Abstract: A gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filtration device, comprising a removable high surface area cyst-reducing filtration member that provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Health Effects (September 1997). The cyst-reducing filtration member is adapted for connection to a bottom rim of a filtration cartridge sleeve of a water filter carafe, the cartridge sleeve being integral with a bottom surface of an untreated water reservoir of the water filter carafe. The cartridge sleeve further comprises an air vent hole that is located proximate to a top rim of the cartridge sleeve, wherein the cartridge sleeve further contains a filtration cartridge that is filled with an ion-exchange resin and carbon granules.

Abstract: A water dispenser supports a bottle having a neck closed with a holder accommodating a water filter. The cap member has an inwardly converging sleeve complementary to and engageable with the outer surface of the filter to retain the filter on the bottle neck. An air bleed hole in the bottle is located at a selected height relative to the exit openings of the filter to control maximum flow rate of fluid through the filter.

Abstract: An enhanced static filtration media may comprise a mat body comprising a non-woven of fibers that comply with 21 CFR 177.2260, and having a weight of about 4-7 oz./sq. ft.; a coating on the mat comprising about 100%-200% of the weight of the mat, and including, by weight, about 60-85% activated carbon, about 10-20% binder, and about 0-25% zeolite; and the media mat having an RDV/BV ratio of greater than about 0.4, and a porosity of greater than 90%. Various pitcher constructions make optimal use of the media. In some pitchers, the level of filtered water is easily viewed from the outside while the media is not visible from the outside.

Abstract: A biofiltering device for treating wastewater comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving the wastewater to be treated and an outlet for discharging the treated wastewater, a bed of peat disposed inside the housing between the inlet and outlet, the peat defining a biofiltering medium having a predetermined biofiltering capacity, and an air vent for aerating the peat. The device further includes a fluid flow control system arranged over the bed of peat and in fluid flow communication with the inlet, for distributing the wastewater through the bed of peat in a manner such that when the wastewater enters the system at a flow rate greater than the biofiltering capacity of the peat, the wastewater discharged from the system flows through the bed of peat at a flow rate no greater than the biofiltering capacity. The biofiltering device according to the invention enables one to efficiently treat incoming wastewater irrespective of its flow rate.

Abstract: A mobile oil recycling system adapted for use with an oil-lubricated combustion engine. The inventive system includes an evaporation chamber for changing the pressure of the oil from a first pressure to a second pressure lower than the first pressure. Metering holes in a textured three-dimensional evaporation surface at the second pressure allow oil to spread over the three-dimensional surface area and evaporate contaminants from the oil. In a specific embodiment, the system further includes a filtering system for removing solid contaminants from the oil. A housing contains and supports the filtering system and the contaminant removal chamber, and directs the flow of oil through the recycling system. In a more specific embodiment the housing includes a base having an oil inlet for allowing pressurized oil to enter the oil recycling system and an oil outlet for allowing oil at atmospheric pressure to exit the recycling system.

Abstract: A treatment carafe for an apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a water inlet which is automatically sealed when the user places the carafe on a base member. There is also provided a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulate in the carafe may be vented during the treatment cycle. The gas conduit is automatically connected in air flow communication with an off gas conduit when the carafe is placed on the base member.

Abstract: A filter for medical fluids comprises a hydrophilic membrane (18) dividing the filter into an inlet chamber (20) and an outlet chamber (22). This prevents air from penetrating the outlet chamber (22). The air retained in the inlet chamber (20) is discharged through vent holes (30, 32). Each vent hole (30, 32) is covered with a hydrophobic membrane (34, 36). According to the invention one of the vent holes (30) is provided in a front wall (38) opposite the hydrophilic membrane (18). The other vent hole (32) is provided in a rear wall (46) located opposite the front wall (38) so that the two vent holes (30, 32) point in opposite directions. Owing to this arrangement of the two vent holes (30, 32) one vent hole (30, 32) points upwards irrespective of the filter position. This improves venting of the inlet chamber (20).

