Abstract: A filter apparatus, particularly for filtering extruded thermoplastic synthetic plastics material, has a housing, within which two carrier members are shiftably arranged, each of which carries a sieve means consisting of two filter sieves. The material to be filtered is supplied to the entry side of the sieve means via an inlet passage. Within each carrier member there is provided a rinsing passage being in connection with the outlet side of the sieve means. The rinsing passage can be connected with the outlet passage when shifting the carrier member into a rinsing position. In this rinsing position, the entry side of the sieve means is at least partially connected with a space receiving the sieve contaminations or opens into atmopshere, respectively.