Abstract: A combination bottle cap and filter cartridge for use with a reservoir water bottle includes an outer sidewall having a generally cylindrical configuration and an end wall joined to the outer edge of the sidewall. The sidewall is dimensioned to be received about the mouth and neck of the bottle. A cylindrical filter cartridge extends from the cap end wall and is disposed concentrically within the sidewall. The filter cartridge includes an inner end wall disposed within the bottle neck, and a curved inner panel extends from the inner end wall to the cap end wall to define two chambers within the cartridge. A filter chamber contains a charge of granulated filter medium. A plurality of holes are formed in the inner end wall and the cap end wall to admit water from the bottle to the filter cartridge and discharge water therefrom, respectively. A pair of fiber scrims are interposed in the filter chamber between the inner and outer end walls and the filter medium to retain the granulated particles therein.

Abstract: A drinking straw that purifies water by forced movement of water through the straw. The straw is composed of: 1) a filter plug made of a fibrous structure, the filter plug having sides, a first end, a second end, and a firmness sufficient to avoid collapse of the fibrous structure under a specified pressure drop; 2) a water purification material integrated in the fibrous structure; and 3) a liquid impervious wrapper covering the sides of the filter plug, the wrapper defining openings at the first and second ends of the filter plug.

Abstract: A water treatment or filtration unit is in two parts, a base and a cartridge. The base includes three ports, one of which may be selectively plugged or otherwise disabled. The cartridge contains the water treating material and is screwed into a socket in the base. Openings in the cartridge are then aligned with openings in the base to allow water to pass therethrough. Cartridges may be readily exchanged by simply unscrewing from, and screwing into, the base.

Abstract: A method of pretreating aqueous chemical oxygen demand (COD) samples to remove the risk of potential chloride ion interference. The method comprises acidifying an aqueous COD test sample, and thereafter passing the acidified sample through a source of pentavalent bismuth (Bi.sup.5+) such as sodium bismuthate.

Abstract: A portable liquid purifying device for dispensing a liquid, which includes a squeezable bottle made of a soft material and containing a mass of the liquid, a filtering member removably engaging a bottleneck of the bottle, and a cover assembly for covering a spout formed through the filtering member so as to fluid-tightly close the spout. The filtering member has a first section which accommodates activated carbon, and a second section which accommodates a micro-porous membrane filter including hollow fibers, the first and second sections being disposed in series so that the liquid delivered out of the bottle passes through the first and second sections in this order. The filtering member is fluid-tightly and air-tightly attached to the bottleneck such that the filtering member does not protrude past the bottleneck. The cover assembly has a first position for fluid-tightly closing the spout, and a second position for opening the spout so as to permit the liquid to flow out of the device.

Abstract: A container includes a gable top fiberboard or cardboard carton having a top and a bottom, and may be substantially filled with drinking water. An activated carbon-containing integral mass of material (e.g. which may be present in various forms and quantities to suit the intended purpose, such as in accordion pleated sheet form, floating at or near the surface of the water, in a porous containing element, etc.) is disposed within the carton and is capable of removing more than 90% of the chlorine, lead or other taste and odor contaminants from the water in its optimized configuration. The carton top typically has a pour opening and the carbon containing mass may be fixed so that the water only comes into significant contact with the mass when the water is being (or about to be) poured through the opening. A biocidal media may also be disposed in the carton positively separated from the carbon containing mass by separator plates and/or ion exchange media.

Abstract: A filter jug to contain water or other liquid, the jug comprising a first compartment to receive liquid and a second compartment to hold filter liquid to be poured from an outlet of the second compartment and a filter chamber through which liquid must pass from the first compartment to the second compartment.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a body forming a horizontal support surface and a wall projecting upwardly from the support surface. A plurality of filtering members for purifying water are connected to the wall. A water storage tank for storing purified water is seated on the support surface and bears against the wall. A supporting structure supports the filters from beneath to reduce the load applied to the wall. A reinforcing member is connected to the wall for reinforcing the wall against deformation.

Abstract: A method for the removal of organic compounds from columns of air or water. The method utilizes a solidifying organic polymer-based filtration media and activated carbon placed in separate containers and arranged in an in-line, two phase process to extract organic compounds and metals from feed streams containing emulsified or suspended concentrations of organic contaminants by absorbing and solidifying the organics into an easily retrievable, disposable mass. The treated feed streams exit the process containing acceptable limits of the organic compounds and metals within the fluid columns to permit their free release into the environment.

