EP3225700A1 - Trocknungseinheit zum unterbringen mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter - Google Patents

Trocknungseinheit zum unterbringen mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3225700A1
EP3225700A1 EP16162910.0A EP16162910A EP3225700A1 EP 3225700 A1 EP3225700 A1 EP 3225700A1 EP 16162910 A EP16162910 A EP 16162910A EP 3225700 A1 EP3225700 A1 EP 3225700A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
top plate
pelt
pelt board
drying unit
bottom plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP16162910.0A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Minkpapir AS
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Minkpapir AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minkpapir AS filed Critical Minkpapir AS
Priority to EP16162910.0A priority Critical patent/EP3225700A1/de
Priority to US16/068,486 priority patent/US10689720B2/en
Priority to CN201780014579.9A priority patent/CN108779502A/zh
Priority to EP17704671.1A priority patent/EP3212812A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2017/050253 priority patent/WO2017118721A1/en
Publication of EP3225700A1 publication Critical patent/EP3225700A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C14—SKINS; HIDES; PELTS; LEATHER
    • C14B—MECHANICAL TREATMENT OR PROCESSING OF SKINS, HIDES OR LEATHER IN GENERAL; PELT-SHEARING MACHINES; INTESTINE-SPLITTING MACHINES
    • C14B1/00—Manufacture of leather; Machines or devices therefor
    • C14B1/58—Drying
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C14—SKINS; HIDES; PELTS; LEATHER
    • C14B—MECHANICAL TREATMENT OR PROCESSING OF SKINS, HIDES OR LEATHER IN GENERAL; PELT-SHEARING MACHINES; INTESTINE-SPLITTING MACHINES
    • C14B15/00—Mechanical treatment of furs
    • C14B15/04—Fur dressing
    • C14B15/06—Fur-stretching devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a drying unit for accommodating a plurality of elongated hollow pelt boards, and associated methods of drying a pelt by providing a drying unit.
  • Pelt boards and drying units are used in the pelt industry in the process of tanning pelts.
  • the pelts such as pelts from smaller mammals, preferably minks, foxes or the like, are stretched onto a pelt board for drying.
  • pelt boards were made from solid wood, however, recently hollow pelt boards made of plastic have been used.
  • Such hollow pelt boards are often made from two elongated half parts which together form a convex surface about a central axis. The half parts may be movable relative to one another for allowing the pelt board to collapse in order to simplify the removal of the pelts after drying.
  • the pelt boards typically have a slightly conical shape from a bottom end to a top end. The pelts are stretched onto the pelt boards such that the cranium end of the pelt is located at the top end of the pelt board and the tail end of the pelt is located at the bottom end of the pelt board.
  • the pelt boards are often used together with a layer of fat absorbing material such as paper for absorbing fat from the pelt.
  • the moist of the pelt is however removed using a drying unit for drying the pelts by means of a flow of air.
  • the pelt board has a plurality of openings or apertures for allowing drying air to pass through the pelt board. Drying air is received at the bottom part of the pelt board and passes via the inside of the hollow pelt board through the pelt board and pelt. The drying air thus actively removes moist and water from the pelts and thus the total drying time is significantly reduced compared to using wooden pelt boards.
  • the pelt boards are typically placed in a drying unit for drying.
  • the drying unit comprises a shallow box shaped unit defining an inner space and a blowing unit.
  • the drying unit defines a top surface having a number of apertures.
  • the pelt boards have a connecting element at the bottom end. The connecting element is received and arrested in the apertures.
  • the blowing unit forces an air flow into the inner space and into the bottom end of the pelt boards via the apertures.
  • Each drying unit typically has in the range of 25-100 apertures allowing a corresponding number of pelt boards and associated pelts to be dried.
  • the drying units are often movable simplifying the transport of a plurality of pelt boards and allowing the drying to take place in a room having an increased exchange of air.
  • drying units may be found in the applicants own international applications WO 2005/026394 A1 and WO 2007/085269 A1 , disclosing a method and drying unit for drying out the leather side of a pelt stretched out and fixed in this position on a pelt board, and, a device for performing complete- or partial emptying/filling of a drying aggregate with upstanding expansion pelt boards, respectively.
  • the classic drying units do not necessarily deliver the same amount of drying air through all of its apertures.
  • the difference between the apertures becomes even more apparent.
  • Having approximately the same flow of air is important since it will allow all of the pelts of a drying unit to be appropriately dried out. Otherwise the problem will arise where some of the pelts of a drying unit are over-dried while some are still moist.
  • a drying unit for accommodating a plurality of elongated hollow pelt boards, each of the pelt boards having a pelt board top, a pelt board bottom and a connecting element at the pelt board bottom, the drying unit defining:
  • the drying unit defines a inner space bounded by the top plate facing upwards, the bottom plate facing the ground, the side wall and the gas inlet. It is contemplated that the bottom plate may be omitted and that the surface of the floor of the room may be used as bottom plate.
  • the top plate has apertures which are used for arresting the connecting element of the pelt board. Typically, 200 pelt boards may be accommodated on one drying unit.
  • the apertures also distribute drying gas, preferably air, from the inner volume to the hollow pelt board via the bottom of the pelt board. The gas is received by the inner space via the gas inlet, preferably in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the pelt boards.
