Abstract: A filter assembly includes a base and cover member which together enclose a planar filter element. Each of the base and cover members has a planar face with a central overpressure opening for an overpressure valve, and a radially-extending channel extending from a port on the side of the base or cover member radially inward to the central overpressure opening. The channel is open along the surface of the planar face. According to a first embodiment, a plurality of radially-extending ribs are disposed in even, spaced-apart relation around the planar surface. The ribs define radial fluid flow paths for even distribution of fluid across the planar face, as well as support a surface of the planar filter member. According to one aspect of this embodiment, a central support rib is suspended along the open side of the channel, and is attached at its radially outer end to an outer annular frame, and at its radially inner end to a ring surrounding the central opening.

Abstract: A mesh enclosed container is provided to remove melt water from frozen blocks of contaminated sediment which has been extracted from a marine environment. The mesh enclosure has a number of porous wicking tubes for insertion into corresponding cavities in the frozen sediment blocks. Wicking material is inserted into the tubes to enhance melt water flow out of the sediment blocks during the thawing cycle. A sealed container may be provided to enclose the block and meshed container to prevent escape of volatile materials during the thawing cycle. The sealed container will also collect melt water accumulated during the thawing cycle. A method of melting frozen marine sediment blocks is provided to recover treated water.

Abstract: A vacuum filter device is disclosed which includes a filter body which is adapted to receive in fluid-tight, sealed relationship a pair of closed containers for solutions to be filtered by a membrane filter positioned within the filter body. A vacuum port in the filter body communicates with the downstream side of the membrane and a venting passageway also located in the filter body communicates with the closed sample container to serve as a vent to atmospheric pressure. The venting passageway is made of an air permeable hydrophobic filter or preferably a small enough opening to prevent the sample solutions from leaking out of the device during normal use.

Abstract: In a filter well having an inlet portion and an outlet portion and a filter arranged between these, the filter is carried by a support surface having a number of flow channels, extending radially towards an outlet. The ridges between the flow channels have a width of not more than about 0.2 mm whereby essentially the entire upper surface of the filter becomes active at filtration. The filter well is formed by forming of plastic in a forming device, whereby the flow channel pattern in the support surface for the filter is formed by a forming part in the forming device, wherein a negative corresponding to the flow channel pattern has been made in the surface of the forming part by a photolithographic etching process or by laser machining.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a storage vessel for storing purified water. A dispensing spigot is connected to the vessel. The spigot includes a valved body and a lever for operating the valve. The lever can be rotated rearwardly from an "off" position to temporarily dispense water, i.e., to dispense water so long as a rearward force is applied to the lever. When the rearward force is relieved, the level automatically returns to the off position. The lever can also be rotated forwardly from the "off" position to continuously dispense water, i.e., to dispense water until the lever is forcefully rotated rearwardly by the user. A stop pin is removably mounted in the lever to prevent the lever from being rotated forwardly from the "off" position until the pin is removed, thereby preventing the continuous dispensing mode from being accidentally initiated.

Abstract: A fuel filter having improved communication with a contaminant container employs a body with a fuel inlet and fuel outlet having a housing connected at its upper end to the body, the housing having a bottom opening therethrough. A filter element is retained within the housing, the filter element having a bottom end. An interior passageway is provided in the filter element in communication with the body fuel outlet, the exterior of the filter element being in communication with the body fuel inlet. A support plate is positioned within the lower end portion of the housing on which the filter bottom end rests. A contaminant container is supported to the housing bottom. The support plate has a spiral fluid passageway providing communication between the interior of the housing and the contaminant container, the passageway permitting liquid contaminant, such as water, to flow from the interior of the housing into the contaminant container.

Abstract: A liquid filtration device useable for removing leukocytes from blood is disclosed. Located in-line on the upstream side of the filtration device is a vent device which is configured to allow liquid being filtered to flow therethrough and creates a pressure head sufficient to prevent air from entering the vent until the fluid flow therethrough stops and thereby allows air to automatically enter the vent to allow the air to drain liquid through the filtration device. The vent minimizes air entering the filtration system during the flow of liquid flow therethrough while automatically allowing air to enter the system and thereby drain the system when the flow of fluid stops.

