Supported, Shaped Or Superimposed Formed Mediums Patents (Class 210/483)
  • Publication number: 20020027102
    Abstract: Filter cartridges include a pleated multi-layer filter media having a filtration membrane layer, and a structural support layer for the membrane layer which is in the form of an expanded polymeric film mesh. Most preferably, the membrane layer and the expanded polymeric film support layer are each formed of a fluoropolymer, most preferably PTFE. The preferred expanded polymeric film support layer is in the form of a relatively open mesh structure having generally diamond-shaped apertures. Improved flow rate characteristics through pleated filter media ensue when the diamond-shaped apertures of the mesh are oriented such that the long dimensions (LD) thereof are substantially transverse to the elongate pleat axis of the pleated filter medium in which the mesh is employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Norman F. Robillard
  • Publication number: 20020023872
    Abstract: A device for application of multiple liquid samples on membrane by capillary action and creation of sample arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Aftab Alam
  • Patent number: 6337026
    Abstract: A high capacity leukocyte depletion filtration media incorporates a high specific surface area components with a matrix of fibers, yielding a filtration medium that removes leukocytes by at least 99.99%. The filtration medium uses a significantly low weight ratio of high specific surface area components to the matrix of fibers. The high specific area creates a multitude of adhesion sites for leukocytes while the low weight ratios allow good filtration flow rates. The filtration medium is incorporated into a filter device for removing leukocytes from biological fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Whatman Hemasure, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Lee, Paul J. Vernucci, Samuel C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20010052492
    Abstract: A filter bag (1) comprises a first thin plastic film (22); a second thin plastic film (21) having substantially the same size with the first plastic film and sealed to the first plastic film at a first side-peripheral edge (2a), a second side-peripheral edge (2b) opposite to the first side-peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge (2d) thereof to provide an open-top interior, and a filter sheet (5) having a length substantially equal to the first and second plastic films and a width smaller than the first and second plastic films. The filter sheet has a first longitudinal edge (5a) interposed and sealed together between the first side-peripheral edges of the first and second plastic films and a second longitudinal edge (5b), opposite to the first longitudinal edge, sealed to the inside of the first plastic film at an intermediate position in width of the filter bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: iBio Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Sugiyama, Kazuo Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 6318565
    Abstract: A filter medium for solid/liquid separation has a sheet of a metallic material or plastic. The sheet has a plurality of openings. The openings are slots having a slot width and are produced by drawing a drawn grid structure and subsequently mechanically plastically reverse-deforming the drawn grid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: SeitzSchenk Filtersystems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Diemer, Markus Kolczyk
  • Patent number: 6312950
    Abstract: There is proposed an apparatus for isolating and recovering an objective cell, which comprises, a filtering device having a filtering member which is capable of setting a porosity thereof to two or more different porosity, a first line for feeding a priming liquid to the filtering device, a second line for feeding a liquid to be treated containing the cell aimed to isolate to the filtering device, and a third line provided with a storage container for storing the priming liquid that has been passed through the filtering device, wherein the priming liquid stored in the storage container is employed for washing the filtering device. There is also proposed a method for isolating and recovering an objective cell using the aforementioned apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ohmura, Miyuki Shimizu, Tadashi Sameshima
  • Publication number: 20010027946
    Abstract: A leukocyte-removing filter medium which comprises a matrix and ultra-fine fibers having a fiber diameter of less than 1.0 &mgr;m and not less than 0.01 &mgr;m which contains ultra-fine fibers in an amount of less than 50 wt % and not less than 0.1 wt %, the degree of curvature of the ultra-fine fibers being 1.2 or more, and/or the ultra-fine fibers form pores having a roundness of 1.7 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Asahi Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fukuda, Jun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6293411
    Abstract: Supported separation membranes are disclosed wherein the permselective membrane is integral with a polymeric support of non-woven fibers having a particular air permeability, the integral membranes exhibiting far superior lifetimes and retention capability, especially for microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventor: Hans Beer
  • Patent number: 6293410
