EP3861143B1 - Device, changing unit, kit and process for reducing the smell of tanned leather - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for reducing the odor of tanned leather as defined in claim 1; an exchange unit with at least one odor-neutralizing substance as defined in claim 10; a kit for retrofitting a fulling device for fulling dry leather and/or a drying device for drying tanned leather as defined in claim 11; and a method of reducing odor in tanned leather as defined in claim 12; as well as respective invention embodiments according to the dependent claims. The subject matter of the invention set out in the claims is to be regarded as part of the description.

A variety of different chemicals are typically required to produce genuine leather from animal hides. After tanning, due to the use of chemicals and also due to the inherent smell of the leather, leather often has a relatively intense odor, which many consumers find unpleasant. In the case of leather interiors in passenger cars in particular, odor pollution of the interior caused by the leather used represents a particular problem. Consumers are increasingly demanding odorless genuine leather.

However, the problem of odor pollution from tanned leather has actually been exacerbated by the introduction of tanning processes and tanning systems that are increasingly resource-conserving and, in particular, water-saving in recent years. This can be attributed, for example, to the fact that the hides or leather are washed less often with the newer, resource-saving processes in order to increase the overall water consumption in leather production to reduce. Another aspect is the energy-saving drying of the leather, since the tanned leather is now often dried at lower temperatures than in the past, so that sources of odors evaporate less as a result of the heat treatment. For these reasons, tanned leather often has a stronger odor than before.

CN 207 047 261 U mentions that a filter (there with reference number 7) filters the exhaust air from a chamber. It thus ensures reduced emissions from a "furnace body 2" to the outside. It is therefore not possible to influence the odorous substances in the leather itself.

The invention is therefore based on the object of reducing the odor nuisance in tanned leather, this being done in a resource-saving and sustainable manner.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention with the features of independent claim 1 . According to the invention, to achieve the object, a device for reducing the odor of tanned leather is proposed, comprising a treatment chamber which is set up for drying tanned leather and/or for treating dry leather, and at least one odor reduction reservoir, the at least one odor reduction reservoir containing at least one odor-neutralizing substance, wherein a gas exchange connection is set up between the treatment space and the odor reduction reservoir, characterized in that the at least one odor reduction reservoir is arranged in a chamber that is separated from the treatment space and is connected to the treatment space via at least one gas exchange line in such a way that a closed or closable system off Treatment room, gas exchange line and chamber is formed, in which a circulating gas flow can be generated, wherein in operation, so when moving the treatment room, the chamber is not moved, but remains stationary. The device according to the invention makes it possible for an odor reduction to be carried out during the usual process steps required in leather production. This has the advantage that the odor reduction can be integrated into the usual process sequence in leather production without additional time having to be planned for further steps. A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that the odor reduction can be carried out during a drying phase. The term "dry phase" can refer to the fact that the leather in this phase is not in water or an aqueous solution (corresponds to "liquid phase"), such as a liquor, but in a space that is predominantly or almost completely filled with gas, for example Air, filled, is present. The odor reduction can therefore only take place due to a gas exchange. In this way, the odor of the leather can be reduced without adding and/or consuming water. The device can thus be used to reduce odors in a particularly resource-saving and sustainable manner. According to a further development, which does not have to be ruled out by the above, it can be provided that the odor-neutralizing substance is present in an aqueous solution. In this context, the drying phase can therefore refer to the condition of the leather.

According to a development, what is described in the previous paragraph does not preclude the treatment chamber from having a nebulization device that is set up to release a fine mist of small liquid droplets within the treatment chamber and/or the gas exchange line. the The nebulizing device can be used, for example, to keep the moisture content of the treated leather almost constant during the treatment period. The moisture content of leather can be from 10-20%, preferably around 16%. After all, even dry leather is not water-free and tends to be damaged if the moisture content falls below a critical level. In addition, the at least one atomizing device can prevent unwanted dust formation, which can occur when the moisture content falls below a critical level. The nebulizing device of the treatment room can, for example, be set up and/or used to release water, in particular to spray it. Alternatively or in addition, the atomizing device can be set up and/or used to distribute additional substances, in particular in an aqueous solution, on the leather by releasing them as a mist in the treatment room.

