Miscellaneous Patents (Class 210/542)
  • Publication number: 20020164274
    Abstract: An apparatus for the ultrasonic destruction of microbiological contamination of fluids. The process involves subjecting contaminated fluids to ultrasonic vibration so as to cause cavitation within the fluids. The cavitation results in the destruction of microbial cells and mats of microbial colonies. To create cavitation in the fluids a number of piezoelectric ceramic rings surround a metal tube through which the fluids flows. Those piezoelectric rings are immersed in a transmission medium which is pressurized sufficiently to prevent cavitation occurring in it and causing damage to the piezoelectric rings electrodes. This process is applicable to many liquids such as fuels, lubricating fluids, potable and marine ballast waters, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, liquid food products and beverages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Randall D. Haggett, Kenneth J. KarisAllen, Guerorgui A. Hranov
  • Patent number: 6395180
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing dialysate concentrate includes a vessel, a controllable valve for regulating water flow to the vessel, a first sensing device for detecting when the liquid has reached a lower level, a second sensing device for detecting when the liquid has reached an upper level, a controller selectively responsive to one of the sensing devices, and a positionable switch for selecting to which of the sensing devices the controller is responsive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Chioini, Charles E. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6294088
    Abstract: A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the adjusting stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Isco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Allington, Henry LeRoy Walters, Daniel Gene Jameson, Yoossef Tehrani
  • Patent number: 6251267
    Abstract: An apparatus for supercritical extraction is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold a different one of a corresponding plurality of samples, a first transport means for carrying the plurality of sample containers, and a second transport means for transporting a selected container from the first transport means to a supercritical extractor. The supercritical extractor includes a heating means having a recess for receiving the selected container, means for passing fluid at a supercritical condition through the selected container, and a receiving means for receiving extractant from the selected container. A programming means is provided to control the first and second transport means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Isco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Allington, Daniel Gene Jameson, Robin Randall Winter, Dale Lee Clay
  • Patent number: 5951861
    Abstract: A device for filtering a liquid substance comprising a container (1) having an inlet (2), a rotor (6), an inner rotor part (7), at least one disc filter (8). Spray nozzles are provided for releasing material filtered away from the substance and deposited on the filter disc. Furthermore there are conveyors (17) for removing the material released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AS
    Inventor: Kent Strid
  • Patent number: 5830358
    Abstract: A waste decomposition system, having a container and an air circulation system integrated into the container. The air circulation system has a positive air pressure source; and a negative air pressure source. Also a method for decomposition of liquid and solid organic waste, including the steps of: (a) providing a container for collecting the waste; (b) forcing air through the waste with a positive air pressure source; (c) withdrawing air from the container with a negative air pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Bio-Sun Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen E. White
  • Patent number: 5814221
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of selected solutions wherein the device is a sealed container including a chemical mixture therein, at least one of the ingredients being magnetite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Goldenrod, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul Patino Cervantes
  • Patent number: 5741420
    Abstract: A water purifier includes a plurality of filter members for purifying fresh water. A first connecting hose supplies fresh water to one of the filter members, and additional connecting hoses conduct fresh water sequentially to the other filter members. Thermal insulators surround at least the first connecting hose and at least one of the filter members to prevent the formation of dew thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Wook Suh, Jae-Young Jang
  • Patent number: 5618444
    Abstract: The methods consists in that the suspension is made to flow as the feed stream through a narrow channel or a capillary and partial streams are drawn off from the wall on the periphery of the channel and/or the capillary through openings in the channel wall and/or capillary wall, the cross-section of which is larger than the mean particle cross-section (median value), the particle concentration being enriched in the main stream and diluted in the partial streams compared to the feed stream. The device consists in that several holes and/or (in the case of a channel) two gaps are arranged evenly distributed over the periphery of a pipe or channel in which the main stream is conveyed. The diameter of the holes is between 10% and 90% of the pipe diameter and the gap width between 10% and 30% of the channel width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Koglin
  • Patent number: 5587089
    Abstract: A system for purifying water and washing and filling a container with the purified water is disclosed. The system includes an appartus comprising a water inlet system, a water purification system, a container washing system, a container filling system, an auxiliary function system, a mineralization system and an ozonating system. The apparatus includes compartments, where a container is washed and filled within a single compartment. The apparatus also includes a cap washing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: J. Vogel Premium Water
