AU711690B2

AU711690B2 - Filter press apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU711690B2
Application number: AU37883/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Marcus Harley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-24
Filing date: 1995-11-15
Publication date: 1999-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-15
Also published as: AU3788395A

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for service is: PETER MARCUS HARLEY PETER MARCUS HARLEY WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "FILTER PRESS APPARATUS" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PN1975, filed 24 March 1995 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:t -2- THIS INVENTION RELATES to a filter press apparatus. More particularly, the filter press apparatus of the present invention is intended for use in the filtration and drying of slurries prior to laboratory analysis.

Typical filter presses presently available require a rotational or circular winding of a handle to effectively screw bottom and top plates to engage a vertically arranged cylinder containing a slurry. The plates have to be screwed against the cylinder so as to create a seal therewith. Once a seal is created compressed air is pumped into the cylinder.

In order to produce an effective seal whereby the filtering process is efficient a great deal of pressure needs to be applied to the handles of the bottom and top plates. In an effort to apply and release such pressure users of such filter presses are experiencing hand, foot and back injuries.

C.o C S• The filter press of the present invention has as one object thereof to overcome ,•the above mentioned problems associated with the prior art.

S°oo In accordance with the present invention there is provided a filter press apparatus CO S• 20 comprising a frame portion in which is supported a sub-frame portion, the subframe portion having slidingly mounted therein a cylinder, the apparatus having provided thereon upper and lower plate means for sealingly engaging ends of the cylinder, at least one of the plate means being supported on a resilient member able to cause the or each plate means to engage the or each end of the cylinder, wherein the lower plate means has attached thereto biasing means acting C substantially against the resilient member supporting the lower plate means and thereby facilitating disengagement of the lower plate means from the cylinder.

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Preferably, the resilient member is actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic means.

The lower plate means is preferably supported on the resilient member.

Still preferably, the lower plate means is arranged whereby it may sequentially move or be moved from a first position in which it is spaced apart from the lower -3end of the cylinder to a second position in which it abuts and engages a lower end of the cylinder to a final or third position in which it causes the cylinder to move along the sub-frame portion such that its upper end engages the upper plate means. The cylinder is preferably mounted on the sub-frame portion in a manner biased toward the lower plate means such that in the second position an effective seal is created between the lower plate means and the lower end of the cylinder.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a filter press apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in a first position with the air spring thereof deflated; 5 Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the filter press apparatus of Figure 1 shown in a second position with the air spring thereof partially inflated; and a Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the filter press apparatus of Figure 1 Sshown in a third position with the air spring thereof fully inflated.

4 20 In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a filter press apparatus 10 comprising a frame portion 12 in which is supported a sub-frame portion 14. The sub-frame portion 14 has a cylinder 16 slidably mounted therein.

The frame portion 12 comprises two substantially upstanding members 18 25 between which extend a bracing member 20, a transverse member 22 and an 5* upper pivotal member 24. The upstanding members 18 each have provided at O. 0 -4their lowermost ends a foot means 26 by way of which they may be positively located on a surface.

The transverse member 22 has attached thereto a resilient member, for example an air spring 28. The air spring 28 comprises two plates 30 between which is provided an inflatable rubber bladder 32. One plate 30 is fixed directly to the transverse member 22 whereas the remaining plate 30 supports thereon a lower plate means 34.

A pair of flanges 36 project from the lower plate means 34 at either side thereof and have a flexibly resilient member, for example springs 38, attached thereto.

The springs 38 extend downwardly and attach to flanges 40 provided on the upstanding members 18. As such, the lower plate means 34 is biased against the ~inflation of the air spring 28.

oO o*o* *°oThe lower plate means 34 further has a pair of substantially opposed guide members 42 projecting from either side thereof. The guide members slidably *engage guide rods 44 comprising in part the sub-frame portion 14. The guide rods 44 are supported on opposed inner surfaces 46 of the upstanding members ooooo.

20 18. A slidable sleeve 48 is provided about each guide rod 44 and has two straps 50 extending therefrom and holding therebetween the cylinder 16. An upper stop .means 52 is provided on each guide rod 44 against which one end of a biasing *means, for example a spring 54, bears. The remaining end of each spring 54 bears against the sleeve 48 biasing same in a downward direction against the action of the air spring 28.

The upper pivotal member 24 is mounted to one of the upstanding members 18 in a manner pivotal about an upright axis. An upper plate means 56 depends from the pivotal member 24. Due to the action of the pivotal member 24 the upper plate means 56 may be moved into and out of position above the cylinder 16.

One upstanding member 18 has a control face plate 58 attached thereto on which are positioned switches 60. The switches 60 govern the flow of compressed air to the air spring 28 and the cylinder 16. The upper plate means 56 has an inlet for compressed air located therein. The lower plate means 34 has an aperture provided with a filter paper located therein.

In use, a user (not shown) of the filter press apparatus 10 typically finds the filter press apparatus 10 in the condition shown in Figure 1, a first position. The user may then utilise one of the switches 60 to cause compressed air to be injected into the bladder 32 of the air spring 28. This causes a pre-determined volume of compressed air to be injected into the bladder 32 such that the lower plate means 34 is caused to move upwardly and engage a lower end of the cylinder 16, as shown in Figure 2. The movement of the lower plate means 34 is guided by the guide members 42 slideably engaging the guide rods 34. The action of the Scompressed springs 54 bearing against the sleeves 48 of the sub-frame portion in combination with the partial inflation of the air spring 28 causes a seal to be :°°ooo 15 formed between the lower end of the cylinder 16 and the lower plate means 34.

