MXPA98008938A - Process and apparatus to treat skin and simila - Google Patents

Abstract

In accordance with the process for treating skin and the like, the extended skin pieces (1) to be treated are put on the respective open supports (2). These supports (2), which they have placed on the extended pieces of skin, are introduced into at least one container (4), preserved under depression and sealed for the introduction thereof liquid solutions suitable for treatment, so that on the skin pieces at least the steps of immersion, apelambrado, pickling, tanning and re-tanning can be carried out. Each liquid solution (5) is stirred during the skin treatment step (1) corresponding to

Description

PROCESS AND APPARATUS TO TREAT SKIN AND SIMILAR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to skin tanning and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that the skin of animals, so that they do not rot, is tanned with solutions that remain irreversibly fixed to it, turning it into leather. This treatment includes different steps, which are often complex and require a relatively long time. When they are supplied to the tannery, they are usually dried with salts and the rawhide is initially subjected to a preparation for real or real tanning.This preparation includes first a dip or immersed step, that is, removal of the impurities. They cover both the fleshy or internal side as well as the side of the grain or external, as well as the conservative solutions, which give back to the skin its natural softness.The skin that will be treated is dipped in drums P1692 / 98MX containing suitable liquid solutions. These drums are provided internally with stationary or fixed vanes or rods that act on the skin during the rotation of the drum. Therefore, the treatment consists of the combination of the chemical action of the liquid solution and the mechanical action carried out on the skin that lasts from six to twenty-four hours. After which, it follows a stripping step, with which the fat is removed from the immersed or imbibed leather and, subsequently, the apelambrado treatment follows to remove the hair and reveal the dermis. The apelambrado is made in suitable drums with alkaline substances, such as sulfides or lime, which cause the tissue of the skin to swell or sponge and dissolve the roots of the hair. More precisely, the skin swells, the fats become calcium salts and the proteins that form the skin are modified due to the breakdown of the main and secondary bonds of the protein chains and, subsequently, the hair is separated from the skin. skin. The substances used for the apelambrado, and at the same time for the "opening" of the pores of the skin in order to perform real or true tanning and dyeing, are very polluting, which results in all the Pie92 / 98 X known problems of waste disposal and / or purification. The step of the apelambrado usually requires of twenty-four hours. Then, the skin prepared in this way is decalcified and macerated, again in suitable drums. Due to the step of decalcined, normally, with descaling salts, the retained lime is eliminated. The maceration is a biological action that softens the grain of the skin by means of enzymes that partially dissolve the elastic fibers, causing the relaxation of the skin. Subsequently, the skin is subjected to pickling, that is, the treatment that guarantees a faster and more complete penetration of the tanning salts. In fact, the macerated skin, which has a basic reaction, can not be tanned with, for example, chromium tanning salts, because it will result in a chemical reaction that will close the pores of the skin. Therefore, the skin is acidified with small amounts of acid, and in the presence of salts (usually sodium chloride) to prevent swelling. This step is carried out in a drum and lasts on average from ten to twelve hours.

P1S92 / 98 X The treatment of true tanning is carried out inside the aforementioned drums, by means of vegetable solutions, such as natural or synthetic tanning solutions or, by mineral salts, mainly chromium or similar salts. The steps of apelambrado, macerated, pickled and tanned together require an average of not less than forty-eight hours (this may vary according to the type of skin that will be treated). The tanned leather, pressed conveniently to remove a part of the water absorbed, selected and scraped, is subjected to a dyeing treatment, otherwise called re-tanned. This step of dyeing requires an average of eight hours. In this way, the aforementioned tanning treatments require, as already mentioned, a lot of time, which can take an average of one week. This results in the need to use a relatively large number of gigantic drums in order to achieve adequate productivity. The pieces of skin that will be treated are thrown into the bulk drums and subjected directly to mechanical action, which can sometimes damage them. A non-minor disadvantage of the processes of P1692 / 98MX traditional tanning, derives from the fact that the working environment is very dangerous, mainly due to the noxious emanations or miasmas produced by the aforementioned drums. In addition, there is a serious problem of the disposal of liquids discharged at the end of the aforementioned treatments, in particular, of the substances used for the appellant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to propose a process, which allows skin tanning treatments and the like to be carried out in less time with respect to known systems and, at the same time, guarantees the high quality of the treatment. tanned leather, as well as a high production capacity, all this will be obtained with a reduced amount of energy required with respect to the known techniques. Another main object of the present invention is to propose a process that can be carried out by an apparatus, which allows operating in a non-hazardous work environment and which considerably reduces the problems related to the elimination of waste. Another additional object of the present invention is to propose a process, which allows to reduce markedly the P1692 / 98MX quantity of substances used for the same quality of tanned skin. Another object of the invention is to propose a process, whose implementation does not contaminate the air. In addition, the invention has another object in proposing an apparatus, which performs the aforementioned method. The aforementioned objects are achieved by a process for the treatment of skin and the like, which includes: separately placing pieces of the skin to be treated in a container; introducing liquid solutions into the container, sequentially and at predetermined intervals, to carry out the various steps of the tanning treatment of the skin, the liquid solutions will be discharged from the container, after each step has been completed. Keep the depression inside the container, at least for the duration of each step; generate, during each step, a relative movement between the liquid solution and the pieces of skin, so that the action of the liquid solution on the skin pieces is intensified. The process is carried out by means of an apparatus that includes: P1S92 / 98MX a container that will close hermetically; a plurality of