Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer particles (e.g., granules or fragments) employed as filter media, e.g., for filtering runoff water, include an antimicrobial compound on exterior surfaces and can reduce proliferation of microbial organisms as well as sorb chemical contaminants from the water. By employing this dual decontamination action, filter systems employing such particles can improve the quality of runoff water (or other contaminated water streams) and reduce the risk presented by potentially harmful organisms.

Abstract: A filtration system for cleaning a fluid, typically water, that is contained in a tank having a rounded base and which cleans, during the backwash cycle, the filter media and, in particular, cleans the media in a usually stagnant area found in the rounded base of the tank. Most filtration system include a first pipe array located above the rounded base which provide for backwashing of the upper portion of the tank, but leaves the base area below the first pipe array stagnant and subject to the growth of harmful bacteria. The present invention adds a second array which is located in the base area and therefore is able to clean during the backwash cycle, an area that is left stagnant in most other systems. The second array is configured to follow the contours of the base of the tank to give it a greater cross sectional area than a flat array. This configuration results in greatly improved effectiveness over that provided by the conventional single flat array.

Abstract: The present invention is a media-based fluid filtration system that extends the time between backwashing operations and prevents the agglomeration of filtered particles at the top of the media bed through the use of a plurality of rotating vanes and associated tines that continuously agitate the upper portion of the filtration media to create a fluidized bed. The fluid stream to be filtered is introduced at the top of a generally cylindrical filtration chamber at a tangential angle to induce a helical flow inside the chamber. The chamber contains one or more layers of filtering media such as sand, gravel, or the like below the inlet. The incoming fluid stream makes contact with a plurality of pivotally mounted vanes, causing them to rotate. One or more downwardly extending tines are attached to each blade, extending down from the blade into the top layer of the filtering media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool filter that includes a filter body (1) being formed by a casing (2) with a top cover (3), and the cover (3) forms a water distributor (4), this latter being compartmented (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10), upperly open (11) and provided with lateral openings (12, 13, 14 and 15) for a selected water inflow and outflow, the distributor (4) being closed by a rotatable (24), compartmented (20, 21, 22 and 32) sealing subcover (19). The subcover (19) is apt to be stabilized in its different positions by means of peripheral projections (27) being apt to selectively fit into a socket (28) being integral with the cover (3) in the vicinity of its open top (11). A receiver (32) is inferiorly fitted to the casing (2) and is made up of a grid-like plate conforming to the periphery of the casing (2).

Abstract: An antibacterial member is constituted such that a propolis component is contained in, or adhered to, a water-insoluble base member. This antibacterial member is mixed into a filter member to be disposed in a flow passage in an antibacterial filter. Water in the antibacterial filter receives the antibacterial action from the propolis component when coming in contact with the antibacterial member. Thus, microorganisms in water is extinguished, and generation and propagation of germs, bacteria, algae and the like are suppressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering apparatus including, inside a filtering tower (1), a filtering section (r), a liquid collecting section (7) and a liquid feeding section (e). The liquid feeding section (e) includes a diffuser (A) attached to an upwardly oriented orifice (5a) formed at a leading end of a liquid feeding pipe (5). The object is to provide an apparatus which allows use of the existing filtering tower without its enlargement and which allows uniform falling of the filtering liquid over the substantially entire top surface of the filter medium layer, thus making it readily possible to maintain the flatness of the top surface of the filter medium layer even when light-weight medium is employed, thereby to allow the filter medium layer as well as the entire filtering apparatus to achieve their desired filtering performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.

Abstract: A system for removing material from a flowing liquid, where the system includes one or more cartridges, where each cartridge has an outer permeable wall and an inner permeable wall that form a media region between the walls, where a media is disposed within at least part of the media region to remove at least a portion of the material from the flowing liquid, the cartridge also having an inner cartridge lumen in communication with the inner permeable wall, and a cartridge outlet in communication with the inner cartridge lumen; a cartridge chamber having a treatment region that houses the one or more cartridges, where the cartridge chamber also includes a chamber inlet to accept the flowing liquid, and a chamber outlet to discharge treated liquid; and an actuatable valve positioned outside the one or more cartridges, where the valve controls a flow rate of the flowing liquid within the treatment region by actuating in response to a change in a level of the liquid in the treatment region.

