Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for cold pressing juice from a food including a food delivery chute, a food grinder, and a pressing chamber which may removably fit together as a single, stand-alone unit.

Abstract: A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.

Abstract: A molding apparatus comprises an upper molding box, a lower mold box, an upper flexible membrane covering an opening of the upper mold box, a lower flexible membrane covering an opening of the lower mold box, a heating system located in the upper mold box, a set of ports located between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane capable of being used to draw a vacuum between the upper flexible membrane and the lower flexible membrane, and a displacement system located in the lower mold box under the lower flexible membrane.

Abstract: Two press cylinders are disposed at an equal interval at left and right having the opening-closing cylinder therebetween, so as to have the approximately same distance from the conveying reference plane as the opening-closing cylinder. The opening-closing cylinder comprises an opening-closing linear encoder, which detects a decreased amount of the entire thickness of the object-to-be-processed as a displacement of the ram, when the object-to-be-processed is hot-pressed. The respective press cylinders comprise pressure sensors for press cylinders detecting pressing pressures of the pressing plates as cylinder inner pressures.

Abstract: A device and method for compressing compressible material into a bale are provided. According to certain aspects of the disclosure, the device may include a frame, a feed bin, a first compression chamber, a second compression chamber, and a compression mechanism. The feed bin may be configured to accommodate the compressible material. The first compression chamber and the second compression chamber may be mounted to the frame so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis between a compression position and a transfer position. The compression mechanism may be configured to load the compressible material from the feed bin into a respective one of the first or second compression chambers in the compression position and compress the compressible material into the bale within the respective compression chamber.

Abstract: A horizontal hotpress system is provided, which can maintain the thickness of the boards (laminated boards) after hot-pressing within the allowable range, by driving and controlling the press cylinders individually, even when, for example, the size or material of the boards changes. Also, A horizontal hotpress system is provided, which can maintain the thickness of the boards (laminated boards) after hot-pressing within the allowable range, by driving and controlling the press cylinders individually or jointly without adjusting the pressing positions of the press cylinders, even when, for example, the size or material of the boards changes, and further, being able to adapt to change of the material of the boards or the like.

Abstract: A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.

Abstract: A molding apparatus of a wet friction material has a pair of guide posts vertically extending on a molding apparatus main body. The pair of the guide posts passes through fifteen stages (sixteen pieces) of molding dies. A pair of pantograph-type open-close mechanisms is attached to opposite side surfaces of the molding dies. Thus, the molding dies are piled up on each other so as to come near to each other (mold clamping) and move apart from each other (mold opening). With the pantograph-type open-close link mechanism, all the molding dies are opened and closed at the same time. If the molding dies are slid at a speed of 200 mm/sec, it takes only 3.75 seconds (50 mm*15/200 mm=3.75 sec). It takes a double of that time or 7.5 seconds, that is a half of the time of a related art.

Abstract: A press, especially a multilevel press, has a press stand of one or more press frames whose head and foot pieces are of cast iron and whose vertical uprights or tension shanks are of steel plate construction and formed with T or hammerheads bearing on the head piece or foot piece.

Abstract: A platen press for pressing loose wood-based material into structural panels at high temperature while exhausting steam generated in the process through vents distributed across the face of a platen to thereby produce an improved product. The vents are periodically cleaned to remove elements of the panel material that have been deposited into the vents with steam flow or mechanical pressure by pins carried within the platen. The pins are positively extended into respective vents by actuating elements housed within the thickness of the body of the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for pressing and cooking and/or chilling food product logs. The apparatus and method comprise or use a tower press which has vertically compressible tiers and is positioned and mounted at one location for selectively elevating and lowering the tower press. The apparatus and method further comprise or use a container positioned at the same location such that the tower press can be lowered into the container for cooking and/or chilling the food product logs. The tower press can also be elevated out of the container for loading and removing food product logs from the vertically compressible tiers.