  • Standard drying units according to the prior art which are on the market today, e.g. marketed by the applicant company, are made very shallow, i.e. the top surface is located very low, such as about 100mm above the bottom plate, i.e. the inner height of the inner space is about 100mm.
  • the reason for this is the fact that the pelt boards are quite tall, about 1-1,5 meters or more.
  • the applicant has performed numerous experiments and found out that the standard shallow drying units will not distribute the stream of air from the gas inlet equally among the apertures when high flow velocities are used.
  • High flow velocities cause various flow effects such as increase of pressure, pressure waves, flow separation and turbulence, which in turn make the air flow through each aperture very unpredictable. This may lead to an uneven drying among the pelts on the pelt boards placed in the drying unit.
  • the solution to this problem is to make the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate larger so that the inner space of the drying unit defines a greater volume. This will allow the flow velocity within the drying unit to be maintained while the total volume of gas flowing though the inner volume may be increased. Thus, the negative flow effects mentioned above may be minimized.
  • the inner height of the inner space of the drying aggregate is made higher, such as 200mm, effectively doubling the volume of the inner space compared to standard drying units on the market today.
  • the above-mentioned preferred ranges are suitable.
  • the side wall is flexible and wherein the drying unit further comprising a lifting device interconnecting the bottom plate and the top plate, the lifting device being capable of moving the top plate and the bottom plate relative to one another between a first position in which the top plate and the bottom plate being adjacent each other, and a second position in which the top plate and the bottom plate being distant each other, the lifting device optionally being lockable by a locking device.
  • the side wall may be made flexible, i.e. capable of defining a larger and smaller area, and the drying unit may be provided with a lifting device capable of moving the top plate and the bottom plate relative to one another. It is understood that the plates and wall as such of the drying unit are substantially pressure proof, i.e. the flexible side wall should be able to define a larger area without opening any apertures in the side wall.
  • the top plate and the bottom plate may be adjacent each other, such as 100mm apart, during placement and removal of the pelt boards as well as during transport of the drying unit.
  • the top plate and the bottom plate may be moved apart, making the drying unit higher, such as at least 200mm, such as between 200mm and 2500mm, preferably between 250mm and 1000mm, more preferably between 300mm and 800mm, most preferably between 400mm and 600mm. In this way the flow distribution is improved when needed during drying whereas the ergonomically friendly height is maintained for the user.
  • a locking device may be provided for mechanically locking the distance between the top plate and the bottom plate at specific distances.
  • the flexible side wall comprise a first side wall element being connected to the top plate and a second side wall element connected to the bottom element, the first side wall element and the second side wall element being fluid tightly interconnected in a telescopic configuration.
  • the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate may be efficiently moved between the first contracted positon and the second extended positon, in which the second position is effectively constituting twice the height of the drying unit, and thereby twice the inner volume, compared to the first position. More elements may be used to reach even higher levels and thereby even larger inner volumes.
  • the flexible side wall comprise an elastic and/or pleated and/or rolled up element.
  • the flexible side wall may e.g. be pleated or elastic in order to be able to be reshaped in a way such that the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate may be changed without opening any apertures in the side wall. It may also be rolled up on a rod and rolled up/down as the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate is changed, much like a roll-up curtain.
  • the lifting device being located within the inner space and/or the lifting device comprising a guiding element extending from the bottom plate and through the top plate.
  • the lifting device is within the inner space in order to save space.
  • the lifting device may comprise a guiding element, e.g. in the form of bars.
  • the lifting device constitutes a hydraulic or pneumatic lifting device or a mechanical lifting device such as a pantograph having a mechanical advantage between 1 and 10, preferably between 2 and 5 and preferably driven by an electrical motor, a hydraulic cylinder or alternatively including a gear mechanism for being manually operated by a user.
  • a mechanical lifting device such as a pantograph having a mechanical advantage between 1 and 10, preferably between 2 and 5 and preferably driven by an electrical motor, a hydraulic cylinder or alternatively including a gear mechanism for being manually operated by a user.
  • the lifting device may thus be either manual using a gear for leverage, powered, or even automatically controlled.
  • a pantograph having a leverage or mechanical advantage may e.g. be used.
  • the mechanical advantage reduces the mechanical stress on the lifting device during the movement of the top plate relative to the bottom plate.
  • the gas inlet connected to an on board air blower capable of transporting air from outside the drying unit into the inner space and out through the apertures.
  • a blower may be used forcing ambient air into the inner space through the gas inlet.
  • the blower may be fixated to and essentially made part of the drying unit.
  • the gas inlet is connectable to an external air blower capable of communicating with the gas inlet, the external air blower being capable of transporting air from outside the drying unit into the inner space and out through the apertures.
  • the blower may be external and capable of being connected to the gas inlet of the drying unit.
  • the external air blower being capable of transporting air from an outdoor location into the inner space and out through the apertures.
  • Such an external blower may take outside air instead of ambient air. Air from the outside is typically drier than indoor air and thus has a higher drying effect.
  • the air blower including a dehumidifier.
  • a dehumidifier may be used. In this way, the drying effect is increased as the drying air or gas may accept a higher amount of moist before being saturated.