An odor-neutralizing substance within the meaning of the invention can generally relate to sorbing substances (sorbents). In particular, this can include substances such as absorbents that enable adsorption and/or absorption of odors. Thus, odors can be bound by the odor-neutralizing substance. Alternatively or additionally, the term odor-neutralizing substance can also include substances that actively break down odors, for example through reactions and/or complex formations.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are described below, which can optionally be combined with the characteristics of claim 1 alone or in combination with the characteristics of other configurations.

According to claim 1 and the dependent claims, the at least one odor reduction reservoir is located outside the treatment room. It is provided that at least one gas exchange line is configured between the treatment chamber and the at least one odor reduction reservoir. This has the advantage that the treatment of the leather in the treatment room can take place at the same time as the odor reduction, without the treatment room, which is conventionally designed, for example, having to be redesigned for carrying out the odor reduction. This allows for easier integration of odor reduction into existing leather manufacturing processes. For example, during the drying of leather, gas exchange is often provided in order to be able to dry the leather more quickly, for example in order to transport away moisture given off to the environment.

According to a further embodiment in claim 2, the treatment room can be designed to be movable in such a way that leather placed therein is also moved during operation. The movement of the leather enables more effective odor reduction, since sources of odor that are difficult to access can also be treated.

As an alternative or in addition to the aforementioned configurations, the treatment room can be designed as a fulling container for fulling dry leather. For example, it can be designed as a fulling drum or fulling barrel. Alternatively or in addition, the or a further treatment room can be designed as a drying room for drying tanned leather. For example, the treatment room can be designed as a drying tunnel.

According to a development, it can be provided that a Opening of the treatment room can be closed, in particular can be closed airtight. This can be done, for example, via a locking unit that is designed as a door or hatch, for example. This makes it easier to prevent particles thrown up by the treatment from escaping and being inhaled by a bystander.

It is provided according to the invention that the at least one odor reduction reservoir is arranged in a chamber separated from the treatment room, which is connected to the treatment room via at least one gas exchange line, for example the gas exchange line already mentioned above or another gas exchange line. The chamber can be closed or lockable in the position of use. So, for example, at least closed to the outside and/or to the treatment room. It is therefore provided that a closed or closable system is formed from the treatment space, gas exchange line and chamber, in which a circulating gas flow can be generated. In operation, ie when the treatment room is moving, the chamber is not moved, but remains stationary.

In order to reduce the particle load that can arise during the treatment in the treatment room, a filter, in particular a particle filter, can be arranged in a chamber, for example the chamber already mentioned or an additional chamber. Alternatively or additionally, a filter and/or a further filter can be arranged in a gas exchange line, for example the gas exchange line already mentioned above. It is thus possible to filter out particles from the gas flow in order to be able to reduce the dust load, particularly within the treatment room. Furthermore, it is possible by means of the filter, precipitating solids, for example, by a nebulization device within the treatment room and/or the gas exchange line, for example in an aqueous solution, to be removed from the gas stream. In this way, in particular, the solids can be prevented from being deposited on the leather. The atomizing device can thus be arranged in front of the filter in the gas flow direction. For example, odor-reducing substances, such as cyclodextrins in particular, can be filtered out by the at least one filter. This makes it easier to prevent these substances from settling on the leather. In addition, the total formation of dust can be reduced if at least one filter is arranged within the gas flow.

In order to be able to accelerate the gas exchange between the odor-neutralizing substance and the treated leather, the device can have a gas exchange device, by means of which an active gas exchange can be carried out between the at least one odor-neutralizing substance and the treatment chamber. The gas exchange device can be designed, for example, as a fan and/or as a compressor.

As defined in claim 5, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be arranged in an exchangeable exchangeable unit. A particularly simple exchange of the odor-neutralizing substance is thus possible by exchanging the exchangeable unit when a maximum period of use has been reached.

In order to simplify changing the odor-neutralizing substance, the at least one odor-reducing reservoir can have a holder and an interchangeable unit with the at least one odor-neutralizing substance that can be inserted into the holder and be exchanged, for example the one already mentioned above. For example, the Exchange unit can be designed as a cartridge and/or as a pad and/or as an odor filter.

