Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter body, a removable filter cartridge, and a bypass valve with incinerable and non-incinerable portions. The bypass valve includes a valve seat and a movable valve closure element removable with the removable filter cartridge and incinerable. The bypass valve includes a return member remaining in the filter body. A method is provided for controlling bypass valve-opening threshold pressure.

Abstract: A filter cartridge has a keyed end cap which is configured and shaped for unlocking an associated valve mechanism that comprises a latch device and a valve. In this manner, when the fuel filter cartridge is placed into a fuel filter housing having such a latch and valve mechanism, the fuel filter cartridge is operable therein to filter fluid and pass the fluid into a standpipe contained within the fuel filter housing. The fuel filter cartridge of this type generally includes pleated filter paper which is disposed between two opposed end caps. The keys may be provided along the bottom end cap.

Abstract: A filtering device (100) for plastic melts exhibits at least one screen plunger (10) arranged movably between an inlet channel (5) and an outlet channel (6) of a housing (1) and containing replaceable, three-dimensional filter elements (25). The inside of the filter elements (25) is connected to at least one melt channel (11, 12) formed in the screen plunger (10). The melt channel is connected to the inlet or outlet channel (5, 6) of the housing (1) when in the production position. The screen plunger (10) exhibits at least one receiving chamber (14) that can be closed using a cover (16) on the face side. Several filter elements (25) are bundled with a central distribution element (20) to a filter cartridge (30) that can be placed in the receiving chamber (14).

Abstract: A separation membrane element includes a perforated water collection tube; and an envelope-shaped membrane formed of a separation membrane and wound around a periphery of the perforated water collection tube, in which the separation membrane has a difference in surface level of 100 to 2,000 ?m on at least one surface thereof and has a strip-form region in each of both ends of the separation membrane in terms of the longitudinal direction of the perforated water collection tube, the strip-form region having an average difference in surface level of 50 ?m or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside.

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element (1A) includes: a wound body (3) including a separation membrane; a core tube (2) that penetrates the wound body (3) along the central axis of the wound body (3); and a joining portion (4) that joins the wound body (3) to the core tube (2) at at least one end face (3a) of the wound body (3). The joining portion (4) has a holding portion (41) disposed inwardly of the end face (3a) of the wound body (3) and an extending portion (42) formed integrally with the holding portion (41). The spiral separation membrane element (1A) further includes a restraining member (5A) that secures the extending portion (42) to the core tube (2).

Abstract: A water filtration system includes a faucet assembly and a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a filter assembly; a filter bracket or mounting assembly for securing the filter assembly to a support surface or structure; and a filter manifold assembly including an unfiltered water inlet for connecting to an unfiltered water supply and a filtered water outlet for connecting to a valve assembly of the faucet assembly. The filter assembly interfaces with the filter manifold assembly to provide filtered water to the faucet assembly under control of the valve assembly. A filter that otherwise would not interface with the filter bracket/mounting assembly and/or the filter manifold assembly can be adapted to work in the water filtration system by using a filter adaptor assembly.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a housing, a lid, a filter element and a positioning cylinder. The lid is provided for covering an opening of the housing. The filter element is disposed in the housing. The positioning cylinder together with the filter element is disposed in the housing and defining a passageway for reception of the filter element. Further, the positioning cylinder includes a plurality of bulging portions disposed about the passageway and each protruding toward a centerline axis of the passageway. The bulging portions of the positioning cylinder have their highest points equally spaced apart from the centerline axis of the passageway.

Abstract: A filter device having a filter element (9) forming a body extending along a longitudinal axis received in a housing (1) closed by a cover part (3). A sealing arrangement (49) is provided to form a fluid-tight seal between the housing (1) and the cover part (3). The sealing arrangement (49) is a component of a filter element (9) and is fixed to a sealing carrier (48) rigidly connected to the filter element.

Abstract: A filter arrangement is provided, as well as methods of assembly and use. Advantageous features, relating to a preferred filter cartridge and a preferred slide arrangement, are provided. A filter cartridge is provided that includes a plurality of projections spaced from one another around a central axis. Also, a liquid filter assembly arrangement is provided that includes a plate arrangement having a central liquid flow channel, the central liquid flow channel including a cartridge positioning projection arrangement therein, comprising at least one projection extending radially toward a central axis.

