Abstract: A press for pressing liquid from thin layers of liquid-containing masses including a frame, first and second spaced fixed platens on the frame, a movable platen between the first and second fixed platens for dividing the press into first and second operating sections, first and second bag-carrying frames in the first and second operating sections, first and second series of racks on the first and second bag-carrying frames, first and second series of bags interspersed with the first and second series of racks, the bags having downwardly converging side seams from open tops, pivot means mounting the first and second bag-carrying frames for pivotal movement between first positions wherein the bags have their open tops facing upwardly and second positions outside of the frame where the bags have their open tops facing downwardly, and motor mechanism for selectively moving the movable platen toward and away from each of the fixed platens.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the separation of filter plates within a filter press for washing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide track having mounted thereon a slidably reciprocal carriage. The carriage includes multiple pivoted pawls having an abutment surface defined thereon for contacting a filter plate to be transported. The pawl is held in a raised orientation by a resilient spring means. The carriage is driven along the guide track by a pressure displaced piston in a rodless cylinder or tubular member. Positioned within the tubular member are two pressure chambers, one on each end of the piston. Pressurized fluid is controlledly introduced into one or the other of those chambers to effect a displacement of the piston. A pair of shifter carriages are provided at the top of and parallel to the filter stack. A plate washer includes a vertical pair of rodless cylinders connecting a pair of vertically movable cross-bars, each cross-bar mounting a series of wash spray nozzles.

Abstract: A filter press cloth hanger for a filter press comprising two arms joined at their upper ends by a pivot bolt which extends through platelike members welded to the tops of the arms. Each arm is similar in construction and comprises the hollow tubular outer wall in which slides a spring loaded rod. The rod carries at its lower end outside the arm a latching plate, which has a keyhold aperture, designed to fit over the end of a suspension member for a filter plate. The rod carriers at its free end within the hollow tubular outer wall, a stop member, which is screwed to the end of the rod and prevents the rod from being completely withdrawn from the tube. The stop is also profiled to prevent rotation of the rod within the arm and bears on one end of a compression spring which biases the rod in the arm. The pivot bolt carries a roller, which can run along a support bar, extending the length of the side bar filter press on which the hanger is to be used.

Abstract: To ensure that a web (11) of filter material is properly passed between filter plates (25) of a filter stack (23), without skewing, which might cause leakage along the edges of the filter plates, the web is guided to the filter plates by guide rollers and, after being received from the stack of plates, passed over an inclined deflection edge (13) on a deflection element or rod, located at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the edge of the essentially rectangular plates, so that the run-on and run-off surfaces of the web will form a web deflection angle (.alpha.) of about 90.degree., and a web plane diversion angle (.beta.) of 0.degree.. A plurality of deflection rod groups may be used, guiding webs alternately, for example, for example, to the right or left after having passed through a stack, or permitting passage of the webs through an additional stack (FIG. 13) since, upon passage about the deflection rods, the orientation of the surfaces of the filter web is reversed.

Abstract: A chamber filter press including frameless chamber plates covered on both sides with filter clothes stretched thereover, wherein two adjacent chamber plates contact each other with an outer, continuous clamping rim and define a filter chamber, consisting of a central filter cake compartment lying between the filter cloths and two outer filtrate compartments lying between the plate and the filter cloth. Repressing devices for the filter cake are arranged in the zone of at least one of the two filtrate compartments of each filter chamber. The repressing devices are fashioned as distensible cushions suspended within at least one filtrate compartment of each filter chamber at the adjoining chamber plate by marginal suspension strips which keep open, at least at the lower edge of the distensible cushion. A liquid passage is provided between the half of the filtrate compartment on the filter cloth side and the half on the plate side.

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: The invention relates to an improvement of the construction of filter plates which are mounted on a filter press. The filter plates comprises a frame (1), a flat filtrate drainage guide member (3, 41, 52) disposed in the frame (1), and a supporting member (5, 5d, 40, 48, 53) for movably supporting the filtrate drainage guide member in the frame (1). The filtrate drainage guide member (3, 41, 52) can be prevented from being broken if filtration pressure applied to one face of the filtrate drainage guide member (3, 41, 52) of the filter plate (2) is much different from that applied to the other face of the filtrate drainage guide member (3, 41, 52) because the filtrate drainage guide member (3, 41, 52) is movably provided in the frame (1).

