IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE LIQUID PARTS AND RETAINING THE SOLID PARTS OF ANY SEMI-IIQUID SUBSTANCES
Year: 1867

page_text: ETTERS
PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes
and Son, Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE LIQUID
PARTS AND RETAINING THE SOLID PARTS OF ANY SEMI-IIQUID SUBSTANCES."--.
A communication from abroad by Pierre du Rieux and Edouard Roettger,
of Lille. in the Empire of France, Civil Engineers.
Sealed the 30th August 1867, and dated the 2nd March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd March 1867.
I, EDWARD THOMAS. HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent
Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE
LIQUID PARTS AND RETAINING THE SOLID PARTS OF ANY SEMI-LIQUID SUBSTANCES,'
(a communication to me from abroad by Pierre du Rieux and Edouard
Roettger, of Lille, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineers,) to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to filtering presses where the solid parts of semi-liquid
substances are separated from the liquid or moist parts thereof by the said
semi-liquid substances being introduced under pressure into one or more
chambers between plates, or slabs, or boards having grooves or other channels
formed in them and covered with cloth or other textile material, the pressure

page_text: of the semi-liquid substances causing the liquid parts thereof to pass through
the cloth and run off along the grooves or channels on the slabs or plates, whilst
the solid parts of the said semi-liquid substances remain in a cake between the
said cloths and may be removed on separating the said slabs or boards. An appli-
cation of the above mode of expressing liquid or moisture from substances was
patented in Great Britain on July 14th, 1853, No. 1669, by William Needham
and James Kite, the younger.
These improvements as communicated to me consist in an improved con-
struction and arrangement of parts of filtering presses whereby a more efficient
working is obtained, and all danger of the machine exploding under pressure
is avoided, and the operations of filtering the liquid parts and caking the solid
parts of semi-liquids may be conducted with more speed, regularity, safety, and
efficiency.
According to these improvements instead of using grooved slabs, boards,
or plates the filtering chambers are casts of a cylindrical shape, so as to
present a uniform resistance to the pressure within. The said filtering
chambers or frames consist of a circular rim or ring the central portion of
which is provided with a series of bars cast with the rim, but narrower than
the rim, so that when a certain number of the said rings or circular frames
with their gratings are secured together face to face they will form (wo series
of chambers, the one composed of gratings and the second of hollow spaces
between the said gratings equal in width to the difference between the width
of the grating and the width of their surrounding rings. On each side of the
said gratings are attached perforated metal plates, and over these plates are
one or more cloths or other filtering medium, which may be secured to the
ring or rim of the frame either by means of a metallic ring taking into a
groove on which the cloth is tightened so as to be easily removed with the
said ring, or by forming the rim of the frame so that the cloth may be secured
thereto without injury by a cord or rope, which at the same time ensures its
contact with the surface of the metallic perforated plate over the grating.
Through the upper part of each rim of the circular frames is an aperture or
channel, which channels when the circular frames are secured together face to
face communicate one with the other throughout the entire length of the
machine, and also with the spaces within and between the said frames. The
continuous channel formed by the said apertures communicates externally by
cocks and pipes or other similar means with the machinery used for forcing
in the semi-liquid substances to be operated upon, and it is preferred that the
semi-liquid substance should be forced into the apertures by means of the
direct pressure of steam acting in a "monte jus" or juice elevator.
The

