Abstract: A vibratory screening machine having opposite sides with a plurality of stationary aligned tensioning members mounted on one side and a plurality of nut actuated movable tensioning members mounted on the opposite side and a vibratory screening screen mounted on the stationary and movable tensioning members. The tensioning members have upstanding fingers which are received in apertures in the plates of the vibratory screen, and the edge portions of the vibratory screen include screening material which extends all of the way to the extreme edges of the supporting plate and the fingers are below the screening material. Also, the tensioning structure is mounted on the side walls of the vibratory screening machine below the vibratory screen.

Abstract: A screening assembly framework includes a plurality of support members, each of which supports at least one securing element by which a screening module is secured to the support member. A plurality of spacer members are arranged intermediate the support members for retaining the support members at a predetermined distance relative to one another, at least certain of the support members and at least certain of the spacer members being demountably connected to one another to form a demountable underlying structure for an array of screening modules of the screening assembly.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator which, in at least certain aspects, has supporting apparatus with a plurality of openings therethrough, screening material on the supporting apparatus over the plurality of openings, the supporting apparatus recovered from a predecessor screen assembly by applying heat to the predecessor screen assembly, the predecessor screen assembly having the supporting apparatus and predecessor screening material secured to the supporting apparatus by securing material, the heat applied to the predecessor screen assembly sufficient to degrade, powderize, turn to ash and/or cook off the securing material so that recovery of the supporting apparatus is facilitated; and methods for effecting such recovery.

Abstract: A shale shaker system for separating components of drilling fluid with solids entrained therein, the shale shaker system, in at least certain aspects, including a base, a screen mounting basket on the base, vibrating apparatus connected to the screen mounting basket for vibrating the screen mounting basket, the screen mounting basket having mounting structure for at least one screen assembly mounted on the mounting structure, the mounting structure having a body over which the at least one screen assembly is positionable, some components of the drilling fluid to be treated by the shale shaker flowable through the at least one screen assembly and through the body, at least one wear strip attached to the mounting structure, the at least one wear strip having a wear strip body, at least one upwardly projecting member projecting upwardly from the wear strip body, the at least one screen assembly including a screen support with screening material and at least one hole in the support sized, configured, and located

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator having, in one aspect, a frame with a plurality of openings therethrough, screening material on the frame over the openings, the frame having an end area at a material exit end of the frame, and end apparatus at the end area for facilitating material movement over the end area; in one aspect, non-smooth areas on top of the screen assembly to impede solids movement on such areas and/or to direct them off such areas; vibratory separators with such a screen assembly; and methods of their use.

Abstract: A screen filter device or strainer for separating liquid from solids having a disposable filter media which is easily detached and affixed to a filter support to provide for ease of replacement.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly including screening material with opposed spaced-apart sides including a first side and a second side, a side mount on each of the opposed spaced-apart sides, each side of the opposed spaced-apart sides having an edge portion, and each edge portion held within a side mount; a vibratory separator with such a screen assembly; and methods of their use.

Abstract: A filter screen having support frame including an outer peripheral flange surrounding a central region. Faces of the outer peripheral flange of the support frame to which the wirecloth is bonded by heating are formed with a plurality of closely spaced apart parallel ridges including outer ridges and inner ridges, each having a crest, so that when heated, the crests of the ridges soften, and the woven wirecloth laid thereover and tensioned can, under an appropriate downward loading, penetrate and become embedded in the softened ridge crests. The outer ridges extend to a greater height above the frame than said inner ridges, whereby there is a greater volume of polymer to be melted and spread by the application of heat and pressure to the wire cloth near outer regions of the outer peripheral flange than near inner regions of the outer peripheral flange.

Abstract: A vibrating screen assembly having a tubular frame. The tubular frame includes a pair of opposed tubular sides and a pair of opposed tubular ends. An upstanding lip extending from each side and extending from each end forms a rim enclosure. A ledge extends inwardly from the opposed sides. A perforated plate with a plurality of screen cloths thereon is positioned within the rim enclosure and secured to a planar surface of the frame. A slot in the tubular sides and tubular ends forms a continuous channel and an elastomeric gasket is press fit into the slot and held therein without adhesives or fasteners.

Abstract: A vibratory screening machine having opposite sides with a plurality of stationary aligned tensioning members mounted on one side and a plurality of nut actuated movable tensioning members mounted on the opposite side and a vibratory screening screen mounted on the stationary and movable tensioning members. The tensioning members have upstanding fingers which are received in apertures in the plates of the vibratory screen, and the edge portions of the vibratory screen include screening material which extends all of the way to the extreme edges of the supporting plate and the fingers are below the screening material. Also, the tensioning structure is mounted on the side walls of the vibratory screening machine below the vibratory screen.