Abstract: An oil exchange apparatus (16, 96, 126) and its assembly with an arrangement (17) of fluid flow lines (112), (108), for lubricating a system, such as an engine (15, 145), while providing for a quick exchange of the apparatus (16, 96, 126) with another one when another batch of oil is to lubricate the system. A filter (30, 103, 135) is mounted and disposed in a receptacle (21, 97, 128); inlet conduits (44, 109, 132) and outlet conduits (34, 105, 136) are mounted to the receptacle (21, 97, 128) and by which oil flows in and out of it in the operation of the system. A vacuum or vent conduit 43 also is mounted to the receptacle in each of its embodiments. In one embodiment, all the conduits (34, 44, 43) are mounted in a top housing component (22) of the receptacle (21). In other embodiments, inlet (109, 132) and outlet (105, 136) conduits are mounted at the receptacle's bottom (101, 130), while the vacuum/vent or third conduit (115, 141, 156) is at its top (102, 142).

Abstract: A filter is composed of a filter member forming at least two opposed faces, an inner space surrounded by the filter member for accumulation of a liquid, and a coupling member establishing communication between the inner space and the outside to discharge the liquid in the inner space to the outside. The liquid flows through the filter member, is thereby removed of foreign matters, and is discharged via the coupling member. Convexo-concaves are provided on at least one face of the filter member.

Abstract: A filter arrangement is described in which fuel flows through a filter member in a radially outward direction. A sleeve surrounds the filter element and defines, with the filter member, an air collection chamber. One or more small openings are provided in the sleeve whereby air is permitted to escape from the air collection chamber at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A biofiltering system for treating wastewater effluent for dissipation through an effluent absorption area and into earth beneath the effluent absorption area is disclosed. The biofiltering system comprises a bed of peat overlying the effluent absorption area, the peat defining a biofiltering medium having a predetermined biofiltering capacity, and a fluid flow regulator for allowing to the wastewater effluent to be treated to flow at a flow rate greater than the biofiltering capacity of the peat, while not exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

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

Abstract: An in-line liquid filtration device useable for filtration of blood, blood products or the like includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one filter element disposed in the housing between the inlet port and outlet port so as to filter liquid which flows into the filtration device via the inlet port. The filter element divides the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The device allows gases to vent the filtration device through the outlet port. The means may include a flow deflector within the first chamber and/or the second chamber. The means may also include a channel, preferably spiral, within either the first chamber and/or second chamber. The filtration device allows air therein to be purged downstream into either an air collecting bag or into the blood receiving bag without the manipulation of the height of the filtration device or the blood receiving bag.

Abstract: A method for preventing an obstruction from being trapped by suction to an inlet of a pool filter pump system, and a lint trap cover therefor. The cover is for installation on a lint trap unit located upstream of a pool filter pump, and is configured to vent air into the lint trap unit when a vacuum level within the unit exceeds a specified vacuum limit, as is the case if the drain or another inlet connected to the lint trap unit is partially or completely obstructed, such as by a child or foreign object. The rapid influx of air eliminates the vacuum within the pump and suction lines and, therefore, the resulting unsafe condition. The lint trap cover preferably has a damped mode of operation so that the pump system does not recover before the obstruction is removed. The cover can be manufactured as original equipment for the lint trap unit, or an existing cover can be modified to include the components required for venting the lint trap unit without requiring any modifications to the remaining pump system.

Abstract: An in-line gravity filtration device for biological fluids such as blood or blood products is disclosed. The device includes a series of channels formed downstream of filtration elements. The channels are defined in cross sectional area by the distance between the filtration elements and their bottoms. The channels are configured to form flow paths to an outlet port so that air within the channels is forced downstream through the outlet port thereby minimizing air being trapped on the downstream side of the device. For optimum performance, the cross section area of a single continuous channel, or the sum of the cross sectional area of parallel channels, leading to a single outlet port, should not exceed the cross sectional area of the outlet port.