page_text: circular frames are each provided with side projections or arms, which rest
upon the longitudinal bars of a supporting frame, and the circular frames
when in position are closed before and behind by strong metallic circular
plates, the inner surfaces of which are formed with gratings and parts similar
to those of the inner circular frames, so as to complete the chambers of the
adjoining frames next to them. One of the said end plates is supported by a
standard resting on the ground, and by means of lugs cast on its sides supports
partly the two horizontal bars running longitudinally along the frames, which
frames rest upon the said bars by means of their above-mentioned arms or
projections. The bars pass through corresponding lugs on the sides of the
front end plate to a second standard or support, where the two bars are
joined together by means of a cross beam extending across the end plate; a
similar cross beam joins together the said bars behind the back end plate.
Between the front end plate and the cross beam and front support is a
moveable block, which block by a screw in the front support may be made to
press against the front end plate, and thus firmly tighten together all the frames
between the two end plates. On slightly loosening the said screw the
intermediate block falls and releases the frames, which may be readily separated
as required. The frames may be made to join tightly by means of india-
rubber rings inserted round the rims in conical grooves, or by forming on the
rims deep cylindrical grooves, or in any other convenient manner. The frames
having been properly tightened together the semi-liquid substance to be
operated upon is forced into the apparatus, passing through the channel'in
the rims of the frames, and enters the spaces enclosed between the said frames.
The liquid parts pass through the cloth or filtering medium to between the
gratings of the frames, whence they flow off through suitable channels or pipes
cast under the said gratings, and the solid parts of the said semi-liquids
accumulate outside the cloths and form solid cakes, which when the framés
are separated fall to the ground and may be removed. The under channels
for the outlet of the liquid may be provided with stop-cocks to stop off the flow.
of liquid from any compartments when from any cause the liquid ceases to:
be clear.. Sometimes besides. the above-mentioned aperture or channel for the
introduction of the semi-liquid matters into the filtering press two additional
apertures or channels may be formed in the rim of the frames, giving access
alternately to the compartments next each other, so as alternately to admit
water under pressure of steam or gas into the channels in order to cause the
water to traverse the matters in the frame spaces and to pass in different
directions as required, so as to wash out perfectly the said matters, the said
additional channels or apertures being provided with suitable cocks outside

page_text: the filtering press.
Sometimes in each circular frame of the filtering press a
double-jointed bottom actuated by hydraulic pressure is used to reduce the
thickness of the matters inserted:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by. Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of March, in the year of our Lord.
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Thomas Hughes, Her special licence that I, the said
Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors; administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE LIQUID
PARTS AND RETAINING THE SOLID PARTS OF ANY SEMI-LIQUID SUBSTANCES." a
communication to me from abroad by Pierre du Rieux and Edouard Roettger,
of Lille, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineers, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors or administra-
tors, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to filtering presses where the solid parts of semi-
liquid substances are separated from the liquid or moist parts thereof by the

page_text: said semi-liquid substances being introduced under pressure into one or more,
chambers between plates, or slabs, or boards. having grooves or other channels
formed in them, and covered with cloth or other textile materiál, the pressure-
of the semi-liquid substances causing the liquid parts thereof to pass through
the cloth and run off along the grooves or channels on 'the' slabs or plates
whilst the solid parts of the said semi-liquid substances remain in a cake'
between the said cloths, and may be removed on separating the' said slabs or
boards.
An application of the above mode of expressing liquid or moisture from
substances was patented in Great Britain on July 14th, 1853, No. 1669, by;
William Needham and James Kite, the younger.
These improvements, as communicated to me, consist in an improved con-
struction and arrangement of parts of filtering presses whereby a more-
efficient working is obtained, and all danger of the machine exploding under.
pressure is avoided, and the operations of filtering the liquid parts and caking
the solid parts of semi-liquids may be conducted with more speed, regularity,,
safety, and efficiency.
According to these improvements, instead of using grooved slabs, boards, or
plates the filtering chambers are cast of a cylindrical shape so as to present
an uniform resistance to the pressure within. The said filtering chambers or
frames consist of a circular rim or ring, the central portion of which is pro-.
vided with a series of bars cast with the rim, but less wide than the rim, so
that when a certain number of the said rings or circular frames with their
gratings are secured together face to face they will form two series of
chambers, the one composed of gratings, the second of hollow spaces between
the said gratings equal in width to the difference between the width of the
gratings and the width of their surrounding rings, On each side of the said,
gratings are attached perforated metal plates, and over these plates are one or
more cloths or other filtering medium, which may be secured to the ring or
rim of the frame either by means of a metallic ring taking into a groove on
which the cloth is tightened so as to be easily removed with the said ring, or
by forming the rim of the frame so that, the cloth may be secured thereto.
without injury by a cord or rope, which at the, same time insures its contact
with the surface of the metallic perforated plate over the grating. Through
the upper part of each rim of the circular frames is an aperture or channel,
which channels when the circular frames are secured together face to face
communicate one with the other throughout the entire length of the machine,.
and also with the spaces within and between the said frames." The continuous
channel formed by the said apertures communicates externally by cocks and