  • the dehumidifier may be used both in connection with the on board air blower as well as with the external air blower.
  • the gas inlet being located in the side wall.
  • the bottom plate being fitted with wheels.
  • drying unit may be easily transported.
  • the bottom plate being fitted with feet such that the drying unit may be moved by the use of a floor conveyor, such as a forklift, jack lift or pallet jack.
  • wheels are replaced by feet in order to have a more stable positioning of the drying unit.
  • the drying unit is thus moved by means of a floor conveyor.
  • the drying unit comprises a flow distributor disposed within the inner space between the gas inlet and the top plate.
  • a flow distributor may be used.
  • the flow distributor is understood to comprise one or more flow regulators or any other suitable means for achieving a uniform flow velocity and pressure distribution within the inner space and avoid recirculation, pressure waves, excessive turbulence and similar flow effects.
  • Examples of air distributors may be found in the documents WO 2015/154729 A1 , WO 2015/062559 A1 , EP2578957 A1 , EP 2573479 A2 , which describe various ducts and elements used for air distribution in ventilation equipment.
  • the air distributors described in the above cited prior art show some principle examples used in the ventilation industry but also suitable as flow distributors according to the present purpose.
  • the flow distributor preferably extends below and at approximately equal distance from all of the apertures from the apertures of the top plate. Below follows some embodiments of a flow distributor suitable for the present purposes:
  • the hoses may be made of a flexible web material such as a web material of natural fibres or syntetic fibres, e.g. textile, allowing the gas to flow though the fine holes in the web material. In this way, any pressure fluctuations will be reduced due to the flexibility of the material in conjunction with the distributing effect of the plurality of apertures in the hose.
  • the hose or hoses should preferably extend along a great portion of the inner space in order to distribute the flow equally over all of the apertures.
  • a rigid or semirigid plate with flexible vent members or flaps may be used for the same purpose.
  • the rigid or semirigid plate divides the inner space and the flexible vent members should be distributed on the rigid or semirigid plate within the inner space for distributing the flow equally over all of the apertures.
  • the flexible vent counteracts any pressure fluctuations by opening when subjected to a large pressure force while closing when the pressure force is smaller, thus limiting the maximum flow though the vent.
  • the flow distributor may even comprise walls, which form cells dividing the inner space into separate spaces, which communicate with separate groups of apertures. Each cell may comprise an individual fan which may be controlled to achieve a uniform flow between the different cells and within each of the cells.
  • the drying unit comprises a plurality of gas inlets disposed at the bottom plate and/or the top plate and/or the side plate.
  • the apertures include a nozzle for conditioning the stream of air and/or the apertures including an adapter made of polymeric material and adapted for interconnecting with the connecting element of the pelt board and/or a nozzle.
  • a nozzle may be used forming a flow constriction in the aperture thus allowing a higher pressure to build up in the inner space. In this way, the flow will be more uniform between the nozzles.
  • An adapter may be used for providing a more stable positioning of the pelt boards on the top plate.
  • the adapters are fixated in a respective aperture of the top plate.
  • the adapter has a shape which corresponds to the connecting element of the pelt board such that the pelt board is held in a stable position.
  • the adapters may be used to provide an interface between various types of pelt boards having connecting elements of different size and thus the same drying unit may be shipped with various adapters for being compatible with different pelt boards.
  • the above method according to the second aspect is preferably used together with the above drying unit according to the first aspect with a fixed side wall.
  • the above method according to the third aspect is preferably used together with the above drying unit according to the first aspect with a flexible side wall and a lifting device.
  • a drying unit for accommodating a plurality of elongated hollow pelt boards, each of the pelt boards having a pelt board top, a pelt board bottom and a connecting element at the pelt board bottom, the drying unit defining:
  • the drying unit may be provided with a flow distributor in order to prevent the negative flow effects associated with high flow velocities for achieving a quicker drying of the pelt as described above.
  • a flow distributor may be used for preventing recirculation areas and similar flow effects which contribute to an uneven distribution of the flow between the apertures.
  • the flow distributor is adapted to provide a substantially uniform gas flow through the apertures.
  • the flow distributor may be any form of physical flow guide, which influences the flow direction, velocity or pressure after the flow has entered the inner space and before the flow exits the aperture, and which has the purpose of achieving an uniform distribution of the flow through the apertures.
  • the flow distributor comprises one or more flexible and gas permeable hoses, or alternatively the flow distributor comprises a rigid or semirigid plate including one or more flexible vent members, or alternatively the flow distributor comprises rigid or semirigid flow guiding elements, or alternatively the flow distributor comprises walls within the inner space defining enclosed cells between the gas inlet and the top plate, each of the cells preferably comprising a fan.
  • the above method according to the fifth aspect is preferably used in together with the drying unit according to the fourth aspect.
  • a pelt processing system comprising:
  • the tanning unit stretches and fastens the pelt on the expanded pelt board.
  • the holding unit may be made very light since it must not include any mechanical parts, blowers or flow distributors. Wheels are as well optional as the holding unit may be moved by means of a floor conveyor. It must merely be capable of holding the pelt boards in a substantially stable position. This may be done by apertures in the top plate in conjunction with adapters as described above.