    Abstract: A no-cure fuel filter and method of making same is disclosed. The no-cure fuel filter utilizes a non-organic, mineral based filter element which replaces the pleated paper type filter element of conventional fuel filters. The no-cure fuel filter may be used for gasoline blended fuels, ethanol blended fuels, diesel fuel blends, propane fuel blends, or methanol fuel blends, and may be used for primary filtration, secondary filtration or final filtration. The no-cure fuel filter comprises a non-organic mineral based filter element disposed along a path of flow of unfiltered fuel in a fuel system of a vehicle. The filter element includes an exterior periphery and an interior periphery and a first end and a second end. The no-cure fuel filter further comprises end caps disposed over and fluidly sealing the first and second ends of the filter element, such that the unfiltered fuel must pass through the filter element from one of the peripheries to the other periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mahle-Parr Filter Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6290844
    Abstract: A filter system for a pond system. The pond system comprises a pump vault arranged such that unfiltered water in a pond flows into the pump vault, a pump, and a pump vault cover. The filter system comprises filter material adapted to remove impurities from unfiltered water to obtain filtered water and a frame structure connected to the pump vault cover for suspending the filter material within the pump vault. With this arrangement, unfiltered water first passes through the filter material before entering the pump. The filter material is removed from the pump vault for replacement and/or cleaning by removing the pump vault cover from the pump vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Irven H. Tennyson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6287467
    Abstract: Provided is a submerged membrane cartridge which comprises a supporting plate made of a resin, and a membrane disposed so as to cover the surface of the supporting plate, and is characterized in that the membrane is fused in a plurality of welding allowances formed in multiple, along the entire periphery of the supporting plate; an inner fixing portion that retains the membrane under tension is formed by an inner welding allowance; a water sealing portion that ensures a sealing function through the entire periphery of the membrane is formed by a central welding allowance; and an outer fixing portion that fixes the periphery of the membrane to the supporting plate is formed by an outer welding allowance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagano, Yasunobu Okajima, Yutaka Yamada, Kiyoshi Izumi, Tatsuya Uejima
  • Patent number: 6283309
    Abstract: Device for purifying gases or liquids comprises a chamber provided with intakes and outlets, in which filter material is incorporated. Micro organisms are used for the purification. The filter material is a flat mat having large open pores and being made of foamed plastic material, which is rolled-up with a supporting element made of—at least partly—undulated, mutually connected, resilient threads, so that a certain distance between the parts of the mat radially following one another remains free. The rolled-up mat can be fittingly mounted in a supporting structure, such as a pipe. A number of pipes can be stacked within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Bonno Koers
  • Patent number: 6274055
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hemasure, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Zuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6267252
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a filter medium including an airlaid composite, which is made of pulp fibers, at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber, and moisture. This airlaid composite is unique in that, when used as a filter medium, it exhibits advantageous filtering properties as well as physical strength. The bicomponent fibers of the present invention include a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and the first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer component. Mixing of the pulp fibers with the bicomponent fibers is done in such a way that the fibers are evenly dispersed in the airlaid composite. This airlaid composite is then heated such that at least a portion of the first polymer component of the bicomponent fiber is melted, which bond the bicomponent fibers to many of the pulp and other bicomponent fibers when cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicole Michele Amsler
  • Patent number: 6267898
    Abstract: A leukocyte-removing filter medium which comprises a matrix and ultra-fine fibers having a fiber diameter of less than 1.0 &mgr;m and not less than 0.01 &mgr;m which contains ultra-fine fibers in an amount of less than 50 wt % and not less than 0.1 wt %, the degree of curvature of the ultra-fine fibers being 1.2 or more, and/or the ultra-fine fibers form pores having a roundness of 1.7 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fukuda, Jun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6241886