According to one embodiment, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be dry. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be recyclable, for example even compostable. Alternatively or additionally, the odor-neutralizing substance can be reactivated. For example, reactivation can take place by heating. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be a liquid absorbent material, in particular liquid at a process temperature (e.g. also a mixture and/or a solution of solids in liquid), which is stored in a dry, porous carrier material. The carrier material can preferably have an average particle size of 3-8 mm, in particular 3-6 mm.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be at least one or a combination of two or more odor-neutralizing substances selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon (coffee -based activated carbon). Preferably, the odor-neutralizing substance is used in pellet form. Thus, the formation of dust can be reduced. Particularly preferably, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can have an average particle size of 3-8 mm, in particular 3-6 mm.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be fine-grained and/or be powdery. Alternatively or additionally, the odor-neutralizing substance can be mixed with a filling material. In particular, a particle size of the filling material can be larger or smaller than a particle size of the odor-neutralizing substance, so that gas permeability of the odor-neutralizing substance through the filling material is increased, with dust reduction or avoidance being desirable. For example, the filler material can be cellulose (in particular antidust-based cellulose) and/or a polymer and/or a mineral filler material such as zeolite and/or vermiculite. The filling material can be free from additives, such as in particular free from flame retardants and/or other chemicals. The average particle size of the filling material can be from 3-8 mm, in particular from 3-6 mm.

According to a further embodiment, the device can have a scent reservoir with at least one scent, with a gas exchange connection being set up between the treatment room and the scent reservoir. It is thus possible, in addition to the odor reduction, to carry out a fragrance treatment with fragrances desired by the consumer. In order to be able to better avoid that desired scents are also caught by the odor-neutralizing substance, it can be provided, for example, that the scent reservoir is installed or can be installed between the treatment room and the odor-reduction reservoir, for example a circulating gas stream in the direction of flow after the odor-reduction reservoir and/or in a Chamber, for example the aforementioned chamber separated from the treatment room, is arranged. Alternatively or additionally, as defined in claim 9, the device can have at least one nebulization device, preferably wherein the device has a first nebulization device and a second nebulization device, In particular, the first nebulizing device being assigned to the treatment room and/or the second nebulizing device being assigned to one or the gas exchange line.

The advantages described in relation to the device also apply to the following objects of the invention.

As defined in claim 10, the invention further relates to a replacement unit with at least one odor-neutralizing substance for insertion into a holder of an odor reduction reservoir of a device for reducing the odor of tanned leather as defined in one of claims 1 to 9. For example, this can be an odor-neutralizing substance, as has already been described in detail here in relation to the device.

The invention also relates to a kit for retrofitting a fulling device for fulling dry leather and/or a drying device for drying tanned leather, comprising at least one exchange unit as described and claimed herein, and a holder for holding and/or fixing the exchange unit . Optional, advantageous configurations can be configured, for example, through the features of the device.

• Bereitstellen von gegerbtem Leder in einem, vorzugsweise verschließbaren, Behandlungsraum,
• Einrichten eines vorzugsweise kontinuierlichen Gasaustausches zwischen dem Behandlungsraum und einem Geruchsreduzierungsreservoir, das zumindest eine geruchsneutralisierende Substanz aufweist, insbesondere wie sie hierin beschrieben und beansprucht ist,

wobei eine Gaszirkulation zwischen dem Behandlungsraum und dem Geruchsreduzierungsreservoir eingerichtet ist; wobei vorzugsweise trockenes Leder verwendet wird oder wobei das Leder während der Geruchsneutralisation getrocknet wird und/oder das Leder innerhalb des Behandlungsraums bewegt wird, insbesondere gewalkt wird, und/oder wobei sämtliche Verfahrensschritte des Verfahrens während einer üblichen Behandlung des Leders im Behandlungsraum vorgenommen werden.The invention further relates to a method for reducing the odor of tanned leather by means of a device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps:

• Provision of tanned leather in a preferably lockable treatment room,
• Setting up a preferably continuous gas exchange between the treatment room and an odor reduction reservoir, which has at least one odor-neutralizing substance, in particular as described herein is described and claimed

wherein a gas circulation is set up between the treatment space and the odor reduction reservoir; preferably dry leather is used or the leather is dried during the odor neutralization and/or the leather is moved, in particular fulled, within the treatment room, and/or all process steps of the method are carried out during a conventional treatment of the leather in the treatment room.