Abstract: An underdrain system having a bottom formed of concrete. The concrete bottom includes a plurality of depressions formed therein. A porous plate is operably associated with at least one of the depressions. An anchor assembly is provided for anchoring the porous plate to the concrete bottom in an efficient and cost effective manner. Preferably, the anchor assembly permits the porous plate to be readily replaced. An optional insert may be used to enhance the distribution of the flow of fluid through the porous plate.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin plant for the demineralizing or softening water with an arrangement that allows the plant to operate continuously. The plant tank is divided into to two separate compartments that work simultaneously. One compartment effects water demineralization while the other compartment regenerates the ion exchanging resins.

Abstract: The water treatment cartridge is a cartridge adapted to fit into a conventional water filter housing to release a sanitizing dose of a water-treating chemical, and in particular chlorine dioxide, into a water treatment system or unit process. The cartridge is filled with a water treating media, comprised preferably of a mixture of an inert filler material and a chemical composition that releases chlorine dioxide on contact with water. The concentration of the chlorine dioxide released into the water, as well as the duration of the release, may be varied by the selection of the filler material and amount of the filler material in the water treating media.

Abstract: This invention is a liquid separation system using ion exchange resin, adsorbent resin and catalytic resin based on U-tube principle. It is shown that relatively low fluid velocity is sufficient to maintain the resin bed in compacted state during the operation as well as during the regeneration processes so that high quality product, low regenerant consumption, and convenient operation are obtained.

Abstract: A filtration device for liquids is provided and includes a filtration beaker filled with a filtration material and a lid. The lid is connected to the filtration beaker in a liquid-tight manner to define an inner volume, and includes at least one liquid inlet and at least one air vent. A sieve-like textile fabric is disposed in between the filtration beaker and the lid. In order to guarantee secure operation and ensure a good retaining effect with respect to particles having a size of approximately 200 micrometers at different filtration-material fill heights in the filtration beaker, the sieve-like textile fabric has at least one formed part protruding into the inner volume of the lid, whereby air can be found on both sides of the part of the textile fabric which is located farthest away from the filtration beaker.

Abstract: A filter facility includes a filter device received in a container and having a housing for receiving a number of filter particles. The housing includes a peripheral partition extended into the chamber from a bottom panel, and a plate disposed on top of the peripheral partition to form a compartment within the peripheral partition and the plate, and to form a peripheral space between the peripheral partition and a peripheral wall of the housing. The housing includes a number of apertures formed in the peripheral wall and the peripheral partition and the plate to increase a flowing area of the fluid through the housing.

Abstract: The invention recites a filter comprising a block including an outer wall defining an inner chamber and a block exterior, and a conduit having a conduit wall, a first conduit end, a second conduit end, and an inner flow path providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit ends. The conduit wall includes an orifice therethrough. The conduit is coupled to the block such that the first conduit end is in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the block and the second conduit end and the orifice are in fluid communication with the block exterior.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering apparatus including, inside a filtering tower (1), a filtering section (r), a liquid collecting section (7) and a liquid feeding section (e). The liquid feeding section (e) includes a diffuser (A) attached to an upwardly oriented orifice (5a) formed at a leading end of a liquid feeding pipe (5). The object is to provide an apparatus which allows use of the existing filtering tower without its enlargement and which allows uniform falling of the filtering liquid over the substantially entire top surface of the filter medium layer, thus making it readily possible to maintain the flatness of the top surface of the filter medium layer even when light-weight medium is employed, thereby to allow the filter medium layer as well as the entire filtering apparatus to achieve their desired filtering performance.

Abstract: An underwater filtration operator which can be suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged to discharge impurities in the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the operator includes a housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser or directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus including a pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation or movement of a packed bed of a solid catalyst and/or solid adsorbent which is provided on the packed bed. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus in which a pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation of the top surface of the solid catalyst packed bed is provided on the packed bed, or in which a water-permeable pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation of the solid catalyst packed bed is provided on the packed bed. Such pressure layers are effective in sufficiently preventing the solid catalyst from moving in the packed bed. As a result, there is no problem such as the abrasion of solid catalyst mainly caused by its movement, the deterioration of the performance thereof, and an increase in pressure loss, thereby treating waste water in a stable manner for a long period of time.

