Improvements in the Preparation for and Tanning of Hides and Skins.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1897--Accepted, 5th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Preparation for and Tanning of Hides and
Skins.
I, EDWARD OSMOND DANIEL of 23 Bassett Road, North Kensington, London,
W., 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in the preparation for and the tanning of
hides and skins, and its object is primarily to increase the efficiency of the treatment
and to reduce the cost and decrease the time occupied in the ordinary process of
tanning.
With this object in view I place the hides or skins previous to their being treated
by the "Bating" process, in a drum of any convenient size and shape having
facilities for the passage through it of a stream of a suitable liquid, preferably
I employ water. For example, the drum may have a hollow spindle or shaft
through which the liquid enters, and perforations or holes through the sides through
which the liquid passes. The advantage of this process is that the hides or skins
become to a considerable extent softer and freer from lime or other chemicals which
may have been applied to them previous to their going through the process of
Bating."
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Another portion of my invention relates to the method of the application of the
tanuing solution. In this process I place the hides or skins in suitable vats, pits or
other convenient receptacles, and allow them to soak in a comparatively dilute
tanning solution. I then either gradually increase the strength of the solution, or
put the hides or skins into a stronger solution or gradually stronger solutions. Up
to this point there is no novelty in the treatment, but I next place the skins in a
drum containing a strong tanning solution, which when revolved brings the solution
into intimate contact with every part of the hides or skins, by which greatly
improved results are obtained. Any suitable tanning solution or solutions may be
employed.
The drums above referred to may be of any convenient shape, preferably round,
and the internal periphery thereof may be fitted with backwardly projecting studs,
knobs or the like, or with segmental stays or struts which assist in keeping the
hides or skins separated from each other. The solutions may be drawn off from,
or changed in, the above drums by any suitable mechanical devices.
Reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, will enable my invention to
be better understood;
Figure 1, represents an end elevation of a drum constructed according to my
invention,
Figure 2 being a vertical section of the same through line 1-2 of Figure 1.
On these drawings, A indicates a revolving drum fitted with a bollow shaft a
provided with perforations for a portion of its length inside the drum. A suitable
plug a' may be inserted at some part of this hollow spindle so that the entering
liquid is caused to mingle with that already in the druin and a better circulation
thereby ensured. The liquid may be allowed to flow out of the drum by means of
the perforated hollow shaft in the direction of the arrow, or by means of a tap or
bung inserted in the drum.
The internal periphery of the drum A may be furnished with backwardly curved

page_text: pegs or projections c or with segmental stays or struts d, or with both, as illustrated
in dotted lines on Figure 2; preferably the pegs or projections are of a gradually
increasing length as shewn on the drawing. Radial projections have been hereto-
fore used, but with the result of frequent injury to the skins.
I provide any suitable means for revolving the drum A; upon the annexed
drawings I have shewn an arrangement whereby its revolution is derived from an
endless belt actuating a pulley and spur wheels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
(1.). In the process of preparing hides and skins for tanning, the use of a revolving
drum having an entrance and exit for liquid and the continuous passage therethrough
of liquid in which the hides or skins are treated previous to going through the
Bating" process, for the purpose and as described.
(2.) In the process of tanning, the application of tanning solutions gradually
increasing in strength followed by treatment in a revolving drum containing a
strong solution, substantially as herein described.
(3.) In the above-mentioned processes the use of a revolving drum, the internal
periphery whereof is fitted with stays or struts arranged as shewn and described, or
backwardly curved pegs or projections, or with pegs and struts combined, as and
for the purposes described.