OR APPARATUS "IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND MACHINERY FOR TANNING :HIDES: OR SKINS,
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
-
'I
An
and Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. for an Invention of
OR APPARATUS
"IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND MACHINERY
FOR TANNING :HIDES: OR SKINS," communicated to him from abroad by
Benjamin Daniel Hyam, and William H.Howell both of Washington, District
of Columbia, United States of America
.
(Void by reason of the Patentee having neglected to file a Specification in
pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
t
"
J
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London, "IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR TANNING HIDES OR SĶINS [A communication
to him from abroad by Benjamin Daniel Hyam, and William H. Howell both of
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America]
↓
•
"
This invention relates to improved methods or process of and apparatus for
tanning bides, skins, kips, pelts and the like.
.. The said invention partly consists in the method or process of tanning hides
skins, kips, pelts and the like, by alternately subjecting them to a bath of tanning
liquor, and a wringing pressure in a device constructed for that purpose; also,
when it becomes necessary, by introducing alternately pressure and puncturing
rollers, by which latter the fleshy side of the hide, skin, kip, or pelt will be slightly
punctured in its passage through the machine.
⋅
It also partly consists in mounting upon a substantial and suitable frame
properly constructed and adjusted over a general receiving and store tank, and
beneath a series of supply and, distributing tanks, sets of upper and under pressure
rollers, arranged in groups of two or three, as may be desired mounted on suitable
journals, in properly constructed journal boxings, secured in apertures in the said
frame, as well as in stanchions rising above and forming part of the general frame
under tension springs, governed by tension and set screws, for regulating the

page_text: pressure of the rollers on the hides, skins, kips and pelts during the process of
tanning.
It also partly consists when desired, in introducing between the said sets of
pressure rollers, a set consisting of an upper puncturing and under pressure roller,
provided with journals and mounted in suitable journal boxes regulated and
governed by tension screws and springs and set screws, the said set of rollers
co-operating with the pressure rollers in the process of tanning.
It also partly consists in securing on the axle of each of the said rollers or so
many thereof as in practice will be found. necessary to form a complete train of
actuating machinery, a spur gear, belt, or pulley wheel, or an excentric or other
suitable device by which the whole may be connected in one train of mechanism
and be driven by one common motive power, for simultaneously actuating the said
pressure; and when used, the puncturing rollers, together with the propelling
rollers of the endless carriage, whereby. they are all made to revolve in one
direction with uniform speed, so that in the process of tanning, the skins, kips,
hides, or pelts when fed in-at one end, will be carried-through the several sets of
rollers and out at the other end without re-handling, thus being in their passage
alternately saturated, pressed or wrung, and re-saturated, and when the puncturing
roller is used saturated punctured, wrung and saturated again, and so on repeatedly
and until the operation of tanning has been accomplished and completed.
It also partly consists in adjusting between the several sets of rollers, as well as
beyond the rollers at each end of the frame, in lieu of a table, moving endless
carriages supported on, and propelled by, revolving cylinders, actuated by
machinery, for carrying the skins, kips, hides and pelts during the process of
tanning, from one set of rollers to another, and from the feed table to the first set
of rollers and from the last set of rollers to the tail, or output table.
It also partly consists in introducing and adjusting a scraper guide behind each
pressure roller, to prevent the article being tanned from adhering to and following
the pressure rollers; also in adjusting small trundles actuated by machinery, if
necessary, at the ends of the moving carriages and between that and the scraper
- guide, to conduct the hide, skin, kip, or pelt being tanned from the carriage, and
vice versa.
It also partly consists in introducing into the dumb turner, the guide adjusted
between the under double pressure roller, and a set of friction rollers, to aid in
carrying forward the article being tanned; also in adjusting on the journal
bearing of the upper pressure roller and the standard a pointer and scale for
regulating the pressure of the several rollers."
It further partly consists in constructing the general. frame, in sections, the
several intervening sections being, so constructed that they can without limit, be
introduced between the end sections, when it is desired to lengthen the machine
or vice versa, also, when it is desired in constructing the end sections in such a
manner, that two tables are apparently joined together at the ends, or in other
words, the end sectious are so constructed that the feed and tail tables form what
appears to be the poles of an ellipse, two perpendicular frames otherwise forming
the lateral sides; also in constructing the end tables in such a inanner, that the
skin, hide, or pelt being tanned will be carried by gravitation from the tail table
on the one side to the feed table on the other; also in introducing in the end
tables, when it is thought to be advisable, a revolving disc or table to carry the
kips, hides, skins, or pelt from the one side to the other; and when groups of three
pressure rollers are employed it also partly consists in introducing dumb turners
provided with rollers between the lower set of pressure rollers.
