Abstract: An emission filter is provided including a tube attachment removably coupled to an exhaust pipe. A filter is mounted on the tube for filtering exhaust emitted from the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a condenser for condensing a gas carrier recovered from a photoreceptor belt, a filtering tube having a cavity, whose first end is connected to the condenser, and whose second end has a plurality of throughholes leading to the cavity radially formed thereat, a filter bonded on the outer surface of the filtering tube and which filters the gas carrier contained in air passing through the throughholes, and an exhaust tube having an internal diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filtering tube, and whose first end is tightly fitted to the second end of the filtering tube to which the filter is coupled, for exhausting the air to the outside.

Abstract: An air filter, especially for cleaning combustion air for internal combustion engines. The air filter includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a raw inlet and a pure air outlet. A pure air outlet is fitted substantially concentrically on the face of a cylindrical housing. The raw air inlet is fitted on the surface of the housing jacket, and an essentially menthol-free filter element is secured in the housing. The housing aperture is fitted with adaptive systems having an integrated dirt extractor.

Abstract: A vent filter assembly for use with containers containing hazardous chemical or radioactive waste, the assembly having a first stage attached to the container having a first filter media, preferably sintered steel, which allows unaltered passage of pure gas but which blocks passage of particulate matter, and a second stage removably attached to the first stage, the second stage allowing passage of gas but blocking passage of particulate matter and volatile organic solvents. Removal of the second stage from the first stage allows a pure sample of gas to be drawn through the first stage, whereupon the second stage can be reattached to the first stage to provide the required filtering of volatile organic solvents.

Abstract: An air filter apparatus for engine intake-air in which a filter support member is stretched in a filter attaching frame of an outer frame structure member, and filter is supported on the filter support member, wherein the filter is integrally incorporated with the filter support member.

Abstract: An improved outlet tube (60) is provided for an air filter (10) of the type including a housing (12) having distally opposite axial ends (14 and 16), and a cylindrical filter element (34) in the housing (12), the cylindrical filter element (34) having an annular sidewall (40) with a hollow interior (58) and extending between distally opposite axial ends (48 and 50), wherein air flows radially inwardly through the annular sidewall (40) into the hollow interior (58) and then axially through the hollow interior (58). The outlet tube (60) is mounted to the axial end (14) of the housing (12) in snap-in relation and is rotatable relative thereto about the axis (62) of the cylindrical filter element (34) and communicates with the hollow interior (58) of the cylindrical filter element (34) for exhausting clean filtered air therefrom (64, 66).

Abstract: A drive unit for driving an electrically-operated compressor mounted in an automotive vehicle is provided with a ventilation arrangement. The ventilation arrangement includes a casing having a vent hole defined therein. A filter having an air permeability and a water repellency is mounted on the casing so as to cover the vent hole. An elongated ventilation member is mounted on the casing so as to communicate with the vent hole and extends in a direction diverting from the direction in which the casing is splashed with water. The filter may be accommodated in the elongated ventilation member.

Abstract: A clean room includes walls, a floor and a ceiling which define the room. An air delivery system having a HEPA filter, a fan and an air return duct in communication with the filter, is provided to maintain the air in the room clean. A shield of the present invention is mounted in the room over a work surface to form a clean zone over at least a part of the table. The shield is mounted so that at least a part of the filter is within the clean zone so that filtered air will be forced into the clean zone. Accessories, such as an IV bar and a light panel may be provided with the shield to facilitate working in the clean zone. The shield creates a clean zone in the clean room having a higher class rating than the clean room rating without the use of additional HEPA filters and without the use of traditional laminar flow hoods.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating a hydrophobic liquid phase from a gaseous stream includes a coalescer filter, a housing, a gas flow direction arrangement, and a liquid collection arrangement. The coalescer filter includes a non-woven media of fibers. The housing includes an interior having a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet. The liquid collection arrangement is positioned within the housing construction and is oriented for receiving liquid collected from the coalescer filter and drained therefrom. Methods for conducting the separations are also provided.