Abstract: An amorphous potassium aluminosilicate filtration media which may be mixed with activated carbon filters water to remove oxygen, chlorines, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sodium sulfite and other contaminants. The particular sodium aluminosilicate is a porous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 Å to 250 Å at ambient temperatures (20° C.-35° C.) and low relative humidity (5%-20%). The media is initially formed as a microporous primarily amorphous gel containing Na2O, Al2O3, SiO2 and H2O. The sodium therein is displaced by potassium, whereby the filter removes impurities from water without introducing sodium. The potassium aluminosilicate may be a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of a strong base anion media charged with potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate.

Abstract: Impure portions such as air bubbles and gelled portions in a liquid are removed so that the liquid can be discharged with improved cleanliness. Under condition that a return flow path and a liquid discharge flow path are closed, a pump chamber is expanded, thereby sucking the liquid in a liquid container portion into a pump chamber through a filter. Under condition that a vent port of the filter and the return flow path are opened and a liquid introducing flow path, the liquid discharge flow path, and a pump inlet flow path are closed, the pump chamber is contracted, thereby returning the liquid in the pump chamber toward the filter so that air in the filter is exhausted to the outside. Under condition that the return flow path and the pump inlet flow path are closed, the pump chamber is contracted, thereby discharging the liquid from the nozzle.

Abstract: A biological fluid filter assembly (100) including a plurality of porous media (6a, 6b) and essentially lacking a solid partition between the media is disclosed. Preferably, the assembly has a space (12) between the media (6a, 6b). The filter assembly is especially suitable for depicting leukocytes from a biological fluid such as packed red cells, and can be used to deplete leukocyts from two or more units of biological fluid. A method of using the filter assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter package includes disposing a filter and a liquid in a container with the filter immersed in the liquid and sanitizing the liquid and the filter while in the container. After sanitizing, the container may be hermetically sealed to enclose the sanitized liquid and filter. The container may be vented during sanitizing to allow vapor of the liquid to exit from the container and prevent pressure from building up in the container. The container may be either rigid or flexible.

Abstract: A ceramic filter assembly is provided for use in a bottle for filtering water exiting the bottle so as to remove substantially all protozoa and bacteria from the water. The assembly includes a self-supporting ceramic filtering material element having a pore size of about 0.55 microns or less (e.g. about 0.45 microns) yet having a large open volume (e.g. between 40-85%, preferably between 51-80%), so that water may pass through it at a rate of 2 milliliters per second or more (e.g. 3-6 milliliters per second) with an initial head pressure of no more than 24 inches of water, so that the water may readily be passed through the filter by inverting and/or squeezing the plastic bottle containing the filter. A second, non-ceramic, filter element (such as a carbon block filter for reducing chlorine) may be mounted within the ceramic filter element, and a positively charged coating may be provided on the external surface of the ceramic filter element capable of attracting and holding negatively charged viruses.

Abstract: An enclosed, elongated structure for placement in the ground to filter and biologically pretreat wastewater after it leaves a septic tank and before it enters a drain field. The structure includes an upstream chamber or compartment connected to an inlet and containing a filter media such as stone and two or more baffles positioned crosswise to the direction of flow to direct the wastewater through multiple, sequential downward and upward flow paths through the stone for filtering and for anaerobic biological conversion of undesirable substances in the wastewater. A downstream chamber or compartment vented to atmosphere contains a filter media such as gravelly sand and receives the wastewater flow from the upstream chamber for further progressive filtering and for aerobic biological conversion of undesirable substances. Beneath the gravelly sand is a U-shaped perforated pipe for collecting the wastewater and directing it to an outlet leading to the drain field.

Abstract: An outside filter for an aquarium has a housing having an inner chamber, a removable cover for closing the inner chamber of the housing, a supply conduit for supplying water to be filtered into the inner chamber of the housing, a withdrawal conduit for withdrawing the water from the inner chamber of the housing, a motor-operated pump for withdrawing the filtered water, a device for producing a vacuum for aspirating water with air which is contained in the supply conduit during a displacement, the inner chamber of the housing together with the discharge conduit forming a system which communicates with the supply conduit and during the production of the vacuum is hermetically sealingly closed from outside and serves as an evacuatable pressure chamber, the device for producing the vacuum inside the system which is closed.

