IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTER PRESSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Browne, of the Firm of Browne and Company,
Patent Agents, of 5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTER PRESSES." A com-
munication from abroad by George Bourdon, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 30th August 1878, and dated the 5th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Browne at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1878.
ALEXANDER BROWNE, of the Firm of Browne and Company, Patent Agents, of
5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS.
IN FILTER PRESSES." A communication from abroad by George Bourdon, of Paris,
France.
In order to facilitate the management of the filter frames, they are suspended
by brackets and rollers on bars or rails, and for taking the frames apart for removal
of the press cakes a mode is devised for one man to do this work where two have
hitherto been required, all as herein-after described.
Each filter frame is fitted with a cock below, and there is a gutter or trough
below them for receiving the fluid expressed. There is space below the gutter for a
small cask to be passed under it, and the gutter has an outlet cock. The end
frame of the filter press carries a central inlet cock. The "follower" is so connected
to the opposite end frame that it can be pushed or drawn in one direction or the
other by means of a fly wheel and screw or screws, thus tightening the filter
frames together or releasing them.
According to one arrangement a screw with fly wheel is placed on each side of
the press, and works freely in the end frames; or one central screw may be fixed to
a movable part connected to the end frame by two links which can be made to
incline when the frames are to be cleaned; or a right and left handed screw placeḍ
crosswise and having two nuts, to which respectively are on one side connected by

page_text: a link with the "follower," and on the other side connected with the end frame
by a link, these links being operated knuckle-joint_fashion. The "follower" is
guided by a bar working through the outer end frame, and forming the bearing for
the screw. A ratchet lever and ratchet on the screw spindle serves to give the
final pressure for bringing the frames tightly together, but a fly wheel or handle
may be used for turning the screw quickly. Two rails are by preference arranged
above the filter frames on each side, and fastened at each end to the end frames,
thus the filter frames 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 slide on two of the rails, and the frames 2, 4,
6, 8, and 10 on the two other rails. The rollers may thus be of large size to run easy;
but two rails may be used instead of four, or even one rail may be used. The
rollers are keyed on to the spindles, going right across the press, and formed with a
square end for putting on handle. The spindles run in brackets on the filter frames.
To disengage a filter frame it is only necessary to unkey the roller on one
end of the spindle, and cause the spindle to move (the other roller being
keyed on).
The weight of the filter frame is such as to prevent slip of the rollers on the rails.
To save expense the rollers of each frame may be supported on two rods, supported
on the upper part of the frame, thus saving the brackets.
Although rollers works by spindles and handles have here been described, other
means for moving the filter frames may be used. For instance, chains or ropes
fixed to each filter frame and winding round a drum or pulley for the workmen to
successively draw the filter frames, and for replacing them on the rails by turning
the drum; or a longitudinal spindle may be used, having cams for successively
detaching the frames and turned by handles or otherwise.
The filter frames may, according to this Invention, be as follows:-In order to
clean the filter cloths or filter mats it is necessary to convey water or steam behind
them. For this purpose the frames are provided each with a central hole at their
upper part, and with a conical tube projecting on one side, and a corresponding
conical recess on the other. Each hole communicates by a small groove with the
grooved side of the filter frame, and by a small hole through the frame with the
other side. By means of steam or water connection to the first filter frame, the fluid
is made to percolate through all, entering the grooves and passing behind the cloths
or mats, and cleaning them completely.
Opposite the steam or water cock is fixed a cock for the escape of the air
imprisoned in the filter press.
According to another improvement, the ordinary outlet tap is replaced by a valve
with screw spindle, having cone point with a passage horizontally through, closed
outside by a screw plug, and the frame peirced throughout its width by a hole, the
other end of which is closed by a screw stopper. By unscrewing this latter and
the screw plug in front of the valve, a rod may when required be introduced for
cleaning, this also allows the outlet cocks or valves to be placed at, either side of the
filter press.
In order to get the press cakes out entire, the press may be made vertical, the
press frames above, and the follower with screw gear for working it below.
