Abstract: A device, system, kit, and method are provided for filtering relatively large volumes of whole blood to recover purified RNA for analysis. The device can include: a filter including a body having an interior, a first filter connector in communication with the interior of the body, a ribonucleic acid-capturing (RNA-capturing) membrane disposed within the interior, and an optional filter frit disposed within the interior adjacent the RNA-capturing membrane. The system can include a vacuum adapter plate including a substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and one or more through-holes each extending at least from the first surface to the second surface. The first filter connector can connect to a respective through-hole to form a fluid communication between the filter and the vacuum adapter plate. The system can include a collection vessel in fluid communication with the filter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fluid filter having a housing assembly defining a chamber through which fluid to be filtered can flow between an inlet and an outlet, a filtering assembly within the chamber through which fluid moving between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet passes, and a cover assembly. The housing assembly has an opening through which at least a part of the filtering assembly can be directed into an operative position within the chamber. The cover assembly seals the opening. The housing assembly has a housing body and a base plate connected to the housing body. The base plate is secured to the housing body through at least one weld and a plurality of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A filtering screen comprises a fine woven wirecloth filtering mesh (4) disposed above a coarse woven wirecloth support mesh (2). An intermediate woven wirecloth mesh (3) is disposed between the fine woven mesh (4) and the coarse woven mesh (2), the intermediate mesh (3) extending over a proportion of the area of the screen at or towards the rear thereof, said proportion being in the range of 20% to 40% of the area of the screen, and preferably substantially one third of the area of the screen.

Abstract: A decorative or landscape pond system which includes the skimmer assembly and a substantially horizontally-positioned, submersible and rotary pump in the skimmer assembly and supported on a bottom wall thereof. The skimmer assembly includes a side opening and a net and mat filter positioned within the skimmer below the opening and above the bottom wall. The pump is in elongated structure having an inlet/outlet section at one end, an electrical inlet section at the other end and an elongated electric motor section there between. A lubrication section is positioned between and sealingly engages the inlet/outlet section and motor section. A plurality of O-ring and face seals are provided for sealing the sections. The securement of the sections is either radially outward or radially inward of the O-rings and face seals to minimize leakage between sections or into the pump itself.

Abstract: A filtration module is provided having a packing density of at least 300 square meters of active membrane filter area per cubic meter of external volume of said filter construction, said filter constructed of materials characterized by less than 250 mg of extracted contamination per m2 of extracted wetted material. The filtration module includes a membrane composite layer comprising a filtrate screen sealed to each surface of a membrane layer with a thermoplastic polymeric composition positioned about the periphery of the filtrate screen.

Abstract: The invention discloses a drinking straw with an integral filtration system including a plurality of filter types to extract or neutralize toxins such as heavy metals, chemicals, microbiological biological cysts and other such impurities and contaminants from a beverage as it is being consumed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an asymmetric porous PTFE membrane for a filter having little change over time and conventionally known properties of a porous PTFE molded article such as water permeability resistance, air permeability, sealing properties and electric properties, in which collection efficiency, air permeability and pressure loss are improved.

Abstract: A process for imparting hydrophilic properties to a polymeric membrane by exposing the membrane to an acrylate monomer containing hydrophilic segments, such as ethylene oxide, and a hydrophilic functional group, a diacrylate monomer containing hydrophilic functional groups, and an initiator for facilitating crosslinking and polymerization reactions.

Abstract: A composite filter medium for removing at least 99.95 percent of particulates of a size in the 3 to 4 micron range and dissolved chemical contaminants from a fluid and filters of various configurations employing the composite filter medium are disclosed. The composite filter medium comprises an adsorbent layer containing an adsorbent agent and a hydrophilic particulate intercepting layer disposed adjacent to the adsorbent layer. The composite medium has a mean flow pore diameter of about 1 to 10 microns, a bubble point of about 3 to 15 microns and an air permeability of about 0.5 to 7 liters per minute/cm2 with a pressure drop of about 0.1 bar.

