Diverse Granular Or Fibrous Patents (Class 210/503)
  • Publication number: 20040104164
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Kerry Johnson, Olli Hognabba, Bjarne Ekberg
  • Patent number: 6742660
    Abstract: An antibacterial, biodegradable extracting container has a filtering surface formed from a water-permeable woven or knitted fabric formed from fibers comprising, as a principal component, an antibacterial, biodegradable polylactate polymer, and having a thickness of 1 to 100 dtex, wherein, preferably, the filtering surface is formed from the woven fabric having a cover factor K of 1600 to 6400, determined in accordance the following equation: K=(N×(A)1/2/T)+(M×(B)1/2/S) wherein, N=warp density (yarns/10 cm), M=weft density (yarns/10 cm), A=thickness (dtex) of the warp yarns, B=thickness (dtex) of the weft yarns, T=specific gravity of the warp yarns and S=specific gravity of the weft yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: Yamanaka Ind., Unitika Fibers, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaichi Suzuki, Kouji Kajiwara, Shuhei Kurata
  • Publication number: 20040094474
    Abstract: Described are a filter material which contains heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers and is characterized in that the heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers are drawn, heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers having a draw ratio which is in the range form 1.2 to 8, and also a process for producing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Gunter Heinrich, Manfred Kaussen, Danny Meger
  • Publication number: 20040089602
    Abstract: Described are a filter material which contains heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers and is characterized in that it additionally contains a lubricant in an amount from 0.5 to 5.0% by weight, based on the paper weight of the ready-produced filter material, and also processes for producing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Gunter Heinrich, Manfred Kaussen, Martin Buchsel
  • Patent number: 6726751
    Abstract: A filter material includes a filter pad made from a thin, nonwoven fiber mat which has been accordion-pleated, compressed into a unit having a large number of substantially parallel interconnected filter strips, and treated to retain the filter strips in substantially parallel relation to each other. In a preferred embodiment, activated carbon particles are operatively associated with the filter pad. Selected fibers of the nonwoven fiber material are hollow fibers, each having an outer surface, a hollow internal cavity, and an extended slot formed therein, between the hollow internal cavity and the outer fiber surface. Carbon particles may be located between selected filter strips, and additional carbon particles may be disposed within the cavities of the hollow fibers. Methods of forming the filter material, and a filter element made with the filter material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel E. Bause, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Gordon W. Jones, Peter D. Unger, Alexander Lobovsky
  • Patent number: 6712974
    Abstract: This invention relates to filterable composite adsorbents comprising one or more adsorbent components and one or more filtration components, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to filterable composite adsorbents and filterable composite adsorbent products which are suitable for use in filtration applications, and which comprise one or more microparticulate or colloidal adsorbent components selected from the group consisting of silica gel, fumed silica, neutral clay, alkaline clay, zeolite, solid catalyst, alumina, adsorbent polymer, alkaline earth silicate hydrate, and combinations thereof, which bear the property of adsorption, which are intimately bound to one or more functional filtration components selected from the group consisting of biogenic silica (e.g., diatomite, rice hull ash, sponge spicules), natural glass (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Minerals Corporation
    Inventors: Scott K. Palm, Timothy R. Smith, Jerome C. Shiuh, John S. Roulston
  • Patent number: 6712939
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Chen, Katharine L. K. Faye, Mark Schimmel
  • Publication number: 20040045903
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating contaminated fluids especially formalin. The device being able to pass a large volume of solid, lipid and cell contaminated material through it and being stable from shipping problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Creative Waste Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Rexford Charles Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040035774
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Horsman, Peter C. Van Davelaar
  • Publication number: 20040020846
    Abstract: The invention is directed at a mullite-aluminum titanate porous diesel particulate filter constituting a porous ceramic body containing, expressed in terms of weight percent of the total body, of 60-90%, preferably 70-80%, most preferably 70% iron-aluminum titanate solid solution having a stoichiometry of Al2(1−x)Fe2xTiO5, where x is 0-0.1, and 10-40%, preferably 20-30%, most preferably 30% mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2), and consists essentially, expressed in terms of weigh percent on the oxide basis, of 3 to 15% SiO2, 55 to 65% Al2O3, 22 to 40% TiO2, and 0 to 10% Fe2O3, and being useful for filtration of diesel exhaust. The inventive diesel particulate filter exhibits high interconnected open porosity and large median pore size, in combination with high permeability when fired to a temperature of between 1650° to 1700° C., along with high thermal shock resistance and good filtration capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Steven B. Ogunwumi, Patrick D. Tepesch