Abstract: A system of continuously and efficiently separating liquid from sludge is disclosed which includes two parts, the mixer conditioner and the rotary drain. The two parts are virtually always used together. The mixer conditioner may include an adjacent vertical receiver which may serve to extend residence time. The receiver, if used, is connected at the bottom to the tangential inlet line to the mixer conditioner. This inlet line provides the means for circulation therethrough the watery sludge to which has been added a flocculant in a gentle manner so as to cause mixing while not causing shearing. A slow moving horizontal impeller operates to maintain the spiraling motion initiated at the tangential inlet. The outlet, also tangential, delivers to the rotary drain. The rotary drain is a compartmentalized cage that is decreasingly baffled from compartment to compartment.

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: There is disclosed a filtering method comprising using a filter-press-type device in the chambers whereof filtering means divide a compartment for material to be filtered from a filtrate-collecting compartment, compressing the possibly-washed material to be filtered by reducing the volume of the compartments for material to be filtered, discharging washing solute and filtrate which have passed through the filtering means, and dismantling said filter-press. The method makes use of filter means which are resistant and undistortable under the method conditions, and retains the filtering means in a relative position to the filtering chamber axis which is identical during all the filtering steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the separation of filter plates within a filter press is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide track having mounted thereon a slidably reciprocal carriage. The carriage includes at least one pivoted pawl having an abutment space defined thereon for contacting a filter plate to be transported. The pawl is held in a raised orientation by a resilient spring means. The carriage is driven along the guide track by means of a pressure displaced piston mechanically associated therewith. The piston is housed within a tubular member. Positioned within the tubular member are two pressure chambers, one on each end of the piston. Pressurized fluid is controlledly introduced into one or the other of those chambers to effect a displacement of the piston. The pressure cylinder is of the type generally designated a rodless cylinder.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel filter press comprising a filter chamber wall adapted to be axially displaced for exposing a plurality of filter units contained in the filter press. A certain clearance is provided between the substantially circular filter units and the interior wall surface of the housing or casing, the latter being sealed only adjacent its ends in cooperation with respective end walls. The sealing surfaces are disposed at locations away from the areas coming into contact with the filtering residues on evacuation and cleaning of the filter chamber. A particularly advantageous embodiment of a rotor for a filter press of this type is composed of rotor disks each comprising two axially displaceable rigid pressure plates which are prevented from being rotated by a hub disk interposed therebetween and non-rotatably mounted on the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering primary dewatered sludge pieces conditioned with dewatering powders comprises: a first member having a recess and a path communicating with the recess, a fluid-tight diaphragm mounted over the recess thereby defining a fluid chamber with which the path communicates, a second member having a filtrate member, and a filter member provided over the filtrate chamber. At least one of the first member and the second member is mounted to bring them into fluid-tight contact with each other, and the primary dewatered sludge pieces into a cavity defined by the diaphragm and the filter member. A pressure fluid then is fed to the fluid chamber, thereby isostatically compressing the primary dewatered sludge pieces to remove the water contained therein without substantially destroying the inner structures of the primary dewatered sludge pieces. Because of this isostatic pressure exerted by the diaphragm, the sludge pieces are compressed highly uniformly, resulting in high dewatering efficiency.

Abstract: A method for dewatering slurry product streams of a corn wet milling process is disclosed. The dewatering process uses an automatic pressure filter to perform the dewatering. The filter is operated at 4 to 20 bars pressure for about 5 to 25 minutes. Such filter is shown to have an improved efficiency over conventional mechanical filtering devices.

Abstract: A filter press with central suspension of filter plates (5) is provided with a guide which ensures a flush alignment of adjacent filter plates, said guide lying outside the area affected by the filter medium, being integrated in a space-saving manner into the filter press, and permitting a certain amount of twisting or other overall adjustment of the filter plate package. For this purpose, the guide device is disposed on the filter plate suspension (9, 10, 18, 25) and is composed of at least one guide rod (19, 20) which is flexible to a limited elastic degree, and runs along guide members (1,2), and of at least one guide element (21, 22) for each filter plate (5) fitting around guide rod (19, 20), said elements being disposed on yoke piece (25) which supports rollers (19, 10) of the filter plate suspension.