Abstract: A screen support for supporting screening material of a screen assembly for use on a shale shaker for separating components of material introduced thereto, the screen support having a body, a plurality of spaced apart holes through the body, each of said holes for receiving part of a fastener used for releasably connecting the screen assembly to a shale shaker; the screen support in certain aspects being a frame, a perforated plate, a strip support or a unibody structure; a screen assembly with such a support; such a screen assembly, in certain aspects, with a plastic grid or layer with corresponding fastener holes; a shale shaker with any such screen assembly; and methods of their use.

Abstract: A clamp system for releasably securing a screen to a vibratory separator apparatus, and methods of its use, and a plate for such a system, the clamp system having, in certain aspects, a plate for contacting a screen end of a screen to be mounted to a vibratory separator apparatus, the plate having a plate linear dimension and the screen end having a screen linear dimension, the plate having a plate body, a bolt with a first end extendable through the plate and a second end extendable through part of the vibratory separator apparatus, the bolt tightenable in place to hold the plate in position with respect to the screen and the vibratory separator apparatus, and the plate linear dimension substantially equal to the screen end linear dimension.

Abstract: A screen which in at least certain aspects has at least one layer of screening material, at least one ramp formed on the at least one layer of screening material, and the at least one ramp having an upwardly projecting portion and also a lower portion or piece connected to the at least one layer of screening material, the at least one ramp positioned on the at least one layer of screening material normal to transverse to or at an angle to a direction of fluid to be flowed over the screen so that at least a portion of the fluid will pass up and over the upwardly projecting portion, the fluid, in one aspect, having solids entrained therein to be separated from the fluid by the screen.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly having a first screen portion having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and a second screen portion formed integrally of or connected to the second end of the second screen portion. A screen assembly with a first portion of screening material and a second raised portion of screening material, the second raised portion extending from a material introduction end of the screen assembly to a material exit end thereof, the raised portion, in one aspect, culminating in an apex above the first portion of screening material.

Abstract: A shale shaker system for separating components of drilling fluid with solids entrained therein, the shale shaker system, in at least certain aspects, including a base, a screen mounting basket on the base, vibrating apparatus connected to the screen mounting basket for vibrating the screen mounting basket, the screen mounting basket having mounting structure for at least one screen assembly mounted on the mounting structure, the mounting structure having a body over which the at least one screen assembly is positionable, some components of the drilling fluid to be treated by the shale shaker flowable through the at least one screen assembly and through the body, at least one wear strip attached to the mounting structure, the at least one wear strip having a wear strip body, at least one upwardly projecting member projecting upwardly from the wear strip body, the at least one screen assembly including a screen support with screening material and at least one hole in the support sized, configured, and located

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory shaker, the screen assembly including at least two screening members, and the at least two screen members connected by sewing material. In one aspect of such a screen assembly the sewing material is thread in a stitch pattern across the at least two screening members, a pattern of expandable material on and corresponding to the stitch pattern, and the thread passing through holes in the pattern of expandable material, the expandable material expanded within the holes following extraction of a needle therefrom, the needle used to apply the sewing material, to inhibit tearing of either of the at least two screening members between holes.

Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.

Abstract: A clamp system for releasably securing a screen to a vibratory separator apparatus, and methods of its use, and a plate for such a system, the clamp system having, in certain aspects, a plate for contacting a screen end of a screen to be mounted to a vibratory separator apparatus, the plate having a plate linear dimension and the screen end having a screen linear dimension, the plate having a plate body, a bolt with a first end extendable through the plate and a second end extendable through part of the vibratory separator apparatus, the bolt tightenable in place to hold the plate in position with respect to the screen and the vibratory separator apparatus, and the plate linear dimension substantially equal to the screen end linear dimension.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated screen comprising a screen portion having openings and an integral protector edge disposed about the periphery of the screen portion. This integrated screen protector edge can be utilized individually as the membrane support/flow field in an electrochemical cell or in conjunction with one or more subsequent screen layers. When utilized with subsequent screen layers, the integrated screen protector edge is disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the membrane assembly.

Abstract: A screen assembly and methods for using it, the screen assembly including, in certain aspects, at least two layers of screening material one on top of the other and including at least a first layer over a second layer, each layer having screen mesh with rectangular openings as viewed from above, the first layer having first rectangular openings, and the second layer having second rectangular openings, each of the first rectangular openings having a first width and a first length, and each of the second rectangular openings having a second width and a second length, the ratio of the first length to the first width ranging between 1.55 and 2.00, the ratio of the second length to the second width ranging between 1.55 and 2.00, the ratio of the first length to the second width ranging between 0.95 and 1.05, and the lengths of the first rectangular openings are parallel to lengths of the second rectangular openings.

