Particulate filter, textile treatment device, use thereof and method for filtering particulates

Abstract

A particulate filter, textile treatment apparatus, uses and methods are disclosed. The particulate filter comprises: i) a filtration chamber comprising: an inlet for feeding effluent into the filtration chamber and an outlet for allowing filtered effluent to exit the filtration chamber; a first set of chamber walls and a second set of chamber walls wherein, in a first configuration, the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls are sealed together such that effluent cannot pass between the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls, and wherein, in a second configuration, the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls provide an opening; ii) a filter cage housed within the filtration chamber, where the filter cage comprises one or more filtration media for filtering out particulates from the effluent, where the filter cage is rotatable about an axis, where the filter cage defines an interior volume, where the inlet is arranged to provide the effluent to the interior volume of the filter cage, and where the filter cage is arranged to be rotatable about an axis. The outlet is arranged to receive filtered effluent from the filter cage; iii) a transfer member rotatable about an axis; iv) an actuator connected to the first set of chamber walls and one of the filter cage or transfer member and operable to move between a first configuration and a second configuration; v) a drive unit arranged to rotate the transfer member in at least a second configuration; wherein, in the first configuration, the transfer member is located in the interior volume of the filter cage; wherein, in a second configuration, the transfer member is removed from the interior volume of the filter cage along the axis, and the transfer member is rotatable to throw the transferred filter residue from the transfer member through the opening, and wherein the transfer member comprises a filter residue collector, the filter is coupled to the filter media to remove filter residue from the filter media when the filter is changed from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a particle filter and a textile treatment device comprising the particle filter. The present disclosure also relates to uses of the particle filter and the textile treatment device, and a method for filtering particles from an effluent containing particles. Background Art

[0002] The washing of synthetic textiles is considered the largest source of microplastic pollution in the world's oceans, accounting for an estimated 35% of primary microplastics. The release of microplastics from synthetic clothing is caused by the mechanical and chemical stresses to which synthetic fibers are subjected during washing in washing machines. These stresses cause the microfibers to detach from the synthetic textiles. Due to their size, the released microfibers often pass through wastewater treatment plants and enter the ocean. Microfibers can be found on beaches around the world, in the Pacific, North, Atlantic, Arctic seawater, in deep-sea sediments, and more recently in human organs. The size of the microfibers causes them to be consumed by microorganisms, which are unable to digest them, causing them to survive and enter the food chain. One difficulty with particle filtration is that as the efficiency of the filter increases, more particles are captured. This increases the rate at which the filter becomes clogged. This means that filter components (e.g. the filter media) need to be cleaned or replaced more frequently. Both cleaning and replacement increase the requirements on the user, and the latter also generates additional waste.

[0003] Many filters have been developed to capture particulates. Some filters are installed externally between the washing machine outlet pipe and the wastewater drain pipe. One example is made by PlanetCare (www.planetcare.org), which has developed a filter for use externally in washing machines, and such a device is published in PCT WO2019 / 017848. The filter uses a static vertical cylindrical filter medium placed in a chamber. Wastewater passes through the filter medium and flows out of the chamber. Because the filter can become clogged, the top of the chamber needs to be opened regularly and the filter medium removed and replaced, which places demands on the user. In addition, most drain pipes are located at the back of the washing machine, and the washing machine outlet pipe usually comes out of the back of the washing machine. This means that the PlanetCare filter and filters like it may need to be placed out of reach of the user, usually the back of the washing machine, or a pipe may be used to lead the filter to the side of the washing machine. Often this is impractical for the user.

[0004] The above-described filters are designed for use in domestic washing machines, which typically have a small drum with a load capacity of 7-12Kg. Commercial washing machines, i.e. washing machines with drums with a load capacity of 12 kg and above, typically produce large amounts of effluent containing particulates, which may quickly clog domestic particulate filters. The requirements of commercial laundries are also different, and the time spent by employees emptying particulate filters may increase the operating costs of the laundry. Therefore, in a commercial environment, manually unlocking or replacing filters is particularly undesirable. In addition, commercial laundries typically use multiple machines, so it may be necessary to provide a filter with a high throughput that can be connected to multiple washing machines to reduce capital expenditure. In commercial laundries, space for filters may be limited as revenue-generating laundry devices may generally be prioritized. Therefore, a compact and affordable filter is needed. Additionally or separately, a filter that is more automated and / or requires less human intervention is desired.

[0005] Another particulate filter is described in WO2019 / 122862 filed in the name of Xeros Limited. This filter is a centrifugal filter with a rotating filter cage that can be manually removed by the user for emptying. This filter has a large enough filtration flux to be used in commercial washing machines, but still requires manual emptying.

[0006] WO2022084677 discloses a plurality of particle filters. However, in many of these embodiments, the flux is impaired or the emptying of the filter residue is incomplete. Some of them also require complex device arrangements.

[0007] The present inventors attempt to overcome one or more of the above problems in the prior art. The present inventors also attempt to solve one or more of the following problems: i. Reduce user demand; ii. Provide high filtration efficiency; iii. Provide high filtration flux; iv. Reduce filtration downtime; v. Provide a compact device with reduced complexity. Summary of the invention

[0008] In a first aspect, there is provided a particle filter suitable for filtering particles from an effluent of a textile treatment device, the particle filter comprising: i) a filter chamber, the filter chamber comprising: an inlet for supplying effluent to the filtration chamber and an outlet for allowing the filtered effluent to exit the filtration chamber; a first set of chamber walls and a second set of chamber walls, wherein in a first configuration, the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls are sealed together such that outflow cannot pass between the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls, wherein in a second configuration, the first set of chamber walls and the second set of chamber walls provide an opening; ii) a filter cage housed within the filter chamber, wherein the filter cage includes one or more filter media for filtering particulates from the effluent, wherein the filter cage is rotatable about an axis, wherein the filter cage defines an interior volume, wherein the inlet is arranged to provide the effluent to the interior volume of the filter cage and the outlet is arranged to receive the filtered effluent from the filter cage; iii) a conveying member operable to rotate about an axis; iv) an actuator connected to the first chamber wall set and one of the filter cage or the transfer member and operable to move between the first configuration and the second configuration; v) a drive unit arranged to rotate the conveying member at least in the second configuration; and wherein, in the first configuration, the transfer member is located within the interior volume of the filter cage; and wherein, in the second configuration, the transfer member is removed from the interior volume of the filter cage along the axis and the transfer member is rotatable to fling transferred filter residues off the transfer member through the opening, and wherein the transfer member includes a filter residue collector to remove filter residues from the filter media when the filter is changed from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0009] The present invention provides a filter with improved removal of particles containing debris from the filter medium. As a result, the filter throughput and efficiency can be easily maintained. The inventors have found that the speed, reliability and ease of filter residue removal can be improved by first transferring the filter residue to a transfer member and then rotating it to be thrown out through an opening. This means that no user intervention is required and the emptying speed is very fast. The emptying is also able to remove most of the filter residue, leaving only a small amount of filter residue adhering to the filter chamber. The present invention also provides a compact and simple device. The layout of the device also provides high throughput. The device can also be operated horizontally or vertically, which means that it can be accommodated in a variety of spaces. Axis

[0010] As used herein, the term "axis" may refer to an imaginary line around which a transfer member and a filter cage may rotate. The axis may be coaxial and parallel to the center of rotation of the filter cage and the transfer member. The axis may also coincide with and be parallel to an axis of rotational symmetry passing through the filter chamber, or the axis may pass through the center of the filter chamber (i.e., coincide with the center of mass when the filter chamber is assumed to be a homogeneous body). Typically, when the particulate filter is installed in a processing device, the axis may be parallel to the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the axis may be parallel to the vertical direction. As used herein, a radial direction may refer to a direction perpendicular to the axis. A radial distance may be measured in a radial direction. The length used herein may be measured parallel to the axis. The circumferential direction referred to may refer to a direction rotating around the axis at a constant radius from the axis. Filter Chamber

[0011] The filter chamber comprises a wall, an inlet and an outlet. The wall of the filter chamber may be watertight and may define a volume surrounding the filter cage and the transfer member. The filter chamber may contain or direct an effluent flow from the inlet through the filter medium and out of the outlet, so that when in the first configuration it may function to contain the effluent. The filter chamber may be sealed in the first configuration, that is, the first chamber wall group and the second chamber wall group may be sealed watertightly so that no liquid may pass therebetween. In this configuration, during normal use, liquid may only enter and exit through the inlet and the outlet.

[0012] The walls of the filter cage may be arranged as a first wall group and a second wall group, the first wall group being arranged to be moved by an actuator and the second wall group being not arranged to be moved by an actuator. The walls may be arranged to be moved by an actuator by including a connection to an actuator. The term "wall group" may include any number of walls, such as one, two, three or more walls. In some embodiments, one wall group may include a single wall and another wall group may include multiple walls.

[0013] Optionally, one of the first and second wall groups may include a single end wall, and the other of the first and second wall groups may include an end wall and one or more side walls attached thereto. An end wall may be defined as a wall passing through an axis. Optionally, an end wall may be aligned perpendicular to the axis. A side wall may be considered to be any wall extending from one end wall to another end wall. Optionally, a side wall may extend parallel to or substantially parallel to the axis. Optionally, the first wall group may include a single end wall, and the second wall group may include an end wall and one or more side walls. Alternatively, the second wall group may include a single end wall, and the first wall group may include an end wall and one or more side walls. Optionally, the first wall group and / or the second wall group may include a circular or approximately circular end wall. Optionally, the first wall group and / or the second wall group may include a cylindrical side wall.