It further partly consists in securing immediately over each set of pressure
rollers, a distributing tank having a perforated bottom (preferably concave; for
discharging the tanning liquor in a shower or spray on to the hide, skin, kip, or
pelt to be tanned) and provided with a liquor shed or float with a convex top for
throwing the liquor towards the lateral limits of the pressure roller, below and
with lugs by which the said tank is adjusted in place.

page_text: It further partly consists in adjusting and securing over each distributing tank,
a supply tank, preferably enclosed, provided with a longitudinally arranged sluice
or a series of small sluices longitudinally arranged, and a trap valve, or a series of
check valves adjusted therein and handled and governed by an endless screw or
other suitable device; also in introducing into the tank a liquor gauge; also in
connecting the several supply tanks of the machine by suitable pipes provided
with valves and stop cocks; also in connecting such tank by a supply pipe
provided with a valve, a stop cock, and a pump with a general store tank.
In carrying the said invention into practice I construct a substantially built
supporting frame provided at intervals along its sides with apertures. in which
the journal boxes for the journal bearings of the under pressure rollers are adjusted
and secured. The supporting frame (which is constructed, preferably, in sections,
to admit of its being extended longitudinally, when it is desired to increase the
number of groups of rollers, or to be shortened when fewer groups of rollers are
desired) has a projecting rim extending along its upper edge, which supports
uprights and receives adjusting screws and perpendicular flanges through which
the several sections are secured together, and is provided with journal bearings for
the rollers which actuate the moving carriage for carrying the skins, kips, hides.
and the like forward, a shoulder on which the table rests, indented recesses for
receiving the lugs on the dumb turners, and a series of upright supports provided
with slots and recesses for receiving and securing the lugs on the supply tank
and the lugs on the end of the distributing tank respectively together, with slots
or openings at the foot thereof, in which is adjusted and secured the axle bearing
for the upper pressure roller, the set and tension screws and tension springs which
supports are secured on, form part of, and extend upward from; the projecting rim.
on both sides of the frame, which is constructed with a view to using the under
pressure rollers singly or in pairs, and the employment of or dispensing with the:
puncturing and its companion under pressure roller, but when the puncturing
rollers are employed, a series of frames are secured on, and form part of, the
projecting rim intervening between the uprights one half on each section, so that
when brought together the two will make a complete frame; these frames are
arranged for receiving and securing the journal boxings in which the axle journal
on the puncturing roller take bearings and tension springs: Into the series of
frames through the projecting rim from below, is introduced a set screw and down
through the top a tension screw but in machines where the puncturing roller is
not employed, I prefer to construct the frame so that the division will be through
the uprights, as in the other form it is through the series of frames. The
puncturing roller may be used as well with the two pressure roller groups as with:
the three. This main frame is arranged over a general store tank which catches
all the drippings from the hides, kips, skins, pelts or the like being tanned as
hereinafter described and may be operated as a single machine through which the
skins, kips, or hides are passed one way and returned by some other means, or it
may be operated as a double machine in which the skins, kips, and hides are passed.
through on the one side and returned through the other side, thus avoiding extra
handling and making the operation continuous until the tanning is completed.
When the double frame is used the ends are preferably elliptical and are so
constructed that each end section will cover the ends of two single frames.
w
Adjusted singly or in pairs and mounted on journal axles intjournal boxings in
which they revolve, are the under pressure rollers constructed of any hard material
not subject to the action of tannic or other acid, or any material used in tanning
hides, skins, kips, or pelts. The said rollers are cylinders of any desired diameter,
the length corresponding with the width of the inner portion of the main frame
provided with slightly raised rims or lips at each end, within which the upper
pressure roller adjusts; the pressure rollers carry each a. spur, gear or belt pulley
wheel, or may be actuated by any other suitable form of mechanism.
Adjusted above the under pressure rollers in journal boxings secured in the slots
or openings in the standards is an upper-pressure roller of the same material and

page_text: diameter as the under rollers but short enough to lie between the lips or flanges
thereon.
The upper pressure roller is so adjusted that it comes in contact with and presses
uniformly upon both of its under companion rollers when the pressure rollers are
arranged in groups of three or directly upon the immediate under pressure roller
when but one under pressure roller is used and it is provided with a suitable
journal axle and carries a gear spur or pulley wheel or a gear wheel with a pulley
wheel secured thereon as may prove most advantageous.