Abstract: A smog and dust filter for a tracheostomy tube which easily adapts onto existing tracheostomy tubes to filter out dust and airborne contaminants. The light weight and unobtrusive filter is easily manufactured and quickly installed onto an existing tracheostomy tube. The filter includes a securing device for engaging the outer periphery of an open end of a tracheostomy tube. A filter element, having two or more layers of net material, is attached to the securing device. The layers provide a filtering membrane to separate airborne particles and contaminants from an inhaled air stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter device (10) and to a method of cleaning such a filter device for an electrically powered air-moving hair-care appliance, in particular for a hair dryer, a hot-air curling brush or the like, with a filter element (12) having an inner and an outer side (25, 26), in which the inner side (25) of the filter element (12) is arranged in the area of an air entrance opening of the appliance. The filter element (12) is configured as a type of fabric, perforated foil or the like of small thickness, comprising in particular a screening fabric made of a plastic material.

Abstract: An accumulator/filter assembly is disclosed to have an accumulator and a tubular filter. The accumulator is tapered towards the first and second ends. The tubular filter includes a first end connected with the first end of the accumulator and a second end connected with the second end of the accumulator. A pipe includes a first end connected with the second end of the tubular filter, a second end connected with the second end of the accumulator and at least one aperture defined therein. The pipe is connected with the tubular filter in a manner that a longitudinal fluid communication between them is blocked.

Abstract: An exhaust vent guard for protecting the exit area of an air vent conduit includes an upper hood portion and integrally therewith a lower cage portion. The upper hood portion includes a top wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a front wall, which collectively provide a weather barrier to prevent the entry of rain, snow, and other debris into the air vent conduit. The lower cage portion includes a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a front wall, each of which are constructed and arranged with a plurality of openings for permitting the free flow of air through the lower cage portion while at the same time being small enough to prevent the nesting of birds inside of the exhaust vent guard. In a related embodiment, a similarly configured exhaust vent guard is used in combination with a vent frame and a pair of flow-control louvers which are pivotally mounted into the vent frame.

Abstract: A container for hazardous waste materials that includes air or other gas carrying dangerous particulate matter has incorporated in barrier material, preferably in the form of a flexible sheet, one or more filters for the dangerous particulate matter sealably attached to such barrier material. The filter is preferably a HEPA type filter and is preferably chemically bonded to the barrier materials. The filter or filters are preferably flexibly bonded to the barrier material marginally and peripherally of the filter or marginally and peripherally of air or other gas outlet openings in the barrier material, which may be a plastic bag. The filter may be provided with a backing panel of barrier material having an opening or openings for the passage of air or other gas into the filter or filters. Such backing panel is bonded marginally and peripherally thereof to the barrier material or to both it and the filter or filters. A coupling or couplings for deflating and inflating the container may be incorporated.

Abstract: A nonwoven needlepunched polyester batt of single monolayer construction is cut to a dimension slightly larger or smaller than the dimension of an interior warm air register, and fitted into the plenum of the heating system by compression or by stretching, as the case may be. The batt is integral, having no pockets or chambers therein. The filter has no frame, as the nonwoven batt has sufficient rigidity in relation to its weight to remain in place in the plenum, and is kept against the air register by the flow of air through the duct system, thereby filtering air flow.

Abstract: A powder barrier with a filter element of microporous material for use with an air injector in a powder feeder in a powder coating system. The microporous material is permeable to air, but not to the coating powder. The powder barrier prevents a penetration of coating powder into the air feed path in a direction opposite to the air flow direction. The powder barrier permits a quick color change without the need to disassemble the air injector for cleaning.

Abstract: A return filter for hydraulic fluids comprises a filter head attachable to a container for fluid, a filter pot arranged on one side of the filter head, a cover releasably arranged on the other side of the filter head, a filter element arranged so as to extend continuously through the filter head and the filter pot, at least one inlet formed on the filter head for the returning fluid, an air port formed on the filter head, and a ventilation filter inserted into this port. Filter head, filter pot and filter cover consist of plastic; a hose nipple integral with the filter head is formed at the inlet for the returning fluid. The air port is surrounded by a housing which is integral with the filter head and is closable by a cover carrying the ventilation filter. The walls of the housing are provided with slots which are open towards the cover. On the one hand, these slots make provision for air to pass through and, on the other hand, they allow the cover to be releasably clipped into the housing.