[0014] The chamber walls may be planar or may include more complex or irregular shapes, for example, hemispherical, cylindrical, or conical, etc. The term "wall" is not limited to planar walls or curved walls with a constant radius. Individual walls may include different shapes or forms, for example, walls with bends, holes, curves, ridges, and other deviations. The term "wall" may refer to the waterproof boundary of the filter chamber. Individual walls may be identified by different angles or seams therebetween.

[0015] The wall of the filter cage may include one or more baffles. The baffles may be located on the first chamber wall group or on the second chamber wall group. The shape of the baffles may be designed to locally disrupt the fluid flow between the filter cage and the chamber wall near the baffles. One or more baffles may locally disrupt the fluid flow by causing a local reversal of the filter cage backflow through the adjacent one or more baffles. One or more baffles may include protrusions extending radially inward from the inner periphery of the first chamber wall group or from the second chamber wall group. The protrusions may be elongated and extend in an axial direction. The axial extension may be equal to or exceed the axial length of the filter cage, or may extend greater than 10% of the axial length of the filter cage, or greater than 25% of the axial length of the filter cage, or greater than 50% of the axial length of the filter cage, or greater than 75% of the filter cage. The distance between the baffle and the filter cage at the closest point to the filter cage is not greater than 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 5mm, 10mm or 25mm, and not less than 100mm, 50mm, 25mm, 10mm or 5mm. The cross-sectional shape of the baffle viewed from the axial direction may be a wave shape (including IA square wave, sine wave), a tooth shape (including IA sawtooth shape), a bell shape, etc. A plurality of baffles may be arranged in series adjacent to each other or may be spaced apart around the inner circumference of the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group. The baffle may take any form described in WO2022096880A1.

[0016] The filter chamber can adopt a variety of shapes, including substantially cylindrical, elliptical and rectangular shapes. Particularly preferred shapes are cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shapes. Prisms based on polygons with or without smooth edges are also examples of suitable shapes, especially prisms based on high-order polygons, i.e. prisms with 5 or more sides. Alternatively, shapes with 2nd or higher order rotational symmetry around an axis may also be suitable.

[0017] The particulate filter may include an outer annular seal for sealing the first chamber wall group to the second chamber wall group when the filter is in the first configuration. The outer annular seal may include one or more sealing elements. The sealing element may include any known seal, such as an O-ring seal or an X-ring seal, etc. The outer annular seal may include a compression seal. The compression seal may include a compressible material that is compressed under an axial force. The compression seal may include a material having one or more hollow areas, non-limiting examples of which include foam or an elongated hollow rubber profile. The seal may be connected to the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group. The seal may be installed in a groove in the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group. The groove may extend to the radial face and the axial face of the seal to cover its three sides. Entrance and exit

[0018] The inlet and outlet can be considered as openings into and out of the filtration chamber, through which particles containing effluent and filtered effluent pass during the filtration process. Optionally, the inlet and / or outlet may include multiple openings in the chamber wall, collectively referred to herein as "inlet" or "outlet" in the singular. When the inlet or outlet includes more than one opening, these openings may be located in the same wall or in different walls, and they may be located in either or both of the first chamber wall group and the second chamber wall group. During the filtration process, the inlet is usually the only way for effluent to enter the filtration chamber, and the outlet is usually the only way for the filtered effluent to leave the filtration chamber.

[0019] The inlet may be included in one or more walls constituting the filter chamber. The inlet may be included in the first set of chamber walls and / or the second set of chamber walls. When the inlet is included in the first set of chamber walls, it will move with the first set of chamber walls. The inlet may be located radially inside the outlet relative to the axis. The inlet may be coaxial with the axis.

[0020] The inlet is present regardless of the configuration of the particle filter, however, it is primarily used when the filter is in the first configuration and the particle filter is supplied with effluent. The inlet may deliver the effluent to the interior volume of the filter cage. The inlet may deliver the effluent through a base of the transfer member or a filter residue collector, optionally through an aperture therein. The inlet may be connected to other conduits, channels or apertures within the particle filter to deliver the effluent to where it is needed within the filter chamber, such as any of the locations described above.

[0021] The inlet can be connected to a supply pipe, a hose or other conduit outside the particle filter, which can be selectively connected to the textile processing device. The inlet can include a valve. The valve can control the flow into the inlet and can be operable to stop the flow. The valve can be operated by a controller disclosed herein. The inlet can also include a sensor. The sensor can be a pressure sensor or a sensor that detects the presence of a fluid. The sensor can return a sensing signal to the controller.

[0022] The outlet can be included in one or more walls constituting the filter chamber. The outlet can be included in the first wall group and / or the second wall group. When the outlet is included in the first wall group, it can be moved together with the first wall group by an actuator. The inlet and outlet can be both located in the first wall group of the filter chamber or can be both located in the second wall group of the filter chamber. Alternatively, the inlet and outlet can be located in the same single wall of the first wall group or the second wall group.

[0023] The outlet is present regardless of the configuration of the particulate filter, however, it is primarily used when the filter is in the first configuration and the particulate filter is filtering effluent. The outlet may be located radially outwardly from the axis of the inlet. The outlet may be located in an end wall or a side wall. The outlet may be annular and may alternatively be located radially outwardly from the axis at the inlet.

[0024] The outlet may discharge into the impeller chamber or may be connected to a conduit that discharges the effluent into a sewer (also called a drain), a storage tank, or any other system that stores or treats the effluent.

[0025] The outlet may include a plurality of openings, which may include a main outflow pipe and a secondary outflow pipe. The main outflow pipe may be located at the top of the filter chamber or near the top of the filter chamber, and the secondary outflow pipe may be located at the bottom of the filter chamber or near the bottom of the filter chamber. The main outflow pipe may allow air to escape from the filter chamber together with the effluent during the filtration process, and the secondary outflow pipe may allow residual filtered effluent to be discharged from the filter chamber. During operation, the main outflow pipe may receive most of the filtered effluent. In this regard, the main outflow pipe and the secondary outflow pipe may work in a manner similar to the embodiments described herein, and the embodiments include the main outflow pipe and the secondary outflow pipe in the impeller chamber, or the main outflow pipe and the secondary outflow pipe may be connected to the impeller chamber. Alternatively, the filter chamber may include a main outflow pipe located at or near the bottom of the filter chamber and a secondary outflow pipe located at or near the top of the filter chamber. In this arrangement, the secondary outflow pipe may include an exhaust valve to exhaust air from the filter chamber, and the main outflow pipe may receive the filtered effluent. Filter Cage

[0026] The filter cage is rotatable about an axis. In this article, rotatable can mean that the filter cage can be rotated relative to the filter chamber. The filter cage can be rotated indirectly or directly by the drive unit via a transmission member, as described below. The filter cage can be mounted to the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group via a rotary connection. The rotary connection may include a rotary bearing. The rotary bearing may include a bushing or a sliding bearing, a roller element bearing (such as a ball bearing, a needle bearing, etc.), a magnetic bearing, or a fluid bearing, etc. A rotary connector can connect the filter cage to the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group. The rotary connection can be coaxially aligned with the axis. In a specific embodiment, the first chamber wall group and the filter cage are connected via a rotary bearing, thereby allowing relative rotation between them.

[0027] The filter cage may be rotated by the drive unit only in the first configuration, or in other embodiments the filter cage may be rotated by the drive unit in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0028] The filter cage includes a filter medium, and optionally, the filter cage may include a plurality of individual filter media. When the filter cage includes a plurality of filter media, they are collectively referred to herein as filter media in the singular form.

[0029] The filter cage may include an open end and a closed end. The open end and the closed end may intersect the axis. The open end may include an opening sufficient for inserting and removing a transfer member, in particular an opening sufficient for inserting and removing a filter residue collector of the transfer member. The open end may include a structure for engaging with the transfer member and transmitting a driving force to the transfer member, or a structure for transmitting a driving force from the transfer member to the open end. Non-limiting examples of interlocking shapes include: splines, teeth, pins and holes and other known interlocking shapes. When the particulate filter is in the first configuration, the open end may be sealed on the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group or on the base of the transfer member. The inner edge of the open end may be flush with the inner surface of the filter medium in the radial direction.

[0030] The closed end may include a hole, an aperture, or a conduit to transfer effluent from the inlet to the internal volume of the filter chamber. The hole, aperture, or conduit may be aligned with the inlet and may be coaxially positioned with the axis. The closed end may include a filter medium or may be non-porous. One or more side walls may extend from the open end of the filter cage to the closed end. One or more side walls may include one or more filter media.

[0031] The filter cage may comprise a rigid structure. The filter cage may allow the filter medium to rotate, and in particular, the filter medium may not be significantly twisted or bent due to the action of centrifugal forces during rotation. The filter cage may comprise a rigid structure integral with the filter medium, or they may be detachable. The filter cage may comprise one or more filter cage fixings or filter cage positioning components to assist in fixing or positioning the filter medium to the filter cage. The filter cage may be formed by two rigid layers between which the filter medium is retained, or may be formed by a single layer to which the filter medium is attached. The filter cage may comprise a lattice structure providing a series of windows between each lattice. Optionally, the filter medium may extend through each window. The windows may be in the shape of a square, rectangle, hexagon or octagon, among others.

