Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
Apparatus for separation of solids suspended in a liquid, comprising: (a) a liquid receiving basin; (b) a plurality of plate packs positioned within said basin, said plate packs including a plurality of inclined parallel plates therein defining a plurality of parallel inclined flow passages therebetween; (c) an inlet distribution means for directing liquid to be treated into said basin and upwardly through said flow passages; (d) an elongated collector trough means secured to each of said plate packs in covering relationship to the upper portions thereof, said collector trough means having a floor and upstanding sidewalls, said floor having means defining a plurality of orifices formed therein in communication with said flow passages for directing clarified liquid upwardly therethrough into said collector trough means; (e) an elongated outlet trough means extending transversely with respect to said collector trough means for receiving clarified liquid from said collector trough means and directing same from said basin wherein said collector trough means has an outlet opening formed therein in fluid communication with said outlet trough means ; and (f) said collector trough means having first end portions releasably secured to a sidewall of said basin and second end portions releasably secured to said outlet trough means such that each collector trough means and corresponding plate pack may be individually removed from said basin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
Apparatus for separation of solids suspended in a liquid, comprising: (a) a liquid receiving basin; (b) a plurality of plate packs positioned within said basin, said plate packs including a plurality of inclined parallel plates therein defining a plurality of parallel inclined flow passages therebetween; (c) an inlet distribution means for directing liquid to be treated into said basin and upwardly through said flow passages; (d) an elongated collector trough means secured to each of said plate packs in covering relationship to the upper portions thereof, said collector trough means having a floor and upstanding sidewalls, said floor having means defining a plurality of orifices formed therein in communication with said flow passages for directing clarified liquid upwardly therethrough into said collector trough means; (e) an elongated outlet trough means extending transversely with respect to said collector trough means for receiving clarified liquid from said collector trough means and directing same from said basin wherein said collector trough means has an outlet opening formed therein in fluid communication with said outlet trough means ; and (f) said collector trough means having first end portions releasably secured to a sidewall of said basin and second end portions releasably secured to said outlet trough means such that each collector trough means and corresponding plate pack may be individually removed from said basin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second end portions of said collector trough means have the outlet opening formed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said outlet trough means is positioned within said basin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said collector trough means has an adjustable weir means extending between the sidewalls thereof for controlling the liquid level therein, said weir means being positioned inwardly of said outlet ooening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet distribution means is an inlet distribution trough means positioned within said tank extending transversely with respect to said packs and is suspended from and is positioned below said outlet trough means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wheren said plate packs have sidewalls between which said parallel plates extend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sidewalls being formed by a plurality of interconnected panel members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said panel members have a plate receiving recess formed therein for receipt of an edge portion of a corresponding plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein each of said panel members have an inwardly extending connecting leg formed along one edge thereof and a connecting leg recess formed along the other edge thereof for receipt of a connecting leg of an adjacent panel member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the upper portions of said panel members are secured to a corresponding collector trough means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein portions of the lower portions of said panels are cut-away for directing the liquid to be treated therethrough into said parallel flow passages.