Improvements in or relating to Tanning Hides and Skins.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Tanning Hides and Skins.
I, ADOLPH EDWARD VIDAL, of 20, Central Hill, Norwood, in the County of
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Various methods have been suggested and put into practice from time to
time for shortening the long and tedious process of tanning hides. These
methods may be roughly classed under two heads, chemical-in which the well
known oak bark was wholly or partially dispensed with and replaced by some
chemical or combination of chemicals, and mechanical-in which the oak bark
was still employed as the tanning agent, but by the use of various mechanical
devices, such as forcing the tan liquor through by pressure it was sought to
accelerate the changes taking place in the hide.
My present invention refers to
improvements in mechanical methods of
tanning and relates more particularly to frames between which the hides are
gripped in order that the fan liquor may be introduced into the space between
The folded hide or between hides, so that it may percolate through and expedito
the process of tanning.
With frames as hitherto constructed for the above purpose, various disadvan-
tages were encountered the chief one being that owing to the frames being
made with the strips between which the hides were gripped forming a rectangle
(or when the hide was doubled, three sides of a rectangle) a considerable portion
of the hide at the tail end had to be cut off, or remained outside the frame,
thus reducing the size and weight of the tanned butt. Again it was either
necessary to have the frames of various sizes, so as to accomodate different sized
butts, or to make the frames of a comparatively small size, which caused con-
siderable waste, when a large butt was tanned.
Another defect observed was that the hide being unsupported in close proximity
to the strips tended to stretch and lose its shape round the edges.
According to this invention, I obviate the above defects, by making the frames
substantially as follows:-
I construct a frame, of wood or other suitable material, oblong in shape,
the two longer sides and one of the ends may be made of the same cross section,
riz, bevelled towards the inside of the frame. The other end of the frame I
prefer to make broad and Hat. Upon this flat piece I attach (preferably adjust-
ably) another piece bevelled in cross section, but shaped to the curved contour
(at its outer edge) of the tail end of the butt lying open. Round the edge of
this tail piece and also round the other end and sides. I form or fit a strip (pre-
ferably of brass) so as to project slightly above the bevel. Thus when one
frame is placed exactly over another with the hides in between, and the two
bolted or otherwise fastened together, the butts are gripped all round their
edges.
In order to make the tail piece adjustable. I form such piece in such a way
that it will slide along the bevelled sides, so as to shorten or lengthen the dis-

page_text: tance between the gripping strips at the ends of the frame. I nay. if desired,
muke the other end adjustable. The frames just described are intended for
tanning two hides lying open gripped between two frames..
1
For frames for use with one folded hide, gripped between two frames. I form
the tail pieces with the same contour as above described, but divided at the
middle, one half being fitted on eich frame in such a way that when the frames
are superposed, the curved strips will coincide with one another: and I dispense
with the bevel portion on one side of each frame and the gripping strip which
comes opposite the fold.
I prefer to make the tail pieces adjustable, as in the former case.
1 prefer to corrugate the surfaces of the bevels, and in some cases I prefer to
fasten thin corrugated brass or other metal noi attacked by tannic acid upon
bevels with smooth surfaces: or I may make the side pieces or ends entirely
of such metal (east or otherwise).
In connection with frames constructed as above. 1 employ grooved back
boards, to keep the hide in proper form. These hoards may either be formed
of wood or other suitable material grooved on their surfaces, or 1 may cover
the boards with corrugated metal not attacked by tannic acid or I may employ
such corrugated metal alone.
Instead of the above back boards, I may employ a material (preferably textile)
such as cauvas, stretched tightly on the frames.
1 provide a suitable inlet for the tan liquor, so that it may be introduced into
the space between the hide or hides, and also an outlet for air provided with a
valve.
I may mount the frames in bearings or otherwise, so that they may be turned
during the process of tanning when desired,
I prefer to supply the liquor from an elevated tank or cistern, provided with
a ball cock governing a constant supply of tan liquor, in order that the pressure
may be constant through any required time.
Dato this 1st day of May 1809
Improvements in or relating to Tanning Hides and Skins.
