US1628966A - Tanning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 17 c. J. GLASEL TANNING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16. 1919 a minimum period of time and with the 6X lated,

iatented May 17, 1927.

"CHARL S JonN 'GLASEL, 01? NEW YORK, N. Y.

TANNING APPARATUS.

Application filed September My invention relates to a method for treating hides and skins by subjecting them to a series of successive steps in a process of attaining a finished leather product during penditure of comparatively little labor and material thereby substantially reducing the cost of production of the finished leather.

The lll'lPlOVGCl method or process of my invention consists essentially in the perform ance of a series of successivetreatments of the hide or skin involving the application of different liquid solutions thereto whereby the hides are softened and cleansed, depiplumped, tanned, fat liquored. bleached and dyed. In the performance of these various steps in the process the hides are confined in a'containc'r and subjected to the action of mec ia'nisin which works, stretches, smooths and relaxes the hides in the presence of the liquid treating solutions. These different solutions are applied to the hides and skins in successive order as the condition of the hides warrants, each solution being removed from the hides and container after it has performed its function, and then the succeeding solution is applied. For this purpose I employ a tank or container and apparatus in'cludinga circulation system whereby the liquid solutions are each successively conveyed to and brought into contact with the hides in the container and then withdrawn from the container for sub sequent use.

Water is employed in the circulation sys tem when necessary for washing the hides after any of the steps in the treatment. Means are provided for uniformlyd'istributin'g the liquid solutions or concoctions to one or both surfaces of the hides, and the utilization of my invention permits the employment of a great variety of treating solutions in the production of the leather product. 7

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of myinventi'on wherein one form apparatus is exemplified for carrying out the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the illustrated apparatus and in the performance of my process, within "the scope of my claims without departing from the principles of my invent-ion.

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of a 16, 1919. Serial No. 324,191.

container or tank, illustrating the hides therein, together with mechanism for work ng the hides, and the circulation system for applying and withdrawing the liquid solutions used in the improved process. 7

Figure 2 is a detail vertical sectional View showing one of the supporting and guiding frames for the working rollers.

Figure 3 is a view in sec'tionof one of the roller frames, parts being broken away for coi'iven-ience of illustration.

Figure 41- is a broken plan and sectional view showing the driving relation of the rollersof a pair.

Referring to the drawings wherein one eXe-mplification of the apparatus employed is shown, the container 'or enclosure 1 is a tank of suitable dimensions provided with a removable top 2 and a vent device 3 in the top. F or supplying the liquid solutions to this tank and to the hides H therein a reservoir a is illustrated in an elevated position and provided with a return pipe 5 and pump 6. The return pipe is connected with a draw-off pipe I having a discharge cock 8, and the draw-off pipe 7-, which is located beneath the tank or container 1 is connected to an .outlet 9 from the bottom of the tank. Thus the liquid solutions in the tank may be pumped into the reservoir 4, and by means of the discharge or test cock 8 the liquid solution may-be tested to ascertain the condition thereof.

The hides H are supported or suspended within the tank preferably on holders or carriers ldwhicfh are made up of perforated bars supported in suitable manner from the tank, as by hangers 11, and these hollow perforated bars are connected by a feed pipe 12 with the reservoir 4. The liquid solutions fi'owby gravity from the reservoir through the feed pipe and are distributed between the folds of the hides by the perforated suspending bars 10, the folds forming a pocket as seen in Fig. 2 for the solution as it drips or flows from the hollow perforated bar.

lVhile beii'rg su'l'ajectcd to the treating solution the hides are worked, each one by a pair ofcompl'ementary rollers as 1?, l4, disposed horizontally in the tank andadapted to reciprocate vertically with the folds of,

the hide therebetween as indicated in Fig. 2. A suitable number of pairs of rollers is employed and they are rotatable ontheir shafts 15 and 16 and each of these shafts has a sprocket wheel 17 thereon one of which wheels is carried at the opposite ends of the shafts. The pairs of rollers are reciprocated vertically from pair of vertically arranged screw bars as 18 and 18, one at each end of the tank, which areiprovided with reverse spiral threads that actuate the travelling nuts 19 on each screw bar. Each of these nuts has slotted bearing plate 20 for the journal ends of'the pairs of roller shafts 15 and 16. The screw oars are journaled in bearings attached to the inner faces of the end walls of the tank and at their upper ends a gear couple 21 is providedfor revolving the screw bars to reciprocate the travelling nuts. The gear couples are driven from sprocket mechanisms 22 exterior of the tank and located at its ends, and these sprocket mechanisms are driven from the main shaft 23, supported from the outer face of the tank near its upper end, and revolved by pulley 2 L from a suitable source of power.

For guiding the pairs of working rollers in their reciprocal vertical movement I utilize in connection with the sprockets 17 and shafts 15 and 16 a number of hollow resilient frames as will be described.