supports, which can be introduced and removed from the container, and in which the corresponding skin pieces are secured, these supports will be located in the container in such a way as to keep the skin pieces separate; a first series of tanks containing the predetermined liquid solutions for the corresponding steps of treatment of the skin, an on / off and control means that connects each of the tanks with the container, so to introduce to it the relative liquid solution for the corresponding skin treatment step; a suction means for maintaining the depression inside the container, at least while carrying out the skin treatment steps; a means to generate the relative movement between the liquid solution and the pieces of skin, so that the action of the liquid solution on them is intensified. According to a different embodiment, the process includes: placing the extended pieces of skin that will be treated separated in a first container; P1S92 / 98MX introduce the liquid solution in the container to perform a step of the skin tanning treatment; maintain the depression inside the container during the completion of that step; generate, during that step, the relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces, so that the action of the liquid solution on the skin pieces is reinforced, discharging the liquid solution of the first container; remove or remove the skin pieces from the first container, repeat the aforementioned operations in additional containers, to carry out the rest of the steps of the skin tanning treatment. According to a different embodiment, the apparatus includes: a plurality of containers that will be hermetically sealed, within which the predetermined steps of the treatment of the skin are effected.; a plurality of supports, which can be introduced and removed from the containers, and in which the corresponding extended skin pieces are held or secured, these supports are located in the containers in such a way that they keep theP1692 / 98MX leather parts; a first series of tanks containing the predetermined liquid solutions for the corresponding skin treatment steps; an on / off and control means that connects each of the tanks with the relative container, so that in it the relative liquid solution is introduced for a corresponding treatment step of the skin, a medium of suction to maintain the depression within each of the containers at least during the realization thereof in the relative steps of the skin treatment; a means for generating, within each of the containers, the relative movement between a corresponding liquid solution and the pieces of leather, to intensify the action of the liquid solution on them. Additional characteristics and features are indicated in the sub-claims or dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristic features of the invention will be indicated in the following description, with P1692 / 98MX particularly reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a support means for a piece of skin to be treated; Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show schematic views of containers in which support means such as the aforementioned are located, with different arrangements, respectively; Figure 3 shows a schematic vertical sectional view of the container, during a processing step of Skin, Figures 4a and 4b, show diagrams of apparatuses performing the corresponding tanning treatments according to the method, which is the subject of the present invention; Figures 5a, 5b show diagrams of two different embodiments of the aforementioned apparatus, which perform the method in a different way; Figure 6 shows a possible diagram of an apparatus that performs the method in a further form, Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the apparatus, Figure 8 shows a constructive variant of the apparatus container, Figures 9a and 9b, show two diagrams schematics of an installation for the recovery of P1S92 / 98MX steam in both operating conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With reference to the aforementioned figures, the number 1 indicates a piece of skin that will be subjected to the tanning treatment in accordance with the present process. In accordance with this process, the piece of skin 1 to be treated extends over a respective open support, for example, the frame 2 shown in Figure 1. The skin piece 1 is attached to the frame 2 by a series of expanders 3 of known type. The frames 2 that support extended to the skin pieces 1 are inserted into a container 4, which is held fixed in accordance with a preferred embodiment, and which will be hermetically sealed, during treatment with a suitable liquid solution introduced therein. The frames 2 that bear extended to the skin pieces 1 are introduced into the container 4, preferably in a vertical arrangement, with a uniform separation, as seen in Figure 2a. However, it is possible to arrange the frames 2 inside the container 4 horizontally (Figure 2b) or inclined (Figure 2c).

P1692 / 98MX In the case where the leather pieces are arranged vertically, it is sufficient to hang them in a suitable cage or pot, not shown, so that they are kept with a mutual separation. As shown as an example in Figure 3, the upper part of the container 4, which contains the liquid treatment solution 5, is hermetically sealed by a lid or cover 6. In its lower part, the container 4 has a means of support 7 for the frames 2 supporting the skin pieces 1. In the interior of the container 4 is also located a heat exchanger 8, which heats the liquid solution 5 to the desired temperature. The liquid solution 5 inside the container 4 is vortexed during the treatment of the skin pieces 1 extended on the frames 2. For this purpose, the container 4 has a supply element 9, located under the support means 7 of the frames 2 and formed by a grid provided with a series of injectors 10 that expel air in the form of bubbles. Inside the container 4, the depression, above the liquid solution 5, is maintained by a suitable suction means 11, connected to the P1692 / 98MX container through a tube 110, which passes through one of two neutralization tanks Illa, lllb, which will be described later. The advantage of keeping container 4 depressed will be indicated below. In adon, due to this depression, an air flow is sucked from the outside by the supply element 9. Furthermore, the depression reduces the amount of energy consumed to reach the desired working temperature. Otherwise, the aforesaid air flow can be obtained by a suitable compression means connected to the supply element 9. In the following, the same reference numerals will indicate a means that performs the same functions. The apparatus for the tanning treatments, shown in Figure 4a, includes a series of tanks 12, preferably hermetic, containing liquid solutions that will be supplied to the container 4 for the aforementioned treatments. In particular, there are four tanks 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d that supply the liquid solutions used correspondingly for the immersion, apelambrado, pickling and tanning steps. When necessary, the skin pieces will also be dyed during the tanning treatment. The tanks are provided with