Abstract: An air filter assembly for a pneumatic tool for receiving compressed air through a compressed air supply port from a compressed air supply source, includes: a cylindrical body having at least one air hole therein and an opening at one end thereof, the air hole allowing an inner space to communicate with an outer space; a filter attached to the cylindrical body; a female screw thread part and a male screw thread part for connecting the cylindrical body to the compressed air supply port such that the cylindrical body and the filter attached thereto are set inside the pneumatic tool.

Abstract: An exhaust system, including a hand-held exhaust wand is employed to remove laser smoke plumes generated at a surgical site. The wand includes a transparent cylindrical shroud containing a conical filter that diverges in the proximal direction. An adapter, removably coupled to the shroud at its proximal end, enables coupling of the wand to standard vacuum tubing, connectors and other components for exhausting air that flows through the wand. The wand is positioned with its distal end confronting the surgical site, whereby plumes and odor generated at the site are immediately drawn into the wand through its distal opening. As air passes through the filter toward a proximal opening of the wand, the conical filter traps the airborne contaminants to protect against contamination of downstream components. The removable coupling of the shroud enables convenient exchange of the filter.

Abstract: An air filter unit for use with an air ventilation control nozzle in the cabin of an aircraft. The air filter unit includes a housing containing a filter medium, wherein the filter medium has a first side and a second side. The housing includes an inlet port positioned on the first side of the filter medium and an outlet port positioned on the second side of the filter medium, wherein the inlet port includes a connecting member dimensioned to snugly fit over the circumference of the ventilation control nozzle.

Abstract: A sintered metallic filtering element in the form of a porous metallic tube is provided with a connecting fitting by forming the tube with an internal surface in the form of an internal truncated cone of circular cross section at one end of the tube, the internal truncated cone having a vertex half angle .alpha. greater than zero. The connecting member of the invention includes a truncated cone shaped head of circular external cross section having a vertex half angle .alpha. which is the same as the vertex half angle .alpha. of the internal truncated cone of the tube. The head of the connecting member is disposed inside the porous metallic tube and cooperates with the internal truncated cone. The connecting member also includes a tubular extending member attached to the smaller end of the head, with the tubular extending member extending beyond the porous metallic tube.

Abstract: A filter-purifier that removes particles as well as trace amounts of moisture, oxygen, and other chemical impurities from a gas stream. The filter-purifier includes a removable canister that contains a purifying medium and a pair of sealing poppet valves that automatically close when the canister is removed from an in-line block body. The block body includes gas line fittings with close gland-to-gland separations, since the canister is off to one side and not positioned directly in line between the glands.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable and easy to use end-line filter designed to be utilized between a source of compressed air such as a pneumatic hose with an air chuck on its terminal end, and the inlet valve of an inflatable such as a pneumatic tire, to remove moisture from the compressed air before the compressed air enters the inflatable. The invention may also be utilized between the end of a pneumatic hose and a compressed air powered tool. A porous filter media is utilized which has pores that allow the passage of air but do not allow the passage of water or moisture. As the filter becomes saturated, the pores progressively close and eventually block the passage of air. In this manner, the filter automatically indicates the need for a replacement filter element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for cleaning gases, provided with a quick-change coupling having an inlet and an outlet channel, and a hollow filter material housing filled with filter material through which, in operation, the gas to be cleaned flows. According to the invention, the filter material housing and the quick-change coupling are manufactured from materials that do not react with the gases to be cleaned and which do not release any substances during operation. The filter material housing may for instance be manufactured from glass and the quick-change coupling from stainless steel.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a coolant air stream flowing through an LRU box has a base frame with a large opening superimposed on the perforated top surface of the box. A filter element is superimposed over the opening and a cover having a large opening is hinged to the base frame and latched thereto with its opening aligned with the other opening. The filter assembly is clamped by means of a harness to the LRU box with a clamping band that wraps around one end of the LRU box and one end portion of the base frame simultaneously. Spring tensioned cable sections attach to the band and extend diagonally along the sides of the LRU box and then through eyelets on the opposite end portion of the base frame so the cable develops a vertical component of force for clamping the assembly to the LRU box.

