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

Abstract: A flexible, multi-layer filter for separating solid and liquid wastes. In a preferred embodiment, the filter includes first, second, third, and fourth layers, interconnected by appropriately spaced connectors. The first layer comprises sub-layers of parallel strands, wherein the strands in one sub-layer cross and overlap the strands in the other sub-layer to form a netting. The second layer comprises a fibrous mat, and the third layer comprises a netting like that of the first layer. The fourth layer includes a porous filter cloth. The third layer may be cut to form end and side tabs for retaining the filter inside a conventional waste container. After a semi-solid mixture of waste is poured, dumped, or otherwise placed into the waste container, liquid waste passes through the filter layers under the force of gravity. The liquid waste is channelled through the first layer along the bottom of the waste container.

Abstract: An apertured film extruded from a crystalline, thermoplastic, extrudable fluoroplastic material. The film includes spaced-apart strand segments defining apertures therebetween and has at least 10 strand segments per inch. The film has a thickness of 2-12 mils and a Frazier air permeability number in the range of 200-2,000. The invention includes a process for preparing an apertured thermoplastic film by a single-sided embossing method. The process includes the steps of extruding in the machine direction, a film of a molten, crystalline, thermoplastic, extrudable, fluoroplastic material. The molten extruded film is passed in the machine direction through the nip of two metal rollers. One of the rollers has a substantially smooth surface, having a convex configuration as viewed from a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll, such that the diameter in the center of the roll is in the range of 8-12 mils greater than the diameter at the ends of the roller for a 40 inch roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for separating plasma from whole blood. The method and device utilize a permeable non-glass fiber matrix containing a polyol which is capable of clumping red blood cells. The matrix, in the absence of such a polyol, would otherwise be porous to red blood cells. The polyol-containing matrix has a first surface and a second surface such that a whole blood sample which is applied to the first surface flows directionally toward the second surface. Plasma separated from whole blood becomes available at the second surface of the matrix and can be tested for the presence of a particular analyte, such as glucose or fructosamine, as provided by multi-layer test devices of the present invention.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in an air remediation system is provided. The filter assembly includes a first and second filter member, each of which has a plurality of openings to define a plurality of separate flow passages. A granular filter material layer is disposed between the first and second filter members. A frame structure containing each of the first and second filter members as well as the granular filter material forms the self contained filter assembly.

Abstract: A pond filtration device for filtering impurities from pond water and a backflush system for cleaning the filtration device. The illustrated embodiment includes a watertight body with a filter cage mounted longitudinally therein. A filter medium, such as burlap, encloses the filter cage and uses impurities filtered from the pond water as a natural filter to further filter the pond water. After the filter is full of impurities, the backflush system cleans the filter and removes the impurities from the watertight body. The backflush system includes a backflush member threadably mounted to a rotatable screw shaft. The backflush member projects water radially through the filter cage and filter medium to clean impurities therefrom.

Abstract: A leukodepletion filter is provided including glass fiber filter pads and non-woven polyester fiber filter pads sealed within a filter housing. The filter is designed such that a fluid, such as whole blood, packed red blood cells, platelets or plasma, is conducted through the glass fiber filter pads before the non-woven polyester fiber filter pads. A method is further provided for leukodepleting a body fluid by filtering the body fluid through glass fiber filter pads and also filtering the body fluid through non-woven polyester fiber filter pads. After filtering, the body fluid is collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for separating plasma from whole blood. The method and device utilize a permeable non-glass fiber matrix containing a polyol which is capable of clumping red blood cells. The matrix, in the absence of such a polyol, would otherwise be porous to red blood cells. The polyol-containing matrix has a first surface and a second surface such that a whole blood sample which is applied to the first surface flows directionally toward the second surface. Plasma separated from whole blood becomes available at the second surface of the matrix and can be tested for the presence of a particular analyte, such as glucose or fructosamine, as provided by multi-layer test devices of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating liposomes or lipid complexes from a fluidic medium. The method involves passage of a fluidic medium containing liposomes or lipid complexes through a composite filter which retains the liposomes or lipid complexes while allowing the fluidic medium to pass through. The filter is composed of a ceramic membrane and a ceramic substrate that is thicker than the ceramic membrane. Moreover, the average pore size of the ceramic membrane, from about 0.1 to about 0.2 microns, is less than the average pore size of the substrate.

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.