the respective P1692 / 98MX heat exchangers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, which maintain the liquid solutions at the desired temperatures. The heat exchangers 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d are controlled by a control unit 14 through the connections indicated with SI, S2, S3 and S4. The supply tanks are connected to the respective jet tubes 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d, equipped with the related pumps lßa, lßb, 16c and lßd, controlled in turn by the control unit 14, by means of the indicated connections with Pl, P2, P3 and P4. The jet tubes 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are connected to an inlet tube 17 of the container 4 by means of a valve means 18 which is controlled by the control unit 14. The lower part of the container 4 has an outlet tube 19 provided with a pump 20 controlled by the control unit 14. The outlet tube 19 is alternatively connected, by means of a valve means 21, to the discharge tubes 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d, which communicate with the respective tanks. residues 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d of the liquid solutions used in the container 4. The waste tanks 23 communicate with the corresponding supply tanks 12 by means of the respective return tubes 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d, equipped P1692 / 98 X with the respective pumps 25, 25b, 25c, 25d, controlled by the control unit 14. As an alternative construction, all the discharge tubes 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d, lead to a single manifold or distributor (not shown) which is connected to a suitable cleaner. In practice, in order to carry out each of the steps of the aforementioned tanning treatment, the container 4 is fed with the liquid solution taken from the relative supply tank 12. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes the minus two other tanks 30a, 30b, containing liquid washing solutions, which will be described later and which are provided with the relative jet tubes 31, 31b, which present the relative pumps 32a, 32b controlled by the control unit 14 These tubes are connected to an inlet duct 33 of the container 4 by means of a valve means 34 controlled by the control unit 14. The aforementioned outlet tube 19, connected to the bottom or bottom part of the container 4, can also be connected, via the valve means 21, with one or the other of the discharge tubes 35a, 35b, which flow towards the tanks 30a, 30b, respectively.

P1692 / 98MX Inside the container 4, the liquid solution is vortexically agitated by the air flow produced, as previously described, in the liquid solution. It will be noted that before each step is made, more precisely, before the container is fed with the liquid solution, in it the depression is created, so that the skin swells making it spongy and thus facilitating the action of the liquid solution on it. The aforementioned vortex agitation causes a type of massage on the skin pieces, which replaces the mechanical action of the known systems without damaging the skin. When each of the treatment steps is completed, the liquid solution used is extracted from the container 4 and sent to the relative waste tank 23. After it has been regenerated, by techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art, this Liquid solution can be reintroduced into the corresponding supply tank 12, for a new tanning cycle. The immersion or embedment treatment is carried out with the liquid solution contained in tank 12a; water, possibly added with chemical promoters.

P1692 / 98MX Due to the depression, created before the liquid solution is introduced, the skin absorbs water more easily, since it tends to swell naturally, thus becoming, as already mentioned, more spongy. These factors, that is, the combined action of depression and vortex agitation, reduce the time required for the passage of the immersion or embedment. When the immersion ends, the skin pieces are washed with the water contained in the tank 30a. The apelambration treatment is carried out with the liquid solution contained in tank 12b, in accordance with the oxidizing method, for example, by means of sodium chlorite or enzymatic agents. The observation is made that the sodium chlorite can not be used in the step of apelambrado made in drums of wood, because it releases chlorine, which corrodes the wood. Since it is attracted to the suction means 11 and released through the tube 110, the chlorine enters one of the tanks Illa, IIIb, which contain a solution of sodium hyposulfite, which, as is known, neutralizes the chlorine. In this way, the suction means 11 is protected and the problem of the elimination of the substances used for the treatment of apelambration is solved.

Pie92 / 98MX In the present case, the combined effect of the depression, which swells the skin, of sodium chlorite and the massage carried out on the skin by the vortical air, makes it possible to carry out the treatment of apelambration. This is considerably advantageous due to the following reasons: - the use of a substance, whose elimination (more precisely, whose neutralization) is not very problematic; - due to the depression in the work environment, the energy consumption is reduced, - the pieces of skin are not subjected to mechanical stresses. It will also be noted that the swelling of the skin also causes the pores to open, which is advantageous for the subsequent tanning and dyeing treatments. The step of the apelambrado requires of approximately five hours, after the apelambrado of the skin, this is washed with the content of the tank 30b. The step of the apelambrado is followed by the step of the pickling, which is carried out using the contents of the tank 12c; The effect of this operation is intensified due to the massage of the skin made by vortexing. The liquid solution contained in tank 12d is P1692 / 98MX uses for the passage of real tanning and, when necessary, for the passage of dyeing, the latter is carried out by means of coloring agents (for example plant coloring agents) dispersed in the liquid solution. This liquid solution may also contain agents that facilitate the greasing of the skin. The time required to perform these steps is reduced because the pores remain open due to the effect of depression. Also, the amount of tanning and dyeing substances is lower compared to traditional methods. In fact, under the conditions described (ie, swollen, that is, spongier skin), the concentration in the liquid solution of the tanning and dyeing agents, which are transferred from the liquid solution to the skin (where they are irreversibly fixed) ), it is reduced with respect to the known systems, therefore, the quantity of these agents is smaller but, the quality of the obtained result remains the same. The pickling, tanning and dyeing operations require approximately 24-36 hours. It is known that the actual tanning treatment can be preceded by the so-called pre-tanning treatment and that the dyeing (also known as re-tanning), carried out simultaneously with the agents for greasing the skin, can be carried out separately from the treatment of tanning.