Abstract: A method for separating fluid and fibrous lost circulation material from a mixture of fluid, drilled cuttings and fibrous lost circulation material, the method including introducing the mixture onto a screen assembly that has at least two layers of screening material and including at least a first layer over a second layer, the layers with rectangular openings, the first layer having first rectangular openings each having a first width and a first length, and the second layer having second rectangular openings each having a second width and a second length, the ratio of the first length to the first width ranging between 1.55 and 2.00, the ratio of the second length to the second width ranging between 1.55 and 2.00, the ratio of the first length to the second width ranging between 0.95 and 1.05, and the lengths of the first rectangular openings parallel to lengths of the second rectangular openings.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator has been invented, which, in certain aspects, has a ridge-valley series of undulating screening material with a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys of screening material, each of said ridges having two spaced-apart ridge ends, a ridge top and a ridge bottom, and each ridge end with a portion of screening material that tapers down from its corresponding ridge's ridge top to a level of screening material at its corresponding ridge's ridge bottom.

Abstract: Screens and screen assemblies for a vibratory separator or shale shaker, such screens and screen assemblies made by a method including applying glue in a glue pattern to at least one layer of screening material, said applying done by powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect moving with powered mechanical screen movement apparatus the at least one layer of screening material beneath the powered moving mechanical glue application apparatus; in one aspect, using hot melt moisture-curing glue, and in one aspect facilitating the cure of moisture-curing glue by applying moisture to it.

Abstract: A method for making a screen for a vibratory separator, the method including placing at least one layer of screening material below a glue application apparatus, the glue application apparatus including a main body and a plurality of movable glue nozzles movably connected to the body, applying with the movable glue nozzles an amount of glue, in a pattern to at least a portion of the at least one layer of screening material by moving the movable glue nozzles over the at least one layer of screening material. The method wherein the glue application apparatus includes at least one stationary glue nozzle secured immovably to the main body, the method including applying at least one shearable glue bead having a length to the screening material so that shearing the screening material along the length of the at least one shearable glue bead produces separate sections of the screening material.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly including a first screen assembly, a frame to which is mounted screening material, at least one seal member on the frame for sealing contact against a second screen assembly. A unibody structure for a first screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the unibody structure having an integral body member with a portion having a plurality of spaced-apart openings therethrough defining a pattern of a plurality of spaced-apart screening openings, the integral body member including side portions foldable to form a pair of spaced-apart integral side members, and at least one seal member on the integral body member for sealing contact of the unibody structure with another item.

Abstract: A screen includes two or three layers of woven metal screen cloth. The coarsest of these layers includes threads which are woven into the cloth with surfaces which are fusible below a temperature at which the other layers of screen cloth are heat effected. These woven threads may include each of the threads in the coarse screen cloth with the coated threads being wire with fusible polypropylene or polyethylene coatings. The coarse screen cloth may include a woven metal screen with woven elements which are either coated with fusible material or are solidly of fusible material woven periodically therethrough in at least one direction. Screens are laminated with one or two fine mesh screens heated on the woven screen cloth with fusible surfaces to locate the fusible material in the finer cloths.

Abstract: A method for flattening non-flat areas of screening material of a screen assembly, the non-flat areas of screening material between lines of glue gluing together a plurality of layers of screening material, the plurality of glued-together layers of screening material secured to a frame, the method including mounting the screen assembly on a vibratory separator, the vibratory separator located in an environment at an ambient temperature, vibrating the screen assembly with the vibratory separator for a period of time, feeding material to be treated onto the screen assembly, the material to be treated at a material temperature above the ambient temperature, the period of time of such a temporal length and the material temperature of such a temperature to effect flattening of the non-flat areas of screening material.

Abstract: There is provided a shale shaker having at least a base, a shaker screen, a basket, and a screen retainer for releasably mounting the shaker screen to the basket. The basket is mounted movably with respect to and on the base. The screen retainer has at least a cam surface and a tensioning device. The tensioning device has at least a bearing surface in contact with the cam surface, a spring responsive to the bearing surface, and at least one screen contact surface for engaging the shaker screen when the spring is placed in compression by the exertion of force by the cam surface on the bearing surface.

