingested into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Yukio Iida
  • Patent number: 5205932
    Abstract: A compression sealed bacteriostatic purification and filtration system canister for the treatment of water and other piped liquids which includes a plurality of sequential granular filtering media beds separately contained within respective sections of the canister. The canister walls have molded internal grooves to prevent channeling and to hold section separators; the structural filter separators are highly porous semi-rigid discs, and snap into the grooves. The cylindrical sections increase in diameter in the direction of liquid flow. The sections are axially stacked within the canister. Liquid is admitted at the top end of the pressure vessel tank canister, runs down through the series of sections, and then returns to the canister top to exit through an axial riser tube. The tank canister has a screw-on compression sealed cap which contains fluid inlet and outlet pressurized disconnect couplings to allow leak-free back flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Nu-Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Solomon, Bruce Benefield
  • Patent number: 5192436
    Abstract: There is provided a tap water purifier to be directly coupled to a faucet pipe, which includes a water purifying barel filled with a filter medium and a cylindrical valve body integral with the purifying barrel. The purifying barrel having opposite opening ends. The valve body is inserted in a cylindrical bore formed in a casing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the valve body. The casing has tap water inlet port means, tap water outlet port means and purified water outlet port means formed therein, the tap water inlet port means and the purified water outlet port means opening to the cylindrical bore in the casing at an angular distance of 180.degree. from each other in the same axial position. The valve body includes first and second flow path means formed therein, the first flow path means being communicated with one opening end of the purifying barrel, the second flow path means being communicated with the other opening end of the purifying barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Tsutomi Sasaki
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sasaki, Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5189946
    Abstract: A self-draining cooking pot, such as a pasta pot, which facilitates the draining of liquid. A handle assembly includes a valve module which is readily-removable to facilitate cleaning, and a strainer to block the passage of food into the valve while permitting the flow of liquid. Included as part of the removable valve module is a sliding shaft with a resilient sealing member mounted on one end, and the sealing member is spring-biased against a valve seat. The handle assembly also includes a trigger lever for manual actuation of the valve. To prevent inadvertent draining of the pot, a lock-closed device engages the trigger lever until released by a pushbutton. To facilitate removal of the readily-removable valve module, a similar lock-open device is provided for the sliding shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: John F. Leon
  • Patent number: 5174901
    Abstract: In a system for purifying liquid, a method is provided wherein the liquid is pretreated by passing it through a sand filter water softener and carbon filter for removal of hardness and particulate matter. The liquid is then pumped through a reverse osmosis membrane for removal of organic compounds and ionized and biological impurities. The liquid passes from the reverse osmosis membrane through a strong acid cation exchange resin for removal of the cations present in the reverse osmosis effluent. The acidified liquid is neutralized hy passing it through calcium carbonate, thus adding calcium salt and carbonic acid to the liquid for a better tasting, calcium-enriched product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Verity C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5169528
    Abstract: A regenerable deep bed filter element provided as a closed system, in the case of which a deep bed filter (21), disposed inside at least one hollow-cylindrical chamber (17), if formed by a bulk material filling of regenerable, filtration-active substances of a particulate and/or fibrous structure. The hollow-cylindrical chamber can be flowed through radially by means of porous inner and outer peripheral walls (18, 19). The deep bed filter can be regenerated by flushing back with water, steam or chemical cleansing agents, during which the filtration-active substances remain inside the chamber (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Seitz-Filter-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Massoud Karbachsch, Peter P. Breitbach, Helmut Ruger
  • Patent number: 5156736
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for concentrating a selected component from a multi-component liquid using a sorbent bed having a preferential sorption rate for the selected component. The sorbent bed is enclosed in a single vessel and is operated in a simulated moving bed technique whereby the flow profile of the liquid is continually moved downwardly through the sorbent bed. Recirculation is continuous but variable and is accompanied by the injection of eluent and feedstock and the removal of extract and raffinate at preselected times, locations, and amounts as a function of the kinetics and voidage of the sorbent bed. Extract purity and operational efficiency of the sorbent bed are the result of this novel apparatus and process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Karlheinz W. R. Schoenrock
  • Patent number: 5151180