Abstract: A filter system for removing contaminants from oil based industrial liquids and the like includes a support tube with a permeable sidewall through which the industrial liquid flows in an inside out direction. A multilayer coalescence media surrounds the support tube, and includes at least one layer of a non-woven fibrous material that is partially wettable by the dispersed water in the industrial liquid, and commences coalescence of the same to form small primary water droplets, and at least one sheet of a precisely woven monofilament fabric stacked on the downstream side of the non-woven material. The woven fabric is substantially wettable by the dispersed water, and has a fixed open mesh with uniformly sized and spaced apart pore openings which continue to coalesce the primary water droplets into large water drops which fall from the filter for collection along the bottom of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid filter includes a filter element having a filtering media disposed between two endplates. One endplate includes an open flow passage that allows a working fluid to flow into or out of the media during operation. The other endplate includes a connection structure. A cover houses the filter element, and has an opening that is an inlet or outlet in fluid communication with the opening of the one endplate. The cover includes another fill opening proximate the other endplate. A cap is connected to the connection structure of the other endplate to close the opening of the cover. The cover is retained between the cap and other endplate. Generally, the attachment configuration between the cap and the other endplate of the filter element helps ensure that the filter element with the correct micron rating is installed in a filtration system.

Abstract: A fluid filter element for use in fuel filtration systems is disclosed. The filter element comprises, in an example embodiment, top and bottom end caps; filter media extending between the end caps and forming a central volume between the end caps; and an inner liner disposed in the central volume of the filter media between the end caps. A fluid passage is positioned in the inner liner extending between the end caps, the fluid passage being separate and independent of the flow through the filter media. A first seal is affixed to the bottom end cap; and a second seal with a central opening is affixed to the lower end of the inner liner. The inner lining may provide partial axial support to the filter media. An outer lining may also be included and provide partial axial support to the filter media.

Abstract: An endcap includes a first plate member having a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions, and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal member includes a first portion engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A filter element for a paint sprayer having a feed line includes a core defining a first end, a second end, and a central portion extending along an axis between the first end and the second end. The central portion includes a central aperture closed at the first end and open at the second end and a plurality of openings that extend through the core to the central aperture. A mesh member surrounds the central portion and an adapter is coupled to the second end. The adapter includes a flowpath therethrough, an outer cylindrical surface, and an annular surface. The annular surface is operable to engage an end of the feed line such that the adapter is operable to form an axial seal between the adapter and the feed line.

Abstract: A filter core includes a tubular body that has a first end and a second end. The tubular body includes a plurality of surface features spaced longitudinally along the tubular body between the first and second ends. Each of the surface features includes a first portion for flow area and a second portion for bridging across an opening for strength.

Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane element used under a high-temperature environment, in which the stress acting on a portion for fixing between a fluid collecting tube and a separation membrane is reduced and a deformation caused by receiving a long time thermal history can be prevented, and also provided is a fluid collecting tube used for the separation membrane element. The separation membrane element has a fluid collecting tube (10), a separation membrane, and fixing portions (4) provided at at least two places and fixing between the fluid collecting tube (10) and the separation membrane. The separation membrane element has at least one elastic portion in the fluid collecting tube (10) between the fixing portions (4).

Abstract: A method of making an anisotropic filtration media includes, foaming a media, straining the media in a selected direction, and relieving strain of the media in the selected direction.

Abstract: A liquid filter with a filter housing (9) with a filter element (8, 108, 208) arranged within. Within the filter element (8, 108, 208) a standpipe (3, 103, 203) is arranged. This standpipe is sealing connected with the filter element, whereby in the connecting range between standpipe and filter element a sealing element (15, 115) is arranged for sealably closing a discharge hole (11) in the housing (9). The sealing element (15, 115) seals the discharge hole and also sealably separates a clean side from a contaminated fluid side by sealing between the standpipe and the filter housing.

Abstract: A separator cartridge includes a support tube formed of a perforated strip of metal configured to normally have a first diameter and a spaced array of hexagonal apertures formed therein and a substantially cylindrical screen member having a diameter less than the first diameter of the support tube, wherein a diameter of the support tube is decreased from the first diameter to a diameter less than the diameter of the screen member to be received in the screen member, and wherein the support tube causes the screen member to be maintained in a substantially taut manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules including membrane sheets with regions (70,72) having different permeabilities. Said regions are arranged either axially or radially or both.