As already explained in relation to the device described and claimed herein, the method also has the advantage that it can be integrated particularly easily into previously known methods for leather production, for example during a drying step and/or during a fulling step, without the to change the course of the other procedural steps. Sometimes it is even possible to use existing, conventional devices for leather production in order to be able to carry out the method.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are described below, which can optionally be combined with the characteristics of the independent method claim alone or in combination with the characteristics of other configurations.

According to the embodiment, an active gas exchange is generated between the treatment space and the odor reduction reservoir, gas circulation being set up between the treatment space and the odor reduction reservoir. This makes it possible to improve the gas exchange between the odor-neutralizing substance and the leather and thus also accelerate odor reduction.

According to a development, dry leather can be used be or it can be provided that the leather is dried during the odor neutralization.

In order to achieve particularly efficient odor reduction, the leather can be moved within the treatment room. For example, the leather can be tumbled. Provision can therefore be made for all process steps of the process to be carried out during a conventional treatment of the leather in the treatment room.

Provision can be made for a further odor reduction reservoir to be arranged outside the treatment room.

A particularly sustainable embodiment can provide that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance is dry and/or recyclable and/or reactivable and/or is a liquid absorbent material that is embedded in a dry, porous carrier material.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one odor-neutralizing substance can be at least one or a combination of two or more odor-neutralizing substances selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon (coffee-based activated carbon).

In order to give the leather a specific scent, particularly after the odor reduction has been carried out, the leather can be treated with at least one scent arranged in a scent reservoir, for example by setting up a continuous gas exchange between the treatment chamber and the scent reservoir.

The device as described and claimed herein is used to carry out the method.

According to a further development, it can be provided that all process steps are carried out without treating the leather in a way that releases free radicals. In particular, no photolytic treatment and/or no ozonolytic treatment and/or no electrochemical treatment and/or no oxidative treatment and/or no thermolytic treatment is carried out. Particularly preferably, no formation of chromium VI compounds occurs. The formation of free radicals would have the disadvantage that autoxidation can occur on unsaturated fatty acids in the leather itself and/or on fatliquors that may be used. In other words, rancidity can occur, which results in a negative odor development. This can be prevented by the radical-free treatment of the leather.

According to an advantageous development, it can be provided that the method for reducing odors is used as part of a production process for tanned leather, in particular in such a way that odor reduction is carried out while the leather is being flexed, preferably in a flexing container. This has the advantage that the overall duration of a production method is not increased or is only slightly increased despite the additional implementation of the method described and/or claimed herein. In addition, only a few additional steps are required to carry out the odor reduction process as a supplement during the manufacturing process. In particular, the process can be carried out while the leather is being fulled (also referred to as milling).

As a disclosure not belonging to the invention, this further enables a method for retrofitting a fulling device for fulling dry leather and/or a drying device for drying tanned leather with an odor reduction reservoir comprising at least one odor-neutralizing substance.

The invention will now be described in more detail using a number of exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from the combination of the features of one or more claims with one another and/or with one or more features of the exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer in vereinfachter schematischer Weise dargestellten, ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Geruchsreduzierung von gegerbtem Leder, wobei die Vorrichtung als Walkvorrichtung ausgestaltet ist,

Fig. 2

eine Längsansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus den Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer in vereinfachter schematischer Weise dargestellten, weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Geruchsreduzierung von gegerbtem Leder, wobei eine Gaszirkulation mittels der breiten Pfeile angedeutet ist,

Fig. 5

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 4, wobei die im Behandlungsraum während dem Walken von Leder auftretenden Partikel angedeutet sind,

Fig. 6

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 4, wobei über eine Befeuchtungsanlage Feuchtigkeit in den Gasstrom und/oder den Behandlungsraum versprühbar ist,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren möglichen Ausführungsvariante einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

It shows:

1

a side view of a first embodiment, shown in a simplified schematic manner, of a device according to the invention for reducing the odor of tanned leather, the device being designed as a fulling device,

2

a longitudinal view of the device 1 ,

3

a top view of the device from FIGS Figures 1 and 2 ,

4

a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for reducing the odor of tanned leather, shown in a simplified schematic manner, gas circulation being indicated by the broad arrows,

figure 5

another perspective view of the device out 4 , whereby the particles occurring in the treatment room during fulling of leather are indicated,

6

Another perspective view of the device 4 , wherein moisture can be sprayed into the gas flow and/or the treatment room via a humidification system,

Figure 7

a schematic representation of a further possible embodiment of a device according to the invention.