Abstract: A nozzle and associated system is for treating fluids is provided, particularly for a system including a reaction vessel containing a granular filter or ion exchange medium and a fluid manifold immersed in the granular or ion exchange medium. The nozzle has an outer screen defining a interior cavity, a duct for providing flow to the interior cavity, and a restrictor having at least one orifice through which the duct is in communication with the cavity. The orifice or orifices of the restrictor have a total open area that is less than the total open area of the outer screen. By this sizing relationship the nozzle flow rate is dictated by the inner orifice area, not the outer screen open area. In comparison to the outer screen openings each of the inner orifices is less susceptible to plugging or wearing than the narrow outer screen openings which are adjacent to medium. The nozzle according to the invention therefore provides a consistent predetermined flow rate and pressure drop profile over extended periods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pool filters. An underdrain design is disclosed that primarily relies on a peripheral ring rather than lateral projections to transfer the water to the sand. The ends of the ring are not joined so that the ring is not closed. The ring is also bent into a helical shape which allows the ring to be screwed into an opening with a smaller diameter than that of the ring. The ring is radially slotted so that water flows radially from it in all directions both toward the center of the tank and away from the center, as well as straight up and down. Since the water transfer takes place primarily along an arc located relatively near the mid-point between the center and the perimeter of the tank, the disadvantages inherent in the concentration of the water flow at the center of the tank are eliminated.

Abstract: A compact, rapid upflow deep media filter for removing suspended solids from a liquid flow, which includes: a filter casing having a liquid inlet port, a liquid outlet port, and a filter bed composed of a volume of granular filter media and located between the inlet port and the outlet port; and a screen, selectably movable between a first operative position and a second operative position within the filter casing, whereat in the first operative position the screen maintains the filter bed in a packed state so as to permit filtration therethrough of a liquid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, and whereat in the second operative position the screen does not maintain the filter bed in a packed state such that in the presence of a liquid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port the volume of filter media expands so as to enable separation therefrom of suspended solids accumulated during filtration of the liquid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fuel filter/dryer having a casing, and the casing having an inlet and an outlet. At least a portion of the casing is filled with a desiccant through which the fuel flows. Also within the casing, is a particulate filter which removes harmful particles from the fuel. The desiccant is of a type that changes color when saturated with water. The casing is transparent to allow the change in color to be viewed in order to ascertain whether or not the fuel filter/dryer needs replacement.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a container having an inlet for introducing liquid to be treated, an annular multi-layered prepacked screen assembly provided in the container and having an outlet for treated liquid. The screen assembly includes three or more cylindrical screens having different diameters and being coexially disposed in the container with their axes extending vertically in the container. An annulus is formed between the respective cylindrical screens. Two or more different filter materials performing different filtering functions are filled one in each of the annuluses between the cylindrical screens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a resin trap device to remove large resin particles from water in a water purification system to thereby protect downstream ultrafiltration equipment. The present invention includes a resin trap device which comprises a housing and a resin strainer disposed within the housing. The resin strainer includes a plurality of openings having a particle pass size of between about 100 &mgr;m and about 250 &mgr;m, and thus allows water and small particles to pass through the resin trap device and large particles to be retained in the resin trap device. The present invention also includes a water purification system including a water source, a resin bed and the resin trap device, and a method of purifying water using the resin trap device of the invention.

Abstract: A low profile pipe connection improves process performance or substantially reduces reload time for partitioned beds of particulate material separated by distribution/collection grids. This invention is a multi-sectored grid arrangement that connects piping from an intermediate point on each grid sector with a central or peripheral fluid distribution point through the use of a low profile connection. The reduction in diameter of the low profile connection over the usual flanged connection is substantial.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent includes a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material. The drain field may include at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, the extension conduit having a removable cap and a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in the extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to desiccant bags and filters for use in receiver/dryers or accumulator canisters of automotive air conditioning systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual or single desiccant bag provided with a filter section such that the desiccant bag effectively combines two separate components, a desiccant bag and a filter, into a single article. Accordingly, the bag is adapted to contain adsorbent material therein to adsorb moisture, or undesirable substances, within the a/c systems of automobiles, trucks or other motor vehicles while the filter is adapted to keep particles, dirt, or dust from entering the orifice in the bight of a U-bend tube where oil pickup is provided for lubrication of the a/c system.