Abstract: A method for removing tumor cells from tumor cell-contaminated stem cell products is disclosed. One embodiment of the method relies on an in-line filtration device that includes a tumor cell reduction filter means, preferably comprised of one or more tumor cell reduction filter pads. The tumor cell reduction filter means provides at least a ten-fold reduction in tumor cells while allowing for at least a 30% recovery of stem cells in a filtered stem cell product.

Abstract: A device for removing gases from fluids, in particular from a dialyzing fluid, includes a container, which in the position of normal use is provided with a bottom first orifice and a bottom second orifice. Disposed inside the container is a partition wall which divides the container into a first chamber having the first orifice and a second chamber having the second orifice. The partition wall extends from the container bottom up to near the container cover, forming a gap-shaped interstitial space between the first and second chamber, and the container cover. Provision is made in the container cover for a venting orifice that is sealed by a hydrophobic filter. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second chamber form a tube-in-tube arrangement. The device according to the invention allows for a high separation rate to be achieved with a compact and simple design.

Abstract: A biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided having novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a porous medium in upstream and/or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents. Each housing or vent is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer line. The upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the unfiltered biological fluid, and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the filtered biological fluid.

Abstract: A method for purifying conventionally treated blood plasma to remove substantially all residual leukocytes while maintaining useful flow rates for medically useful amounts of plasma utilizes a disposable, heat-sterilizable filter employing one or more depth-type prefilters and at least one intermediate hydrophilic microporous membrane followed by at least one final hydrophilic microporous membrane having a smaller pore size than the intermediate membrane within a common housing. The purified plasma is preferably subjected to chemical treatment to destroy infectious agents such as hepatitis and HIV.

Abstract: A filter assembly, particularly for use with a plastic bottle having an open neck with an inside diameter of about 50 mm or less (e.g. about 25 mm), includes a tube of filtering material connected to one surface of a cap while a valve extends from an opposite surface of the cap. The tube is preferably of filtering material such as activated carbon with plastic binder, having a substantially continuous liquid-porous sidewall, a hollow interior, a first closed end, and a second open end. The tube is operatively connected to the cap second surface at the tube second open end by sonic welding, a mechanical connection, or adhesively. The cap has a fitting portion for cooperating with the bottle neck, such as internal screw threads or a snap portion. The valve may be a reciprocating valve, a baby bottle nipple, or a spray device. A biocidal medium may be disposed within the hollow interior of the filter tube, and the tube may be wrapped with a filter material having a pore size of about 1-4 microns.

Abstract: A gravity-flow water filter cartridge for use in a drinking water carafe or the like includes a high-surface area cyst reduction filter element disposed in a water-retaining reservoir within the cartridge; the reservoir retains sufficient water between filtering and during dispensing cycles to maintain the filter element in a fully immersed state, whereby the primed (air-free) condition of the filter necessary for fast gravity flow at high cyst reduction efficiency is maintained.

Abstract: A radial flow filter for use in a bottle, such as a carbon block filter, having a substantially tubular solid wall siphon shield or shroud mounted at one end of the filter element and defining an annular siphon space. The shield is mounted adjacent one of the filter when it is connected to a cap for closing a bottle, having a manual valve (such as a push-pull valve), and is mounted adjacent the other end of the filter when the filter is connected to a drinking straw. The siphon shield allows dispensing of almost all of the water present at the cap when the bottle is inverted for the cap-mounted embodiment, or adjacent the bottom of the bottle for the straw-mounted embodiment, without drawing significant amounts of air through the filter through non-submerged portions of the filter. That is, the maximum amount may be dispensed from the bottle without aspirating air through the filter.

Abstract: A pour-through water treatment device. The device comprises a carafe, a pour tray including a lower portion, an outer lid, and an inner lid. The outer lid is sealed to and substantially covers a forward portion of the lower portion, and has a lip extending over an upper edge of the carafe. The inner lid covers an opening in the outer lid for pouring untreated water into the pour tray. A bayonet-type filter locking and sealing arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: Biological fluid processing assemblies having a gas inlet and/or a gas outlet are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for producing fibrinogen includes a platen having a surface configured for heat exchange with a container, which is adhered to the platen by device of a vacuum and heat exchange allowing both cooling and heating to occur along the boundary between the container and the platen. The platen is operatively coupled to a device of rocking the platen about a horizontal axis and the container allows scavenging of a cryoprecipitate fibrinogen from the blood product for subsequent utilization.