[0032] The filter cage can be basically in the form of a cylinder, an ellipsoid or a prism. The filter cage having the aforementioned shapes can include forms similar to these shapes, including any shape between the above shapes. The prism can be a polygonal prism, wherein the number of sides of the polygon is 4 or more, such as 4 to 20 sides. The polygonal prism can be a regular polygonal prism. When the filter cage is a cylinder, the side wall of the filter cage can include a single cylindrical wall. When the filter cage includes a polygonal prism, the number of the filter cage side walls corresponds to the number of sides of the polygon, for example, a hexagonal prism can include six rectangular side walls between two hexagonal end walls. The filter medium is preferably located in one or more side walls of the filter cage or on one or more side walls of the filter cage. Optionally, when the filter medium is a rigid material (e.g., a perforated metal plate), the filter medium can serve as the side wall of the filter cage. Preferably, the filter cage is a cylinder. Preferably, the length along the axis of the filter cage (i.e., measured from the second end to the first end) is greater than the width measured perpendicular to the axis.

[0033] The filter cage may be rotationally symmetric about an axis and may be balanced with respect to rotation. Balanced with respect to rotation preferably means that the filter cage does not shake or vibrate excessively when rotating, for example when rotating at 100 rpm or 1500 rpm or 3000 rpm.

[0034] When the filter chamber is cylindrical or approximates or includes a cylinder as described above, the filter cage can be rotated about an axis, which can be aligned parallel to the side wall of the filter chamber and the axis can be substantially located at the center of the filter chamber when viewed directly along the axis, for example, the filter chamber side wall and the filter cage are concentric when viewed directly along the axis.

[0035] The filter cage may rotate. The rotation may be performed during filtration, and / or dehydration, and / or during the removal of filter residues. The filter cage may rotate around the filter medium with a G-force of at least 2G, or at least 5G, or at least 20G, or at least 40G, or at least 100G, or at least 175G, or at least 250G, or at least 325G, or at least 450G. At the radially outermost portion of the filter cage, the G-force optionally does not exceed 10,000G, or 2000G, or 1000G, or 500G. For a filter cage with a radius of r (cm), rotating at R (revolutions per minute (rpm)), g is taken as the acceleration due to gravity, which is 9.81m / s 2 ,but:

[0036] G=1.118×10 -5 R 2

[0037] During the filtering, dehydrating and throwing-out processes, the filter residue filter cage may have a rotational speed of at least 250, or at least 500, or at least 750, or at least 1000, or at least 1200, or at least 1400, or at least 1800. The filter medium may have a rotational speed of no more than 10,000, or 5000, or 2500, or 2000 per minute. Internal volume

[0038] The filter cage defines an internal volume. The defined internal volume can be an internal volume bounded by the walls of the filter cage, including one or more filter media. When the filter cage includes an opening, the internal volume 110 can be approximated as a boundary of the opening by an imaginary plane covering the filter cage opening. For example, when the filter cage is a cylinder, one end of which is an open end and the other end is an inlet hole, then its internal volume is a cylinder, which is mounted in the filter cage and is bounded by a plane passing through the open end and a plane passing through the inlet hole. In a first configuration, the transfer member is located in the internal volume of the filter cage. In a second configuration, the transfer member has been removed from the internal volume of the filter cage. During the filtering process, particles containing effluent may be provided to the interior of the filter cage from the inlet.

[0039] The area inside the filter chamber and outside the filter cage can be defined as the area or volume outside the filter cage. In this area, the filtered effluent flows from the outer surface of the filter medium to the outlet. Filter Media

[0040] When the effluent passes through one or more filter media, the filter media can filter out particles. Filtering in this context can include capturing particles using the filter media as the effluent passes through the spaces, gaps or pores therein. Thus, the filter media can include pores, including gaps, grids, etc. The pores can have a size suitable for filtering particles from the effluent.

[0041] As used herein, the expression "a filter medium" also means "one or more filter media". The filter medium may comprise a porous material. The average pore size of the pores of the filter medium may be no more than 100 μm, no more than 90 μm, no more than 80 μm, no more than 70 μm, no more than 60 μm, no more than 50 μm, no more than 40 μm or no more than 30 μm. Such pore sizes have been found to provide excellent efficiency in removing microfibers while not being too susceptible to clogging. In order of increasing preference, the pores in the one or more filter media have an average pore size of at least 1 μm, at least 2 μm, at least 5 μm, at least 10 μm, at least 20 μm or at least 30 μm. Typically, the filter medium comprises pores having an average pore size of 10 to 100 μm, 20 to 70 μm, or 30 to 60 μm.

[0042] The average pore size may be the arithmetic mean pore size. The pore size may be considered to be the largest linear dimension of the pore. For a circular pore this would be the diameter. Where the pore is in the form of a slit this would be the length of the slit.

[0043] The average is preferably established by optical or electron microscopy using suitable image analysis software.The average is preferably an average of at least 100 pores, more preferably an average of at least 1,000 pores, in particular an average of at least 10,000 pores.

[0044] The number of filter media present in the particulate filter is preferably no more than 100, more preferably no more than 50, especially no more than 20, most especially no more than 10. Preferred numbers of filter media include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

[0045] The filter medium can comprise a mesh, a perforated sheet, a woven or non-woven fiber sheet, a cloth or felt, or a porous material or any other known filter material. When the filter medium comprises a mesh, the mesh can comprise a network of wires or wire bundles, including a knitted mesh, a melt-bonded mesh, etc. The network of wires or filaments can be non-woven or woven, or can comprise a plurality of fiber layers. The fiber layer can optionally comprise two or more layers of parallel arranged fibers, and each layer is usually in different orientations. The holes of the mesh can be formed by different spacings between lines or lines.

[0046] When the filter media comprises a perforated sheet, the holes may be perforations. The perforated sheet may comprise a metal or polymer material that has been punched, perforated, cut, slit or treated by any known method to introduce perforations in the material.

[0047] When the filter media includes a porous material, the porous material may be a porous ceramic, a layered surface having pores (eg, a porous polymer membrane), or any other inherently porous material.

[0048] The one or more filter media may be planar in shape, alternatively, the one or more filter media are curved in shape, alternatively, the one or more filter media are curved such that they adopt substantially the same shape as the sidewall or sidewalls of the filter cage.

[0049] When there is one filter medium in the filter cage, the filter medium is optionally cylindrical. When there are multiple filter media in the filter cage, these filter media can optionally work in combination to form an approximately cylindrical shape when arranged in the filter cage.

[0050] The effluent passes through the filter medium in one direction and thus first encounters one surface of the filter medium. This surface is where the filtered particles may accumulate during the filtration process and may be referred to herein as the filter surface. Typically, the filter surface is the surface of the filter medium closest to the axis. Transmission components

[0051] The transmission member can rotate around the axis. In this article, rotatable can mean that the transmission member can rotate relative to the filter chamber. The transmission member can be mounted to the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group by a rotational connection. The rotational connection may include a rotational bearing. The rotational bearing may include a bushing or a sliding bearing, a roller element bearing (such as a ball bearing, a needle bearing, etc.), a magnetic bearing or a fluid bearing, etc. The rotational connection can connect the transmission member to the first chamber wall group or the second chamber wall group. The rotational connection can be coaxially aligned with the axis. The transmission member can be rotated indirectly or directly by the drive unit via the filter cage, as explained below.

[0052] When the particulate filter is in the first configuration, the transfer member is located in the interior volume of the filter cage. Located in the interior volume of the filter cage may mean that at least a portion of the transfer member is located in the interior volume of the filter cage, or at least 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% of the length of the transfer member is located in the interior volume. The transfer member may include a filter residue collector, and when the particulate filter is in the first configuration, the transfer member may optionally be located at the end of the transfer member closest to the closed end of the filter cage.

[0053] The length of the transfer member can be approximately the length of the side wall of the filter cage, so when the particulate filter is in the first configuration, one end of the transfer member (e.g., the filter residue collector end in some embodiments) can be adjacent to one end of the filter cage (e.g., the closed end of the filter cage in some embodiments). The other end of the transfer member (e.g., the base end in some embodiments) can be adjacent to one end of the filter cage (e.g., the closed end of the filter cage). Adjacent herein can mean contacting in the axial direction or being spaced within 1, 2, or 5 cm in the axial direction.

[0054] When the particulate filter is in the second configuration, the transfer member is removed from the interior volume of the filter cage along the axis. When transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration, the transfer member is withdrawn from the interior volume of the filter cage; or the filter cage is evacuated from around the transfer member, or both. This may include the filter cage moving along the axis relative to the filter chamber and / or the transfer member moving along the axis relative to the filter chamber. Removing from the interior volume in this context may refer to the portion of the transfer member in the interior volume being reduced between the first configuration and the second configuration. From the first configuration to the second configuration, the portion of the length of the transfer member in the axial direction that is located in the interior volume may be reduced by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100%. In some embodiments, the transfer member may be removed from the interior volume of the filter cage so that only the filter residue collector or a portion thereof remains in the interior volume. That is, in the second configuration, the filter residue collector may overlap the filter cage such that only a portion of the filter cage is located radially outward from the axis outside the filter residue collector, and the remaining portion of the transfer member has been removed. Alternatively, the transfer member may be completely separated from the filter cage such that there is no radial overlap of the axis between the transfer member and the filter cage. In some embodiments, transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration may include moving the transfer member in an oscillating motion. This may increase separation of the residue from the filter media.

[0055] The transfer member includes a residue collector for removing filter residues from the filter medium when the filter changes from the first configuration to the second configuration. This change is performed by operating the actuator to move the first device connected thereto. The removal of the filter residue can include lifting, scraping, pushing or otherwise transferring the filter residue from the filter medium through the filter residue collector. The filter residue collector can transfer the filter residue from the filter medium to the transfer member during removal from the internal volume of the filter cage. The filter residue collector can be a part of the transfer member, which is suitable for removing the filter residue accumulated on the filter medium and collecting the filter residue on the surface of the transfer member. Exemplary adaptations are described as follows. When in the first configuration, the filter residue collector can contact the filter medium. In some embodiments, when measured radially, the maximum linear gap between the filter residue collector and the filter surface of the filter medium does not exceed 2mm, 1mm, 0.5mm, 0.25mm, 0.1mm or 0.05mm, respectively.