In the Figures 1 to 7 several embodiments of a device for reducing the odor of tanned leather are shown, each designated as a whole as 1 .

The device 1 has a treatment room 2 which is set up for treating leather. The treatment room 2, for example, as in the Figures 1-7 is shown, be designed as a fulling container 7 . However, other configurations are also possible, in which the treatment room 2 is set up, for example, for drying tanned leather.

The device 1 has at least one odor reduction reservoir 3, which is arranged outside the aforementioned treatment room 2. The odor reduction reservoir 3 has at least one odor-neutralizing substance 4 that is arranged inside the odor reduction reservoir 3 .

It is crucial that a gas exchange connection 5 between the treatment room 2 and the odor reduction reservoir 3, ie between the odor neutralizing Substance 4 and the leather that is set up.

The gas exchange connection 5 between the treatment room 2 and the odor reduction reservoir 3 can be set up, for example, by at least one gas exchange line 6 .

The treatment room 2 designed as a fulling drum is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The rotation of the treatment room 2 allows the leather to be treated. The leather can thus be rotated together with the treatment room 2 so that it is fulled in the treatment room 2 . Odor reduction can take place at the same time as fulling.

The treatment room 2 has a closable opening through which the tanned leather can be introduced into the treatment room 2 . The opening can be closed, for example, by means of a door or a hatch.

The odor reduction reservoir 3 is arranged or formed in a chamber 8 that is spatially separated from the treatment room 2 .

The device 1 has several gas exchange lines 6 . A gas exchange line 6 leads from the treatment chamber 2 to the chamber 8 and a gas exchange line 6 from the chamber 8 back into the treatment chamber 2. A closed system 9 consisting of the treatment chamber 2, the gas exchange lines 6 and the chamber 8 is thus set up. A gas circulation 16 can therefore be set up within the closed system 9 . Multiple treatment of the gas stream 16 with the odor-neutralizing substance 4 is thus possible, since the gas stream 16 is passed through the odor-reducing reservoir 3 multiple times.

The treatment of the leather within the treatment room 2 can lead to particle separation from the leather. In order to be able to keep the dust pollution of a room in which the device 1 is arranged as low as possible, the device 1 can have a particle filter 10 . The gas flow 16 mentioned above can be filtered by the particle filter 10 , so that after the treatment of the leather has ended, a large part of the particles have been removed from the air within the treatment chamber 2 by the particle filter 10 .

In order to accelerate the gas exchange between the treatment room 2 and the odor reduction reservoir 3 , the device 1 can have a gas exchange device 11 . The gas exchange device 11 can be designed, for example, as a fan and/or as a compressor, in which case the gas exchange device 11 can be integrated into the system 9 . As a result, an active gas exchange between the at least one odor reduction reservoir 3 and the treatment room 2 is possible.

The odor-neutralizing substance 4 can be arranged in a replacement unit 12 . The exchange unit 12 has the advantage that an exchange of an odor-neutralizing substance that has exceeded its maximum usability can be carried out more easily. The odor-neutralizing substance 4 can thus be exchanged simply by exchanging the entire interchangeable unit 12 .

In order to be able to fix the interchangeable unit 12 in the odor reduction reservoir 3, the odor reduction reservoir 3 can have a holder 13 into which the interchangeable unit 12 can be inserted. A non-positive and/or positive connection can be set up between the holder 13 and the interchangeable unit.

The exchangeable unit 12 can be designed, for example, as a cartridge and/or as a pad and/or as an odor filter.

The odor-neutralizing substance 4 is preferably dry, so that it can be in powder form, for example. It can be particularly expedient if the odor-neutralizing substance 4 is recyclable, ie reusable. It can be particularly advantageous if the odor-neutralizing substance 4 can be reactivated, for example by a heat treatment. If the odor-neutralizing substance reaches its maximum usage time, it is particularly advantageous if the odor-neutralizing substance 4 is compostable in order to avoid waste.