Abstract: A counter top water filter unit intended for domestic use to be placed adjacent to a sink and having an inlet at its lower end which is coupled to the sink faucet through a swivelly mounted 90 degree elbow capable of 360 degree rotation so as to facilitate the coupling of the filter to the faucet from either side. The filter unit includes a cylindrical-shaped carbon particle filter cartridge which has a longitudinal passage extending from one end to the other, and a removable pre-filter screen coaxial with the cartridge and surrounding the cartridge, both elements being removably mounted within a cylindrical filter housing, the housing being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end.

Abstract: A liquid treatment mechanism may easily be snapped on, or otherwise attached, to the neck of the single orifice bottle, such as a standard five gallon water bottle. An end cap is connected to a first tube of the liquid treatment mechanism, the liquid treatment element (such as activated carbon) disposed in the first tube and extending from the second end of the first tube to a termination position near, but spaced from, the first end of the first tube. A liquid inlet allows for the passage of liquid from exteriorly of the first tube into contact with the liquid treatment element. A dispensing tube (which may include a cyst or other particle filter) is disposed adjacent the first end of the first tube and extends from the liquid treatment element. An air inlet (e.g., a free about 0.02-0.1 inch diameter hole) is disposed in the first tube near its first end and exteriorly of the dispensing tube. A sheath of porous material may wrap the activated carbon, which may be either in hollow tubular or block form.

Abstract: The present invention includes a liquid filtering filter head configured to receive a filter cartridge closure member, where the closure member has at least one seal member. The filter head has a generally cylindrical, inverted cup-like structure defining a chamber configured to receive the closure member and two openings in fluid communication with the chamber. Furthermore, the filter head features a guide for guiding a seal member as the closure member is inserted into the chamber, so that the seal member is prevented from becoming caught in the openings.

Abstract: A universal water filter for filtering water poured into an opening of the container. The water filter includes a filter unit and a support structure. The filter unit includes a housing having an inlet surface for receiving unfiltered water, an outlet surface for dispensing filtered water and a side surface between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. The support structure extends from the sidewall of the housing for supporting the water filter across the opening of the container. The support structure is adjustable along the circumference of the housing to vary the position of the support structure with respect to the size and shape of the opening of the container.

Abstract: A filtration system having an in-line filter cartridge with the inlet at one end of the filter cartridge and the outlet at the opposite end of the cartridge. The filter cartridge is connected to the cartridge mounting on the fluid conduits via quick-disconnect couplers with built-in automatic water shutoff capability which enables the filter cartridge to be installed and removed in a horizontal movement. A recirculating bypass is provided in the system which includes a pair of bypass branch lines to recirculate the fluid and prevent trapped stagnant water in the bypass lines. In a shown preferred usage, the filtration system utilizes a filtration cartridge and mount to allow filter cartridges to be easily mounted upon and removed from automatic beverage dispensers.

Abstract: A mounting head with an internal by-pass valve for use with disposable cartridge filters, for purifying gases or liquids. In preparation for changing a spent filter, the valve mechanism is translated from a first, lowered position to a second, raised position. Product is thereby redirected through a bypass passageway, allowing an uninterrupted flow of gas or liquid product to the downstream appliance or instrument. Concurrent with the valve translation, the old filter is physically decoupled from the head, and a new filter is installed in its place. Retranslation of the valve to its first position, resumes product flow through the cartridge filter.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a casing and water filters disposed inside of the casing. The filters are mounted in vertically spaced brackets that are fixed within the casing. Each bracket includes a snap ring in which a respective filter is elastically clamped. Each filter includes vertically spaced hooks, each hook engaged in a hole of a respective snap ring and engaging a top surface of the respective snap ring. Each filter including vertically spaced ribs engageable with bottom sides of respective snap rings. The hooks and ribs preventing the filters from moving vertically relative to the brackets.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering liquids, the apparatus including: a reservoir for the liquid to be purified; a pump operatively associated with the reservoir; a filter having a lower portion and an upper portion and coupled to the pump so that liquid supplied by the pump circulates through the filter from the lower portion to the upper portion; a dispensing member coupled to the filter for dispensing purified liquid; and a one-way valve connected upstream of the filter, with respect to the direction of liquid flow in the apparatus, and operable to maintain the filter in permanent contact with liquid to be purified when the pump is not in operation.

