Receptacle And Modified Spacing Surface Or Support For Filter Medium Patents (Class 210/455)
  • Patent number: 6231639
    Abstract: A filter cartridge for a molten metal filtering system is provided with a modular construction in which the filter elements are adapted to be removably mounted to an end plate. The filter elements may be removed separately from the filter and replaced with new filter elements without removing the entire cartridge assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the filter elements are provided with an elliptical cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Metaullics Systems Co., L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Eichenmiller, Richard S. Henderson, Lennard D. Lutes, Harvey Martin
  • Patent number: 6224763
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane device adapted for bore side feed includes a split annular disk as a tube sheet support. The device may be assembled without integrating tube sheet support means into the hollow fiber bundle and tube sheet combination and without in situ tube sheet formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Xianshe Feng, John Ivory
  • Patent number: 6221246
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly has a tubular standpipe to support successive filter elements within a filter housing closed by a closure plate. A spindle is fixed to the inner surface of the closure plate in position to move into the upper end of the standpipe when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A top filter support is fixed to the spindle in position to be seated on top of a filter in the housing when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A skirt extends downwardly from the closure plate to deflect leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Zakir H. Shums
  • Patent number: 6220453
    Abstract: This invention provides a blood filter unit capable of obtaining a necessary volume of a plasma or serum sample from blood to be assayed easily at any place, which comprises a blood filtering material and a holder accommodating the blood filtering material and having a nozzle for sucking blood and a filtrate outlet, and the inside of the holder being kept reduced pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kitajima, Sigeru Tezuka, Yasuo Washizawa, Kenichiro Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6210577
    Abstract: A multiple cartridge filter housing assembly for the high purity filtration of etching liquids, deionized water, slurries and other liquids used in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. It comprises at least one upper and one lower cartridge within a bottom housing, a top housing and at least one extension housing. A vent tube in the top housing extending to the upper spacer ring in the extension housing generates a first air pocket between its lower end and the top of the housing assembly. The upper end of each cartridge is centered by a flow-through spacer ring. The lower end of each cartridge is sealed, against the pressure drop across the cartridge, and centered by an adapter ring. The adapter rings, except for the bottom one, have a downwardly extending tube with flow-through holes at its lower end such that secondary air pockets are generated above the holes and below the bottom surface of the adapter ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Guy Garber
  • Patent number: 6190546
    Abstract: An oil suction filter having an enclosed housing with a base surface and an oil intake opening, a top surface with an oil discharge opening, and a filter usually in the form of a filter cloth in the housing between the intake opening and the outlet. In one form, an oil diverting device at least partially surrounds the oil intake opening. In another form, an oil flow diverting device is provided at either or both of the oil intake opening and the oil outlet. In another form, an oil filter cloth has various densities, thicknesses or layers that control the flow. All the foregoing is for the purpose of minimizing formation of large air bubbles passing through the suction filter. Further, beads in the housing may keep the filter cloth off the base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Luk Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 6190552
    Abstract: A grid (250, 280) is disclosed which can be used as part of a salt platform (10, 50, 80) to support salt in an ion exchange water softener. The grid is preferably formed of ABS plastic and has a border portion (252) and bands (254, 256) without holes (274) formed therethrough for strength. When the grid is used as part of a salt platform having vertically oriented members (12-24) with open upper ends, cap portions (258-270), without holes formed therethrough, are used to cover the upper ends of the members. A ring (350) can be used to fit the salt grid in the brine tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Donald B. Peddicord
  • Patent number: 6183636