The under and upper sets of rollers I call a group of pressure rollers, and the
gear, spur, pulley or band wheel adjusted thereon respectively is arranged to gear
or connect with each other in the one group and with similar wheels in other
groups, so that they together form one train of mechanism for simultaneously
actuating the whole with one uniform motion, and when skins, kips, hides or pelts,
are fed in consecutively at one end, they, in their order, will be carried along
automatically to and through each set of pressure rollers in the series and delivered in
the order they were put in, on the out-put table without straining, cramping, pulling
or crowding each other, having been successively subjected to two baths of tannic
liquor and a pressure at each set of pressure rollers.
Intersecting the several sets of rollers throughout the entire machine, as well as
taking root in the feed and out-put tables, beyond the store tank, at both ends of
the frame and reaching inward to the pressure rollers in lieu of a table, is a number
or series of sections of moving endless carriages mounted on cylinders and
supported at intervals by friction rollers which receive the skin, hide, kip, or pelt,
being tanned from one set of pressure rollers and transports and delivers it to
another beyond, or on to, the out-put table as the case may be; between the end of
the carriage and the pressure rollers is a small guide roller to conduct the hide,
skin, kip, or pelt being tanned on to the carriage from the pressure rollers and from
the carriage between the pressure rollers, which rollers may either be run as friction
rollers or be actuated by, machinery, and between the guide roller and the pressure
rollers is adjusted a scraper guide one each for the upper and under rollers, which
guide takes the skin, kip, hide, or pelt passing through from the rollers and
prevents it from adhering to, and continuing around with, the roller, and directs it
toward, the moving carriage. These scraper guides are regulated by thumb screws
or other means relatively to the pressure roller.
In the slot or opening in the upright, as well as in the opening in the series of
frames when used resting on journal boxings which secure the journal axles of the
upper roller and the puncturing roller, is adjusted a pressure spring, a set screw,
and a tension-screw together with a pointer secured on the journal boxing and a
scale on the upright to regulate the pressure of the upper rollers on the skins,
hides, kips and pelts during the process of tanning.
In tanning certain classes of leather experience has demonstrated that the tannic
acid will more readily assimilate with the gelatine of the cellular tissue, if by
artificial means the pores of the skin or hide can be opened; with a view to
meeting this exigency I have provided what I call a puncturing roller, which
together with its companion under pressure roller, can be introduced into this
machine when desired and that its mode of operation may be understood I will
describe the puncturing group and its connections. Mounted on axle shafts
adjusted in suitable journal boxings in the main frame is a series of under single
pressure rollers of suitable diameter and constructed of the same material and
form, but without the flanges as on the rollers herein before described. The single
roller is the under pressure roller to, and forms the revolving bed for, the
puncturing roller and may be actuated by friction, or, at the option of the operator,
by a pulley or gear wheel.
Immediately above and bearing upon the under pressure roller mounted on its
own journal axle in suitable adjustable journal boxings secured within the opening
in the frame and governed by a tension spring a tension screw and a set screw, is
adjusted a puncturing roller also constructed of any hard material not liable to be

page_text: injured by tannic or other acid or material used in tanning; the said roller is of
the same diameter and length as the under pressure roller and sometimes carries a
gear wheel or a band pulley wheel or a gear wheel with a band wheel secured
thereon and is overlaid with a sheeting of suitable material (not liable to be
injured or affected by tannic or other acid or any material used in tanning)
provided or.studded with any suitable number of points or needles arranged in
parallel spiral or other formed rows for puncturing the fleshy side and opening up
the pores and fibre of the skin, hides, kips, or pelts passing between the puncturing
roller and under single pressure roller in the process of tanning. I also provide a
distributing tank of the same length and about the same width as the diameter of
the upper pressure roller over which it is adjusted. The distributing tank is open
on the top and has a perforated bottom, preferably concave, arranged to evenly
distribute in a shower or spray the tanning liquor on the upper pressure roller and
the skin, hide, kip, or pelt below it in the process of tanning as hereinafter detailed
and is provided with a convex liquor shed adjusted longitudinally therein on to
which the tanning liquor from a supply tank above falls and is made to flow
towards the periphery of the upper pressure roller below it. This distributing
tank is secured in place by adjusting lugs secured on the ends thereof in the
recesses between each set of standards, above each set or groups of pressure rollers,
and beneath the supply tank, and its function is to uniformly eject the tanning
liquor on to the skins, hides, kips, and pelts as they pass between the rollers in the
process of tanning; it is fed through a series of supply valves or a sluice longi-
tudinally adjusted in the bottom of the supply tank, and the supply of liquor is
governed by a series of check valves or a trap valve arranged to be adjusted in
the pipes or sluice, which valves are operated by an arm, and an endless screw
operated by a hand rod. The supply tank may be of any form and size, but I
prefer to make it in the form of a parallelopiped wholly enclosed, and of the same
width and length as the distributing tank; the supply tank is provided with-
lugs by which it is secured in place bwteeen the standards immediately above
the distributing tank by inserting the said lugs in incisions or in any other suitable
manner.