Abstract: A device for use in combination with a plate-type liquid filter apparatus for extracting sheets of filter media from between adjacent plates is disclosed. The device comprises a series of horizontal trays connected to a frame and adapted to support sheets of filter media extending from an adjacent multi-plate filter apparatus. A contact bar is provided for and extends transversely to each sheet. All contact bars are connected at their opposite ends to a pair of vertical drive bars which are attached to drive chains that move the drive bars in a generally rectangular path so that the contact bars are first moved downward in unison to make frictional contact with the media sheets, then forwardly to move the sheets along on their support trays, then upwardly out of contact and back to the starting point on each extraction cycle.

Abstract: The chamber filter press has chambers, which in each case include a hollow space for receiving pulp as well as a hollow space for receiving filtrate on the one or the other side of a filter medium and can be opened after the filtering operation for removal of the filter cake from the respective filter medium as well as from the respective hollow space for receiving pulp. The hollow spaces for receiving pulp are in each case provided with a rotatable as well as an axially displaceable rotor for agitating the pulp, as well as for kneading the filter cake with stirring and compression during the filtering operation and for compressing as well as removing the filter cake after the filtering operation. The chambers can be opened for the simultaneous removal of the filter cake by means of the rotors from the hollow spaces for receiving pulp of all chambers, or first from those of one end and then from those of a second group of chambers simultaneously or simultaneously in each group.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing cake deposits from the surface of filter cloths within a filter press is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rod for suspending the cloth in a substantially inverted "V"-shaped configuration. The cloth is then slackened by lowering a rod over which the cloth is folded. The rod is then suddenly forced upwardly under the driving force of a loading means. The rod draws the cloth to a taut, tensioned condition, imparting a whip-like motion to the fabric of the filter cloth. This imparted motion serves to disengage the cake from the filter cloth.

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 filter cloth hanging apparatus for a filter press, including a set of first and second support arms attached pivotally to each side face of each of filter plates, a spring attached to each of the first and second support arms, a set of first and second horizontal rods extending between opposite side faces of each of the filter plates through the springs, and a filter cloth attached, at its opposite ends, to the first and second horizontal rods and brought into contact, at its central portion, with a bottom face of each of the filter plates such that the first and second support arms are pivotally coupled with each other between each pair of adjacent ones of the filter plates.

Abstract: A washing apparatus for filter presses which is used for washing filter cloths on filter plates upon completion of filtration comprises a carriage disposed above the filter plates, a pantograph attached to the carriage, a fluid cylinder having its rod connected to the intermediate pivot of the pantograph, a washing liquid spraying pipe connected to the lower link overlap region of the pantograph and having nozzles, multiple extensible pipes disposed between the carriage and opposite sides of the pantograph attaching region of the washing liquid spraying pipe for holding the washing liquid spraying pipe horizontal, and a flexible conduit connected to the washing liquid spraying pipe and adapted to move to follow the expansion and contraction of the pantograph.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus, comprising two endless filter belts (1, 5) parallel to each other over one strand from a point where they come together, then moving away from each other over the remaining strand, a pair of facing plates (P1 to P10) between which the parallel strand passes, a mechanism (27) for temporarily moving the plates (P1 to P10) towards each other until the belts (1, 5) are clamped together for temporarily immobilizing the belts, a first means (2) for increasing the path of travel of the belts (1, 5) between the point where they come together and the pair of plates at the moment when the mechanism (27) immobilizes the belts by clamping them, and a second means (18, 23) for reducing the path of travel of the belts, at this same moment, between the point where they move away and the point where they come together.

Abstract: Automatic plate separation in filter presses is effected by a carriage (6) which is reciprocated to and fro adjacent a stack of plates (1). The carriage (6) has means for engaging the first and second plates in the stack and for urging them apart so that as the carriage is retracted to remove the first plate (1a) from the stack, the second plate (1d) is urged against the stack to ensure that the plates are moved one at a time.

Abstract: A filter press tray separating device has a latch and a pawl for engaging neighboring plates to be separated from the end of a pack of plates and means for separating the pawl from the latch while they engage respectively the end and next-to-end plates of the pack so that the separating force exerted by the pawl on the end plate is matched by an opposite reactive force exerted by the latch on the next-to-end plate, the device including means for disengaging the latch and pawl when a plate has been separated and for repositioning it at the next pair of plates to be separated. The latch and the pawl are both carried by a movable carriage means that moves along a stationary frame that extends along the longitudinal axis of the pack of plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to filter presses comprising a frame 5 controlling the displacement of means for extracting the filter cake between a position of filtering and a position of cleaning, said frame 5 being formed of at least two posts 6, 7 mounted slidingly in guide means 8, 9 provided on the lateral edges of each plate 1, 2 and which carry at their free ends crosspieces, one of which has two lateral fingers 13, 14, cooperating with a control bar 15, 16 which is actuated by control means adapted to displace the unit of filter frames.