    Abstract: A combination faucet assembly and filter assembly is provided wherein these respective assemblies are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship by pipes preferably located in a common housing structure. The combination is adapted for use in association with a kitchen sink or the like. The faucet assembly incorporates a valve for mixing hot and cold tap water and for diverting cold tap water for passage through a filter in the filter assembly. A spout is preferably associated with the faucet assembly. A pivotable faucet lever is preferably associated with the faucet assembly. The lever has a universal type of movement capability and is manipulated by an operator to accomplish regulating of either such mixing or such diverting, and also the regulating of water volume issuing from the spout. Preferably, in mixing hot and cold water in an operator selected ratio are fed to a mixing chamber adjacent the valve before dispensing of the resulting water mixture from a spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Pure Water, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Bowers, Troy Livingston, Steve Park
  • Patent number: 6179131
    Abstract: A fusion-welded thermoplastic assembly and a method of fabricating the same includes first and second thermoplastic members fusion-welded together using a third thermoplastic fusion element. The first and second thermoplastic members and the thermoplastic fusion element are heated to a molten state using an infrared heater, and the molten fusion element is fused to each of the first and second thermoplastic elements. Prior to being connected by the fusion element, the first and second thermoplastic members are either brought into contact with one another or is held in such a way that they can be connected to each other using the third thermoplastic fusion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: PTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Muzik, Kevin J. Knebel
  • Patent number: 6170671
    Abstract: The blood filter unit of the invention is composed of a blood filtering material made of glass fiber filter and microporous membrane and a holder having a blood inlet and a filtrate outlet. The holder accommodates the blood filtering material so that the microporous membrane is located on the filtrate outlet side, provides a space between the blood filtering material and the filtrate outlet, and provides a means for preventing adhesion of the blood filtering material on the filtrate outlet side. By using the blood filter unit, a necessary volume of plasma or serum for analysis can be separated surely, irrespective of hematocrit value of the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kitajima, Kenichiro Yazawa, Shigeru Tezuka, Fumio Sugaya, Akemi Higo, Kiyotaka Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6164457
    Abstract: A filter cartridge having a flexurally rigid frame with a filter element inserted therein is formed of a frame composed of a blank in a single piece, and is folded inward forming a double-walled box profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Ulrich Schlor
  • Patent number: 6146527
    Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter housing having a main housing portion and a removable end closure defining a filter element cavity. The main housing portion includes an open annular end having an in-turned annular lip with a series of receiving slots formed in the inner surface of the lip. A filter element is disposed within the housing cavity and includes an end cap with a series of axially-extending drive pins, and an axially-extending stand-off device, where the drive pins are axially longer than the stand-off device. A mounting hub having a central threaded collar for attachment to a base is disposed between the outer surface of the end cap and the lip of the main housing portion. The mounting hub includes a series of orientation through-holes which correspond to the location of the drive pins on the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Victor R. Oelschlaegel
  • Patent number: 6116429
    Abstract: An extension kit for adaptation to an existing filter housing provides a two-fold increase in filtering surface area, while inducing a vibration into a resultant filter housing structure which resultantly loosens entrapped impurities to extend the life and frequency between filter change-outs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Richard D. Kirsgalvis
  • Patent number: 6116431
    Abstract: A horizontal circular filter is provided which includes plural filter pans arranged in a circle and rotatable as a group around a fixed central vacuum box. The filter pans are connected to respective sections of the vacuum box by respective manifolds which rotate with the filter pans. Each of the filter pans comprises a pan having a flat bottom wall including plural filtrate drainage troughs therein. A removable, disposable, plastic channel-forming grid is positioned on the bottom wall between the side walls of the pan. A filter cloth is disposed over the grid, and a cloth "caulking" arrangement secures the filter cloth in place so as to also hold the grid in place in the pan. A method of retrofitting existing punched plate filter pans is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Bartec