Abstract: A disposable sterile apparatus (1) for blood filtration with a system for the optimization of blood recovery in the passage from one pouch to the next, having a main tube (4, 8, 13, 18, 19) containing sterile air, one end of which is designed for the connection to a first container (pouch) (2) containing the liquid to be filtered and the other end of which is connected to a second empty container (pouch) (20): The foregoing tube (4, 8, 13, 18, 19) includes at least one filter (12) being arranged in the flow of the liquid. The apparatus (1) contains a tube (7) for the return of air from the second container (20) to the first container (2) acting to equalize pressure of the liquid at the two extremities of the main tube (4, 8, 13, 18, 19) after the liquid has been filtered. The filter (12) features two interior semi-chambers with filtration material separating them. The first semi-chamber has an inlet port while the second semi-chamber has an outlet port and a venting port.

Abstract: An in-line liquid filtration device useable for filtration of blood, blood products or the like includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one filter element disposed in the housing between the inlet port and outlet port so as to filter liquid which flows into the filtration device via the inlet port. The filter element divides the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The device allows gases to vent the filtration device through the outlet port. The means may include a flow deflector within the first chamber and/or the second chamber. The means may also include a channel, preferably spiral, within either the first chamber and/or second chamber. The filtration device allows air therein to be purged downstream into either an air collecting bag or into the blood receiving bag without the manipulation of the height of the filtration device or the blood receiving bag.

Abstract: The apparatus treats storm water and includes a cylindrical basket that has a housing with a circumferentially extending air slot near the base of the housing. The basket contains an annular bed of absorbent material surrounded by a filter cartridge. Water flows radially inward through the filter and the bed into a cylindrical inner drainage space which has an outlet at its lower end, covered by a float valve. The drainage space is also in fluid communication with a one-way valve that allows air to pass from the housing into the environment. During operation, the float valve lifts when the water level rises and air is expelled from the drainage space through the one-way valve. As a result, water is continuously siphoned through the basket apparatus. When the water level drops, air enters through the air inlet slot of the housing and rises in turbulent fashion along the filter, scouring the filter and dislodging particulates.

Abstract: A liquid filtration device useable for removing leukocytes from blood contains a first chamber which is in fluid flow relationship with a second chamber. Filtration elements separate the first chamber from the second chamber so that liquid flowing from the first chamber is filtered thereby prior to entry into the second chamber. A passage leads from the second chamber into the first chamber and a hydrophobic filter may be used to prevent liquid from the first chamber from flowing through the passage into the second chamber while allowing air to flow therethrough. An outlet is located in the second chamber, preferably at the bottom thereof. A second outlet may be located within the second chamber and may be placed in fluid flow relationship therewith by a conduit or the like.

Abstract: An in-line gravity filtration device for biological fluids such as blood or blood products is disclosed. The device includes a series of channels formed downstream of filtration elements. The channels are defined in cross sectional area by the distance between the filtration elements and their bottoms. The channels are configured to form flow paths to an outlet port so that air within the channels is forced downstream through the outlet port thereby minimizing air being trapped on the downstream side of the device. For optimum performance, the cross section area of a single continuous channel, or the sum of the cross sectional area of parallel channels, leading to a single outlet port, should not exceed the cross sectional area of the outlet port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first liquid phase from second liquid phase and entrained air and solids. More particularly, the apparatus removes tramp oil, metal shavings and other solids from coolant used in metal-working machines. The apparatus can also be used to remove air and solids from a single liquid phase. The apparatus is compact and simple to use. It overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art devices, including their tendency to become plugged with oily material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma-collecting device which comprises a blood filtering material comprising glass fiber filter and microporous membrane, a holder having a blood inlet and a plasma outlet accommodating the blood filtering material, a blood-collecting needle being connected to the blood inlet, and a plasma receiver being provided on the plasma outlet side. The plasma-collecting device can collect a necessary amount of plasma for analysis from blood vessel directly, easily and surely.

