Abstract: A pressure filter for suspensions comprises a boiler shaped outer shell (1) the front side of which is closed by a detachable lid (11), a tubular filter element (15) which projects from the lid, a membrane (5) which can be inverted arranged coaxially between the outer shell and the filter element, and a suction and pressure joint (6) arranged on the outer shell. A device for operating the filter comprises a container (25) for a hydraulic fluid (26) which fills the lower part of the container, a gas space (27) to being located above the level of the hydraulic fluid. A first line (21) with a force pump (24) conveys the hydraulic fluid from the lower part of the container to the space between the outer shell and the membrane. A second line (28) connects the space between the outer shell and the membrane with the gas space in the container and communicates with a suction pump (33).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the control and the adjustment of a press during a juice extraction operating having at least one pressure increase sequence and measuring and comparing to a predetermined value the rate or the amount of liquid extracted before, during or after the pressing, or the partially pressed materials to be pressed remaining in the press after the pressing, and then using the resulting value of the difference of the rates or the amounts of extracted liquid and the value of the expected rates or amounts or the amount of materials to be pressed remaining in the press, if applicable, partially pressed, to begin, continue, interrupt, modify or complete the process of extracting the juice. The process is at least partially programmed.

Abstract: In order to achieve a degree of separation of muscular tissue from bones, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, connective tissue, fatty tissue and the like which is as high as possible for a careful treatment, a process and an apparatus for processing meat is proposed in which the meat is cut up by dividing this into planar pieces of a certain thickness in a cutting device, after which a mechanical tenderizing of the planar pieces of meat of a certain thickness takes place in a tenderizing device in a second step, and a single- or multi-stage separating process takes place in a separating device in a further step, the mechanical tenderizing of the planar pieces of meat in the second step being precisely matched with the separating process in the further step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, in particular a machine, for the pressing and dewatering or filtering of sludges, fibrous material suspensions or cellulosic material suspensions, having two circulating filter belts or screen belts between which the material to be pressed, dewatered or filtered is made to pass, and two circulating pressure belts or supporting belts for supporting said two filter belts on their sides facing away from the material to be treated, with supporting or pressure means, in particular stationary during the operation of the apparatus, for the pressure or supporting belts on their sides facing away from the filter belts or the material to be treated.

Abstract: A plate filter press for the mechanical separation of solids from a liquid forming a suspension. The plate filter press is made of a plurality of vertical membrane plates and filter plates, the membrane plates and filter plates alternating. The space between the membrane plates and filter plates defines a filter chamber, which can be opened by moving the plates apart. An impermeable and flexible membrane is positioned in the filter chamber and is sealed to the periphery of the membrane plate. The space between the membrane and the membrane plate defines a pressure medium chamber for receiving pressure medium. The space between the membrane and the filter plate defines a suspension chamber for receiving the suspension. Finally, a woven metal fabric filter is positioned on each side of the filter plate. Both the filter plates and the woven metal fabric filters are planar. Liquid from the suspension is discharged through the woven metal fabric filter toward the interior of the filter plates.

Abstract: For forming a resin-impregnated, fiber reinforced composite material sheet having laminated meshes of fibers into a U-shaped cross section, the sheet is placed onto a stationary forming die and an auxiliary forming die with the fibers of the sheet forming angles of approximately 45.degree. relative to opposite edges of an upper reference forming surface of the stationary die. Then, the sheet is pressed from above by a pneumatically expandable, elastic depressing die, whereby the auxiliary forming die is lowered against a resilient force relative to the stationary forming die. As the sheet is pressed further downwardly by the depressing die, the parts of the sheet which are to form flanges of the product are firmly held between the depressing die and the auxiliary forming die and bent downwards while the parts are subjected to extending forces in directions to prevent creases and lines from being formed by means of auxiliary forming ridges on the auxiliary forming die.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter press comprising a substantially cylindrical vessel, a plurality of filter elements disposed in the vessel parallel to one another, and a rotor having a rotor shaft rotatably mounted in the vessel and a plurality of rotor elements fixedly connected to the rotor shaft and extending each between two adjacent filter elements, the surface of the rotor elements being adapted to be forced towards the filter elements for mechanically compressing filter cakes accumulated thereon, wherein the axis of the vessel is disposed in an upright position, the filter elements and rotor elements being formed as cylindrical wall members disposed in concentric relationship to one another with the rotor elements extending into the spaces between adjacent filter elements and being secured to a mounting structure connected to the rotor shaft, while the filter elements are supported on a carrier grid in the vessel.

