Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
We, PIERRE EMPERAUGER, of 18, Rue Hermel Prolongée Paris, and ALPHONSE
HUILLARD, of Suresnes (Seine), both in the Republic of France, Retired Army
Captain and Manufacturer respectively, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to the construction of a rotary barrel for use in rapid
tanning, which is distinguished from those hitherto employed by special arrange-
ments for the suspension of the hides which are no longer placed in layers and by
the facility of loading and unloading and also by the simple and efficacious method
of closing.
These improvements are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the barrel;
Figure 2 a corresponding transverse section;
Figure 3 a cross section on 'an enlarged scale of a portion of the periphery
of the barrel;
Figure 4 a section on an enlarged scale showing the construction of the lid
and its adaptation or fitting with a tight joint.
The barrel A, which is preferably made of wood, is formed of tongued and
grooved staves held together by iron hoops. On the internal surface of the barrel
and parallel to its axis, crosspieces B, of T-shape, placed side by side so as to leave
between them recesses and intervals 1), are fixed by screws, bolts or any other
suitable means of attachment. These recesses D serve for receiving and holding
the devices for suspending the hides which are formed of two bars of wood E and
connected by means of chains or links G.
The bars E are inserted in the corresponding recesses D) in order to hold the
suspension devices in place, the said bars being inserted at the open end of the
barrel, the chains G passing freely into the intervals between the T-pieces B.
The hides are placed on the bars F where they are fixed temporarily by any
suitable means, see Figures 3. By this arrangement it is evident that during the
operation the skins instead of being heaped up and rolled in a bundle or even
damaged by splinters of the ordinary barrels are separated one from another during
a large part of the rotation of the barrel, all their surfaces being equally exposed.
to the action of the tanning liquors.
When the skins owing to the rotation of the barrel arrive towards the lower
part they lie regularly on the wall of the cask covering one another, in order
afterwards to be again separated successively therefrom during the period when:
their supports are rising. There is therefore no heaping, and no part of the hides:

page_text: escapes the action of the tan liquor; all receive it to an equal degree and there is
no erosion or tearing to be feared.
In order to facilitate the hooking of the skins on the wall of the barrel and
their release when the operation is terminated, a guide is employed which leaves
between it and the barrel a free space in which the skins are held pressed one
against the other. This guide is a metallic piece L, the form of which is clearly
shown in Figures 1 and 2. This piece L is carried by a fixed spindle attached to
the hollow trunnion J. This part remains motionless whilst the barrel revolves
and Figure 2 shows how the skins lie one upon the other during this part of the
rotation. In order to facilitate the slipping of the skins over the guide L the
latter is provided with several rollers M.
Figure 1 gives a view of the whole of the arrangement of this improved barrel.
The fixed end H has in its
It comprises a fixed end H and a removable end I.
centre a large hollow trunnion J through which the pipe K for supplying the tan
liquor passes. This hollow trunnion may also afford passage to all the other pipes
which may be necessary.
A screw plug or stopper on the side of the barrel allows of the latter being
entirely emptied of liquor. The barrel is supported at one end by the hollow
trunnion and at the other end by a drum P and is held in place by two lateral
rollers QQ. The apparatus may be moved by hand or operated mechanically'
by means of the arrangement shown in Figure 1. This arrangement comprises
pulles R R mounted loosely on the hollow trunnion and a pulley S keyed on the
shaft of the drum P. The driving is effected by a belt T and transmitted by
means of a belt T. At the end of the shaft a crank u may be applied allowing
the barrel to be rotated by hand in order to facilitate the putting in position of
the parts for suspending the hides.
The removable end I is of wood formed of a double thickness of planks having
opposite grains in order to avoid warping. It has on its periphery an indiarubber
band a gripped between two wood rings b and c. On the periphery of the barrel
a metal ring d is arranged which is bevelled in order to facilitate its passing
under the band a. The band of indiarubber is compressed or deformed by the
bevelled part and assumes the form shown in detail in Figure 4. It will thus be
evident that the closing is tight. The greater the pressure arising in the interior
of the barrel, the stronger will the indiarubber ring be pressed against the bevelled
part of the metal ring. The end I is inserted under a suitable number of lugs
or projections e fixed on the barrel and in order to easily regulate its position one
of these lugs e¹ is lodged in a groove formed on the periphery of the end I. The
end is held in this position by means of a number of leather straps which are
tightened by a similar number of buckles fixed on the barrel. Of course any other
suitable method of attaching the loose end to the barrel may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In a rotary barrel for use in rapid tanning, the formation on the interior
surface of the barrel of longitudinal recesses such as D and the combination there-
with of devices for suspending the hides substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described.
2. In a rotary barrel for use in rapid tanning, the arrangement in the interior
of the barrel of a guide such as L fitted with or without rollers M substantially.
as and for the purpose herein before described.
3. In a rotary barrel such as described, a removable end (I) having a ring of
indiarubber (a) in combination with a metal ring () on the barrel and means of
securing the end on the barrel by straps or in other suitable manner with the
object of obtaining a tight joint, substantially as herein before described.

page_text: 4. The general construction and combination of parts taken as a whole forming
the improved rotary barrel for use in rapid tanning, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of September 1898.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.