Abstract: A filter (102) for filtering fluid from a machine (104) includes a filter housing (106, 250) having a first inlet (114) receiving a first fluid from the machine, a first outlet (116) returning the first fluid to the machine, a second inlet (118) selectively receiving a second fluid from a source (120) of cleaning fluid, and a second outlet (122) for exhausting the second fluid and for exhausting the first fluid from the dirty side of the main filter element (124) in the housing backwashed by the second fluid. The filter housing has a first flow path (126) therethrough from the first inlet then through the filter element in one direction then to the first outlet, and has a second flow path from the second inlet then through the filter element in the opposite direction then to the second outlet, the first and second flow paths having common but opposite direction portions through the filter element. A second filter element (156) is provided in the second flow path.

Abstract: A filter assembly has a housing accommodating a filter element. One end cap of the filter element has a generally annular body with support fins projecting from one surface. A peripheral flange extends from the edge of the body and is spaced from the outer ends of the fins to allow differential expansion of the flange without undue stress. The flange carries two opposed sets of pegs for supporting respective sealing rings to allow the flange to seal between parts of the housing.

Abstract: A capsule type filter assembly provides increased strength by fixing ends caps of a filter element to a housing at both ends. At one end, a tubular part extends through a hole in the housing and is joined to the housing. An inner space of the tubular part communicates with the inner space of the filter element. In this configuration, the structural strength of the filter housing is enhanced by making the integrated body of the end caps and the filter element function as the reinforcing means for the housing.

Abstract: A plastic oil filter comprises a cup-shaped shell with an open end. The shell contains an annular filter media with an elongated opening therethrough. A backplate is positioned in the open end of the shell. An elongated core is positioned in the opening in the filter media. The core is hollow and has a plurality of openings in the walls thereof. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular rings are formed on the outer surface of the core. Fluid to be filtered can pass through openings in the backplate into the space between the shell and the filter media, through the filter media to be filtered, through the openings in the walls of the core, into the flow passage in the core, and exit from the filter through the flow passage in the core. Sealing washers are provided at each end of the filter media for preventing undesired flow between the core and the ID of the respective sealing washers. Spring structure is formed on the core.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly is provided using a bag-type vessel shell and a removable adapter assembly that contains multiple filter cartridges. The invention can be used with both double-open-end filter cartridges and single-open-end filter cartridges. In either case, both ends of the filter cartridges are held in place by individual positioning guides, so as to maintain a perpendicular orientation and seal integrity. In all cases, a knife-edge end seal is provided to be forced into the end surfaces of the filter cartridges. In one embodiment, a compression plate is provided with a single coil spring to force the multiple knife-edge end seals against their respective filter cartridges. In a second embodiment, individual floating end seals are provided at the compression plate to provide good seal integrity regardless of variations in length of the individual filter cartridges.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a top plate assembly, a top plate attachment member, and a replaceable coreless filter element. The housing has means for sealingly engaging the housing to the top plate, and a hollow central core having an open first end and being connected to the closed end of the housing at the second end. The central core has a plurality of fluid outlet perforations. The top plate has a rim, fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means extending through the top plate. The top plate attachment member has a tubular shape, and a fluid outlet port extending through it. The coreless filter element having annular end caps on first and second open ends is disposed in the housing. The fluid inlet means of the top plate are in fluid communication with a fluid inlet chamber defined by the filter element and housing. The central core extends into the first open end of the filter and the hollow cylindrical chamber of the filter element.

Abstract: A filter comprises a housing having a container and cover which enclose a filter element. The container includes a hollow central post which extends upwardly from the base of the container. The upper end cap for the filter element includes a base supporting the filter media and a cylinder extending downwardly within the central cavity of the filter media. A first seal is provided around the periphery of the upper end cap to seal the intersection between the container and the cover. A second seal on an upwardly-extending flange on the upper end cap seals against a corresponding downwardly-extending flange on the cover. A plurality of slots in the base of the upper end cap provide a flow path from an inlet on the cover to the upstream surface of the filter media. The lower end cap also includes a base supporting the filter media and a cylinder extending upwardly within the cavity of the filter media and defining a central lower opening for receipt of the central post.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly includes a substantially cylindrical filter element including a pair of oppositely disposed filter element ends. A first endplate is bonded to one of the filter element ends so as to close the end and prevent fluid leakage therethrough. A second endplate is bonded to the opposite filter element end so as to close the opposite end and prevent fluid leakage therethrough. The second endplate includes an outer annular wall which is sized so as to create a noticeable distance of separation between the second endplate outer wall and the outer surface of the filter element and thereby define an annular clearance space therebetween. The outer wall of the second endplate is annular and substantially concentric with the filter element and provides a lip or free edge for the snap-on assembly of a closing lid member.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a liquid slurry is described. The apparatus uses a pair of filter chambers formed by a pair of fixed plates, and a pair of opposed moveable plates. The moveable plates are moved into engagement with the fixed plates by the downward movement of a wedge member disposed between the plates and, the plates are bias so that when the wedge member is withdrawn, the plates will be drawn together opening the filter chambers. The chambers are sealed by opposed arcuate gaskets so that the sealing action is achieved by internal pressure rather than the pressure driving the plates together. A filter media is provided on a continuous roll which extends between the gaskets and is intended to carry the filter cake out of the chamber when the plates are separated whereupon the cake will be dropped from the filter media into a collection area so that the filter media can be reused.

