Process for Separating the Wool from Pieces of Rabbit Skins and other Skins of a similar kind.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 15th Mar., 18:0
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process for Separating the Wool from Pieces of Rabbit Skins and
other Skins of a similar kind.
I, CÉCILE PUECH née LAURE of 23 Boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris, France do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a process for the removal of the fur from waste or other
pieces of rabbit and other skins of a similar kind, such process consisting essentially
of the following operations:
Boiling the pieces with the fur on, desiccating the same after completion of the
boiling, and lastly crushing the dried pieces so as to reduce to powder the skin which
has thus been deprived of its gelatine and moisture.
For carrying out this process in the most favourable manner so as to effect the
perfect separation of the skin and fur without deteriorating the latter, the following
mode of operating is employed. The waste pieces of rabbit skins &c. are generally
derived from the skins that have been tanned so that it is impossible to swell them in
order to open the pores and thus enable the fur to be removed. The known processes
of heating in heaps by fermentation or by means of steam are entirely without effect
on these tanned pieces; on this account I have invented the process of destroying
the skin or leather for separating the fur therefrom. By effectually boiling the pieces
in water, the albumen and gelatine constituents are entirely removed from the
leather, in consequence of which this shrinks and hardens; but it is deprived of its
cohesive strength.
After the boiling process is completed the pieces are, if necessary, washed, to
cleanse the wool, and they are then desiccated, whereby the leather becomes brittle
and falls into powder, under pressure. The desiccation of the pieces should be
effected at a sufficiently low temperature, such as from 70° to 85° Cent., in order
not to deteriorate the wool; the drying may be effected in a great variety of known
ways, such for instance as by placing the pieces upon a travelling web of wire
gauze heated by steam or hot air, the material being turned over from time to time
by means of rakes in order that the drying may be uniform and complete.
The dried leather having become brittle, a simple crushing operation by means of
stamps, crushing cylinders &c. will be sufficient to reduce it to powder, thereby
liberating the whole of the wool. In order that the crushing may be effected under
the most favourable conditions, it is expedient to carry it out as soon as the material
issues from the desiccating apparatus, while it is still very hot. The leather is then
very brittle and is easily reduced to powder, if on the other hand it is allowed to
cool, it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, and becoming soft thereby, it is less
easily pulverised.
The material as it is delivered from the crushing apparatus, is sifted or bolted,
thereby separating the dust from the wool, which assumes a silky appearance. The
leather powder may be used for agricultural purposes.
3-
Dated this 18th day of June 1889.
:
ABEL & IMKAY,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 4
:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process for Separating the Wool from Pieces of Rabbit Skins and
other Skins of a similar kind.
I, CECILE PUECH née LAURE of 23 Boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris, France 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 a process for the removal of the fur from waste or other
pieces of rabbit skins and other skins of a similar kind, such process consisting
essentially of the following operations :
Boiling the pieces with the fur on, desiccating the same after completion of the
boiling, and lastly crushing the dried pieces so as to reduce to powder the skin
which has thus been deprived of its gelatine and moisture.
For carrying out this process in the most favourable manner so as to effect the
perfect separation of the skin and fur without deteriorating the latter the following
mode of operating is employed. The waste pieces of rabbit skins &c. are generally
derived from the skins that have been tanned, so that it is impossible to swell them
in order to open the pores and thus enable the fur to be removed. The known
processes of heating in heaps by fermentation or by means of steam are entirely
without effect on these tanned pieces; on this account I have invented the process
of destroying the skin or leather for separating the fur therefrom. By effectually
boiling the pieces in water, the albumen and gelatine constituents are entirely
removed from the leather, in consequence of which this shrinks and hardens ; but it is
deprived of its cohesive strength.
at a
After the boiling process is completed the pieces are, if necessary, washed, to
cleanse the wool, and they are then desiccated, whereby the leather becomes brittle
and falls into powder under pressure. The desiccation of the pieces should be effected
sufficiently low temperature such as from 70° to 85° Cent., in order not to
deteriorate the wool; the drying may be effected in a great variety of known ways,
such for instance as by placing the pieces upon a travelling web of wire gauze heated
by steam or hot air, the material being turned over from time to time by means of
rakes in order that the drying may be uniform and complete.
The dried leather having become brittle, a simple crushing operation by means of
⚫ stamps, crushing cylinders &c. will be sufficient to reduce it to powder, thereby liberating
the whole of the wool. In order that the crushing may be effected under the most
favourable conditions, it is expedient to carry it out as soon as the material issues
from the desiccating apparatus, while it is still very hot. The leather is then very
brittle and is easily reduced to powder; if on the other hand it is allowed to cool, it
absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, and becoming soft thereby, it is less easily
pulverised.
The material, as it is delivered from the crushing apparatus, is sifted or bolted,
thereby separating the dust from the wool, which assumes a silky appearance. The
leather powder may be used for agricultural purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
The process for separating the wool from pieces of rabbit skins and other skins of a
similar kind, by first treating the same in boiling water, then drying the same to
render the skin brittle, and lastly crushing the skin to powder, which is removed
from the wool by sifting or other means, substantially as herein described.
nudili. 10th day of Februa 1900
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.