Abstract: A fluid filter includes a filter element having a filtering media disposed between two endplates. One endplate includes an open flow passage that allows a working fluid to flow into or out of the media during operation. The other endplate includes a connection structure. A cover houses the filter element, and has an opening that is an inlet or outlet in fluid communication with the opening of the one endplate. The cover includes another fill opening proximate the other endplate. A cap is connected to the connection structure of the other endplate to close the opening of the cover. The cover is retained between the cap and other endplate. Generally, the attachment configuration between the cap and the other endplate of the filter element helps ensure that the filter element with the correct micron rating is installed in a filtration system.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention pertains to a filter comprising a tubular core with a plurality of apertures and a hollow interior, said core having an open end for fluid communication with the hollow interior, a length of yarn wound in a series of at least three layers around an outer surface of the core, wherein two consecutive layers have been wound in accordance with different winding patterns. A second aspect pertaining to the a filter, wherein the yarn comprises a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers, wherein the natural fibers constitutes less than 40% of the yarn, and the reminder constitutes fibers or a mix of fibers made from one or more of the following synthetic materials: acryl, polyester, flax, polyamide, acetate. The invention furthermore pertains to a method of manufacturing a filter according to one or both of the above mentioned aspects.

Abstract: Housings for reverse osmosis filter cartridges and methods of making the same. The housings include: (1) a hollow cylindrical liner formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is adapted to surround a reverse osmosis filter cartridge; (2) a hollow head assembly that includes a transition collar portion formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is joined to said liner and a barrel portion formed of a chopped glass fiber-filled polymer that is overmolded onto said transition collar portion; (3) an end plug that is adapted to be received within an opening in the barrel portion; and (4) an overwrap layer comprising wound glass filaments and a polymeric resin that covers the outer surfaces of the liner and head assembly.

Abstract: A filter support member includes a plurality of core members and a hinge positioned between at least two of the plurality of core members. The hinge allows pivotal movement of the at least two core members relative to one another about a hinge axis associated with the hinge. The plurality of core members are positionable in an operational position to form a substantially cylindrical body and are further positionable in a stored position to form a substantially flat sheet. The substantially flat sheet occupies a volumetric envelope less than a volumetric envelope of the substantially cylindrical body.

Abstract: An elongate mesh pack for filtering a fluid defines a mesh pack axial opening. The mesh pack comprises a filter medium for filtration of the fluid and has an end fitting securely fixed to the filter medium, the end fitting providing a first extremity of the mesh pack. The end fitting has an inner surface defining an end fitting opening through the end fitting, the end fitting opening being co-axial with the axial opening of the mesh pack. The end fitting comprises an annular recess encompassing the end fitting opening. A partition wall suitable to deform towards the recess under radial force is provided between the recess and the end fitting opening, the partition wall forming at least part of the inner surface.

Abstract: A filter module is formed of wound filter material having openings wherein the boundary surfaces of the openings constitute flow-through surfaces. The openings of the wound layers of the filter material form channels angled relative to the winding axis, wherein one group thereof opens at the outer peripheral surface of the roll and the other group opens at the inner peripheral surface of the roll and wherein the channels on the other end, respectively, are closed and wherein the channels, angled relative to the winding axis, are separated from one another by filter material, and wherein the inner area of the roll has a central channel arranged around a winding axis.

Abstract: A suction filter may comprise a bag-shaped filter member and a passage member. The passage member is disposed in an internal space of the filter member. The passage member has a fuel passage and a plurality of openings, and guides fuel from the internal space to the outside of the internal space. The openings communicate the internal space of the filter member to the fuel passage. When the passage member is cut along a surface thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the passage member in each of the openings, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the passage member in the cut surface, in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface and the filter member is the smallest, is distant in a circumferential direction from a position on the outer circumferential surface where the opening is formed.

Abstract: A liquid filter cartridge is provided. Preferred seal arrangements are provided, to provide for preferred axial load conditions, with respect to one or more of the end caps of the cartridge. Some cartridge configurations provided include no core structure or outer liner structure therein, to support axial load. Assemblies using the cartridge, and methods of assembly and use, are provided. The liquid filter cartridge can be a serviceable cartridge, or it can be retained permanently in a housing.

Abstract: In the step of extracting and removing a porogen from a thermosetting resin sheet 1 containing the porogen, the porogen is extracted and removed by bringing the thermosetting resin sheet 1 into contact with a first liquid that has a relatively low temperature, and subsequently bringing the thermosetting resin sheet 1 into contact with a second liquid that has a relatively high temperature. Preferably, the temperatures of the first liquid and the second liquid are lower than or equal to the glass-transition temperature of the thermosetting resin sheet 1.

