Filter press

Claim 1

A filter press comprising: a. a longitudinal rectangular frame (11) to each side of which are supports (12) for holding filter plates (13); b. a plurality of vertically disposed filter plates (13) having a projecting portion (30) with sliding means (14) for free movement along said supports (12); c. sliding link means (16) at the sides of said filter plates (13) coupling said filter plates for movement towards or away from each other; d. hydraulic cylinder means horizontally disposed, coupled to said filter plates to push them together or pull them apart; e. a filtrate recess portion (20) in said filter plates at one surface, with filtrate passages (21) at the bottom, a sealing diaphragm (22) at the other surface, and a hollow (26) in said recess portion (20); f. a mouthpiece (25) for each of said filter plates for entering said hollow, said mouth piece having a flat fitting portion (27) that fits in said hollow (20), a pipeline portion (66) opposite said projecting portion (30) of the respective filter plate with a corresponding pipeline aperture (32) and, guide means (35, 36) to couple the pipeline portion aperture (32) and the projecting portion apertures (32) so as to form a pipeline when said filter plates are pressed together, a lower projecting portion (41) under the projecting portion (30) with an opening (42), a filtrate conduit (43) leading to said opening (42) from said filtrate passages (21) so that when said openings (42) are pressed together a discharge line is formed and the filtrate can be discharged from one end of the line; g. pressure water feed means (46) coupled to said filter plates (13) to feed water under pressure to said diaphragm; and, h. roller means for passing an endless filter cloth (51) along a travel path over and under said filter plates (13), with filter cloth cleaning means (65) along said travel path.