Abstract: It is often important for medical purposes to obtain nucleated fetal cells during pregnancy. For example, the procedures of amniocentesis or chrionic villae extraction are carried out for this purpose. But these methods are invasive, and carry a small but positive risk to the patient, and are complicated to perform. On the other hand, the purpose of my invention is to obtain nucleated fetal cells (fetal nucleated reticulocytes) from maternal blood, which eliminates the need for invasive methods. There are a small number of nucleated fetal red blood cells (reticulocytes) in maternal blood and my invention is a method and apparatus for separating these fetal cells from maternal blood.

Abstract: A filter assembly adapted to be used in a water treatment apparatus for removing impurities from tap water provided to residential users, having a filter housing with an opening formed therein, a filter bag composed of a porous material disposed in the filter housing, filter media contained in the filter bag, and a lid adapted to cover the opening of the filter housing. The filter housing has an upper end and a lower end each having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The filter media contained in the filter bag is composed of individual particles having a mean diameter large enough to prevent the particles from passing through the porous material of the filter bag. The apertures formed in the lower end of the filter housing may comprise elongate slots, and the mean diameter of the individual particles of the filter media may be less than the width of the elongate slots formed in the lower end of the filter housing.

Abstract: Method for filtering treated water and apparatus to practice the method. The method taught herein consists of filling a first container with water, attaching a special filter apparatus thereto and finally attaching a second, empty bottle to the filter apparatus. When the conjoined containers and filter apparatus are inverted, the water in the first container, now atop the filter apparatus passes through that apparatus and into the second container under the impetus of gravity. Air displaced from the second container by the transfer of water therein is exchanged into the first container by means of a vent located in the body of the filter apparatus. The apparatus taught herein comprises a filter body having disposed within the previously discussed vent, at least one filter element and a check valve to preclude the unwanted re-filtration of previously filtered water.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus includes a two-piece housing and a stack of discrete filtering layers disposed within the housing including a layer of silver impregnated carbon, a layer of pentavalent iodine impregnated resins and at least one layer of a mixed bed activated resin. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers.

Abstract: Perlite particles, after being expanded and treated with a silicone have the ability to selectively absorb hydrocarbons while rejecting water on or in which the hydrocarbons may be present. A carefully designed cartridge having an apertured top and an apertured bottom permits runoff water to percolate through a body of particulate perlite so that the desired separation can be accomplished. The cartridge in which the perlite is contained is easily removed from a catch basin when the perlite has become spent. The cartridge may then be opened and the spent perlite removed, after which the cartridge may be refilled with fresh perlite and replaced in the catch basin.

Abstract: A description is given of processes and machines for the treatment of drinking water, preferably in the domestic sector. With these processes and machines, undesirable constituents, for example organic and inorganic substances which are harmful to health, can be removed from the drinking water or microbial contaminations reduced. For this purpose, the technologies of ion exchange, adsorption at surfaces and sterilization by means of UV light are applied. As a result of taking account of the physico-chemical parameters of the water and the various operational states in the regulation of the process, the exhaustion of the filter cartridge is monitored and a change in the quality of the treated water with operating time is avoided. Bacterial contaminations of the water are avoided by advantageous embodiments of the UV sterilization device. Since the feedstock container can accommodate both the water to be treated and also the treated water, a low space requirement results for the treatment machine.

Abstract: A filtration system for an aquarium having water and fish. A container is mounted in juxtaposition to the aquarium and a porous filter is disposed in the container. The top of the filter is connected to the bottom of a pot in which is growing a terrestrial plant in soil. A pump circulates water from the aquarium into the container and through the filter. The filter removes solid and dissolved pollutants from the water and roots of the plant grow into the filter, utilizing the pollutants retained in the filter.

Abstract: A filter basket and filtration media for an inverted bottle type water dispenser which is disposed below the inverted bottle, depending from the collar of the water reservoir into the water reservoir and receiving the neck of the bottle, so that all the water discharged from the bottle passes through the filter basket in a downward direction. The filter basket has an inverted conical upper section which funnels all the water which is drained from the bottle to a filtration compartment at its lower section. The filtration compartment remains submerged in water. The filtration compartment contains the filtration media and discharges the filtered water therefrom directly into the water reservoir. Air released in the spigot when it is opened rises upwardly through the filtration media to be received in the bottle. The filtration media comprises an aluminosilicate gel with pore sizes in the range of sixty to two hundred and fifty Angstroms which provides for rapid flow of water and air therethrough.