page_text: pipes or other similar means with the machinery used for forcing in the semi-
liquid substance to be operated upon, and it is preferred that the semi-liquid
substance should be forced into the apparatus by means of the direct pressure
of steam acting in a "monte jus" or juice elevator. The circular frames are
each provided with side projections or arms, which rest upon the longitudinal
bars of a supporting frame, and the circular frames when in position are closed
before and behind by strong metallic circular plates, the inner surfaces of
which are formed with gratings and parts similar to those of the inner circular
frames so as to complete the chambers of the adjoining frames next to them.
One of the said end plates is supported by a standard resting on the ground,
and by means of. lugs cast on its sides supports partly the two horizontal bars
running longitudinally along the frames, which frames rest upon the said bars
by means of their above-mentioned arms or projections. The bars pass through
corresponding lugs on the sides of the front end plate to a second standard or
support, when the two bars are joined together by means of a cross beam
extending across the end plate, a similar cross beam joins together the said
bars behind the back end plate. Between the front end plate and the cross
beam and front support is a moveable block, which block by a screw in the
front supports may be made to press against the front end plate, and thus
firmly tighten together all the frames between the two end plates. On slightly
loosening the said screw the intermediate block falls and releases the frames
which may be readily separated as required. The frames may be made to
join tightly by means of india-rubber rings inserted round the rims in conical
grooves, or by forming on the rims deep cylindrical grooves, or in any other
convenient manner. The frames having been properly tightened together the
semi-liquid substance to be operated upon is forced into the apparatus passing
through the channel in the rims of the frame and enters the spaces enclosed
between the said frames; the liquid parts pass through the cloth or filtering
medium to between the gratings of the frames, whence they flow off through
suitable channels or pipes cast under the said gratings, and the solid parts of
the said semi-liquids accumulate outside the cloths and form solid cakes, which
when the frames are separated fall to the ground and may be removed. The
under channels for the outlet of the liquid may be provided with stop-cocks
to stop off the flow of liquid from any compartment, when from any causes
the liquid ceases to be clear. Sometimes besides the above mentioned
aperture or channel for the introduction of the semi-liquid matters into the
filtering press two additional apertures or channels may be formed in the rim
of the frames, giving access alternately to the compartments next each other
so as alternately to admit water under pressure of steam or gas into the

page_text: channels in order to cause the water to traverse the matters in the frame
spaces, and to pass in different directions as required so as to wash out per-
fectly the said matters. The said additional channels or apertures, being
provided with suitable cocks outside the filtering press. Sometimes in each
circular frame of the filtering press a double jointed bottom, actuated by
hydraulic pressure, is used to reduce the thickness of the matters inserted.
Having now described the nature of this Invention as communicated to me,
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the
means adopted in carrying the same into effect.
In Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings Fig. I. represents a side
elevation of a filtering press constructed according to this Invention; Fig. II.
is an end elevation of the same, and Fig. III., a plain of the same; Fig. IV.
is a front view of one of the grated rings or circular frames, which when
they are secured together face to face form the filtering chambers; and Fig. V.
is a transverse section of Fig. IV. Similar letters of reference refer to like
parts in all these Figures.
A', A, are two strong metallic circular plates, closing the ends of a series
of grated rings or circular frames B, B, which by means of side lugs or
projections b, b, rest upon the side bars C, C. The said side bars C, C', pass
through projections a¹, a³, on the plates A', A, and are secured at one end to
the cross bar D, and at the other end to the cross bar D', the said cross
bar D¹ being carried by the standard E, and the cross bar D being supported
by the bars C, C', passing through the projections a' of the plate' A', which
said plate A¹ is carried by the standard a. The cross bar D is provided with
a powerful screw d, actuated by a lever D, which said screw d may be made
to press against the moveable block D which is capable of motion on its
axis D', so that when brought into the position indicated in the Drawing it
fills up the space between the plate A2 and screw d, and the action of the
said screw d presses the said plate A against the circular frames B, B, and
secures the series tightly together. The frames B. B. forming the filtering
chambers are shewn separately at Figs. IV. and V. They consist each of a
circular rim or ring B; the central portion of which is provided with a grating
of bars B', B', cast with the rim B or attached thereto. The said bars
B', B', are less wide than the rim B, so that when a certain number of the
said rings or circular frames B with their gratings B₁ are secured together face
to face they form two series of chambers, the one series composed of the
gratings B', the second of the spaces B2, B². Through the upper part of
each rim B is an aperture or channel I', which channels when the circular
frames are secured together face to face communicate one with the other