Abstract: A hydroextractor in which a liquid material to be processed can be introduced into a hydroextracting chamber under a small pressure and the chamber can be filled with the material in a short period of time to thereby improve the operational efficiency, and a cake of the hydroextracted material can be easily removed from the hydroextracting chamber. For these purposes, this hydroextractor is arranged such that upper and lower filter cloths are provided at the top and the bottom of the hydroextracting chamber extending substantially horizontally, and that a diaphragm (8) shaped like an inverted dish is disposed on the upper surface of the upper filter cloth. Further, a pressure chamber is provided on the upper side of the diaphragm. The hydroextracting operation is performed by filling the liquid material in the hydroextracting chamber and generating a pressure in the pressure chamber so as to press the diaphragm downwardly.

Abstract: A controlled bladder wrap tool system and method are disclosed for edge wrapping a substrate in a tool with consistent process control. An expandable bladder or bladder diaphragm is mounted in the tool adjacent a cavity where it expands when inflated to fill the cavity and to bend, fold or wrap an overhanging portion of pliable material onto a substrate which are mounted in the tool.

Abstract: A pressure filter for suspensions comprises a boiler-shaped outer jacket, a lid coaxially movable relative to the latter and closing the outer jacket, a filter element protruding from the lid and a reversible membrane arranged coaxially between the outer jacket and the filter element so as to turn out of the outer jacket when the filter is opened and to turn back into the outer jacket again when the filter is closed. When the filter is being closed, a negative pressure relative to ambient pressure is generated inside the membrane, and to prevent formation of a single fold protruding at the sides beyond the rim of the outer jacket, the membrane is deformed by external influences until a triple or multiple fold no longer protruding at the sides beyond the rim of the outer jacket forms in the membrane.

Abstract: A pressing diaphragm and a pressing filter plate of a compression type filter press in which a surface of a main body of a pressing filter plate is covered with the pressing diaphragm, include: a projection member provided on the surface; and a projection member mounting member capable of contacting the main body, provided in a rear surface at a position corresponding to the projection member, and for mounting the projection member thereon with a fixture. The projection member has a plurality of pillar portions mounted on the projection member mounting member and fitted in a through-hole of the pressing diaphragm, a mounting hole penetrating through each of the pillar portions, and a long connecting plate portion for connecting the pillar portions with each other and regulating expansion of the pressing diaphragm fitted into a periphery of the pillar portions.

Abstract: In homogeneous substitution washing method and apparatus for a cake using a filter press which comprises pairs of opposed squeezed and squeezing filtering plate units, pairs of opposed squeezed and squeezing filtering cloths, each pair of filtering cloths being arranged between the pair of filtering plate units, and diaphragms. Each diaphragm is arranged on one side of one of the pair of filtering plate units. Stock solution is supplied into a space between the pair of filtering cloths, and is pressurized and dehydrated by the diaphragm to form the cake. The cake is processed in washing to obtain a clean raw material. In parallel with the pressurizing and dehydrating step of the stock solution, a washing liquid is poured into a space between the diaphragm and the squeezing filtering cloth abutted against the diaphragm, at a pressure at least a pressurizing and dehydrating pressure applied to the stock solution through the diaphragm, to wash the cake between the pair of filtering cloths.