Abstract: A filter element for use in a filter holder having a sealing surface and method of making a filter. The filter being made of a folded material of manufacture having a circumferential sealing rim and having a spacer to keep open the folded areas. The spaced being formed by at least one cover layer folded with the filter. The sealing rim being formed to be received in the sealing surface and with the folds formed by at least one cover layer and the filter material both along and transverse to the folds around the circumference of the at least one cover layer and filter material being pressed into said sealing rim at a temperature above the softening temperature of at least a thermoplastic resin provided in at least one of the layers of the cover and filter material.

Abstract: A reusable microconcentrator device may be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled before use. The microconcentrator device of the invention is typically useful in filtering and separating small samples of solutions and suspensions. The microconcentrator device of the invention includes an elongate sample sleeve, a base element which can be removable and replaceably coupled to a centrifugal portion of the sleeve, a compliant membrane compressing feature, and a disposable membrane. Preferably, the base element includes an O-ring which compresses the membrane to seal it to the centrifugal surface of an annular ledge portion of the sleeve, which also forms a deadstop. Among the advantages of the microconcentrator device of the invention is that a reliable retentate volume remains following filtration. The elements of the microcentrator device can also be permanently assembled to one another.

Abstract: A filter has a series of porous, compressible filter elements sealed at their outer edge by a collar of silicone rubber that is flowed into the filter elements. The collar seals with an annular recess around the inside of a filter housing so that flow through the housing is confined to the filter elements without any compression of them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pot-shaped permanent filter insert for use in an espresso machine, the insert comprising a filter base plate which substantially forms the bottom of the pot and is penetrated by a plurality of filter openings substantially in the flow direction of the medium to be filtered and comprises a frame surrounding the filter base plate, and a pot wall which is substantially arranged on the edge of the filter base plate and transversely extends away from the filter base plate to form a coffee receiving portion, the permanent filter insert being made of a plurality of parts in that the lower edge portion of the pot wall is substantially secured to the outer edge of the filter base plate. Furthermore, the lower edge portion of the pot wall and the filter base plate are interconnected by an injection-molded plastic connection, a frame being injection-molded substantially around the outer edge of the filter base plate, interconnecting the frame and the filter base plate and the pot wall.

Abstract: A water filter assembly mounted to an inner surface of a refrigerator and accessible from within a refrigeration compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and a replaceable filter cartridge. The first and second housing parts cooperate to define a fluid-tight chamber for receipt of the filter cartridge. The first housing part includes an inlet port through which unfiltered water may be introduced into the chamber and an outlet port through which filtered water may exit the chamber. The second housing part surrounds a portion of the first housing part and provides a volume sufficient to hold the filter cartridge and any water within the chamber when the second housing part is released from the first housing part to replace the filter cartridge, and thereby prevents or minimizes spillage of water from the filter assembly during filter cartridge replacement.

Abstract: A portable vacuum loadable liquid-solid separator tank having a bed with a drain, surrounding sides and a dividing wall. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed, and sides, and forms the dividing wall. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and covering the top and the dividing wall. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated from the liquid it contains by gravity and hydrostatic pressure which force the liquid through the filter. Liquid is drained out of the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. The solids are removed through a gate that may be provided in the tank, or by using a hydraulic lift system in much the same manner as a garbage truck empties a municipal dumpster. The filter is removed with the solids and usually discarded.