  • Publication number: 20040007540
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thierry Verpoort, Stephane Chollet
  • Publication number: 20030234216
    Abstract: Large diameter nodes integrally formed on a linear fiber at an appropriate interval to form a fiber body, so that multiple fiber bodies are attached to a support member in a state where slits are formed between adjoining fibers due to the large diameter nodes by arranging multiple fiber bodies in parallel with one another or laminating the multiple fiber bodies with one another. It is preferable that a thickness of the fiber of the fiber body is set to range from 0.003 to 0.05 mm, and an outer diameter of each large diameter node is set to be 1.03 to 1.50 times as large as the thickness of the fiber, and an interval of the large diameter nodes is set to be 5 to 100 times as large as the thickness of the fiber. With such a construction, it is possible to obtain the filtrating filter which is simple in construction and manufactured with ease, particularly capable of easily forming slits to have an arbitrary size through which liquid or gas to be suitably filtrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Morimura Kosan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadaki Morimura
  • Patent number: 6663776
    Abstract: There is provided an improved ceramic foam filter for use in filtering molten metals, metal prepared from a ceramic slurry containing silicon carbide, a colloidal silica binder and at least 10 percent of fumed silica. The filter has enhanced strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Selee Corporation
    Inventors: William Isaac Hoffman, Rudolph A. Olson, III
  • Patent number: 6659289
    Abstract: A hemocathartic column and apparatus, in which a column containing an adsorber capable of adsorbing and removing impurity components in blood, and in which the blood of an organism is extracorporeally circulated through the column, to be purified, and further in which if the pressure of blood at 120 minutes after start of blood circulation is P120 and the pressure of blood at 5 minutes after start of blood circulation is P5, then a relation of (P120/P5)≦1.3 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanae Masuko, Tadayuki Matsumoto, Shinji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6652750
    Abstract: A bilge water filter for filtering bilge water discharged being drained from the bilge of a vessel includes a casing having first and second ends and at least one sidewall extending between the first and second ends, an inlet extending through the first end of the casing, and an outlet extending through the second end of the casing. The bilge water filter also includes a filter media disposed in the casing, between the inlet and the outlet, the filter media being adapted to absorb contaminants present in the bilge water while allowing substantially contaminant-free bilge water to be discharged from the outlet of the bilge water filter. The bilge water filter is adapted to be externally mounted to the outer surface of the hull of a vessel (i.e., to the outer surface of the hull) for draining bilge water from the vessel, capturing contaminants inside the filter and discharging contaminant-free bilge water from the outlet of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Samuel Pica, Gary Libertell
  • Publication number: 20030213750
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030213751
    Abstract: A hemocathartic column and apparatus, in which a column containing an adsorber capable of adsorbing and removing impurity components in blood, and in which the blood of an organism is extracorporeally circulated through the column, to be purified, and further in which if the pressure of blood at 120 minutes after start of blood circulation is P120 and the pressure of blood at 5 minutes after start of blood circulation is P5, then a relation of (P120/P5)≦1.3 is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sanae Masuko, Tadayuki Matsumoto, Shinji Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030205531
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030205529
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030205530
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030201231
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030196964
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Publication number: 20030196963
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, preferably having an adsorbent prefilter located upstream from the filter medium. Preferably, the prefilter is adapted to remove natural organic matter in an influent prior to the influent contacting the microbiological interception enhanced filter medium, thereby preventing loss of charge on the filter medium. The microbiological interception enhanced filter medium is most preferably comprised of fibrillated cellulose fibers, in particular, lyocell fibers. At least a portion of the surface of the at least some of the fibers have formed thereon a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a cationic metal complex. A filter medium of the present invention provides greater than about 4 log viral interception, and greater than about 6 log bacterial interception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 6615991
    Abstract: A filter aid, in particular for filtering beverages by means of precoated filters, comprises a mixture of exclusively natural components, e.g. cellulose components. The filter aid is made only of sustainable raw materials and can be degraded almost totally in a natural way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Stefan Herzog