Abstract: A membrane plate for filter presses including a supporting plate with a clamping rim elevated on both sides, a frame, and a membrane clamped in place between the supporting plate and the frame. The membrane is enclosed inwardly of the clamping rim between two approximately V-shaped diverging contact surfaces of the supporting plate and the frame and is capable of elastic deflection toward both sides of the membrane. To attain a high resistance to continuous stress, the membrane is provided inwardly of the clamping rim with a wavy or undulation zone wherein the undulation or wave crests extend in parallel to the clamping ring. At least one outer undulation or wave crest is enclosed between two contact surfaces, with this wave crest projecting with a back surface thereof into a flaring space defined by the contact surfaces lying in opposition to a pressure medium chamber of the filter press.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a test liquid between chambers of a chemical reaction pack. The apparatus includes a series of actuation modules arranged in adjacent relationship to each other to define chemical reaction pack receiving stations therebetween. Each actuation module includes pressure applicators for applying external pressure to the chambers of the reaction pack and temperature control elements for heating and cooling the test liquid within the chemical reaction pack.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding, sealing and aligning seriatim a supply of documents into envelopes, each of the documents containing a water-activated adhesive on a portion thereof. The apparatus includes: a hopper for storing a supply of the documents; a device for applying moisture to a portion of the documents; a pair of folding rollers for imparting a fold to the documents; a buckle chute for stopping the forward progress of the documents and causing the documents to enter the nip of the folding rollers; a pair of ironing rollers located downstream of the folding rollers for maximizing adhesive contact of the documents and forming the envelopes; a conveying device located downstream of the ironing rollers for holding the envelopes together during transport prior to their release for further processing; and a downwardly billowing, flexible membrane situated above the conveying device.

Abstract: An elastically deformable die includes two or more die members formed of materials exhibiting different degrees of elastic deformation under the same stress which are combined and arranged such that the elastic deformation thereof under the pressure received from a workpiece during a forming operation causes the surface of the die in contact with the workpiece to be formed to a prescribed configuration. In die forming the composite die is brought in contact with a surface of the workpiece, the die is elastically deformed at the surface of contact by the pressure received from the workpiece during the forming process, and the workpiece is formed to the prescribed configuration by this deformation.

Abstract: A diaphragm press comprises a cylindrical vessel (7) rotating about its longitudinal axis and divided into two diametrically opposing parts by a flexible diaphragm (8). A series of perforated longitudinal channels (10) is fixed to a part of the inner surface of the vessel and connected at one end to an external manifold (12) for collecting the juice. At their other end, the channels (10) are connected to at least one further manifold (15) which is connected to a pumping unit (99) for feeding water under pressure by way of valves (160). The flexible diaphragm (8) is of such dimensions as to perfectly mate with the wall to which the channels (10) are connected and with the channels themselves so as to perfectly close the holes (100) of these channels (10) when the diaphragm is thrust from its rear by the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A pressurized liquid filter in which a series of spaced apart, vertically extending filter plates are mounted between the sides of housing, inflatable hose seals extending across each top entrance and bottom exit. Filter media strips are draped vertically into the spaces, each disposed over a perforated sheet forming the outer layer of either side of each filter plate. The space between each pair of filter plates is subdivided into two filtering chambers by a dual element dewatering diaphragm mounted in a frame disposed centrally in each space. Liquid slurry is introduced into each chamber under pressure, flow induced to pass through the filter media strips and passing into vertical passages in the filter plates and into collection troughs extending along each row of passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of pressing fruit, in particular grapes, in a rotary cylindrical drum containing at least one flexible membrane supplied with a fluid under pressure in order to press fruit against the wall of the drum, and also to a pneumatic press for implementing the method. The pneumatic press of the invention is of the type comprising a rotary cylindrical drum (7) containing at least one flexible membrane (9, 35) and is characterized by the fact that said drum (7) is closed at one end (7), with a loading duct (19) opening out into the drum (7) in the vicinity of its closed end, the end of the drum opposite to its closed end (7) being at least partially open, said drum (7) including means (16) for recovering juice. The invention is particularly applicable to pressing grapes.

