Filter belt and press

Claim 2

An endless filter belt with a front filtering face and an opposite back face comprising multiple strip elements assembled to extend in a row extending the length of the belt, said strip elements extending transversely of said row, registering apertures in said strip elements extending through the elements, at least one elongate continuous strand extending through said apertures and constructed and arranged to flexibly support the strip elements, the strip elements further comprising first fluid channel means between adjacent elements recessed into at least one of said elements and extending the length thereof, escape passage means between adjacent elements in fluid communication with the front face of the belt and providing a path for the flow of fluid from the front face of the belt into said first channel means, and second fluid channel means located at each set of ends of adjacent elements in fluid communication with said first channel means and constructed and arranged to discharge fluid from said opposite back face.

Claim 3

The endless filter belt of claim 1, wherein said adjacent strip elements have margins extending along their length adjacent the front face of the belt formed with intermeshing teeth, and said escape passage means is defined between said teeth.

Claim 4

The filter belt of claim 2, wherein said escape passage means is constructed and arranged to have an increasingly larger size progressing from said front face to said first fluid channel means.

Claim 5

A filter press comprising an elongate endless filter belt having a front filtering face and an opposite back face, and means mounting the belt including spaced rolls training the belt with the reach of the belt traveling between said rolls, means forming a processing chamber with said front face and said reach of the belt where a fluid mixture to be filtered is compressed including an inlet for the supply of fluid mixture to the processing chamber, said belt comprising multiple strip elements assembled to extend in a row extending the length of the belt, said strip elements extending transversely of said row, registering apertures in said strip elements extending through the elements, at least one elongate continuous strand extending through said apertures and constructed and arranged to flexibly support the strip elements, the strip elements further comprising first fluid channel means between adjacent elements recessed into at least one of said elements and extending the length thereof, escape passage means between adjacent elements in fluid communication with the front face of the belt and providing a path for the flow of fluid from said front face to said first channel means, second fluid channel means located at each set of ends of adjacent elements in fluid communication with said first channel means and constructed and arranged to discharge fluid from said opposite back face, said press further including a collection chamber adjacent said back face of the belt for collecting fluid discharged from said back face.

Claim 6

A filter press comprising an elongate endless filter belt having a front filtering face and an opposite back face, and means mounting the belt including spaced rolls training the belt with the reach of the belt traveling between said rolls, means forming a processing chamber with said front face and said reach of the belt where a fluid mixture to be filtered is compressed including an inlet for the supply of fluid mixture to the processing chamber, said belt comprising multiple strip elements assembled to extend in a row extending the length of the belt, said strip elements extending transversely of said row, registering apertures in said strip elements extending through the elements, at least one elongate continuous strand extending through said apertures and constructed and arranged to flexibly support the strip elements, the strip elements further comprising first fluid channel means between adjacent elements recessed into at least one of said elements and extending the length thereof, escape passage means between adjacent elements in fluid communication with the front face of the belt and providing a path for the flow of fluid from said front face to said first channel means, second fluid channel means located at each set of ends of adjacent elements in fluid communication with said first channel means and constructed and arranged to discharge fluid from said opposite back face, said press further including a collection chamber adjacent said back face of the belt for collecting fluid discharged from said back face.

Claim 7

The filter press of claim 4, which further comprises means for directing a washing fluid against the front face of the belt where said belt travels over at least one of the rolls training the belt.