The supply tank is connected directly or through other supply tanks in the
series, by a general supply pipe provided with suitable stop cocks or valves and a
pump, and through that with the general receiving and store tank, and is designed
to receive, hold, and supply the tanning liquor as it is required in the process of
tanning, to the distributing tank; the supply tank is also provided with induction
and eduction pipes each having a valve for conducting the fluid from one tank to
another and for keeping the supply uniform in each if it is so desired; also with a
waste nozzle. The bottom of the supply tank is provided longitudinally with a
single sluice or a series of sluices or ejection pipes flush on the inner side, and
protruding outward so as to extend within the open top of the distributing tank ;
and to govern and control the flow of the liquor a series of check, trap, or other
valves, are adjusted in such a manner within the tank, that the person operating the
machine can regulate the flow of the liquor by externally adjusted handles, and
the whole is so arranged that the person using the machine can regulate the supply.
as well as the quantity of liquor used, and when better or a different character of
liquor is required that the old supply may be drawn off easily and other liquor
introduced.
Passing from the general receiving and store tank through the pump connecting
with supply tanks by intervening pipes is a general supply pipe provided with
valves through which the tanning liquor is pumped from the store tank into supply
tanks; and a pipe is arranged at the bottom of the supply tanks for the double
purpose of equalizing the quantity of liquor in the several tanks as well as for
drawing off the liquor when it is desired to empty the tanks, the idea being to
empty all of the tanks through one outlet.
To enable the operator to known the quantity of liquor in the tanks, a float and
gauge is introduced into each tank and arranged to be read on the outside; and

page_text: with a view to repairing waste, the pump is actuated by an excentric and shaft
connected with the general train of actuating machinery.
The store tank constructed of any suitable material is large enough to underlie
the entire machine and on the inside at a point about half way between each set of
pressure rollers it is provided with grooves for the adjustment of a liquor-tight
partition by which the tank may be divided into vats or compartments. It is also
provided with an eduction pipe for connecting with the pump and the supply pipe
for conducting liquor to the supply tanks, also with a waste pipe which passes out
from the lowest point of the tank.
This tank is principally designed to catch and store up the tanning liquor
which falls from the frame or kips, skins, hides pelts or the like being tanned.
. Before introducing skins, hides, and kips into the tanning liquor for expeditiously
tanning, I find it to be advantageous to extract therefrom as much of the lime
water and other extraneous matter as possible, so that the tanning liquor and acid
will meet with little or no antagonism therefrom. To this end I introduce into
the feed end of the table at a point outside of the store tank, or adjust in an
auxiliary frame in close proximity to the tanning machine, a set of adjustable
pressure rollers arranged in a frame actuated by power through which, when first
taken from the lime vats, the hides, skins, or kips are forced once as through a
wringer, thus squeezing out the lime water or other extraneous matter inimical or
unfriendly to the tanning liquor, leaving the skins, hides, or kips in better
condition to be acted upon by the tanning acid.
The lime water and other matter thus extracted falls through the table
into a trough and is carried off and not permitted to mingle with the tanning
liquor.
*The device for expressing the lime water and other extrabeous matter consists
of an upper and, lower pressure roller of equal length and diameter; one per-
pendicularly above the other, and both working on proper journals in suitable
adjustable journal bearings secured in slots or openings in an adjustable frame
between tension springs governed by tension screws for regulating the pressure of
the rollers on the hides, skins, and kips to be tanned. When used and adjusted
in the tanning machines the adjustable frame with the rollers therein is set into an
aperture formed in the feed or auxiliary table by removing one or more of the
rollers until the shoulders rest on the sides of the table and the upper edge of the
lower roller is but little above the plane of the rollers on the table where it is
secured by braces and brackets. The journal axle of the lower roller extends
beyond the side of the table sufficiently far to permit the securing thereon of a
pulley wheel for a propelling belt. I do not confine myself to any character of
actuating machinery, using indiscriminately the crank, the excentrics, toothed
gearing, the pulley wheels and belts, or a combination of all or any of them to
economically effect the object in view: I sometimes use a fly wheel to give
uniformity to the motion of the machine or it may be used as a band wheel; it
carries on its axle the toothed gear wheel both being secured on the journal axle
of the first lower pressure roller and when the single under pressure roller is
employed the fly wheel runs on a shaft carrying a spur or a belt wheel.