[0056] The filter residue collector may include a cross-sectional shape that is geometrically similar to the cross-sectional shape of the internal volume. The cross-sectional shape may be intercepted perpendicular to the axis. The cross-sectional shape of the internal volume is essentially a two-dimensional shape defined by the filter cage at a specific point along the axis. Thus, for example, when the filter cage is a hexagonal prism, its internal volume will also be a hexagonal prism, and optionally, the filter residue collector will also be a hexagonal prism. Geometric similarity may refer to the cross-sectional shape of the filter residue collector being the same size as the cross-sectional shape of the internal volume or being proportionally smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the internal volume. The filter residue collector may be disc-shaped, annular, cup-shaped, hemispherical, or any shape having a circumference, radial periphery, or edge in contact with the filter medium. The filter residue collector may have a cutout portion to accommodate residue that is not removed from the filter cage. Alternatively, when in the first configuration, the filter residue collector may stop at the end that does not reach the filter cage to accommodate the residue that is not removed.

[0057] Removing the transfer member from the interior volume may cause the filter residue collector to be pulled through the filter medium. This may scrape or push the residue from the filter medium onto the transfer member and push it away from the interior volume of the filter cage. The transferred residue may adhere to the surface of the transfer member, which may optionally be and / or include the surface of the filter residue collector. The particles containing the filter residue may be wet enough that it easily adheres to the surface of the transfer member. The scraping or pushing may be done through the radial periphery of the filter residue collector. The filter residue collector may include a conformable member for contacting the filter medium. The conformable member may be located at the radial periphery of the filter residue collector. The conformable member may be a flexible element. The flexible element may be any element that conforms to the surface of the filter medium to improve contact therewith. The flexible element may include rubber or polymers, etc. This may be a wedge, a blade, a captured O-ring, or the shape of a cover on the filter residue collector that conforms to the surface of the filter medium. Alternatively, the flexible element may include a brush formed by individual bristles. When rotation of the transfer member causes the filter cage to rotate, the interference fit between the transfer member and the filter cage can be used to transfer the rotational drive. The flexible element can improve the interference fit for transferring the drive. Alternatively, the filter cage and / or the transfer member can include some structure (e.g., teeth, pins, splines, etc.) that interlocks with corresponding structure on the other of the filter cage and / or the transfer member in the first configuration.

[0058] The filter residue collector may include a plurality of conformable members. These conformable members may be spaced apart along the axial direction. In some embodiments, the conformable elements may extend along the axial direction, and in a non-limiting example, they may be helical.

[0059] In a first configuration, the filter residue collector may be located at an end of the transfer member that is furthest into the filter cage. That is, the end that moves the farthest along the filter medium when the transfer member is removed from the interior volume of the filter cage. When the filter cage includes an open end and a closed end, this may be the end of the transfer member that is closest to the closed end of the filter cage.

[0060] The conveying member is rotatable to throw the conveyed filter residue from the conveying member through the opening. Rotatable in this context may mean that the conveying member is capable of rotating at a sufficient angular velocity to throw the filter residue from the conveying member. The conveyed filter residue refers to the residue located on the surface of the conveying member after the conveying member is transformed from the first configuration to the second configuration. When the centrifugal force exceeds the adhesion force of the conveyed filter residue to the surface of the conveying member, the conveyed filter residue will be thrown out. The minimum RPM required to throw out the conveyed filter residue can be experimentally determined by operating the particulate filter and adjusting the RPM accordingly. Only when the filter is in the first configuration, the drive unit causing the transmission member to rotate can cause the filter cage to rotate via the rotation of the transmission member. Therefore, the rotation of the conveying member in the second configuration does not cause the filter cage to rotate. Alternatively, in the first configuration and in the optional second configuration, the rotation of the filter cage can drive the rotation of the conveying member.

[0061] The diameter of the transmission member may be at least 50 mm, or at least 75 mm, or at least 100 mm, or at least 150 mm, or at least 200 mm. The diameter of the transmission member may be no more than 500 mm, or no more than 400 mm, or no more than 300 mm, or no more than 200 mm, or no more than 150 mm. The above diameters may be measured perpendicular to the axis.

[0062] The transfer member may include a base at an end of the transfer member opposite the filter residue collector. When in the first configuration, this may be the end closest to the open end of the filter cage. The base may be disc-shaped or other planar shapes. The shape of the base may be designed to close the open end of the filter cage. Therefore, the base may include a shape corresponding to the open end of the filter cage. The base may include a hole or aperture aligned with the inlet to allow effluent to enter. The particulate filter may include an inner annular seal for sealing the filter cage to the transfer member when the filter is in the first configuration. The inner annular seal may be retained to the filter cage or the transfer member. Optionally, the inner annular seal may be retained to the base to contact the filter cage in the first configuration. In particular, the inner annular seal may be retained at the radially outermost portion of the base near the transfer member. The inner annular seal may include a compression seal. The compression seal may include a compressible material that is compressed under an axial force. The compression seal may include a material having one or more hollow areas, non-limiting examples of which include foam or an elongated hollow rubber profile. The inner annular seal may be mounted in a groove in the filter cage or the conveying member, and in particular in the base. The groove may extend upwardly along the radial face as well as the axial face of the seal.

[0063] The transfer member may include one or more guide vanes. The guide vanes may include a member that rotates with the transfer member to induce a circumferential flow in the interior volume of the filter cage when the particulate filter is in the first configuration. The guide member may include an elongated face that faces circumferentially toward the effluent when the transfer member rotates. The guide vanes may extend generally parallel to the axis. The guide vanes may be positioned radially outward of the axis. The guide vanes may extend from the base to the filter residue collector. The transfer component may include one or more guide vanes, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more guide vanes may be equally spaced around the periphery of the transfer member. Actuator

[0064] The particle filter comprises an actuator connected to the first chamber wall group and the filter cage, or to the first chamber wall group and the transmission member. In this context, connection means direct or indirect connection, so that the operation of the actuator causes the connected whole to move with the actuator. For example, the actuator may include an axis, rod or other elongated structure that connects the actuator to the first chamber wall group. In this example, the filter cage or the transmission member may also be connected to the axis, or to the first chamber wall group. Any of the above-mentioned wholes can be connected to the rod or actuator through a boss, a bearing or other connecting structure. In some embodiments, the actuator is connected to the first chamber wall group and the filter cage. Optionally, the filter cage can be connected to the first chamber wall group through a rotating bearing. Optionally, when actuated, the actuator can move the filter cage and the first chamber wall group together between different configurations. The actuator can move linearly and / or can be arranged to cause linear motion in a device connected to the actuator. The actuator can be arranged to move the device connected to the actuator parallel to the axis.

[0065] The actuator is operable to move the transmission member between a first configuration and a second configuration. The actuator may be operated by pulling or pushing the connected whole between the first and second configurations. The actuator may operate upon receiving a control signal. Where applicable, this may come from a controller. The actuator may include: hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices, and electromechanical devices, among others. Non-limiting examples of electromechanical devices include electric linear motion actuators, rotary motors, and electromagnets. Drive unit

[0066] The drive unit is arranged to rotate the transfer member in the second configuration. The drive device can also be arranged to rotate the transfer member in the first configuration. In this article, "arrangement" can refer to that the drive unit is positioned and directly or indirectly connected to the transmission member so that the rotation of the drive unit causes the rotation of the transmission member. The drive unit can be directly connected to the transfer member, that is, the rotating element of the drive device extends to the transfer member. The rotating element may include a rotor or a drive shaft or any other component whose main function is to transmit the rotational drive. Alternatively, the drive device may be indirectly connected to the transmission member, for example, via other elements that can transmit the rotational drive as a secondary function, such as through a filter cage, and the filter cage includes an interference fit or spline connection with the transmission member. Optionally, the drive device can be connected to the transfer member via a filter cage. The filter cage may include structures that transmit the driving force to the transfer member, which structures may include cooperative surfaces (such as teeth or splines), conformal elements or friction surfaces. Similarly, the transfer member may include corresponding structures. These structures can be engaged in the first configuration and / or the second configuration. The drive device may include sufficient torque to rotate the transfer member at a suitable speed, so that the transmitted filter residue is thrown out from the transfer member through the opening. In some embodiments, the drive device may rotate the filter cage and the transfer member in a first configuration and rotate the transfer member only in a second configuration. In some embodiments, the drive device may rotate the filter cage only in a first configuration and rotate the transfer member only in a second configuration. In some embodiments, the drive device may rotate the filter cage and the transfer member in both configurations.

[0067] The drive unit may include a motor, optionally an electric motor. The electric motor may include a rotor. The rotor of the motor may be concentric with the axis and the drive shaft. Alternatively, the motor may be located away from the axis, for example, the rotor of the motor may rotate around an axis parallel to but not overlapping the axis of the filter chamber. In such an embodiment, the rotor may be connected by a pulley or gear to rotate the conveying member. The motor may have a power consumption of at least 0.6kW, or at least 0.9kW, or at least 1.2kW, or at least 1.5kW. The power consumption of the motor may not exceed 5kW, 4kW, 3kW or 2kW.