    Abstract: A filter device for use in a residential water supply system, or the like. The device includes a container having an enclosed cavity, and includes a filter unit disposed in the cavity. The device includes a two-stage filter having a first radial flow filter subassembly and a second axial flow filter subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Cuno, Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward C. Giordano, Mark O'Brien, Raymond M. Petrucci, Bruce G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5139666
    Abstract: A water dispenser supports a bottle having a filter neck accommodating a water filter and a fill neck closed with a cap equipped with a water refill counter. The cap can be removed from the fill neck to allow the bottle to be filled with water without removing the filter from the filter neck. The filter neck has a plurality of inwardly directed projections that are engaged by the filter to position the filter in the filter neck and prevent the filter from being pushed into the chamber of the bottle. A ring having an air bleed hole mounted on the filter neck engages the filter to retain the filter on the filter neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Domotechnica Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy L. Charbonneau, Alan H. Bowler, Edward W. Bock
  • Patent number: 5139734
    Abstract: A unique resin processing system for providing and removing resin to large demineralizer vessels during chemical decontamination of nuclear reactor primary systems is disclosed. Resin is premeasured in a batching tank for accurate filling of demineralilzer resin bed while minimizing personnel radioactivity exposure. Sluice water transfers spent resin to a storage tank and, thereafter, is recycled for subsequent sluicing operations. Spent resin from the storage tank is periodically delivered to high integrity containers for ultimate disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Gary J. Corpora, James S. Schlonski, Phillip E. Miller, Frank I. Bauer
  • Patent number: 5130020
    Abstract: A tall open top plastic container has a closed bottom portion sealed to the lower end portion of a tubular water filter member having an upper end portion sealed to a removable plastic top wall within the container and sealed to the container. Flexible water inlet and outlet tubes have inner end portions connected through the top wall to an annular inlet chamber surrounding the filter member and a center outlet chamber within the filter member. A flexible vinyl coupler body receives the outer end portion of the inlet tube and forms a friction connection with a faucet aerator. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the container defines a cavity above the removable top wall, and the flexible tubes are coiled within the cavity where they are retained along with the coupler body during storage by a removable snap-on cap. The cavity may also be formed by an annular wall molded integrally with the removable top wall and covered by a removable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 5128036
    Abstract: A water container assembly for drinking water includes a purifying unit located at the top of a container and mounted within the container. The purifying unit includes at least one filter having an outlet which communicates with the interior of the container. Water may be placed in the top of the purifying unit and then be purified as it passes through the filter and is discharged into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Ron Svensson
  • Patent number: 5116307
    Abstract: The method and system for the extracorporeal or extravascular treatment of blood employs diethyl ether for killing HIV cells in the blood. In practicing the method with the system, blood is withdrawn from one arm of a patient through a tubing to a container, e.g. a syringe barrel, where the blood is exposed to vaporized diethyl ether, which has been vaporized by heating, thereby to enable the diethyl ether to strip the viral envelope away from HIV cells attached to macrophages and dissolve the lipid layers thereof thereby to kill the HIV cells. The blood with ether is then passed through a manifold where a vacuum is drawn on the blood to remove most of the ether from the blood. The treated blood is then returned by a tubing and needle to the other arm of the patient. A blood thinner or anticoagulant preferably is given first to the patient orally or intravenously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Harvey T. Collins
  • Patent number: 5102542
    Abstract: Compound filters using two different filter element types are disclosed. When a carbon element is used it is of the concentric type having a central cavity. Filter elements for filtering very fine particles are used in addition. Various types of such elements, including hollow fiber elements, are disposed in a lower portion and/or upper portion. Flow control arrangements, improved filter element removal arrangements, improved filter sealing arrangements, accommodations for filter elements having different lengths and tolerances and filter arrangements for preventing liquid flow when no filter element is present are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Electrolux Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall K. Lawrence, Maurice Lallier, Henry Garfield, Mark S. Howie
  • Patent number: 5089117
    Abstract: Improved methods are disclosed for cleansing a plurality of seriate filter beds in automatic backwash filtering systems by backwashing the beds one at a time with backwash liquid from an effluent channel common to seriate effluent ports of the plurality of filter beds and pumping the backwash liquid seriatim through separate effluent ports of individual filter beds and then flowing filtered effluent from each bed through its effluent port into the effluent channel, repeating such steps of backwashing and flowing filtered effluent on individual filter beds until all the filter beds in the system have been backwashed wherein, simultaneously with the backwashing of a second bed, waste liquid from the first bed is pumped through its port while the waste liquid is monitored for turbidity and such waste liquid pumping is continued until the turbidity thereof reaches a predetermined low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Infilco Degremont Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5089130