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma separation filter capable of easily, speedily and safely separating plasma from a small quantity of blood without damaging blood cell components in the blood. The plasma retains the same protein concentration as in the blood. The present invention also provides a method using such a filter and an apparatus comprising such a filter. The filter of the present invention comprises a micro fiber medium formed of micro fibers with an average hydraulic radius of 0.5 &mgr;m to 3.0 &mgr;m. Such a micro fiber medium is placed in a container having an inlet and an outlet so that a ratio (L/D) of a blood flow passage length (L) to a blood flow passage diameter (D) is 0.15 to 6. The present invention provides such a filter, a plasma separation method using the filter, and a plasma separation apparatus comprising the filter. The present invention can significantly contribute to promote the automation and enhance speediness and safety in clinical tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kitagawa, Hidehiko Sakurai, Takafumi Hayashi, Makoto Ohno
  • Patent number: 6227382
    Abstract: A cyst reduction water filter and a method and carafe system for using it, wherein the filter incorporates a cellular ceramic honeycomb filter element of a selectively plugged channel configuration wherein all water filtration paths traverse porous channel walls, the walls exhibiting open porosity characterized by a median pore diameter in the range of about 2-8 micrometers and with pores over 10 microns in diameter comprising not more than 10% of the open pore volume, and wherein the filter element has a primed water flux of at least 0.3 ml/min/cm3 under a water pressure of 0.3 psig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Willard A. Cutler, Kishor P. Gadkaree, Tinghong Tao
  • Patent number: 6221264
    Abstract: A white blood cell-removing device has a bag-shaped housing made of soft resin, a white blood cell-removing filter member partitioning the inside of the housing into an inlet side blood chamber and an outlet side blood chamber, a blood inlet port positioned at one side of the housing and communicating with the inlet side blood chamber; and a blood outlet port positioned at the other side of the housing and communicating with the outlet side blood chamber. An inner surface (the outlet side blood chamber) of the bag-shaped housing is a unevenness surface. The white blood cell-removing filter member has a filtering part and a non-filtering part formed on the entire periphery of the filtering part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Ishida, Susumu Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6220454
    Abstract: A compact, high capacity in-tank fuel filter defines a large surface area while simultaneously occupying a relatively small space and defining a small footprint. The filter comprises a body of filtration media and an outlet fitting which is integrally molded to the filtration media and provides communication from the interior of the filter to an associated fuel pump to which it is typically mounted. The filtration media of the body is folded upon itself in a multiple accordion fold configuration and sealed along the non-folded edges. The resulting surface area to size (footprint) ratio provides improved flow capacity, reduced pressure drop and extended service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kuss Corporation
    Inventor: Hugh G. Chilton
  • Patent number: 6217763
    Abstract: Filter cartridge assemblies are provided with a generally cylindrical filter medium which defines a cylindrically shaped core space, and a pair of end caps. A threaded base member having detent projections receives at least one of the end caps, which itself is annular and has an interior cylindrical surface defining an interior space in alignment with the core space. The interior space is also provided with interrupted threads defining detent spaces. In use, therefore, the lower end cap may be threadably coupled with the threaded base member such that the detent projections are seated in respective ones of the detent, thereby minimizing the unintended threaded uncoupling therebetween. In another aspect, the filter cartridge is most preferably “coreless” and is capable of being sleeved over a permanent, reusable perforated core element. However, the core element is removably insertable within a base member to which the filter cartridge may be coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: USF Filtration and Separation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianna L. Lawrence, Brian M. Raab, Carolyn A. Williams, Carl H. Hohenberger
  • Patent number: 6200484
    Abstract: A sump tank insert is inserted into preexisting catch basins and is covered with a grate that acts as a primary filter for large debris. A deflector plate is positioned across the inlet to the tank and a filter basket is suspended into the tank from the deflector plate. Surface water flowing through the grate and the secondary filter of the filter basket flows through a tertiary filter comprising fibrous synthetic filter media interposed between the secondary filter basket and the outlet pipe. The filter media of the tertiary filter is selected according to the type of contaminants that are to be removed, and petrochemicals such as oils from cars that is contained in run-off from parking lots and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen J. McInnis
  • Patent number: 6177019
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: HemaSure Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Castino, Sumith R. Wickramasinghe
  • Patent number: 6168718
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Sutter, Noel Tod Borton, Daniel F. Bischof, John Chapman, Robert E. Herman, Chong-Son Sun
  • Patent number: 6143169
