Filter press with a stack of vertically aligned, horizontally displaceable filter plates

In a filter press, a stack of vertically oriented, horizontally displaceable filter plates enclose filter chambers therebetween. The filter plates are successively moved relative to each other from a closed pressing position, through a pressure relief position, to an open discharge position. At least one connecting element is connected to each filter plate, and is movably coupled to the respective adjacent filter plate by a coupling pin, which slides in a specially configured groove of the connecting element. In the relief position, a respective coupling pin is stopped against an intermediate blocking surface of the groove of the connecting element of the next adjacent filter plate, thereby preventing further horizontal displacement. By unlatching the connecting element, the coupling pin can then slide to a stop surface of the groove, to allow the adjacent filter plates to be displaced farther into the open discharge position.