    Inventor: Josef Otto Rettenmaier
  • Patent number: 6613227
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel filter includes conductive features which provide a path to a grounded component of a motor vehicle to carry away static charges generated by passage of fuel through the filter. The filter includes a filter body and an in-situ molded conductive outlet fitting and runner assembly. The filter body includes a filtration layer having a plurality of conductive strands, threads or filaments which are in electrical contact with conductive runners which are molded onto the filter body and extend from the outlet fitting which is also electrically conductive. An electrically conductive path is thus provided from the conductive strands of the filter body, through the runners to the conductive outlet fitting which is attached to a conductive (typically metal) and grounded component of a fuel pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kuss Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Rickle
  • Patent number: 6612447
    Abstract: A filter for removing leukocytes from blood comprises a filter media enclosed in a housing. The filter media includes a main filter region comprising a porous membrane structure extending between first and second skin surfaces. The porous membrane structure is formed by intersecting cells having a range of diameters. The cells adjacent to the first skin surface have diameters generally smaller than the diameters of the cells adjacent to the second skin surface. The first skin surface includes an open area defined by pores, which are formed by the intersection of cells with the first skin surface. The majority of the open area is defined by pores having a diameter of between about 12 &mgr;m and 28 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Julian P. Breillatt, Jr., Shmuel Sternberg
  • Patent number: 6609618
    Abstract: Described is a method of isolating cell components, such as nucleic acids, from natural sources by filtering a sample of the digested natural sources such as cells or cell fragments. The method is characterized in that the sample is passed through a filter, the pore size of which decreases in the direction of flow of the sample through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Qiagen GmbH
    Inventor: Metin Colpan
  • Publication number: 20030111404
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 6569329
    Abstract: A bottle mountable filtration system typically includes a plurality of different filter elements or filtering and treatment elements having a substantially common central axis that are mounted to extend into a bottle from a cap with a manual valve. Mounting structures may be provided, by screw threads, or by an interference fit, and connect the filter treating elements to the cap. An outer filter treating element may comprise a chlorine removal primarily radial flow outer filter, and an inner treatment element comprising a flavoring, vitamin, mineral, or medication adding component including a mixing chamber which provides an axial flow chamber radially surrounded by the flavoring, etc., adding component. Conversely, the inner treatment element may be a radial flow carbon composite filter used independently or in conjunction with one of several independent outer water treatment elements which may be radial or axial flow in design for the removal of a variety of biological, organic, or inorganic contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Innova Pure Water Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nohren, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030085170
    Abstract: A product, capable of treating contaminated fluids, preferably gases, is disclosed. The product contains a carrier, an activated metal oxide, an odor counteractant, a carrier for the odor counteractant, and an agent which limits diffusion of the odor counteractant. The product removes sulfur contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, while also reducing and/or neutralizing other common odor causing compounds in fluids, preferably gases. Methods of making and using the product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Delbert C. Scranton, Thomas G. Braga
  • Patent number: 6558547
    Abstract: A material for introducing inorganic elements into water, the material including a carrier and a plurality of inorganic compounds that are sparingly soluble in water, wherein the carrier is an organic ion-exchanger having a porous structure in the air-dry state. The organic ion-exchanger reacts with the sparingly soluble compounds such that the sparingly soluble inorganic compounds are contained in pores of the organic ion-exchanger with a ratio of the ion-exchanger to the sparingly soluble inorganic compounds being 35-90:10-65 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Nauchno-Issledovatelsky Institut Plasticheskikh Mass Im. G. S. Petrova”
    Inventors: Dzhulietta Petrovna Solntseva, Mikhail Stanislavovich Krasnov, Mikhail Sergeevich Amiragov, Leonid Sergeevich Bobe
  • Publication number: 20030080051
    Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Osmonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Aune, Clinton V. Kopp, Michael J. Madsen, Philip M. Rolchigo, Travis G. Stifter
  • Publication number: 20030062303
    Abstract: There is provided an improved ceramic foam filter for use in filtering molten metals, metal prepared from a ceramic slurry containing silicon carbide, a colloidal silica binder and at least 10 percent of fumed silica. The filter has enhanced strength properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: William Isaac Hoffman, Rudolf A. Olson