Abstract: A filter press including a plurality of filter plates, a pair of filter cloths disposed at opposite faces of each of the filter plates, a wind-up device for winding up the pair of the filter cloths, a guide member having a pair of curved guide surfaces formed at its opposite side edges, respectively and a pair of guide rollers. The pair of the filter cloths are guided downwardly by the guide member and the pair of the guide rollers so as to be wound up by the wind-up device such that the pair of the filter cloths are bent inwardly toward each other at the pair of the curved guide surfaces of the guide member, respectively.

Abstract: A filter cloth oscillating apparatus for a filter press wherein the filter cloth generally suspended over springs from a filter cloth hanging rod extending laterally perpendicular to the direction in which filter plates are opened to oscillate the rod and cloth to shake off and filter cake adhering thereto has a drive unit and crank mechanism mounted on a moving bed for moving the upper portion of a filter press horizontally, an oscillating head and actuator therefor, and by means of a plurality of guide members for oscillating the head vertically as well as horizontally. The oscillating head is lowered and raised pneumatically so that in the covered position it can engage with and oscillate the filter cloth hanging rod.

Abstract: A plate filter comprises a plurality of shiftable filter plates and first and second deflecting rolls carried on opposite sides of each filter plate. The axes of consecutive first deflecting rolls lie alternatingly in a first plane and in a second plane spaced from one another. A filter cloth is guided in a zigzag course between consecutive filter plates by the first and second deflecting rolls. A first sprocket is affixed to each first deflecting roll and a second sprocket is mounted on each first deflecting roll for free idling rotation. First and second spaced, elongated, oppositely driven chains are respectively trained in a zigzag course in an alternating sequence about first and second sprockets of first deflecting rolls belonging to consecutive filter plates. The first and second chains are in meshing relationship with the first and second sprockets about which the chains are consecutively trained.

Abstract: A filter press of the type having a multiplicity of filter plates adapted to be sequentially separated from one another, one or more at a time, to allow removal of cakes from filter cloths between each two adjacent plates. A pair of filter cloths covering the opposed surfaces of each two adjacent plates are supported by support means adapted to allow up and down movement of the cloths between the two plates when separated from each other. Drive means for moving the cloths upwardly comprise a filter-cloth suspension-bar driving mechanism adapted for ready engagement with and disengagement from a filter-cloth suspension bar to which are secured the upper ends of the cloths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filter press in which between a pair of heads a plurality of filter plates are connected to one another by loose connecting means. In the improved apparatus, the heads are both movable so that the filter plates may be moved in sequence, simultaneously from both end sides, toward the center to close the intervals therebetween or away from the center to provide intervals therebetween, whereby the time required in assembling and separating the filter plates can be considerably reduced. When the filter plates in assembled state, if one of the heads is pressed, while the other head is placed under action of stoppers, the filter plates are vigorously tightened by a cylinder having a shorter stroke than that in the prior-art apparatus.

Abstract: A filter cloth arrangement for use in a fixed filter cloth type filter press including at least one pair of first and second filter plates and a pair of first and second filter cloths interposed between the first and second filter plates. The arrangement includes a support member for supporting upper ends of the first and second filter cloths, an elastic member for vibratingly supporting the support member, a fixing member for fixing lower ends of the first and second filter cloths to it, and a first slurry feeding plate attached to the first filter cloth.

Abstract: A filter press comprises a main frame having upper side bars for movably supporting a plurality of plates in horizontally stacked relation. The plates are moved to open the filter press by plate transporting trolleys which are supported on the upper side bars. Light emitters are mounted at one end of the press on each side bar and light detectors are mounted at the opposite end of the press on each side bar and are aligned to receive light from the light emitters. Shutters are coupled to the plate transporting trolleys such that the light from the light emitters is normally blocked by the shutters. The shutters are opened for a brief period of time when the plate transporting trolleys are moved into engagement with one of the filter plates such that plate engagement signals are generated by the light detectors.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and displacing the plates of a filter press, one by one, is provided with a rail mounted above and extending along the length of the press on which a trolley is supported. The trolley is movable reciprocably along the rail by an endless envelope change drive, entrained with a sprocket wheel fixed on a shaft, journalled in the trolley. A separating device is supported in the trolley for movement reciprocably perpendicular to the direction of movement of the trolley toward and away from the filter plates. The separating device is connected to the sprocket shaft so that rotation of the shaft lifts or lowers a separating wedge relative to the filter plates separating the first of the filter plates and enabling the trolley to displace it alone.