Abstract: A method of die forming using an elastically deformable die is characterized by using a die provided in advance with a prescribed pattern of thickness variation, allowing the die to be elastically deformed by the pressure it receives from the material being formed during the forming operation, and forming the material to the configuration resulting from the deformation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pressure and heat sticking a thin film to a base plate. The thin film and a base plate on a film like carrier are introduced into a vacuum chamber having upper and lower contact members for compressing the thin film, base member and carrier into a stratified body. The thin film and base plate are held separate from one another in the chamber. The lower contact member moves upward to contact the carrier and base plate and to compress the stratified body between it and the upper contact member. The upper contact member is convex in shape and made of an elastic material so that the contact pressure on the thin film and base plate starts near the center and spreads toward the periphery resulting in improved sticking of thin film to the base plate with no air bubbles and no wrinkling. The pressure is applied in a vacuum or reduced atmospheric pressure and heat is simultaneously applied. A further compression in the air at atmospheric pressure is carried out by a heat and pressure roller.

Abstract: A used master disposing apparatus comprises a receptacle for receiving a discharged master, a pressing member vertically movably mounted in the receptacle, and a device for vertically moving said pressing member. The pressing member compresses the master when the pressing member is lowered. The pressing member has a pressing surface, an area of which decreases when it is raised.

Abstract: A hand tool for applying pressure to plastic laminate material during the adhesion thereof to a suitable substrate. The device consists of a hard-rubber roller rotatably mounted within and extending beyond one corner of a pressure block. The block is adapted to fit the installer's hand so that the heel can be positioned over the corner adjacent the roller mounting corner of the roller while the installer's fingers can grip the remaining corner of the block.

Abstract: A resilient sheet of material is used between a cavity plate and a mold base in a sytem used to encapsulate items such as semiconductor devices. The resilient sheet of material compensates for any dimensional variations in the cavity plates. In addition, compensation is also made for dimensional variations of the item being encapsulated. In one embodiment, the sheet of resilient material is used to seal cavity openings in the cavity plate. A method for the use of such an arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: A thermal reaction apparatus for sealing liquid within cavities includes a tray having cavities for storing therein liquid. The cavities have openings arranged at varying levels in thickness direction of the tray. A planar sealing member is disposed on the tray to cover the openings and is comprised of a pair of flexible sheets and viscous fluid filled between the flexible sheets. A pressure plate is disposed on the planar sealing member for applying thereto pressure effective to locally flow the viscous fluid to enable the sealing member to seal the varying levels of the cavity openings to thereby prevent evaporation of the liquid stored in the cavities.

Abstract: A membrane filter plate for filter presses includes either a membrane holding frame or plate having dovetailed recesses; at least one membrane having an associated covering frame; each membrane and covering frame combination having an associated filter cloth and each membrane edge having a dovetailed-shaped projection which engages in corresponding dovetailed recesses of the membrane holding frame or plate wherein each membrane edge is provided with a flute in the dovetailed-shaped projection and the covering frame is provided with a projection at locations corresponding to the flute which engages with the flute.

Abstract: Die plates for forming moisture seals about the junctions of wire harnesses afford improved wire separation and contact between the sealant material in a sealant pad and the wires if the opposed die plates have an elastomeric surface, and the opposed surface of at least one plate is radiused causing the sealant material to separate the wires and flow between and around each wire.

Abstract: A filter plate arrangement for a filter press which includes a carrier plate, at least one membrane arranged on the side of the carrier plate having spacing ribs for positioning a filter cloth, a sealing edge frame for securing the membrane to the carrier plate with a fluid-tight connection and a chamber plate secured on an outer surface of the sealing edge frame is characterized by an improved design to limit stressing of the membrane as it moves from a filtering phase to a pressing phase. These improvements include the thickness of the frame adjacent an inner peripheral edge being substantially the same as the height of the spacing ribs and the chamber plate having an olique portion extending from the surface at an angle to a center plane of the carrier plate from a line immediately adjacent the peripheral edge so that during the pressing stage, the membrane will not be subjected to extreme bends to cause rupture or tearing thereof.

