Continuous filter press

In a continuous press for extracting liquid from liquid containing feed materials, a main machine frame, a pair of rigid side structures, means serving pivotally to carry corresponding end portions of the structures on the frame, a pair of opposed wheels disposed between the side structures, each wheel having a central annular opening and including a conical shaped screen mounted on the inner face of the same and a main annular wheels structure, means for journalling each wheel to its corresponding side structure, means for yieldably urging the side structures and wheels toward each other, the axes of the wheels during operation being out of alignment whereby when the wheels are rotated portions of the screens are brought into proximity in a pinch zone and other portions of the screens are separated to form a feed receiving space, casing means carried by the frame and surrounding the space between the screens of the wheels, the casing means having an inlet opening for receiving feed material and a discharge opening spaced from the inlet opening for discharging material, a rigid plow having one outer end portion secured to the casing between said openings, the other inner and end portion of the plow being disposed in the central region of the casing and between the central regions of the wheels, the plow serving to divert material through the discharge opening, means for journalling each wheel to its corresponding side structure, said wheel journalling means comprising an annular sleeve fixed to the main wheel structure of each wheel and extending from the outer side of the same concentric with the axis of the wheel, the corresponding side structure having an opening to accommodate the sleeve and also having bearing means surrounding the sleeve for journalling the wheels, the inner end portion of the plow being formed to have annular interfitting relationship with the central openings of the wheels, said central openings being accessible through the sleeves.