Abstract: A filter assembly, particularly for use with a plastic bottle having an open neck with an inside diameter of about 50 mm or less (e.g. about 25 mm), includes a tube of filtering material connected to one surface of a cap while a valve extends from an opposite surface of the cap. The tube is preferably of filtering material such as activated carbon with plastic binder, having a substantially continuous liquid-porous sidewall, a hollow interior, a first closed end, and a second open end. The tube is operatively connected to the cap second surface at the tube second open end by sonic welding, a mechanical connection, or adhesively. The cap has a fitting portion for cooperating with the bottle neck, such as internal screw threads or a snap portion. The valve may be a reciprocating valve, a baby bottle nipple, or a spray device. A biocidal medium may be disposed within the hollow interior of the filter tube, and the tube may be wrapped with a filter material having a pore size of about 1-4 microns.

Abstract: A silver recovery device (30) is described for removing silver from a silver-containing solution. The device (30) comprises an ion-exchange resin bed (34) and a pump (62) for directing the solution through the resin bed (34). The pump (62) is positioned downstream of the resin bed (34) and the resin bed (34) is held within a retaining space (36) of variable dimensions. Higher liquid flow rates are thereby achievable, without fluidization of the resin.

Abstract: Undesirable ionic species are removed from water by way of a passive treatment employing apparatus in the form of a porous container which confines a multitude of pieces of sponge containing a chelation polymer. The container, preferably of tubular shape and having a draw-string closure, is emplaced into a region through which water to be treated is caused to flow. The manner of emplacement is such as to prevent by-pass of water around the container. After a suitable time interval, the apparatus is removed and replaced with similar apparatus having fresh sponge.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid filtering assembly are shown and described, each embodiment including a valve head that routes fluid to and from a filter cartridge and that includes a valve system that automatically opens and closes when the filter cartridge is inserted and removed, respectively. The valve system preferably includes a generally-cylindrical piston with a hollow interior space, which receives a stem member. The stem member has a bottom-end seat or sealing member and has a central body shape that allows fluid to flow up through the piston interior space, either through or up around the stem member. Upon removal of the filter cartridge, the piston is biased to move down into an "off" position, to close both the inlet and outlet fluid passages. In this "off" position, the piston exterior surface blocks off radial fluid inlets and the piston interior surface seals with the stem bottom end seat to prevent fluid backflow out of the piston interior space.

Abstract: An efficient, low pressure drop biocide cartridge is provided for destroying viral and bacterial pathogens in water from untreated water sources along a lengthened flow pathway including a critical plenum for controlling the speed of water throughput. In a first pathway, water is percolated through a turbulatable bed of biocidally-effective material. In flow pathway, channeling and pressure drop are reduced by radial flow across a columnar bed presenting a large surface area at an outer diameter. The cartridge may be connected with a lightweight hand-held pump. A sealing strap is provided for wet storage of any biocide cartridge.

Abstract: An automotive-type air conditioning refrigerant fluid dryer assembly composed of a receiver tank and desiccant cup assembly that are configured to enhance the operation and durability of the refrigerant fluid dryer assembly, as well as facilitate its assembly. The receiver tank is formed to have a unitary construction. The desiccant cup is provided with a number of axially-spaced nib segments disposed adjacent its open end that form detents and a cap that is received in the open end of the cup such that a peripheral edge of the cap engages at least some of the nib segments so as to secure the cap to the cup. During assembly, the cap is pressed downward into the cup until contact is made with the desiccant within and is thereafter secured within the cup by the nib segments. As such, assembly of the cap with the cup involves a simple push-type operation, yet enables the cap to positively confine the desiccant within the cup, such that relative movement of the desiccant within the chamber is restricted.

Abstract: A refrigerant recycling system (10) has a compressor (12) and identical first and second drier/separators (18, 20). Refrigerant material to be reclaimed is drawn into an inlet (22) of the first drier/separator, in which lubricant is separated from refrigerant vapor. After the lubricant is removed, the refrigerant vapor is filtered as it passes through a screen (80), a bed of molecular sieve material (82), and a fibrous pad (84). After passing through the first drier/separator, the refrigerant enters the compressor in which clean lubricant material is introduced to enable the compressor to operate effectively. From the compressor, the refrigerant vapor and clean lubricant passes through the second drier/separator wherein the clean lubricant is removed and the refrigerant vapor is again filtered. The twice filtered vapor is then passed to a condenser (44) in which it is condensed to a liquid. The clean refrigerant liquid is delivered from the reclamation system cleansed of impurities.