Abstract: A selectively removable sludge filtration system that provides for retrofit into a container and separation of the sludge solids from the sludge liquids therein. A pair of spaced vertically oriented filter assemblies each define a filtrate cavity therein and are connected by separator plates. The filter assemblies permit the flow of sludge liquids into the filtrate cavity, but not sludge solids. A set of fasteners hold the filter assemblies in the container and bias the filter assemblies against the container bottom. The fasteners may be released to provide for removal of the sludge filtration system from the container. A fluid communication passageway directs filtrate from the filtrate cavity to a position exterior of the container. Functionally applying this sludge filtration system provides a method of retrofitting a container with a sludge filtration system and removing filtrate from a sludge in the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for separating a relatively large volume of blood into cellular and acellular fractions without the need for centrifugation. The apparatus comprises 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 of mannitol and 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter material for selectively removing leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing suspension, which comprises a porous element having an average pore diameter of 1 to 25 .mu.m and a total pore volume of 0.40 to 0.95 ml/ml of the porous element, and wherein the sum of respective pore volumes of pores of the porous element which have a pore diameter of 1 to 30 .mu.m is 90% or more, based on said total pore volume. Also disclosed is a filter apparatus for selectively removing leukocyte from a leukocyte-containing suspension which is packed with the above-mentioned filter material. By virtue of the filter material, the filter apparatus not only can remove leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing suspension at a leukocyte removal efficiency as excellent as 10.sup.-4 or less in terms of a leukocyte residual ratio without suffering from a pressure loss increase, but also can be rendered compact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous device adapted to remove particulates from a fluid passed through the device. The device includes a porous filtration medium. The medium has a first surface having an area which is adapted to receive the fluid for passage through the medium and a second surface from which the fluid exits the medium. The device is configured to variably increase the area of the first surface in response to a differential in fluid pressure between the first surface and the second surface so as to extend the life of the device. In some embodiments the device is adapted to retain the increase in surface area which acts as a visual indication that the device is reaching its capacity to retain particulates.

Abstract: A polishing filter having the capabilities for removing small solids and hydrocarbons present within a liquid flow is a filtration device to be used either in conjunction with processes already in existence or as a stand-alone unit. The polishing filter can be used for marine, commercial or industrial activities. Small solids will be discriminated hi( size by a removable and replaceable bag filter. Residing inside the bag filter is the polishing filter bonding media, a hydrocarbon encapsulation agent used to separate and bond emulsified and dissolved oils. This bonding media is contained inside a porous membrane bag which is also removable and replaceable. The .addition of this device to already existing equipment utilized by ocean vessels and commercial and industrial activities will enhance the decontamination process and assist in compliance with local, national and international clean water laws for effluent from ships and shore-based activities.

Abstract: A disposable device for filtration and collection of blood during a surgical operation, which device comprises a housing with a cup-shaped portion, in which a wall section is forming a ledge in the reservoir inside the housing. A first self-supporting filtration element for venuous blood is upstanding from the ledge, and a second filtration element for cardiotomy blood is suspended from the cover, the two elements being arranged side by side in a parallel relationship. The filter elements have an elongate, oval cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting an analyte from a liquid sample, comprises a microcolumn having a microparticulate media therein, the media being sandwiched between two compression layers. Preferably, the compression layers comprise a binder-free glass fiber, held in the microcolumn by upper and lower polypropylene mesh.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a granulocyte adsorbing carrier which is provided on its surface with irregularities having a center line average height Ra of 0.2 to 10 .mu.m and a mean spacing Sm of unevenness being within a range of 5 to 200 .mu.m, and a granulocyte remover employing the granulocyte adsorbing carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gettering material that may be used as a filtration medium to remove pollutants from the environment. The gettering material comprises a high surface area material having a metal surface that chemically bonds n-alkanethiols in an organized manner thereby forming a molecular monolayer over the metal surface. The n-alkanethiols have a free functional group that interacts with the environment thereby binding specific pollutants that may be present. The gettering material may be exposed to streams of air in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems or streams of water to remove specific pollutants from either medium.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for processing fluid provide for contacting the fluid with iodine.

