Abstract: Disclosed is a filter for a reduced threat chemical/biological protective spiratory device which includes a housing having an air intake orifice and an air exit orifice and which encloses a filtering element which includes a plurality of bonded spherical carbon beads arranged in a open cell type matrix. The filtering element also includes an aerosol and particulate filtering element which is a plurality of electrostatically charged polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: An oily mist resistant electret filter media is provided. The filter media includes polypropylene electret fibers and a melt processable fluorochemical additive, the additive having a melting point of at least 25.degree. C. and a molecular weight of about 500 to 2500.

Abstract: A bundle of hollow fibers of uniform diameter, particularly for use in dialysis is formed of a plurality of parallel hollow fibres at least a part of which, prior to the formation of the bundle, is permanently undulated by means of interleaved undulating elements moving opposite the feeding direction of freshly extruded fibres. The undulating elements are in the form of cylindrical rods having a substantially larger diameter than the outer diameter of the fibres so that the wavelength and amplitude of the resulting undulations are substantially larger than the outer diameter of the fibres.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. The boom further contains ion exchange resin, selectively absorbent particulate material, catalytic agent or selectively reactive particulate material.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants, particularly organic and metal contaminants, from aqueous and gaseous streams by contacting a contaminated stream with graphitic carbon filaments (nanofibers) characterized as having; (i) a surface area from about 50 to 800 m.sup.2 /g, (ii) an electrical resistivity from about 0.3 .mu.ohm.multidot.m to 0.8 .mu.ohm.multidot.m, (iii) a crystallinity from about 5% to about 100%, (iv) a length from about 1 .mu.m to about 100 .mu.m; and (v) a distance from about 0.335 nm to about 0.700 nm between graphite platelets.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web longitudinally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: Porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified to have increased hydrophobicity as indicated by having a water droplet roll-off angle of less than about 10 degrees in comparison to a typical roll-off angle of greater than about 12 degrees for the unmodified material. Under magnification, the surface morphology may be indistinguishable from that of the unmodified precursor material. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. If surface etching is continued beyond a time adequate to produce the highly hydrophobic behavior, then the surface morphology includes the appearance of broken fibrils.

Abstract: An electret filter formed by laminating a plurality of network electret film-split fiber fleeces having a different mesh size. It exhibits a high collecting efficiency with a very small pressure loss and without any appreciable fiber dropping, or any channeling.

Abstract: A gas permeable filter element formed solely from filter material defines a substantially cylindrical inner filter element and a substantially cylindrical outer filter element joined together by an end filter element. The outer filter element is radially spaced and concentric with said inner filter element, so that the inner and outer filter elements define an annulus having an inlet end. A particulate laden gas stream directed into the open end of the annulus defined by the inner and outer filter elements passes through either the inner filter element, the outer filter element, or the end filter element.

Abstract: A nonwoven aramid staple fiber batt is needled into a woven aramid scrim which is overlayed with a thin mat of heat resistant microfiber to give marked improvement in hot gas filtration.

Abstract: A filter and method for making the filter. The filter has a first filter layer of high efficiency melt blown filter medium having an efficiency of pre-HEPA to HEPA, and a second filter layer of cellulose support medium by which the first filter layer is supported. The filter is pleated, and a plurality of dimples for separating a plurality of pleats can be fabricated on the pleat tips.

Abstract: A meshed plastic filter of a narrow-pitch net with a net structure and a frame structure formed in either a square or a circular overall shape into a plastic injection molded unitary body includes a dam/discharge rib in the net structure for storing molten plastic material and accumulating pressure of the molten plastic material, thereby enabling implementations of a fine-pitch net filter having mesh holes of 0.2 mm in diameter at a spacing of 0.3 mm, which has diverse applications, such as a filter or sieve for gasoline or oil, a dust collector filter and other various filtration.

Abstract: A cylindrical vessel having a horizontal, longitudinal axis of rotation is filled with biofilter material and receives gases through a perforated dispersion pipe located along the axis. Humidified gases pass through the biologically active filter material where the gases are converted into elemental gases, carbon dioxide, biomass, or water. The vessel is lined with geotextile material which acts as a collection plenum for the gases which flow radially outward to the lining. Collection pipes located at regular intervals between the lining and the vessel conduct the gases to a manifold, also located on the axis. The vessel is rotated periodically, e.g. weekly, for several rotations in order to mix the filter material, break up any compacted material, and collapse any fissures.