Abstract: A permeate carrier for a spiral wound membrane element has two or three layers, for example of tricot construction. The two outer, or only, layers resist movement of the membrane sheet into permeate channels in the permeate carrier. The total thickness of the permeate carrier sheet may be similar to the thickness of typical tricot permeate carrier sheets. The permeate carrier sheet may be coated to make its surfaces hydrophilic. The coating may be, for example, a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). In the spiral wound element, a permeate carrier sheet may be wrapped in one or more layers around a central tube. Channels in the permeate carrier sheet are oriented helically relative to a longitudinal axis of the central tube.

Abstract: An endcap including a first plate member including a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device, comprising a tubular filter element and a carrier part, with the filter element fastened thereon. The carrier part can be inserted between an unfiltered fluid pipe and a filtered fluid pipe. The pipes can be assembled into a continuous flow pipe, wherein the filter element protrudes into the pipe interior.

Abstract: A filter element is provided with a snorkel that facilitates bleeding of air along the outside periphery of a tubular filter media pack to a bleed chamber contained within the filter element. This may be employed in fuel filtration applications during installation and removal of filter elements whereby air can be temporarily trapped in a housing containing the filter element. The snorkel thus vents the air along the outside of the filter element and then into a bleed chamber where it can be communicated to a standpipe having an isolated bleed passage.

Abstract: Housings for reverse osmosis filter cartridges and methods of making the same. The housings include: (1) a hollow cylindrical liner formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is adapted to surround a reverse osmosis filter cartridge; (2) a hollow head assembly that includes a transition collar portion formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is joined to said liner and a barrel portion formed of a chopped glass fiber-filled polymer that is overmolded onto said transition collar portion; (3) an end plug that is adapted to be received within an opening in the barrel portion; and (4) an overwrap layer comprising wound glass filaments and a polymeric resin that covers the outer surfaces of the liner and head assembly.

Abstract: A water filter system including a filter housing having a filter element for filtering impurities from water and a ventilation stack movably connected to the filter housing for adjusting a position of the stack relative to a level of the water to release air from the water trapped by the filter element during filtration.

Abstract: Described are wrapped fluid treatment elements, comprising: a composite material; an interleaf; and an inner core; wherein the composite material and the interleaf form layers wrapped around the inner core. The composite material and interleaf may be wrapped in a spiral configuration around the inner core. The invention also relates to a method of separating a substance from a fluid, comprising the step of placing the fluid in contact with an inventive device or element, thereby adsorbing or absorbing the substance to the composite material contained therein.

Abstract: A dialysis adapter cell includes a housing comprising a plurality of pillars extending between and attached to a top plate and a bottom plate to form a hollow receptacle, wherein the top plate comprises an aperture configured to provide access to the hollow receptacle; a dialysis membrane disposed about the housing and sealingly engaged to the top plate and the bottom plate; and a platform in physical communication with the bottom plate and configured to position the dialysis adapter cell in a sample holder of a United States Pharmacopoeia dissolution apparatus 4 flow-through cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for processing a fluid having a body of wound layers of a sheet material, the body having inner and outer surfaces, first and second end faces and a passage extending along the winding axis of said body in fluid communication with the inner surface, the sheet material having openings forming at least three types of channels, the channels extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, a first type of channel being open at the outer surface of the body and closed at the other end, a second type of channel being open at the inner surface of the body, in fluid communication with said passage and closed at the other end, a third type of channel being closed at both ends thereof and positioned such as to receive fluid from one or more channels of the first or second type.

Abstract: To be able to achieve better compensation for length changes in a cylindrical filter element (100) having a cylindrical filter bellows (11) which is closed off at each of its end faces (1, 2) with an end disk (20), the filter bellows (11) which encloses a central tube (12) and an end disk (20) which serves as fixed bearing and is fixed relative to the central tube (12) or is connected with this is provided, as is a second end disk (20) is configured as movable bearing, with at least the second end disk (20) having an annular shape and being connected via an internal radial ring seal (22) to the central tube (12).

Abstract: A filter element for filtering liquids or gases, having a concentrically arranged filter medium with zigzag pleats. The filter medium is provided with end disks on its axial end faces, each end disk having an inside that is connected to the filter medium and an outside that faces away from the filter medium. At least a first end disk carries a valve element which is situated concentrically inside the filter medium. This valve element includes a valve seat which bulges outward above the plane of the outer side of the end disk. The valve element includes a valve body which cooperates with the valve seat and which is arranged on the first end disk so that it is axially movable and is inside of and surrounded by the filter medium.