Abstract: A blood filtration device encapsulates a filter pad assembly Within a flexible housing. The filter pad assembly includes first and second filter media layers. A first heat and pressure sealed region integrally bonds the peripheries of the first and second media layers together. The flexible housing comprises a peripheral rim aligned with the first heat and pressure sealed region of the first media layer. A second heat and pressure sealed region, formed after the first heat and pressure sealed region, joins the rim of the flexible housing to the first heat and pressure sealed region, thereby forming a composite seal that encapsulates the filter pad assembly within the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter (1) for filtering gaseous and liquid media, in particular an oil filter for internal combustion engines, having a filter housing (2) and a filter packing (8) taken up in the filter housing and made of a porous deformable material, e.g. a roll of absorbent paper. To prevent the filter packing from being deformed and thereby preventing a smooth flow through the filter packing, stabilizing elements (12), e.g. stabilizing bars, are provided for fixing the form and position of the filter packing (8) in the filter housing.

Abstract: A delivering member for filtering and delivering a sample to a test assay surface includes a prefilter having a sample receiving surface and a surface for delivering a sample to a test assay surface. The prefilter includes a diffusing material on its receiving surface for rapidly and evenly diffusing a sample across the prefilter receiving surface. In this way, a sample may be rapidly and evenly delivered to a test assay surface. A test assay solid phase has a surface including an area carrying an immobilized species and an area free of immobilized species. When a sample is applied to the surface, followed by application of a labeled species, the evenness of distribution of the labeled species is indicative of the evenness of application of the sample. A kit includes a delivering member and an assay surface.

Abstract: A flexible frame formed by a longitudinal frame and transverse frames is inserted into a bag-shaped mesh. A bent portion, whose bent surface contacts an inner surface of the mesh, extends either upwardly or downwardly from a distal end of each transverse frame so that the mesh is made hollow. Accordingly, suction force of a suction on pipe does not cause upper and lower surfaces of the mesh to tightly contact each other, thereby resulting in reliable suction of fuel contained within a fuel tank. Further, since the bent surfaces of the bent portions contact the inner surface of the mesh, the mesh is not abraded due to vibrations of the vehicle or the like.

Abstract: A filter for removing leukocytes and thrombocytes from a solution containing blood components, such as CRC, comprises a filter material having a first surface serving as an inlet surface and a second surface serving as an outlet surface. The outlet surface has a positive zeta potential greater than that of the inlet surface in an electrolyte solution having a pH value of 5.0 to 7.0.

Abstract: An overflow sieve in which the sieve bottom is in the form of a slotted hole sheet whose slots have a width less than 1.0 mm and a length of 0.5 to 4 mm or a fine hole sheet with noncircular holes of a greatest width or diameter of less than 2 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter support for use as part of a screened packing, or filter system, in an extrusion process, wherein the filter support provides a rigid wall in the shape of a dome featuring flow passage holes through the wall such that the longitudinal axis of each hole is perpendicular to a plane tangent to the surface of the dome at the location of the hole.

Abstract: A filter apparatus having a filter bag subassembly for collecting contaminating material. The filter bag sub-assembly includes five diametrically and axially-spaced bags and an integral collar. The five spaced bags form five spaced chambers and the integral collar has a stepped shape forming five cylinder support portions for the five spaced bags.

Abstract: A trough type strainer apparatus comprising a housing with bottom and side walls defining an interior chamber, an inlet trough assembly and an outlet conduit connected to said side walls and communicating with said chamber. A support structure is mounted inside the housing secured to at least one wall and a perforated strainer basket provided with a mounting flange on its upper edge allows the strainer basket to be seated on the support structure within the housing. The perforated strainer basket has an angled perforated baffle panel which extends upward past the outlet conduit when the basket is seated within the housing.

Abstract: A screen element or screen basket for sorting and classifying a fluid flow, in particular for treatment of fiber suspensions or for mechanical purification of molasses, includes a screen insert having a support screen for taking up forces or loads during operation and a plurality of screen inserts which are provided with classifying openings. The screen inserts are detachably secured to the support screen allowing individual replacement during wear or damage.

Abstract: A drain trap apparatus is provided for preventing the passage of debris into a drain opening which includes a disposable filter and which allows complete drainage of the wastewater. The drain trap has an annular support member which is semi-permanently attached around the drain opening. A passageway extends radially through the support member so that water will be allowed to pass through the support member. A filter, preferably of a flexible plastic mesh material, is removably attached to the support member by a plurality of hook members, such as the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: A centrifuge basket shell formed by winding fiber-reinforced resin tape in a helical pattern over a thin shell plate which contains a plurality of holes for the passage of liquid therethrough, perforations being formed in the helix pattern of the wound tape by means of respective hollow ferrules connected rigidly to a cylindrical part of the shell plate, so as to enable liquid which passes through said holes in the shell plate to pass also through the helices of wound tape without increasing the stresses induced therein by rotation.