Abstract: A press has at least two rigid and generally planar platens each comprised of a rigid plate having a face, formed offset from the face with an array of heating passages, and formed with a separate array of grooves open at the face. A cover plate overlying the face is formed at the grooves with an array of throughgoing holes. A heat-exchange fluid is pumped through the heating passages of the core plate to heat the platen and steam is fed into the grooves and through the holes into a workpiece lying on the cover plate.

Abstract: A single-level or multilevel or continuous board press is composed of a succession of press frames which are subdivided horizontally at their vertical limbs for transport and when then welded together at the erection site. Leveling strips are provided along mounted surfaces of the frame to support the plates, piston-and-cylinder units and the like serving to press the mats of wood material.

Abstract: A panel press has horizontally spaced and vertically oriented window-type tension frames each in turn having an upper beam having opposite ends each formed with an upwardly directed seat, a lower beam beneath the upper beam and having opposite ends each formed with a downwardly directed seat, and respective vertical side elements extending between the ends of the upper and lower beams and each unitarily formed with a laterally projecting upper end having a downwardly directed surface bearing downward on the respective upper-beam seat and with a laterally projecting lower end having an upwardly directed surface bearing upward on the respective lower-beam seat. Vertical bolts secure the laterally projecting ends to the respective beam ends.

Abstract: A press for rigid foam sheets with continuous adjustment of the spacing between the two press plates (1, 3), in particular for sandwich panels with an upper and lower outer layer and, located therebetween, a core of rigid polyurethane foam. The lower press plate (3) is here moved into a preselected position corresponding to the panel thickness to be foamed by means of synchronously rotating threaded lifting spindles (4), assisted by weight-compensating cylinders (5). Short-stroke cylinders (6) are provided between the heads of the threaded lifting spindles (4) and the lower press plate (3). Said short-stroke cylinders have the function of dissipating the moulding force which has arisen due to foaming by moving the press plate (3) a very small stroke downwards. It is also possible, instead of the short-stroke cylinders (6), to install an air cushion system, which has a stroke of approx. 1 mm, between the press plate and the heating plate. This stroke is sufficient to dissipate the foaming pressure.

Abstract: Press molding apparatus may include a plurality of pairs of forming molds each having an upper mold and a lower mold. The forming molds may be arranged in series in the same direction as their respective mold closing/opening directions. Further, the upper mold or the lower mold of at least one pair of forming molds can transversely move from the respective mold closing/opening positions.

Abstract: A press assembly includes multiple pressing mechanisms for pressing a composite from multiple non-parallel directions simultaneously.

Abstract: In a hot pressing apparatus, a hot-plate pressing cylinder is provided at the center of a moving plate, and a substantially central part of each of the materials to be laminated between hot plates, which are pressed by a fixed plate and a moving plate, is pressed by a hot-plate pressing cylinder of the moving plate. Thus, a uniform pressure can be applied to the materials to be laminated, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects such as wrinkles and bubbles in the products.

Abstract: A hot press apparatus in which workpieces are placed between heating plates in a chamber of a machine bed, so that the workpieces are heated and pressed by moving a movable plate toward a stationary plate to form a laminate, wherein the movable plate is held at its peripheral portions by shaft members and is moved toward the stationary plate by a drive means. A center portion pressing member is provided at the center portion of the movable plate to press substantially the enter portions of the heating plates.

Abstract: A modular filter apparatus is formed from stacked filter modules. Slurry to be filtered flows into the apparatus through a flowmeter and check valve into a header. The flow of slurry then branches off through feeders to each of the filter modules. Connected to the header is a slurry supply source, a cakewash supply source and a header drain. The modules are coupled to a hydraulic jack mechanism and an upper strongback.

