Abstract: A water filter formed of an upright closed vessel having water inlet and outlet openings adjacent the top thereof, an outlet pipe extending within the vessel from the water outlet opening to adjacent the vessel interior bottom, a permeable barrier filter positioned within the vessel adjacent the interior bottom and affixed to the lower end of the outlet pipe, the vessel being filled with a particulate filter medium, preferably charcoal or the equivalent, the filter medium surrounding the barrier filter, and the barrier filter being formed by a short length tubular wall of impervious material having an opening in the tubular wall, a filter inlet pipe received in the opening in the tubular wall and extending within the housing, the end of the filter inlet pipe within the housing being closed and the pipe having a plurality of small openings therein, two semi-circular permeable foam plastic filter members within the interior of the housing, the semi-circular filter members being the thickness substantially that

Abstract: A filtering device includes a head intended to be permanently installed in a fluid dispensing machine and a disposable canister therefor. A central chamber is formed in the head which chamber is in communication with an inlet port and an outlet port for receiving an unfiltered liquid and supplying a filtered liquid, respectively. The disposable canister has a flask shaped main body with a flat top and a neck of substantially uniform diameter on the top. The neck fits in the central chamber. A tube extending through the neck defines an annular clearance between the tube and the interior of the neck which annular clearance is in fluid communication with the inlet port. The opening into the tube located at the top of the neck is in fluid communication with the outlet port in the head. A pair of tab receptacle on the head and a complementary pair of tabs on the canister are engageable with one another by 1/4 rotation of the canister to lock the canister to the head.

Abstract: A liquid filtered cartridge comprising a hollow cylindrical body with top and bottom bulkheads closing top and bottom ends, respectively, thereof. The body has a plurality of peripheral input openings into the top chamber for the introduction of liquid and further includes a plurality of space inwardly facing peripheral ridges on the inner surface for preventing laminar flow of the liquid therethrough adjacent the inner walls of the body. Intermediate bulkheads having passageways therethrough are spaced between the top and bottom bulkheads and divide the liquid filter cartridge into chambers and a granular absorbent material is disposed within one of the chambers. Filter means are disposed within the other chambers and prevent the flow of granular material out of the chamber containing the granular material.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a pair of tank assemblies 110, 112 interconnected by a valve module 114 for controlling the communication of water to be treated to an on-line tank and the regeneration of an exhausted tank. Each tank assembly includes a compartment containing a water softening resing 125 and a compartment centering an iron filter media. The valve module is connected to a regeneration solution reservoir 150 by brine conduits 164, 220. A pumping assembly 192 automatically transfers a predetermined amount of a supplemental regenerant fluid from a well 168 into the regeneration solution reservoir at the conclusion of a regeneration cycle. The pumping assembly includes upper and lower chambers 194a, 196a communicating with the supplemental regenerant fluid reservoir 168 and brine supply conduits 164, 220 respectively.

Abstract: Container for active purifying agent for the purification of liquids, in particular photographic processing baths, comprising a container bottom above which is a space (2) for containing active purifying substance, a closure mechanism (5), an inlet tube (6) and a discharge tube (7) wherein a porous, compressible mass (4) is arranged between the space (2) for active purifying substance and the closure device (5).

Abstract: A water filter has an elongated base with an inlet opening near one end thereof to which is secured an adaptor ring for attachment to a water faucet. A first outlet opening on the base dispenses unfiltered water and there is a channel defined within the base that leads toward the other end, with an externally-operable valve being included for selecting between unfiltered flow to that outlet and flow down the channel. Located near the other end of the base is a mounting on which sits a water filter cartridge that communicates with the channel, and the cartridge delivers filtered water to a second outlet. A number of features include a color indicator to exhibit degree of cartridge usage, a reversible adaptor ring to accommodate different faucets and there are different aerator structures. Of particular note is the replaceable cartridge which includes a deflector for obtaining better usage of the main filtering material, an exteriorally-mounted first filter and an internally-mounted second filter.

Abstract: Receivers with a detachable seal comprising a porous compressive mass (4) substantially covering the whole base of the receiver are suitable for purifying liquids, particularly photographic processing baths.

Abstract: An adsorption filter is provided by a tank which contains an adsorbent material that is capable of removing impurities from a fluid stream. Filtering may be done by the mass transfer zone principle of adsorption. The tank is formed with an elongated outer shell which is closed at one end and open at the other. An elongated core with an open upper end and a fluid opening at its lower end is centered in the open shell by a funnel that has a centrally located rod and a conical outer wall that contacts the top of the shell adjacent its open end which allows adsorbent material to be poured into the space between the shell and the core. The length of the shell is preferably at least two times as long as the mass transfer zone of the adsorbent material while the fluid opening at the lower end of the core is preferably on the order of three fourths as long as the mass transfer zone. A cap that has a port in fluid communication with the space between the shell and the core is formed by a ring of screened apertures.