P1692 / 98MX real tanned and after this. The apparatus making the aforementioned variants is shown schematically in Figure 4b, where the number 12e indicates the tank containing the liquid pre-tanning products, number 23e indicates to the tank containing the residual liquid after it is finished the pre-tanning, the number 30d indicates to the tank that contains the solution for washing the skin after the pre-tanning has finished, the number 12f indicates to the tank with the liquid solution for the re-tanning and greasing of the skin and, the 23f indicates the tank, which receives the waste from vessel 4 after the last step has been completed. In general, it has been shown that the process, which is the subject of the present invention, makes it possible to carry out the tanning of the skin in a considerably reduced amount of time, with respect to the traditional techniques, while guaranteeing a tanned leather of high quality. This result is also helped by the extension of the skin in the frames 2, the vortex movement due to the air flow produced in the liquid solution 5, with which the treatment is carried out, and the effect of the depression. In particular, it will be noted that the pieces of skin are not subject to violent mechanical efforts, but P1692 / 98MX only to a type of massage produced by the vortex movement, which results in an obvious advantage in quality. An important peculiarity of the present process derives from the fact that it is carried out in hermetically sealed containers. In this way, the diffusion of miasms to the environment is avoided, improving working conditions in the field of leather tanning treatment. In addition, the proposed process considerably reduces the problem of the elimination and / or neutralization of waste and saves both energy and substances used particularly for tanning and dyeing. It should be emphasized that the process described herein can also be performed without washing the skin. Figure 5a shows another embodiment of the present apparatus, in which more treatment vessels are used to carry out a process with the same steps as described for the apparatus of Figure 4a. Four containers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are provided, arranged or arranged in a row and used respectively for the steps of immersion or embedding, apelambrado, pickling and tanning with simultaneous dyeing and, possibly, greasing. Tanks with solutions for realization P1692 / 98MX of these steps and the subsequent washes are indicated with the same numbers as in Figure 4a and are provided with valve means and pumps, not shown, of the same type previously described. In this case, the frames 2, which support extended to the skin pieces, are mounted, for example, on a carrier 28, integrated to a conveyor means 29, which introduces the carrier 28 into the containers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and removes carrier 28 therefrom. This conveyor means 29 includes, for example, a carriage 30, which is driven by a motor means not shown, along a guide element 31 integral with a fixed frame 32 of the apparatus. Consequently, in each container a predetermined step of the treatment of the skin and a possible washing of the skin takes place. Advantageously, the skin is washed in the corresponding auxiliary containers 114a, 114b (see Figure 6). More precisely, after it is immersed in the container 4a, the skin is extracted therefrom and introduced into the auxiliary container 114a, in which it is washed with a liquid solution taken from the tank 30a. The step of the apelambrado is carried out in the P1692 / 98MX container 4b and the subsequent washing in the relative auxiliary vessel 114b. This way of proceeding, that is to say, washing the skin in auxiliary containers, avoids cleaning the containers 4a, 4b after the washing operations that follow the immersion and the apelambration, respectively. The apparatus shown in Figure 5b performs the processing steps already described with reference to Figure 4b. In the containers 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, the skin is imbibed, appealed, pickled, pre-cured, tanned and, finally, dyed with the simultaneous greasing. The containers, in which these steps are carried out, are indicated with the same numbers as in Figure 4b. Also in this case, the washing that follows the immersion, apelambration and pre-tanning steps can be carried out in the relative auxiliary vessels, as in the case illustrated in Figure 6. It is obvious that if the treatment of the skin requires of several operations different from the two illustrated examples (Figures 4a, 5a and 4b, 5b), the apparatus will be modified accordingly, while all the advantages of the invention will be maintained. Also in the modalities shown in the P1692 / 98MX Figures 5a, 5b and 6, the liquid solutions that come out of their respective containers can be sent to a manifold or distributor of common discharge. The present method of the process is characterized by the following technical-functional aspects: * - container (or containers) 4 that remain fixed; - pieces of skin extended and separated; - the treatments are carried out in a container, which is hermetically closed and is already under a depression before the liquid solution is introduced to it; - vortex agitation of the liquid solution, which causes a kind of massage on the skin. According to a variant of the process, the container 4 (or containers 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d) can rotate about their transverse and / or longitudinal axis, so as to generate a relative movement between the skin pieces and the solution liquidates using one step of • treatment or in a subsequent wash. Advantageously, the liquid solution contained in the tanks Illa, IIIb, dramatically reduces and / or neutralizes all the volatile compounds, which are generated inside the container 4 (or in the containers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f) during the treatment of the skin. For this purpose, more can be provided P1692 / 98MX containers 111, arranged together in parallel and, each of them contains a liquid solution to dramatically reduce and / or to neutralize at least one predetermined volatile compound. It is possible for the control unit 14 to act on a suitable medium (for example, electric valves) connected to these tanks, to introduce one or more of them, arranged in a row, in the tube 110, in relation to the treatment step that it will be effected in the container 4 and, therefore, with the type of volatile compound generated during this step. In the case of more containers, the tube 110, which connects each of them with the suction means 11, is connected to a series of tanks 111 that performs the functions described above. Each supply tank can be provided with a means for mixing the liquid solution contained therein, this medium is not shown, since it is part of the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the apparatus, in which the numbers 201, 202, 203 and 204 indicate supply tanks containing the liquid solutions for immersion or embedding, apelambration, pickling and tanning. The numbers 212a, 212b, 212c and 212d indicate the corresponding heat exchangers (controlled by P1692 / 98MX the control unit 14 through the links SI, S2, S3, S4). The numbers 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d indicate the corresponding supply pumps also operated by the control unit 14, via the connections Pl, P2, P3 and P4. In this case, the ejector means or grid 9 can be brought into communication with the outside (in the normal operation or operation condition of the container 4) by a related electric valve 250 operated by the control unit. As an alternative, ejector means 9 can be connected to one or the other tank of a series of auxiliary supply tanks 300a, 300b. 300c and 300d (for example, four tanks have been provided, however, their number may be greater than or less than four), through the related electrical valves 301a. 301b, 301c and 301d, also operated by the control unit. Each