In order to be able to increase the permeability of the odor-neutralizing substance 4 for the gas flow 16, the odor-neutralizing substance 4 can be mixed with a filling material. In particular, a particle size of the filling material can be larger or smaller than a particle size of the odor-neutralizing substance, so that gas permeability of the odor-neutralizing substance through the filling material is increased. The particle size of the filling material can be larger than the particle size of the odor-neutralizing material. The filler material can be, for example, cellulose and/or a polymer and/or a mineral filler material such as zeolite. For example, the filler material can be cellulose (in particular antidust-based cellulose) and/or a polymer and/or a mineral filler material such as zeolite and/or vermiculite. The filling material can be free from additives, such as in particular free from flame retardants and/or other chemicals. The average particle size of the filling material can be from 3-8 mm, in particular from 3-6 mm.

The odor-neutralizing substance 4 can, for example, contain at least one or a combination of two or more substances 4 selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon ) be.

The device 1 can also have a scent reservoir 14 with at least one scent 15 arranged therein. The reservoir 14 can be arranged or formed, for example, in a chamber 8 , in particular in the chamber 8 already mentioned above or in a further chamber 8 . The fragrance 15 makes it possible to treat the leather treated by the odor neutralization with a desired fragrance.

The fragrance reservoir 15 can be arranged downstream of the odor reduction reservoir 13 in the direction of flow within a gas stream 16 set up between the treatment chamber 2 and the odor reduction reservoir 13 .

As in figure 6 is shown, the device 1 can have at least one humidification system 17 . The humidifying system 17 can, for example, be designed as at least one atomizing device 18 . The nebulization device 18 and/or the humidification system 17 makes it possible to introduce a liquid, in particular water or an aqueous solution, into the gas flow 16 and/or the treatment chamber 2, for example by atomization or spraying. Thus, an additional treatment of the tanned leather can take place. A sensor for determining the humidity, in particular the air humidity, can be provided inside the treatment room 2 . More preferably, a control unit be provided, which is set up to control the humidity via the humidification system 17 depending on the measured humidity, preferably automatically by activating and deactivating the humidification system 17 .

In 7 shows the schematic structure of a further embodiment, which basically corresponds to the embodiment described above. In addition, the in 7 Device 1 shown has two nebulizing devices 18, which can be designed in the same or different ways.

A first nebulizing device 18 is assigned to the treatment room 2 in order to spray liquid into the treatment room 2 in particular as a mist and/or in the form of a spray. In this way, for example, water and/or an additional substance can be introduced into the treatment chamber 2 and onto the leather treated therein. The additional substance can be, for example, an additional odor-neutralizing substance 4 and/or another substance used to treat the leather. In particular, the additional substance can be odor-neutralizing cyclodextrins, which are present, for example, in an aqueous solution. The cyclodextrins can have an additional odor-reducing effect. According to an alternative embodiment variant, the odor reduction reservoir 3 can be replaced by the atomizing device 18 if this is set up to release an odor-neutralizing substance 4 .

The at least one atomizing device 18 can have an outlet, for example a spray nozzle, which can release liquid into the treatment chamber 2 and/or into the gas exchange line 6 . The liquid can also be transported with the gas flow into the treatment room 2 if there is no direct release in the treatment room 2 is provided.

In the flow direction 16 of the gas flow, the atomizing device 18 assigned to the gas exchange line 6 can be arranged within the gas exchange line 6 before the filter 10 and/or before the odor reduction reservoir 3 and/or before the fragrance reservoir 14 . This has the advantage that the filter 10 filters out solids, such as cyclodextrins, which are introduced into the gas flow 16 by the nebulization device 18 , before the gas flow 16 reaches the treatment chamber 2 . This prevents solids from coming into contact with the leather.

Tests carried out I. First Pilot 1.1 Materials and Equipment I.1.1

Sample A: 10 hides (equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-containing retanning formulation #1 (without odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

I.1.2

Sample B: 10 hides (equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-containing retanning formulation #1 (with odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

I.1.3

Milling drum (fulling drum/fulling barrel) manufactured by the Erretre company

I.1.4

Activated charcoal was used as an odor-neutralizing substance. The activated charcoal was used in the form of an activated charcoal filter.

I.1.5

Filter size: 20 cm x 25 cm x 3 cm, preferably the filter material can also have a volume of two to three liters.