    Inventors: Gerald A. Vogel, Joseph H. Tholen
  • Patent number: 5540849
    Abstract: A filter for filtering particulates from a particulate-containing fluid stream passing through the filter, contains one or more flow plates, each of the flow plates having (a) one or more primary fluid flow passages; and (b) one or more particulates-collecting, eddy current-forming accumulation chambers communicating with the primary fluid flow passages; wherein the accumulation chambers are not situated in the primary fluid flow passages and, when the accumulation chambers contain particulates, the particulate-containing accumulation chambers do not impede fluid flow through the primary fluid flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5540842
    Abstract: A granular to fine-granular dry mix powder (an artificial kidney perfusion component A of uniform composition) for use in the preparation of an artificial kidney perfusion fluid for bicarbonate dialysis and a method of producing the same.A granular to fine-granular Composition A comprising granules each comprised of a plurality of NaCl grains carrying KCl, CaCl.sub.2, MgCl.sub.2 and sodium acetate adhered to the surface of each grain.NaCl, KCl CaCl.sub.2, MgCl.sub.2 and sodium acetate are mixed in the presence of not less than 10 weight parts of water based on 100 weight parts of sodium acetate and the resultant mixture is heated at not less than 50.degree. C. to bring the sodium acetate into a transiently molten state and mixing acetic acid with the same mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Tomita Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Aoyama, Hisao Mukai, Kazuya Murakami
  • Patent number: 5534145
    Abstract: A portable, manually-operated water filtration pump for purifying water. The pump includes an inexpensive, disposable filter cartridge which can be easily changed when the filter elements are no longer effective. The pump uses a lever to actuate a double-acting piston. The lever is collapsible to one side of the pump for compact storage. The filter cartridge is a tubular cylinder having an inner bore forming the pump cylinder. A cylindrical mechanical filter is concentric with and adjacent to the inner bore to filter out particulates larger than 0.3 microns. A fluidized granual activated carbon filter surrounds the mechanical filter to absorb halogen and halogen-related compounds such as herbicides and pesticides. The pump pumps filtered water into a bottle adaptor which will fit most standard water containers. A prefilter is provided to screen out large particulates from the pump to enhance the life of the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: SweetWater, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanford Platter, Jeffrey K. Aldred, Richard J. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 5522992
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of selected solutions wherein the device is a sealed container including a chemical mixture therein, at least one of the ingredients being magnetite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Raul P. Cervantes
  • Patent number: 5484537
    Abstract: An ultrasonic field is used to manipulate biological cells or other particles in fluid suspension. A cavity is bounded by a thin plastics wall and excitation is confined to a single acoustic mode to displace the cells radially. The resulting column of cells can be transported more easily than the radially diffuse bands produced in earlier apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Public Health Laboratory Service Board
    Inventor: Glenn Whitworth
  • Patent number: 5431816
    Abstract: A portable, manually-operated water filtration pump for purifying water. The pump includes an inexpensive, disposable filter cartridge which can be easily changed when the filter elements are no longer effective. The pump uses a lever to actuate a double-acting piston. The lever is collapsible to one side of the pump for compact storage. The filter cartridge is a tubular cylinder having an inner bore forming the pump cylinder. A cylindrical mechanical filter is concentric with and adjacent to the inner bore to filter out particulates larger than 0.3 microns. A fluidized granular activated carbon filter surrounds the mechanical filter to absorb chlorine and chlorine-related compounds such as herbicides and pesticides. The pump pumps filtered water into a bottle adaptor which will fit most standard water containers. A prefilter is provided to screen out large particulates from the pump to enhance the life of the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: SweetWater, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Aldred, Richard J. Kraemer, Sanford Platter
  • Patent number: 5419832
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a traveling water screen in a channel, the channel having a sidewall and a vertically extending groove in the sidewall. The traveling water screen includes a frame positioned in the channel, a plurality of water screens supported by the frame for screening water flowing through the channel, and a support structure connected to the traveling water screen to position the traveling water screen in the channel. The support structure includes a guide member extending into the sidewall groove. The apparatus includes a guide lock fixed to the sidewall of the channel. The guide lock engages the guide member to hold the guide member in the vertically extending groove in the channel sidewall and thereby secure the traveling water screen in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Envirex Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Heinen, Ronald L. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 5366642