Abstract: A water purification through-flow device which comprises a cylindrical shell which is divided lengthwise into two or more sectors, separated from each other by partitions, with a cover fitting one end of the shell, in which cover there is provided an inlet for water which is to be purified. Depending on the number of sectors, the outlet is provided in the same cover if there are two sectors, and in the other cover if there are three sectors: the water flowing through each of the sectors one after the other. The individual sectors may contain the same purification substance, or different sectors can contain different ones. There may be provided mechanical filtration means for the water passing through the device, and there may be provided means for closing the various sectors during storage.

Abstract: An integrated cell culture-protein purification system has been developed for the continuous, automated production of pure cell culture protein products. The instrument comprises a bioreactor subunit having a hollow fiber bioreactor to culture and maintain cells which secrete the desired product into the cell culture medium. The culture medium is circulated through a purification cartridge which adsorbs the desired product. The system is capable of continuously removing the product from the culture medium by immunoaffinity adsorption and pure product is then recovered. The product can also be recovered automatically in a discontinuous operation from the spent culture medium by either affinity, ion exchange, or hydrophobic purification techniques. The integrated system allows continuous production of high-quality, pure proteins from cell culture.

Abstract: A device to filter water having a tubular housing with seven chambers therein divided by dividing members and filter screens. The first chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium, the second chamber includes a mixed bed ion exchange resin filter medium, the third chamber being empty, the fourth chamber includes an iodinated filtering medium, the fifth chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium, the sixth chamber has an anion exchange resin filtering medium and the seventh chamber, being adjacent to the sixth chamber and to the outlet port, includes a carbon filtering medium. A faucet adapter is removably connected to the source of water and it is designed to limit the water pressure applied to the device.

Abstract: A point-of-use water filtration and dispensing unit including an unfiltered water storage container removably supported above a filtered water reservoir. The container has an inlet for unfiltered water and an outlet communicating with the reservoir, with the water in the container being exposed to atmospheric pressure. The filtered water reservoir communicates with a dispensing outlet having tap means which in its closed position resists the hydrostatic pressure of the water in the reservoir and the container. A seal removably seals the reservoir to the container, and a filter is removably located within the unfiltered water container such that water flows through said filter by gravity feed as filtered water is dispensed from the reservoir.

Abstract: A gravity percolation water purifier assembly. The assembly includes a covered storage container having a dispensing spigot. A flanged filtration chamber is supported beneath the cover to receive untreated water. A porous filter cartridge is sealed to an outlet port. A purifier cartridge is threaded to the outlet port and supports multiple fibrous spacers and treatment chambers containing beds of treatment media, including a multi-valent iodine media, granular activated carbon, and a halogen scavenger media. In one purification cartridge, water passes from multiple inlet ports at an inlet bore through adjoining concentric chambers and to the storage container via outlet ports at the periphery of the purifier cartridge.

Abstract: A multiple stage filter having an extended useful life comprising a first stage having granulated activated carbon enclosed by multiple filter wafers, the filter wafer comprising a number of filter media having pore size ranging from 0.45 microns to 5 microns, and a second stage comprising a filter membrane having pore size of 0.2 microns or less and a surface area of several square feet, such that greater than 99 percent of particulates greater than 0.5 microns are removed in the first stage and greater than 99.9 percent of the bacteria and cysts are removed in the second stage.

Abstract: A filter for disinfecting non-potable water is disposed in-line in a water delivery pipe, such filter having a plurality of chambers. The first chamber contains biocidal resin which imparts a biocide residue to the water as it passes there-through to kill microorganisms. The water then passes through a turbulating disk to an extended contact time chamber of a selected volume to allow further contact time between the biocide residue and any microorganisms in the water. The water then passes through a 1-3 micron screen, which acts to retain protozoan cysts within the filter, and then passes through a biocide removal chamber containing medias which remove the biocide from the water. The water then passes through a chamber containing bacteriostatic media which acts to prevent back contamination from the effluent end of the filter.

Abstract: The water purification filter is coupled intermediate any conventional shower head feed pipe and shower head. The filtration device is toroidal with a serpentine flow path. The filtration device envelopes the feed pipe which enables the shower head to remain within substantially the same location as before the insertion of the filter. To purify the shower water, the filter contains a filter media coupled between two filter screens.

Abstract: A method and kit for chemically rendering saline water safe to drink is disclosed. The kit includes a chemical reactant which on contact with the saline water is operable to bond with free sodium and chloride ions in the water and exchange therefore, carbonate, bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The substituted carbonate, bicarbonate and hydrogen ions combining to form biologically safe water and carbon dioxide molecules.

