The present invention utilizes laser additive manufacturing technologies (“LAMT”) for the creation of porous media that can be used in filtration devices, flow control devices, drug delivery devices and similar devices that are used for, or in conjunction with, the controlled flow of fluids (e.g., gases and liquids) therethrough.

An improved stretchable filtration fabric laminate is provided. The laminate includes a first fabric layer and a nanofiber layer. The laminate may be stretched without damaging the laminate. The laminate is thus suitable for incorporation into wearable protective garments, such as protective hoods, balaclavas, scarves, etc. that provide both protection and air filtration to the wearer.

An air filter medium includes a first porous PTFE membrane and a second porous PTFE membrane. The air filter medium has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first porous PTFE membrane and the second porous PTFE membrane are arranged so that an air flow moving from the first main surface to the second main surface passes through the first porous PTFE membrane and subsequently through the second porous PTFE membrane. A proportion of areas occupied by the plurality of nodes on a surface of the first porous PTFE membrane is in the range of 1.5 to 3.0% and an average of the areas of the plurality of nodes is 200 μm2 or more.

A filter medium is provided with a layer (A) provided with non-impregnated active carbon, a layer (B) with a solid carrier material that is impregnated with a permanganate salt, and a layer (C) with alkaline impregnated active carbon. The layer (B) and the layer (C) are arranged such that a gas flowing through the filter medium flows through the layer (B) before flowing through the layer (C). The layer (A) is arranged such that the gas flowing through the filter medium flows through the layer (A) before flowing through the layer (B) or the gas flowing through the filter medium flows through the layer (A) after flowing through the layer (C).

The present invention provides a novel nonwoven felt fabric, which is made of at least one low-melting-point short fiber and at least one high-melting-point short fiber of same type or different types, wherein the fabric is stiff enough to be self-sustaining and have the ability of shape maintenance. The felt fabric exhibits excellent pleatability, moldability and compressive strength. The invention also provides a method for producing the felt fabric, and a filter comprising the felt fabric used as the material of a filter medium of the filter, wherein the filter medium requires no support structure to stand alone and persistently retains its shape.

The invention concerns spunbond nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of bicomponent filaments, the bicomponent filaments having a segmented pie cross-sectional configuration including a polycarbonate component and a polypropylene component, wherein a ratio of the polypropylene component to the polycarbonate component is between about 5:95 and about 95:5.

An air filter for automobiles includes, a main filter and a prefilter, wherein the prefilter comprises a nonwoven synthetic fiber having an average density of 0.01 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a moisture absorbent is adsorbed to the prefilter.

A method of manufacturing a separator element for obtaining molecular and/or particulate separation by tangential flow of a fluid medium for treatment into a filtrate and a retentate, the element having a structure (2) of at least two porous rigid columns (3) made of the same material, positioned side by side to define, outside their outside walls, a volume (4) for recovering the filtrate, each column (3) presenting, internally, at least one open structure (5) for passing a flow of the fluid medium, opening out in one of the ends of the porous column for inlet of the fluid medium for treatment, and in the other end for outlet of the retentate. The element is a single-piece rigid structure (2) made as a single piece that is uniform and continuous throughout, without any bonds or exogenous additions.

Filter media having a relatively small pore size and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are provided. The filter media may include a fibrous efficiency layer, a fibrous support layer, and a third layer adjacent to the efficiency layer. The efficiency layer may impart a relatively homogeneous pore structure to the filter media without adding substantial bulk to the filter media. The support layer may promote the homogeneity of the pore structure. For example, the support layer may prevent and/or minimize defects in the relatively thin efficiency layer that may result from manufacturing and/or processing. The third layer may serve to impart beneficial filtration (e.g., efficiency, dust holding capacity) and/or non-filtration (e.g., layer protection) properties to the filter media without adversely affecting one or more properties of the filter media. Filter media, as described herein, may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve liquid filtration, amongst other applications.

A catalytic filter with enhanced catalyst carrying capability comprising high temperature resistant inorganic fibers, at least one binder and at least one high surface area catalyst support material. Also, a method for making the catalytic filter having at least one high surface area catalyst support material.