Abstract: An index filtration method is disclosed for filtering graft polyol dispersions. The method allows for the rapid filtration of large volumes of graft polyol dispersion in an economical manner. The process can be highly automated. The resulting filtered graft polyol dispersion mainly has particles of 25 microns or smaller and is stable under a variety of conditions for at least 9 weeks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite solid material which fixes inorganic contaminants based on metal hexacyanoferrate comprising a solid support coated with a thin film of an anion-exchange polymer to which is fixed an insoluble metal hexacyanoferrate forming a thin layer, characterized in that said polymer is a noncrosslinked polymer which comprises, as anion-exchange groups, solely quaternary ammonium groups and in that it does not comprise primary, secondary or tertiary amine groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biaxially stretched, laminated, white microporous polyester film, which can be used in a wide range of industrial applications including printing, imaging, advertising and display. The film of the present invention comprises a porous polyester resin layer B containing a thermoplastic resin non-compatible with polyester; a polyester resin-based photic layer A formed on one surface of the resin layer B, the aphotic layer A having a 60-degree gloss of the surface thereof of more than 100%; and an aphotic layer C formed on the other surface of the resin layer B, the aphotic layer C having a 60-degree gloss of the surface thereof of less than 50%. The total density of the photic layer A and the aphotic layer C is 0.55-1.2 g/cm3. This film has excellent gloss and flexibility so that it is very suitable for use in printing and imaging.

Abstract: A screen unit for removing solid particles from a viscous mass, for example molten plastic. The screen unit includes a housing provided with a supply channel and a discharge channel for the viscous mass, a screen element in the housing between the supply channel and discharge channel, a backflush channel for discharging during backflushing solid particles screened by the screen element and connected to an outflow channel by a shutoff valve, and a pressure element which can be operated to flush back the viscous mass through the screen element at a pressure higher than the pressure in the supply channel. The shutter element is placed along the screen element, and the shutter element is caused to move with respect to the screen element such that during the screening phase the screen element is gradually more exposed for screening and during the backflushing phase the screen element is gradually less exposed to the backflushing action.

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A solid-liquid filtering method and system which comprises a thick band (7) of assembled filaments prepared by closely arranging paralleled monofilaments of predetermined length, a means for fixing (11) one end portion of said band and a network support (4) for keeping said band in a plane situation at proper location when said band is forced to turn in a regular direction, one end portion of said monofilaments being fixed and the other end portion being floated.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use in severe or harsh applications, such as acidic or alkaline environments or hot or cold temperatures. The inventive filter cartridge is constructed of a central, perforated core having reinforcing bands on the ends which is surrounded by a continuous tube of filtration material and bounded by end caps. Rather than using potting compounds or other techniques which are susceptible to severe environments, the end caps are secured to the filter material enrobed core by way of mechanical fasteners, such as blind pop-rivets, screws, or nails.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fluid filter having a housing assembly defining a chamber through which fluid to be filtered can flow between an inlet and an outlet, a filtering assembly within the chamber through which fluid moving between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet passes, and a cover assembly. The housing assembly has an opening through which at least a part of the filtering assembly can be directed into an operative position within the chamber. The cover assembly seals the opening. The housing assembly has a housing body and a base plate connected to the housing body. The base plate is secured to the housing body through at least one weld and a plurality of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size layers or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two layer unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: Blood collection systems include an integral flexible filter to remove leukocytes from blood components.

Abstract: A filter unit for removing leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing suspension by passing the suspension through a filter unit. The filter unit may comprise a main filter for blocking the leukocytes and a post-filter for preventing leakage of the leukocytes having a higher median pore size than the main filter and placed downstream of the main-filter.

Abstract: The invention concerns the designing and production of filtering assemblies used for filtering liquids circulating in engines or hydraulic equipment. The invention is characterised in that a cylindrical element designed to support a filtering cartridge in a filtering assembly for liquid circulating in an engine or a hydraulic equipment, said cartridge including a filtering medium delimited by two plates, comprises at least two longitudinal ribs (32) wherefrom extend a series of sloping fins (33).

Abstract: A filter cartridge for filtering impurities and the like from a swimming pool or other body of water is provided. The filter cartridge is positioned in a receptacle for receiving water and for recirculating it back to the pool. The filter cartridge includes a core communicating with the recirculating system and having a plurality of openings therein communicating with a supporting frame located around the core and affixed thereto. The frame has a multiplicity of openings therein and a plurality of undulations extending therealong. A flexible sleeve is located around the frame and is of sufficient size to assume the contour of the frame when water is supplied from the exterior of the sleeve to the interior of the core, thereby providing a maximum filtering surface. The sleeve has elastic bands around both ends for drawing the ends together around the core beyond the ends of the frame. The sleeve can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating a biological fluid are provided comprising placing the fluid in contact with a complement filter capable of depleting at least one complement fragment from the fluid while at least one component of the biological fluid is being stored.

