Industrial drum for the treatment of leathers

Abstract

An industrial drum (1) for the treatment of leathers comprising a load-bearing framework (2) adapted to rest on a reference surface of an industrial plant, and a hollow rotating barrel (3) coupled to the load-bearing frame (2) and adapted to receive the leathers to be treated, defining a symmetry axis (X) around which the hollow rotating barrel (3) is rotated by drive means associated with the load-bearing framework (2) and having a through opening (4) at which a shaped shutter (5) is rotatably coupled to the hollow rotating barrel (3) and cooperates with first actuation means adapted to arrange it between a first position, in which the shaped shutter (5) hermetically closes the through opening (4), and a second position in which the shaped shutter (5) opens at least partly the through opening (4) for loading into the inner volume (6) of the hollow rotating barrel (3) the leathers to be treated and / or discharging from the inner volume (6) of the hollow rotating barrel (3) the treated leathers. In particular, the industrial drum (1) comprises lighting means (7), electrically connected to an electric power source and contained inside the hollow rotating barrel (3), deactivated when the shaped shutter (5) takes the first position and activated when the shaped shutter (5) takes the second position.

Description

[0001] INDUSTRIAL DRUM FOR THE TREATMENT OF LEATHERS

[0002] The present invention relates to an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, or similar flexible and special laminar surfaces (imitation leather, ennobled leather and so on).

[0003] Firstly, it should be specified that in the tanning industry, the term “milling” means the treatment of leathers in a watertight machine, known as “drum”, which is performed both to prepare the leathers for tanning, dyeing or greasing and to subject them to the effective processes of tanning, dyeing or greasing.

[0004] Typically, the parameters of a milling cycle recipe comprise:

[0005] • temperature inside the drum and

[0006] • in return, relative humidity, that represent the main parameters of a milling cycle, however, other parameters are also included such as, for instance operating speed (i.e., rotation speed) of the drum, total time of the milling cycle, chemical products put into the drum, and type of leathers treated in the drum, purity level of air inserted into the drum and so on.

[0007] More specifically, milling is a mechanical-type process, which is carried out on any type of special fabric - generally, animal leathers - to give the product the appearance of aging or wrinkling, to make it softer and eliminate creases, thus preparing it for the next processing steps.

[0008] In fact, the material is subjected to a mechanical action thanks to the rolling thereof inside the basket or hollow cylindrical barrel (often perforated), which constitutes the main part of the industrial machine (or drum) and which operates by rotating about a transversal, generally horizontal, axis.

[0009] At the same time of the mechanical action, the material inside the cylindrical basket (or drum) can be conditioned by air subject to predetermined temperature and humidity conditions.

[0010] Finally, the product is cooled by circulating cold air inside the cylindrical barrel, which is the main component of the drum. More or less intense effects on the leathers can be achieved by varying the processing time.

[0011] In general, an industrial drum for the treatment of leathers - a treatment that might consist for example of a simple operation of fulling (a term commonly used in the tanning sector to indicate the processing - dry or by means of chemical products, which allow obtaining, on the leather, special fashion effects - of the leather, providing the softening thereof by means of mechanical shaking inside the drum, in controlled conditions of temperature and humidity) - comprises a hollow barrel, generally cylindrical, made, for example of wood, stainless steel or polypropylene, adapted to be rotated around a symmetry axis by drive means and into which the operator introduces the leathers to be treated.

[0012] The horizontally arranged hollow barrel (or body) is supported by a hollow shaft, placed on support members (typically such as ball or roller bearings), allowing it to rotate under the action imparted by the drive means; the cavity in the shaft allows introducing, into the cylinder, the water and substances needed for the tanning and the outlet of the gases formed during the process.

[0013] The hollow shaft is provided, at one end thereof, with a drive unit (such as a ring gear, for example, which, by means of a pinion, is moved by the drive means, or a gear motor or again a belt coupled to a pulley), determining the rotation of the hollow cylindrical barrel.

[0014] Appropriately, the inner surface of the hollow barrel is provided with protruding ribbings (pins, ribs, rounded blades), which increase the movement of the leathers when the hollow cylindrical barrel of the drum rotates around the symmetry axis.

[0015] Additionally, the hollow rotating barrel (preferably cylindrical, as said) of the drum has a through opening for introducing (or loading) and removing the material, at which a watertight rotating hatch (or shutter) is installed.