    Inventor: Michel Barloy
  • Patent number: 6113781
    Abstract: A fuel filter comprises a head (96) having an inlet (100) and an outlet (102). The head is connected to an element (266) by a nipple portion (186) which has a valve element (196) therein. An actuating projection (222, 272) is engageable with said valve element to open flow through said nipple portion when the correct element is attached hereto. 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. According to a further embodiment, the filter includes a housing (412) with a removable element (424) mounted therein. The housing has an inlet port (414) in direct fluid communication with a chamber (418). The outlet port (416) is in direct fluid communication with a central standpipe (422). The standpipe has a flow element (442) movable therein for controlling the condition of flow openings (436) in the standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Popoff, David H. Hodgkins, Michael D. Clausen, Russell D. Jensen, Walter H. Stone, Victor Oelschlaegel
  • Patent number: 6106244
    Abstract: A filter element is made of a mold body of filter materials and sandwiched between protrusions of a pump casing and a flange, so that the filter element may be assembled easily with the pump casing and the flange. The filter element is disposed within a fuel tank together with a fuel pump and a pressure regulator. Fuel discharged from the fuel pump is led laterally through fuel communication passages along the fuel inlet side surface of the filter element, so that the fuel may flow uniformly across the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Nakatsukasa, Koji Izutani
  • Patent number: 6090275
    Abstract: A liquid filter includes a barrel defining a cylindrical water chamber having a neck at the middle, a raw water inlet at the bottom side, and a clean water outlet at the top side, a suspension board suspended in the water chamber, a pneumatic cylinder operated to reciprocate pressure means through the suspension board in and out of the neck of in cylindrical water chamber, bundles of fibers respectively suspended from the suspension board for removing solid matter from upward flow of water passing through, a weight board connected to the bundles of fibers and suspended in the water chamber below the neck, and a fabric filter suspended in the water chamber below the weight board, wherein the sizes of the filtering open spaces in the bundles of fibers are reduced when the pressure means is lowered into the neck; the sizes of the filtering open spaces in the bundles of fibers are expanded when the pressure means is lifted away from the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Danny Kwei Cheng
  • Patent number: 6086752
    Abstract: A fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly includes a housing, an inlet tube, an outlet and return tube each made of stainless steel. An annular filter element is disposed within the housing and abuts at one end a pressure regulator element which is mounted within an O-ring retainer that is fixed within the housing. A resilient device, such as a wave washer or O-ring, is compressed as the assembly is assembled. In operation, fuel flows in through the inlet tube which is radially offset at a first end of the housing and into an annular space around the annular filter element. The fuel then flows through the filter media and the filter element and out of the outlet tube which is aligned with a hollow core of the filter media. If fuel pressure is too high, the fuel then flows through the pressure regulator, out of the return tube and back to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Norman C. Dell, Edward L. VanEgdom, Sam Tieu, Wendell L. Jacobson, Ronald R. Puckett, John A. Kroha
  • Patent number: 6085915
    Abstract: A fluid filter assembly (20) includes an axially extending tubular housing shell (24) having an integral closed end (26), a distally opposite integral open end (28), and a sidewall (30) extending integrally between the ends. An annular filter cartridge (32) is in the housing shell. An adapter plate (48) has a first set of threads (50) thread mounting the adapter plate to the machine (22) from which fluid is filtered, and a second set of threads (54) engaging the threads (56) of the open end of the housing shell in thread tightened engagement. The housing shell is a singular one-piece member of sufficient stock and thickness at the open end to be internally threaded and to structurally support direct threaded engagement with the adapter plate without an intermediate structural support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Schwandt, Christopher E. Holm, Brian K. Wagner, Scott W. Schwartz, Barry M. Verdegan, Stephen L. Fallon
  • Patent number: 6083392
    Abstract: A funnel having at least one channel or groove formed by projected ribs in the sidewalls of the funnel. The projections space the sides of a filter membrane placed inside the funnel, thereby preventing the sides of the filter insert from adhering to the sidewalls of the funnel and allowing the fluid to flow through the sides of the filter insert and into the grooves or channels that conduct the fluid to the discharge orifice of the funnel. The projected ribs are preferably a plurality of raised ribs arranged at approximately 45 degree intervals about the funnel interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Empire Comfort Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P. Rigney