page_text: throughout the entire length of the machine, and also with the spaces B³, B³,
within and between the said frames. The continuous channel formed by the
said apertures 11 communicates externally by means of a cock H and pipe I
with the monte jus or juice elevator, or other machinery used for forcing
in the semi-liquid substance. The inner surfaces of each of the metallic end
plates A, A, are formed with a grating of bars similar to the bars B', but
closed externally so as to complete the chambers of the adjoining frames B.
On each side of the grating of bars B' of the circular frames B, and over the
bars of the plates A1, A2, is attached a perforated metal plate, and over the
said perforated plates are one or more woollen, hempen, cotton, or other
suitable cloths which may be secured in the following manner:-P, P,
Fig. V., are metallic rings which fit into circular recesses or grooves P¹
(Fig. IV.) on each side of the frames B; the said grooves P¹ are suffi-
ciently large to admit the ring with the cloth over it. A circular piece
of cloth of rather larger diameter than the ring P, and surrounded by
a hem containing a cord or string, the ends of which cord or string,
pass out of the hem is spread over the ring P, and the ends of the string
or cord being drawn tight and tied secure the said cloth over the ring;
the ring is then inserted into the groove P¹, and secured in position by
screws, the heads of which screws project on one side only, so that by turning
the said screws half round their projecting heads may be brought over the
ring P to fix it in position, or may be moved from off the ring to release it.
Another mode of attaching the cloths over the metal perforated plates
according to this Invention is to take two cloths of the diameter of the
outside of the frames B with a hole made in each of the said cloths corres-
ponding in shape and position with the apertures 1', the said cloths being
connected together by a hempen or other tube, in length equal to the thick-
ness of the rim B, and sewn round the said holes; one of the said cloths
is passed through the aperture 1, and both cloths are then spread over
each face of the frame, and may be tied over the rim by strings attached to
each cloth. In this case as the cloths cover the parts where the rims join
it is preferred to insert in the said rims india-rubber rings covered with cloth
to preserve the said cloths, but other well-known appliances may be used
for preventing the cloths from becoming injured at the parts where the frames
join. It will be seen that each frame B requires two cloths or a double cloth,
and each end plate A', A2, one cloth. In some cases wire gauze may be
substituted for other cloths. N are channels communicating with the spaces
between the bars of the frames B, B, and plates A', A2; they are closed
behind by plugs N', which may easily be removed to enable the channels N

page_text: to be cleaned, and in front the channels N may be provided with cocks or
taps G, G; M is a cock communicating with the channel I', the cock M
is provided with a movable plug M¹ giving access to the channel I'; S is a
cock through which water may be introduced into the machine; R is the
bed plate upon which the machine rests. The working of the filtering press
is as follows: The cloths over the face of each frame having been suitably
spread and secured as above described the frames B, B, are placed upon
the bars C, C¹, and between the end plates A', A*. The block D is now
raised to occupy the space between the end plate A2 and the screw d, and the
said screw d is screwed up by means of its lever D³, and tightly presses and
secures together the series of frames B, B, and plates A1, A2. The cock H
is now gently opened, and the semi-liquid substance to be operated upon is
forced into the press, passing through the channels I to the chambers or
spaces B between the frames. The liquid parts pass through the cloths to
between the bars B¹, whence they flow out through the channels N and
cocks G and G, and may be collected in a vessel 0. Should the spaces
between the bars be full the liquid would flow along a groove round the
frame to the bottom and channel N. The solid parts of the said semi-liquid
substances are arrested by the cloths and form cakes in the chambers between
the frames. When the liquid parts cease to flow in consequence of the
cakes becoming too hard the cock H may be closed and water introduced by
the cock S in order to carry off the remaining liquid. By opening the cock M
the liquid filling the channels I may be driven out by steam.
The operation
being ended the screw d is loosened, the intermediate block D³ falls, and the
different frames and plates may be separated one from the other, when the
cakes will fall down under the machine and may be removed.
In Sheet 3 of the accompanying. drawings Fig. I. represents a side
elevation of a filtering press constructed according to this Invention, and
exhibiting the mode of applying hydraulic pressure to reduce the thickness"
of the cakes produced; Fig. II. is a front elevation of the
same; and
Fig. II., a plan of the same; Fig. IV. is a front view of the frames
separately; and Fig. V. is a sectional view of a combined frame with its
double-jointed bottom. Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all
these Figures..
The frames B, of which there may be any suitable number, are mounted
and arranged in series in a similar manner to the frames B above described
in reference to Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings. In this
present case each filtering frame B is combined with a double-jointed bottom
enclosed in the rings A, A, and acting on the surface of each frame B. The