Abstract: A filter bed base for the treatment of wastewater discharged from a dwelling, business or like producer. The filter bed base is generally rectangular in shape and includes an upper and lower surface. The upper surface of the filter bed base has a plurality of orifices for distributing filtered effluent into various chambers inside the base. The lower surface of the base has a plurality of orifices which are positioned beneath a select number of the chambers for discharging a portion of the filtered effluent into the soil underlying the base.

Abstract: A filter comprises a filter cartridge located within a housing. Fuel flows through a filter medium of the cartridge, in use, from an outer chamber to an inner chamber. From the inner chamber, the fuel flows over and around a sedimentation baffle located within a sedimentation chamber. Fuel exits the sedimentation chamber through an outlet passage, an air collection chamber being arranged to collect air from the flow of fuel. Air exits the air collection chamber via openings.

Abstract: The vacuum filtration device has a disposable filter funnel and a disposable filtrate receptacle. The funnel and receptacle are used with a reusable base that is connected to a vacuum source. When the receptacle and funnel are mounted on the base the vacuum is applied through a connecting passage to the receptacle to draw the filtrate from the funnel into the receptacle.

Abstract: An in-line liquid filtration device useable for filtration of blood, blood products or the like includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one filter element disposed in the housing between the inlet port and outlet port so as to filter liquid which flows into the filtration device via the inlet port. The filter element divides the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The device allows gases to vent the filtration device through the outlet port. The means may include a flow deflector within the first chamber and/or the second chamber. The means may also include a channel, preferably spiral, within either the first chamber and/or second chamber. The filtration device allows air therein to be purged downstream into either an air collecting bag or into the blood receiving bag without the manipulation of the height of the filtration device or the blood receiving bag.

Abstract: A softshell blood reservoir incorporates an integral flexible cardiotomy section in which a filter/defoamer unit is supported in a semirigid cage. The reservoir also incorporates a storage section and a mixing section. The three sections can selectively communicate with each other. Cardiotomy blood is supplied to the cardiotomy section, and venous blood is supplied to the mixing section. The storage section holds varying amounts of cardiotomy blood to maintain a constant mixed blood output from the mixing section. Only the filter/defoamer unit and the mixing section need be primed.

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.

Abstract: A method of separating particulate material suspended in a liquid from that liquid is described. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one upright tubular filter unit having a top end and a lower end; introducing a flow of the suspension into the tubular filter unit at one end thereof; and allowing the suspension to pass through the tubular filter unit trapping particulate material on an inside surface thereof. Apparatus in which the method of the invention is performed is also described.

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.

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

Abstract: A filter assembly for a flexible, portable bottle having a sealing cap including a filter attached to the interior of the cap to filter out substantially all INORGANICS, ORGANICS, RADIOLOGICAL CHEMICALS AND MICROBIOLIGY. The filter assembly also may include a second filter or Iodinator sealed in the flexible bottle to further remove micro-organisms from water passing therethrough. The filter assembly is designed so that the flexible bottle must be pressurized, as by being hand pressed, after it is filled with water to force flow of water through the either or both of the filters. The filter in the cap includes a check valve to allow the bottle to be repressurized after water has been dispensed from the bottle.

Abstract: The filtration method involves processing biological liquid from an enclosed flexible supply bag to a filtration media within a processing system wherein the flow of biological liquid within the system is restricted to allow the biological liquid to back up above the level of a port located upstream within the system and preventing gas from entering into the processing system through the port by maintaining the level of biological liquid above the port until the flow of biological liquid from the flexible supply bag ceases. The system automatically allows gas to enter into the system through the port when the flow of biological liquid ceases thereby draining the biological liquid into a receiving bag. The flow may be restricted by a narrow cross-sectional area within the processing system and the port may be covered by a hydrophobic filter media.