  • the blowing unit may be stationary and as the holding unit is connected to the blowing unit the inner space is formed in-between the blowing unit and the holding unit.
  • the release mechanism may be included in the blowing unit or it may be a stand alone unit.
  • the release mechanism constitutes an actuator, which acts on the connecting elements on the pelt board in order to cause all of the pelt boards to assume the non-expanded state. The non-expanded state is used when the pelts are removed from the pelt boards.
  • the present pelt processing system according to the sixth aspect is preferably modular in that the tanning unit, holding unit, blowing unit and release mechanism are separate stand alone units.
  • the release mechanism By operating the release mechanism, all pelt boards are caused to assume the collapsed state.
  • the release mechanism may be manual or automated.
  • the method according to the seventh aspect is preferably used together with the system according to the sixth aspect.
  • FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 in a first low position.
  • the drying unit comprise a top plate 12, a flexible side wall 14 and a bottom wall (not visible) opposite the top wall 12.
  • the top wall 12 is provided with apertures 16.
  • Each of the apertures 16 are adapted for accommodating a pelt board 18.
  • the pelt board 18 has an elongated and convex shape defining a top 20 and a bottom 22, and accommodate a pelt (not shown) stretched onto the outside of the pelt board 18.
  • the pelt board 18 is hollow and adapted for receiving air from the corresponding aperture 16.
  • the air is delivered from an on board blower 24 via an inner space of the drying unit 10.
  • the drying unit is provided with a handle 26 and wheels 28.
  • the side wall 14 is flexible and in the present view the drying unit 10 is in the low position suitable such that the top plate 12 has a suitable height for a user placing and removing pelt boards 18 from the top plate 12.
  • the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate 12 is typically below 200mm, such as 100mm.
  • FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the drying unit 10 in a second high position.
  • the flexible side wall 14 in the present embodiment is telescopic comprising a second side wall element 14'.
  • the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate is at least 200mm, such as between 200mm and 2500mm, preferably between 250mm and 1000mm, more preferably between 300mm and 800mm, most preferably between 400mm and 600mm
  • FIG. 2A shows a side view of a mechanical drying unit 10' in a first low position.
  • the inner space 30 is visible in a cut-through perspective, and it can be seen that a connecting element 32 of the pelt board 18 reaches into the inner space 30 and arrests the pelt board 18.
  • a mechanical lifting device 34 is located in the inner space between the top plate 12 and the bottom plate 36.
  • the mechanical lifting device 34 may e.g. be driven by an electrical motor (not shown) or by hand via a gear (not shown).
  • FIG. 2B shows a side view of the mechanical drying unit 10' in a second high position.
  • the top plate 12 is raised from the bottom plate 36 by using the mechanical lifting device 34 as shown by the arrows thereby increasing the volume of the inner space 30.
  • the flexible wall has two elements 14, 14' which are sealed in a telescopic configuration.
  • FIG. 3A shows a side view of a hydraulic drying unit 10" in a first low position similar to the previous embodiment, however, the lifting device 34' is hydraulic (or pneumatic) and the flexible side wall 14" is pleated.
  • FIG. 3B shows a side view of the hydraulic drying unit in a second high position, similar to the previous embodiment. It should be noted that combinations of the above embodiment 10' and 10" are possible such as a drying unit having a hydraulic lifting device and a telescopic side wall or a as a drying unit having a mechanical lifting device and a pleated side wall.
  • FIG. 3C shows a side view of another hydraulic drying unit using a roll-up element 14"' instead of the pleated wall.
  • the roll-up element 14'" is resembling a roll-up curtain made of fluid tight flexible material and is fixated between the top plate 12 and the bottom plate 36.
  • the top plate 12 comprises a roll-up mechanism 35, which is described in more detail below.
  • FIG. 3D is a side close-up view of the roll-up mechanism 35 of the above drying unit 10".
  • the roll-up mechanism comprises a cylinder 37, which may either be motor driven or tensioned by a spring or the like so that there is always tension in the roll-up element 14'" between the top plate 12 and the bottom plate 36.
  • FIG. 4A shows a side view of a drying unit 10 having a gas inlet 38, which is capable of cooperating with an external blower 40.
  • the external blower receives air from an outside unit 42.
  • FIG. 4B shows a side view of the drying unit 10 when connected to the external blower 40.
  • the air flows from the outside 42 via the blower 40, the gas inlet 38, the inner space 30 through the apertures 16 in the top plate 12 into the pelt board 18, through the pelt as shown by the arrows.
  • FIG. 5A shows a side view of a drying unit 10 having feet 44 and a floor jack 46 for moving the drying unit 10. In this way the drying unit 10 must not have wheels and may be positioned more stable.
  • FIG. 5B shows a side view of a drying unit 10 having feet 44 when moved to an external blower 40.
  • a drying unit having feet and an on board blower would be equally feasible.
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10'" having a fixed height.
  • the distance between the bottom plate adjacent the ground and the top plate will thus be at least 200mm, such as between 200mm and 2500mm, preferably between 250mm and 1000mm, more preferably between 300mm and 800mm, most preferably between 400mm and 600mm.