Abstract: A filter press separates a raw liquid into a filtrate and a filter residue. The filter press includes a plurality of filter residue separating members each composed of a pair of confronting members between which a slit passage for passing a filter cloth is formed, and each provided between a pair of spaced support frames fixed to a lower portion of each filter plate, while a wedge-like edge portion is formed at the upper edge of one of the confronting members of the filter residue separating member for smoothly separating the filter residue from the filter cloth without any damage to the surface of the filter cloth.

Abstract: A plate-type filter press having a cleaning truck movable in the direction of movement of the slidable filter plates embodies a drive and a pusher adapted to be brought into engagement with the filter plates. The cleaning truck has a releasable brake and the pusher is extensible by the drive in the direction of movement of the filter plates.

Abstract: The upper ends of filter cloths attached to two adjacent filter plates are connected to a filter medium hanger suspended from suspension arms pivotally mounted on one of the filter plates in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. Arm rests for supporting the suspension arms are provided on the other filter plate in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. When the filter plates are moved from their closed state for filtration to their opened state upon completion of filtration, the suspension arms, tilting as supported by the arm rests, are caused to vibrate, thereby accelerating the stripping of the cake which has accumulated on the filter cloths connected to the filter medium hanger.

Abstract: A device for moving filter plates from one end of a filter press to the other end, includes carriages which selectively couple to each of the plates and which are driven to slide along the frame members of the press by a hydraulic motor. A control means is provided to control the operation of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A filter press having a plurality of plates adapted to be arranged in abutting relationship in an operating position and to be separated from the operating position for cleansing, replacement or the like, having a pair of first and second reciprocable conveyors arranged respectively along opposing side edges of the plates. Each of said first and second conveyors carry first and second members respectively for engaging the plates selectively during movement of said conveyors, so that when moved in one direction each of the first conveyors and first engaging members act to move the first of said plates from the operating position while each of the second conveyors and second engaging members when moved in an opposite direction act to retain the second of the plates in the operating position.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting used portions of filter media sheets from between vertically stacked and separated plates of a liquid filtering apparatus and for simultaneously advancing fresh portions of the filter media sheets from supply rolls into the space between the vertically separated plates comprises a plurality of vertically arranged clamps on the downstream side of the filter plates adapted to engage and firmly grip the opposite lateral edge portion of the sheets, the clamps being mounted on a carriage which is reciprocated through a linear generally horizontal stroke.

Abstract: The filter-press includes a framework having vertical guides. On the upper ends of the vertical guides is horizontally secured a stationary thrust plate. On the same vertical guides are horizontally mounted a movable pressure platen connected with a reciprocating drive and being capable of vertically moving along said guides, as well as filter plates and frames disposed above each other between the thrust plate and the pressure platen, with the frames being located each between the neighboring filter plates. Each filter plate has vertical side boards, a sieve fixed on the upper butt ends of the side boards and a sieve fixed on the lower butt ends thereof. Mounted on the side boards between the sieves is a horizontal partition dividing the inner space of the filter plate into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. Between said frames and filter plates is passed in zigzags an endless filter band connected with a stepping drive and running round each filter plate from above and from below.

Abstract: A filter press comprises a series of plates and frames separated by filtering sheets into which a liquid to be filtered can be fed via at least two inlet pipes. An outlet pipe is provided to enable filtrate to egress from the press leaving the filtered residue behind in the frames. In order to clean the press, valve means are provided to close off the outlet pipe and to isolate the inlet pipes from each other. A cleaning liquid can then be fed into one of the inlet pipes to pass into the frames and flush out the filtered out residue therefrom via the other inlet pipe.

Abstract: The filter press includes pressing members for pressing the liquid out of a slurry of a solid in a liquid to form a solid cake. The pressing members are then separated to drop the cake through open diverter doors. The pressing members are washed after the diverter doors are again closed.The diverter doors are pivotally mounted with one diverter door having a portion thereof overlapping the top of the other diverter door in the closed position. Means are provided for pivoting the overlapping diverter door from the closed position in a first rotational direction and then in the opposite rotational direction while simultaneously pivoting the other diverter door in said first rotational direction.