    Abstract: A portable, manually-operated water filtration pump for purifying water. The pump includes an inexpensive, disposable filter cartridge which can be easily changed when the filter elements are no longer effective. The pump uses a lever to actuate a double-acting piston. The lever is collapsible to one side of the pump for compact storage. The filter cartridge is a tubular cylinder having an inner bore forming the pump cylinder. A cylindrical mechanical filter is concentric with and adjacent to the inner bore to filter out particulates larger than 0.3 microns. A fluidized granular activated charcoal filter surrounds the mechanical filter to absorb chlorine and chlorine-related compounds such as herbicides and pesticides. The pump pumps filtered water into a bottle adaptor which will fit most standard water containers. A prefilter is provided to screen out large particulates from the pump to enhance the life of the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: KPA, Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanford Platter, Jeffrey K. Aldred, Richard J. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 5252213
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automated hemodialysis filtration system comprising one or a plurality of the following improvements, including a supply-regulated pump, an inverted drip chamber, a filtrate system communicating with a hemofilter and comprising a filtrate reservoir, a filter pump and pressure sensors, and a means for adding dry pellets to water to form the dialysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Suhail Ahmad, James J. Cole, William Jensen
  • Patent number: 5205617
    Abstract: A hub cap for an oil-lubricated wheel hub. Wall positioning and internal elements of the hub cap encourage improved lubrication of the outer wheel bearing. Also taught are filter media and magnets, secured in the hub cap, for holding sediment particles and metal carried by the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Daniel Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5194156
    Abstract: An improved faucet having a quick disconnect adapter, fitting for connecting a sink faucet, to a water purifier which has a body (22) defining three passageways for receiving and retaining three jointly sheathed resilient tubes. Each passageway has a separate function, i.e., supplying water to the purifier receiving and dumping overflow and metering waste flow. The tubes are held in place on a side connector (28) with a tube retainer (72). A quick-disconnect assembly attaches the fitting to the faucet adapter and includes a sleeve (50) with inwardly facing jaws (56) and a retracting collar (66) with a compression spring (68) permitting manual release or attachment by withdrawal of the jaws. A two-position valve (82) provides volume control for the waste flow and allows periodical flushing of deposits from the purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Tomchak, Sigfrid A.
  • Patent number: 5174897
    Abstract: The construct containing in hydraulic order a sediment basin, level-lip spreader, grassy filter, wetland, and deep pond can be used to remove pollutants from nonpoint source runoff. Wetlands are planted with vegetation that encourages growth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria which are helpful in removing and detoxifying contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Robert J. Wengrzynek
  • Patent number: 5160634
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for desalinating sea water. The system includes an energy source such as a laser 13, and a container 19 (partly or wholly transparent) for holding the sea water, the sea water having sodium and chlorine ions and a solvent (H.sub.2 O) with a predetermined dielectric value. The system applies a predetermined amount of energy, in the form of a laser beam 35 through the transparent container 19, to the seawater substantially at a resonance frequency of the solvent, for reducing the dielectric value of the solvent and vibrating the ions, permitting them to combine and precipitate out of the seawater, thereby desalinating the seawater. To increase the effect of the beam 35, the system includes a pair of mirrors 15,17 for reflecting the beam back and forth through the sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: David B. Chang
  • Patent number: 5154823
    Abstract: A filter apparatus and distributor plate therefor of the quick-change type which are easily fabricated from plastic material by injection molding are disclosed. The distributor plates which are flangeless can accommodate one, two, three or more canisters. The canisters which are neckless have two prong-like arcuate member with flanges. The prong-like members extend through the distributor plate and the canisters are secured to the distributor plate by locking knobs which have mating flanges for engaging the flanges on the prong-like members. Opposing ports in the canisters and distributor plate are seal by O-rings which are housed on the flat top surface of the canisters. For filter apparatuses having more than one canister, the distributor is preferably made in two parts, namely a main body part and an insert part which are bonded into a single unitary part by sonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Woon-Hawk Engineering Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Ma, Ryan K. Hur
  • Patent number: 5151186
    Abstract: A novel automated filter cleaning system capable of removing contaminants clogging the filter disk without having to resort to the operator's manual operation is disclosed. The system comprises a turntable or filter magazine for holding the filter disks in a stacked condition, a first ultrasonic cleaner for applying an ultrasonic field to one side of the filter disk, a second ultrasonic cleaner for applying an ultrasonic field to the other side of the filter disk, a water injection cleaner for removing residual contaminants from the ultrasonically cleansed filter disk, a robotic carrier for transporting the filter disk from a particular station to another, and a controller for controlling the overall operation of the filter cleaning system. A method is also provided for cleaning the filter disk by a combined action of ultrasonic treatment and water injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: SKC Limited
    Inventors: Taek J. Yoo, Yong N. Jang, Wook H. Oh, Chan S. Jeong
  • Patent number: 5126046