Abstract: A furnace breathing filter protects the air inlet and exhaust gas outlet tubes of high-efficiency furnaces from plugging while enabling adequate gas flow. The furnace breathing filter comprises a filter section and a hub. The hub is designed to be inserted into and secured to a fitting on the outdoor end of the furnace tube. The filter section has a grid of openings that are sufficiently large to enable adequate gas passage but small enough to block entry of foreign materials into the furnace tube. The hub may be joined integrally with the filter section, or it maybe a separate piece that is removably assembled to the filter section. The hubs are made with different outer diameters to suit different sized furnace tubes. In an alternate design, the hub fits over the furnace tube fitting.

Abstract: An effluent metering system includes an adapter connectable between the air outlet port on a vacuum cleaning appliance and a supplemental effluent metering device. The adapter preferably has a tubular shell which defines an inlet for receiving a flow of air discharged from the air outlet port. The adapter also has a pair of outlets. A first fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a first one of the outlets for exhausting air into a filter. A second fluid passage in the shell connects the inlet with a second one of the outlets for exhausting air into the supplemental metering device.

Abstract: A wire mesh filter screen has a flat disc shape and is seated on a flat bottom counterbore in a threaded fitting. A circular knife edged punch pierces a ring of material from the counterbore wall surrounding the disc periphery. A second flat punch axially deforms the ring over the disc periphery to securely retain the screen in the fitting.

Abstract: An air scoop screen is used in the incoming end of an automotive air intake to prevent the ingestion of rocks or debris thrown up by preceding vehicles. A rectangular fiberglass screen is folded outward along its edges to form a rectangular screen with rectangular edges about 90 degrees to the screen body. Rigid reinforcements may be placed inside the edges and secured to a Velcro fastener and to the screen edges to assist in maintaining the rectangular shape. A hook-type Velcro fastener is bonded to the inside of the intake scoop near its front end. The screen is inserted in the air scoop and, with the fingers on the inside of the edges, the Velcro fastener attached to the screen is pressed into the Velcro fastener bonded on the inside of the air scoop.

Abstract: A strainer assembly for removing solid particulates from a fluid has a housing shaped as an elbow-shaped conduit and a support member for supporting a screen adjacent a forwardly extending flange on an inlet conduit section of the housing, the housing also comprising an enlarged intermediate section, in which the support member is disposed, and an outlet conduit section. The support member is threadedly engaged in a wall of the enlarged intermediate section of the housing and preferably has a base and a plurality of posts extending from the base, with the screen seated on the distal ends of the posts. Fluid entering the housing through the inlet section passes through the screen and then through passageways between the posts of the support member and is then discharged from the housing through the outlet conduit section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved muffler for an automobile that filters the exhaust and eliminates noise and odor as well as forces steam back into the engine to improve gas mileage. The muffler uses replaceable cartridges that serve as filters to divide the muffler into chambers that filter and eliminate the noise of the exhaust. Each filter can be removed and cleaned as the need arises.

Abstract: The improved in-line air filter apparatus of the present invention includes an air filter housing disposed in-line on the engine air intake hose of an internal combustion engine, with a tubular air filter element longitudinally disposed therein and having a closed axial end of such tubular air filter element disposed upstream of an open axial downstream end, with the open tubular end having a size and shape substantially congruent with the size and shape of the engine air intake hose of the internal combustion engine for minimizing the turbulence of the filtered air supplied thereto, and with the closed upstream tubular end having an annular shaped air inlet portion surrounding such closed upstream tubular end for directing air longitudinally and inwardly through the body of the tubular air filter element.

Abstract: A faucet assembly with removable filter has a bottom housing portion attached to a source of water. A top housing portion that includes a spout means attaches and detaches from the bottom housing portion. A valve assembly carried in the bottom housing is movable between a closed position, blocking the passage of water through the bottom housing portion into the attached top housing portion, and an opened position permitting the passage of water through the bottom housing portion into attached the top housing portion. A filter is removably carried within the hollow interior of the top housing portion between the valve assembly and the spout. The filter makes sealing engagement with the valve assembly and with the spout as the top housing portion is attached to the bottom housing portion.

Abstract: A flare vent head adapted for use on a vent riser for venting gas-liquid mixtures wherein an adapter means for fixing said head to the vent riser carries a plurality of baffle means surmounted by a diversion member, all of which enclosed in a wall closure so that gas and liquid are separated by action of the diversion member and baffle means within the wall closure thereby allowing liquid to pass downwardly from the vent head and gas separated from the liquid to pass upwardly through the top of the vent head.

