Patent ID: 7396472

Claim:
A filter plate assembly, comprising: a first filter plate having a first surface; a second filter plate having a second surface facing said first surface, said first and second filter plates movable along a first axis between an open position and a closed position relative one another, wherein in said closed position an interior portion of said first surface is spaced from an interior portion of said second surface to define therebetween a filter chamber having a chamber width between said first and second surfaces and a perimeter surrounding said first and second surfaces; wherein said filter plate assembly is capable of creating a seal between said first filter plate and said second filter plate, thereby defining a sealed section of said perimeter, said sealed section extending a length less than an entire length of said perimeter such that said filter plate assembly also defines an open section of said perimeter, said open section being sized and shaped to permit particulate cake to be removed from said filter chamber when said first and second plates are contacting one another or spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to said chamber width; and a closure configured to be movable along a second axis that is generally perpendicular to said first axis between a first position closing said open section and a second position not closing said open section, said closure further being capable of sealing said open section of said perimeter in said first position.