    Abstract: A method for the purification of fluids such as water, aqueous fluids and liquid fuels, comprises contacting said fluids with a solid material body of a novel alloy which comprises 50 to 60% copper, 20 to 28% zinc, 0.5 to 8% nickel, 0.005 to 2.5% aluminum, 7 to 15% manganese, and 1.3 to 4.5% tin, based on the total weight of the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Luis Gomez
  • Patent number: 5112488
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a support apparatus for a filter membrane which comprises a central porous support section and a peripheral support section, said central porous support section adapted to support a central portion of a filter membrane and said peripheral support section adapted to support a peripheral portion of a filter membrane, a base support for said central support section and said peripheral support section, and means to separate said central porous support section from said peripheral support action thereby to separate said peripheral portion of said filter membrane from said peripheral support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Lemonnier
  • Patent number: 5108606
    Abstract: An in-line water purification system where all the water from a supply to a faucet opening enters a filter cartridge further includes a flow restrictor placed at the end of a faucet and which can be placed in a position so as to reduce water volume through said filtering system to remove the subjective control by the end user of water flow through the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventor: Alfonse Maglio
  • Patent number: 5106503
    Abstract: The ultra-pure water piping system of this invention comprises an inward pipe passing by a series of ultra-pure water using units and running toward the end, an inward pipe running approximately in parallel to said outward pipe and forming the flow of the same direction as said outward pipe, a plurality of connection pipes running from said outward pipe toward said inward pipe, a branching pipe running from said connection pipe to the ultra-pure water using units, and a branching valve to adjust water quantity flowing in the branching pipe, and it is characterized in that said outward pipe is installed at higher position than said inward pipe, and said plurality of connection pipes are used to connect said outward pipe with said inward pipe installed at different height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Tadahiro Ohmi
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Tetsuo Mizuniwa
  • Patent number: 5094748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for facilitating distribution of bicarbonate concentration for use in hemodialysis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a centralized bicarbonate concentrate circulatory system for automatically controlled distribution and recirculation of bicarbonate concentrate to service a plurality of remote hemodialysis stations while achieving necessary control of various bicarbonate concentration characteristics, including concentrations, acidity and temperature, as well as the degree of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Luis C. Portillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5094758
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for desalinating sea water. The system includes an energy source such as a laser 13, and a container 19 (partly or wholly transparent) for holding the sea water, the sea water having sodium and chlorine ions and a solvent (H.sub.2 O) with a predetermined dielectric value. The system applies a predetermined amount of energy, in the form of a laser beam 35 through the transparent container 19, to the seawater substantially at a resonance frequency of the solvent, for reducing the dielectric value of the solvent and vibrating the ions, permitting them to combine and precipitate out of the seawatewr, thereby desalinating the seawater. To increase the effect of the beam 35, the system includes a pair of mirors 15,17 for reflecting the beam back and forth through the sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: David B. Chang
  • Patent number: 5094742
    Abstract: A magnetic water conditioning shower arm disposed in a water circuit supplying a shower head terminating the water circuit, the device comprises magnetic elements disposed within a tubular pipe-like element for treatment of water flowing therethrough by magnetic lines of force. The shower arm is preferably disposed immediately before the shower head in the water circuit and can thus be easily retrofitted into existing shower apparatus as well as installed as part of an original shower apparatus. The shower arm is particularly useful for the treatment of water containing scale minerals which deposit on surfaces of a shower head and which often render such heads prematurely useless. Magnetic treatment of water containing scale minerals according to the invention and prior to contact of untreated water with a shower head inhibits scale formation caused by precipitation of calcium salts, magnesium salts and other mineral compounds, thereby extending the useful life of a shower head to that life normally expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: William N. Shalhoob
  • Patent number: 5094743
    Abstract: A liquid purification arrangement comprising a housing having an ambient inlet and lineally extending exhaust passage between the housing wall and a drain pan, the housing having a liquid inlet and outlet for a liquid system disposed within the housing which system includes a pump to move the liquid in the system, a blower, an orificed, looped liquid circuit and filtering arrangement, a moveable frame support, a disinfection/rejuvenation receptacle, an ultra-violet and distillation microbial reduction arrangement, a heating and cooling storage arrangement with a collapsible-expansible storage bag and switch arrangement therefor, and a check and alternating valve arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Miller, Ronald L. Wathen, Raymond E. Palazzo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5089129