Abstract: A sea water strainer for use with marine craft includes a reservoir forming member disposed intermediate two ends portions. The end portions are formed with inlet and outlet fluid channels which are selectively accessible and blockable to direct the flow through the strainer. Further, an arrangement for mounting the strainer is provided with inclined bores through which bolts may pass with their operational interface directed angularly upwardly for easy access by conventional tools.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads and indexing means for preventing rotation of the top plate with respect to a filter mounting base after the filter is positioned; a top plate attachment member having a fluid exit port extending through it and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on the filter mounting base; and a replaceable filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The top plate attachment member secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the filter element.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads; a hollow central core having a plurality of fluid outlet perforations extending through it, and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on a filter mounting base; and a replaceable coreless filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The hollow central core secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the coreless filter element.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolating a DNA sample from a heterogeneous mixture of the DNA and other compounds. The invention relates in particular to isolating a plasmid DNA sample from a cleared bacterial lysate. The invention provides an apparatus and method for using the apparatus to rapidly and economically isolate a DNA sample from such a mixture without the use of hazardous chemicals.

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: A product collecting device for use in an apparatus for coating seed with gel includes a product receiving case, a top portion of which is open, arranged in a downward direction of water wash bath. A partition wall is provided for a bottom wall of the product receiving case. A product collecting port is provided for one side of the partition wall. The other side of the partition wall is provided with a draining hole located directly under a carrying out side end portion of the water wash bath. A draining chute which covers the other side of bottom wall, is inclined downward toward the product collecting port water breaking hole is provide in such a way that a length of the water breaking hole is long along the direction both of inclination and hardening.

Abstract: A fuel filter comprises a head (10, 96) having an inlet (14, 100) and an outlet (16,102). The head has a pumping portion (18, 104) which includes a vertically extending stepped bore (46, 120) having movable bodies (86, 88; 132, 140) therein. The fluid area between the bodies (54, 126) is connected to a variable volume area (77, 160). The head is connected to an element (98, 266) by a nipple portion (186) which has a valve element (196) therein. An actuating projection (222, 272) is engagable with said valve element to open flow through said nipple portion when the correct element is attached thereto. The failure of the nipple portion to sufficiently extend in the element, which occurs when an improper element is attached, prevents flow through the nipple portion and renders the filter inoperable. The actuating projection is further supported on a central portion (220, 276) which prevents connection to a nipple portion that extends too far into the element.

Abstract: A fuel filter having improved communication with a contaminant container employs a body with a fuel inlet and fuel outlet having a housing connected at its upper end to the body, the housing having a bottom opening therethrough. A filter element is retained within the housing, the filter element having a bottom end. An interior passageway is provided in the filter element in communication with the body fuel outlet, the exterior of the filter element being in communication with the body fuel inlet. A support plate is positioned within the lower end portion of the housing on which the filter bottom end rests. A contaminant container is supported to the housing bottom. The support plate has a spiral fluid passageway providing communication between the interior of the housing and the contaminant container, the passageway permitting liquid contaminant, such as water, to flow from the interior of the housing into the contaminant container.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is an end of the line sewage filter which comprises a metal framing that supports stainless steel walls, ceiling and floor and is built on and attached to a concrete platform. There is an oil filter mat which is placed on the floor of the structure to absorb some of the oil present in the sewage water. Holes in the floor of the device which align with holes in the concrete platform allow only the water and no trash or debris to exit the filter unit. Additionally, the filter unit is fitted with a door for easy access to the inside of the unit for cleaning.

Abstract: A collection and separation device for use in combination with a fluid collection container operatively coupled to a suction source to withdraw body fluids and collect tissue specimens from a patient comprising a tissue collection container operatively coupled between the patient and the fluid collection container having at least one tissue collection basket removably disposed therein to receive body fluids and tissue specimens from the patient including a separator to separate the body fluids and tissue specimens and a fluid collection chamber or zone disposed adjacent the separator such that body fluids and tissue specimens from the patient are received in the tissue collection basket where the body fluids and tissue specimens are separated whereby the tissue specimen is retained in the tissue collection basket for subsequent removal from the tissue collection container and the body fluids are collected in the fluid collection chamber or zone for collection and removal to the fluid collection container.

Abstract: A fluid filter having a hollow, molded, plastic housing with an open end, a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet. An internally threaded, plastic, molded cap is threadedly received on the housing via mating external threads for sealing the open end of the housing. A cap seal prevents fluid contamination of the threads. A removable filter element is contained within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A molded, resilient, plastic retainer captured between the cap and the filter element retains the filter element in position within the filter. If the filter element is of a bag filter type, as compared with a filter cartridge type, the retainer has a plurality of resilient legs which press down upon a bag mouth seal forcing it into contact with a flared mouth of the bag support.