    Abstract: Automatic backwash filter systems including a filter tank divided into a multiplicity of seriate cells of substantially the same width by a plurality of vertical rectangular cell sheets are improved by provision of new spacer assemblies to mitigate bowing of the cell sheets during backwashing or other operations applied to the cells. Such spacer assemblies include horizontally aligned bores that extend through each cell sheet adjacent their top, one or more stringers that extend through the bores, and a plurality of tubes of approximately the same length substantially equal to the width of the cells. One of such tubes is positioned in each filter cell surrounding the stringer present in such cell and between the surfaces of the respective cell sheets. Where a plurality of stringers are used in the spacer assemblies arrangements are disclosed for making final connections to complete the assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Infilco Degremont Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5078873
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement in a cleaning apparatus particularly useful for filters. A mechanism drives a hood into position adjacent partitions. A sealing member is selectively actuated to seal off at least one such compartment for cleaning while the remainder of the filter remains in service. Sealing is accomplished by interaction between the hood and the partitions. The invention also relates to techniques for selectively bringing the hood into contact with the partitions, and a construction of the hood and a media support plate which allows flexibility to lilft and scour the filter media using a gas to dislodge impurities, coupled with a liquid backwash involving drawing filtered water back through the media to carry away the impurities out of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brent C. Black, Steven G. Coombs, John B. Ainsworth, John Thorum
  • Patent number: 5076912
    Abstract: In an apparatus for water treatment and comprising a pod containing a weakly acid or weakly basic ion exchanger and of which the inlet aperture is formed in the region of one end while the outlet orifice is formed in the region of the other end, in each case by a means which is permeable to liquid while retaining the ion exchanger, in order to render visible the fact that the ion exchanger is exhausted, there is in the region of the outlet orifice of the pod a chamber containing a strongly acid or strongly basic ion exchanger with a color indicator bonded thereon and the walls of which consist at least partially of a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: BRITA Wasser-Filter-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Belz, Barthold Conradt
  • Patent number: 5032294
    Abstract: A multiple filter, gravity flow, liquid filtering apparatus includes a plurality of adjacent independent filter chambers with common influent and effluent passages surrounding a centrally located effluent control chamber and having provisions for backwashing at least one filter chamber with the effluent from companion filter chambers. The effluent control chamber preferably has two sections, a lower section which serves to collect filtrate from each of the surrounding filter chambers through a plurality of flow transfer ports which communicate with each filter chamber, and an upper section which houses equipment and controls for filtering and backwash operations. In one embodiment, the lower section includes a vertically disposed outlet conduit with an adjustable weir located at the open end of the conduit. The weir is used to adjust the liquid level in the lower section of the control chamber to control filtering and backwash operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Christopher R. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5009776
    Abstract: A filter system for achieving continuous filtering by the provision of three filter chambers disposed about a common vertical axis, each containing a filter bed comprised of buoyant particles through which the fluid to be filtered is passed in an upward direction and wherein provision is made for rehabbing the beds of particulate material as they become filled with solids, preferably in succession to enable continuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Control Fluidics, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Banks
  • Patent number: 5006246
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device is described which includes a cylindrical housing with fluid inlet and outlet means at or adjacent opposite ends. Particulate material for treating fluid flowed through the device, is disposed within the housing, between the inlet and outlet means. A helical baffle is disposed within the housing in the particulate material. The baffle extends axially along the housing and the free edges of its fins are in contact with the housing. The baffle serves to impose a helical path on fluid flowing through the device so that, when the device is mounted with its axis horizontal and with a volume of particulate material less than the volume of the space within the housing, fluid flows through the particulate material most of the time and not entirely along the void as would be the case if the baffle were not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Evan A. Edwards, Peter J. Harissis, Krishna S. Menon
  • Patent number: 4997563