Abstract: A filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water is described, which comprises a body (1) for association with a water inlet and defining an inlet end (2) in communication with a purifying filter including sequentially a bacteria hold-back membrane (23) and an active carbon zone (31), and deflector means (40-74) which may be positioned in a first position, where the inlet end (2) is in communication with a direct water dispensing conduit (41-71) by bypassing the purifying filter, and in a second position, where the communication between the inlet end (2) and the direct water dispensing conduit is cut off and where the dispensing through a purified water conduit (42-71) is allowed.

Abstract: A water filter adapted for installation in the hot and cold water supply lines leading to a faucet, appliance or the like includes a housing containing a granular activated carbon filtration bed and a two position valve with three ports for controlling water flow through the filtration bed. The valve has a first service position for normal flow of cold water through the filtration bed to the effluent line from the water filter and a second backwash position for flow of hot water through the filtration bed in an opposite direction to then drain through the same effluent line.

Abstract: A filter system for entraining solid matter contained in a fluid wherein a mass of particulate filter material is suspended in a fluid confined within an enclosure and the fluid containing the solid matter to be filtered therefrom is pumped into the mass of particulate filter material so as to cause weltering of the particulate material and gravitational separation of the solid matter from the fluid.

Abstract: An improved resin tank for a water softening apparatus including an expansible chamber 50 that enlarges during fluid flow through the tank to displace any free space in the tank, thereby maintaining the compactness of the water softening material. The expansible chamber 50 is formed by an elastomeric sleeve 52 that is secured to and surrounds a portion of a downwardly extending fluid conduit 46 and overlies at least one aperture 54 formed in the conduit wall through which fluid communication is established. The pressure drop normally occurring during fluid flow through the tank generates a pressure differential force on the sleeve wall 52a that causes it to enlarge if free space in the tank is present. In an alternate embodiment, the fluid communication between the conduit and the chamber 50 is provided by a pitot tube 62 that is disposed in the conduit fluid flow path and is operative to communicate the velocity pressure of the fluid flowing down the conduit 46 to the chamber 50.

Abstract: In a system for leaching septic effluent from a source thereof, a first leach field has an input, a porous bed and means for distributing effluent from the input throughout the bed. A second leach field similarly has an inlet, a pervious bed and means for distributing effluent from that inlet throughout the pervious bed. Distribution means, having an intake coupled to the source, selectively feeds the effluent only to the input until the effluent level in the first field reaches a predetermined depth. Thereafter, the effluent is automatically fed to the inlet of the second leach field. The principle of operation is extended to the use of a third or more leach fields, the distribution means selectively feeding the effluent to the entrance to the third field only after the effluent in the second field reaches a preselected depth and so on.

Abstract: A water filter (10) includes a housing (12) which receives unfiltered water through an input line (54). The water enters the housing (12) and passes through a baffle (30) and upward through charcoal filter material (86). Various pollutants within the water are removed by the charcoal (86). After being filtered by charcoal (86) the water passes through a filter cloth (24) into a lateral line (22). The water is transmitted through a return line (16) which passes through housing (12) into a supply line (46) for delivery to the consumer. The filter (10) is back washed by supplying hot, pressurized water into the return line (16) where it is fed through the lateral line (22) into the charcoal filter material (86). The back wash water passes through the baffle plate (30) and is collected at the bottom of housing (12) where it is forced out through a waste water disposal line (74).