    Abstract: Oil sump arrangements, such as transmission oil sumps and lubricating oil sumps used with the drive train of automotive vehicles are divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber with a filter media disposed between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The oil being circulated to a transmission or an engine pools in the lower chamber and is sucked by a suction tube out of the lower chamber for recirculation. In order to prevent the oil from pooling or accumulating under centrifugal force away from the suction tube so that air is ingested by the suction tube and the transmission or engine momentarily starved for oil, a plurality of baffle plates are placed in the lower chamber and extended parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle which is the normal direction of motion of the vehicle. The baffle plates obstruct movement of the oil away from the suction tube inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Lee
  • Patent number: 6139738
    Abstract: A filter includes a casing enclosing a filter cartridge and a removable collection bowl. The filter cartridge includes a filter media ring with upper and lower end caps. The lower end cap of the filter cartridge has a ring-shaped member projecting axially downward. The ring-shaped member has an annular portion with radially inward-directed threads, whereby the collection bowl, with radially outward-directed threads, can be removably attached to the cartridge. The ring-shaped member further includes radial flow passages between the threads and the end cap, whereby contaminants may pass from a peripheral region of the filter element interiorly of the ring-shaped member and downwardly into the attached collection bowl. The filter includes an anti-rotation feature, comprising radially outward-directed keys, disposed circumferentially around the annular portion of the ring-shaped member and projecting radially-outward therefrom, and slots formed on the inside surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Martin C. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6117341
    Abstract: A filter has a first filter layer made of TiO.sub.2 of Ti.sub.4 O.sub.7 particles deposited on a second filter layer by stainless steel particles. The first layer has a smaller pore size than the second layer. The construction of the filter, the relative thicknesses of the layers and the resistances thereof to movement therethrough of electrolytically generated gas located between the two layers when the filter is permeated with liquid are such that the gas reaches the upstream side of the filter before the downstream side. In one embodiment stainless steel particles are sintered and rolled with a textured roller before ceramic particles are applied and rolled. An intermediate layer of metal particle peaks and ceramic filled troughs is thus provided which has high tortuosity. The resistance to flow at the metal/ceramic interface can be increased by electrodeposition of metal there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Imas Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: David James Bray, Alexander Philip Davidson
  • Patent number: 6106715
    Abstract: A novel spiral membrane arrangement is disclosed comprising opposing elongate filtration membrane units, spiraled about a base axis and separated by a novel lattice separator having spaced apart elongate primary laths which form fluid passageways, bridged by cross laths arranged to form a plurality of fluid shears spaced along the passageways which divide, deflect and/or disrupt gross fluid flow through the passageway, directing fluid against the membrane surface and creating a self cleaning functionality which improves the efficiency and the life of the life of the membrane arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Infinitex Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Thalmann, Peter W. Hessinger
  • Patent number: 6102212
    Abstract: A filter element for a pressure filter where a substantially horizontal wall (3) divides the interior of a pressure vessel into a lower inlet compartment (5) and an upper outlet compartment (6). A filter element (20) having a filter medium (40) is suspended from the wall (3) such that the filtering takes place from the inlet compartment (5) through the filter element (20) up to the outlet compartment (6). A corrugated sheet (22) is provided which defines a plurality of substantially vertically extending channels (45) and (42). Each first channel (45) is open the inlet compartment (5) with the filter medium (40) covering the first channels (45) with the upper end of the first channels (45) being closed and the lower end of the first channels (45) being open at (43). The second channels (42) being formed on an inner side of the corrugated sheet (22) with an open bottom end and an upper end communicating with the outlet compartment (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Bandak AS
    Inventor: Kent Strid
  • Patent number: 6071419
    Abstract: A fluid filter includes a first batting of high loft, non-woven, fibrous fluid-permeable material with a plurality of openings formed through the thickness thereof across the length and width of the batting. A second layer of high loft, non-woven, fluid-permeable fibrous batting is attached to the first layer and extends across the entire length and width of the first layer. Preferably, the first and second layers are adhered together to form a single integral fluid filter. In the preferred form of the invention, the openings in the first batting have side walls which are perpendicular to the upper surface of the batting, such that fluid flow impacts on the upper surface of the batting, rather than directly impacting on the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Products Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Beier, Rex A. Adams