Abstract: A vibrating screen assembly having a tubular frame. The tubular frame includes a pair of opposed tubular sides and a pair of opposed tubular ends. An upstanding lip extending from each side and extending from each end forms a rim enclosure. A ledge extends inwardly from the opposed sides. A perforated plate with a plurality of screen cloths thereon is positioned within the rim enclosure and secured to a planar surface of the frame. A slot in the tubular sides and tubular ends forms a continuous channel and an elastomeric gasket is press fit into the slot and held therein without adhesives or fasteners.

Abstract: A module is provided for screening or diverting particulate material. A method for producing a module for screening or diverting particulate material is also provided. Each module comprises either a screening member having an array of sieve apertures of a predetermined size defined therein for allowing particulate material up to the predetermined size to pass through the module or a diverting member or redirecting the flow path of the particulate material. A plurality of posts removably and interlockingly supports at least one reinforcing support frame and at least one module. Each reinforcing support frame is interlockably mounted onto the posts, and is readily detachable therefrom. Each module is disposed on the interlocking posts and is mounted onto, and readily detachable from, the reinforcing support frame. Each module is further positioned on the frame such that any particulate material passing through the module passes through the frame.

Abstract: A unibody structure for a screen assembly for a vibratory separator, and screens with such a structure, the unibody structure having, in certain aspects, an integral body member with a portion having a plurality of spaced-apart openings therethrough, the integral body member including side portions foldable to form a pair of spaced-apart integral side members, the integral body member having a plurality of spaced-apart support openings defining portions of the integral body member foldable to form a plurality of spaced-apart supports extending from a first side of the integral body member to a second side thereof and each support of the plurality of spaced-apart supports independent of each other support of the plurality of spaced-apart supports along its length.

Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly having a first screen portion having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and a second screen portion formed integrally of or connected to the second end of the second screen portion. A screen assembly with a first portion of screening material and a second raised portion of screening material, the second raised portion extending from a material introduction end of the screen assembly to a material exit end thereof, the raised portion, in one aspect, culminating in an apex above the first portion of screening material.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly including at least one lower coarse screen member, at least one upper fine screen member above the at least one lower coarse screen member and fused with plastic to the at least one lower coarse screen member, and a strip member beneath and adhered to the at least one lower coarse screen member. In one aspect the strip member includes two side strips, two end pieces, and a plurality of spaced-apart strips parallel to the two side strips each with an end terminating at, in, or on each of the end pieces.

Abstract: A vibrating screen assembly of dissimilar materials. A frame is composed of a first material having a coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one screen cloth is composed of a second material. A ratio of the coefficient of thermal expansion first material to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material is greater than one.

Abstract: A tension fastener includes a quick release feature. In one embodiment, the fastener has a moveable feature that can be used to maintain a compression force on a coil spring of the fastener. In one embodiment, the moveable feature is a pair of arms attached to the quick release head. The fastener can be used in a manufacturing environment having sifting tables to attach a sifting screen to a frame of the sifting table.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator has been invented, which, in certain aspects, has at least two ridge-valley series of screening material with a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys of screening material, and at least one ridge-valley series of screening material offset from at least one other ridge-valley series of screening material. A screen assembly for a vibratory separator has been invented, which, in certain aspects, has at least one ridge-valley series of screening material, said ridge-valley series including a plurality of ridges each ridge between valleys of a plurality of valleys, and each ridge having a first end spaced apart from a second end, said first end having a top wider than a top of second end.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping an object to a structure, the device including a lever arm pivotally mounted relative to the structure, at least one member for urging one end portion of the arm in a direction to pivot the other end portion into engagement with the object, and an actuator supported by the housing and adapted to engage the one end portion of the arm to pivot the other end portion out of the engagement. The device is utilized to clamp a screen to a bed of a separator.

Abstract: A unibody structure for a screen assembly for a vibratory separator, and screens with such a structure, the unibody structure having, in certain aspects, an integral body member with a plurality of spaced-apart openings therethrough for sealingly abutting the shoulder support portion of an end of an adjacent screen defining fluid flow paths for screening and/or defining a plurality of spaced-apart supports for screening material, and the integral body member including side portions foldable to form one or two pairs of spaced-apart integral side members and/or the integral body member including two end portions foldable to form a pair of spaced-apart integral end members and/or a pair of spaced-apart ends. In certain aspects one of a pair of spaced-apart end portions is configured with a shoulder support portion and another end with a ledge portion.

