Multistage filter device including a housing with removable sidewalls

Abstract

A filter device for separating solid material from a liquid includes a filter housing with vertically extending removable sidewalls wherein at the location of the removable sidewalls connections are provided to receive two vertically extending sidewalls in spaced parallel relationship whereby a fluid impermeable sidewall may be inserted into the circumferential section of the housing when the liquid permeable section is removed for cleaning without interfering with the continual operation of the filter device. Moreover, the filter device of the present invention may be a first filter or pre-filter in a multi-stage filter system wherein a second filtering device is received within the first filter, the second filtering device includes a plurality of first tubular filters having an open bottom end and a closed top end and a second tubular filter centrally disposed of the first tubular filters in flow communication therewith. The second tubular filter has a closed bottom end and an outlet top end in flow communication with a discharge from the filter system.