    Abstract: A filter component for aiding in the removal of particulate matter from a circulating lubrication fluid. Several embodiments utilize magnetic attraction of particulate matter to remove the matter from the fluid. Removal of extremely small matter aids in the prevention of clogging of straining type filtering elements and further cleans the fluid. The magnetically attractive element will trap and remove particles which are of a size too small to be inhibited be straining type filter elements. The component can be implemented in a number of ways, alone, or in conjunction with a straining type filter element, such that the component attracts the particles away from the element and out of the fluid flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Bernard B. Brigman
  • Patent number: 5076913
    Abstract: In a liquid purification system, a plenum defining walled housing including a blower and walled drain receptacle having protuberances to space the receptacle from the housing wall to define a lineally extending exhaust passage therebetween sized to provide sound baffling and air exhaustion, the housing further including a pair of filter casings and a pump which are mounted on a frame which absorbs vibrations of the pump independently of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Miller, Ronald L. Wathen, Raymond E. Palazzo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5071548
    Abstract: A fluid control mechanism for a fluid control system including a flexible fluid conduit with first and second gripping members to grip the conduit at preselected first and second locations, the gripping members being relatively movable to flex the conduit from a preselected minimum arc position to a maximum arc position to control the rate of fluid flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Miller, Ronald L. Wathen, Raymond E. Palazzo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5071558
    Abstract: A sodium bicarbonate dialysate comprising an electrolyte granule A composed mainly of sodium chloride and containing no sodium bicarbonate and an electrolyte granule B containing sodium bicarbonate, wherein the granule B is granules of sodium bicarbonate primary particles having a particle size of at most 250 .mu.m, and the particle size of the secondary particles after granulation is from 0.1 to 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignees: Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5069790
    Abstract: A disc-type filter including a housing having an inlet connectable to an upstream pipe, and an outlet connectable to a downstream pipe; and a stack of discs disposed within the housing for separating solid particles from a fluid flowing between the discs from the upstream side of the stack to the downstream side thereof; characterized in that the stack includes:a plurality of cooperating filter elements defining a plurality of paired co-operating filter surfaces, including a first surface having a large surface area and a second surface contacting only a portion of the large surface area of the first surface and leaving a portion of the large surface area on the upstream side of the stack not contacted thereby, at least one of said first and second surfaces being formed with grooves at the areas at which the first and second surfaces contact, thereby to form:a) compartments on the upstream side of the stack for accumulation of solid particles; andb) edge filtering passageways extending along the grooves in co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Inventor: Drori Mordeki
  • Patent number: 5069785
    Abstract: A bag assembly for storing fluids including first and second placket members sized and shaped to provide a portion of enclosing walls of at least two bag members having at least one fluid inlet and outlet passage and a communicating passage therebetween with a common seam along the surrounding edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Miller, Ronald L. Wathen, Raymond E. Palazzo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5057219
    Abstract: The present invention is a scum-treating apparatus installed in the disposal pond for removing the scum floating on the surface of the water with the movement of the flights in the disposal pond as the motive power to purify the water. The trough is fixed and the damming-up device is provided in front of the trough to move up and down the damming-up device by being interlocked with the flights. In particular, the interlocking is provided by a plurality of projecting portions and dented portions between the projecting portions at a pointed end thereof, so that the large scum are flowed into the trough when the flights correspond to the respective projecting portions while the float is slightly risen up under the surface of the water when the flights correspond to the dented portions to collect the far scum toward the trough. Thus, both the large scums and the small scums can be effectively introduced into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Michihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5051177
    Abstract: A high-intensity magnetic separator for separating paramagnetic particles from non-magnetic particles comprises a rotor including a shaft and a stack of alternating ring-shaped pole pieces and permanent magnets arranged on the shaft, the pole pieces and the permanent magnets having substantially equal diameters. To increase the service life of the rotor without noticeably reducing its performance, the permanent magnet is peripherally covered by a layer of ceramic material having a thickness of less than 50 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Fives-Cail Babcock
    Inventor: Gilbert Dauchez
  • Patent number: 5047151
    Abstract: A scum skimming device is disclosed for use in a waste treatment system having a circular sedimentation tank. Such tanks typically have a central waste liquid inlet pipe having inlet ports and an outlet weir around the periphery to maintain the waste liquid level in the tank at a predetermined desired level. The scum skimming device consists of at least one scum skimming blade which is biased into a position partly above and partly below the liquid surface and which sweeps the surface of the tank, the blade being supported from a bottom sludge rake by articulated support posts. The device also consists of a generally helical blade extending to the tank periphery and being positioned with a portion of the helical blade below the waste liquid level when the tank is in use, and a drive means for rotating the generally helical blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Jan O. Brandkvist