Abstract: A deproteinization filler comprises an aggregate of hydroxyapatite fibers having a three dimensional network structure. The mean radius of pores defined by the aggregate is approximately 0.02 .mu.m to approximately 0.08 .mu.m, the specific surface of the aggregate is approximately 25 m.sup.2 /g to approximately 65 m.sup.2 /g and the mean diameter of particles defined by the aggregate is approximately 1 .mu.m to approximately 30 .mu.m. The filler is produced by a given method. The filler may be contained in a throwaway cartridge.

Abstract: An expanded fiber composite structure and process for making an expanded fiber composite structure are provided. The expanded fiber composite structure is made up of a fiber mat held in partial compression by a monolithic plastic coating on the fibers, the structure having a plurality of interstitial voids which may optionally be filled with a polymeric interstitial material. The process includes impregnating a fiber mat with a plastic material, compressing the mat to impregnate the mat with the plastic, fully wetting each fiber and creating a substantially void-free fiber/plastic matrix, and reducing the compressive forces on the mat, allowing the fibers to rebound and expand the mat to a predetermined desired thickness, in the process creating the interstitial voids. The structure is then cooled such that the plastic material stiffens and itself retains the structure at the desired thickness.

Abstract: A screen assembly for use with a solids-liquid separation screen device that allows for simply replacement or adjustment of the screen assembly. The screen assembly includes an arcuately shaped screen held between pair of side panels. When installed, the screen assembly rest on a ledge formed on the inner walls of the solids-liquid separation device housing. The screen assembly is then securely held in position by a pair of clamps at the top of the screen and by a pair of springs at a lower rear portion of the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering open drains, such as rain gutters, uses at least one elongated tube constructed from a plurality of strands of flexible, resilient, durable, corrosion resistant material. An affixing system removably affixes each of the elongated tube in the open drain. A method and a kit for filtering open drains also are disclosed.

Abstract: Device for filtering a liquid circulating in the cooling circuit of a nuclear reactor, comprising a support (6) to be attached to the core-supporting plate (1) of the reactor, a metal grating (10) retained on the support, and a bearing device (12,13,14) for the central part of the grating (10) fixed to the support (6). The grating (10) consists of a network of intersecting wires in the form of a spherical dome. It is obtained by stamping a flat grating, the wires of which have previously been brazed to one another at each of the nodes of the network.

Abstract: A membrane support usable for separative procedures is disclosed. The support is a mechanically solid composite carbon-carbon material of limited thickness in the passage direction Z of a flow to be treated, which composite has a porous texture appropriate for the membrane, with a fibrous substrate and a porous carbon-containing matrix. To increase the permeability and reduce the roughness of the outer surface of the support to be brought into contact with the membrane, the fibrous substrate is a carbon fibre mat of carbon fibre segments contained in a plane perpendicular to the Z axis and randomly oriented in that plane. Optionally a fraction of the support to be in contact with the membrane contains an inert fine powder dispersion making it possible to adjust the diameter of the pores of the outer face of the support. Also disclosed is a process for the production of this membrane support and its use as a membrane support and as a filtering element without the addition of a membrane.

Abstract: A deep bed filter with a layer thickness of at least 1 mm comprises a pleated, self supporting filter layer (7, 8) which contains a mixture of long fibered material and short fibered material, whereby the fibers comprise cellulose and/or artificial fibers and whereby the filter layer preferably contains diatomaceous earth and/or perlite.

Abstract: A filter frame formed from a stock channel member having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The channel member may be provided in stock lengths which may be cut on-site to the desired size to form each side of a filter frame when assembled together. The cut lengths of the channel members may be assembled together in the appropriate configuration to match the filter being replaced, and a mass of filter medium cut to a corresponding configuration and placed within the cavity formed by the u-shaped cross-section of the channel members to form the air filter. The channel members are also provided with a plurality of U-shaped grooves in the upstanding legs of the channel members which form tabs. The tabs may be advantageously employed with a length of elongated material to form a protective screen. Specifically, a length of elongated material, such as string, may be wound about the tabs and across the length of the air filter to be wound through separate tabs.