The position of the lower plate means 34 shown in Figure 2 constitutes a second position thereof.

o. •As slurry may now be pumped into the cylinder 16. The slurry cannot escape from 20 the lower end of the cylinder 16 due to the seal thereof with the lower plate means 34. Once the appropriate amount of slurry has been provided in the cylinder 16 a further actuation of the switch 60 by the user causes a further *°*volume of compressed air to be pumped into the bladder 32 of the air spring 28.

This causes the air spring 28 to inflate further to the position shown in Figure 3.

Importantly, the pivotal member 24 has been moved by the user to the position shown in Figure 3 whereby the upper plate means 56 is located directly above an upper end of the cylinder 16.

The further inflation of the air spring 28 causes the lower plate means 34 to push the cylinder 16 and the slurry contained therein upwardly so that the upper end of the cylinder 16 engages the upper plate means 56 and a seal is created therebetween. This action also causes further compression of the springs 54 provided about the rods 44 as the sleeves 48 are moved upwardly with the -6cylinder 16. Once the fully engaged state or third position shown in Figure 3 is achieved compressed air may be pumped into the cylinder 16 through the upper plate means 56 which in turn forces water/liquid from the aperture in the lower plate means 34 through the filter paper provided therein. The filter press apparatus 10 of the present invention may also be provided with a gauge to measure the pressure within the cylinder 16 and such gauge is preferably provided with a regulator so as to maintain the pressure in the cylinder 16 at a maximum of 60 psi.

Once the user considers that the slurry provided in the cylinder 16 has been filtered/dried sufficiently the user may deflate the air spring 28. This action allows the compressed springs 54 to push the sleeves 48 downwardly thereby causing the seal of the upper end of the cylinder 16 with the upper plate means 56 to be broken. The sleeves 48 travel downwardly along the rods 44 to a point at which o 15 they engage a lower stop 62 provided about the rod 44 and preventing the sleeves 48 from descending any further. The springs 38 attached to the flanges 36 of the lower plate means 34 ensure the seal with the lower end of the cylinder 16 is broken and the lower plate means 34 returns to the position shown in Figure 1.

S It is envisaged that the air spring 28 may be deflated sequentially in a manner opposite to its sequential inflation such that in the second position the upper pivotal member 24 and the attached upper plate means 56 may be moved away from the upper end of the cylinder 16 to allow access to the cylinder 16 and its contents.

It is envisaged that the springs 38 and 54 may be formed of stainless steel whereas the remainder of the filter press apparatus 10 is formed substantially from mild steel.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A filter press apparatus comprising a frame portion in which is supported a sub-frame portion, the sub-frame portion having slidingly mounted therein a cylinder, the apparatus having provided thereon upper and lower plate means for sealingly engaging ends of the cylinder, at least one of the plate means being supported on a resilient member able to cause the or each plate means to engage the or each end of the cylinder, wherein the lower plate means has attached thereto biasing means acting substantially against the resilient member supporting the lower plate means and thereby facilitating disengagement of the lower plate means from the cylinder.

2. A filter press apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member is actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic means.

A filter press apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilitent •member supports thereon the lower plate means.

4. A filter press apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper plate means is mounted on the frame portion directly above the sub- •B frame portion and cylinder. A filter press apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower plate means is arranged whereby it may sequentially move B 20 or be moved from a first position in which it is spaced apart from the lower S "end of the cylinder to a second position in which it abuts and engages a lower end of the cylinder to a third position in which it causes the cylinder to move along the sub-frame portion such that its upper end engages the upper plate means.

B B

6. A filter press apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder is mounted on the sub-frame portion in a manner biased toward the lower plate means. -8-

7. A filter press apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an effective seal is created between the lower plate means and the lower end of the cylinder by way of the biasing of the cylinder.

8. A filter press apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sub-frame portion comprises a pair of guide rods about which sleeves are provided, the cylinder is rigidly connected to the sleeves and can move slidingly with respect to the guide rods.

9. A filter press apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the guide rods are rigidly mounted to the frame portion.

10. A filter press apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein springs are provided about the guide rods in a compressed manner and bearing against the sleeves, thereby biasing same toward the lower plate means. 3*

11. A filter press apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the o **lower plate means has provided thereon guide members that slidably engage the guide rods. S0

12. A filter press apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the resilient member comprises two plates and an inflatable bladder, one plate being mounted on the frame portion and the other plate having the lower plate means supported thereon.

13. A filter press apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the upper plate means is provided on a pivotal member of the frame portion such that the upper plate means may be pivoted away from an upper end of the cylinder allowing access thereto.

14. A filter press apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. DATED THIS thirteenth day of August 1999 PETER MARCUS HARLEY Applicant WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant 9* 9 U 9 *9 B. 4 S. 9. 9 9** 9* S* Sr S. S 39 .9 9