[0016] In the case of more traditional drums, the through opening is opened / closed by manually acting on the rotating hatch, after stopping drum from rotating, whereas, in drums with elevated automation and a more updated design, normally referred to as “automatic unloading drums”, the movement of the rotating hatch to open / close the through opening is imparted by automatic actuation devices (such as pneumatic actuators, electric motors or motors of another type), without the intervention of the operator and without stopping the rotation of the drum: thereby, the leathers fall out of the hollow barrel of the drum while it is still rotating about the symmetry axis. Preferably, a central processing and control unit, at the operator’s disposal, which programs the operation thereof, controls the actuation of the aforesaid automatic actuation devices and, consequently, the movement of the rotating hatch.

[0017] Therefore, opportune actuation means selectively and automatically arrange the shaped shutter between a first position, in which it completely and perfectly hermetically seals the through opening, and a second position, in which the same shaped shutter at least partially opens the through opening to allow the loading into the inner volume of the hollow rotating barrel of the leathers to be treated and / or the discharging from the barrel inner volume of the leathers already treated. In fact, sometimes, as a function of the different size (surface) of the leathers to be treated, the hatch is not fully opened, in predetermined intermediate or continuous adjustable positions, thus allowing the operator to control, if necessary, the progress of the leather treatment, the state and the general conditions of the latter. However, in the case where the shaped shutter is completely open and in the case where it is only partially open, the operator is not in optimal conditions to carry out a check of the state of the leathers, which is quick, immediate, detailed and efficient at the same time, given the operator’s reduced visibility of the operator in similar situations inside a plant, no matter how much natural light filters through the windows of the plant and / or artificial light is opportunely studied, enhanced and oriented.

[0018] It follows that, inevitably and negatively, the operator controls the progress of the leathers being processed or the state thereof at the end of the processing, nonetheless in a significantly improvable manner also in this respect.

[0019] Patent documents published as WO2020 / 256653 A1 , LIS2013 / 219971 A1 and RU24152154 C2 show examples of machines, also referred to as industrial drums or baskets for the treatment of materials, especially items of clothing or fabrics.

[0020] Therefore, starting from the understanding of the aforesaid drawbacks affecting the current state-of-the-art considered herein, the present invention aims to effectively overcome such drawbacks.

[0021] In particular, it is main purpose of the present invention to provide an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers (or similar flexible laminar surfaces, excluding paper), which allows the operator to control the state of the leathers being processed, or recently processed, more quickly, in greater detail and more efficiently with respect to what happens with the traditional drums of the prior art.

[0022] In other words, it is the primary object of the invention to provide an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, which makes the leathers and the effective material state thereof displayable during the (and / or at the end of the) treatment in an improved and more specific manner, with respect to the industrial drums of the prior art.

[0023] Within the scope of such a purpose, it is therefore task of the present invention to conceive an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, which has a higher operating performance than the industrial drums of the prior art directly comparable thereto.

[0024] It is a further task of the invention to indicate an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, which, with respect to the equivalent prior art, reduces the percentage of downgraded leathers as a result of a less careful and less detailed inspection than necessary.

[0025] Within the cognitive sphere of the above main purpose, it is also task of the invention to develop an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, which, with respect to the prior art, facilitates the work of those responsible for controlling the progress of the treatment of the leathers inside the hollow rotating barrel of the drum.

[0026] It is a last but not least purpose of the invention to provide an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers, which allows better meeting customers’ needs, especially with regard to the delivery times, against the industrial drums of the known type.

[0027] Said purposes are achieved by means of an industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers in accordance with the accompanying claim 1 , to which reference is made for the sake of brevity.

[0028] Further detailed technical features of the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the present invention are contained in the respective dependent claims.

[0029] The aforesaid claims, defined specifically and concretely hereinafter, are intended as an integral part of the present description. Advantageously, the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the invention allows users to verify the state of the leathers being processed and / or recently processed inside its characteristic hollow rotating barrel in a more accurate, more precise and, at the same time, more quick manner, against the equivalent industrial drums of the prior art.

[0030] This is by virtue of the fact that, in the industrial drum of the invention, lighting means are opportunely provided, electrically connected to an electric power supply source and contained inside the hollow rotating barrel, which are normally deactivated when the shaped shutter takes the abovesaid first position and activated when the shaped shutter takes the abovesaid second position.

[0031] The industrial drum of the current invention causes an unexpected technical effect in the sector in question (leather tanning), and as known, this is to be considered as an indication of the presence not only of a novelty but also of inventive value in the object being exclusively claimed: such a surprising technical effect results from the object as claimed and is based on the main, essential and indispensable technical features of the invention, combined with the general known features.

[0032] In the invention in question, this technical effect is not opportunely based on technical features which are, combined, already comprised in the prior art, since the use of lighting means inside the hollow rotating barrel of an industrial drum for the treatment (whether tanning, re-tanning, dyeing or fulling) of leathers, is currently unknown and to-date has never been adopted in the sector concerned.