Abstract: Phase inversion microporous membranes including at least two different pore size regions are provided, wherein two membrane sheets are placed, back-to-back, such that the qualifying pore zones are positioned internally within the structure. Exemplary membranes according to the present disclosure provide excellent thermal stability and retention characteristics. Methods for fabricating and using the disclosed membrane structures are also provided according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: Blood collection systems include an integral flexible filter to remove leukocytes from blood components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element and its manufacture to be used in removal of liquid from solids containing material to be dried in a capillary suction dryer which filter element contains a ceramic microporous layer having the pore size under 5 micrometer and supported by a ceramic internal layer having recess areas for liquid flowing. The internal layer is made of at least one substrate which continuously surrounds at least one recess area and which ceramic internal layer is surrounded by at least one essentially continuous microporous surface layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing erosion of wellbore components comprises a wellscreen and a coating disposed on the wellscreen. The coating includes a metal-based coating and preferably nickel and phosphorous. The coating may also be organic-based such as phenolic resin containing ceramic or cermet. A method for fabricating an erosion and corrosion resistant wellbore component by providing the wellbore component and treating the wellbore component with erosion resistant materials. The treating step is conducted by plating the wellbore component, preferably by electroless plating. The treating step further comprises heat treatment of the wellbore component subsequent to plating. An additional step of inserting the treated wellbore component into a wellbore may also be conducted.

Abstract: A filter bag assembly includes an outer bag having an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and a longitudinal axis. The open end of the outer bag is sized and shaped for receiving liquid to be filtered. A filter member is loosely mounted in the outer bag and has a pair of opposed open ends and a plurality of longitudinally extending pleats. Each of the pleats projects generally outwardly in a radial direction.

Abstract: A filter for Diesel engine fuel, comprising a filtering mass which is contained within an enclosure and is provided so as to be crossed by the fuel in its path inside the filter between an intake connector and a discharge connector. The enclosure comprises a water collection chamber at its bottom. The filter further comprises at least two micromeshes which are adapted to be crossed sequentially by the fuel that exits from the filtering mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinneret for spinning thermoplastics. Said spinneret comprises a central polymer inlet channel, a filter assembly (2), consisting of one or more filter plates of various filtration grades, a spinneret plate (3) and a housing (1) which receives and tightly surrounds the filter assembly (2) and the spinneret plate (3). The selection of suitable materials and tolerances for the individual parts of the spinneret enables the sealing effect to be achieved at operating temperature by the increased expansion of the internal components, in relation to the external housing.

Abstract: A cell-type filter unit having two or more filter media layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter media are preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter media layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter media element and preventing collapsing of the media into any separator conduit.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing wet-felted and thermally bonded porous structures is provided to produce formed porous media for use in filters with improved filtration performance. The process includes the steps of forming a slurry with a primary media consisting of natural or synthetic fibers, a wet strength agent consisting of fibrillated fibers, and a binding agent; vacuum forming the slurry to produce a formed media; drying the formed media using a gas at a temperature below the melting temperature of the binding agent; bonding the formed media using a gas at a temperature above the melting temperature of the binding agent; and cooling the formed media using a gas at ambient temperature. The process produces a formed porous media with improved bonding which results in improved filtration performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a purifying device for liquid, that has filtering means (1) in order to separate impurities in the liquid to be treated by mechanical filtration and purifying means (2), such as an activated carbon element or like, in order to eliminate impurities in the liquid to be treated by absorption or correspondingly, which means (1, 2) are arranged essentially built-in therein. The mechanical filtering means (1) are carried out by a thin filtering film (1a) made of plastic based material, such as PTM (Particle Track Membrane), TeM (Track-edge Membrane) or like, the porosity of which is 5-15%, the thickness preferably 10-25 &mgr;m and the size of pores 0,5 &mgr;m at its height.

Abstract: There is provided a leukocyte filter comprising: a prefilter portion; and a membrane filter portion downstream of the prefilter portion, the membrane filter portion having a pore size distribution having a median pore size between 3 and 12 microns and having at least 40% of the pore volume being constituted by pores having a pore cross section diameter of between 3 and 10 microns and having at least 5% of the pore volume being constitutted by pores having a pore cross section diameter larger than 10 microns. In a preferred embodiment, no more than 60% of the pore volume is constituted by pores having a pore cross section diameter larger than 10 microns. In another preferred embodiment, the membrane filter portion is characterized in that no more than 30% of the pore volume is constituted by pores having a pore cross section diameter less than 3 microns.