  • FIG. 7A shows a perspective exploded view of a drying unit 10 having multiple hoses 48a-f as flow distributor.
  • the hoses 48a-f are made of a flexible web material of natural or synthetic fibers, and form a flexible textile.
  • the flow inlet 38' corresponds to the hoses 48a-f.
  • FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the above drying unit 10 in a first low position.
  • the drying unit 10 is assembled and the hoses 48 are inside the inner space of the drying unit and as such visible anymore.
  • FIG. 8A shows a perspective cut-out view of the above drying unit 10 having multiple hoses 48a-f.
  • the hoses 48a-f extend into the inner space 30 of the drying unit 10 and together cover the bottom plate 36 more or less completely. The air penetrates the gaps in the web structure of the hoses in a substantially uniform way and distributes within the inner space 30.
  • the hoses 48a-f effectively splits the inner space 30 into a lower part, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 38" and an upper part in fluid communication with the apertures 16 of the top plate 12.
  • FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the above drying unit 10 showing the flow of air through the apertures 16. The flow originates from the hoses as described in the previous figure and the flow is substantially uniform between the apertures 16.
  • FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the air flow in a hose 48 as a flow distributor.
  • the air flow is substantially uniform in all directions since the complete hose 48 is made of a flexible web material.
  • FIG. 9B shows a perspective view of the airflow in another hose 48' as a flow distributor.
  • the air flow is substantially uniform through the upper side of the hose 48', i.e. the part of the hose 48' facing the top plate, whereas there is no flow through the lower side of the hose 48', i.e. the part of the hose 48' facing the bottom plate.
  • the upper part of the hose is thus made of a flexible web material
  • the lower part of the hose 48' is made of a fluid tight material such as rubber. In this way, most of the flow may be directed towards the upper plate, which may further reduce turbulence and other negative flow effects within the inner space 30.
  • FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having one large hose 48" as flow distributor.
  • the large hose 48 which is made of a flexible web material, may be manufactured to extend into the inner space 30 to cover most of the bottom plate 36 and effectively splits the inner space 30 into a lower part, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 38" and an upper part in fluid communication with the apertures 16 of the top plate 12.
  • FIG. 11A shows a side view of the above drying unit 10 having one large hose 48".
  • the uniform structure of the large hose yields a uniform flow distribution in the inner space 10 above the large hose 48".
  • the large hose 48" may be manufactured in the same material as the previous hoses and optionally with a fluid tight lower part.
  • FIG. 11B shows a side view of a drying unit 10 having a flexible membrane 48"' made of a web material.
  • the membrane 48"' extends between the side walls 14 and effectively splits the inner space 30 into a lower part, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 38" and an upper part in fluid communication with the apertures 16 of the top plate 12.
  • the membrane 48'" may be manufactured in the same material as the above-mentioned large hose and optionally with a fluid tight lower part. The working principle is similar to the large hose.
  • FIG. 11C shows a side view of a drying unit 10 having a flow guiding plate 50 comprising flexible vent members 52.
  • the flow guiding plate 50 extends between the side walls 14 and effectively splits the inner space 30 into a lower part, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 38" and an upper part in fluid communication with the apertures 16 of the top plate 12.
  • the vent members 52 consist of flexible flaps, which are closed or exhibit a small opening when the pressure difference over the flow guiding plate 50 is low or non existent. At higher pressure differences over the plate the flaps will exhibit a larger opening, thus mimicking the effect of the flexible hoses described above.
  • FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having multiple side inlets 38a-f.
  • the side inlets 38a-f are distributed on the side walls 16 of the drying unit 10 for achieving a uniform flow pattern in the inner space 30.
  • FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having multiple bottom inlets 38a-f.
  • the bottom inlets 38a-f are distributed on the bottom plate 36 of the drying unit 10 for achieving a uniform flow pattern in the inner space 30.
  • This setup has the advantage that the general flow direction of the air through the inner space 30 must not be redirected.
  • FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having flow guiding plates 50' in the inner space 30.
  • the flow guiding plates 50' mimic the side wall inlets of the previous embodiment.
  • Air (or gas) is received through a common inlet 38'" in the side wall 16.
  • the air is led by the plates 50 and through openings 54, which are distributed along the circumference of the inner space for distributing the air within the inner space 30 and achieve a uniform flow pattern.
  • FIG. 13B shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having hoses 48a-c which are fixated on both sides.
  • the hoses are similar to the previously described hoses, however, the hoses 48 do not extend from the gas inlet 38 but from openings 54 in a flow guiding plate 50" within the inner space 30. This configuration may reduce any possible movement of the hoses within the inner space.
  • FIG. 13C shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having hoses 48a-f which are tapered.
  • the hoses are similar to the previously described hoses but are only fixated on one side.
  • the hoses 48 thus extend from openings 54 in a flow guiding plate 50" within the inner space 30 in an alternating configuration. The hoses may thus be made shorter and the movement of the hoses reduced.
  • FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having cells and fans 56.
  • the cells are formed by plates 50", which divide the inner space 30 into separate spaces between a common inlet 38"' and the top plate (not shown).
  • Each cell is in fluid communication with a number of apertures (not shown) of the top plate (not shown).