auxiliary supply tank contains a suitable substance, either pure or diluted in an appropriate form, which will be used together with the liquid solutions of the supply tanks 212a, 212b, 212c and 212d during a corresponding step of the present process. This configuration determines the favorable conditions, because it allows to mix this substance with the liquid solution whenever it is important, in the P1692 / 98MX percentage and / or the preset weight, so that they carry out the process steps in the desired way. In order to implement this possible action, the control unit 14 cuts or interrupts the connection between the container 4 and the external environment (by means of the electric valve 250) and connects to the container 4 with the default auxiliary supply tank, keeping this connection for a short time. The condition of depression inside the container 4 allows the influx of the substance coming from the auxiliary supply tank, into the container. The flow of the substance can be determined by a pump 270, which is not shown, and can be measured by means of an appropriate meter, which is also not shown. By using a grid 9 to inject the substances into the container, it is possible to quickly mix the emitted substances and the liquid solution already present inside the container. As an alternative, these substances can be supplied to the container either at the same time that the liquid solution 5 is introduced therein or before the introduction of the liquid solution. In addition, the substances can also be supplied to the container without the aid of the grid 9, P1692 / 98MX in accordance with other forms, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. When at least one substance (or a dilution of this substance) has been fully introduced into the container 4, the connection between the container and the auxiliary supply tank is cut off or interrupted and the connection between the container and the external environment is restored. . In the example shown in Figure 7, the auxiliary supply tanks are associated with the container 4 when the process steps are carried out. Advantageously, the auxiliary supply tanks may be connected to the containers 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d provided by the different configurations of Figures 5a and 6, as well as the containers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f shown in Figure 5b and the substances they contain are used in a manner similar to that just described. Figure 8 has to do with a functional and structural peculiarity of the container 4. In detail, a duct 600 is shown that communicates the lower region of the container 4 with an intermediate region 601 thereof. More precisely, this intermediate region is located just below the free surface 602 of the liquid solution 5 inside the container. A pump is mounted along the pipeline and is Pie92 / 98MX operated by the control unit 14, to extract the liquid solution from the container 4, in the region 601 and reintroduce the liquid solution in the lower part.

This causes a continuous remixing of the liquid substance, thus avoiding, among other things, the settlement of solid substances. Everything that has been said leads us to the result that the liquid substance is almost homogeneous everywhere. The functional and structural particularity can be applied to each container 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d related in the modalities of Figures 5a and 6, as well as to each container 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f, included in the modalities shown in Figure 5b. With reference to Figures 9a and 9b, the number 500 indicates a vapor recovery unit. Advantageously, more recovery units are provided, for example, in a number at least equal to the number of steps forming the process performed inside the container 4. Figures 9a and 9b, show only one recovery unit, due that the others work in exactly the same way. This recovery unit includes an electric valve 404 mounted along a duct 450 that P1692 / 98MX connects to the suction means 11 and to the interior of the container. Two tubes, 460, 479, namely, the first tube and the second tube, are derived from the duct 450 and have, mounted along them, a three-way electric valve 401 and a two-way electric valve 402, respectively. These tubes pass through the hermetic cover of a condensation tank 400, below which, at its upper part, there is a baffle 480 arranged or arranged in an inclined manner. The open end of the first tube 460 is located below the inclined deflector, while the open end of the second tube 470 is located above the deflector. The bottom of the tank is connected to the bottom of the container 4, by a pipe 490 having an electric valve 403. All the electric valves 401, 402, 403 and 404 mentioned above are operated by the control unit 14. During the condition or operating state shown in Figure 9a, the flow H sucked from the container 4 by the suction means 11, passes through the reservoir 400. This flow is practically formed by a mixture of air (introduced into the container by the ejector means 9) and the vapor formed by the liquid solution 5. This mixture expands in the tank, it is cooled and a large part of the vapor condenses. The liquid P1S92 / 98MX obtained in this way is collected at the bottom of the tank and its level is gradually increased. A "detector 405 detects the moment when a certain level has been reached and sends a signal to the control unit 14 which determines the operation or operation condition of Figure 9b when operating the aforementioned electric valves., the reservoir 400 is diverted, because the valve 404 is turned on, while the valve 401 communicates the interior of the reservoir with the external environment and the second tube 470 closes when the valve 402 is turned off. Because the container 4 is under a depression, a flow K of liquid passes from the reservoir to the container. An appropriate detector, not shown, detects the level in the reservoir that is at a minimum and the control unit changes the operating condition of unit 500, restoring the condition of Figure 9a. What has been said is an extremely advantageous feature, because in this way, a large part of the evaporated liquid can be recirculated and is not carried towards the suction means 11. The deflector 480 forms a partition between the input region of the air-steam mixture (first tube 460) and the air suction region (second tube 470), so P1692 / 98MX that the minimum amount of steam that is anyway sent to the suction medium is negligible. With a different liquid solution 5 (for a different process step than the previous one), a related recovery unit 500 is additionally provided with a manifold or manifold 410 that communicates all the recovery units on one side with the top of the vessel and by another side, with the bottom of the container, through the related pipe 490a. For each container 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d (shown in Figures 5a and 6) and 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f (shown in Figure 5b) a recovery unit 500 equal to that just described can be provided. . According to an interesting variant of the proposed process, the advantageous results obtained in the skin through the combined action of the depression and the vortex movement can be further increased and improved by submitting the liquid solution to ultrasound. This can be done by means of a suitable sonotrode of known type (not shown) connected to the container and controlled by the control unit 14. It is understood that the foregoing has been declared as a pure and non-limiting example, therefore, the functional variations in the steps of P1S92 / 98MX proposed process, which remain within the protective scope of the invention as claimed below. Similar observations will be considered with reference to the means and devices that make up the proposed apparatus, in which the measuring instruments can be used to measure the inflows and outflows of each container or supply tank with which it is related each time.