  • Publication number: 20030062299
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Whatman Hemasure, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Lee, Paul J. Vernucci, Samuel C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6524477
    Abstract: Embodiments of a gravity-flow filter cartridge are described for removing water-borne parasites, and other contaminants such as chlorine, lead, and organics from water. The filtration cartridge includes a liquid porous plastic filter, which has pore diameters large enough to let water pass at acceptable flow rates under only the force of gravity, while the matrix creates a tortuous path which traps parasites and other microorganisms that are typically in the approximately 3-9 micron size range. The filter may include interstitial carbon and other additives to improve performance. The filter may be shaped to provide a large surface and an optimized wall thickness for providing beneficial filter capacity and water flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rich Buhler
    Inventor: Douglass E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6524489
    Abstract: This invention relates to advanced composite filtration media comprising a functional filtration component and a matrix component, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced composite filtration media and advanced composite filtration media products comprised of a functional filtration component, such as a biogenic silica product (e.g., diatomite), a natural glass product (e.g., expanded perlite), or a natural or synthetic crystalline mineral (e.g., titanium dioxide), which is thermally sintered to a matrix component, such as an engineering polymer (e.g., glasses, natural or synthetic crystalline minerals, thermoplastics, and metals) or a suitable natural material (e.g., rice hull ash, sponge spicules) that has a softening temperature below that of the functional filtration component. This invention also relates to advanced composite media and advanced composite media products, generally, which are also useful in non-filtration applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Minerals Corporation
    Inventors: Scott K. Palm, Timothy R. Smith, Jerome C. Shiuh, John S. Roulston
  • Publication number: 20030029789
    Abstract: An improved sintered porous thermoplastic filter incorporating a second thermoplastic treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent for the purification of liquids. The method of making the filter is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: MICROBAN PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventor: Arvind S. Patil
  • Patent number: 6503390
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water is disclosed herein. The present invention may be used in drainage openings, particularly in parking lots and containment areas for large sources of hydrocarbons such as oil tanks or electrical transformers, to remove hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon contaminated water. The apparatus has a filtration compartment which filters out debris and sediment which may clog the treatment compartment. A pre-filter attachable to the apparatus may be used to further aid in filtering out sediment. A means for melting snow and ice may be incorporated within the filtration compartment such that liquid flow is not hindered during extreme weather conditions. The treatment compartment contains a hydrocarbon absorption media which absorbs any hydrocarbons present in the water rendering such water substantially hydrocarbon-free for discharge directly into a stream or groundwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Solidification Products International, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Gannon
  • Patent number: 6494326
    Abstract: A new class of composite zeolite membranes and synthesis techniques therefor has been invented. These membranes are essentially defect-free, and exhibit large levels of transmembrane flux and of chemical and isotopic selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tina M. Nenoff, Steven G. Thoma, Carol S. Ashley, Scott T. Reed
  • Patent number: 6484887
    Abstract: An ion-selective membrane is formed integrally of an ion-selective membrane forming component and a woven-fabric-shaped backing. The ion-selective membrane forming component comprises a cationic polymer component and/or an anionic polymer component and a matrix component. Each of the ionic polymer components is a particulate polymer having an average particle size in a range of from 0.01 to 10 &mgr;m. The woven-fabric-shaped backing has a meshed structure. The ion-selective membrane can be produced by forming it while maintaining a layer of a coating formulation, in which the ionic polymer component is dispersed in a solution or dispersion of the matrix component in an organic solvent, in close contact with the woven-fabric-shaped backing. The ion-selective membrane is useful for the permeation of an electrolyte. An apparatus provided with the ion-selective membrane is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Fukutomi, Yoshifumi Sugito, Minoru Takizawa, Naomi Oguma, Seiji Doi, Michiei Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6485639
    Abstract: A novel filtration media employing polymeric absorbents comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent. Preferably, the filtration enabler comprises clay, ground glass, talc, mica, recycled rubber, sand, gravel, vermiculite, recycled plastic chips, an inert, non-absorbent material, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polymeric absorbent may be further compounded to incorporate about 10 to 50% recycled or waste plastic scrap, scrap polyolefins, inorganic fillers, or other inexpensive, relatively inert solids. Other compounding materials may include clay, talc, mica, ground glass, silica, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Solidification Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gannon, John Muir, Glenn T. Van Lier
