Patent ID: 7314141

Claim:
A belt for use with an apparatus for effecting separation of liquid from solids or solids from liquids comprising: a first side ( 60 ); a second side ( 61 ); a middle portion ( 64 ) coupled between said first side and said second side and wherein said middle portion is configured to fold to allow side first side and said second side to become oriented in a vertical plane near one another wherein said belt is not damaged when folded about said middle portion when said middle portion is driven into a nipping zone ( 63 ); said first side, said second side and said middle portion configured into a single endless belt ( 58 ); said first side, said second side and said middle portion configured from porous material; and, said middle portion configured from a material more pliable than said first side and said second side wherein said first side and said second is configured to deflect partially toward a vertical orientation when placed in a horizontal orientation in a cantilever test rig and wherein said middle portion is configured to deflect virtually fully to said vertical orientation when placed in said horizontal orientation in said cantilever test rig.