P1692 / 98 X

Claims (4)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A process for treating skin and the like, characterized because it includes: placing separate in the interior of a container extended pieces of skin to be treated; introducing liquid solutions in the container, sequentially and at predetermined intervals, to carry out several skin tanning treatment steps, the liquid solutions will be discharged from the container, after each step has been completed; maintain a depression inside the container, at least for the duration of each step; generate, during each step, a relative movement between the liquid solution and the pieces of skin, to intensify the action of the liquid solution on the skin pieces.
2. 2. A process for treating skin and the like, characterized in that it includes: placing separate pieces of skin to be treated separated inside a first container; introduce the liquid solution in the container, P1S92 / 98MX to perform a step of the skin tanning treatment; maintain a depression inside the container during the completion of the step; generate, during the step, a relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces, to reinforce the action of the liquid solution on the skin pieces; discharge the liquid solution from the first container; extracting or removing the skin pieces from the first container; repeat the aforementioned operations in additional containers, so that the rest of the steps of the leather tanning treatment are carried out.
3. 3. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the depression inside the container is created before the liquid solution for a corresponding skin treatment step is introduced therein.
4. 4. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the depression inside each of the containers, in which a skin treatment step is made, is created before the corresponding liquid solution is introduced therein. P1692 / 98 X 5. The process according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that it includes: the introduction of a first liquid solution for the immersion or imbibition of the skin in the recent one, vortexing the liquid solution during the immersion step or embedded; unload the solution from the container; the introduction of a second liquid solution to appeal the skin inside the container; vortexically stir the liquid solution during the apelambrado step, unload the solution from the container; the introduction of a third liquid solution for pickling the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the pickling step; unload the solution from the container; the introduction of a fourth liquid solution for tanning and dyeing simultaneously the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the step of tanning and dyeing; unload the solution from the container; finally, remove or remove the extended pieces of skin from the container. P1692 / 98MX 6. The process according to claim 5, characterized in that, in relation to the time for the introduction of at least one liquid solution in the first container between the first, second, third and fourth liquid solutions, a substance is also introduced. , either pure or diluted, with the objective of cooperating with the related liquid solution to carry out the corresponding step of the same process. The process according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that it includes: the introduction of a first liquid solution for immersing or embedding the skin in the first container; vortexically stir the liquid solution during the immersion or imbibition step; download the solution from the first container; extracting the skin pieces from the first container; the introduction of the skin pieces extended and separated, in a second container, which is to be hermetically sealed, introduction of a second liquid solution for the skin appellate in the second container, maintaining the depression in the second container during the step of apelambrado; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during P1692 / 98MX the apelambrado step; download the solution from the second container; removing the skin pieces from the second container, inserting the skin pieces extended and separated into a third container, which is to be hermetically sealed; introducing a third liquid solution for pickling the skin in the third container, maintaining the depression in the third container during the pickling step; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the pickling step, discharging the solution from the third container; removing or removing the skin pieces from the third container; introduction of skin pieces extended and separated in a fourth container, which is to be hermetically sealed, introduction of a fourth liquid solution, in order to carry out simultaneously at least the tanning and dyeing of the skin, in a fourth container; keep the depression in the fourth container during the steps of tanning and dyeing, vortexically stir the liquid solution during P1S92 / 98MX the step of tanning and dyeing; download the fourth solution from the fourth container; Remove the skin pieces from it. The process according to claim 7, characterized in that in relation to the time for the introduction of the liquid solution related in at least one of the first, second, third and fourth containers, at least one substance, either pure or diluted, is introduced. , with the objective of cooperating with the related liquid solution to carry out a corresponding step of the same process. The process according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that it includes: introduction of a first liquid solution for the imbibition or immersion of the skin in the container; Vortexically shake the liquid solution during the immersion step; unload the solution from the container; introduction of a second liquid solution for the unpacking of the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the apelambrado step, unload the solution from the container; introduction of a third liquid solution for P1S92 / 98MX pickle the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the pickling step; unload the solution from the container; introduction of a fourth liquid solution to pre-tan the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the pre-tanning step; unload the solution from the container; introduction of a fifth liquid solution for tanning the skin in the container; Vortexically stir the liquid solution during the tanning step, dispense the solution from the container; introduction of a sixth liquid solution to at least stain the skin in the container; vortexically stir the sixth liquid solution during the passage of the dyeing; unload the solution from the container; finally, extract the extended pieces of skin from the container. The process according to claim 9, characterized in that in relation to the time for the introduction of at least one liquid solution in the first container between the first, second liquid solutions, P1692 / 98MX third fourth, fifth and sixth, at least one substance, either pure or diluted, is introduced in order to cooperate with the related liquid solution to carry out at least one corresponding step of the same process. The process according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that it includes: the introduction of a first liquid solution for immersing the skin in the first container; Vortexically