Patent ID: 7998354

Claim:
A method of filtering, comprising: forming an empty, sealed filter chamber with a filter plate assembly comprising a first filter plate, a second filter plate, and a closure, said first filter plate and said second filter plate being movable from an open position to a closed position relative to one another to partially close said filter chamber, thereby defining an open section of said filter chamber, said closure being configured to close said open section of said empty, sealed filter chamber; introducing a slurry, having a particulate matter component and a liquid component, into said empty, sealed filter chamber; forcing said liquid component of said slurry through a filter media lining a least a portion of said empty, sealed filter chamber until a particulate cake of said particulate matter component is formed within said filter chamber, said particulate cake occupying a substantial entirety of said filter chamber; removing said closure; and discharging said particulate cake through said open section of said filter chamber without separating said first and second filter plates from one another by more than a width of said filter chamber.