Abstract: A pressing device comprised of stackable moulds for cooking and shaping hams into an oval cross-section. Each mould comprises transverse sides, longitudinal sides, crosspieces extending between the longitudinal sides, and a plurality of fixed troughs extending between the transverse sides. Below each trough (3), there is suspended from the transverse sides, a cover which is formed by a longitudinal plate, two end plates and two longitudinal sides. The end plates of the cover can slide against the faces of the transverse sides, each end plate being furnished with longitudinal pins which are directed toward vertical slots positioned along the transverse sides. Finally, a spring is disposed and compressed between the cover and the base of the trough.

Abstract: A pressing column for the pressing, for example, of hams in molds is provided with shelves to support the molds. The shelves are mutually connected by links which allow a certain mutual movement between the shelves in the vertical direction. By raising the upper part in the pressing column, the shelves can be pushed in from the side of the column from a platform which is adjustable in height. Hereafter, the upper part can be lowered and the contents of the molds are pressed in a normal manner with a pressing apparatus. After the pressing and the boiling of the hams, the shelves are again separated and the molds are removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for pressing meat products. The system includes a press rack having platens that are movable between a loading position in which meat products can be loaded between the platens, and a pressing position in which the platens are adapted to press the meat products. A hydraulic locking and release mechanism is used to selectively retain the platens in the pressing position. The system also includes a floor mounted closing unit that provides the power for moving the press rack from the loading position to the pressing position.

Abstract: A plate filter press with chamber plates and diaphragm carrier plates and diaphragms secured thereto is provided that makes it possible to provide an adequately large, radial slurry admission cross-section that remains free of blockage. An annular supporting collar that respectively embraces the aperture edge of the chamber plate and has a U-shaped cross-section in its edge region is arranged in the central flow-through opening of every chamber plate, whereby the end of each U-leg comprises an annular seating wedge for supporting the arched diaphragm. The seating wedge extends in the direction of the respectively neighboring diaphragm and does not constrict the radial flow channel to the respective filter space.

Abstract: A vacuum hot platen press for pressing laminated boards includes a seal cover assembly for keeping the internal process chamber airtight. The seal cover assembly is fixed in an airtight manner to a cylinder plate located below the platens, through which the pressure cylinders extend in an airtight manner. The upper end of the cover assembly is in sliding airtight contact with the tensile strength members of the press. The sliding contact prevents elongation of the tensile members under pressing force, or vacuum forces on the cover assembly, from causing distortion or breakage.

Abstract: A meat press is provided which includes an actuating dolly and a press tree having first and second frames. The actuating dolly includes a subframe that is vertically extendable and carries cylinders that engage portions of the overlying tree when brought into registry therewith. The cylinders engage a linkage which is connected to a second frame and can cause movement thereof in a manner which exerts a compression force on a meat product loaded on the tree. The linkage is constructed and the cylinders are mounted in a manner that allows the cylinders to exert a horizontally directed pulling force on the linkage which then causes vertical movement of the second frame.

Abstract: A multi-plate lamination fixture includes at least a first, an intermediate and a bottom plate, of which the intermediate and either the bottom or the top plate each have a keyway therein adjacent one surface thereof and in which the intermediate and the other of the bottom or the top plate have a key projecting past the other surface thereof thereby to permit registered stackability of the plates. The intermediate and either the bottom or the top plate each also have a recess extending into one surface thereof for at least a predetermined distance, while the intermediate and the other of the bottom or the top plate have a pin projecting past the other surface thereof. The projecting pins are received in the recess of the adjacent plates to further assure accurate location of the stacked plates forming the lamination fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus to include a top plate and base plate, with a press plate reciprocatably mounted between the top plate and base plate to crush and deform various containers for disposal and recycling. The use of pivotal link members operative through an actuator rod directed medially of the link members at junctions thereof is directed for rotation to effect reciprocation of the press plate. The invention is arranged to further include drain apertures directed through the base plate. A modified aspect of the invention includes a capture plate positioned between the press plate and base plate and spring biased toward the top plate to secure cans therebetween. An underlying drawer is arranged to receive fluid from the cans, with a pesticide delivery and dispensing container arranged and mounted to the drawer for dispensing a pesticide and fungicide fluid into the drawer.