  • Patent number: 6054045
    Abstract: A skimmer filter assembly includes a hollow skimmer box including therein an accordion pleat weir-type water inlet, substantially vertically positioned filter mats and a submersible or external water pump positioned at the rear of the skimmer box. A filter mat holder and dirty sump retain the filter mats in a stable, slightly off vertical position and provide for removal of the dirty sump without repositioning the weir or water pump. The water pump is positioned in a portion of the skimmer box which is not vertically restricted, thus allowing multiple size water pumps to be utilized in their standard upright position without removing the mats to make room for large pumps and providing for servicing or removal of the pumps without disturbing the filter mats the filter mat holder, the dirty sump or the water inlet weir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Pond Supplies of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Wittstock, John M. Menhart, David B. Duensing
  • Patent number: 6045691
    Abstract: A apparatus for use in storm water openings equipped with a cover and openings that allow storm water into the storm sewer. The apparatus includes a plurality of troughs with a bottom and two sides that define the troughs. The troughs support an absorbent sock and directs storm water to openings between the troughs where the storm water discharges into a semi-permeable bag prior to discharge down the storm sewer. The troughs are equipped with small openings at each end and on each side of the trough with the purpose of holding a semi-permeable bag between two troughs. The structure, absorbent sock and semi-permeable bag are located on the peripheral portion of the storm sewer inlet. The structure is installed on the same support for the cover by a thin lip and the cover is placed on top of the lip. The absorbent sock provides the first stage of treatment of the storm water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Holly S McDermott
  • Patent number: 6030539
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: HemaSure, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Zuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5997972
    Abstract: Filling material for percolating filters used in the biological treatment of fluids are provided with strips which are made of plastic and are connected to one another via a transversely directed holding web. The strips are arranged one above the other in a plurality of layers in order to increase the strip density. In the filling material according to the invention, the strips are provided with different cross-sections over their length. For example, the strips may be reduced in width in regions adjacent to their connection to the holding web. As a result, the strips can be arranged in one layer with an increased strip density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke Aktiengesellschart
    Inventor: Hartwig Basse
  • Patent number: 5988400
    Abstract: A porous fluorocarbon membrane has a porous support completely impregnated with tetrafluoroethylene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer. There is a process for producing this membrane by impregnating a porous support with a copolymer solution in a readily-boiling solvent and a precipitating mixture of alcohol and water followed by curing for partial hardening of the solution and subsequent drying at elevated temperature. A cartridge filter includes protective and supporting cylindrical perforated hollow housings, containing a fluorocarbon membrane or two superimposed flourocarbon membranes. Membranes and a cartridge filter find extensive use in separation of gases and aggressive media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Aktsionernoe Obschestvo "Polimersintez"
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Grigorievich Karachevtcev, Vladimir Pavlovich Dubjaga, Natalia Vladimirovna Amelina, Aleksandr Valentinovich Tarasov
  • 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: 5972228
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus comprises: a pressure vessel; a plurality of filter elements arranged within the pressure vessel, the filter elements each having an upper end, a lower end and a side wall; filling bodies positioned within the filter elements; a first conduit for introducing compressed gas into the pressure vessel; a second conduit for transporting unfiltered liquid to and from the pressure vessel; and a third conduit for removing filtrate from the pressure vessel and transporting back-flushing liquid to and from the filter elements, the third conduit positioned proximate to a bottom portion of the pressure vessel and attached to the lower ends of the filter elements, such that the third conduit provides a support structure for the filter elements and the back-flushing liquid introduced via the third conduit fills the filter elements in a direction from the lower ends toward the upper ends, the volume of back-flushing liquid introduced into the filter elements limited by the filling bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping Technologies AB
    Inventors: Magnus Ingelman, Hans-.ANG.ke Karlsson, Per Larsson, Martin Wimby, Anita Markusson
  • Patent number: 5942113