Abstract: A fluids filter is presented that is cylindrical in shape and can be adapted to fit inline with any pipe system. The filter is comprised of an outer solid cylinder and an inner cylinder possessing multiple filter means, including a replaceable fine mesh or material filter. An absorbent boom can be placed in the filter system to absorb hydrocarbons or other materials. The inner tube possesses an emergency bypass in case of flows through the pipe system exceeding rated levels.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly (10) has a receiving chamber (18) that can be closed by a cover element (14) and a spring-loaded supporting tube (22) that is fixed in the receiving chamber and is designed to receive a filter element (20) that can be radially traversed by oil. The supporting tube (22) is axially displaceable between an operating position and a drain position in such a way that, in the operating position when the receiving chamber is closed by the cover element (14), the tube closes a drain opening (42). When the receiving chamber is open in the drain position, the tube releases the drain opening. The supporting tube is mounted to rotate through a rotational angle that is limited by two rotational stops (41, 43) in the housing and the cover element has follower sections (66, 68, 70) that co-operate with the supporting tube and/or filter element to rotate the supporting tube through the rotational angle when the cover element is screwed on and/or unscrewed.

Abstract: An endcap including a first plate member including a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A spiral wound module is suitable for use with high temperature water that is also very alkaline or has a high pH, for example SAGD produced water. The module uses a polyamide-based membrane with a polysulfone or polyethersulfone backing material. For other components, the module uses primarily one or more of, EPDM; polyamide; polyphenylene oxide; polyphenylene sulfide; polysulfone; polyethersulfone; polysulfonamide; polyvinylidene fluoride; mylar; fiberglass; and, epoxy. Polyester is not used. Polypropylene is not used for the feed spacer. For example, a module may use a PVDF feed spacer, a nylon permeate spacer and a polysulfone center tube. The center tube may be provided with 4 rows of 0.063? diameter holes and be rolled under high tension.

Abstract: The web of the invention can comprise a super absorbent layer that can act as an moisture sensitive fuel shut-off valve, absorbent, adsorbant or reactant. The web of the invention can comprise a super absorbent fabric or layer made of a superabsorbent particle or fiber. The web can comprise a nanofiber layer having dispersed within the nanofiber layer a super absorbent particulate and optionally a second particulate material that can act as an absorbent, adsorbant or reactant. Fluid, gas or liquid, that flows through or by the assemblies of the invention can have any gas, liquid or solid material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid interact with the super absorbent particulate. If needed these materials can also react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the active particulate within the nanofiber layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a liquid utilize a filter apparatus including a center tube or flow balancing element including a helical fin. The helical fin radially contacts and supports the inner periphery of a filter media. The helical fin may be formed on a venturi center tube, or on a center tube flow balancing element for dividing the total flow of fluid through the filter apparatus into a bypass filter portion and a full-flow filter portion. The helical fin may alternately be formed on a standpipe center tube, defining a helical flow path between the inner periphery of a filter media and openings in the wall of the center tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device, in particular for fluids such as hydraulic oil, lubricating media, processing, surface or sea water, having at least one filter element (3) that has at least one effective filter surface (23), which is suitable for removing contaminants from a media flow crossing the filter surface, wherein an effective filter surface is designed as a flexible filter sock (23) that can be pulled onto a support body (13) of the filter element (3). The invention is characterized in that the filter sock (23), while enlarging the effective filter surface thereof, is designed to be longer in the axial direction of the filter element (3) such that the effective filter surface lies in folds upon pulling the filter sock (23) over the support body (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter module comprising a body of wound layers of sheet material, with an inner and outer peripheral surface, a winding axis and a passage within the body, the sheet material having a plurality of openings forming at least two types of channels within the wound layers, the channels extending in a direction from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface, a first type of channels in fluid communication with the outer periphery and closed at the end toward the inner periphery, a second type of channels in fluid communication with the inner periphery and closed at the end toward the outer periphery, the two types of channels separated by portions of sheet material, one of the types of channels being outlet channels and being covered by a filter material.

Abstract: A filter module comprises a body of wound layers of sheet material, said body having inner and outer peripheral surfaces and a winding axis and a passage extending along the winding axis and in fluid communication with the inner peripheral surface, the sheet material having openings forming two channel types extending from the inner to the outer peripheral surfaces, a first channel type open at the outer peripheral surface and closed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface, a second channel type open at the inner peripheral surface, in fluid communication with the passage and closed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface, the two channel types separated from each other by sheet material, one channel type communicating with a module port, the other channel type communicating with another module port, wherein a majority of openings forming the inlet channels incompletely register with corresponding openings of an adjacent layer.