Abstract: A hot press including a displaceable sleeve for surrounding materials of a multi-layer substrate under a reduced pressure condition, a gas pressurizing condition and a heating condition with thermal plates. Upper and lower sealing units seal an interior of the sleeve, with a mechanism lowering and raising the sleeve. A pilot check mechanism prevents a lower bolster from raising/lowering upon the reduced pressure condition and the gas pressure condition, and a retainer maintains the lowered or raised condition of the sleeve. The multi-layer substrate is formed under the reduced pressure condition and the gas pressure condition. Accordingly, the atmosphere and moisture between the materials of the multi-layer substrate and volatile composition are removed. Additionally, a void generated during the heat and pressure process by the heating plates is eliminated from the multi-layer substrate.

Abstract: A filter plate press or an electrolyzer cell has a series of filter plates or cell frames, respectively, which are moved as a stack against a press or cell headpiece by a follower moved by one or more rodded cylinders mounted on a fixed bracket. Scissors mechanisms extending on each side of the press/cell holder and between the bracket and follower assure precise parallel movement of the follower with respect to the headpiece. To accommodate any cumulative errors in the stack dimensions the scissor mechanisms are disengageable upon closure of the press/cell holder so that the follower has freedom to match the abutting surface of the plate/cell frame stack and thus evenly seal the abutting peripheral edges of the plates/cell frames.

Abstract: A bonding assembly for bonding carbon fibrous segments with adhesive on one side, to a frustoconical surface of an annular clutch member. The bonding assembly includes a ring member with a frustoconical surface complementary to the annular clutch member frustoconical surface. Three of the segments are spaced circumferentially apart and sandwiched between the annular clutch member frustoconical surface and the ring member frustoconical surface with, the adhesive sides of the segments positioned against the annular clutch member. The clutch member and ring member are placed on a base with a post extending vertically upward through the concentric axis of the clutch and ring members. A spring mechanism includes a second element for engaging the post and exerting a downward force to clamp the ring member, clutch member, and segments together. The bonding assembly can then be positioned in a source of heat for curing the adhesive under constant force.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing multilayer packs (5,6) by vacuum application and isostatic pressure under heat action is described. The apparatus comprises a pressure-tight chamber with several superimposed stages, in each case intended to receive one multilayer pack. An elastic membrane (13,14) in each stage is used for exerting the necessary pressure on the multilayer pack. In each stage is also provided a plate (9,10) mounted in floating manner as the flatness standard for the multilayer pack and which is exposed to the same pressure on either side during pressing. An upper and lower heating/cooling plate (15 to 18) in each stage ensures a uniform heating of the multilayer packs. The plates mounted in floating manner are thermally insulated with respect to the heating/cooling plates, so that they also remain cool during the heating of the multilayer packs. This excludes a thermally caused distortion of the plates mounted in floating manner.

Abstract: A loading elevator for a multi-platen press is provided with a pusher which simultaneously transfers a number of transport plates loaded with stampings to the press. After press operations are completed, the plates are unloaded by an extractor to an unloading elevator. The pushing and the unloading of the plates are automatic, with sensors provided to halt the loading and unloading in the event of excessive resistance to the movement of any one of the plates. A plurality of sensors are provided in the pusher and in the extractor, one sensor there for each of the plates. Each sensor is connected to halt the operation on recognition by the sensor that an express resistance exists and if desired to provide a signal that the halting has taken place.

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: Automatic freezer with horizontal refrigerating plates that continuously apply pressure on a product being frozen, in which a series of plates held between a bottom and a top frame linked through rods: with lifting and lowering the above plates in order to position each of them, one after the other, in correspondence with an infeed opening where the product is loaded. The above plates are caught and kept due to double supports, in a proper position corresponding to such opening while maintaining the level of the plate being loaded, even while forces are applied on the plates below it for lowering them. Such forces are applied on the plate below the one being loaded in order to transfer their action on the remaining plates below and also, through the rods, on the plates above the one being loaded, thus obtaining pressure on all product positioned between the plates.

