Filter press-type filtering apparatus using rigid filter element

In a filter press-type filtering apparatus for removing liquid from a fermentable brewery wort and compressing said fermentable brewery wort into a cake, said apparatus including:

• frame means which defines a hollow interior of a filter chamber having a central axis,
• a filter means which is positioned within said frame means and extends across said hollow interior perpendicularly to said central axis,
• first wall means which is movable within said hollow interior towards and away from said filter means, said first wall means and said filter means forming within said hollow interior a first compartment that can contain said brewery wort,
• inlet means for supplying said brewery wort or a washing liquid to said first compartment,
• second wall means which, together with said filter means, forms a second compartment within said hollow interior that can contain liquid filtered from said first compartment through said filter means,
• outlet means for removing liquid from said second compartment, and
• means for removing the cake formed in said first compartment,
• the improvement wherein said filter means consists of a wire screen against which the brewery wort in said first compartment will come into direct contact, said wire screen comprising a plurality of wires which have flat surfaces which face said first compartment and have tapered configurations as they extend towards said second compartment, said flat surfaces being aligned in an imaginary plane which is substantially perpendicular to said central axis, said flat surfaces being spaced from one another by 50 to 400 microns, said wires not distorting and said flat surfaces thereof remaining essentially in said imaginary plane when said first wall means forces brewery wort in said first compartment against said wires to form said cake.