[0068] In a first configuration, the drive unit may rotate the transfer member and the filter cage. In a second configuration, the drive unit may rotate only the transfer member or the transfer member and the filter cage. The rotation in the first configuration may additionally help to push liquid through the particulate filter and / or help to dewater the filter residue. The rotation in the second configuration may remove residue from the transfer member. The drive unit may be operable to rotate at different speeds for filter dewatering and residue removal. Alternatively, dewatering and residue removal may be performed at the same speed. The drive device may operate upon receipt of a control signal. This may take the form of an electrical energy source. Where applicable, the control signal may be provided by a controller. Opening

[0069] When the particle filter is in the second configuration, the opening may be a gap or space in the chamber wall. The opening may be located between the first chamber wall group and the second chamber wall group. The opening may extend around the axis. The range may include an arc of up to 90°, up to 180°, up to 270°, or up to 360°. impeller

[0070] The particle filter may include an impeller chamber. The impeller chamber may be connected to the outlet of the filter chamber and adjacent to the outlet of the filter chamber. Therefore, the impeller chamber is capable of receiving the filtered effluent from the outlet of the filter chamber. The impeller chamber may include an impeller located in the impeller chamber. The impeller may be rotated about an axis by a drive unit to discharge the filtered effluent from the impeller chamber. The impeller may also suck the effluent through the filter chamber, thereby increasing the filtration flux. The impeller chamber may be formed in a volute shape around the impeller. The impeller chamber may include an outflow pipe for discharging the effluent from the impeller chamber. The (primary) outflow pipe may be positioned at or near the top of the impeller chamber. The outflow pipe may be arranged tangentially to the impeller chamber. The outflow pipe may discharge the filtered effluent during the operation of the impeller. The impeller chamber may include a secondary outflow pipe located at or near the bottom of the impeller chamber for discharging the effluent from the impeller chamber. A secondary outflow pipe located at or near the bottom of the impeller chamber can passively discharge the remaining filtered effluent in the impeller chamber under the action of gravity when the impeller is not running. The bottom of the impeller chamber can be located below the bottom of the filter chamber so that the filtered effluent in the filter chamber can be passively discharged into the impeller chamber under the action of gravity. The top of the impeller chamber can be located above the top of the filter chamber so that air bubbles can enter the impeller chamber.

[0071] The particle filter may include a supply pipe to provide the effluent to the inlet, the supply pipe may pass through the impeller chamber. The supply pipe may be aligned parallel to the axis. The impeller may be fixed to the supply pipe and the supply pipe may be rotated by the drive means. In addition, the conveying member and / or the filter cage may be connected to the supply pipe to be rotated thereby. Thus, the supply pipe may function as a drive shaft. Controller

[0072] The particle filter may also include a controller. The controller may include a processor and control logic. The controller is able to access the control logic to operate the drive unit and the actuator. The controller may operate the actuator and the drive unit to place the filter cage in a first configuration and a second configuration and rotate the conveying member in the second configuration. Alternatively, the textile processing device may include a controller, which is operable to control the particle filter. The controller in the particle filter may receive input related to the state of the textile processing device. The controller may also receive input from sensors in the connection between the particle filter, the textile processing device, and / or the particle filter and the textile processing device. The controller of the particle filter may have a memory loaded with a program, or may access a program, which, when operated by the processor, controls the actuator and the drive device of the particle filter. The program may receive input and determine appropriate outputs to the actuator and the drive device. When the controller is located in the particle filter, the particle filter may not be directly controlled by the textile processing device, but may "understand" what the textile processing device is doing and may react accordingly. For example, a controller in a particle filter can sense that a wastewater valve in a textile treatment device has been opened and / or a wastewater pump has been started, and can then power an actuator of the particle filter to place it in a first configuration and operate a drive device to start filtering. The memory of the particle filter can be part of the particle filter, or can be accessed by wireless, Internet or other communication means. The particle filter and / or the textile treatment device may include a sensor (e.g., a pressure or fluid sensor in a drain or filter chamber of the treatment device and / or a sensor for determining the volume of effluent flowing to the filter). The controller can be configured to operate the particle filter based on input from such a sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the controller can be configured to operate the particle filter after identifying a condition related to the cleaning cycle (e.g., completion of a cleaning cycle or detection of effluent).

[0073] The controller may be configured to operate the actuator and drive unit to place the particulate filter in the second configuration to remove filter debris from the filter chamber through the opening in the filter chamber to the collection chamber. Operation of the particulate filter by the controller may include operating the actuator and drive unit of the particulate filter to remove debris from the filter chamber without requiring manual emptying by a user. Collection Room

[0074] The particle filter may include a collection chamber. The collection container may be a container radially outward from the opening. The collection chamber may receive filter residues thrown from the conveying member. The collection chamber may circumferentially surround the opening and have an extent comparable to the opening. For example, where the opening extends 360 degrees around the axis, the collection chamber may also extend 360 degrees around the axis. The collection chamber may include a plurality of sections that may be withdrawn from the particle filter for emptying, and optionally, the sections may be withdrawn as drawers. effluent

[0075] As used herein, "effluent" is the material to be filtered by the particulate filter. The effluent is the feed supplied to the inlet of the particulate filter. Typically, the effluent is a liquid containing particulate solid material. The filter medium removes some or all of the solid matter from the effluent. The resulting material is the filtered effluent. Typically, the effluent may contain a textile treatment formulation for treating textiles (e.g., clothing). The amount of solid matter in the effluent may vary depending on the textiles treated, the type of treatment, and the stage of treatment. Therefore, the concentration of solids in the effluent may vary greatly.

[0076] The solid matter in the effluent typically comprises particles from textiles (also referred to as "lint"), soil or a combination thereof. The solid matter present in the effluent may be in the form of particles, in particular in the form of microparticles. Preferably, the particles are or comprise fibers, in particular microfibers. The effluent preferably comprises at least some fibers as solid matter. The fibers in the effluent may be natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic or a mixture thereof. Natural fibers may comprise cellulose microfibers.

[0077] For particles that are or contain fibers, the longest linear dimension of the fibers is preferably greater than about 1 μm, and typically no longer than about 5 mm, or preferably no longer than about 1 mm. Fibers having a longest linear dimension greater than about 1 μm and typically no longer than about 0.5 mm, typically less than about 1 mm, may be referred to herein as "microfibers".

[0078] Before entering the filter, the effluent may contain less than 30 wt.%, or less than 20 wt.%, and or less than 10 wt.% solid material (as a percentage of the total mass of solid material and liquid). The effluent may contain at least 0.001 wt.%, or at least 0.01 wt.%, or at least 0.1 wt.% solid material (as a percentage of the total mass of solid material and liquid).

[0079] The effluent may contain from about 0.01 wt.% to about 5 wt.% solid matter, or from about 0.1 wt.% to about 3.5 wt.% solid matter (as a percentage of the total mass of solid matter and liquid).

[0080] The effluent is preferably flowable, i.e. liquid, rather than in a pasty or semisolid form. The effluent is typically an aqueous liquid. When the effluent comprises a liquid other than water, these liquids may be alcohols, ketones, ethers, cyclic amides, etc. The liquid may comprise at least 50wt%, or at least 80wt%, or at least 90wt% water.

[0081] The textile may be a cellulose-containing textile. In particular, the textile may include clothing.

[0082] The microparticles may receive effluent from one or more textile treating devices. Textile processing equipment

[0083] In a second aspect, there is provided a textile treatment device comprising a particulate filter according to the first aspect.

[0084] The textile treatment device may be a textile washing device. The textile treatment device may be suitable for washing textiles using a treatment formulation comprising a liquid, and according to a first aspect, the textile treatment device comprises a drum for rotating the textiles and the treatment formulation, a drive device for rotating the drum, and a particle filter. Preferably, the textile treatment device is a washing machine.

[0085] Textile processing machines may include machines suitable for colouring (e.g. dyeing), stone washing, grinding and applying surface treatments to garments or textiles used to produce garments. The capacity of a textile processing machine shall not exceed 15Kg, 25Kg, 50Kg, 100Kg or 500Kg of dry textiles at any one time. The drum volume of a textile processing machine may be up to 100L, 500L, 1000L or 5000L.

[0086] The textile processing machine may be a washing machine and may include a domestic washing machine or a commercial washing machine. The capacity of a domestic washing machine can wash up to 15 kg of dry textiles at any given time. Typically, a domestic washing machine is either a front-loading washing machine or a top-loading washing machine. Typically, a domestic washing machine has a width of about 60 cm, a depth of about 60 cm, and a height of about 85 cm. The capacity of the drum of a domestic washing machine is preferably at least 1 liter, more preferably at least 10 liters, and preferably no more than 150 liters, or no more than 120 liters.

[0087] Commercial washing machines may have a capacity of more than 15 kg of dry textiles at any given time. The capacity of the drum of the textile treatment device may be greater than 120 liters, greater than 150 liters, greater than 200 liters, greater than 400 liters, greater than 900 liters or greater than 1400 liters. Such larger sized drums are particularly suitable for commercial or industrial applications. The capacity of the drum may have any upper limit, preferably, the capacity of the drum does not exceed 20,000 liters or does not exceed 10,000 liters. The textile treatment device may include a drum having a capacity of 200L to 20,000L. use

[0088] In a third aspect, there is provided use of a particle filter or a textile treatment device according to the first or second aspect for filtering particles from an effluent stream, the effluent stream comprising effluent from a treated textile.

[0089] The effluent may be from the treatment of textiles, which may include synthetic fibers, cotton and / or polycotton. The treated textile may be a textile being treated by washing. The use of a particle filter or textile treatment device may be for filtering cellulosic particles and / or synthetic particles.

[0090] The use of the textile processing device according to the third aspect may include processing textiles consisting of synthetic fibers or cellulose-containing fibers. In particular, the textiles may include processing of cotton or polycotton. The textile processing device may be as described in the second aspect. The textile processing device may include a drum having a volume between 120L or 150L and 20,000L, or between 200L and 10,000L, or between 500L and 5000L, or within a range formed by any of these endpoints.