The frames have their lugs gliding on four press bars, uniting the top frame with
the bottom frame. The fluid runs off by a central tap below. The press cakes are
taken off sideways on to shelves in the proper heights on a movable receiver. The
filter frames may each be fitted on the sides with pieces which take into notches
mounted on springs, and movable by means of cranks or levers, all the frames rest
thereon and are detached therefrom, one after another, from below, falling down by
their own weight. Springs may be arranged to take the shock of the falling
frames.
Certain matters cannot be filtered except under heat; for these cases the
grooves of the plates are replaced by pipes in juxtaposition for steam to circulate
through.
. When operating on acid matters, the parts of the press coming in contact there-

page_text: with are coated with hot paraffin, thus dispensing with galvanizing, which is very
expensive.
The ordinary filter cloths or bags rapidly deteriorate under the influence of acid,
but according to this Invention they are made of amianth or other acid-resisting
material, or wire gauze of very fine wire, two pieces placed against each other, and
the space between filled with some textile substances, especially jute.
For a systematic or gradual filtration for glairy and difficult materials, the filter
press is so arranged that each outlet top from the adjoining filter frame enters
between the two cloths, the liquid thus being filtered a second time, or as many times
as desired.
To ascertain the pressure applied, a small notch is made in one of the spindles,
supporting the rollers (running on the rails), in which works a fork which by a
lever turns a dial hand. As the pressure increases the groove changes position by
the slight turning of the spindle.
Instead of the joint rings on the cloths, a small cloth sleeve may be sewn in
between the central opening in the two filtering cloths or mats through the filter
frame. The central opening is thus quite closed.
One side of the filtering frame is made with a projecting ring, and the other with
a corresponding groove. These frames thus fit tightly together.
In taking the frames apart a loss of liquid occurs; this is proposed to be remedied
by putting the press cakes on wire gauze covered with a filtering face, or on an
iron plate inclined against a tap hole closed by wire gauze covered with cloth,
thus the escaping fluid is separated from the cakes, and can be recovered in a
vessel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Browne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
September 1878.
ALEXANDER BROWNE, of the Firm of Browne and Company, Patent Agents, of
5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FILTER PRESSES." (A communication from abroad by George Bourdon, of Paris,
France.)
In order to facilitate the arrangement of the filter frames, they are suspended by
brackets and rollers on bars or rails, and for taking the frames apart for removal of
the press cakes a mode is devised for one man to do this work, where two have
heretofore been required, all as hercin-after described.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a filter press arranged
according to this Invention.
Each filter frame A is fitted with a cock b below, and there is a gutter or trough c
resting on brackets d on the frames E, E', below; for receiving the fluid expressed,
there is space below the gutter for a small cart to be passed under it, and the
gutter c has an outlet cock or tube at one end; F is the bed plate of the press.
One end frame E of the filter press carries a central inlet cock G. The follower A¹11
is so connected to the opposite end frame that it can be pushed or drawn in one
direction on the other by means of a fly wheel and screw or screws, thus tightening
the filter frames together or releasing them.
According to one arrangement, as shewn in Figure 1, a screw J with fly wheel H
is placed on cach side of the press and works freely in the end frames, or one central
screw may be fixed to a moveable part connected to the end frame by two links,
which can be made to incline when the frames are to be cleaned. Two rails n are
by preference arranged above the filter frames on each side, and fastened at each
end to the end frames E, E; thus the filter frames 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 slide on two of
the rails, and the frames 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 on the two other rails; this will be under-
stood by reference to Figure 2, which is an end or face view of a frame A; the
rollers m may thus be of large size to run easy. But two rails may be used instead
of four, or even one rail may be used. The rollers m, m', are keyed on to spindles p,
going right across the press and formed with square end for putting on handle q.
The spindles run in brackets L on the filter frames A. To disengage a filter frame
it is only necessary to unkey the roller on one end of the spindle p, and cause the
spindle to move (the other roller being keyed on).
The weight of a filter frame A is such as to prevent slip of the rollers on the rails.
To save expense the rollers m of each frame may be supported on two rods, supported
on the upper part of the frame, thus saving the brackets L.