In one form of actuating machinery a gear, wheel engages with, and actuates, a
gear wheel on the upper pressure roller which in turn gears with and actuates a
second lower gear wheel secured on the journal shaft of the second lower pressure
roller, the second lower gear wheel engages with and actuates a gear wheel which
performs the double function of transmitting motion to the second group of rollers
by gearing with, and actuating, the gear wheel on the first under roller of the
second group, and by gearing with, and actuating, the lower pressure roller through
a gear wheel which by gearing with another wheel causes the puncturing roller to
be revolved on its axis and perform its function. A description of one group of these
rollers and their connections and combinations will be sufficient to illustrate the
combinations and arrangements of each group.
>
In lieu however of the gear wheels for actuating the puncturing roller and its

page_text: companion pressure roller. I prefer to use a series of pulley wheels and a belt; in
that event I remove the said gear wheels, let the pressure roller run by friction
and secure a band or pulley wheel on the axle of the puncturing roller, at the same
time securing a band or pulley wheel on the face of the gear wheel on the upper
pressure roller, and connect the wheels by a belt or band. The two pulley wheels
being of the same diameter, the two rollers must revolve with one speed, and thus
avoid tearing the hides, skins, kips, or pelts on the one hand, and packing them
on the other. Or I may use belting for driving all these rollers.
'
In machines carrying but the pressure rollers either in groups of two or three
the gear wheels are dispensed with, otherwise they can be operated by the same
train of machinery. Sometimes gear wheels secured on the journal axles of the
pressure rollers gear into each other and obtain their momentum from an endless
screw forming part of a shaft adjusted longitudinally along the side of the machine
and secured in suitable arbors or bearings, which shaft receives its momentum from
a general gear wheel; on the axle of one of the gear wheels is secured a small
pulley which connects by a belt with a pulley on the cylinder, employed for
propelling the moving endless carriage; and from another pulley a belt is carried
to the pulley secured on the axle of the other cylinder of the moving carriages, and
when necessary another belt is carried from the pulley wheels to the guide rollers
to propel them. This train of machinery may be adjusted between the parallél
frames and be wholly out of the way.
When the puncturing roller is introduced into the machine I use not more than
one puncturing roller to every two sets of pressure rollers and adjust the
puncturing roller between the groups of pressure rollers so that before the hide,
skin, or kip leaves the machine it is rolled down firm, and any form of frame' may
be so arranged that the puncturing roller may be introduced in lieu of a set of
pressure rollers, or be wholly dispensed with.
•
When groups of three pressure rollers are employed I adjust beneath the upper
pressure roller between the under pressure rollers what I call a dumb turner which
is triangular in shape and hollow, and constructed to conform to the angles formed
by the three rollers and carrying in its upper face a series of friction rollers to
prevent the skin, hide, kip, or pelt passing between the rollers from sticking; the
purpose of this device is to prevent the article being tanned from following the
under pressure roller downward and to direct it out over the companion roller.
When the said machine has been constructed and adjusted as indicated and the
tanks have been supplied with the tanning liquor for the first course the skins, kips,
hides, or pelts being otherwise prepared for tanning, are started consecutively to
and through the pressure rollers, being carried forward on the carriage, where, in
addition to being rolled, they are subjected to a double bath of the primary tanning.
liquor, one on passing into and under the rollers, and another on emerging
therefrom on the other side, passing thence carrying with them the new charge of
liquor into and between a second series of rollers where again they are respectively
subjected to two bars and a pressure thus continuing down through one series of
rollers and back through another until it is proper to change the tanning liquor
for a stronger liquor; and so the operation continues until the skin, hide, kip, or
pelt is thoroughly tanned. When, however, the puncturing roller is employed the
hide or kip carrying with it the charge of tanning liquor received on leaving the
pressure rollers respectively, pass between under single rollers and the puncturing
roller. While passing under the puncturing roller the teeth enter the fleshy side of
the skin, hide, or kip, open the pores and fibres thereof, and give the liquor an
opportunity to permeate every fibre thereof.