Abstract: An oily mist resistant electret filter media is provided. The filter media includes polypropylene electret fibers and a melt processable fluorochemical additive. The additive has a melt temperature of at least 25.degree. C. and a molecular weight of about 500 to 2500. Also provided is a method for filtering particulate material from air containing oily aerosol particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing caprolactam emissions from a broad variety of sources, especially from caprolactam polymerization operations and thermoplastic polycaprolactam processing operations which contains a header for collecting air containing the emissions, a duct, and a candle filter housing, which is connected to the header by the duct, a candle filter located in the candle filter housing, which is connected to the duct, a nozzle for rinsing the candle filter with an aqueous caprolactam solution, which is connected to the candle filter; a reservoir having a drain which is connected to the candle filter, a circulation pump for recirculating the aqueous caprolactam solution from the reservoir to the candle filter, a refractometer and a feedback equipment for maintaining the caprolactam concentration in the reservoir at a predetermined level and a fan for moving the air through the header, duct, candle filter and candle filter housing.

Abstract: An air cleaning filter comprising a layer (A) of water-repellent fiber and a layer (B) in which fiber bundles comprising aggregates of water-absorbent fibers are arranged. Layer (B) has an air permeability of not less than 100 cm.sup.3 /cm.sup.2 . s and is located upstream of layer (A).

Abstract: A non-woven solidified by means of a melt binder is described, which is based on supporting aramid fibers and on binding fibers made of thermoplastic aramids whose melting point is below the melting or decomposition point of said supporting aramid fibers. In the non-woven, the binding fibers are virtually completely melted. The non-wovens are distinguished by high strength.

Abstract: An electrically charged air filter which comprises a blend of clean expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene fibers and clean polyamide fibers.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. Also provided is a method for making the microfibrous sorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soil fertilization method which includes a process for producing a fertilyzer by-product from an ammonia filtering media. The method includes the steps of providing a filter media containing phosphoric acid soaked particles. In addition, the method includes providing ammonia laden air. The ammonia laden air is passed through the filter media to remove ammonia from the air which is removed by a chemical reaction which converts the phosphoric acid soaked wood particles to ammonium phosphate coated wood particles. After substantially all of the wood particles are converted to ammonium phosphate wood particles, the filter media is collected and then applied to soil to fertilize and build the soil.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay surface with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers. In a preferred embodiment, a water-insoluble adhesive is applied to at least one of the fabric layers to lock the interconnecting fibers in place and substantially increase the structural integrity, particularly the shear strength, of the article.

Abstract: Fibers coated with thin polymeric films are disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment, microporous fibers are coated with a pre-cast polymeric film having a thickness of about 200 to about 2000 Angstroms.

Abstract: An air filter apparatus for an HVAC system having a frame with a channel area formed therein and having legs extending into the channel area, and a filter material having a portion received within the channel area. The filter material extends across the frame. The legs of the frame extend so as to exert a compressive force on the edges of the filter material received therebetween. The filter material has a first flexible mesh layer, a fibrous layer, and a second flexible mesh layer formed in a sandwiched configuration. The frame has a T-shaped slot extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the frame. The frame also has a notch formed along a corner of the frame and extends around the frame. A bead of an elastomeric material is received within this notch so as to extend outwardly of the frame.

Abstract: A high efficiency air filtration media comprises: about 5 to about 20% by weight of fibrids; about 5 to about 20% by weight of a binder; and about 60 to about 90% by weight of staple fiber. The media has a pressure drop of air across a face of the media of less than or equal to 0.4 inches of water. The media, also, has a sodium chloride particulate test for respirator filter percent efficiency of greater than or equal to 60%.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile material useful in dissipating static electric charges containing an electrically conductive polytetrafluoroethylene fiber. An amount of a synthetic fiber may be intermixed with the electrically conductive polytetrafluoroethylene fiber to produce the static dissipative textile material. The nonwoven static dissipative textile material may combine with a porous polymeric membrane to form nonwoven fabric laminate.The nonwoven textile material is useful as a filtration media and may be fabricated into a filter bag.