Although rollers worked by spindles and handles have here been described, other
means for moving the filter frames may be used, for instance, ratchets and levers
fitted to the roller spindles or chains or ropes fixed to each filter frame, and winding
round a drum or pulley for the workman to successively draw the filter frames and
for replacing them on the rails by turning the drum; or a longitudinal spindle
may be used, having cams for successively detaching the frames, and turned by
a handle or otherwise.
The filter frames may according to this Invention, and as shewn at Figure 2,
be as follows: In order to clean the filter cloths or filter mats, it is necessary to
convey water or steam behind them. For this purpose the frames are provided each
with a central hole d at their upper part a, and with a conical tube projection on
one side, and a corresponding conical recess on the other, as shewn also in side view
at Figure 3, the projection of one fitting in the recess of the other; each hole com-
municates by a small groove, shewn in dotted lines in Figure 2, with the grooved
side of the filter frame, and by a small hole a¹ through the frame with the other

page_text: side. By means of steam or water connection to the first filter frame, the fluid is
made to percolate through all, entering the grooves and passing behind the cloths
or mats, and cleaning them completely.
Opposite the steam or water (cock is fixed a cock for the escape of the air
imprisoned in the filter press.
According to another improvement the ordinary outlet tap is replaced by a
valve with screw spindle M, having cone point, as shewn at Figure 2, with a pas-
sage horizontally through, closed outside by a screw plug M, and a frame pierced
throughout its width by a hole, shewn in dotted lines, the other end of which is
closed by a screw stopper M", by unscrewing this latter and the screw plug M¹ in
front of the valve, a rod may when required be introduced for cleaning; this also
allows the outlet cocks or valves to be placed at either side of the filter press; a
gutter, like c, Figure 1, may be placed at each side.
Figure 4 represents another arrangement of filter press, and Figure 5 is a plan of
same drawn to a larger scale. All the frames A are mounted by means of rollers m,
and are provided with holes a, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, for
cleaning the filter mats or cloths. L is the steam or water cock for this purpose.;
J, J¹, is a screw with right and left handed screw thread, placed crosswise, and
having two nuts K and K, Figure 5, which respectively are connected, one on one
side with the follower A, by means of the link Z and Z', and on the other side
with the end frame E', by means of similar links Z, Z', these links being operated
knuckle-joint fashion by the nuts K, K', and screw J, J'. The follower A111 is
guided by a bar V working through the outer end frame, and forming the bearing
for the screw J, J. A ratchet lever T and ratchet S, S', on the screw spindle J, J¹,
serves to give the final pressure for bringing the filter frames A tightly together,
but a fly wheel H or handle is used for turning the screw J, J¹, quickly.
In order to be able to get the press cakes out entire, the press may be made
vertical; an arrangement like this is illustrated by Figure 6, the press frames A are
above, and the follower A with screw gear for working it below. The frames
have lugs as shewn gliding on four press bars, uniting the top frame with the
bottom frame. The fluid runs off by a central tap R below. The press is operated
by hand wheel ratchet lever, links, and screw as described with reference to
Figure 5. The press cakes are taken off sideways on to shelves in the proper
heights on a moveable receiver. The filter frames may each be fitted on the sides
with pieces which take into notches mounted on springs, and moveable by means of
cranks or levers; all the frames rest thereon, and are detached therefrom, one after
another, from below, falling down by their own weight. Springs may be arranged
.to take the shock of the falling frames. This arrangement produces an automatic
detachment of the frames, and forms one part of this Invention.
Certain matters cannot be filtered except under heat. For those cases the grooves
of the plates are replaced by pipes in juxtaposition for steam to circulate through.
This heating of the frames in manner just described, or by other means, forms part
of this Invention.
When operating on acid matters the parts of the press coming in contact there,
with are coated with hot paraffin, thus dispensing with galvanizing, which is very
expensive.
