Patent GB-219126-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for brushing and scouring or cleansing leather
IPC: C14B1/44
Filed: 1923-05-18
Abstract: 219,126. Wilson, E. G., and Wilks, G. L. May 18, 1923. Rotating-tool machines.-A machine for brushing, scouring, or cleansing leather in a wet condition is provided with means, such as an endless conveyer, for traversing the leather through the machine beneath a brush or brushes rotating in a direction contrary to that of the travel of the leather, means being provided also for supplying water or other liquid to the leather as it passes through the machine. As shown in Fig. 1, the leather is carried by a conveyer k beneath a rotating brush 3 and is sprayed with water or other liquid from a perforated pipe 2. The conveyer k comprises two endless chains i driven by pairs of sprocket wheels g, h and carrying a series of slats so arranged as to open out slightly when passing around the sprocket wheels; the edge of the leather is inserted into such a space between two adjacent slats, and is firmly held as soon as the slats assume a horizontal position. The tension of the conveyer is made adjustable by mounting the sprocket wheels h in adjustable bearings, and the upper part of the conveyer is elastically supported on a table 9 having studs 10 supported by helical springs 11. Rollers 7, 8 are provided to flatten the leather on the conveyer and to assist in feeding it after its forward end has been released by the action of the slats. The brush 3 is provided with a hood 4 carrying a trough 5 to catch any liquid trickling down the back of the hood. The water or other liquid delivered by the pipe 2 is spread evenly over the surface of the leather by constructing or tilting the machine so that the leather travels with one side or end lower than the other; a tank 36 catches superfluous liquid. The brush 3 is mounted on the main driving shaft b, which carries also a pulley o communicating motion, by means of a belt p, to a larger pulley q. The pulley q is keyed to a shaft r carrying a small pulley t normally held fast on the shaft but capable of being disengaged by means of a clutch operated by a treadle x. The pulley t carries a belt z and so drives a larger pulley 1 on the shaft e of the sprocket wheel g. In operation, the treadle x is depressed to stop the conveyer, and one edge or corner of the leather is inserted into the space between two adjacent slats passing round the sprocket wheel h. On the treadle being released, the conveyer moves and carries the leather through the machine until its edge is released by the slats passing over the sprocket wheel g, after which the rollers 7, 8 ensure the continuation of the movement. Fig. 5 shows a modification in which a slight pressure is imparted to the leather prior to its delivery to remove surplus moisture. Rollers 16, 17 are mounted at the rear of the machine, the roller 16 being mounted in links 18 freely mounted on the shaft e and being pressed by a spring 22 against the roller 17, which is mounted in brackets 19 fixed to the frame of the machine, and is driven by a belt 20 from a pulley 21 also mounted on the shaft e. The leather on leaving the conveyer is guided by a tray 23 to the nip of the rollers and thence by a board 24 to a curved table 25. Fig. 6 shows a device for facilitating the feeding of the leather to the machine. Two standards 26 are secured to the frame of the machine by arms 28 which are slotted so that their distance from the frame is adjustable. Each standard carries a plate 33 also slotted so as to be of adjustable height, and between the plates 33 is mounted a roller 34. The leather is supported on the roller 34, thereby relieving the operator of its weight and allowing him to use both hands in inserting the edges of the leather between the slats of the conveyer. The chains which carry the conveyer slats comprise, as shown in Fig. 4. a number of links i each having a lateral perforated lug 12 for the attachment of a slat, a lug or roller 13 to engage between two adjacent teeth on the sprocket and a perforated or slotted extension 14 to engage the lug or roller 13 of the adjoining link. The lugs 12 may assume either of the forms shown in the Figure.