Abstract: An internally plumbed housing for containing fluid purification media especially suitable for the production of ultrapure water. The device may be installed in a system for the production of laboratory grade water or may be used with pressurized feed for the delivery of purified water or other fluids in multiple applications.

Abstract: A rain water run-off filtering system includes a tank for holding and filtering run-off water, said tank being generally cylindrical with a horizontal axis, and having at least one manway for the introduction of water and a filter media. A horizontal grate disposed at the bottom of the tank, supports a bed of gravel and sand, and incoming water is directed onto the sand bed, thence percolating through the sand to a space below the grate. The outflow of water from the tank is regulated by a baffle plate bounding the sand bed. This plate has small holes for normally producing a small outflow, and at least one large aperture for permitting water to flow through the tank, without percolating through the sand, during extremely heavy rains.

Abstract: A gravity-flow water filtration cartridge is disclosed herein. The cartridge includes a housing having a compressed bed of ion-exchange resin disposed within an upper region thereof and a high surface area cyst-reducing filter element that is disposed within a lower thereof. The housing includes a middle chamber which separates the compressed bed of ion-exchange resin from the cyst-reducing filter element. The housing further includes a hydrophobic air vent conduit having an entry end that is positioned above a topmost surface of the cyst reducing filter element and an exit end that is positioned at least at a lowest surface of the cyst-reducing filter element, wherein the entry end includes a membrane having at least one hydrophobic side.

Abstract: An ion removal arrangement includes a filter having a filter material made of synthetic or naturally occurring crystalline hydrated aluminum silicates having a framework structure, which contain alkaline or alkaline earth ions. The filter is formed as a double pipe cartridge having an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The filter material is filled in the annular space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The filter is installed in the cast iron gutter pipe of a gutter system.

Abstract: Device (DME) or panel for collecting, distributing, mixing or drawing off several fluids, at least one main fluid and at least two secondary fluids, that comprises at least: means for collecting a main fluid (3, 9), at least two injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) that allow the passage of secondary fluids, at least two mixing chambers (11a, 11b) that communicate with injection and/or draw-off rails (6, 7) with orifices or passages (6i, 7i), means (12, 4) for redistributing the fluid that is obtained from said mixing chambers, means (5a, 5b) for separating collecting and redistributing means and draw-off rails (6, 7) are arranged one above the other, and mixing chambers (11a, 11b) are arranged on both sides of the rails and symmetrically relative to the orifices that have an injection function.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying and disinfecting water including a tubular housing having a rear inlet end and a front outlet end, a disinfection stage and an absorption stage containing activated charcoal being provided in the housing between the rear inlet end and the front outlet end. Each of the disinfection stage and the absorption stage have a front end and a rear end at which a respective perforated cylindrical insert is arranged, the cylindrical inserts having an outside diameter which corresponds substantially to the inside diameter of the housing. The inserts at the front and the rear end of the disinfection stage and the insert at the front end of the absorption stage are arranged to be stationary and the insert at the rear end of the absorption stage is arranged to be axially displaceable.

Abstract: A shower filter assembly, having a thin or low-profile design, including a recessed inlet, which leads into an internal chamber having a filter element mounted therein to deflect water flowing into the internal chamber substantially evenly through a filter media held within the filter element. Magnets are provided in the compact shower filter to act on the water flowing therethrough, so as to breakdown carbonates therein and prevent the formation of line and scale deposits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a resin trap device to remove large resin particles from water in a water purification system to thereby protect downstream ultrafiltration equipment. The present invention includes a resin trap device which comprises a housing and a resin strainer disposed within the housing. The resin strainer includes a plurality of openings having a particle pass size of between about 100 &mgr;m and about 250 &mgr;m, and thus allows water and small particles to pass through the resin trap device and large particles to be retained in the resin trap device. The present invention also includes a water purification system including a water source, a resin bed and the resin trap device, and a method of purifying water using the resin trap device of the invention.

Abstract: Tourmaline fine powders are mixed with glass powders having melting point between 500.degree. C. and the transition temperature of tourmaline, and the grains are formed from the mixture and sintered at a temperature below melting point of the glass. Tourmaline powders are stacked in the glass matrix in the tourmaline composite grains prepared above. When water passes through a case including many such grains, the water contacts with the grains and is converted to activated water by the grains. By using the activated water, a structure such as a moving vehicle or an outer wall of a building can be washed efficiently without a detergent. Further, the grains can be used in an apparatus for recycling wash water.