1.2 Test procedure I.2.1 Sample A (Reference example, corresponds to the state of the art)

The hides of Sample A were placed in a fulling drum and tumbled in a fulling drum at 35°C and 35% HR for 4 hours

I.2.2 Sample B

(corresponds to a sample produced by means of the invention)

The skins of Sample B were fulled in the fulling drum corresponding to Sample A for the same period of time under the same conditions. In addition, a gas exchange between the tanned hides and a filter (1500 cc) containing 700 grams of activated carbon was established during the entire treatment period in the fulling drum.

I.2.3 Odor sampling

After the fulling process, the two samples A and B were treated separately so that the results could not be falsified.

An odor sample was taken from both samples A and B and analyzed in an odor test according to VDA 270 C3.

I.2.4 VDA 270 Scoring

The VDA 270 test only determines the odor intensity on a scale from grade 1 to grade 6, where: Grade 1: imperceptible Grade 2: weakly perceptible, but not disturbing Grade 3: clearly perceptible, but not disturbing Grade 4: disturbing Grade 5: very disturbing Grade 6: not acceptable

I.3 Results

One set of the odor samples taken was evaluated for its odor by customers and another set internally at TFL.

I.3.1 Outcome with customers

Sample A grade 4 Sample B grade 3

I.3.2 Result at TFL

Sample A grade 4 Sample B Grade 3-4

II. Second Pilot Trial II.1 Material and equipment II.1.1

Sample C: 10 hides (equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-free retanning formulation #2 (without odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

II.1.2

Sample D: 10 hides (equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-free retanning formulation #2 (with odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

II.1.3 Additional Materials

The other materials correspond to those used in the first pilot test.

11.2 Test procedure

The test procedure corresponds to the test procedure of the first pilot test.

11.3 Results

One set of the odor samples taken was evaluated for its odor by customers and another set internally at TFL.

II.3.1 Outcome for customers

Sample C Grade 3-4 Sample D Grade 3-4

II.3.2 Result at TFL

Sample C grade 4 Sample D Grade 3-4

III. Third pilot attempt III.1 Materials and Equipment III.1.1

Sample E: 10 splits (split leather, equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-containing retanning formulation #3 (without odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

III.1.2

Sample F: 10 splits (split leather, equivalent to crust leather) tanned by a chrome-containing retanning formulation #3 (with odor reduction treatment as described and claimed herein).

III.1.3 Additional Materials

The other materials correspond to those used in the first pilot test.

III.2 Test procedure

The test procedure corresponds to the test procedure of the first pilot test.

III.3 Results

One set of the odor samples taken was evaluated for its odor by customers and another set internally at TFL.

III.3.1 Outcome for customers

Sample E grade 2-3 Sample F grade 2

III.3.2 Result at TFL

Sample E grade 3 Sample F grade 2-3

reference list

1

contraption

2

treatment room

3

odor reduction reservoir

4

Odor neutralizing substance

5

gas exchange connection

6

gas exchange line

7

fulling container

8th

chamber

9

System; closed system

10

Filter; particle filter

11

gas exchange device

12

exchange unit

13

bracket

14

fragrance reservoir

15

perfume

16

gas flow; gas circulation

17

humidification system

18

nebulization device

Claims (16)