Abstract: A filter assembly for decreasing fluid hold-up waste and providing uniform flow while maintaining desired flow rates and pressures comprises a housing, a filter element including first and second end caps and a filter fastened therebetween, and a sleeve. The sleeve is positioned around the filter and may be joined to the first and second end caps, thereby forming the cage as a single integral unit which is positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A filter housing assembly for the filtration of liquids at high temperature and high pressure and for reduction of particles having a housing for a filter cartridge, a flanged cap, that is slidingly inserted into the housing, and having a cap nut for fastening and tightly sealing the cap to a lip on the housing. The interface housing-cap having grooves, with centerlines offset in opposite directions, for receiving sealants and cone-shaped surfaces on the flange and the lip opposing flat surfaces on the cap nut and the flange, respectively, for achieving a tight seal. The housing having a bottom with a concentric cylindrical recess with a concave-convex edge for receiving the nose of the cartridge. The housing also having a spacer for holding the upper part of the cartridge concentric for efficient filtration.

Abstract: A filter for an in-tank type fuel pump. The filter comprises a frame, a bag type screen adapted to be kept in an expanded condition by the frame, and a flat protector to be interposed between the screen and a bottom surface of the fuel tank. The protector is attached to the screen substantially at the central portion of the protector in the longitudinal direction thereof, so that it may be pressed against the tank bottom surface by a small deflecting force of the screen. This construction is effective to cause less transmission of noise of the pump to the tank.

Abstract: A vacuum filter device is disclosed which includes a filter body which is adapted to receive in fluid-fight, sealed relationship a pair of closed containers for solutions to be filtered by a membrane filter positioned within the filter body. A vacuum port in the filter body communicates with the downstream side of the membrane and a venting passageway also located in the filter body communicates with the closed sample container to serve as a vent to atmospheric pressure. The venting passageway is made of an air permeable hydrophobic filter or preferably a small enough opening to prevent the sample solutions from leaking out of the device during normal use.

Abstract: A water purifier includes an outer housing, an inner housing disposed in the outer housing, and a filter element disposed in the inner housing. The outer and inner housings have top openings, respectively, each closed by a lid. The inner housing and filter element can be removed as a unit from the outer housing when the lid of the outer housing is removed. The outer and inner housings include interconnected water inlets for admitting unfiltered water, interconnected filtered-water outlets for discharging filtered water, and interconnected unfiltered-water outlets for discharging unfiltered water when the filter element is to be replaced. The filtered-water outlets and unfiltered-water outlets are disposed adjacent the bottom of said outer housing.

Abstract: A dispenser for pharmaceutical solutions which includes membranes which are placed in a dropper of the dispenser and are used to achieve the flow of essentially all the active product and the retention of essentially all the preservative during pharmacological treatment. The membrane is coupled between two cylinder units on parts of the dropper, which remain in a relatively movable position, owing to the existence of a certain play between the cylinder units; or the cylinder units may be in a relatively fixed position, owing to the lack of such play. The cylinder unit may also be in a fixed position but with a membrane treated adequately so as to have a small area or "stain" that permits the flow of air.

Abstract: A suitable liquid-solid separator tank having a bed with a drain, surrounding sides and a dividing wall. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed, and sides, and forms the dividing wall. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and overlapping the side grate and covering the dividing wall. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated from the liquid it contains by gravity and hydrostatic pressure which force the liquid through the filter. Liquid is drained out of the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. The solids are removed through a gate that may be provided in the tank, or by using a hydraulic lift system in much the same manner as a garbage truck empties a municipal dumpster. The filter is removed with the solids and usually discarded.

Abstract: A filter for liquids is disclosed herein. The filter includes a filter housing containing an exchangeable filter element. A support part is provided within the housing that is separable from the at least one filter element and extends at least partly centrally through the interior space of the filter element. A means is provided for releasably attaching one end of said support part to the filter housing. The housing includes first and second radial inner seals for separating a crude space surrounding an exterior of the filter element from a clean space located within interior of the filter element with the radial inner seals being mounted within the housing at the axial ends of the filter element. The filter element is folded star-shaped and sealed on the face side and provided on the inside at each of its two axial ends with a sleeve having an interior portion resting against the radial inner seals.