Abstract: The feeding device includes elastically deformable material which is deformed when compressed. Upon release of the compression, the material returns to its original shape thereby releasing potential energy to dislodge any cake tending to stick to the bottom of the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vertical filtering device comprising a framework containing a plurality of horizontal superimposed filtering units, movable means for supporting the filtering units, the latter comprising each a movable frame with an inlet for the slurry to be filtered, a movable plate for the filtrate and an endless movable filtration band supported by two side rollers and extending between said frame and said plate, said supporting means being arranged so as to keep the filtering units stacked against each other during the filtering operation and so as to allow the parts of the filtering units to become spaced apart from each other when the filtration cakes have to be discharged.

Abstract: A filter press includes a plurality of filter elements (filter plates and filter frames) supported in the press stand for displacement along the length of the press. A guide roller is supported on each filter element alternatingly at opposite sides thereof. A continuous filter cloth is trained about each guide roller for guiding the filter cloth in a zigzag course between all adjoining filter elements. At least some of the guide rollers are directly driven by a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism has a sprocket drivingly connected with each driven guide roller and having a rotary axis in alignment with the rotary axis of the associated driven guide roller and a guide wheel mounted on each filter element which supports a driven guide roller. Each guide wheel has a rotary axis spaced parallel from the rotary axis of the respective sprocket.

Abstract: A plate filter press has a horizontal guide carrier extending in the length dimension of the plate filter press; a plurality of vertically oriented filter plates shiftably supported on the guide carrier; and a filter plate shifting apparatus for individually displacing the filter plates from a closed side towards an open side of the press. The filter plate shifting apparatus has a motor driving a traveling carrier element and filter plate engaging elements mounted on the traveling carrier element. There is further provided a displacement sensor for emitting signals in response to the motion of the filter plate engaging elements and a monitoring and control device connected to the displacement sensor for receiving its signals for determining the position of the successive traveling paths of the filter plate engaging elements with respect to the guide carrier to determine the required displacement characteristics for each filter plate.

Abstract: An automated plate and frame type of pressure filter comprises a plurality of vertically superimposed horizontal shells, each vertically adjacent pair of which having a horizontal filter media belt sandwiched therebetween. All shells but the bottom shell are movable vertically by a pair of lift cylinders to separate opposed pairs and allow the filter belts to be indexed horizontally for cleaning. On completion of the belt cleaning cycle, the shells are pressed together by the double-acting lift cylinders which temporarily over-compress seals on the edges of the shells, allowing a structurally reinforced mechanical locking system to engage which opposes and resists the substantial shell-separating forces generated by the subsequently applied filtration pressure.

Abstract: A squeeze-filter plate for use in such a filter press as to squeeze a cake of solid substances which is built up within a filtration room defined between the squeeze-filter plate and a filter plate adjacent thereto. The squeeze-filter plate is composed of a diaphragm means having a central portion and an outer peripheral portion, and a frame for supporting the diaphragm means. The outer peripheral portion has at least one structure for discharge a filtered liquid from the surface of the diaphragm to a passage in the frame. This structure is constituted by at least one aperture defined in the outer peripheral portion having a solid plug portion positioned therein and at least one socket member housed in the aperture for defining at least two discharge passages each of which guides a filtered liquid from one of the surfaces of the central portion to the passage in the frame without clogging occurring therein.

Abstract: A filter press provided with a spray cleansing device of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,042 granted Aug. 15, 1978 to wash filter plates of the press disposed in a stack on horizontal guides in which the spray device comprises a support frame which moves along the stack of plates on the horizontal guides. Two branch conduits of the device are fitted with nozzles and surround a plate being washed to spray wash the plate simultaneously from both sides. The specific improvement in the present invention comprises a novel spray water catch basin which has a width more than twice the spacing between the branch conduits. Movable segments on both sides of the catch basin are provided which may be pivoted about a perpendicular axis to adapt the catch basin to many locations along the filter press.

Abstract: A filter press of the type having a multiplicity of filter plates adapted to be sequentially separated from one another, one or more at a time, to allow removal of cakes from filter cloths between each two adjacent plates. A pair of filter cloths covering the opposed surfaces of each two adjacent plates are supported by support means adapted to allow up and down movement of the cloths between the two plates when separated from each other. Drive means for moving the cloths upwardly comprise a filter-cloth suspension-bar driving mechanism adapted for ready engagement with and disengagement from a filter-cloth suspension bar to which are secured the upper ends of the cloths.