  • the number of apertures per cell may vary. In an extreme case each aperture may communicate with a separate cell.
  • Each cell also optimally includes a fan 56 which fans may serve as the sole blowers or in conjunction with an on board or external blower as previously described. In this way, the cells will receive a constant flow of air and recirculation effect may be reduced.
  • FIG. 14B shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having cells, fans and bags 56'.
  • the present embodiment is similar to the previous embodiments except that the fan in covered by a bag, which may be of the same material as the previously described hoses and thus have the same flow distributing effect.
  • FIG. 15 shows a side view of a mechanical lifting device using a mechanical lifting device 34" in the form of a first pantograph.
  • the lifting device 34" comprises a first bar 58, which is attached to the bottom plate 36 and contacting the top plate 12 with a roller 60.
  • the first bar 58 is connected to a second bar 58' via an axle 62 in the center of the first bar 58 and the second bar 58' is further attached to the top plate 12 opposite the first bar 58.
  • the roller 60 By moving the roller 60, the distance of the top plate 12 relative to the bottom plate 36 may be adjusted in the vertical direction.
  • FIG. 16 shows a side view of a mechanical lifting device using a mechanical lifting device 34"' in the form of a second pantograph.
  • the lifting device 34" comprises a first bar 58 connected to rollers 60, which in turn contact the bottom plate 36 at opposite locations.
  • Two separate bars 58' are connected between each of the rollers 60 via a respective axle 62 and opposite locations under the top plate 12.
  • FIG. 17 shows a side view of a mechanical lifting device using a mechanical lifting device 34'" in the form of a third pantograph.
  • the lifting device 34" comprises a first bar 58 attached to the bottom plate 58 at one end and at the opposite end connected to a roller 60, which in turn contacts the bottom plate 36.
  • Two separate bars 58' are connected between each end of the first bar 58 via respective axles 62 and having opposite ends at opposite locations under the top plate 12, whereby the end located adjacent the roller 60 of the first bar 58 has a roller 60' contacting the top plate 12, whereby the end located adjacent the end of the first bar 58, which is attached to the bottom plate 36, is attached to the top plate 12, and whereby the two bars 58 cross at a central location, in which said bars 58 are interconnected by an axle 62.
  • FIG. 18A shows a side cut-out view of a high drying unit 10 having a guiding element 64.
  • the side walls have been left out in order to visualize the inner space.
  • the present view shows the drying unit 10 in the high position, which is preferably used during drying.
  • the guide elements 64 64' are attached to the bottom plate 36 and extend through the upper plate 12 in order to provide stability in the high position.
  • the guide elements form an inverted U.
  • FIG. 18B shows a side cut-out view of a low drying unit having a guiding element 64.
  • the present view shows the drying unit 10 in the low position, which is preferably used during transport and handling.
  • a front cut-out view of a low drying unit having a guiding element may double as handles for moving the drying unit 10.
  • FIG. 19A shows a perspective exploded view of a drying unit 10 according to the state of the art.
  • the drying unit 10 is low and without any flow distributor.
  • FIG. 19B shows a perspective view of a drying unit according to the state of the art.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16 when the flow velocity is increased.
  • the flow distribution is non-uniform as the flow velocity through some apertures 16 is very high, whereas the flow velocity through others even are negative.
  • FIG. 19C shows a perspective side view of a drying unit according to the state of the art.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air within the inner space 30 in addition to the arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16.
  • the flow velocity and turbulence is very intense close to the gas inlet 38 resulting in Venturi effect suction adjacent the gas inlet 38.
  • FIG. 20A shows a perspective exploded view of a drying unit 10 having hoses 48.
  • FIG. 20B shows a perspective view of a drying unit 10 having hoses 48.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16 when the flow velocity is increased. As can be seen, the flow distribution is uniform and the flow velocity through all of the apertures 16 are approximately the same.
  • FIG. 20C shows a perspective side view of a drying 10 unit having hoses 48.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air within the inner space 30 in addition to the arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16.
  • the presence of the flow distributor constituted by the hoses 48 reduces the turbulence and eliminates the Venturi effect suction adjacent the gas inlet 38.
  • FIG. 21A shows a perspective exploded view of a high drying unit 10.
  • FIG. 21B shows a perspective view of a high drying unit.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16 when the flow velocity is increased. As can be seen, the flow distribution is uniform and the flow velocity through all of the apertures 16 are approximately the same.
  • FIG. 21C shows a perspective side view of a high drying unit 10.
  • the present view shows arrows representing the flow of air within the inner space 30 in addition to the arrows representing the flow of air through the apertures 16.
  • the greater distance between the gas inlet 38 and the apertures 16 reduces the turbulence and eliminates the Venturi effect suction adjacent the gas inlet 38.
  • FIG. 22A shows a perspective view of an adapter 66 for being fixated in the aperture (not shown) of the top plate (not shown) of the drying unit (not shown).
  • the adapter 66 has an inner shape corresponding to the shape of a pelt board connecting element (not shown) such that the pelt board connecting element may be easier placed in and more stable accommodated in the aperture (not shown).
  • the adapter 66 is preferably made of polymeric material such as plastic.
