GB396824A - Improvements in apparatus for drying, conditioning or otherwise treating leather andother materials - Google Patents

Abstract

396,824. Drying systems. BRIDGES, W., 37, Parliament Street, London. Feb. 18, 1932, No. 4859. [Class 34 (ii).] A chamber for treating leather or other material in bulk with hot air or other gaseous medium has openings for the gas in the floor and controlled openings in the ceiling whereby the velocity of the gas in various zones of the chamber may be controlled, means for selectively recirculating the air back to the treating chamber and to an outlet, and an air return chamber, situated above the treating chamber and communicating therewith through the controlled openings, said air chamber being opened and closed at each end by thermostatically-operated members. One end is closed when the other is open, one end being adapted to release the used air while the other end communicates with an air inlet conduit for the treating chamber. This conduit is provided with an inlet opening having a closure member automatically opened when the discharge end of the return conduit is opened. In the form illustrated, conveyer chains 2 in a chamber carry fingers which push rods supporting hides. Supplementary chains 7 carry the rods from the upper to the lower tracks of the conveyers 2, or bring them to the loading doors 8. An air heater 12 and a circulating fan 19 are situated in a conduit 11 communicating through a compartment 10 and apertured floor 9 with the treating chamber, and through an opening 16 with a horizontal conduit 14, which communicates with the chamber through openings 17 having manuallyoperated dampers 18, and with the atmosphere through an aperture 15 controlled by a damper 15a. The air circulates through compartments 11, 10, the chamber 14, 11 until it attains a temperature sufficient to operate the valve 23, whereby a cylinder of compressed air 22 is connected to fluid pressure diaphragmoperated controls 13b, 15b, 16b linked to the dampers 13a, 15a, 16a, so that fresh air enters at 13 and used air leaves at 15, the aperture 16 being closed ; the decreased temperature which results causes the communication between the cylinder 22 and the damper controls to be broken, so that the dampers are reversed and circulation through the aperture 16 is again established. For starting the dryer with air of suitable humidity, a steam pipe 25 with jets extending beneath the floor 9 is provided, this humidifier being controlled by a valve 24 governed by a psychrometer or thermostat. A temperature and humidity indicator 20 is provided.