Abstract: A high reliability, non-blocking air filter for filtering large volumes of low pressure air from equipment to be maintained free of dust and impurities while being ventilated during operation is disclosed. The filter media is mounted in a frame having a U-shaped cross section construction, which is attached over an air intake opening of the piece of equipment. The filter media includes a planar base surface and a plurality of projections. The tops of the projections define a surface above said planar base surface for supporting free-flowing articles so as such that these articles do not obstruct the air flow through the air intake filter.

Abstract: An air cleaner with an integrated nozzle element comprised of a perforated portion at one end, a generally centrally located throat and a noise suppressing portion from the second end to the throat. The nozzle element is located within the inner opening of the air cleaner's tubular filter element. The perforated portion is arranged and configured to be the same size and shape as the inner opening to provide support for the tubular filter element, the throat is arranged and configured to provide the required restriction to create a specified negative engine crankcase pressure, and the noise suppressing portion is arranged and configured to provide the required attenuation of engine intake noise passing through the air cleaner.

Abstract: A chimney screen device for covering the open end of a chimney to prevent access into the chimney by squirrels, birds and the like includes a rigid frame sized and constructed to be disposed upon and about an exposed end of a chimney flue liner, the frame defining an opening corresponding with the open end of the chimney flue. The device further includes a mesh of metallic material attached to the frame about the opening and spanning the opening, the mesh defining a plurality of apertures of grid size selected to prevent access of squirrels, birds and the like therethrough and having open area of at least 90% for passage of hot gases from the chimney flue therethrough without significant detrimental effect upon chimney draft, and fasteners for engaging upon outer walls of the flue liner for fixing the frame upon and about the end of the chimney flue liner, with the mesh spanning the open end of the chimney flue liner.

Abstract: A fluid chamber having main body provided with a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a tubular filter element interposed between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. A securing recess is defined about the periphery of the fluid inlet port interiorly of the main body of the fluid chamber. The securing recess is sized so as to securely receive the tubular filter element. the securing recess limits the outward deformation of the filter under the influence of the high pressure fluid flow through the inlet port while ensuring that the inwardly flowing fluid can be sufficiently filtered.

Abstract: A dust collector adapted for use in a hopper dryer including an outer rigid member and an inner filter member which is provided concentrically with the outer rigid member, the outer rigid member having a number of pores punched in its peripheral surface and the inner filter member having a filter element corrugated axially of the filter member.

Abstract: An air driven filtration system is disclosed. The system includes a power module housing, an air driven motor and a removable filter pack. The power module is adapted to receive an intake adapter for connecting a remote filter pack thereto which may be placed in a contaminated work area. The remote filter pack is connected to the power module by flexible ducting.

Abstract: An inlet valve and filter arrangement for pneumatic equipment in which a disposable filter and liquid evaporator cartridge is removably received within a cylindrical bore at the equipment inlet. A check valve is constructed normally to prevent passage of air therethrough to the pneumatic equipment, and includes a valve element for engaging the cartridge and thereby opening the valve when the cartridge has been properly inserted into the equipment housing. Thus, passage of air to the equipment for operating the same is permitted only when a filter and evaporator cartridge has been properly inserted therewithin.

Abstract: A filter module for use in filtering particulates from a high temperature gas has a central gas duct and at least one horizontally extending support mount affixed to the duct. The support mount supports a filter element thereon and has a chamber therein, which communicates with an inner space of the duct through an opening in the wall of the duct, and which communicates with the clean gas face of the filter element. The filter element is secured to the support mount over an opening in the top wall of the support mount, with releasable securement provided to enable replacement of the filter element when desired. Ceramic springs may be used in connection with the filter module either to secure a filter element to a support mount or to prevent delamination of the filter element during blowback.

Abstract: An ostomy bag has a filter attached to it by a series of plural sequentially peelable adhesive annuli.