[0091] It can be used according to the method of the fourth aspect. method

[0092] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of filtering particulates from effluent of a textile treatment device, comprising: i. Providing a particulate filter according to the first aspect; ii. operating the actuator to place the particulate filter in a first configuration; iii. supplying the effluent from the textile treatment device to the inlet of the particulate filter; iv. filtering the effluent through a filter medium and transmitting the filtered effluent to an outlet; v. Stop supplying effluent; vi. operating the actuator to place the particulate filter in a second configuration; vii. Operate the driving unit to rotate the conveying member to throw the filter residue out of the opening from the conveying member.

[0093] The method may be a method of filtering particles from an effluent from the treatment of textiles which have been treated with synthetic and / or cellulose containing textiles.

[0094] The method may further comprise the subsequent step of repeating steps ii. to vii. one or more times.

[0095] After the supply of effluent has been stopped, any remaining filtered effluent within the filtration chamber may be allowed to drain through the outlet prior to step vi.

[0096] The supply of effluent may be from a single treatment cycle of the textile treatment device. The filter residue may be dewatered by rotating the filter cage between steps v and vi. Dewatering may include rotating the filter medium to centrifugally remove water from the residue.

[0097] The supply of effluent may come from a single treatment cycle of a textile treatment apparatus. The effluent of a single treatment cycle may be delivered in a continuous manner, or the effluent of a single treatment cycle may be supplied intermittently. The supply of effluent may come from a plurality of textile treatment devices. That is, more than one textile treatment device may be connected to a single particulate filter.

[0098] These aspects of the invention are particularly suitable for filtering fibrous particles or particles comprising fibers, and at least some of the fibers have a longest linear dimension of 1 μm to 500 μm. The inventors have found that the filter, textile treatment device, use and method are particularly suitable for filtering and at least partially removing fibers of such sizes.

[0099] The fibres filtered in the method of the fourth aspect of the invention are typically derived from textiles which have been treated in a liquid medium.

[0100] Treatment preferably includes washing, colouring (especially dyeing and coloring), wearing, aging, softening, rinsing, bleaching, sterilizing, desizing and depilling, and combinations thereof.

[0101] The method is particularly suitable for filtering effluent from a process or treatment plant as described above.

[0102] Preferably, the textile treatment device is used for rotating, in particular tumbling, one or more textile products and a liquid medium in a drum.

[0103] At least some of the fibers in the effluent may comprise synthetic fibers. Examples of synthetic fibers include nylon, polyester, polyurethane, acrylic, acrylonitrile, and the like.

[0104] The temperature of the effluent as it passes through the filter may be from 5 to 95°C, more preferably from 5 to 70°C and especially from 10 to 60°C.

[0105] Typically, the particle filter is primed with a liquid, more preferably an aqueous liquid and in particular water, or is primed with the effluent before the effluent enters the filter.

[0106] In increasing order of preference, the particulate filter according to the first aspect of the invention or the textile treatment device according to the second aspect of the invention is capable of filtering the effluent for at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 treatment cycles before becoming clogged or requiring cleaning.

[0107] In increasing order of preference, the particulate filter according to the first aspect of the invention or the textile treatment device according to the second aspect of the invention is capable of filtering a total volume of at least 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 litres of effluent before becoming clogged or requiring cleaning.

[0108] The particle filter can be operated so that the effluent flows through the filter once (and only once). The filter can be operated so that the effluent of one treatment cycle can be circulated through the filter several times. Although the required filtering time may be slightly longer, cyclic filtration can provide particularly good filtering efficiency. Preferably, the effluent is circulated through the filter at least 2, 3, 4 and 5 times. Preferably, the number of cycles of the effluent supply through the filter does not exceed 100 times. The number of cycles of the effluent supply can be considered as the total amount of liquid passing through the filter in the treatment cycle divided by the volume of fresh liquid used in the treatment cycle.

[0109] It should be understood that the above-described features, preferences and embodiments are applicable to each of the drawings where the combination allows.Aspects of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0110] Figure 1a A side view of a particulate filter in a first configuration according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0111] Figure 1b Shows Figure 1a An isometric view of a particulate filter in a first configuration.

[0112] Figure 1c Shows Figure 1a A side view of a particulate filter in a second configuration.

[0113] Figure 1d Shows Figure 1a An isometric view of the particulate filter in a second configuration.

[0114] Figure 1e shows the first configuration Figure 1a A cross-sectional side view of the particulate filter along the axis.

[0115] Figure 1f shows a second configuration with a drive device Figure 1a Side view of a particulate filter.

[0116] Figure 2a is a diagram of an alternative particulate filter in a first configuration according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0117] Figure 2b It is in the second configuration Figure 2a Figure 1. A diagram of a particulate filter.

[0118] Figure 3 is a diagram of an alternative particulate filter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0119] Figure 4 is a diagram of an alternative particulate filter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0120] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a textile treatment device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0121] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] refer to Figures 1a-1f , a particle filter 100 is shown. The particle filter 100 includes a filter chamber 102. The filter chamber 102 is composed of a first chamber wall group 105 and a second chamber wall group 106. In various embodiments, the chamber wall group can include any number of walls, including one wall or more than one wall. However, in Figures 1a to 1f In the embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber wall group 105 includes an approximately circular end wall and a cylindrical side wall attached thereto to approximate a cylinder with an open end. The second chamber wall group 106 includes a single end wall parallel to and opposite to the end wall of the first chamber wall group 105. The filter chamber 102 also includes an inlet 103 and an outlet 104 in the second chamber wall group 106. Figure 1a In the embodiment of FIG. 1-e, the inlet 103 is shown as a hole in the center of a single end wall of the second chamber wall group 106. The outlet 104 is also in the single end wall of the second chamber wall group 106. The outlet 104 is an annular hole located radially outward of the inlet 103 and extending 360 degrees around the inlet 103. The effluent containing particles enters the filter chamber 102 through the inlet 103, and the filtered effluent leaves the filter chamber 102 through the outlet 104.

[0123] The first set of chamber walls 105 can be moved relative to the second set of chamber walls 106 between two configurations by an actuator 113 . Figure 1a , 1b 1e shows a first configuration in which the filter chamber 102 is sealed and effluent can only enter through the inlet 103 and leave through the outlet 104. No effluent can pass between the first wall set 105 and the second wall set 106. An outer annular seal 118 between the first wall set 105 and the second wall set 106 helps prevent effluent from leaking out of the filter chamber 102, and the seal can be in the form of an O-ring fixed to the second wall set. Figure 1c , 1d and 1f show a second configuration, in which the first set 105 of chamber walls is linearly separated from the second set 106 of chamber walls along the axis 1 so as to present an opening 107 between them for extracting the filter residue therethrough.

[0124] Figures 1a-1f The actuator 113 in the embodiment of is also connected to the filter cage 108 via the first wall set 105 and moves together with the first wall set 105 between a first configuration and a second configuration parallel to the axis 1. The rotary bearing between the first wall set 105 and the filter cage 108 allows the filter cage 108 to rotate independently of the first wall set 105.

[0125] The filter cage 108 is approximately cylindrical and has a closed end and an open end, the closed end being adjacent to the end wall of the first chamber wall group 105 and the open end being adjacent to the second chamber wall group 106. The filter cage 108 approximates an internal volume 110, which is also approximately cylindrical in shape. When the filter cage 108 includes an open end, the internal volume 110 can be defined by an imaginary plane covering the opening of the filter cage 108, so that Figures 1a-1f The interior volume 110 in the filter housing 108 is cylindrical like the filter cage 108 .

[0126] The filter cage 108 includes a filter medium 109 comprising a porous material of suitable size to filter particulates in the effluent, such as a polyamide mesh having a pore size of 50 μm.

[0127] The particle filter 100 comprises a conveying member 112. The conveying member is rotatable about an axis 1 and driven by a drive unit 114 (only in Figure 1f The driving device includes a motor 114a, and a first pulley 114b is provided on the rotor of the motor 114a. The first pulley is connected to a second pulley 114c on the supply pipe 121 through a belt 114d. Figures 1a to 1fIn an embodiment of the invention, the conveying member 112 is connected to a supply pipe 121, both of which are mounted on a rotating bearing. The supply pipe 121 rotates and serves as a drive shaft for the conveying member 112. Thus, the drive unit rotates the conveying member 112 via the supply pipe 121. The rotational drive can be transmitted from a drive unit (e.g., an electric motor) to the supply pipe 121 from the drive unit via a pulley or gear connection, or the drive unit can also be directly connected to the supply pipe 121, for example.

[0128] The transfer member 112 includes two discs. One disc is a filter residue collector 115, which is adjacent to the end wall of the first chamber wall group 105. The filter residue collector 115 is circular, and its diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the filter cage 108, so it has the same cross-sectional shape. The shape of the filter residue collector 115 is designed to be in close contact with the filter medium 109, so that when the filter cage 108 moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, the filter residue collector 115 scrapes the filter residue from the filter medium 109 and transfers it to the transfer member 112. The filter residue collector 115 includes a conformable edge for contacting the filter medium 109, which may include a rubber edge around the circumference of the disc.