Abstract: A unitary filter medium that is composed of a sheet of porous substrate that has bonded to its upstream surface a plurality of separate spaced apart islands of flock fibers, the fibers of adjacent islands at least partially overlapping. The flock fibers are bonded by calotte shaped adhesive structures to the substrate so as to form porcupine-like arrays.

Abstract: A filtration system utilizing a helical cartridge wherein the differential in pressure between the pressure inside and the pressure outside of the helix is effective in controlling the spacing between the coils of the helix. Each coil of the helix is provided with radial grooves of predetermined size corresponding to the smallest particle size to be trapped by the cartridge and prevented from entering the interior of the helix. The coils are maintained closed during the filtering cycle and are opened during the backwash cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and separating cells, particles or the like from body fluid or the like for microscopic diagnosis is disclosed. Fluid is sucked by capillary action through a fluid-permeable surface (17) which holds back the cell material to be investigated. An apparatus suitable for this purpose comprises a filter container (2) having an upper and a lower opening, the lower opening of which is covered by a fluid-permeable cell carrier element (10), at least one filter segment (11) and a suction insert (12) being arranged in the filter container (2).

Abstract: Filters, catalytic converters and the like, for separating particulate matter and/or other constituents from a stream of gas or liquid so arranged that substantially all of the fluid passing through the filter must pass through separation material which permits the passage of the fluid therethrough while separating out and retaining the selected substances. Continuums of material are arranged parallel to each other in planar arrays, with periodic spacings between the continuums in each array. Such arrays are superimposed to form a "laminated" grouping, with each continuum in each array angularly oriented with respect to and in contact with the continuums in each next adjacent array which that continuum crosses. Internal distribution paths for the fluid thereby formed by the spacings between the continuums include passageways which extend laterally within each layer and cross-array or translaminar distribution channels produced by aggregations of intersecting paths of the lateral array channels.

Abstract: Automatic filter cleaning device for liquid circuits, including at least one filter in the passage of the liquid. The device includes a filter situated above a decanting tank for impurities so that its upstream wall is turned towards the tank, while an ultrasound generator is provided to generate ultrasounds in the decanting tank and is connected by a modulator to a projection of a sidewall of the tank. Advantageously, a liquid circuit branch conduit with a branch circuit control valve is provided in order to short-circuit, at least in part, the filtration assembly comprised of the filter and the tank.

Abstract: A tangential flow filtration apparatus which utilizes a single manifold to introduce liquid to be filtered into the apparatus and to remove a filtrate stream and a retentate stream from the apparatus is provided. A plurality of filtration members are stacked in a vertical arrangement between the manifold and a plate. Holes and sealing means are provided within the filtration member to effect vertical flow of the filtrate, retentate and incoming liquid through the stack while preventing admixture of the filtrate with the retentate or the incoming liquid.

Abstract: The specification relates to a filter candle for filtering highly-viscous fluids, e.g. polymer melts, and in a number of parts which can be dismantled and comprising a filter stocking permanently connected to a cap, the two parts being replaceable together. Owing to the complete absence of screwed components, the filter candle can be made very small. It is also easier to take apart and clean when clogged by solidified residues of melt. Individual parts can easily be replaced when unserviceable. The complete filter candle has a plug connection to a baseplate, from which it can rapidly be separated.

Abstract: A separating apparatus, in particular for clarification plants, comprises a revolving strainer rake or rake sieve having a plurality of series connected rake sieve sections which each consist of adjacently disposed hook-like plates, each plate having a hook portion projecting from the front end edge, wherein the thickness of each plate decreases from the front end edge in the direction towards the rear end edge and a stationary cleaning comb adapted to engage said strainer rake sieve sections from said front edges of said hook-like plate portions.

Abstract: A filter and filtering apparatus for measuring the deformability of a blood cell passing through a flow passage formed as a space between a surface of a groove formed in a first substrate and a surface of a second substrate with which the groove is sealed. The filtering apparatus includes electrodes mounted at the inlets and outlets of the flow passages, or optical elements to enable cell deformity measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter unit having a sheet of filtering material mounted on a first frame and a second frame received within and below the first frame. The second frame is configured such that the filtering material is tightly held between the first and second frames and the filtering material is stretched by the second frame. In accordance with one of the aspects of the present invention, the second frame is provided with ear members. The ear members are sized such that the ears penetrate the filtering material and hold the first frame tightly between the ear members. The ear members reinforce the first frame by the second frame, through a mechanical interconnection of the frames and also, prevent slippage of the filtering material.