Abstract: A ram-type press expresses liquid from material being pressed, particularly from a batch of wet textile materials. A press ram can be moved onto the material being pressed by the action of a pressure cylinder. A cylindrical shell, accommodating the material being pressed, can be closed at its bottom by a perforated thrust plate. The materials to be pressed and the press ram can be introduced one after the other from above into the cylindrical shell. The press ram is connected to an edge of an opening of a pot-shaped elastically yielding cushioning member and includes a union which can be connected to a water main in order to introduce water into the cushioning member. The bottom of this cushioning member forms a membrane which can be pressed against the material from which the liquid is to be expressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mass producing composite products comprising a novel autoclave having a cylindrical vacuum chamber; a cylindrical compression chamber surrounding the vacuum chamber; a reusable, flexible diaphragm defining the boundary between the chambers; and means for supplying heat and pressure between the diaphragm and the compression chamber. A core or mandrel is wrapped with a fiber-reinforced resin and is placed in the autoclave within the flexible diaphragm. Alternatively, a part layup can be sandwiched between an elastomeric caul and a hard tool by wrapping with expendable shrink tape to accommodate a variety of part shapes having constant or nearly constant cross sections throughout their length. The autoclave is then sealed and evacuated, causing the diaphragm to compress the resin layer against its core or mandrel due to atmospheric or higher pressure in the compression chamber. The autoclave is then heated to cure the resin.

Abstract: A filter press has at least one support wall and at least one filter element adjacent the wall and in turn having an outer peripheral frame secured to the wall, a generally planar central panel within the frame and having a back face turned toward and forming a compartment with the wall and a front face turned away from the wall, and a deformable connecting web between the panel and the outer periphery and extending at an acute angle to the plane of the panel. The web and frame form a V-shaped groove having a pair of flanks. A filter cloth overlies the front face and a fluid under pressure can be forced into the compartment to press the panel forward and deform the web such that its flanks meet. The web is formed with thickened ridges extending generally parallel to the adjacent frame.

Abstract: A hand-held device for applying a film to a substrate, especially a cover film to a paper substrate, by pressing a carrier foil provided with the film against the substrate with an applicator foot, provides that individual segments of the pressing edge of this foot can be individually deflected resiliently to allow the foil and the film to be accommodated to irregularities of the substrate and differences in the yieldability thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decorating the exterior surface of a cylindrical member such as a food or beverage can. A cylindrical bladder made of an elastomeric material is mounted longitudinally within a rigid support so as to create a closed cavity between the support and the bladder. At least a partial vacuum is created in the cavity through a port in the support. The vacuum extends the sidewall of the bladder making room for positioning of a transfer sheet containing sublimable dyes around the cylindrical member within the extended bladder. Vacuum is broken by admitting gas into the cavity at atmospheric pressure. The bladder sidewall contracts radially inwardly thus securely contacting the transfer sheet against the cylindrical member. Heat is applied to transfer at least a portion of the dyes to the cylindrical member. the transfer sheet and cylindrcial member are then removed from the bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for expressing liquid from a load of laundry has an upwardly open vessel having upright side walls and a floor and adapted to contain the load to be dewatered. Liquid can be drained from this vessel and a piston is vertically displaceable into and out of the vessel toward and away from the floor thereof. A relatively soft cushion is carried on the piston and has a downwardly concave lower face engageable against the laundry load on the vessel floor. The piston can be displaced vertically between an upper position with the lower face above and outside the vessel and a lower position with the lower face pressing the load against the vessel floor. The cushion has an outwardly concave side surface. The cushion can be hollow and filled with a liquid. In addition it is so soft that when compressed with a pressure of 20 bar to 30 bar it is of generally half the volume it has when at ambient pressure.

Abstract: During assembly of a ram press for pressing liquid out of material being pressed, centering of the shell 19 which serves as wash basket with the axis of the press ram which engages the shell 19 is simplified by the shell 19 being horizontally movable with two degrees of freedom by being connected for pivotal motion about a second vertical axis 26 to the free end of an arm 25 which is pivotable about a first vertical axies 24'.