  • Patent number: 5044274
    Abstract: A device for removing excess water from an aqueous emulsion of lithographic printing ink comprises a pair of rollers co-operating together to form a nip. Emulsified ink is fed to the nip and is broken down into an ink phase and an aqueous phase by the pressure exerted by the nip. The aqueous phase is displaced away from the ink phase by gas jets. The ink phase remains on the surface of one of the rollers and is removed and returned to the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Vickers plc
    Inventor: David K. Gaunt
  • Patent number: 5039411
    Abstract: In a fluid storage arrangement for a fluid storage system including a plenum defining housing having a collapsible - expansible fluid impervious storage bag and a planar switch responsive to preselected positions of the storage bag to control the volume of fluid flow to the bag, the switch including contact member(s) responsive to bag movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Miller, Ronald L. Wathen, Raymond E. Palazzo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5006266
    Abstract: Particulate material influenced by the acoustic forces in an ultrasonic standing wave is manipulated in a liquid column (16) by the use of at least two standing waves having axes extending transversely across the column at different orientations to its longitudinal axis. The nodes of the standing waves intersect within the column to give regions of greatest acoustic influence that allows a relative displacement between the particles and the liquid in a direction transverse to the axes of the standing waves. The effects of acoustic streaming can be reduced and the physical arrangement of the ultrasound apparatus in relation to the column is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventor: Cornelius J. Schram
  • Patent number: 4976861
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the wetting characteristic of a porous medium comprising applying at least one or more drops of each of at least two different liquids having different but closely spaced surface tensions to different locations on the porous medium and if necessary repeating the process until, of two liquids with neighboring surface tension, one is absorbed into the medium, and the other is not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Pall
  • Patent number: 4909941
    Abstract: There is described a mobile phase for use in the purification of proteins using reversed phase HPLC on a preparative scale. The mobile phase is an aqueous solution containing 0.005 to 1M of a physiologicially acceptable acid of the general formula YCOOH where Y is a polar electron withdrawing group capable of hydrogen bonding silanol groups. The solution also contains up to 95% by volume of a physilogically acceptable organic solvent. A preparative method of purifying proteins such as HSA or BSA and recombinant deoxyribonucleic proteins using reversed phased PHLC is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventors: Dick J. Poll, David R. K. Harding, William S. Hancock
  • Patent number: 4880537
    Abstract: A disc-type filter including a housing having an inlet connectable to an upstream pipe, and an outlet connectable to a downstream pipe; and a stack of discs disposed within the housing for separating solid particles from a fluid flowing between the discs from the upstream side of the stack to the downstream side thereof; characterized in that the stack includes:a plurality of cooperating filter elements defining a plurality of paired co-operating filter surfaces, including a first surface having a large surface area and a second surface contacting only a portion of the large surface area of the first surface and leaving a portion of the large surface area on the upstream side of the stack not contacted thereby, at least one of said first and second surfaces being formed with grooves at the areas at which the first and second surfaces contact, thereby to form:(a) compartments on the upstream side of the stack for accumulation of solid particles; and(b) edge filtering passageways extending along the grooves in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Patent number: 4816151
    Abstract: A disposable biomedical rotating filtration system for processing fluids in a closed environment includes a rotor mounted for rotation on a pivot pin, a seal between the rotor and pivot pin, an external permanent magnet drive mechanism, and a star shaped drive element mounted on the rotor for rotating the rotor in response to a magnetic field induced by the permanent magnet of the drive mechanism. The drive element on the rotor is stamped from an inexpensive non-permanent ferromagnetic sheet metal and has a configuration and position in relation to the center of said magnetic field such that said drive element receives sufficient torque for driving said rotor and sufficient seal force is applied on the rotor to provide fluid tight seal between the rotating rotor and the seal. The pivot pin is molded from a hard plastic material such as a polyamide base resin having a low coefficient of friction and good lubriciousness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Warren P. Williamson, IV
  • Patent number: 4804468
    Abstract: A self-retaining smooth bore insert employs a helical coil spring for retaining a fluid system component in a smooth bore. The spring comprises two connected helical coils. One coil is coiled around the component. The second coil has an engarged diameter which engages the wall of the smooth bore. An end portion of the second coil is engaged by an installation tool to contact the coil to permit installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: The Lee Company
    Inventors: Leighton Lee, II, Robert J. Kolp