Abstract: A water conditioner includes a tank, and an apparatus for backflushing a bed of particulate material in the tank, which includes a tubular casing, a vertical tube in the casing, a cap on the top end of the casing, suitable valves for causing the flow of particulate material upwardly between the casing and tube, and then through a gap between the casing and cap during a backflush operation, and distributor device including a flexible, collapsible, umbrella-shaped body which is mounted on the casing immediately below the cap, and springs for biasing the body to the open position. Inlet tubes extend outwardly from the bottom of the casing approximately the same distance as the distributor for ensuring even distribution of liquid at the bottom of the bed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and remanufacturing a water treatment device having a media bed includes assembling a housing from a length of open pipe and a pair of end caps. One end cap is secured to each open end of the pipe. At lease two openings are formed at opposite ends of the housing. The housing is charged with media by passing the media through the openings in the housing. A pair of screens are provided in the housing outwardly of the media, and a pair of fittings are provided in the openings outwardly of the screens. The end caps may be permanently secured to the pipe, such as by an adhesive or other known techniques, prior to charging the housing with media. The water treatment device may be charged with media by forming a slurry, made up of the media and a liquid, and passing the slurry through the opening in the pipe. Liquid may then be drawn out of the housing through one of the fittings. At least one of the end caps may include a wall portion which overlaps a portion of the pipe.

Abstract: A washing apparatus includes a bubbling wash section for impinging bubbles in washing liquid to a material such as a machined work to be washed so as to remove solids such as sludges and oils adhered to the material to be washed, and a sludge removal and oily water separation section for removing sludges or the like mixed with the washing liquid at the bubbling wash section and for separating oily water in the washing liquid, the washing liquid passed through said sludge removal and oily water separation section being returned to the initial bubbling wash section for circulation. An activated carbon filtration section for connection with the bubbling wash section is optionally provided.

Abstract: An underdrain for a media filter used to filter liquids. The media particles rest on a pair of perforated plates having offset perforations. The plates are spaced apart a distance less than the size of the media particles. This allows the filtered liquid to flow through the plates but blocks passage of the media particles through the plates.

Abstract: A filter and hydraulic mixing assembly for a water treatment system. The assembly includes two circulation tubes disposed alongside a center tube. During a backwash cycle fluid is conveyed through the center tube to a housing member where it is discharged immediately below the open bottom ends of the two circulation tubes thereby conveying media from the surrounding tank upwards through the circulation tubes. A cap member is fitted over the upper ends of the circulation tubes within the tank and direct the media being discharged from the circulation tubes into a downward spiraling helical flow pattern which provides enhanced agitation and lifting of the media bed. Discrete filter segments are selectively attachable to the housing member and interchanging the discrete filter segments permits the total filter slot area of the assembly to be adjusted and also permits the filter slot size to be altered. The filter segments are color coded, with each separate filter size having a different corresponding color.

Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly comprising: at least one filter cartridge; said filter cartridge including a housing having two ends, the housing containing a filter media; a first end cap disposed on one end of said housing, said first end cap including a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a first fluid distributor, and a vent including at least one hydrophobic membrane positioned in a channel formed in said first end cap that allows entrapped air to be removed from said cartridge; a second end cap disposed on a second end of said housing, said second end cap including a product collection plenum, and a second fluid distributor that separates said filter media from said product collection plenum; and a liquid transfer tube disposed within the housing and extending from said product collection plenum to said fluid outlet port, is disclosed.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of building and public works, for example for lining the vertical walls of a building on the inside and/or on the outside, or for recovering water infiltrating through the ground in a plot. The present invention provides a closed insulating box in the form of a flat rectangular parallelepiped having two main faces in register which are spaced apart by four "lateral" faces. According to the invention, the six walls of the outer envelope of the box are rigid, thin, and made of a strong material, and at least one of the main walls is perforated by microholes, the main faces being interconnected by at least one internal stiffener, and the inside volume defined by the envelope is filled with rigid fragments of a granular material of cellular structure, and of relative density less than 1, and also having good thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A water filtration technique is designed to maximize the efficient performance of a variety of granular filtration media. The technique maintains the granular filtration media in a compacted state between a perforated outer media container and a perforated inner media container, where the perforated inner media container is a smaller similitude of the perforated outer media container. In the preferred embodiment of the filtration device of the present invention, the perforated outer and inner media containers are substantially spherical. By maintaining the granular filtration media in a static-state throughout filtration, highly efficient filtration is achieved. In contrast, during the backwash function, the normal inward flow is reversed to outward radial flow and granular filtration media is agitated, fluidized and quickly and vigorously cleaned. A plurality of high-velocity centrally-located water jets create the outward radial flow during backwashing.

