Filter conveyor band for a continuously operating filter press

Claim 1

A filter conveyor band for a continuously operating filter press comprising a plurality of hingedly interconnected links, each link comprising a body having drainage grooves extending in the direction of movement of the band, means closing the rear end of each groove, each groove being open at its forward end and in a direction towards the rear face of the associated link, ribs extending longitudinally of the body and separating said grooves, each said ribs including a top surface and a forward end inclined forwardly of and away from the plane of the top surface of said ribs, said means closing the rear end of each groove having a rear drainage surface as regards the direction of movement of said band that is inclined substantially correspondingly to the inclination of the forward end of said ribs whereby said forward ends of said ribs cooperate with said rear drainage surface so as to at least approximately adjoin such rear drainage surface when the band is in a substantially straight condition and to define a gap which narrows in a direction away from the top surface of said ribs when the band is in curved condition, means defining a drainage channel at the rear face of each link, said drainage channel including a portion widening in the direction of the rear end of each such link, said rear drainage surface of each link opening into said drainage channel thereof, each drainage channel being equipped at the forward end thereof, as regards the direction of movement of the band, with narrowing guide shoulder means which protrude into the widened portion of the drainage channel of the next forwardly disposed link.