Abstract: A seal for adjoining screen assemblies for vibrating machinery, where each screen assembly has a frame. The frame includes a planar surface. A perforated plate with a plurality of screen cloths thereon is secured to the planar surface of the frame. A first end of the frame has a seal shoulder. A second end of the frame has a seal bracket. The seal bracket of a first screen assembly engages a shoulder of a vibrating screen assembly to form a liquid seal between adjoining frames.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator has been invented, which, in certain aspects, has at least two ridge-valley series of screening material with a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys of screening material, and at least one flat area of screening material adjacent at least one of the ridge-valley series.

Abstract: A support strip has been invented for supporting part of a screen used in a vibratory shaker, the support strip having a support body having spaced-apart ends spaced-apart sides, and a top surface, and at least one hump, raised portion or upturned finger projecting above the top surface of the support body and a support beneath said at least one hump, etc. The support may be entirely beneath the hump, etc. or part thereof may project beyond the hump, etc. The present invention also discloses a variety of screens and screen assemblies with such structure.

Abstract: An assembly has been invented for a vibratory shaker for screening material flowing thereto, which according to certain aspects of the present invention has a panel with a plurality of spaced-apart holes therethrough, a plurality of strips spaced-apart thereon and defined by the plurality of holes, the strips in a first plane, a plurality of crossmembers each of which has two ends, one end connected to one of the strips and the other end connected to another strip, the crossmembers in a plane different from that of the first plane. In embodiments of a screen assembly according to the present invention, there is screening material on such a panel.

Abstract: A screen for a vibratory shaker for treating material flowing thereto, the screen in certain aspects having a lower support made of criss-crossed wires which define a plurality of spaced-apart holes through the lower support, the wires having top surfaces with a substantially flat portion, and screening material on the top surfaces of the wires.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including a plurality of superimposed screens, channels on the edges of the screen assembly, and a plurality of hollow plastic channeling strips fused into the plurality of superimposed screens. The hollow channeling strips may have metal rods therein, and the plurality of superimposed screens may be bonded to an apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of laying a plurality of plastic tubes into grooves of a fixture, superimposing the plurality of screens over the plastic tubes, and applying a heated platen to the screens to thereby cause the plastic tubes to fuse into the screens. The hollow plastic tubes may have metal rods therein, and the plurality of screens may be bonded to an apertured plate before the hollow plastic tubes are bonded to the screens.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a conventional vibratory screening machine includes an upper fine mesh screen which passes particles below a predetermined size and rejects particles above this size. A second or blinding screen, below the first screen, acts to dislodge particles caught in the mesh of the first screen. A load bearing assembly supports the first and second screens and includes a first support screen coarser than the screens above it, a perforate plastic mesh and a second support screen coarser than the first support screen. The assembly is placed in a heated press which softens the plastic and then bonds the screens together. In a second embodiment of the invention, an undulating screen assembly is bonded to a support which comprises one or more screens of coarser mesh.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sieve frame for plan sifters and also to a method of producing it. It is used mainly in plan sifters for milling. The object is to improve the functionality of an insertable sieve frame and to simplify production.

Abstract: A screen having a frame, three screen cloth layers and a laminating solidified layer with perforations therethrough. The screening layer of the screen cloth is typically of the finest mesh with increasing coarseness to the support mesh. The solidified layer is positioned by placement on the supporting mesh where it is fused to impregnate through each of the screen layers to form surfaces on either side of the lamination. A heat press is employed to so configure the solidified layer. A nonstick sheet between the screening mesh and the heat press molds texture into the surface of the solidified layer for reduced slippage of material being screened on the assembly. The screen lamination is stretched and bonded to a screen frame.

Abstract: A new screen has been invented for use with vibratory screening apparatuses which has, in certain aspects, a base, a first screen on the base, and a scalping screen on the first screen, the first screen assembly including a corrugated screen having alternating crests and valleys, and the second screen assembly secured to the crests of the corrugated screen, and cushion members disposed between the first and second screen assemblies, the corrugated screen of the first screen assembly having first end openings beneath valleys on two sides thereof, and end plugs within the first end openings to sealingly close off the end openings to fluid flow. The present invention has other embodiments disclosed herein from. A screening apparatus or shale shaker and methods of their use have been invented that use such screens.

Abstract: A clamp system has been invented for releasably securing a screen to a vibratory screen apparatus, the clamp system in one aspect having a front plate for abutting a portion of a vibratory screen apparatus, a first link movably connected to the front plate and having a first contact surface, a second link movably connected to the first link and having a second contact surface, a bolt with a first end projecting out beyond the second link and a second end projecting out beyond the front plate, the bolt tightenable in place by an adjusting nut on one end thereof, and the first link and the second link movable so that the first contact surface abuts the second contact surface and the links are then held releasably together.