Abstract: To permit environmentally safe incineration of a filter bag together with its holding frame, and without requiring removal of the holding frame prior to incineration, the holding frame is made of fibers or cellular pulp stock, and, in plan view, is essentially rectangular. It is formed of two folded walls which, before insertion of the folding bag, are in essentially V shape, with an outer wall (6) and an inner wall (7), the V defining a gap of between 25.degree. to 50.degree., preferably about 38.degree., between which gap the filter bag is inserted. The inner wall, at the corner, is formed with a wedge-shaped gusset (9), with folding creases (10, 11) and a crest crease (12) between the folding creases. After insertion of the filter bag, the inner wall (7) is pressed against the outer wall (6), and the gussets snapped against the inner wall, to hold the frame together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a nonwoven material having improved resistance to penetration by particles.

Abstract: A supplemental cylindrical air cleaner or filter is provided for the inlet snorkel of a conventional automotive air cleaner housing and the supplemental air filter or cleaner incorporates a molded body of open cell material with said body including two elongated, upwardly opening semi-cylindrical halves including opposite side upper marginal edges with said halves disposed in side-by-side juxtaposed position with adjacent upper marginal edges of adjacent halves integrally formed and joined by a living hinge portion of said material extending therealong. The cylindrical halves include integral partitions or disks spaced therealong and projecting outwardly from the open sides of the halves with the partitions of one of the halves staggered relative to the partitions of the other half.

Abstract: A window air filtering assembly for repulsive filtering of pollen, dirt and small particulate matter. The air filtering assembly includes a frame assembly and a filtering medium disposed in the frame assembly. The filtering medium is formed from woven, smooth-surfaced microfilament strands having at least 16% of its surface area open.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a filter and method for making the filter. The filter has a first filter layer of high efficiency melt blown filter medium having an efficiency of pre-HEPA to HEPA, and a second filter layer of cellulose support medium by which the first filter layer is supported. The filter is pleated, and a plurality of dimples for separating a plurality of pleats can be fabricated on the pleat tips.

Abstract: An electret filter made of a resin whose angle of contact upon wetting with pure water is no smaller than 95 degrees, as well as an electret filter made of a resin whose angle of contact upon wetting with pure water has been adjusted to no smaller than 95 degrees by addition of silicone oil. Those electret filters have high trapping efficiency and their ability to trap particulates, especially cigarette smoke, will not deteriorate even if they are continuously used. Therefore, they can advantageously be used as filter media in many applications such as home and industrial air conditioners, air cleaners, fan heaters, vacuum cleaners, and air conditioning systems for common equipment.

Abstract: An efficient, economical, compact diesel particulate filter element in the form of a spiral roll. The filtering element is useful as a filtering element in a diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a refillable gas adsorption bed assembly having a box-like, generally rectangular frame The frame has a pair of oppositely disposed side members and a pair of oppositely disposed end members. There is a first and a second rectangular fine mesh screen mounted within the frame on opposite sides of a filler opening through one of the side members. The first and second prefilters are mounted within the frame. The first prefilter is disposed to one side of both screens and the second prefilter is disposed on the opposite side of both screens. The invention includes a housing for the gas adsorption bed assembly and a counterflow adsorber module formed by operably connecting the housings end-to-end.

Abstract: A rigidized fiber filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m.sup.3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. Rigidized fiber filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.

Abstract: A compact exhaust gas treating apparatus which is improved in the bag filter performance in order to reduce the amount of dioxin contained in exhaust gas discharged from municipal refuse incineration equipment, industrial waste incineration equipment, etc. An activated carbon filter is disposed along the filter cloth of the bag filter at the purified gas outlet side of the filter cloth so that exhaust gas passes through the activated carbon filter after passing through the filter cloth, thereby being purified.

Abstract: Fibers comprising 10 to 100% of bicomponent fibers, composed of a core polymer covered by a sheath polymer, are heated to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for 5 seconds to 5 minutes at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together. The products are used for drive belts and seals, nib felts for marking pens, filter cloths for plate and frame filters, filtration cartridges, stamp pad ink reservoirs, and battery separators.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multilayered filter material comprising nonwovens made of fibers or filaments of identical or different polymers, said filter material being composed of a depth filter and a fine filter which both have a homogeneous density perpendicular to their surface and have been joined together in such a way that the area covered by the bonding dots does not exceed 75%. The depth filter is from 2 to 20 times thicker than the fine filter, and they have different densities. There is also disclosed a process for manufacturing the filter material.