    Abstract: A water treatment device is described which incorporates an easily changed cartridge containing an open-cell foam having a water treatment material contained therein, such as granules of a halogen compound. The device includes an adjustable orifice valve member which may be selectively positioned to control the water flowing through the cartridge. Thus, the device may be included in a water treatment system to treat either water flowing a source to a storage tank, or water being recirculated back into the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Wayne Jones
  • Patent number: 4988439
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system is provided which includes a traveling bridge carriage mounting air scour and backwash means within a single hood structure for successively cleaning each of a plurality of roughing filter cells and polishing filter cells formed in a filtration tank. The air scour means includes an air scour inlet conduit for supplying air under pressure to each cell. The backwash means includes a backwash conduit for creating suction within each filter cell. The single hood structure is adapted to sealingly engage each of the roughing and polishing filter cells. For the roughing filter cells, only an air scour operation is carried out while, for the polishing filters, backwash is done.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton Medders, II
  • Patent number: 4978449
    Abstract: A home water purifier is described, which includes a column of beads of ion exchange material and a column of grains of activated charcoal, which is of low cost construction. The filter includes a housing (26, FIG. 2) with a vertically-extending chamber having an air outlet at the top, a water inlet (46) at the middle, and a water outlet at the bottom. A mass (60) of activated charcoal grains lies in the lower portion of the chamber to remove impurities, and a mass (56) of ion exchange beads lies above the charcoal but below the water inlet to remove heavy metals. An air passage (64) formed along the upper portion of the chamber holds a retainer (66) of open cell foam material that prevents loss of the filtering material if the filter is turned upside-down during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventors: Frank M. Devine, Rod D. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 4976873
    Abstract: An improved method for operating a down-flow granular medium filter is disclosed which increases the effective filtration time between backwashes. The filter tank cell is divided into a plurality of subcells, each individually adapted and controlled for periodic intermittent upwardly-directed pulses of fluid passed through the filter bed within each subcell from an array of orifices beneath or in the bed. During the filtration run, one subcell is pulsed to improve the porosity of that portion of the filter bed while the remainder of the subcells continue to filter wastewater. After initiation of the first pulsing cycle for a subcell, additional subcell pulsing cycles are initiated sequentially. At the end of the filtration run the whole filter cell is backwashed to remove particulate matter from the bed and prepare the bed for the next filtration run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Zimpro/Passavant Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Ross
  • Patent number: 4957631
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system is provided which includes a traveling bridge device mounting and backwash means for successively cleaning each of a plurality of filter cells formed in a filtration tank. Both surface wash and backwash means are included in a single hood structure adapted to sealingly engage each filter cell, successively, as the traveling bridge carriage traverses the tank. The surface wash means includes a surface wash conduit for supplying liquid under pressure to the upper surface layer of each cell. The backwash means includes a backwash conduit for creating suction within each filter cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Davis Water and Waste Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Pauwels
  • Patent number: 4944875
    Abstract: A device for the production of ultrapure water comprising tubes containing water treatment elements joined by two end plates. Grids are disposed between the tubes and the end plates to retain resin or carbon particles. Connector terminations provide a hydraulic connection between a control unit and the tubes. The filter is mounted in the tubes by means of an adapter which also provides a seal between inlet and outlet sides of the filter. Holes are provided in the connector terminations and the end plates to enable selection of the path of fluid in the water treatment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Millipore, S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Gaignet
  • Patent number: 4894149
    Abstract: A filtration device is disclosed comprising an assembly of three concentric tubular members in longitudinal upright position, having a closure wall at each end, the inner and middle tubular members being perforated over substantially their entire length to permit water flow therethrough, and the outer tubular member being substantially solid over its entire length. An inlet is connected to the inner tubular member at each end, and an outlet is connected to the outer tubular member. The space between the inner tubular member and the middle tubular member is a filtration chamber containing a filtration medium. A dividing device is laterally positioned in the inner tubular member dividing it into upper and lower non-communicating portions, and a dividing device is also laterally positioned in the filtration chamber dividing it into upper and lower non-communicating filtration chambers. The filtration medium is adapted to not pass through the perforations of the inner and middle tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Steven J. Block