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separating filter media (4) for sewage, waste water, etc. comprising a mono- or multi-layered filter screen (3) in which a number of filaments (1) are closely aligned in parallel and crosswise bonded to hoops (2) at predetermined points thereof to form integral blind-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Tadaki Morimura
  • Patent number: 5919364
    Abstract: Microfabricated filters constructed with permeable polysilicon membranes and methods for fabricating such filters. The filters include a frame structure having a plurality of openings therethrough and a permeable polysilicon membrane disposed over the openings in the frame structure. The frame structure provides support for the permeable polysilicon membrane. The pores of the filter may be smaller than the resolution limit of photolithography. The width of the pores may be as small as about 0.01 .mu.m, while the length of the pores may be as small as about 0.05 .mu.m. The filters feature a relatively high throughput due to the extremely short pore length. The filters may be fabricated utilizing standard microfabrication processes. Also, microfabricated shells constructed with permeable membranes for encapsulating microfabricated devices such as microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) and methods for fabricating such shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kyle S. Lebouitz, Roger T. Howe, Albert P. Pisano
  • Patent number: 5911878
    Abstract: A passive pool skimmer has a T-shaped buoyant stabilizer end and a flexible strap which provides a readily displaceable structure that removes debris from the surface of a pool. The pool skimmer includes a rectangular frame having a net attached thereto in the configuration of a rectangular pouch. At one end of the frame, two floats are attached to the ends of a T-shaped structure. The floats rest against the side of the pool and, in combination with a float at the opposite end of the frame, provides sufficient buoyancy to substantially center the opening of the frame at the water level. A flexible strap with a quick disconnect is attached to the skimmer and allows relative motion of the pool skimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventors: Guido Benvenuto, Lanny Elliott, Dino Coletti
  • Patent number: 5895575
    Abstract: A method for selectively removing leukocytes from a suspension which also contains platelets, such as a platelet concentrate or whole blood. The method includes passing the suspension through a filter which includes a polysaccharide-type coating. The coating may include one or more of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxybutylmethyl cellulose, dextran and hydroxyethyl starch. Also provided is a filter for selectively removing leukocytes from a suspension which also contains platelets. The filter includes a substrate which is coated with a polysaccharide-type composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Teva Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Menahem A. Kraus, Yephet Gamlieli, Jacob Yonath, Roni Hazan
  • Patent number: 5893974
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capsule made of a biologically compatible material with sufficient mechanical strength to form a very thin membrane shell having at least a region with approximately uniformly sized and spaced holes or pores that are large enough to let a desired biologically active molecular product through, while blocking the passage of all larger immunological molecules. The present invention thus provides an immunological isolation of cell transplants contained therein. The present invention also provides a free standing thin film structure that may be used as a component of such a capsule and method for the fabrication of such component and capsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of University of California
    Inventors: Christopher G. Keller, Mauro Ferrari
  • Patent number: 5871644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for brewed beverages, especially a coffee filter, and a process for producing such a filter, in which a fibrous material has pores with an average pore width (d) of at least about 0.1 mm measured at a fiber density of about 50% of the original fiber density of the material. The average pore width (d) is preferably in a range from 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm approximately and more preferably in a range from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm approximately. The material is preferably paper. The pores are also preferably made by piercing with needles or by subjecting the fibrous material to water jets, providing an irregular pore edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Melitta Haushaltsprodukte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Simon, Lutz Wittenschlaeger, Fred Bergmann
  • Patent number: 5866007
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a blood sample having a volume of up to about 20 milliliters into cellular and acellular fractions. The apparatus includes a housing divided by a fibrous filter into a blood sample collection chamber having a volume of at least about 1 milliliter and a serum sample collection chamber. The fibrous filter has a pore size of less than about 3 microns, and is coated with a mixture including between about 1-40 wt/vol % mannitol and between about 0.1-15 wt/vol % of plasma fraction protein (or an animal or vegetable equivalent thereof). The coating causes the cellular fraction to be trapped by the small pores, leaving the cellular fraction intact on the fibrous filter while the acellular fraction passes through the filter for collection in unaltered form from the serum sample collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Peggy A. Whitson, Vaughan L. Clift