  • Patent number: 6074559
    Abstract: A filter device has two flow paths. The first flow path has at least one cap and fluid port. The second flow path surrounds the first fluid flow path and has at least one cap that overlaps the cap of the first fluid flow path. The second flow path also has at least one fluid port. The filter device provides a simple arrangement that is easily disinfected or sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Hahmann, Klaus Heilmann, Michael Schonhofen, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 6068763
    Abstract: An improved, reduced waste oil filter has a concave housing having a first end, a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. A concave cover is removably and sealably attached to a second end of the housing providing a closed area with which the inlet and outlet ports communicate. An elongated cylindrical disposable oil filter element is supported within the closed area. The filter element has a perforated center tube, a first end of which detachably communicates with the fluid outlet port, the other end of the center tube being closed. The center tube has a filter media there around so that fluid flow into the closed area through the inlet port flows through the filter media and into the center tube to pass out through the outlet port. The filter element has a length greater than the internal depth of the cover so that when the cover is removed from the housing a portion of the length of the filter element extends exteriorly of the cover to facilitate easy removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Purolator Products Company
    Inventor: Henry B. Goddard
  • Patent number: 6045693
    Abstract: A fluid filter for assembly onto a filter head includes a combination of features such that the assembly of the fluid filter onto the filter head establishes radial flow paths within the fluid filter. The filter head includes an externally threaded outer wall and includes an annular inner wall which defines a flow opening. The inner wall is shaped with a protruding portion and a substantially horizontal bearing surface. The fluid filter includes an enclosing outer shell and a filtering element positioned within the outer shell. A support spring is positioned in the base of the outer shell so that it is axially positioned between the outer shell and the filtering element. An internally threaded nutplate is assembled to the outer shell and threadedly engages the externally-threaded outer wall of the filter head. An inner seal is positioned between the nutplate and the primary filtering element and is designed so as to define a hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Miller, A. Caner Demirdogen, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 6027647
    Abstract: A filter housing assuring serial filtration of a liquid through plural filter cartridges and enabling flushing without requiring removal of the filter cartridges. The filter housing has a cap including a liquid inlet, a filtered liquid outlet, a flush liquid outlet, and internal passages. The filter cartridges are held within a canister which is pressed against the cap and constrained against rotation with the cap. A retaining member surrounding and bearing against the canister threads to the cap. The canister is divided into chambers, and has passages in its floor arranged to enable serial transfer of liquid from one chamber to the next. Flushing employs liquid introduced under normal pressure. Passages leading to the flush liquid outlet enable flushing to proceed when the flush liquid outlet is opened. At other times, filtered liquid will pass through passages leading to the filtered liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Donald A. Northcut, Douglas W. Northcut
  • Patent number: 6007718
    Abstract: A holding device for a filter element is disclosed. More particularly, the holding device includes a body having upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface is sized and shaped so as to engage an end of an associated filter element. The holding device also includes a compressible member, which is positioned on the upper surface of the body, and a connecting mechanism for directly and movably connecting the body to a body of at least one other identical holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: H-Tech
    Inventor: Walter Booth
  • Patent number: 6004461
    Abstract: A portable 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, which may be vacuum loadable, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald B. Harris
  • Patent number: 5985144