The ordinary filter cloths.or bags rapidly deteriorate under the influence of acid,
but according to this Invention they are made of amianth or other acid-resisting
material, or wire gauze of very fine wire, two pieces placed against each other, and
the space between filled with some textile substance, especially jute, which resists
the action of alcalies better than other textile substances. The employment of these
novel filter cloths forms a part of this Invention.
For a systematic or a gradual filtration for glairy and difficult materials, the filter
press is so arranged that each outlet tap from an adjoining filter frame enters
between the two cloths, the liquid thus being filtered a second time or as many
times as desired.

page_text: To ascertain the pressure applied a small notch is made in one of the spindles
supporting the rollers (running on the rail) in which works a fork. which by a
lever turns a dial hand. As the pressure increases, the groove changes position by
the slight turning of the spindle. This arrangement forms part of this
Invention.
•
Instead of the joint rings on the cloth, a small cloth sleeve may be sewn
in between the central openings in the two filtering cloths or mats through the
filter frame; the central opening is thus quite closed. This arrangement forms
part of this Invention.
·
One side of a filtering frame is, according to this Invention, made with a pro-
jecting ring, and the other with a corresponding groove; these frames thus fit more
tightly together than it is possible with plain surfaces.
In taking the frames apart a loss of liquid occurs; this.is, according to this
Invention, proposed to be remedied by putting the press cakes on wire gauze
covered with a filtering face, or on an iron plate inclined against a tap hole, closed]
by wire gauze covered with cloth. Thus the escaping, fluid is separated from .the
cakes, and can be recovered in a vessel.
Two filter presses may, according to this Invention, be combined in-one, by com-
bining two sets of filter frames in one structure, so that while one set is working
the other is being cleaned. For this purpose it is only necessary to interpose?
between the two series of plates a division plate with which communicates
a pipe for carrying away the liquids; this pipe has two branches and a
cock for conducting the liquid from the right-hand set of filter plates, or the
left-hand set.
:
By means of a fluid jet introduced behind the filter, cloths, these may be rinsed. 2
For this purpose a pipe forming a rail is employed, which communicates with a
force pump or steam pipe, and has a series of branches with hose pipes and hose
screws and cocks, so that water or steam can be forced from it into the interior of
each filter plate, and thus cleanse the cloths.
The rails on which the rollers of the filter frames run may be square, and the 3
rollers formed with flanges or bushes which can be exchanged.
The filter frame joints may be 'made with lead, paper, or other suitable packing
material. The filter frame may be made of compressed paper.
And having thus fully described and' ascertained the nature of this Invention, I
declare that I claim,-
Firstly. The mode of suspension of the filter frames by brackets and rollers which
can slide on round or square rails, as set forth.
Secondly. The mode of moving the filter frames by means of handles or ratchets
and levers on the spindles of the rollers, as set forth, for detaching the filter frames
from one another.
Thirdly. The employment of a central screw, as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourthly. The cleaning of the filter cloths and frames, substantially as set forth,:
and the employment of a discharge cock for the escape of the air which is compressed
during such operation.
Fifthly. The arrangement, substantially as herein described, permitting the liquid
discharge cock to be placed on one side or the other of a filter frame.
Sixthly. The employment of ratchet and lever in connection with right and left.
handed pressing screw, as set forth.
Seventhly. The arrangement of and in connection with a vertical press, as;
described, for the purpose of obtaining the press cakes whole.
Eighthly. The employment of paraffin for the parts of the press in contact with
the liquid acids, as set forth.
Ninthly. The employment of metallic and other alkaline liquid-resisting filter
cloths.
Tenthly. The doing away with the central joint rings, the substitution of cloth 5
sleeves between the filter frames, as set forth,

page_text: Eleventhly. The process, substantially as described, for separating the press cakes
and for collecting the liquid expressed.
Twelfthly. The mode of forming joints for the filter frames, as set forth.
Thirteenthly. Heating the filter frames, for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenthly. Indicating the pressure employed, as described.
Fifteenthly. The mode and means for producing a systematic or repeated
filtration. in one filter press for liquids difficult to filter, substantially as set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Browne, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ALEX. BROWNE. (L.S.)

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