1, ADOLPH EDWARD VIDAL, of 20. Central Hill, Norwood, in the County of
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
Various methods have been suggested and put into practice from time to
time for shortening the long and tedious process of fanning hides. These
methods may be roughly classed under two heads: chemical-in which the well-
known oak bark was wholly or partially dispensed with, and replaced by some
chemical or combination of chemicals; and mechanical-in which the oak bark
was still employed as the tanning agent, but by the use of various mechanical
devices, such as forcing the tan liquor through by pressure, it was sought to
accelerate the changes taking place in the hide.
My present invention refers to improvements in mechanical methods of
tanning, and relates more particularly to frames, hetween which the hides are
gripped, in order that the tan liquor may he introduced into the space between

page_text: a folded hide or between hides, so that it may percolate through and expedite
the process of tanning.
With frames as hitherto constructed for the above purpose, various disadvan-
tages were encountered, the chief one being that owing to the frames being made
with the strips between which the hides were gripped forming a rectangle (or
when the hide was doubled, three sides of a rectangle) a considerable portion
of the hide at the tail end had to be cut off, or remained outside the frame,
thus reducing the size and weight of the tanned butt. Again, it was either
necessary to have the frames of various sizes, so as to accommodate different
sized butts, or to make the frames of a comparatively small size, which caused
considerable waste, when a large butt was tanned.
Another defect observed was that the hide: being unsupported in close
proximity to the strips, tended to stretch and lose its shape round the edges.
According to this invention, I obviate the above defects by making the frames
substantially as follows:-
I construct a frame of wood or other suitable material oblong in shape, the
two longer sides and one of the ends may be made of the same cross section,
namely bevelled towards the inside of the frame. The other end of the frame
I prefer to make broad and flat. Upon this flat piece I attach (preferably
adjustably) another piece bevelled in cross section, but shaped at its outer edge
to the curved contour of the tail end of the butt lying open. Round the edge of
this tail piece and also round the other end and sides. I form or fii a strip (pre-
ferably of brass) so as to project slightly above the bevel.
Thus when one frame is placed exactly over another, with the hides in between.
and the two bolted or otherwise fastened together, the butts are gripped all
round their edges.
In order to make the tail piece adjustable, I form such piece in such a way that
it will slide along the bevelled sides, so as to shorten or lengthen the distance
between the gripping strips at the ends of the frame. I may, if desired, make
the other end adjustable. The frames just described are intended for tanning
two hides lying open gripped between two frames.
For frames for use with one folded hide gripped between two frames, I form
the tail pieces of the same contour as above described, but divided at the middle.
one half being fitted on each frame, in such a way that when the frames are
superposed, the curved strips will coincide with one another, and I dispense
with the bevelled portion of the side of each frame and the gripping strip which
comes opposite the fold.
I prefer to make the tail pieces adjustable as in the former case.
I prefer to corrugate the surfaces of the bevels aforesaid, and in some cases I
prefer to fasten thin corrugated brass or other metal not attacked by tannic acid
upon bevels with smooth surfaces, or I may make the side pieces or ends entirely
of such metal (cast or otherwise).
In connection with frames constructed as above. I employ grooved backboards,
to keep the hides in proper form. These boards may be either formed of wood.
or other suitable material, grooved on their surfaces, or I may cover the boards
with corugated metal not attacked by iannic acid, or 1 may employ such cor-
rugated metal alone. Instead of the above backboards. I may employ material
(preferably textile) such as canvas, stretched tightly on the frames.
I provide a suitable inlet for the tan liquor, so that it may be introduced into
the space between the hide or hides, and also an outlet for air provided with a
valve.
I may mount the frames in bearings, or otherwise, so that they may be turned
during the process of tanning when desired.
1 prefer to supply the liquor from an elevated tank or cistern provided with a
ball-cock, governing a constani supply of tan liquor, in order that the pressure
may be constant through any required time.
And in order that my said invention may be more clearly understood, I will

page_text: now proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawing accompanying
this specification, which shows one method of carrying out my invention, and in
which:
Fig. 1 shows an elevation of one of the frames which I propose to employ;
Fig. 2 shows an end view of same:
Fig. 3 a longitudinal section on line A B Fig. 1:
Fig. 4a plan of two frames clamped together as they would appear with a
folded hide gripped between them;
And Figs. 5 and 6. details hereinafter referred to.