    Abstract: An improved fuel filter cartridge comprises a housing which defines an opening, a filter element enclosed within the housing, and a flow-reversing insert disposed within the housing between the opening and the filter element. The improved filter cartridge is preferably used with a conventional header of the type having a fuel entry port, a fuel exit port, a central first conduit for interiorly defining a first axial fuel passage which is in fluid communication with the entry port of the header. Headers used with the improved filter cartridge also include a second conduit surrounding and cooperating with the first conduit to define a second axial fuel passage therebetween, the second fuel passage being in fluid communication with the exit port of the header, and a base for mounting the filter cartridge thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
    Inventors: Leon P. Janik, Michael J. Williams, Larry R. Cote
  • Patent number: 5979669
    Abstract: A blood filter unit having a blood filter holder containing a blood filtering material of a glass fiber filter and a microporous membrane is described. The holder has a blood inlet and a filtrate outlet, and accommodates the blood filtering material so that the microporous membrane is located on the filtrate outlet side and has a space between the blood filtering material and the filtrate outlet. The holder provides means for preventing adhesion of the blood filtering material on the filtrate outlet side. The inventive blood filter unit allows separation of a desired volume of plasma or serum for analysis without interference by the hematocrit value of the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kitajima, Kenichiro Yazawa, Shigeru Tezuka, Fumio Sugaya, Akemi Higo, Kiyotaka Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5976824
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a binding member of interest from a liquid specimen utilizes a collection receptacle in which the specimen is deposited, with an affinity-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 binding member of interest. The collection receptacle, affinity-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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Julian Gordon
  • Patent number: 5972218
    Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of substrates both for analytical and preparative purposes in a flow-through and cross-flow reactor having compact porous discs and/or compact porous tubes as carrier for conversion reaction or preparative separations which compact porous discs and/or compact porous tubes are modified with substances being capable of specifically binding and/or converting said substrates by distributing the samples to be converted and/or preparatively separated and collecting the converted and/or separated substrates preferably in a low volume, wherein the distribution of the sample does not affect the carrier adversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: BIA d.o.o. Laboratory and Process Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Djuro Josic, Primoz Koselj, Ales Podgronik, Ales Strancar
  • Patent number: 5954961
    Abstract: A bone particle collecting unit (30) has first (32) and second (34) interfitting housing members capturing a cylindrical screen basket assembly (64). Bone particle containing effluent from a surgical site is received through a port (40) in the first housing member (32) into the screen basket assembly (64). Suction is applied from a port (56) in the second housing member (34) to remove liquid which passes through the screen basket assembly. The screen basket assembly (64) includes a disc (66) which frictionally receives one end of a cylindrical screen (70) with the other end o the screen received about a rib (42) formed in the first housing member (32). Disc (66) of the screen basket assembly is received on guide ribs (58) to seat the assembly in the second housing member (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph E. Carchidi
  • Patent number: 5928512
    Abstract: A small filter cartridge is particularly adapted to be attached to the neck of a conventional plastic soft drink bottle to filter contaminated water contained in the bottle by passing the water through the filter as it is discharged from the bottle. The flexible bottle walls are squeezed to pressurize the water and facilitate flow through the filter element. The filter includes a uniquely positioned check valve which allows pressure equalization of the bottle interior in a simple and efficient manner. The filter is attached directly to the neck of the bottle and embodiments are disclosed in which the element is inserted completely within the bottle and mounted entirely outside the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Plymouth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hatch, Robert S. Frank
  • Patent number: 5925250
    Abstract: A fecal parasite concentrator which has a cylindrical body (20) with connections for a sample vial (24) on one end having a protective recess (27) for receiving the sample vial 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 having orifices (46) which permit air to pass therethrough when the diluent specimen flows through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Medical Chemical Corp.