Abstract: A self-supporting modular underdrain member for use in a liquid filtration system comprises a main body or housing including a pair of longitudinally extending inclined walls which may have a pair of generally triangular transverse walls connecting the inclined walls to one another, the inclined walls each being provided with a pair of longitudinally extending recesses and a plurality of orifices communicating with each of the recesses. A pair of flanges are connected to the inclined walls for attaching the underdrain body to a floor surface so that the inclined walls, any transverse walls and the floor surface define a cross-sectionally triangular underdrain chamber. Two pairs of elongate cover plates are attached to the inclined walls over the recesses to form in each of the inclined walls a pair of longitudinally extending plenums for the equalization of backwash air and water flow, each of the cover plates being provided with a plurality of spaced slots.

Abstract: A biological filter for purification of liquids has primary filtering stages (52a, 52b, 52c) of a particulate material and secondary filtering stages (54, 56, 58) containing a fine-fiber material. The particulate material and fine-fiber material are covered with a biofloc film. The primary filtering stages (52a, 52b, 52c) and the secondary filtering stages (54, 56, 58) form a succession of filtering groups, and liquid is caused to move through the succession of filtering groups. Liquid is aerated during movement through the succession of filtering groups.

Abstract: A device for removing a contaminant from a fluid stream flowing within a conduit is disclosed. The device includes a container and a barrier. The container has a first wall generated about an axis and a second wall generated about the same axis. The first wall defines a first volume therewithin, while the first and second walls define an annular second volume therebetween. Both the first and second volumes are sealed at one end of the device, while at the other end of the device the second volume only is sealed. A filter material occupies the second volume. The first and second walls are permeable to the fluid stream and are capable of retaining the filter material in the second volume. The barrier is impermeable to the fluid stream and creates a seal between the second wall and the conduit wall.

Abstract: A water filter includes a housing, a base adapted to engage with a lower end of the housing, two filtering cores each having a cylindrical casing threadedly connected with an upper circular cover and a lower circular cover, the lower circular cover having a threaded circular shoulder depending downwardly therefrom and a tubular neck having an upper end extending upwardly from the threaded circular shoulder and a lower end extending downwardly from the threaded circular shoulder, a first seat formed with an inner neck and an outer neck and arranged in a respective recess of the base, and a second seat formed with an second inner neck and an second outer neck and fitted into a respective recess of the base, whereby the water filter will provide two circulation cycles for purifying water.

Abstract: A tank coupler for releasably interconnecting serially connected tanks. The tank coupler includes threaded engagement portions which are threadedly engageable with ports formed in the tanks. The coupler defines a central fluid passage which receives in a sealing relationship, a riser tube associated with a first tank and a riser tube associated with a second tank. A snap fit mechanism maintains the engagement of one riser tube with the fluid passage in order to control separation of the riser tube from the coupler when the tanks are separated. O-ring seals mounted in grooves forming part of the fluid passage sealingly engage the periphery of the riser tubes and inhibit fluid leakage between the riser tubes and the coupler. The tank coupler also defines a second fluid passage which cross-communicates the interiors of the tanks. Distributors mounted on opposite ends of the second fluid passage inhibit material from moving from one tank to the other while permitting fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water purification cartridge with unidirectional fluid flow through the filter media. Preferably, the fluid flow is down through the media to prevent fluidization of the media which can have a negative effect on the capacity of the filter cartridge to filter fluid. A cartridge assembly includes a plurality of cartridge units. Each cartridge unit has a bottom cap and a top cap. Preferably, the top cap includes the inlet and outlet ports for each cartridge unit. The fluid flows into the cartridge, down the filter media to the lower end and a bottom cap collects the filtered fluid and directs the fluid to a tube which extends from the lower end of the cartridge to the upper end. The tube is rigidly mounted at the top of the cartridge and slidingly mounted on the bottom of the cartridge. Additionally, a novel method of making a filter cartridge is disclosed.