  • Patent number: 5849186
    Abstract: A blood reservoir for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources. The blood reservoir has a filter/defoamer core assembly comprised of a support structure disposed within an outer defoamer. A separator with an opening is located in the support structure, dividing the support structure into a first and second portions. A depth filter is located within the first portion of the support structure. The first portion of the support structure with the depth filter forms a cardiotomy blood chamber and the second portion with no depth filter forms a venous blood chamber. This filter/defoamer core assembly is placed within a clear outer shell which forms the reservoir. This outer shell has a cover with a venous blood inlet and plurality of cardiotomy inlets. The cardiotomy inlets are in fluid communication with the cardiotomy blood chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: C. R. Bard Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Raneri, Kenneth E. Buckler, Charles L. Stanley, Alfred P. Intoccia
  • Patent number: 5840180
    Abstract: The segregating unit of the invention is installed in a sewer pipe section having an upstream end and a downstream end, and a peripheral wall including a floor and a ceiling. The segregating unit comprises a bar screen having two straight panels composed of horizontally disposed, vertically stacked, spaced-apart bars. The two panels span the whole width and height of the pipe in a downstream convergent fashion, thus forming a V at their adjacent edges which open adjacent the pipe floor portion into an elongated, rigid, cylindrical sleeve member radially smaller than the pipe and upwardly inclined, extending through the pipe ceiling. The sleeve member comprises an output mouth located outside the pipe section, which opens into a storage box cart. An endless screw is coaxially installed inside the sleeve member and is driven into rotation by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: John Meunier Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Filion
  • Patent number: 5837140
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blood filter comprising a housing having a top portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion and a blood inlet. A filter element is disposed within the housing and divides the housing into an inlet chamber in flow communication with the blood inlet and an outlet chamber. The filter element comprises a portion of non-woven filter material and a portion of screen filter material and both the non-woven filter material portion and the screen filter material portion are in contact with the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The housing also comprises a blood outlet in flow communication with the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Dideco S.p.A
    Inventors: Massimo Fini, Nicola Ghelli, Giuseppe Grandi
  • Patent number: 5835549
    Abstract: A BWR emergency core cooling system suction strainer. The strainer comprises corrugated metal screen material formed of alternating ridges and furrows with flat chordal lands and flat side walls interconnecting the lands; and an elongated frame with arcuate end support portions shaped to accommodate the ridges and furrows. The flat side walls merge slightly toward one another in a substantially radially inwardly direction and diverge slightly away from one another in a substantially radially outwardly direction to permit release of debris from the screen surface while providing increased screening area for a given volume of strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Sibiga
  • Patent number: 5820755
    Abstract: A method for removing leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing suspension comprising passing said suspension through a filter including a nitrocellulose membrane having a pore size of 5-15 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Travenol Laboratories (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Menachem Kraus, Jacob Yonath
  • Patent number: 5811005
    Abstract: An apparatus for intravenous administration of solutions of cell-free hemoglobin is disclosed. The apparatus includes a solution of cell-free hemoglobin in fluid connection with a housing having an inlet and an outlet through which the solution of cell-free hemoglobin flows and a nitroxide bound to a matrix is contained within the housing to alleviate oxygen toxicity to the cell-free hemoglobins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Jen-Chang Hsia
  • Patent number: 5804069
    Abstract: A mesh enclosed container is provided to remove melt water from frozen blocks of contaminated sediment which has been extracted from a marine environment. The mesh enclosure has a number of porous wicking tubes for insertion into corresponding cavities in the frozen sediment blocks. Wicking material is inserted into the tubes to enhance melt water flow out of the sediment blocks during the thawing cycle. A sealed container may be provided to enclose the block and meshed container to prevent escape of volatile materials during the thawing cycle. The sealed container will also collect melt water accumulated during the thawing cycle. A method of melting frozen marine sediment blocks is provided to recover treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Lars Leander Eriksson