Abstract: A meltblown web is composed of fibers having a narrow fiber size distribution (expressed as % coefficient of variation of the average fiber diameter) and low packing density. The web is characterized as a soft lofty web and exhibits exceptional filtration capability. The web preferably comprises fibers having an average fiber size of between 3 and 10 microns and a packing density of between 5 to 15%, and a CV of 15 to 40%.

Abstract: A film electret and an electret filter that contain a polar high-molecular weight compound and that provides a TSDC curve having a homocharge peak temperature of at least 95.degree. C. and a heterocharge peak temperature of at least 80.degree. C.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air there is provided an improvement comprising a gas removing filter between the filter layer and the motor where the gas removing filter comprises an activated charcoal filter layer in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.

Abstract: A rigid self-supporting filter unit is produced by placing two portions of fiber fabric in face-to-face contact and stitching them along parallel regions, using two rows of stitches (16), to form pockets into which formers (20) are inserted to shape the pockets into a generally diamond shape. This assembly is then placed between two presser members (22, 24) which are corrugated, the "valleys" of the corrugations receiving the diamond-shaped formed portions. The presser members are heated and the portions are thus treated by heat and pressure to cause the fabric to be rendered rigid. The formers can then be removed. Suitable fibers for this purpose include a rigidising fiber known as P84, polyphenylene sulphide fibers, polyester fibers either alone or mixed with polypropylene fibers, and bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The resultant nonwoven web is also disclosed as is utilization of the product web as a filter.

Abstract: A pleatable filter media, suitable for a use in a respirator for humans, is disclosed comprising a filter material including a meltblown polymeric material, such as polypropylene. A laminate construction is disclosed for the filter material comprising a plurality of layers of the meltblown polypropylene laminated together with adhesive. The filter media is preferably glassless. Protective layers enclose the layers of meltblown polypropylene. Methods of manufacture of pleated material are disclosed wherein the adhesive between the layers is extruded in a particular pattern to provide increased stiffness in the machine direction of the pleated filter media. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed wherein the filter media is pleated before the adhesive has cured, and the adhesive is then permitted to cure while the filter media is maintained in the pleated state.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and article manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material.

Abstract: A filter is disclosed including a four-sided frame having a central aperture therein. Four side walls are provided, with each side wall being pivotally mounted to one side of the frame, and movable between a use position wherein each side wall is substantially perpendicular to the frame, and a storage/shipping position wherein each side wall is substantially parallel to the frame. The filter further comprises a filter member attached to the frame and extending across the central aperture. In the storage/shipping position, the filters are substantially flattened and easily stacked, thereby allowing for efficient storage and ease of transport.

Abstract: A device for controlling engine exhaust emission for use on an internal-combustion installation, in which a soot filter is arranged in an exhaust-gas system. The soot filter is made up of a flexible filter band that is traversed by the flow of exhaust gas in a first zone and which can be moved forward and renewed, continuously or intermittently, by a drive mechanism. The filter band is supported at least in the first zone by a flexible, moveable, endless conveyer belt that is permeable to gas and that absorbs tensile stresses. The filter band and the particles separated out of the exhaust gas by the filter band are burned together in a second zone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter resistant to high temperatures and mechanical stress, includes forming a fiber secured to a suitable framework wherein a double-sided knitted fabric is knitted from a fiber resistant to high temperatures, e.g. poly(m-phenyleneisopthalamide) fiber, on a knitting machine with two rows of needles, and a reinforcing fiber resistant to high temperatures, e.g. aromatic polyamide fiber is fed on top of the fabric, and on top of this a new double-sided fabric, wherein the reinforcing fiber remains in the channels formed by the transverse loops of the knitted structure, after which a piece of this fiber structure is secured to a suitable frame.

Abstract: A filter unit is made of two portions (14) of rigid corrugated material secured together along lands (50,52) extending parallel with the corrugations and, if desired, intermediate them, and also along lands (54) formed along one end of the corrugations, thus closing the passages formed when the two portions (14) are secured together. Suitable fastenings are adhesive bonding, and metallic fasteners, e.g. eyelets, or stitching. Further flanges (56) may be provided for facilitating a connection with a suitable suction or other air-drawing source; also if desired, such further lands (56) may be out-flanged for facilitating such connection. Apparatus for forming the sheet material is also provided whereby material from a continuous supply is progressively formed between two sets of blade members (102), the blade members being moved sequentially and alternately (as between the two sets) into forming engagement with the sheet material.