Abstract: A system for the combined softening of water and reduction of dissolved solids from the water, which can be retrofitted to a conventional water softening apparatus, is disclosed. The system includes a pressure tank having a closure with an access opening, an inlet line for conveying hard water to the pressure tank, an outlet line for conveying softened water from the tank and having a mouth located proximate the bottom of the tank, pelletized treatment material located within the pressure tank for softening the raw water, a plurality of tubular membrane carriers embedded within the treatment material, a plurality of semi-permeable reverse osmosis membranes enclosing the tubular membrane carriers, and a conduit for collecting the purified water from the membrane carriers.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions are recovered from a dilute aqueous solution by flowing the solution through either a single bed of ion-absorbing material in successive forward and reverse directions, or through a first bed of ion-absorbing material and thereafter through a second bed of ion-absorbing material in the reverse directon of flow. The reversal of flow is to periodically mechanically agitate a bed of ion-absorbing material to dislodge contaminants, such as gelatin.The method is accomplished by using one enclosed vessel, or a pair of enclosed vessels, that have valves to control the direction of flow. A timing device preferably automatically reverses the direction of flow about each hour.After a relatively large number of reversals of flow the heavy metal ions are recovered from the ion-absorbing material and the same is regenerated in the process to again absorb ions from the dilute aqueous solution.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use in filters, for example, water filters, includes an inlet for water to be purified and an outlet for filtered water. Partitions within the cartridge define an elongated, tortuous water flow path between the inlet and outlet. Filter pads and activated carbon, or another suitable absorbent material, is disposed in the flow path. The cartridge of the present invention provides effective odor and taste filtering of the water because the water passes over a large area of filter surface as it travels from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A tank drain assembly for swimming pool filters is provided characterized by an improved locking and orienting structure individually locking collector tubes into their respective sockets in the manifold surrounding the common drain port of the filter tank, each such structure comprising spring finger means segmentally formed on the socket end of the tubes, and a finger receiving recess within the tube socket sized and located to operatively orient the tube apertures responsive to receiving the finger means in tube locking relation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple, very economical apparatus for conditioning "aggressive" demineralized brackish water or sea water to remove CO.sub.2 and raise the pH to about 8. The invention is undemanding as to operator skill and attention and can be used economically with rather small quantities of water, such as a few thousand gallons a day. It requires no instruments or controls and utilizes inexpensive, generally available materials, principally limestone chips. The water is first sprayed at low pressure against a conical surface to cause it to film and release the bulk of the free CO.sub.2. The water is then fed upwardly through a bed of limestone chips with at least a two minute reaction time to convert the balance of the CO.sub.2 to calcium bicarbonate which is soluble and produces a pH of about 8.

Abstract: A water filter apparatus includes a housing having a horizontally-disposed base unit. A coupling upstands from one end portion of the base unit and is attachable to a faucet for receiving a supply of water. An outlet is downwardly directed from the base unit to discharge water received through the coupling. Also disposed within the base unit is a valve that selectively permits the flow of water through the coupling and in discharge from the outlet. Upstanding from another portion of the base unit is an inverted cup-shaped cap. An input fluid channel within the base unit leads from the valve to the chamber defined by the cap, and the valve selectively permits the flow of water through the coupling into the input channel and from that into the chamber. A filter cartridge disposed within the cap has an inlet opening communicating water from the input channel to the filter material.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions are recovered from a dilute aqueous solution by flowing the solution through either a single bed of ion-absorbing material in successive forward and reverse directions, or through a first bed of ion-absorbing material and thereafter through a second bed of ion-absorbing material in the reverse direction of flow. The reversal of flow is to periodically mechanically agitate a bed of ion-absorbing material to dislodge contaminants, such as gelatin.The method is accomplished by using one enclosed vessel, or a pair of enclosed vessels, that have valves to control the direction of flow. A timing device preferably automatically reverses the direction of flow about each hour.After a relatively large number of reversals of flow the heavy metal ions are recovered from the ion-absorbing material and the same is regenerated in the process to again absorb ions from the dilute aqueous solution.

Abstract: A portable oil-water separation unit especially well adapted for use in removing oil from limited quantities of water such as in clarifying bilge water in a boat, includes a sealed container a flexible, porous bag filled or packed with a granular oleophilic, hydrophobic foamed polymeric material. The container has a removable closure, with an inlet and at least one outlet extending through the closure to permit a water-oil mixture such as bilge water to be circulated therethrough. The inlet conduit terminates in the top portion of the container at a point spaced below the closure while the outlet conduit extends to and terminates at a position adjacent the bottom of the container so that the effluent from the apparatus must flow downward through the foamed material, whereby the oil is separated by attraction to the oleophilic material as well as by filtration and floatation while the water is permitted to flow through the device.

Abstract: Method and means for separating emulsified and entrained oils from water, machine coolants, and substantially any other liquid comprising initially directing a flow stream into an inlet trap for removing relatively large particles from the flow stream, passing the flow stream through a centrifuge for removing substantially all of the entrained solids in the flow stream, moving the flow stream through a de-emulsifier for coalescing of the emulsified oil into droplets sufficiently large for processing in a separator and for filtering any remaining solids from the flow stream, providing a backwash action from the de-emulsifier for recycling of said finally removed solids through the centrifuge, passing the flow stream through a separator for separation of the oil from the other liquid components of the flow stream whereby the separated oil and clean effluent may be removed from the system.

Abstract: A filtration assembly useful in a household water-chilling system and having a filter with concentric cylindrical activated-charcoal elements supported between inner and outer porous plastic tubes. The filter is contained in a housing having a cover with radiused inlet and outlet ports. A coupling or adapter block having captive O-rings seals mates with the cover ports to conduct water through the filter. The block and cover are self aligning, and are positioned so no vertical clearance space is required to separate the filtration assembly from the block when the filter is serviced.