    Inventor: Andrew John Rocha
  • Patent number: 5922378
    Abstract: The invention provides a water filtration vessel of the type having an upper reservoir for receiving tap water, a lower reservoir for storing filtered water and a filter-retaining passageway connecting between the upper and the lower reservoirs, further having a dispenser, mounted in communication with the lower reservoir for controllably adding a prequantified amount of a comestible additive to the filtered water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Michael Kagan, Ian Solomon, Yehuda Vatkin
  • Patent number: 5922200
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus for deadend filtration is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, and a filtrate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Pearl, Wayne S. Merrill, Cristopher J. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5906741
    Abstract: A blood outlet manifold is provided for a membrane-type blood oxygenator made of a plurality of micro-porous fibers. The fibers have first and second ends wound into a generally cylindrical bundle. The blood outlet manifold comprises a generally cylindrical vessel having a first annular wall dimensioned to snugly overly an exterior surface of the oxygenator fiber bundle. The vessel further has a flared portion including a second annular wall radially spaced from an end portion of the exterior surface of the oxygenator fiber bundle adjacent to the second ends of the fibers. An annular blood collection chamber is defined between the exterior surface of the oxygenator fiber bundle and the second annular wall for receiving blood flowing radially outwardly from around the fibers of the oxygenator fiber bundle. A seal is provided between the end portion of the oxygenator fiber bundle and the second annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Elgas, Robert F. Gremel, Robert Cushing Hamlen
  • Patent number: 5895574
    Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a fluted filter element in a filter housing having a first open end and a second closed end. The filter element includes fluted filter media coiled into a cylindrical shape and may include an end cap for support and fluid control. Fluid flows into the open end and either around the filter to the closed and back through the filter element or through the filter element to the closed end and then back through a central opening in the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis A. Friedmann, Gary R. Gillingham, Bernard A. Matthys, Daniel T. Risch, Wayne M. Wagner, Fred H. Wahlquist
  • Patent number: 5891334
    Abstract: A retaining ring assembly for a reverse osmosis filter cartridge includes a removable retaining ring inserted into the cartridge housing after insertion of the cartridge, the retaining ring including a demountable locking connection with the housing. When the housing is subsequently removed to replace the cartridge, the retaining ring forces the cartridge from its tightly sealed connection to the end cap or header, allowing the cartridge to be easily removed with the housing. Preferably, the housing includes a special brine ring adapted to cooperate with a conventional cartridge brine seal, the brine ring providing connection for the retaining ring and defining with the housing a brine flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Plymouth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Gundrum, Michael D. Steinhardt, Robert G. Schumacher, II
  • Patent number: 5858194
    Abstract: A capillary, interface and holder for a capillary electrophoresis system are provided herein. The capillary is disposed in a substantially planar housing having side surfaces. The capillary includes at least two, substantially coplanar capillary openings which extend through an interface surface located on one of the side surfaces. The interface includes at least two spaced apart receptacles for receiving an ionic fluid. Each receptacle includes a liquid permeable medium having a capillary area and a conductor area. Each capillary area is in fluid communication with one of the capillary openings and each conductor area is in contact with at least one electrical conductor. At least two of the capillary areas are substantially coplanar. The ionic fluid is disposed in each receptacle to create an electrical path between the capillary area and conductor area of each receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Bell
  • Patent number: 5853586
    Abstract: A sealing member for a multi-well microfiltration plate comprises a flexible sealing material which, in response to the application of differential pressure, will flex or collapse in the direction of the filtration along the contour of each individual well. A process maintains a differential pressure substantially constant over a multi-well microfiltration plate comprising placing said flexible sealing member over that surface of the plate having well openings, stretching the flexible sealing member so as to seal the perimeter of each individual well, creating a differential pressure around said plate covered with said seal and filtering a media from each occupied well at a rate independent of the filtration rate of any other well while maintaining a substantially constant differential pressure around the plate until filtration in the last well containing media is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Whatman, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Valus, Jonathan N. Lipsky
  • Patent number: 5849249
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an SPE extraction apparatus is provided with a new SPE disk which eliminates radial wicking and weeping and new disk holding apparatus which minimizes the indirect flow region and minimizes the number of sample transfers required. The new SPE disk encapsulates the sorbent/fiber matrix between two porous outer layers which can be filters, united into an essentially non-porous rim around the disk perimeter. The disk holder and ring seal against this disk rim so that the active central portion of the disk is held entirely within the direct flow path. Thus weeping and indirect flow loss are virtually eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus eliminates the need to manually disassemble the apparatus while in use. Advantageously a flow control mechanism is incorporated into the disk holder to further minimize the amount of solvent needed for extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Whatman Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Leon Jones, Jr., Alfonso Liu, James C. Robbins, Joseph Stefkovich