Abstract: A composite board press is provided with a single set of platen supporting rods for supporting and loosely guiding a plurality of platens, the heights of which are dually adjustable. The invention also includes a method of laminating a composite to form a printed circuit board by applying heat and pressure in which the pressure is applied at points exterior to the area of the composite and in which the press is repeatedly opened and closed in the presence of an evacuated environment when the resin in the composite is liquid.

Abstract: In order to regulate the filter plate contact pressure in a plate filter press comprising a hydraulic closing cylinder unit, the compression force prevailing in the filter plate pack, or the compression of at least one component such as, for example, a filter plate, exposed to the compression pressure ambient in the filter plate pack is utilized as a control variable. The hydraulic pressure of the closing cylinder unit is regulated so as to maintain a desired compression value.

Abstract: A housing block with a first passage and a second passage extending parallel to the first passage is attached to each membrane filter plate. A piston is mounted slidably in the first passage and a spacing bolt is positioned slidably in the second passage. A first circumferential groove which is connected with a compression compartment between elastic membranes extending radially exteriorly is introduced into the center of the first passage. The piston has a plurality of, advantageously four, axially extending piston grooves which connect with the circumferential groove in the open configuration and because of that the above mentioned compression compartment is connected with the surrounding atmosphere. The operation of the pistons is positively actuated by a counterweight and the sealing bolts are positioned in succession in a row. The motion of these spacing bolts is bounded by a stop piece.

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: A cheese press for a plurality of rows of cheese moulds is constituted by a plurality of individual cassette shaped pressing units (30) each adapted to receive a row of moulds or mould batteries and each ceilingwise provided with pressing means (68) for pressing the moulds. Each of these units can be made as a lightweight construction e.g. of stainless sheet steel and is preferably made as a heat insulated tube, which is endwise closable so as to be vacuum resistent. Especially the production of Cheddar cheese is highly accelerated when the pressing is effected under vacuum. The cassette units may be arranged in a conveyor system for consecutive cooperation with a loading and unloading station, or they may be arranged more or less stationarily for cooperation with means for transporting the moulds to and from the cassette units.

Abstract: A board press consisting of a plurality of press plates placed one above the other and which are pressed together with the aid of pressure cylinders when pressing boards, and said press plates being interconnected with a simultaneous apparatus which maintains equal distances between press plates during movement of the press plates. The simultaneous apparatus consists of lever units at a plurality of points on both longitudinal margins of the press plates, which have been interconnected to constitute one simultaneous unit, with the aid of a rod pivotally attached to each press plate and a lever arm on the other end of said rod and a transversal turning shaft common to each pair of lever units and control rods longitudinal to the apparatus.

Abstract: Contaminated waste containers having one or more internally disposed waste compression frames which are locked into position within the containers by resiliently biased hold-down mechanisms oriented within guide channels which extend along the side walls of the containers. Each of the frame guide channels is selectively provided with a supplemental guide member which extends above the upper edge of the box in order to guide the compression frames when in an elevated position with respect to the box and channel caps are also provided to prevent waste from being forced into the upper portion of the channels during use.