page_text: moveable double bottom in the rings A, A, are composed of sheet-iron discs
A' (Fig. V.), mounted on india-rubber or gutta percha rims, which said rims
are forced against the smooth inner surface of the ring A by an annular or
other suitable spring. Upon each of the said discs A7, and separated there-
from by a number of small pieces of flat iron, is rivetted a perforated disc of
sheet iron A8. The space A between the two discs A' is nearly entirely
filled with a wooden or other disc; which prevents the discs A' from retiring
beyond certain limits. B. A', (Fig. IV.) is a channel or passage extending
throughout the whole length of the rings A and frames B, and communicating
with the spaces A, Fig. V., by the passage A, Fig. IV. On the right side
of each frame and ring is a channel B³, A, extending along the entire length
of the press, and communicating by means of the passages B5, with the
inner spaces behind the cloths of the frames B, in order to introduce thereto
when required a current of water for the purpose of washing or cleansing
the cloths and parts of the machine or the cakes produced. The surfaces
of the perforated discs A and plates B7 are covered with cloths, as above
described. The inner parts of the frames B are grooved circularly, as shown
Figs. IV. and V., the said grooves serving as channels for the flow of liquid
to the outlet passages Bº. A are outlet passages for the liquid passing
through the cloths spread over the perforated plates A; C, C, are the bars
upon which rest the frames; G, G', are the cocks to the outlet pipes or
channels A, B; H is a cock through which the semi-liquid substance enters
the machine and passes to the frames through the channels A¹, B¹; V, V₁,
are cocks at the ends of the passages A, B, and A3, B³, respectively. The
action of this filtering press is as follows:-The different parts having been
secured properly in position the cock H is opened, and the semi-liquid
substance from the monte jus or other forcing apparatus passes through
the passages A', B', to the spaces X between the frames, the liquid parts
passing through the filtering cloths and flowing off through the passages
A, B, and the solid parts thereof forming in the chambers X cakes which
press upon and push back the discs A. When the liquid ceases to flow the
cocks G are closed, and water or steam is introduced through the passages
A3, B3, and B, the said water or steam passing through the cakes carries off
more liquid and flows off through the passages A° and cocks G¹. When the
cakes have been washed the cocks G are again opened, and water under
pressure is forced into the chamber A2 through the passages A*, B*, and A5,
the pressure of the said water pushes forward the pistons A', which compress
the cakes at X, and force out all the remaining liquid they may yet contain.
When the hydraulic pressure is terminated the frames are separated, and the

page_text: cakes fall under the machine. The filtering press may then be closed again
and set to work, when the pressure of the semi-liquid substance will force
back the pistons A7, and the water contained in the spaces A will flow off
through the cock V which is left open for the purpose. The parts of this
last filtering press not particularly described are similar to those already
described in reference to Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Having now described the nature of this Invention as communicated to
me, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
well understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, as the same
may be varied without departing from the nature of this Invention; but what
I claim as the Invention is, the particular arrangement and construction of
filtering presses, as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say,-
Firstly, the construction and arrangement of the grated circular frames
and end plates, and the mode of introducing the semi-liquid substance to the
filtering chambers through apertures made in the rim of each frame, the said
apertures forming a continuous channel throughout the length of the press
in communication with each filtering chamber, substantially as described
and represented.
Secondly, the mode of securing the cloths over the surfaces of the frames,
substantially as described.
Thirdly, the intermediate moveable block D³ and the single screw d for
tightening together or releasing the frames, substantially as described and
represented.
Fourthly, the mode of applying hydraulic pressure to filtering presses in
order to compress the cakes produced from the semi-liquid substances
operated upon, and the mode of washing and cleansing the said cakes,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. I., II., III., IV., and V. of
Sheet 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this 2nd day of September, in the year of our
Lond 100M