  • the adapter 66 comprise a clip-on mechanism for attachment to the top plate (not shown) of the drying unit (not shown)
  • FIG. 22B shows a bottom view of an adapter 66.
  • the adapter 66 is hollow for allowing gas to pass through with little or no flow resistance.
  • FIG. 22C shows a front view of an adapter 66 when attached to the top plate 12 of the drying aggregate (not shown) at the aperture 16.
  • FIG. 22D shows a top view of an adapter 66.
  • FIG. 22E shows a side view of an adapter 66.
  • FIG. 23A shows a side view of an adapter 66 and a large connecting element 32 of the pelt board (not shown).
  • the adapter 66 is fitted in the aperture 16 between the top plate 12 and a secondary top plate 12', which is similar to the top plate 12 but located below the top plate 12 within the inner space 30 for the purpose of fixating the adapter 66.
  • the clip mechanism attaches to the secondary top plate 12', whereas a top portion 70 of the adapter 66 acts as counter hold.
  • FIG. 23B shows a side view of an adapter 66 attached to a large connecting element 32 of the pelt board (not shown). As can be seen, the adapter 66 assures a stable position of the pelt board connecting element 32
  • FIG. 23C shows a side view of an adapter 66 and a large connecting element 32when drying. As shown by the arrow, the hollow configuration of the adapter 66 allows air to pass from the inner space 30 through the adapter 66 in the aperture 16 to the pelt board (not shown).
  • FIG. 24A shows a side view of an adapter 66' and a small connecting element 32' of the pelt board (not shown).
  • the adapter 66 is fitted in the same aperture 16 between the top plate 12 and a secondary top plate 12', which is similar to the top plate 12, but located below the top plate 12 within the inner space 30 for the purpose of fixating the adapter 66'.
  • the clip mechanism attaches to the secondary top plate 12' whereas a top portion 70 of the adapter 66' acts as counter hold.
  • the same drying unit may be used with different adapters for differently sized connecting elements.
  • FIG. 24B shows a side view of an adapter 66' attached to a small connecting element 32' of the pelt board (not shown). As can be seen, the adapter 66' assures a stable position of the pelt board connecting element 32'
  • FIG. 24C shows a side view of an adapter 66' and a small connecting element 32' when drying. As shown by the arrow, the hollow configuration of the adapter 66' allows air to pass from the inner space 30 through the adapter 66' in the aperture 16 to the pelt board (not shown).
  • FIG. 25 shows a side view of an adapter 66" for use with a corrugated top plate 12".
  • the present adapter 66' is held at only one location, however, it would be equally feasible to provide a secondary top plate for allowing the adapter to be held at two locations for additional stability as shown above.
  • the present top plate 12" may be non-corrugated and/or used together with adapters of different sizes.
  • FIG. 26A shows a side view of an adapter 66'" having a check valve 72 in a closed state.
  • the check valve remains closed and thus no air will flow through the adapter 66"'. In this way, any loss of drying gas/air through an aperture, which has no connecting element/pelt board attached, is prevented.
  • a nozzle may be used for similar purposes.
  • FIG. 26B shows a side view of an adapter having a check valve in an open state.
  • the check valve 72 will open and permit drying air/gas to pass through.
  • FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a pelt processing system 74.
  • the pelt processing system comprises different modular stations in the form of a tanning unit 76, a holding unit 78, a blowing unit 80 and a release mechanism 82.
  • the tanning unit 76 is the first station at which the pelt on the pelt board 18' is stretched when the pelt board is in its expanded state.
  • the pelt and pelt board 18' are subsequently put in an holding unit 78 comprising a top plate 12 with apertures 16 for holding the connecting element 32 of the pelt board 18'.
  • the holding unit 78 is moved by e.g. a floor conveyor 46 to the blowing unit 80, which includes an external blower 40 and sidewalls 14.
  • the holding unit 78 and the blowing unit 80 form a drying unit for drying the pelts on the pelt boards.
  • the holding unit 78 is moved to a release mechanism 82, at which all pelt boards are collapsed to their non-expanded state.
  • the release mechanism may e.g. be driven by compressed gas via a compressor 84, however, other means such as an electric motor or even a hand lever, are equally feasible.
  • FIG. 28A shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pelt processing system 74'.
  • the pelt processing system 74' comprises a holding unit 78' and a blowing unit 80'.
  • the holding unit 78' comprises a top plate 12 with apertures for holding the connecting element of the pelt boards 18'.
  • the blowing unit 80' comprises a blower 40', sidewalls 12 and a openable port 86.
  • the bottom of the blowing unit 80' is constituted by the surface of the floor of the building in which the blowing unit 80' is situated.
  • a manual release mechanism 82' is provided for collapsing all of the pelt boards 18 simultaneously, however, a motorized release mechanism is equally feasible.
  • FIG. 28B shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of a pelt processing system 74' during assembly.
  • the holding unit 78' has now been inserted into the blowing unit 80' by means of e.g. a floor jack or by wheels mounted on the holding unit 78'.
  • FIG. 28C shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of a pelt processing system 74' during operation.
  • the port 86 is closed as shown by the arrow and in order to for an inner space 30 to form, a lifting device 34" is used for elevating the holding device 78'.