[0033] Equally advantageously, the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the present invention facilitates the operator in the operations of directly and visually controlling the leathers inside the hollow rotating drum, both during and at the end of the chemical and / or mechanical treatment, to which the same leathers are subjected, with or without stopping the rotation of said hollow barrel, but after moving the shaped shutter to at least partially open the through opening with which it is associated.

[0034] Equally advantageously, with respect to the current state of the art, the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the invention reduces the percentage of downgraded leathers, by virtue of the fact of favoring a more accurate, detailed and precise inspection of the leathers being processed. Furthermore, advantageously, as a function of the above, the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the invention has a higher operating performance than that of the industrial drums of the prior art, directly comparable thereto.

[0035] Again, advantageously, the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the invention allows meeting the customers’ needs in a more timely manner with respect to the industrial drums of the known type, without adversely affecting the quality of the processed leathers.

[0036] The stated objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description, relating to a preferred embodiment of the industrial drum (or milling machine) for the treatment (tanning, re-tanning, dyeing or fulling) of tannery leathers of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

[0037] - figure 1 is a first simplified and partially split assonometric view of the industrial drum for the treatment of leathers of the invention;

[0038] - figure 2 is a second simplified assonometric view of the industrial drum of figure 1 ;

[0039] - figure 3 is the assonometric view of a structural assembly of the industrial drum of figures 1 and 2;

[0040] - figure 3a is an enlarged detail of figure 3.

[0041] The industrial drum for the treatment of leathers of the invention is shown in an explanatory and illustrative way in figure 1 , where it is denoted as a whole with 1 . As visible, according to a construction practice, the industrial drum 1 comprises:

[0042] - a load-bearing framework 2 suitable to rest on a reference surface (not shown for the sake of simplicity) of an industrial plant;

[0043] - a hollow rotating barrel 3 (or body or basket), coupled to the load-bearing framework 2 and adapted to receive the leathers to be treated, defining a symmetry axis X around which the hollow rotating barrel 3 is rotated by drive means, indicated as a whole with 13, associated with the load-bearing framework 2 and having a through opening 4 at which a shaped shutter 5 is rotatably coupled to the hollow rotating barrel 3 and cooperates with first actuation means (not illustrated for the sake of clarity), suitable to arrange it between a first position, in which the shaped shutter 5 hermetically closes the through opening 4, and a second position, in which the shaped shutter 5 at least partly opens the through opening 4 for loading into the inner volume 6 of the hollow rotating barrel 3 the leathers to be treated and / or discharging from said inner volume 6 of the hollow rotating barrel 3 the leathers already treated.

[0044] According to the invention, the industrial drum 1 comprises lighting means, indicated as a whole with 7, electrically connected to an electric power supply source 8 and contained inside the hollow rotating barrel 3, normally deactivated when the aforesaid shaped shutter 5 takes the first position and activated when the aforesaid shaped shutter 5 takes the second position.

[0045] In particular and preferably, the lighting means 7 are stably and irremovably coupled to the inner wall 3a of the hollow rotating barrel 3 by structural connection means, not shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0046] Furthermore, purely by way of non-limiting preference, the lighting means 7 are positioned at a contact zone 9 between the inner wall 3a of the hollow rotating barrel 3 and the lower linear edge 10a, in this case, of a single one of the longitudinal blades 10, which are arranged mutually spaced apart and stably applied to the inner wall 3a of the hollow rotating barrel 3 by joining means, not accompanied by a reference numeral in the accompanying figures, but consisting, for example of a weld bead.

[0047] In other structural solutions of the drum of the invention, not shown hereinafter, the lighting means can be positioned differently, for example at the symmetry and rotation axis and at a lateral flange of the hollow rotating barrel, where a spray nozzle is generally present for introducing chemical products and / or water, in spray form, in the inner volume of the hollow rotating barrel.

[0048] The longitudinal blades 10, which are preferably evenly arranged on the inner wall 3a of the hollow barrel 2, have the function of moving and / or lifting the leathers during the rotation of the hollow rotating barrel 3, in order to mechanically treat the leathers.

[0049] It is understood that further embodiments of the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the invention, not shown in the following figures, can provide that the lighting means are installed at the contact zone between more than one longitudinal blade and the inner wall of the hollow rotating barrel, and, alternatively, in other inner points of said hollow barrel, suitable for the object.

[0050] Preferably, but not exclusively, the lighting means 7 comprise a light bar 14 of the LED type, visible in figure 3 and with greater detail in the magnification of figure 3a, which is constrained to the inner wall 3a of the hollow rotating barrel 3, for example by means of adhesive substances (thus constituting the aforesaid joining means) of the type suitable to come into contact with an environment which is usually at least wet, such as the inner volume 6 of the hollow rotating barrel 3 of the industrial drum 1.