  • Patent number: 5843313
    Abstract: A fuel filter element includes an outer casing within which is located an annular filter medium which surrounds an inner tube. The filter medium is supported by upper and lower annular support plates. The upper support plate is provided with apertures to allow fuel flow and the lower support plate has a series of apertures which are located adjacent the outer peripheral edge of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 5840188
    Abstract: A liquid filter housing and filter bag assembly includes a reticulated basket fitted within a housing chamber and supported by the housing, and a replacable filter bag positioned within the reticulated basket. The filter bag includes a flexible flange which terminates with a bulbous lip which frictionally engages the housing to secure and seal the bag at the housing and basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Le Sac Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Kirsgalvis
  • Patent number: 5833852
    Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical accommodation member having external screw threads at respective ends. Connecting members are disposed at respective ones of those ends, and each connecting member possesses a passage to enable liquid to flow through the accommodation member. Each connecting member is adapted to be connected to a water pipe and is retained on the accommodation member by a respective lid member which is threaded onto a respective end of the accommodation member. A filter disposed inside of the accommodation member is in the form of a cylindrical perforated net and a panel extending across one end of the net to resist radial crushing of the net when the filter is removed and is being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Deok-Joong Yoon
  • Patent number: 5830349
    Abstract: A flow inverter element is configured as a molded component having both axial passages and radial passages, which passages are physically isolated from one another. The axial passages communicate with an annular chamber which opens to a series of inlet ports in the end plate of the housing while the radially extending passages communicate with a cylindrical chamber aligned with a central output port in the end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Roll, Willie Luther Stamey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5824217
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, a filtrate port and, optionally, a retentate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with either the feed or a retentate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Pearl, Wayne S. Merrill, Christopher J. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5817236
    Abstract: A filter suitable for automobile oil filter includes a housing with a pair of casings connected together with open ends facing each other and having respective communicating ports, a partition wall interposed between the open ends of the casings and having a peripheral edge held between the peripheral edges of the casings and first and second through holes, and a filter medium unit including a first filter medium having a first communicating hole corresponding to the first through hole of the partition wall and a second filter medium having a second communicating hole corresponding to the second through hole of the partition wall. The first filter medium is held between the peripheral edges of the casings together with the peripheral edge of the partition wall at one of two sides of the partion wall so that the first through hole and the first communicating hole are laid each one upon the other and so that a peripheral edge of the first filter medium adheres closely to the side of the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Toyo Roki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Chiba
  • Patent number: 5817232
    Abstract: A spin-on type filter assembly for lubricating oil includes a cast aluminum housing which contains a replaceable annular filter element. The filter element is resiliently retained in the housing by compressing a gasket thereon with a threaded end cap which closes one end of the housing. The housing includes a unitary front end wall with a plurality of inlet ports surrounding an axially positioned outlet port. In order to provide a secure coupling with the engine, an externally and internally threaded steel stud is threadably mounted in the outlet port for threadably coupling with the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Roll, Gregory K. Rhyne
  • Patent number: 5817234
    Abstract: A one-piece plastic injection molded filter housing has a first end and a second open end. An injection molded end plate member includes a circumferential annular flange, and an inward annular projection. Opposing, one-piece plastic upper and lower end caps include spaced flanges to receive the respective ends of a filter media therebetween. The upper end cap also includes an upper annular projection. The upper end cap is mechanically, removably connected to the end plate member via corresponding threads or a protuberance/recess interference fit combination. The end plate member is fixedly connected to the housing via a rib that fits into a recess on the housing via an interference fit, or by spin welding. The method for manufacturing the filter includes the following steps: connecting a plastic upper end cap to the media to form a media element; removably, mechanically connecting the upper end cap to the end plate member; and fixedly connecting the end plate member to the second end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Performance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dye, John Lowsky
  • Patent number: RE35900
    Abstract: A filter cartridge is disclosed having a pleated filter element, hollow perforated core, a lower annular end cap sealed to the bottom ends of the core and filter element and an upper circular end cap sealed to the top ends of the filter element and core. A hollow threaded nipple open at both ends extends coaxially downwardly from the annular end cap, the hollow interior of the nipple being continuous with the hollow interior of the core. A handle extends upwardly from the circular end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Meissner Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Meissner