Abstract: A water filtering and purifying apparatus made according to the present invention comprises a water filtering and purifying apparatus for filtering and purifying water as it is ejected from a container at low gauge pressures generated by manually squeezing the container. The water filtering apparatus includes a cover for attaching to the container wherein the cover has a pressure responsive venting system for allowing air into the container while substantially preventing air and water contained in the container from escaping. A water filtration and purifying system is contained within the container and the filtration and purifying system comprises a replaceable pleated filter connected to a purifying cartridge.

Abstract: A shower water filter assembly which includes an elongated housing containing a cartridge of filter media, and which is connected to the water outlet in a shower. In order to permit the elongated housing to have sufficient length to efficiently perform a filtering function, a flexible hose is coupled to the bottom of the housing and extends through a tubular wand to the shower head. The wand and shower head are supported, for example, on the side of the cylindrical housing so as to provide sufficient elevation for the shower head for normal shower use. Alternatively, the wand and shower head may be removed from the supporting bracket and used manually for the shower.

Abstract: A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output.

Abstract: A kit for preparing batches of filtered water includes a container, a reservoir/funnel and a filter cartridge. The reservoir funnel is dimensioned to conform to a predetermined surface of the container to fit thereon during storage of the kit and the reservoir funnel further includes a tapered outlet designed to cooperate with the filler opening on the top of the container so as to be rigidly supported by the container. The funnel/reservoir includes a well into which a cartridge carrying a filter media can be inserted. The configuration is such that water poured into the funnel/reservoir must pass through the filter cartridge before entering the container.

Abstract: A portable, manually-operated water filtration pump for purifying water. The pump includes an inexpensive, disposable filter cartridge which can be easily changed when the filter elements are no longer effective. The pump uses a lever to actuate a double-acting piston. The lever is collapsible to one side of the pump for compact storage. The filter cartridge is a tubular cylinder having an inner bore forming the pump cylinder. A cylindrical mechanical filter is concentric with and adjacent to the inner bore to filter out particulates larger than 0.3 microns. A fluidized granual activated carbon filter surrounds the mechanical filter to absorb halogen and halogen-related compounds such as herbicides and pesticides. The pump pumps filtered water into a bottle adaptor which will fit most standard water containers. A prefilter is provided to screen out large particulates from the pump to enhance the life of the filter elements.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric cylinder adapted for insertion within a canister of screened casing pipe that is placed in underground monitor wells to collect and contain spilled or leaked hydrocarbons such as gasoline or diesel by absorbing same upon contact. The absorbed substance is solidified within the cylinder as a rubber-like mass. The consolidated mass is contained within the screened canister, will float indefinitely and is easily retrieved and handled for disposal. The cylinder will not leech solidified hydrocarbons when exposed to pressure limits used to determine landfill suitability.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge including an outer shell, an inlet opening proximate a first end, an outlet opening and a cam extending axially from the first end. Cam is constructed and arranged so as to reset a mechanical flow totalization mechanism in a water treatment device. A channel and notch in the first end of the cartridge provide fluid communication to a chamber of a water treatment device.

Abstract: A container for particulate desiccant comprises a cup and a cap. The cup includes spaced inner and outer wall portions connected by a transverse web portion to define a chamber having an opening. The cap is designed for receipt in the chamber to cover the opening. In addition, the cap has a hole for receiving the inner wall portion of the cup. According to one embodiment, the inner wall portion includes an integral detent formed therein and positioned to detain the cap in place. The cap has a peripheral surface adapted to rest on a shoulder formed along the inner surface of the outer wall portion of the cup to detain the cap in place. The outer wall of the cup has a resilient flange member that protrudes outwardly from the cup. This flange is adapted to provide snug, friction fit of the cup within a fluid flow housing such as an air conditioner accumulator or the like.

Abstract: A personal portable water purifying and drinking device. The device includes a conduit having a chemical purification stage positioned at one end of the conduit, and a filtration stage positioned at the opposite end of the conduit. The chemical purification stage includes a chemical purifying agent and a residence chamber to neutralize bacteria and viruses. The filtration stage includes a filter and a cleaning medium, the filter having a diameter larger than the diameter of the conduit, and designed to remove exceedingly small microorganisms, such as potentially harmful parasites 1-2 .mu.m in size, from the water to be filtered. A mouthpiece is mounted after the filtration stage of the conduit to draw fluid through the device and into the user's mouth.