Abstract: A high efficiency particulate air filter is disclosed which has a channel formed in the front peripheral surface thereof, with the channel being substantially filled with a sealant which comprises an essentially non-volatile and non-hardening gum-like material. The physical properties of the sealant render the sealant able to effect sealing engagement with a mating flange mounted in the filter housing, and also permit the flange to be withdrawn from the sealant without an appreciable amount of the sealant adhering to the flange, to thereby avoid the build up of potentially contaminated sealant on the flange when the filter is changed. A method of fabricating the filter is also disclosed, which results in the sealant forming a substantially uniform and continuous closed strip which is characterized by the absence of a butt end joint.

Abstract: An oil-separating air filter assembly having a separator element arranged in a closed filter cartridge, the lower axial end cover of which has a female thread by means of which the filter cartridge can be screwed against the upper end face of a separator head. The latter carries a centrally located threaded sleeve and a standpipe forming part of the air outlet channel, the accumulated oil being drained through an annular gap between the sleeve and the standpipe. The air inlet channel is arranged radially outside the center of the separator head, having an annular channel portion in the separator head facing a plurality of inlet passages in the end cover of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A filtering system, especially for swimming pools, by which a liquid or gas may be cleansed of suspended particles by passing the liquid or gas, under a pressure differential, through a multiplicity of vertical, tubular filter grids, each of which holds an outer layer of a diatomaceous earth particles which transmits the fluid and captures the particles. Each time a filtering cycle is stopped, the diatomaceous earth particles fall from the grid units due to gravity and their interconnection in the coating layer. This prolongs the useful filtration time of the filter grid units before they need to be backwashed. The filter grid units are supported by a central manifold provided with a plurality of removable hollow arms which radially extend from a central hub, and have a plurality of threaded openings therein, spaced apart from one another along the length of the arms, for receiving respective mating threaded ends of the filter grid units and aligning them in a vertical array within the filter tank.

Abstract: A filter for a laser surgery smoke evacuation system including a generally cylindrical hollow housing with endcaps on either end to hold a plurality of filter elements in place within the housing. The inlet end of the housing includes a hollow cone with a cylindrical inlet projecting from the apex of the cone and a base ring projecting from the base of the cone. The endcaps are held in place by adhesive tape strips with a high friction backing. The high friction backing helps hold the filter lightly in place during use. The filter is disposable and easily removable from the system and includes no mechanical apparatus to hold the filter in the system.

Abstract: A compact unit adapted to remove particulate contaminants from the atmosphere of a room and at the same time to render the atmosphere more pleasing. The unit is provided with a casing that includes a cylindrical flow tube through which the air to be purified is drawn by means of a suction fan at the outlet end of the tube. Attachable to the inlet end of the tube is a series of inter-coupled filter rings which are progressively graded to remove more or less coarse particles. The last filter ring in the series is constituted by a porous disc impregnated with a volatile aromatic liquid which is volatilized by the forced air stream to impart a fragrance thereto. Intermediate the inlet and outlet of the tube is an electrostatic precipitator constituted by a negatively-charged ionizer electrode and a positively-charged tubular collector which act to extract residual fine particles from the air stream, whereby the air returned to the atmosphere from the outlet is substantially free of contaminants and is fragrant.

Abstract: In an air cleaner employing a pleated paper filter element in the form of a frustrum of a cone mounted in a tubular air cleaner casing having a first opening axially thereof communicating with the inside of said element at the relatively wide end of said frustrum and a second opening in the cylindrical wall of said casing communicating with the outside of said frustrum in the vicinity of the relatively narrow end thereof, the axis of said element is tilted relative to the axis of the cleaner casing away from said second opening, whereby the radial clearance between the filter element and said opening is increased for a given filter element without increasing the size of the casing.

Abstract: A strainer is provided for removing debris from the gas flow in a pipeline. The strainer is designed with a view to minimizing the pressure drop across it. More particularly, the strainer comprises a spherical shell having inlet and outlet means which are connectable into the pipeline. A circular, concave, perforated plate is mounted within the shell and extends transversely across the path of the gas flow. The plate functions to retain debris in the flow. The combination of the spherical shell and the concave provides a relatively large "trapping" area having a relatively large number of perforations. As a result, the pressure drop across the plate is small compared to prior art strainers. In addition, the inlet means is tubular and conical in configuration, so that the entering flow assumes a divergent pattern. This arrangement results in a reduced pressure drop at the inlet and across the plate.