The sprocket wheels 17 are carried in slides as 25 and 26 that co-act with flanges 27 and 28 arranged vertically on the resilient guides, three of which are indicated in Figure 1 as 29, 30, 31, and these guides are provided with resilient means as springs 31 shown in dotted lines whereby the pres sure of the rollers 13 14c on the hides may be adapted to the hides as the rollers work in their reciprocal movements.

The slides 25 and 26 move in the channels of the frames as the rollers 13 and 1 1 reciprocate, and at the upper end the guide frames are spread to guide the rollers away from the supporting bar 10. The lower ends of the frames are enlarged to guide the rollers away from the lower edges of the folded hide as they pass downwardly, and to bring the rollers back to the hide for the initial upward movement.

To insure the proper rolling action of the complementary rollers 13 and 1 1 on both their down and up strokes in contact with the hide, a pair of continuously moving endless sprocket chains 32 and 33 are employed. These chains are located at opposite ends of the vat or tank and pass around the hollow guide frames, between flanges 84, thereof. A slot 5-35 is provided at the inner side of the hollow guide frame through which the sprocket 17 projects with its teeth in the path of movement of the flights of the endless chains, and the action, of these flights on the sprocket wheels insures that the rollers, in pairs, shall turn properly to work the hide on both the down stroke and the up stroke of the pair of rollers.

The sprocket chains 32, 33 are driven by sprocket wheels 36 that are carried by and operated with gear shafts 37 through which movement is transmitted to the screw bars.

In some instances for applying liquid solutions to the outer faces of the suspended or supported hides, a distributing pipe 38 having a control valve 39 may be supplied from the pipe 12, to spray the hides.

The pump 6 is operated from the main shaft 23 by sprocket connection 10. The apparatus here illustrated and described, it will be understood is merely typical of many other means that may be employed in carrying out the steps of my process. The proc- *ess consists substantially in a series of successive applications of different liquid solutions, to the hides while suspended within the tank and on the bars 10, as required for the production of a leather product, and in the removal of the excess or used solutions before applying" another solution to the hides for a different purpose.

The apparatus heretofore described is used in carrying; out my process. The hides and skins are first relieved in suitable manner of all excessive fat and flesh, the tail,

cars etc, and then the hides are attached to or supported on the bars 10 and introduced to the tank where they are supported, as on the hangers 11 and in position indicated in Fig. 2. When the hides are in proper position a circulation of water may be established through the hollow perforated supporting bar 10 and sprayingpipe 38 to distribute the water over the hides. The working rollers 13 let are also operated and caused to travel with a resilient pressure over the hides to which the water is being applied, for the purpose of removing previously applied salt, blood, etc, and in this manner the hides are softened and cleansed. The circulation of water is maintained by the pump 6, until upon test, the discharge of clear water through the test cock 8 indi cates a cleansed condition of the hides. The collection of material secured by this cleansing step may be disposed of in suitable manner. By the action of the rollers the hides are worked on both surfaces, compressed, and relaxed while being; subjected to the water bath, as well as in subsequently applied baths of different treating solutions.

After the cleansing step the water used is withdrawn from the circulation system and pre aration is made for depilation of the hides which latter remain in the tank on their supports.

In the depilation of the hides hair-root solvents at approximately F. are supplied to the circulation system and the hairs which are thus removed are conveyed by the circulation system from the tank and disposed of as desired. The liquid solution used in the depilation of the hides may include strong hydrates, sulphide of sodium solution, calcium solution, caesium, or arsenic Ill) cation of the preliminary 't-em, may be purified and and evenlytanned.

The EElHRlDQQSOlHtlOIl used maybe comasses-s6 mixed with lime; 'T he liquidsolution thus used causes the epidermis to; d1sten'd and acts as a solvent for the removal of the hair ro'ot's. the hairs have beenremojvcd from the hides the latter are waslred by fiow of the llqiud-s'olutl'on, or bya flow or w ater, and the washing materialjconveys the hall and other materials irom the. tank proper distr bution. Inasmuch a heavy and thick hides require a longer periodol treatment for depilatlon than is requlre'd ftor lighter grades of hides, he duration of thisdepilatory step in the process may be varied to suit the existing conditions; p l -Liter the above indicatedwashing the hides as well as the interior wallsiof tliejtauk are in a cleansed condition and the hides are now ready for} a preliminary tanning step in the process.

Excessive heat stored in the compound be removed through th'e venting device 3 lor the jtop Qofthe container oritank may be removed forth s purpose.

. The hides are thus subjected toga ii applito both sides of th e hid e's'.

In the second tanning-treatmen the grant:

surfaces of the hidesare subjected to a conc'entrated solution of dissolved metallic 051- ides, atfa temperature and. density to suit the nature-of the coinpoun'chand dependent also upon the grade of the 'leatlrer to be produced.

