Abstract: A screening apparatus that includes a strainer element used for the purpose of retaining particulate while permitting the passage of a liquid through the strainer element, a support structure for the strainer element to enable rotation of the strainer element between opposed 180 degree positions, and a control member coupled with the strainer element for controlling the rotation of the strainer element. The strainer element, in both opposed positions thereof impedes any particulate while permitting the passage of a liquid. The control member is constructed so that, in a first state thereof, the rotation of the strainer element is periodically controlled to rotate the strainer element between said opposed 180 degree positions, and in a second state thereof, inhibits rotation of the strainer element.

Abstract: Pulp vat apparatus for applying pulp to a plurality of conductors in which a pulp vat has a cylinder mould with axially spaced annular perforate regions, one for each conductor, and the vat is divided by partitions into compartments, one for each perforate region. There is a flow inlet for pulp into each compartment and means to vary the pulp flow rate through each inlet independently of the flow rate through the other inlets whereby the level of pulp in each compartment is variable independently of the other compartments.

Abstract: A rotary vacuum filter for the separation of solids-liquid mixtures has a rotatably supported filter drum having a stationary hollow conduit extending through the interior of the drum which is attached to a vacuum pump. The drum is rotated in a tank containing a mixture to be separated, so that the vacuum action draws the mixture through a filter disposed on the surface of the drum into the interior thereof, where an interior pump removes the filtered liquid and discharges same through the hollow conduit. At no time during the filtration process is air mixed with the filtered liquid, so that subsequent processing to remove air from the liquid is not required.

Abstract: A thickener apparatus includes a shaftless cylinder mold having a perforated cylindrical shell supported by two end members one of which is an open frame structure having radially extending support beams interconnecting a short rotational shaft aligned with the axial center of rotation of the cylinder, and a peripheral ring member which supports the shell of the cylinder mold. The shell is sufficiently rigid to be self supporting and has a backing cloth overly covering the perforated portion of the cylinder, and a face cloth covering the backing cloth, both of which act as a screen to permit the white water to collect in the central hollow portion of the cylinder mold to be subsequently discharged therefrom.