  • Patent number: 6475340
    Abstract: A wet-laid, porous solid phase extraction sheet material that contains both active particles and binder and that possesses excellent wet strength is described. The binder is present in a relatively small amount while the particles are present in a relatively large amount. The sheet material is sufficiently strong and flexible so as to be pleatable so that, for example, it can be used in a cartridge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt C. Carlson, Roger L. Langer
  • Patent number: 6475386
    Abstract: An improved filter is provided for lowering levels of contaminants in domestic drinking water. The filter contains an oxidized activated carbon and at least one other type of adsorbent to remove cationic species and at least one other contaminant. The filter further achieves an efficient use of the adsorbents by including an envelope containing part or all of the adsorbents, which envelope minimizes the potential for flow by-pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Carr, Richard William Farmer
  • Patent number: 6458279
    Abstract: A fuel filter having a formulation of a stable intermetallic compound of materials such as tin and antimony. The filter may have an integral porous structure or may be in the form of particles. It removes trace metal ions such as Ca and Na ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Klinair Environmental Technologies (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Roger Duffield, Randall M. German, Teh Fu Yen, Ronald G. Iacocca
  • Publication number: 20020100725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a thin fiber-structured polymer web suitable for a high-speed and large-scale production using electrospinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Wha Seop Lee, Seong Mu Jo, Suk Won Chun, Sung Won Choi
  • Patent number: 6422395
    Abstract: A filter is composed of filter media having the following characteristics in combination: a) the filter media has a greater affinity for the filtered fluid than for contaminants in the fluid, and wherein the work of adhesion between the filter media and the contaminants is less than the work of adhesion between the filter media and fluid, and wherein the filter media is preferentially wetted by the fluid relative to the contaminants; b) the filter media is composed of fibers having a defined surface area ratio facilitating fewer attachment sites for contaminants, and, in the case of cleanable reusable filters, facilitating cleansing backwash of the cleanable reusable filter by cleansing fluid along a reverse flow backflush path; c) the filter media has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.075 inch, 0.7 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Brian W. Schwandt, Daniel R. Cady, Gene A. Mullins, W. Lee Currier
  • Publication number: 20020092807
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Kerry Johnson, Olli Hognabba, Bjarne Ekberg
  • Patent number: 6420028
    Abstract: A polymer article having structure (I), where P comprises the basic polymer and groups —L—CH(—X(R1)p)—CH2(—Y(R2)p); L is a part of a pending group utilized for introducing —X(R1)p and —Y(R2)p; X and Y are halogen, N, S and O; R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, acyl or R2 when X is N, O or S; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl in which the alkyl part may contain 1-18 carbons, or —R3(—NH—CR4═O)q or —R3(—NH2)q, —CR4═O or poly alkyloxy that may have been terminally acylated or alkylated; p is an integer 0-3, with the provisos a) p depends on X being halogen, O, S or N, and b) that if several groups R2 are present they may be identical or different; R3 is alkyl, —O-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, phenylalkyl, with up to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and R4 is C1-18 alkyl. q is an integer>O representing that one or more hydrogens in R3 may have been replaced with —NH2 or —NH—CR4═O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB
    Inventors: Steinar Hagen, Rune Ringberg, Geir Fonnum
  • Patent number: 6413432
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating various kinds of drain water and waste liquid which treatment now becomes a problem, for example, drain water and waste liquid containing hardly removable phosphorus and nitrogen, waste liquid containing organochlorine compounds such as tetrachloroethylene, etc., excretive drain water from a piggery containing organonitrogen compounds at a high level, waste liquid containing heavy metals such as lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and the like, drain water from dairy product plants, fishery processing plants, slaughterhouses, etc. which contains water soluble protein at a high level, drain water from pulp plants, photo developing waste liquid, car wash drain water containing a mixture of car polishing wax and detergent and the like by the use of porous ceramics provided with amorphous pore surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Shun'ichi Kumaoka
  • Publication number: 20020070161
    Abstract: The filter aid comprises finely divided plant fibers, which for a period of action have been subjected to a liquid treatment, which removes the sensorially active substances from the plant fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: JOSEF OTTO RETTENMAIER