Passing thence into and between a second series of rollers they are again
respectively subjected to two baths and a pressure, thus being alternately bathed
with the tanning liquor, pressed, bathed and again punctured, until the operation
of tanning is completed, observing that as often as it is necessary each course of
liquor is exchanged for a stronger liquor. This operation is continuous, one skin,

page_text: 4
hide or kip following another in quick succession, until the entire run'is ready for
the hands of the currier.
The main frame is constructed of any material that will not be affected
injuriously by tannic acid or other materials used in tanning in sections and in
such a manner that it may be extended indefinitely by inserting intersecting
sections between the end sections each section being arranged to carry a group of
rollers. In the stanchion of the main frame is a removable bolster through which
a check screw is inserted; on the top of the bolster, over the check screw is a
spring upon which an axle bearing rests; a tension screw is inserted in a block in
which it turns freely and is provided with an octagonal perforated head and two
flanges. The tension screw is adjusted in the block in such a manner that it will
turn freely without being displaced and extends down into a block in which is a
female screw; a tension spring is adjusted between the block and the journal
boxing so as to ease the pressure of the pressure rollers; on the journal boxing is
a pointer, and on the side of the stanchion is a graduated scale by which the
pressure of the several pressure rollers is adjusted.
Apertures or sluices, one or more, as may be preferred, are arranged in the
bottom and throughout the entire length of the liquor tank; a trap or check valvė
closes the sluice in such a manner that, when wholly closed, no liquor can escape.
A shaft is provided with an endless, screw or rack near the upper end, by which,
through a spur wheel secured on another shaft, it is moved up and down, or the
said first shaft may be secured on a disc having a toothed periphery, and actuated
by an endless screw; the said shaft is attached to the trap or check valve, and by
manipulating a handle the valves can be so adjusted that the quantity of liquor
required for the operation of tanning will be permitted to flow out. A bell crank
attachment is used for opening and closing one valve and a double toggle attach-
ment for opening and closing the other valve.
4
The outside of the end tables of the tanning device is preferably higher than
the feed side.
'
Pelts, sheep or other light skins, may be tanned by my process; but in these
as in other thin light and porous skins or pelts, one to two days will suffice to
perfectly tan them, care being taken to change the liquor during the process, or if
a long machine and many sets of rollers and numerous tanks are employed by
charging the tanks with liquors of different degrees of strength.
c. Scientific analysis has demonstrated that leather is an aggregated combination of
tannic or other suitable acid or chemicals with the gelatine of the cellular tissue
of hides or skins of every description of animal, land, water, or amphibious, and
that one hundred parts of dry gelatine combined with one hundred and thirty six
parts of tannic acid contains an atom of each ingredient. Wherefore the end
aimed at in tanning is to exclude all other matter and equally or proportionately
to combine these elements. To this end some persons have sought to accomplish
the process of expeditious tanning by a resort to hot liquor or liquors containing
chemicals which disintegrate and destroy the cellular tissues of the skins, kips, or
hides, and thus rendering the leather worthless; to avoid the destruction of the
hide, skin, kip, or the like others again have resorted to the slow process of
subjecting them to a bath of tanning liquor for an indefinite period, a great part
of which time is taken up in neutralizing the lime and other matter in the hide
skin, kip, or the like, taken in from the lime vats and left there after removing
the hair. By my process and machinery I avoid both of these difficulties; first I
use no hot or other deleterious liquor, using only the most approved tanning
liquor; secondly I save time by first expressing all the lime and other aqueous
matter from the hides, skins, and kips to be tanned before subjecting them to the
tannic bath, and then by means of the pressure rollers I so force the tannic acid
into the every fibre and pore of the hide skin, and kip no matter how thick and
heavy, that a few days is sufficient to accomplish what by the slow vat system
takes months,

page_text: Hides, skins, kips, and pelts tanned on my machine and by my process, will
produce a more durable, a finer, more pliant and brighter leather than that manu-
factured by any other known system or process, as every part of the gelatine has
been converted into good healthy leather and no part of the tissue has been
destroyed either by heated or poisonous chemicals on the one hand, or by subjection
by long maceration to the action of tannic, gallic, or other powerful acids. In
short I produce by my quick tanning a first class quality of leather of the various
characters in use, and thus secure a rapid turning over of capital.
I do not confine myself to the use of any character of tanning liquor, to any
size of machine, or any form or size of liquor tanks, nor any character of actuating
machinery, as I adopt any form or size of tank, any tanning liquor and any com-
bination of mechanism by which the machine can be most economically and
efficiently operated, and the operation of tanning performed.