Abstract: Composite, unbreakable plates for filter-presses are formed by the firm assembly of, in succession for each plate, a first thin frame 1 collecting the filtrates, a grooved resilient membrane 4 to squeeze the cake, a second thin frame 3 forming a chamber for the fluid inflating the membranes, a second similar membrane, and a third thin frame similar to the first frame. The filtration composite plate cooperates with a frame or is a recess plate which is spaced for unloading of the cakes collected. Each plate or frame has a small jack operating between small extensions at the top of the frames or on top of the plates for separating the plates.

Abstract: A dewatering device with two filtering belts comprising two endless bands guided over drums and a gap limited by the bands for a heap of debris as pressure product guided through this pressure zone, with a supporting means being allocated to one of the bands on that side looking away from the heap of debris is to be improved concerning its dewatering activity. For this purpose, the supporting means is provided in the form of a supporting plate (20) curved in the driving direction (x), which supports a sieve-like belt or band (13) in the pressure zone and shows break-throughs. The band (13) rests on a gliding plane of the curved and perforated supporting plate (20), the radius of curvature (r) of which decreases towards the driving direction (x). The supporting plate (20) is composed of a flexible material so that its radius of curvature (r) can be adjusted.

Abstract: A press for expressing liquids from liquid-containing substances, especially musts, contains an at least partially cylindrical sieve wall and a pressing apparatus disposed therein which has a rotatable shaft and separators radially fastened to the latter which form a plurality of press chambers. These are separated by a radially acting pressing means into a pressure chamber and a press chamber. To fill and empty the press chambers a charging station and a discharge station are provided. The sieve wall is stationary and the pressure chambers are sealed hermetically one from the other. Lastly, means are provided for rotating the shaft step-wise and thereby placing the press chambers step-wise successively at the charging station and at the discharge station.

Abstract: A liquid, foam or paste treatment medium is applied to a textile or similar web as the web is led through a gap in which the web is pressed resiliently against an opposing face in an area extending over the width of the web with non-uniform pressure by, for example, several adjacent cushions that are independently inflatable. The non-uniform pressure serves primarily to achieve uniform treatment, in particular, uniform coloring, despite the non-uniform conditions existing over the web width. The non-uniform pressure may also be used for imprinting patterns on the web.

Abstract: A pressurized filter is disclosed of the type including a filter media layer disposed in a filter chamber which is pressurized with a feed layer to cause filtering flow therethrough, and a diaphragm in the chamber operated to dewater the chamber after each cycle of operation, featuring a total volume totalizer measuring the volume of liquid inflow required to operate the diaphragm during each dewatering cycle, the duration of the next filtering cycle adjusted in a direction to increase or decrease the cycle duration so as to increase or decrease the accumulation of filtered solids to achieve on optimal accumulation. A plurality of filter units are stacked and organized into independently operated sets, enabling continuous filter operation by alternate cycling of each set.

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing complex structures by transferring heat and pressure from ceramic molds to the article to be molded. The arrangement comprises a combination of ceramic molds, a flexible pressure bag means for applying pressure to at least one of the ceramic molds and a flexible pressure heating blanket means to apply pressure and heat against at least one of the ceramic molds.

Abstract: A chamber filter press including frameless chamber plates covered on both sides with filter clothes stretched thereover, wherein two adjacent chamber plates contact each other with an outer, continuous clamping rim and define a filter chamber, consisting of a central filter cake compartment lying between the filter cloths and two outer filtrate compartments lying between the plate and the filter cloth. Repressing devices for the filter cake are arranged in the zone of at least one of the two filtrate compartments of each filter chamber. The repressing devices are fashioned as distensible cushions suspended within at least one filtrate compartment of each filter chamber at the adjoining chamber plate by marginal suspension strips which keep open, at least at the lower edge of the distensible cushion. A liquid passage is provided between the half of the filtrate compartment on the filter cloth side and the half on the plate side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for pressing or dewatering and filtering of suspensions, sludges and the like with at least one driven endless pressure belt and further in particular at least one circulating endless filter belt, the pressure belt serving for the support of the filter belt. For the exertion of surface pressure onto the pressure belt, at least one frame-like, resilient, elastic hollow pad or a resilient, elastic hollow frame is provided, their interior being suitable for the admission of pressure medium and the pad or frame enclosing a pressure space, with a gap being provided at least during the admission of pressure medium between the hollow pad or hollow frame and the pressure belt.