[0129] Another disc is a base 125 of the conveying member. The base 125 is spaced apart from the filter residue collector 115 along the axis and is positioned adjacent to the second chamber wall set 106. The base 125 includes a hole 127 to allow effluent from the inlet 103 to enter the inner volume 110 of the filter cage 108 when the particle filter 100 is in the first configuration. The filter residue collector 115 and the base 125 are spaced apart by a set of guide vanes 124. These vanes 124 extend parallel to the axis 1 and are located radially outside the axis and are equally spaced around the circumference of the conveying member 112. Their elongated faces are aligned with the radial direction of the axis 1. In the first configuration, the base 125 forms an inner annular seal 117 in combination with the open end of the filter cage 108 to prevent unfiltered effluent from bypassing the filter medium 109 and leaking from the inner volume 110 to the space 111 outside the inner volume.

[0130] When the particulate filter 100 is in the first configuration, the transfer member 112 is located in the interior volume 110 of the filter cage 108. In this configuration, the drive unit rotates the transfer member 112, thereby causing the filter cage 108 to rotate by the rotation of the transfer member 112. The interference fit between the filter residue collector 115 and / or the base 125 or any part of the transfer member 112 and the filter cage 108 enables the rotational drive to be transmitted to the filter cage 108.

[0131] In the second configuration, the transfer member 112 and the filter cage 108 are separated along the axis 1 by the actuator 113. In this configuration, the opening 107 extends 360 degrees around the transfer member 112. When the transfer member 112 rotates, the filter residue is thrown out of the transfer member 112 through the opening 107 by centrifugal force.

[0132] The particulate filter 100 or indeed any of the embodiments described herein may include a collection chamber (not shown). The collection chamber may be located radially outwardly of the opening 107 and may optionally extend 360 degrees around the opening 107. The collection chamber is a container for collecting debris ejected from the particulate filter 100.

[0133] Figures 1a-1f The particle filter 100 includes an impeller chamber 119. The impeller chamber 119 is fluidly connected to and adjacent to the annular outlet 104 of the filter chamber 102. The impeller chamber 119 receives the filtered effluent from the outlet 104. The impeller chamber 119 includes an impeller 120 located in the impeller chamber 119, and the impeller 120 includes a plurality of impeller blades. The impeller 120 is mounted on the supply pipe 112 and rotates around the axis 1 under the drive of the drive unit. The rotation of the impeller 120 helps to discharge the filtered effluent from the impeller chamber 119 through the outflow pipe 122 tangentially located at the top of the impeller chamber 119. In use, the impeller chamber 119 and the impeller 120 draw the effluent into the filter chamber 102 and can increase the flow rate through the particle filter 100. The impeller chamber 119 also includes a secondary outflow pipe 123 located at the bottom dead center of the impeller chamber 119 to allow residual liquid to be discharged from the impeller chamber 119. The lowest portion of the impeller chamber 119 is located below the filter chamber 102 , so any residual liquid in the filter chamber 102 will drain into the impeller chamber 119 and out of the secondary outflow pipe 123 .

[0134] In use, the particle filter 100 is connected to an effluent source, such as a textile treatment device (e.g., a household or commercial washing machine, etc.). The effluent source is connected to the particle filter 100 so that the effluent is provided to the inlet 103 of the particle filter 100. Before the effluent is supplied to the inlet 103, the particle filter 100 is placed in a first configuration by operating the actuator 113. This causes the first chamber wall group 105 to contact the second chamber wall group 106 to form a sealing unit. In the first configuration, the outer annular seal 118 prevents fluid leakage between the two chamber wall groups. The effluent provided to the inlet 103 enters the filter chamber 102 through the hole in the base 125 of the transfer member 112. The drive unit can be operated to rotate the transfer member 112, and due to the contact between the transmission member 112 and the filter cage 108, the rotational drive is transmitted to the filter cage 108 to rotate it. The rotation of the transfer member 112 causes the guide vane 124 to induce the effluent in the filter chamber 102 to rotate. This drives the effluent through the filter medium 109 and out of the filter cage 108 to the outlet 104. The impeller 120 is rotated by the drive device, the effluent is sucked into the impeller chamber 119, and the effluent is pumped out of the impeller chamber 119 through the outlet pipe 122. After the filtration is completed, the supply of effluent is stopped. This can be done by a valve upstream of the inlet 103 or a valve in the effluent source itself. The filtered effluent is allowed to drain from the particulate filter 100 and out of the impeller chamber 119. Any residual liquid in the filter chamber 102 or the impeller chamber 119 can be discharged from the secondary outlet pipe 123, which optionally includes a valve. Once the filtered effluent is discharged from the impeller chamber 119 and the filter chamber 102, the filter cage 108 can be optionally rotated by the drive device to dehydrate the filter residue accumulated on the surface of the filter medium 109. The rotation can use centrifugal force to throw water out of the residue, thereby dehydrating the residue.

[0135] The particulate filter 100 can be placed in the second configuration by operating the actuator 113 to separate the first and second wall sets 105, 106 and move the filter cage 108 away from around the transfer member 112. This forms an opening 107 between the wall sets 105, 106, which radially surrounds the transfer member 112. When the actuator 113 pulls the filter cage 108 away from the transfer member 112, debris accumulated on the surface of the filter medium 109 is scraped off by the filter debris collector 115 and accumulated on the transfer member 112. The transfer member 112 is then rotated by the drive at a sufficient speed to throw the transferred debris out of the transfer member 112 through the opening 107. The particulate filter 100 can then be returned to the first configuration to resume filtering.

[0136] refer to Figure 2a and Figure 2b, shows an alternative particle filter 200. The particle filter 200 includes a filter chamber 202. The filter chamber 202 is composed of a first chamber wall group 205 and a second chamber wall group 206. Figure 2a and 2b In the embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber wall group 205 includes a single approximately circular end wall. The second chamber wall group 206 includes a single end wall and a cylindrical side wall attached thereto, which is approximately a cylinder with an open end. The filter chamber 202 also includes an inlet 203 and an outlet 204. Figure 2a and 2b In the embodiment of the present invention, the inlet 203 is a hole in the end wall of the second chamber wall group 206. The outlet 204 is a hole in the cylindrical side wall of the second chamber wall group 206. The effluent containing particles enters the filter chamber 202 through the inlet 203, and the filtered effluent leaves the filter chamber 202 through the outlet 204.

[0137] The first set of chamber walls 205 is movable relative to the second set of chamber walls 206 between two configurations via an actuator 213 . Figure 2a A first configuration is shown where the filter chamber 202 is a sealed unit where effluent can only enter through inlet 203 and exit through outlet 204. An outer annular seal 218 between the first set of chamber 206 walls and the second set of chamber 206 walls can further reduce or eliminate leakage from the filter chamber 202. Figure 2b A second configuration is shown, in which the first set of chamber walls 205 has been separated from the second set of chamber walls 206, thereby forming an opening 207 therebetween for extracting filter residues through the opening.

[0138] exist Figure 2a and 2b In the embodiment of the invention, the filter cage 208 is fluidically connected to the inlet 203 and mounted on the rotational bearing of the second chamber wall group 206. The filter cage 208 is approximately a cylinder having a closed end except for the passage from the inlet 203 and an open end, the closed end being adjacent to the end wall of the second chamber wall group 206, and the open end being adjacent to the first chamber wall group 205. The filter cage 208 approximates an internal volume 210, which is also approximately cylindrical in shape. The sides of the filter cage 208 include a porous filter medium for filtering particles from the effluent.

[0139] Figure 2a and 2b The actuator 213 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is connected to the first wall set 205 and the transfer member 212. The actuator 213 linearly moves the transfer member 212 and the first wall set 205 between a first configuration and a second configuration parallel to the axis 1. A rotary bearing (not shown) between the second wall set 206 and the filter cage 208 allows the filter cage 208 to rotate independently of the second wall set 206.

[0140] The conveying member 212 is rotatable about the axis 1 and is driven by a driving unit 214. The conveying member 212 comprises two discs. One disc is a filter residue collector 215 (at Figure 2a The filter residue collector 215 is a circular shape, and its diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the filter cage 208, and therefore has the same cross-sectional shape. The filter residue collector 215 also has a central hole 227 aligned with the inlet 203 to allow the effluent from the inlet 203 to enter the center of the conveying member 212. Another disc is a conveying member base 225, which is spaced apart from the filter residue collector 215 along the axis and positioned adjacent to the first chamber wall group 205. The filter residue collector 215 and the base 225 are spaced apart by a set of guide vanes 224. These vanes extend parallel to the axis and are located radially outside the axis and are equidistantly distributed along the periphery of the conveying member 212. Their elongated faces are aligned with the radial direction of the axis. The base 225 is combined with the open end of the filter cage 208 to form an internal annular seal. When particulate filter 200 is in the first configuration, the internal annular seal prevents unfiltered effluent from bypassing the filter media and leaking from interior volume 210 to space in filter chamber 202 that is outside interior volume 211 .

[0141] When the particulate filter 200 is in the first configuration, the transfer member 212 is located in the interior volume 210 of the filter cage 208. In this configuration, the drive unit 214 rotates the transfer member 212, thereby causing the filter cage 208 to rotate through the rotation of the transfer member 212. The interference fit between the filter residue collector 215 and / or the base 225 or any part of the transfer member 212 and the filter cage 208 can transmit the rotational drive to the filter cage 208.

[0142] In the second configuration, the transfer member 212 and the filter cage 208 have been separated along the axis by the actuator 213. In this configuration, the opening 207 extends 360 degrees around the transfer member 212. When the transfer member 212 rotates, the transferred filter residue is thrown out of the transfer member 212 through the opening 207 under the action of centrifugal force.