shake the liquid solution during the immersion step; download the solution from the first container; extract the skin pieces from the first container; introduction of skin pieces extended and separated in a second container, which will be hermetically sealed; introduction of a second liquid solution for the unraveling of the skin in the second container; maintain the depression in the second container during the passage of the apelambrado; vortexing of the second liquid solution during the passage of the apelambrado, discharging the second liquid solution of the second container; removing the skin pieces from the second container; P1692 / 98 X introduction of skin pieces extended and separated in a third container, which will be hermetically sealed; introduction of a third liquid solution for pickling the skin in the third container; maintain the depression in the third container during the pickling step; Vortexically shake the third liquid solution during the pickling step; download the solution from the third container; extracting the skin pieces from the third container; introduction of skin pieces extended and separated in a fourth container, which will be hermetically sealed; introduction of a fourth liquid solution in the fourth container for the pre-tanning of the skin; maintain the depression in the fourth container during the pre-tanning step; vortexically stir the fourth liquid solution during the pre-tanning step; download the fourth solution from the fourth container; remove the pieces of skin from the fourth container; introduction of the skin pieces extended and separated in a fifth container, which will be closed P1692 / 98MX hermetically; introduction of a fifth liquid solution in the fifth container for tanning the skin; maintain the depression in the fifth container during the tanning step; vortexically stir the fifth liquid solution during the tanning step, unload the fifth solution from the fifth container; removing the skin pieces from the fifth container; introduction of skin pieces extended and separated in a sixth container, which will be hermetically sealed; introduction of a sixth liquid solution in the sixth container for the dyeing of the skin; maintain the depression in the sixth container during the passage of the dyeing; vortexically stir the sixth liquid solution during the passage of the dyeing; download the sixth solution of the sixth container; Remove the skin pieces from it. The process according to claim 11, characterized in that, with respect to the time for the introduction of the related liquid solution in the at least one first, second, third, fourth container, P1S92 / 98MX fifth and sixth, at least one substance, either pure or diluted, is introduced in order to cooperate with the related liquid solution to carry out a corresponding step of the same process. 13. The process according to claim 5 or 9, characterized in that between the end of the appellate step and before the pickling treatment, there is an intermediate washing step of the skin. The process according to claim 5 or 9, characterized in that between the end of the immersion step and before the apelambration step there is an intermediate washing step of the skin. 15. The process according to claim 9, characterized in that after the passage of the pre-tanning and before the tanning step there is an intermediate washing step of the skin. 16. The process according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that after the passage of the immersion there is an intermediate washing step of the skin, carried out in the first container. 17. The process according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that after the passage of the immersion there is an intermediate washing step of the skin, carried out in the first container. 18. The process according to claim 7, P1692 / 98MX characterized because after the pre-tanning step, the skin is washed. 19. The process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces is obtained by keeping the container immobile and expelling a flow of air towards the liquid solution. 20. The process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces is obtained by keeping the container immobile and by connecting the lower part thereof with the exterior, thus generating an air flow. , which passes through the liquid solution. The process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces is obtained by continuous extraction from the liquid solution container at a level close to its upper surface and reintroducing it into the bottom of the container. 22. The process according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the skin pieces extend in a respective open support means. 23. The process according to claim 22, characterized in that the skin pieces are arranged or P1692 / 98MX arranged vertically. 24. The process according to claim 22, characterized in that the skin pieces are arranged horizontally. 25. The process according to claim 22, characterized in that the skin pieces are inclined with respect to a vertical plane. 26. The process according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that after the immersion step has been completed, the pieces of skin extracted from the container, in which the immersion step was carried out, are introduced into an auxiliary container. for your washing. 27. The process according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that after the apelambrado step has been completed, the pieces of skin extracted from the container, in which the apelambrado step is made, are introduced in an auxiliary container for its washed. The process according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that after the pre-tanning step has been completed, the pieces of skin extracted from the container in which the pre-tanning step was carried out, are introduced into a container auxiliary for washing. 29. The process according to claim 1 or 3 or 5 or 9, characterized in that during each of the treatment steps, the related liquid solution to effect P1692 / 98MX each step is treated with ultrasound. 30. The process according to claim 2 or 4 or 7 or 11, characterized in that during each of the treatment steps, the related liquid solution to perform each step is treated with ultrasound. 31. An apparatus for effecting the treatment of the skin and the like, characterized in that it includes: a container that will be hermetically sealed, a plurality of supports, which can be introduced and extracted from the container and in which the corresponding pieces of skin are held extended. , these supports are located in the container in such a way that they separate the skin pieces; a first series of tanks containing the predetermined liquid solutions for the corresponding steps of skin treatment; an on / off and control means that connects each of the tanks with the container for introducing therein the relative liquid solution for the corresponding skin treatment step; a suction means for maintaining the depression inside the container at least while performing the skin treatment steps; a means to generate the relative movement between a liquid solution and the skin pieces for P1692 / 98MX intensify the action of the liquid solution on them. 32. An apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it includes a second series of tanks connected to the container by means of an on / off and control means for receiving a liquid solution discharged from the container after the corresponding step has been completed. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it includes a series of auxiliary tanks connected to the container by means of an on / off and control means, to introduce a substance, either pure or diluted, into the container, the substance works in combination with a corresponding liquid substance to perform at least one step of the skin treatment process. 34. An apparatus for performing the treatment of the skin and the like, characterized in that it includes: a plurality of containers that will be hermetically sealed, inside which the predetermined steps of treatment of the skin are carried out; a plurality of supports, which can be introduced and removed from the containers and on which the corresponding pieces of skin are held extended, these supports are located in the containers of Pie92 / 98MX form such that separate pieces of skin; a first series of tanks containing predetermined liquid solutions for the corresponding skin treatment steps; an on / off and control means that connects each of the tanks with the relative container to introduce therein the relative liquid solution for a corresponding skin treatment step; a suction means for maintaining the depression inside each of the containers at least during the realization therein of the relative skin treatment steps; a means for generating within each container, the relative movement between a corresponding liquid solution and the pieces of skin, to intensify the action of the liquid solution on them. 35. An apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that: a second series of tanks connected to a corresponding container by means of an on / off and control means, to receive a liquid solution discharged from the container after the corresponding step has been completed. P1-T92 / 98MX 33. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that each container includes a related auxiliary supply tank connected to the corresponding container by means of an on / off and control means, to introduce at least one substance, either pure or diluted, in the related container to perform a corresponding step of the skin treatment process together with the liquid solution introduced into the container. 37. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the container is held immobile and that the means generating a relative movement between the liquid solution and the skin pieces includes ejectors, which send a jet of air through the liquid solution. contained in the container. 38. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that each of the containers is held immobile and that the means that generates a relative movement between the liquid solution and the pieces of skin in each container includes ejectors, which send a jet of air to the container. through the liquid solution. 39. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that at least one tank for the dramatic reduction and / or neutralization of the volatile compounds produced during the treatment of the skin is located at P1692 / 98 X along the tube that connects the suction medium with the container. 40. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that at least one tank for the dramatic reduction and / or neutralization of the volatile compounds produced during the treatment of the skin is located along the tube connecting the suction means with the containers. 41. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it includes additional tanks, which are connected to the container by means of an on / off and control means for introducing in the container the appropriate liquid solutions and, for its subsequent discharge thereof for washing the skin after it has completed a corresponding step. 42. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that it also includes tanks, each of which can be connected to a corresponding container by means of an on / off and control means for introducing in the container the appropriate liquid solutions and for its subsequent discharge of the same, for washing the skin after the corresponding step has been completed. 43. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that it includes auxiliary containers, each P1692 / 98MX one of which can be connected by means of an on / off and control means with a corresponding tank containing a predetermined liquid solution introduced in the auxiliary container and subsequently discharged therefrom, for washing the skin pieces introduced in the same after a treatment step in the corresponding container has been completed. 44. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it includes a duct communicating a lower region of the container with an intermediate region of the same container, located just below the free surface of the liquid solution inside the container, the duct has a pump means for continuously transferring the liquid solution from the intermediate region to the lower region of the container. 45. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that for each container it includes a duct communicating a lower region of the container with an intermediate region of the same container, located just below the free surface of the liquid solution inside the container , the duct has a pump means for continuously transferring the liquid solution from the intermediate region to the lower region of the container. P1692 / 98MX 46. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 34, characterized in that for each container, at least one vapor recovery unit is included which comprises: a "hermetically sealed condenser tank, a first on / off means operated by a control unit for connecting to the tank in series with a duct that communicates to the container and to the suction means; a detector means for detecting the level of liquid inside the tank, this detector means cooperates with the control unit to operate the first ignition / shutdown means and the second ignition / shutdown means to exclude the tank from the pipeline path , to communicate the inside of the tank with the external environment and to communicate to the tank with the container so that a flow of condensed liquid can be transferred from the tank to the container. 47. The apparatus according to claim 46, characterized in that the tank has an inclined deflector located with the open end of a first tube located below the deflector to introduce to the tank a flow of an air-vapor mixture coming from the container and with the open end of a second tube connected to the suction means. P1692 / 98MX 48. The apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the skin pieces are arranged vertically. 49. The apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the skin pieces are arranged horizontally. 50. The apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the skin pieces are arranged in an inclined manner in any shape. 51. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 37 or 30 or 32, characterized in that it includes a sonotrode, connected to the container, for treating each liquid solution with an ultrasonic beam. 52. The apparatus according to claim 34 or 38 or 40, characterized in that it includes sonotrodes, one for each of the containers, connected thereto for treating each liquid solution with an ultrasonic beam. P1692 / 98MX