Abstract: The thermoplastic filter plate is designed for a filter press comprising a plurality of the filter plates clamped together edgewise forming a plurality of filter chambers between themselves. Each filter plate has a press wall on one or both sides of it. This press wall is at least flexible in an edge region and is movable by action of a pressurizing medium into one of the filter chambers. Each of the filter plates includes unitarily a supporting wall and a compression chamber for the pressurizing medium acting on the press wall, the supporting wall being located between adjacent compression chambers. The press wall is made in one piece with a plate frame of the filter plate. The rigid plate frame is composed of a hard plastic material resistive to the closing pressure of the filter press and the press wall is composed of an elastic plastic material guaranteeing an easy adjustability and deformability.

Abstract: Filter cake produced from a slurry is compressed in an enclosure (6) having a pair of opposed flexible walls (5) at least one of which is constituted by a filter and drainage medium. The filter cake is cyclically deformed while under compression with the filter cake supported at least one position (14, 52) within its periphery whereby the unsupported parts of the filter cake are cyclically deformed about the periphery and the position or positions of support. All parts of the filter cake are thus subjected to substantially uniform bending whereby drying of the filter cake is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combustible ammunition and relates chiefly to the manufacture of bottoms or covers for combustible cases.According to the invention, a combustible article is manufactured by pressing in a die 10 at least one sheet 21 of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and having the shape of a disc, by virtue of a rigid movable punch 20 exerting a compressive force on a deformable flexible punch 22 arranged inside the said die 10 between the sheets 21 and the said movable punch 20. The flexible punch 22 is in the shape of a substantially cylindrical thick disc, consists of neoprene or a silicone resin and has a hardness of between 55 and 65 Shore at 20.degree. C. The pressing operation is accompanied by a thermoforming operation carried out at approximately 115.degree. C.The process is particularly suitable for the production of bottoms of combustible cases bearing studs or grooves on their side faces.

Abstract: A filter press comprises a plurality of membrane filter plates each comprising a base plate and an elastic membrane on at least one side of the base plate. The base plate has a circumferential raised plane edge portion surrounding a recess with a step-form recessed circumferential surface between the raised edge portion and the recess and a groove in the recessed circumferential surface and the raised edge portion. The membrane has a reinforced edge poriton of angular cross section with a first web lying on said recessed circumferential surface of the base plate and having a bevelled edge engaging the shoulder between the recessed circumferential surface and the raised edge portion and a second web received in the groove to provide a seal between the membrane and the base plate. The outer surface of the first web is recessed below the plane of the raised edge portion of the base plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filtering method comprising using a filter-press-type device in the chambers whereof filtering means divide a compartment for material to be filtered from a filtrate-collecting compartment, compressing the possibly-washed material to be filtered by reducing the volume of the compartments for material to be filtered, discharging washing solute and filtrate which have passed through the filtering means, and dismantling said filter-press. The method makes use of filter means which are resistant and undistortable under the method conditions, and retains the filtering means in a relative position to the filtering chamber axis which is identical during all the filtering steps.

Abstract: In a rice pressing apparatus having mating rollers mounted in parallel at a specific gap, each roller comprising a slightly tapered metal hub of aluminum or an aluminum-zinc alloy, a removable rubber sleeve and retaining caps at each end to maintain proper alignment of parts. The hub includes external splines which dovetail with internal splines of the rubber sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing keyboard keycaps includes a fixture for holding multiple keycaps in an essentially keyboard profile. The fixture supports the keycaps in separately movable segments, each having multiple keycaps. The spearately movable segments are movable from an essentially keyboard profile into an essentially planar printing profile. The printing apparatus includes an air inflatable heated bladder positioned to apply heat and pressure to a legend carrying medium positioned upon the keycaps to transfer the legends from the medium to the individual keycaps.