[0143] Figure 2a and Figure 2bAlso shown is a controller 226 for operating the actuator 213 and the drive unit 214. The controller 226 may include or have access to control logic for generating control signals to the actuator 213 or the drive unit 214 based on the received input. The controller 226 may control the actuator 213 to move the particulate filter 200 between the first configuration and the second configuration. The controller 226 may also control the drive unit 214 to rotate during the filtering process, the dehydration process, or when the residue is thrown off the conveying member 226. The control unit may receive input from a pressure or other sensor in the textile processing device or the particulate filter 200 or in a conduit connected to the inlet 203 and / or the outlet 204. The controller 226 is only Figure 2a and 2b , but it is equally applicable to other particulate filters embodied in the drawings, claims or abstract of the invention.

[0144] refer to Figure 3 , shows an alternative particle filter 300. The particle filter 300 includes a first chamber wall group 305 and a second chamber wall group 306, a transmission member 312, an actuator 313 and a filter cage 308, which are arranged in the same manner as Figure 2a and 2b The embodiment of the present invention is the same. However, the inlet 303 and the outlet 304 are located in the end wall including the first chamber wall group 305. The inlet 303 and the outlet 304 are connected to the effluent source and the drain pipe by flexible hoses 330 and 331, respectively, to accommodate the movement of the first chamber wall group 305. The hose 330 for the inlet 303 extends through the interior of the motor 332 and the drive shaft 321 to provide the effluent to the center of the conveying member 312. The drive shaft is connected between the motor 332 and the conveying member 312 to provide rotation of the conveying member 312. However, in other embodiments, the effluent can be provided to the inlet without passing through the motor or the drive shaft.

[0145] Reference Figure 4 , shows an alternative particle filter 400. The particle filter 400 comprises a first chamber wall set 405 and a second chamber wall set 406, an inlet 403 and an outlet 404. An actuator 413 is arranged to move a transfer member 412 and the first chamber wall set 405 between a first configuration and a second configuration. Figure 4The particle filter 400 is shown only in the second configuration. The particle filter 400 further comprises a filter cage 408 rotatably mounted to the second chamber wall set 406 by means of a rotary bearing 426. The inlet 403 is located at an end wall included as part of the second chamber wall set 406. The filter cage 408 is connected to a drive shaft 421 having a hollow bore which supplies effluent to the inlet 403 and into the filter cage 408, so that the drive shaft 421 also serves as a supply pipe. The drive shaft 421 is rotated by a drive unit 414, which is a motor, and its rotor also has a hollow bore for supplying effluent into the drive shaft 421. The filter cage 408 comprises a set of splines 441 extending around the interior of the open end of the filter cage 408. The transfer member 412 further comprises a set of mating splines 440 which engage with the splines 441 of the filter cage 408 when the particle filter 400 is in the second configuration. Rotation of the filter cage 408 via the drive unit 414 and the drive shaft 421 causes the transfer member 412 to rotate, with the drive force being transmitted via the splines 440 and 441 , thereby throwing the debris out through the opening 407 .

[0146] refer to Figure 5 , a textile treatment device 500 is shown. The textile treatment device 500 comprises a rotating drum 501 for treating textiles and a particle filter 503 located outside the textile treatment device 500. An effluent drain 502 delivers effluent from the textile treatment to the particle filter 503. A drain connection 504 delivers filtered effluent from the particle filter 503 to a drainage / sewer system.

[0147] refer to Figure 6, a flow chart shows a method according to a third aspect of the present invention. In step 600, a particle filter is provided. This can be any particle filter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. In step 601, the particle filter is placed in a first configuration by operating the actuator accordingly. In step 602, effluent from a textile treatment device is fed into the particle filter through an inlet. In step 603, the effluent is filtered of particles as it passes through the filter medium. Optionally, the filter cage is rotated by a drive unit during filtering. After the effluent is filtered, the supply of effluent from the textile treatment device can be stopped in step 604. Residual effluent in the particle filter can be discharged. Optionally, the filter cage can be rotated to shake off any residual liquid, thereby dehydrating the filter residue. In step 605, the actuator can be operated to place the particle filter in a second configuration. In doing so, the residue accumulated on the filter medium can be transferred to a transfer member. In step 606, the drive unit is operated to throw the transfer residue from the transfer member out of the particle filter. Optionally, this may be collected in a collection container. The method further comprises an optional step 607 of repeating steps 601 to 606. In an optional step 608 of using the collection chamber, the collection chamber may be emptied of the collected filter residue.

[0148] As used herein, the term "comprising" encompasses "including" as well as "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of", e.g., a composition "comprising" X may consist of X alone, or may include some additional substances, such as X+Y. As used herein, the words "a" or "an" are not limited to the singular, but should be understood to include a plurality, unless the context requires otherwise. Therefore, words such as "a" also mean "one or more". It should be understood that any item, feature, parameter or component described herein may be related to any aspect of the present invention where appropriate.

Claims

1. A particle filter for filtering particles in effluent from a textile treatment device, the particle filter comprising: i) a filter chamber, the filter chamber comprising: an inlet for supplying the effluent to the filtration chamber and an outlet for allowing the filtered effluent to exit the filtration chamber; a first wall set and a second wall set, wherein, in a first configuration, the first wall set and the second wall set are sealed together so that outflow cannot pass between the first wall set and the second wall set, wherein, in a second configuration, the first wall set and the second wall set provide an opening; ii) a filter cage housed within the filter chamber, wherein the filter cage comprises one or more filter media for filtering particulates from the effluent, wherein the filter cage is rotatable about an axis, wherein the filter cage defines an interior volume, wherein the inlet is arranged to provide effluent to the interior volume of the filter cage and the outlet is arranged to receive filtered effluent from the filter cage; iii) a conveying member rotatable about an axis; iv) an actuator connected to the first chamber wall set and one of the filter cage or the transfer member and operable to move between the first configuration and the second configuration; v) a drive unit arranged to rotate the conveying member at least in the second configuration; wherein, in the first configuration, the transfer member is located within the interior volume of the filter cage; and wherein, in the second configuration, the transfer member is removed from the interior volume of the filter cage along an axis and the transfer member is rotatable to throw transferred filter residues off the transfer member through the opening, and wherein the transfer member includes a filter residue collector to remove filter residues from the filter media when the filter is changed from the first configuration to the second configuration.

2. The particulate filter according to claim 1, wherein: The actuator is connected to the first chamber wall set and the filter cage.

3. The particulate filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Only when the filter is in the first configuration does a rotation of the transfer member by the drive unit cause a rotation of the filter cage via a rotation of the transfer member.

4. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: When the actuator is actuated, the actuator causes the filter cage and the first chamber wall set to linearly move together between different configurations.

5. A particulate filter according to any preceding claim as dependent upon claim 2, wherein: The first chamber wall group and the filter cage are connected via a rotary bearing, thereby allowing independent rotation therebetween.

6. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inlet and the outlet are both located in the first wall group of the filter chamber or both located in the second wall group of the filter chamber, or optionally, the inlet and the outlet are both located in the same single wall in a wall group.

7. A particulate filter according to claim 6, wherein: The outlet is annular and located radially outward of the inlet.

8. A particulate filter according to any preceding claim, comprising an internal annular seal for sealing the filter cage to the transfer member when the filter is in the first configuration.

9. A particle filter according to any preceding claim, comprising an outer annular seal for sealing the first set of chamber walls to the second set of chamber walls when the filter is in the first configuration.

10. The particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an impeller chamber connected to and adjacent to the outlet of the filter chamber to receive the filtered effluent from the outlet of the filter chamber, wherein the impeller chamber comprises an impeller located in the impeller chamber, the impeller being rotatable about an axis by the drive unit to discharge the filtered effluent from the impeller chamber.

11. A particle filter according to claim 10, comprising a feed pipe for providing effluent to the inlet, the feed pipe passing through the impeller chamber parallel to the axis.

12. The particulate filter according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The impeller chamber includes an outflow conduit and optionally a secondary outflow conduit located below the impeller chamber individual chamber for discharging outflow from the impeller chamber.

13. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The filter cage is in the form of a cylinder, an ellipsoid or a prism.

14. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The filter residue collector includes a cross-sectional shape that is similar to a cross-sectional geometry of the interior volume perpendicular to the axis.

15. The particulate filter according to claim 14, wherein: The filter residue collector includes a conformable member for contacting the filter media.

16. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conveying member comprises one or more guide vanes extending substantially parallel to the axis and positioned radially outwardly, optionally wherein a plurality of said guide vanes are equidistantly distributed around the circumference of the conveying member.

17. A particulate filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The particulate filter also includes a controller capable of accessing logic to operate the actuator and the drive unit to place the filter cage in the first configuration and the second configuration and to rotate the conveying member in the second configuration.

18. A textile treatment device comprising a particulate filter according to any preceding claim.

19. A textile treatment device according to claim 18, comprising a drum, the drum having a capacity of 200L to 20,000L.

20. Use of a particle filter or textile treatment device according to any preceding claim for filtering particles from an effluent stream including effluent from treated textiles.

21. The use according to claim 20, wherein the textile comprises synthetic fibers, cotton or polycotton; and / or wherein the treated textile is a laundered textile.

22. A method of filtering particulates from effluent from a textile treatment device, comprising: i. Providing a particulate filter according to any one of claims 1 to 17; ii. operating the actuator to place the particulate filter in the first configuration; iii. feeding the effluent from the textile treatment device to the inlet of the particulate filter; iv. filtering the effluent through the filter medium and transmitting the filtered effluent to the outlet; v. Stop the effluent supply; vi. operating the actuator to place the particulate filter in the second configuration; vii. operating the driving device to rotate the conveying member to throw the filter residue from the conveying member out of the opening.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the subsequent steps of: viii. Repeat steps ii. to vii. one or more times.

24. The method according to any one of claims 22 or 23, wherein: The filter residue is dewatered by rotating the filter cage between steps v and vi.

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