1. Device (1) for odor reduction of tanned leather, comprising a treatment space (2), which is set up for drying tanned leather and/or for treating dry leather, and at least one odor-reduction reservoir (3), wherein the at least one odor-reduction reservoir (3) has at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4), wherein a gas-exchange compound (5) is set up between the treatment space (2) and the odor-reduction reservoir (3), characterized in that the at least one odor-reduction reservoir (3) is arranged in a chamber (8) separated from the treatment space (2), which is connected via at least one gas exchange line (6) to the treatment space (2), in such a way that a closed or closable system of treatment space (2), gas exchange line (6) and chamber (8) is configured, in which a circulating gas stream (16) can be produced, wherein in operation, i.e. with movement of the treatment space (2), the chamber (8) does not also move, but remains stationary.
2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the treatment space (2) is configured to be movable, in such a way that leather placed therein is moved along during operation, and/or in that the treatment space (2) is configured as a drum tumbler (7) for tumbling dry leather, for example as a tumbling drum or drum tumbler, and/or as a drying chamber for drying tanned leather, for example as a drying tunnel, and/or in that the treatment space (2) has a closable opening.
3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filter, in particular a particle filter (10) is arranged in a or the chamber (8) and/or in a or the gas exchange line (6).
4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a gas exchange device (11), by means of which active gas exchange can be effected between the at least one odor-reduction reservoir (3) and the treatment space (2), for example wherein the gas exchange device (11) is configured as a fan and/or as a compressor.
5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is arranged in an interchangeable replaceable unit (12).
6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one odor-reduction reservoir (3) has a holder (13) and a replaceable unit (12), that is insertable in the holder (13) and is interchangeable, with the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4), for example wherein the replaceable unit (12) is configured as a cartridge and/or as a pad and/or as an odor filter.
7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is dry and/or recyclable and/or reactivatable and/or is a liquid absorbent material that is incorporated in a dry, porous carrier material, and/or in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is at least one or a combination of two or more substances (4) selected from the group comprising carbon-containing absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon.
8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is fine-grained and/or pulverulent and/or in that the odor-neutralizing substance (4) is mixed with a filler, preferably wherein a particle size of the filler is greater than or less than a particle size of the odor-neutralizing substance (4), in particular so that gas permeability of the odor-neutralizing substance (4) is increased by the filler, for example wherein the filler is cellulose and/or a polymer and/or a mineral filler, such as zeolite and/or vermiculite.
9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a fragrance reservoir (14) with at least one odorant (15), wherein a gas-exchange compound (5) is set up between the treatment space (2) and the fragrance reservoir (14), for example wherein the fragrance reservoir (14) is arranged within a gas stream (16) set up between treatment space (2) and odor-reduction reservoir (3) in the direction of flow toward the odor-reduction reservoir (3) and/or in a or the chamber (8) separated from the treatment space (2); and/or characterized in that the device (1) has at least one nebulizer device (18), preferably wherein the device (1) has a first nebulizer device (18) and a second nebulizer device (18), in particular wherein the first nebulizer device (18) is assigned to the treatment space (2) and/or the second nebulizer device (18) is assigned to a or the gas exchange line (6).
10. Replaceable unit (12) with at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) for inserting in a holder (13) of an odor-reduction reservoir (3) of a device (1) for odor reduction of tanned leather according to one of Claims 1 to 9, preferably wherein the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is at least one or a combination of two or more substances (4) selected from the group comprising carbon-containing absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon.
11. Kit for retrofitting a tumbling device for tumbling dry leather and/or a drying device for drying tanned leather, comprising at least one replaceable unit (12) according to Claim 10 and a holder (13) for holding and/or fixing the replaceable unit (12).
12. Method for reducing the odor of tanned leather by means of a device (1) for odor reduction according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps:

    - providing tanned leather in a, preferably closable, treatment space (2),

    - setting up a preferably continuous gas exchange between the treatment space (2) and an odor-reduction reservoir (3), which has at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4), wherein

    a gas circulation (16) is set up between the treatment space (2) and the odor-reduction reservoir (3); wherein preferably dry leather is used or the leather is dried during odor neutralization and/or the leather is moved, in particular is tumbled, within the treatment space (2) and/or wherein all process steps of the method are carried out during a usual treatment of the leather in the treatment space (2).
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) is dry and/or recyclable and/or reactivatable and/or is a liquid material that is incorporated in a dry, porous carrier material, and/or in that the at least one odor-neutralizing substance (4) comprises at least one or a combination of two or more substances (4) selected from the group comprising carbon-containing absorbents, mineral absorbents, coffee, coffee grounds, activated carbon, cyclodextrins, zeolite, zinc compounds, coffee-based activated carbon.
14. Method according to one of Claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the leather is treated with at least one odorant (15) arranged in a fragrance reservoir (14), by a gas exchange being set up between the treatment space (2) and the fragrance reservoir (14).
15. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that all process steps are carried out without radical-releasing treatment of the leather, in particular in that no photolytic treatment and/or no ozonolytic treatment and/or no electrochemical treatment and/or no oxidative treatment and/or no thermolytic treatment is carried out, particularly preferably in that there is no formation of chromium(VI) compounds.
16. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the method for odor reduction is applied as part of a method of manufacture of tanned leather, in particular in such a way that odor reduction is carried out during tumbling of the leather, preferably in a drum tumbler.

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