Connector assembly for use in filter elements of press filter and press filter comprising the same

A caulked, gasketed, and recessed (CGR) type press filter, comprising:

• a plurality of filter plates;
• each of the plurality of filter plates comprising a first filter element, a second filter element that is opposite to the first filter element, and a supporting plate that has a central through hole and a respective recessed area on both sides thereof, said supporting plate being sandwiched between the first and second filter elements;
• wherein each of the first and second filter elements comprises a body, a cylindrical core formed at a center portion of the body, and a flange formed on a perimeter edge of the body;
• the cylindrical core and the flange protrude outwardly from a same side of the body;
• and the body, the cylindrical core and the flange are molded integrally from a non-woven needle-punch fabric to form a unitary structure, said non-woven needle-punch fabric having a gram weight ranging from 250 g/m2 to 3000 g/m2 which is self-sustaining and has shape maintenance, and is moldable, said non-woven needle-punch fabric is able to be molded into a desired shape, and is capable of persistently retaining said desired shape under an external pressure after the fabric is molded, such that each of the first and second filter elements molded from the non-woven needle-punch fabric maintains its shape without any support;
• wherein said stand-alone non-woven needle-punch fabric is made of at least first and second fibers, the melting point of said first fiber being less than that of said second fiber, wherein the first fiber is rendered to become molten, wherein the nonwoven fabric consists of a single layer of fiber formed by evenly blending the first fiber and the second fiber, wherein said first fiber has a melting point ranging from 115° C. to 130° C., and said second fiber has a melting point ranging from 180° C. to 230° C.;
• the cylindrical core of the first filter element is shaped and dimensioned such that the first cylindrical core passes through and is meshed with the central through hole of the supporting plate, and the cylindrical core of the second filter element is shaped and dimensioned such that the second cylindrical core passes through and is meshed with the cylindrical core of the first filter element, and wherein the first cylindrical core has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the central through hole of the supporting plate;
• and
• the flanges of the first and second filter elements are shaped and sized such that they are received in respective circumferential grooves formed on both sides of the supporting plate.

A recessed type press filter, comprising a plurality of filter plates, each of the filter plates comprising a first filter element, a second filter element that is opposite to the first filter element, and a supporting plate that has a central through hole and a respective recessed area on both sides thereof, said supporting plate being sandwiched between the first and second filter elements;

• wherein each of the first and second filter elements is molded integrally from a non-woven needle-punch fabric to form a unitary structure, said non-woven needle-punch fabric having a gram weight ranging from 250 g/m2 to 3000 g/m2 which is self-sustaining and has shape maintenance, and is moldable;
• said non-woven needle-punch fabric is molded into a desired shape, and retains the desired shape under an external pressure after the non-woven needle-punch fabric is molded, such that each of the first and second filter elements molded from the non-woven needle-punch fabric maintains its shape without any support;
• wherein said stand-alone non-woven needle-punch fabric is made of at least first and second fibers, the melting point of said first fiber being less than that of said second fiber, wherein the first fiber is rendered to become molten, wherein the nonwoven fabric consists of a single layer of fiber formed by evenly blending the first fiber and the second fiber, wherein said first fiber has a melting point ranging from 115° C. to 130° C., and said second fiber has a melting point ranging from 180° C. to 230° C.