As
Fig. 1 shows a frame of wood or other suitable material upon the two ends
and one of the sides of which are fixed edgewise strips of metal or other suit-
able material b. d. forming the gripping pieces, projecting above the pieces .
which latter are bevelled inwards. The pieces are grooved on their surfaces.
so as to allow the tan liquor percolating through the hide or butt to run off.
will be seen, on reference to Fig. 1. the gripping piece (here marked d) is formed
of a corresponding curve to that of the tail end of the hide or butt when folded
lengthwise, shows crass pieces for supporting the backboarils f: These
boards are also grooved. shows holts (some of which pass through the lugs )
for bolting the two frames firmly together. k. kshow two pipes passing through
the gripping pieces b. One of these pipes is for the admission of fan liquor.
and the other for the exit of air. The pipes k. kare provided with suitable inps.
The frames above described are made in pairs in such a manner that when they
are superposed the gripping pieces coincide with one another.
With apparatus constructed as above I proceed as follows:-
The hides having been prepared in the usual way for the process of tanning.
the butt is cut out and folded in half lengthwise. Its edges are then gripped
between a pair of frames, as shown in Fig. 4, and these frames are bolted
together, so that the pipes & enter between the folded butt. Tan liquor is
supplied from an elevated eistern provided with a ball-cock governing a con-
tinuous supply, in order that the pressure may be constant throughout any
required time. I prefer that the pressure be slight, as excessive pressure has
been found in practice to produce bad leather.
On commencing the operation, the air tube is opened and liquor is allowed
to enter the bag formed by the folded buti until it is entirely filled, when the
air tube is closed and the internal pressure causes the liquor to percolate through
the pores of the hide.
I prefer to immerse the frames in tan liquor during the process of tanning.
In this case the backboards / should be perforated. Care should be taken that
the internal pressure is always in excess of the external pressure.
I prefer to corrugate the surfaces of the bevelled portions of the pieces c. or
in some cases I may fasten thin corrugated brass, or other metal not attacked
by tannic acid, upon bevels with smooth surfaces.
The backboards may be formed of wood, metal or other suitable material,
grooved or corrugated.
Tastead of employing the backboards f. I may have a backing composed of a
material (preferably textile) such as canvas stretched tightly on the frames.
I may in some cases find it desirable to employ a support or cradle. to support
the fold of the butt, to prevent sagging.
I may make the backing in one piece, and attach it to the frame by means
of hinges or other suitable devices, so that the backing may be closed and opened
when desired.
In order to make the frames suitable for various sized buits. I may make
either or both of their ends adjustable. This I may effect in the following
manner: —
In order to make the tail end adjustable. I form the piece at this end of a
thin, bevelled strip, sliding upon the separate backing e, and being guided,
and held in the desired positions, by the bolts m fixed to the said piece e and

page_text: C
passing through slots in the said backing cl. This arrangement is shown in
section at Fig. 5, and Fig. 6 is a view showing how the top of the said piece
is bevelled in order that it may slide along the longitudinal bevelled piece c
which meets it at right angles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. Apparatus for the tanning of hides and skins, constructed substantially as
set forth.
2. In an apparatus for tanning hides and skins, a gripping frame, rectangular
in its general outline, but having one end shaped to conform to the shape of the
tail end of the hide, substantially as set forth.
3. In an apparatus for tanning hides and skins, a gripping frame adjustable
for hides of different sizes, said frame being rectangular in its general outline.
but having one end shaped to conform to the shape of the tail end of the hide.
substantially as described.
i
4. In an apparatus for tanning hides and skins, a gripping frame rectangular
in its general outline but having one end shaped to conform to the shape of the
tail end of the hide, said frame being inclined inwardly and grooved, substantially
as set forth.
5. In an apparatus for tanning hides and skins, the combination of a gripping
frame, rectangular in its general outline, but having one end shaped to conform
to the shape of the tail end of the hide, in combination with a backing for said
frame, substantially as set forth.
1000
BROWNE & Co..
Agents for the Applicant,
9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.
BROWNE & Co..
Agents for the Applicant,
9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.