Abstract: A filter includes upper and lower filter members that form at least two opposed surfaces that face each other, a porous member contained in the filter member, and a coupling member having an opening that is open to the porous member so that the porous member communicates with the coupling member. In the filter, the filter member removes foreign matters contained in liquid, and the liquid from which the foreign matters are removed is discharged through the porous member and the coupling member.

Abstract: The present is basically comprised of a piece of polypropylene woven mesh cut to the size of the catch basin inlet opening grate, of a heavy-duty, partially-resilient rubber open frame member superimposed upon the woven mesh with peripheral butyl rubber adhesive strips, of peripheral butyl rubber adhesive strips secured to the underside of the woven mesh, and preferably a readily removable backing strip contacting the underside peripheral butyl rubber adhesive strip to avoid temporary and inadvertent adhering of the assembly in unwanted places.

Abstract: A filter assembly is for use in a water by-pass compartment of a hot tub. The filter assembly comprises an open-top housing and an operably associated filter basket. The housing is for placement in the by-pass compartment. A support member is positioned within the housing near its open-top. A rigid periphery found on the filter basket sits on a ledge of the support member. The filter basket is made of a water porous synthetic material. Debris is trapped on the filter basket as hot tub water is pulled through it. The filter basket is easily lifted free from the open-top housing and then cleaned if desired or simply replaced with a new filter basket.

Abstract: A filter for filtering blood includes a coiled core with a hollow center. The core has only two layers that are coiled atop one another, the two layers being a blood filter layer and a spacer layer where blood flows more easily through the spacer layer than through the filter layer. An outer side of one of the spacer layer, and the filter layer defines an outer circumference of the core. The filter and spacer layers are coiled so that both sides of the filter layer directly contact respective sides of the spacer layer. A casing for the core has a blood inlet in fluid communication with the outer circumference of the core and a blood outlet in fluid communication with the hollow center. Blood entering the inlet travels to the outlet within the spacer layer and transversely across the filter and spacer layers.

Abstract: Apparatus for chromatography, featuring a composite chromatography column including a tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end, where the tubular member includes an innermost first layer comprised of a first material and a second layer comprised of a second material. The chromatography apparatus can also include a first intermediate layer formed from a third material, where at least a portion of the first intermediate layer is disposed between the innermost first layer and the second layer. A second intermediate layer formed from a fourth material, can further be included in the chromatography apparatus, where at least a portion of the second intermediate layer is disposed between the innermost first layer and the second layer. A portion of the second intermediate layer can be disposed between the second layer and the first intermediate layer.

Abstract: There are Two Basic Components

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A multi-micron, multi-zoned woven metal wire mesh for the production of sand control screens. The multi-zone, dual micron layer is spirally wound on top of a perforated metal pipe. Second and third metal mesh filtration layers are spirally wound on top of the three-zone, dual micron layer, respectively. A perforated metal shroud is placed on top of the entire assembly to protect from the surrounding environment and acts as a protective cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining water separation characteristics of hydrocarbon fluids which includes a water/fuel separator for treating a water/fuel emulsion and measuring the water separability of the transient fluid to determine the water separation characteristics.

Abstract: A combined filter for removing an aqueous fluid and entities, such as bacteria, existing in such aqueous fluid, from a nonaqueous fluid is described. The combined filter consists of a hydrophilic filter and a hydrophobic filter that are arranged in fluid communication and serially to be placed along the flow path of a fluid. The hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter may touch one another or be located some distance from one another. Also, a structure may be inserted into the space between the hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter that will maintain the space between the hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter without significantly restricting the flow of fluid. And, in one embodiment, the combined filter may be composed simply of material having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics on the molecular level. Preferably, however, the filters and spacing structure are contained within an encasement having an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: A filtering device (10) comprises a plurality of layers of paper (40). The paper (40) is formed with projections (120)) so that cavities (122) are located between adjacent layers of paper (40). A liquid being filtered passes between adjacent layers, filling at least some of the cavities (122).

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating a biological fluid are provided comprising placing the fluid in contact with a complement filter capable of depleting at least one complement fragment from the fluid while at least one component of the biological fluid is being stored.

Abstract: This is an under water filtering plate which houses a filtering pad to catch debris in the aquarium.

Abstract: The invention includes a filtration unit for the selective deleukocytation of a fluid containing blood platelets such as blood or a blood component. The unit includes a medium for deleukocytation by adsorption and/or filtration of the leukocytes. The medium is formed by at least one layer of non-woven polyurethane fabric which has been treated by gas plasma.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.