  • the present lifting device is in the form of a pantograph, however, a hydraulic or pneumatic lifting mechanism is equally feasible.
  • the blower 40' is started for drying the pelts.
  • the lifting device 34" and the blower 40' are controlled by a controller 88.
  • the port 86 and the release mechanism 82' are typically manually operated, but may also be motorized and controlled by the controller 88.
  • FIG. 29A shows a CFD simulation of a low drying unit viewed from the side.
  • the simulation shows the flow velocity inside the inner space. As can be seen, the flow velocity is non-uniform.
  • FIG. 29B shows a CFD simulation of a low drying unit viewed from the top.
  • the simulation shows the flow volume per hour through the apertures. As can be seen, the flow volume per hour through the apertures is non-uniform.
  • FIG. 29C shows a CFD simulation of low interface/adapter having less amount of air passing through.
  • FIG. 29D shows a CFD simulation of a high interface/adapter allowing more air to pass from the drying unit to the pelt boards.
  • FIG. 29E shows a CFD simulation of a pelt board.
  • a large flow channel creates an air flow through the whole pelt board.
  • FIG. 29F shows a CFD simulation of a high drying unit viewed from the side.
  • the simulation show the flow velocity inside the inner space. As can be seen, the flow velocity is much more uniform than the low drying unit.
  • FIG. 29G shows a CFD simulation of a high drying unit viewed from the top.
  • the simulation show the flow volume per hour through the apertures. As can be seen, the flow volume per hour through the apertures is much more uniform than the low drying unit.
  • the air blower may optionally include a heater or be replaced by a bottle of compressed gas.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP16162910.0A 2016-01-08 2016-03-30 Trocknungseinheit zum unterbringen mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter Ceased EP3225700A1 (de)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16162910.0A EP3225700A1 (de) 2016-03-30 2016-03-30 Trocknungseinheit zum unterbringen mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter
US16/068,486 US10689720B2 (en) 2016-01-08 2017-01-06 Drying unit for accommodating a plurality of elongated hollow pelt boards
CN201780014579.9A CN108779502A (zh) 2016-01-08 2017-01-06 用于容纳多个细长中空毛皮板的干燥单元
EP17704671.1A EP3212812A1 (de) 2016-01-08 2017-01-06 Trocknungseinheit zur aufnahme mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter
PCT/EP2017/050253 WO2017118721A1 (en) 2016-01-08 2017-01-06 Drying unit for accomodating a plurality of elongated hollow pelt boards

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16162910.0A EP3225700A1 (de) 2016-03-30 2016-03-30 Trocknungseinheit zum unterbringen mehrerer länglicher hohler pelzbretter

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EP3225700A1 true EP3225700A1 (de) 2017-10-04

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Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002044428A1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-06-06 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and machine for stretching pelt on pelt-boards
WO2005026394A1 (en) 2003-09-16 2005-03-24 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and system for drying out the leather side of a pelt stretched out and fixed in this position on a pelt board
WO2005028682A1 (en) 2003-09-19 2005-03-31 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and machine for non-destructive stretching and fastening of a pelt on a pelt board
WO2007085269A1 (en) 2006-01-24 2007-08-02 Dansk Mink Papir A/S Device for performing complete- or partial emptying/filling of a drying aggregate with upstanding expansion pelt boards.
EP2573479A2 (de) 2011-08-30 2013-03-27 Prihoda s.r.o. Luftverteilungsrohr
EP2578957A1 (de) 2011-10-07 2013-04-10 Prihoda s.r.o. Kanalelement mit einem Führungselement
WO2015062559A1 (en) 2013-11-01 2015-05-07 Prihoda S.R.O. Fabric air outlet device
WO2015144774A1 (en) * 2014-03-25 2015-10-01 Minkpapir A/S A system for drying a pelt, a drying unit, a pelt board and an adaptor
WO2015154729A1 (en) 2014-04-07 2015-10-15 Prihoda S.R.O. Air-conditioning element for air distribution

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002044428A1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-06-06 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and machine for stretching pelt on pelt-boards
WO2005026394A1 (en) 2003-09-16 2005-03-24 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and system for drying out the leather side of a pelt stretched out and fixed in this position on a pelt board
WO2005028682A1 (en) 2003-09-19 2005-03-31 Majgaard Invest Aps Method and machine for non-destructive stretching and fastening of a pelt on a pelt board
WO2007085269A1 (en) 2006-01-24 2007-08-02 Dansk Mink Papir A/S Device for performing complete- or partial emptying/filling of a drying aggregate with upstanding expansion pelt boards.
EP2573479A2 (de) 2011-08-30 2013-03-27 Prihoda s.r.o. Luftverteilungsrohr
EP2578957A1 (de) 2011-10-07 2013-04-10 Prihoda s.r.o. Kanalelement mit einem Führungselement
WO2015062559A1 (en) 2013-11-01 2015-05-07 Prihoda S.R.O. Fabric air outlet device
WO2015144774A1 (en) * 2014-03-25 2015-10-01 Minkpapir A/S A system for drying a pelt, a drying unit, a pelt board and an adaptor
WO2015154729A1 (en) 2014-04-07 2015-10-15 Prihoda S.R.O. Air-conditioning element for air distribution

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