During the tanning step the tanning solution which is carried to and discharged from the container in the circulation sysrenovated from time to time, and replenished while the circulation is going on.

The tanning solution iscirculated through v the system until the hide tissuesare completely metamorphosed and enveloped with tannin, and a leather product is produced without any relative shrinking of the hide tissues and which product is very pliable pounds of metallic salts, such as chrome KCr -(SOQ 1211 l or the like which are applied. lukewarm,

have great penetrating powers for entering the hides; Vegetable and'coniterous extracts are generally used with bulky lndesand designed to produce a product of weight These latter are applied at a lower temperature than the chrome because of their lower penetrating powers.

When the hides are .suliicien-tly tanned, the: superfluous tannin, metallic salts, solvents or chrome liquorsare removed through the circulation system, and excess moisture may be removed from the tank and hides by ventilating the tank, I I a p The hides arefnoW ready for coloring,

tanning solution,

and a mord ant having threaten affi ity lated, s -engthened,- replenished, and used oycr 'andover agam,"a's required. After the aye" a d'er'ls'ity of about .2:

application of the mordant, itiswithdraivn vi I lfl supply or lul'rewarm water containing two per cent .of oxalic ac d, the water bemg passed. through the c rculat on system the hides skins are washedjwith a and flowed'oventhe hi'des. and then vitli j idraw i. 7 The washed hides are now rea for dyeing through" the applic extracts of, the coniferous, vegetable, and

to a ciesire'd nuance; Inthislstep of apply;

ingthe "dyes, consumption of the inordan't and dyes s decreased' and economy 18 in sured the even distribution the dyes over tl fs'ur I the required quantity'ot-dye is absorbed by the hides, the excess material-is recoi ered;

r v .1 5 .8 oring medium, which may consistof liquid I U I.-

il'll'lllll'QiOl numerous sulphur and acid dyes ace of the liides,; -and only After the hides havebeen properly dyed,

the bulk of the coloring matter is .wit-h-' drawn, then the circulation system isutilized to furnish a supply of lukewarm. Water tothe hides to remove. excess coloring matter. Thehides are then dehydrated, as by heating and ventilatingrthe interior ofthe tank, during Wlllch time the pressure rollers are used to evacuate the excess material from thehldes.

fat-liquor is applied to the hides through the circulation system, and comprises a liquid In the next step' 'of fatiliquoring or, im-

pregnating'the hides with fats and' oils, the

solution of 50% sulphonated oil mixed with refined linseed 1, oil.

from sulphuricJacid,' except in the manufactureof sole'leather'and belting leather wherethere can be a trace of acid present. A solution Composed of pure sulphonated oil, with 10 parts of 'g elatine; 20 parts 'of degras; 2 to v5 parts of talcum; and water,

fleshside of the colored stock. After the proper duration of time the fat liquor is removed by-the circulation, system, and the hides are dried byyent-ilating the tank.

The hides may be bleached inthe process, and ,the' bleaching may be accomplished through the circulation system. The bleaching agent used may be a liquid solution com.-

The sulphonated oil used on the color stock must be "entirely free ,is also applied by the brush rollers to the solution from the container, and venting the wm mw V j posed of at pounds sal soda to 100 gallons of Water at 95 F., 5 pounds oxalic acid solution and one pint of commercial hydro- "tluoric acid. After the hides have been subjected to this bleaching solution, the latter is Withdrawn, the tank is ventilated, and the hides are removed as a finished product.

Thus While contained and supported in the tank the hides have been subjected to successive steps in the process of treatment, Without necessity for handling, and Without the use of machinery except the Working rollers Within the tank.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The step in the art of treating folded hides which consists in supporting the hides in -a container, separately injecting a liquid solution onto the inner sides of the folded vhideand the outer sides of the folded hide,

Working thehide by mechanical action in the presenceot the solution, and Withdrawing the liquid solution from the container.

2. Thc'm'ethod of tanning folded hides in a closed container which consists in. supporting the hides in the container, ejecting a liquid solution on the inner and outer sides of the hides Within the container Working the hides by mechanical action,-ejecting the container to' remove excess moisture there from.

3. The method of treating folded hides within a container WlllCh consists in subjecting the inner and outer sides of the hides to a required amount of different treating materials in a series of successively applied liquid solutions to soften, clean, depilate, plump and tan the hides, mechanically working the hides, in the presence of the solutions and then drylng'the hides to Withina container which consists in subjecting the vinner and vouter sides of the hides to a minimum amount of media ina series of successively applied solutions as Will be absorbed by the hides for tanning the same,

mechanically Working the hides in the presence of the.med1a,-and separately Withdrawinc; said solutions, and finally drying the hides. i 1 i In testimony Whereot,he has signed his name to this specification this 15th day of September, 1919. 7

CHARLES JOHN GLASELQ

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