Abstract: A device for fat removal from cooked meat product that employs a draining apparatus in a cooking vessel or container. The draining apparatus includes a draining slot array, a draining box, a draining tube and a controller element. Fat and excess liquids, which are liberated during cooking, are drained out of the container through the draining slots, and into the draining box and draining tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a cell sample from a liquid specimen utilizes a collection receptacle in which the specimen is deposited, with a filter media being place in communication with a discharge port in the collection receptacle and a transfer device for drawing specimen from the collection receptacle and through the filter for capturing the cellular component of the specimen on the filter media for defining a cell sample for analysis. The collection receptacle, filter media and carrier therefor and the transfer device may be supplied in kit form for use in a clinical environment. A hypobaric vessel may be used and the transfer device and this vessel may also serve as a disposal receptacle for the liquid specimen passed through the filter media.

Abstract: The instant invention is a disposable water cooler bottle filtration device. The filtration device is situated within the well of a conventional water cooler and employs an elongated tube with a centrally disposed piercing tip. The tip provides for the puncturing of the water bottle cap when the water bottle is placed thereon. Water flowing through the tube passes through a sub-micron filter capable of removing bacteria. Optionally activated carbon may be placed within the support structure providing removal of chlorine and known carcinogenic formed by chlorine combined by-products.

Abstract: An improved filtration device capable of filtering and storing liquid which can then be removed from the device for analysis. A top cap is placed over a filter cap such that a seal is created between these two caps. The filter cap has an opening on its bottom end which is covered by a filter membrane. A storage reservoir is created in the device when the top cap and the filter cap are sealed together. These caps are then slidably received by a vial containing unfiltered sample such that a seal is formed with the interior wall of the vial and the outer wall of the top cap. A needle with a needle housing pierces the top cap and forces the device downward which directs the sample in the vial through the filter on the filter cap and into a storage reservoir to be removed through the needle.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a plurality of filter members, and a water storage tank disposed horizontally adjacent the filter members. The filter members and water storage tank are disposed in a housing, and a base plate is disposed below the housing to form a space which extends beneath the water storage tank and the filter members. An electric pump, electric transformer, and circuit board are disposed in a first section of the space which is disposed beneath the water storage tank. To shield those electric elements from leaking water, a first wall projects downwardly into the space, and a second wall projects upwardly into the space. The walls separate the first section of the space from a second section of the space which is disposed beneath the filtering members. The first wall isolates downwardly dripping water from accessing the first section, and the second wall prevents sitting water on the base plate from accessing the first section.

Abstract: A micro-screen filter device for a dry cleaning fluid flow system in a dry cleaning machine, having a cage to receive garments to be cleaned, a main filter with a plurality of filter elements and optional carbon cores, a main filter outlet valve, a main filter bypass valve, a solvent pump, a solvent holding tank, a tank inlet valve, a tank outlet valve, a button trap housing, a button trap inlet pipe, a button trap outlet pipe and a button trap outlet valve. The micro-screen filter device comprises a filter support assembly to be inserted into the button trap housing. A micro-screen filter bag is convoluted over the filter frame body, to remove fine particulates from dry cleaning fluid solvent in the system.

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 fecal parasite concentrator which has a cylindrical body (20) with connections for a sample vial (24) on one end and a centrifuge tube (28) on the other. An integral filter (36) is disposed within the body at right angles coaxially covering the cross sectional area of the hollow body. The filter contains a series of closely spaced square openings for filtration of a liquid diluted fecal specimen. A hollow stem (40) with truncated end (44) extends upwardly from the filter and a number of geometrically shaped orifices (46) permit air to pass therethrough when the diluant specimen flows through the filter.

Abstract: A method for filtering a whole blood sample using a filter element constructed and arranged to block the passage of fibrous and particulate matter which may be present in a liquid sample, such as a whole blood sample, while allowing the blood cells to pass is disclosed. In one embodiment, the filter element is part of an in-line filter assembly which assembly may include two complementary mating components. One component may take the form of a coupling provided with a male threaded portion adapted to be received into and engage the female threaded portion of the complementary mating component. This complemnetary mating component may be another coupling or an analysis system component, such as a valve. Each complementary mating component is adapted to receive a liquid sample carrying conduit therethrough. The coupling is also adapted to receive a filter mount which holds a filter element constructed and arranged as discussed hereinabove.