Abstract: A filter wall constructed separtely from the frame member is clamped in a clamping slot, to which toward the outside edge of the filter plate a widened sealing slot in a shoulder of the support is connected. A projecting edge of the filter wall extends into the latter slot with the shoulder overlapping, the filter wall having an annular flange directed to the outside. The seal is arranged in the sealing slot and has a U-shaped cross section with two arms extending inwardly, whose arms enclose and seal both sides of the annular flange and which seals the support on one side and the frame member on the other side. The spacing between the seal and the joint is sufficient that upon release of the closing pressure of the filter press, without disengaging it, the frame can be moved sufficiently far from the support that the pressurizable chamber is unsealed at the seal in the sealing slot.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing moulded articles, particularly of plastic, by means of a mould formed from individual mould parts (3, 4, 5) optionally fixed to mounting surfaces, support parts, etc and which, following a closed position, move during the moulding process into an open position by a stroke c in a direction x a working device, e.g. a demoulding, charging, cleaning and/or similar device is introduced into the gap (6, 7) formed between the faces of the mould parts. With at least two mould parts (3, 4 and/or 5) is associated in each case a slide (I, II and/or III) movable by a stroke d in a y-direction for introducing the working devices. As a function of the movement of at least one mould part (3, 4 and/or 5), or its mounting surface (1, 2), support part (18, 19), etc, the slide (I, II and/or III) perform the stroke d in the y-direction.

Abstract: A flanged, dish shaped rectangular pressure responsive diaphragm is made from non-stretchable flat sheet stock in which the corners are formed with a tapering loop of excess material, and pleat folds take up the excess flange material to allow a tab portion to lie flat across the corner. Spacer strips and pieces are added to provide a uniform flange thickness.

Abstract: A device is disclosed herein which may be used to simultaneously squeeze and shape a quantity of hams or other meats during the cooking process. The device comprises pairs of racks or trays with one of each pair being fixed and one movable. The pairs of racks are spring loaded to pull the movable rack toward the fixed rack to squeeze and shape the meat located between them during the cooking process. A hydraulic cylinder or other power means is attached and actuated to simultaneously separate the trays before and after the cooking process to load and unload hams.

Abstract: A filter press equipped with a filter cloth hanging rod detecting arrangement which includes a support beam which is so arranged between the front and rear stands and above the hanging rods as to suspend the shatter members by means of corresponding brackets. The brackets respectively have longitudinal apertures extending vertically or shafts extending horizontally. Meanwhile the shatter members respectively have shafts inserted in the longitudinal apertures of the brackets or apertures in which the shafts of the brackets are inserted. Accordingly the shatter members may move upwardly and downwardly according the vertical movement of the hanging rods and also swing in an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the support beam following to the horizontal movement of the hanging rods.

Abstract: A membrane plate for a chamber filter press over which a filter cloth may be stretched on both sides thereof. The membrane plate includes an exchangeable substantially planar membrane member which is loosely enclosed between a bracket plate and a frame and is adapted to be clamped tightly between the bracket plate and the frame only by the closing pressure of the chamber filter press. The bracket plate and the frame, when the filter press is open, are adapted to be moved apart from one another along slide bearing pieces by a distance of 1 to 3 mm until the movement is limited by a stop. By enabling a relative movement when the filter press is open, the membrane is vented during times of stoppage of the open filter press or during ejection of a filter cake or a washing of the filter cloths so as to enable the membrane to readily readjust.

Abstract: A product press, for supporting product during processing, and having a support frame, at least one fixed tray member fixed to the support frame, at least one movable tray movable towards and away from the fixed tray for holding product, biasing means urging the movable tray towards the fixed tray for applying pressure to product stored therebetween, and means for releasably holding the trays apart.

Abstract: A filter plate and diaphragm assembly (10) is disclosed for use in a filter press comprising a horizontal stack of such assemblies interleaved with recess plates (12). Each assembly (10) comprises a plate (11) and a diaphragm (19). Plate (11) has a thicker peripheral portion (13) and staybosses (20). Adjacent portion (13) and staybosses (20) the diaphragm does not overlie the plate (11) but has lips (23, 24) accommodated in recesses (25, 26) in the plate (10). This ensures that the clamping loads applied to the stack are not borne by the diaphragms. The diaphragm 19 can have a drainage channel (28) formed in a rib (29) to receive liquid passing along drainage grooves (27) or the like after passing through a filter cloth (17). Air can be introduced via bores (22) to urge the diaphragm (19) away from the plate (11) to compress a filter cake being formed in the space between the assembly 10 and an adjacent recess plate (12).