Abstract: A press platen has a press plate and a cover plate between which is sandwiched a heater plate formed with a generally uniform array of cylindrical recesses in each of which is received an electrically energizable heater capsule. The heater plate is electrically but not thermally insulated and conductor foils applied to opposite faces of this plate but insulated from the press and cover plates are connectable to a source of electricity for energizing the heater capsules.
Abstract: A belt press has vertically spaced upper and lower traverses carrying respective upper and lower platens each constituted by a traverse plate secured to the respective traverse, a press plate parallel thereto, and a flexible membrane connecting the outer peripheries of the press and the traverse plates. A skirt extends from each of the traverse plates around the respective press plate to guide and confine same during pressurization of the chamber defined in each platen by the respective press and traverse plates with the respective membrane.