[0051] With regard to the electric power supply source 8, it preferably comprises an electric battery 11 arranged inside the load-bearing framework 2 (for example at an inner corner 15 thereof, as clear from figure 1 ).

[0052] However, in other structural solutions of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawing tables, the electric power supply source can comprise the general main power supply.

[0053] According to the preferred embodiment described herein of the invention, the industrial drum 1 comprises second actuation means, not shown for the sake of convenience, which are electrically connected to the electric power supply source 8 and suitable to be actuated, manually or automatically, to activate / deactivate the lighting means 7.

[0054] In this particular case, preferably, the second actuation means comprise a computer product belonging to a central processing and control unit arranged on an electric control panel 12 (visible in figure 2) coupled to the load-bearing framework 2; the computer product is adapted to automatically activate the lighting means 7 according to programed and predetermined times and / or operating situations, e.g. at the end of the treatment provided on the leathers or with a given frequency, coinciding with the passage of the shaped shutter 5 from the aforesaid first position to second position.

[0055] Properly but not bindingly, the industrial drum 1 thus comprises a central processing and control unit arranged on the electric control panel 12 coupled to the load-bearing framework 2 and also electrically connected to the first actuation means, which move the shaped shutter 5 open and close. In further embodiments of the industrial drum of the invention, not shown yet, the second actuation means can comprise a control button adapted to be manually pressed by an operator to activate the lighting means, as soon as the shaped shutter takes the second position (to open, also only partially, the through opening present in the hollow rotating barrel), and to deactivate the lighting means as soon as the shaped shutter takes the first position (to close the through opening present in the hollow rotating barrel).

[0056] In this case, the aforesaid control button can be coupled to the load-bearing framework or, alternatively, being part of an operating keypad (e.g. of a touchscreen) arranged on the electric control panel coupled to the load-bearing framework.

[0057] By virtue of the description just provided, it is thus understood that the industrial drum for the treatment (whether tanning, re-tanning, dyeing or fulling) of tannery leathers of the present invention achieves the purposes and reaches the advantages yet mentioned.

[0058] Upon implementation, changes could be made to the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers of the present invention, consisting, for example, of a constructive concept load-bearing framework, different to the one shown in the accompanying drawing tables, this not invalidating the advantage brought by the present invention.

[0059] Finally, it is apparent that many other changes could be made to the industrial drum for the treatment of tannery leathers described herein, falling within the scope of the accompanying claims, as it is equally apparent that in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and sizes of the details shown may be any kind, according to the needs.

[0060] Where the structural features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs or numerals, such reference signs were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves, and therefore have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element that is identified, purely by way of example, by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Industrial drum (1 ) for the treatment of leathers including:- a load-bearing framework (2) suitable to rest on a reference surface of an industrial plant;- a hollow rotating barrel (3) coupled to said load-bearing framework (2) and suitable to receive the leathers to be treated, defining a symmetry axis (X) around which said hollow rotating barrel (3) is rotated by drive means (13) associated with said load-bearing framework (2) and having a through opening(4) at which a shaped shutter (5) is rotatably coupled to said hollow rotating barrel (3) and cooperates with first actuation means suitable to arrange it between a first position, in which said shaped shutter (5) hermetically closes said through opening (4), and a second position in which said shaped shutter(5) opens at least partly said through opening (4) for loading into the inner volume (6) of said hollow rotating barrel (3) said leathers to be treated and / or discharging from said inner volume (6) of said hollow rotating barrel (3) said treated leathers, characterized in that it comprises lighting means (7), electrically connected to an electric power source (8) and contained inside said hollow rotating barrel (3), deactivated when said shaped shutter (5) takes said first position and activated when said shaped shutter (5) takes said second position.

2. Drum (1 ) according to claim 1), characterized in that said lighting means (7) are stably coupled to an inner wall (3a) of said hollow rotating barrel (3).

3. Drum (1 ) according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said lighting means (7) are positioned at a contact area (9) between an inner wall (3a) of said hollow rotating barrel (3) and at least one of a series of longitudinal blades (10) arranged spaced apart each other, stably applied to said inner wall (3a) of said hollow rotating barrel (3) through fixing means and suitable to move and / or lift said leathers during rotation of said hollow rotating barrel (3) to treat mechanically said leathers.

4. Drum according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said lighting means are positioned at said symmetry axis and at a lateral flange of said hollow rotating barrel.

5. Drum (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lighting means (7) comprise at least one light bar (14) of the LED type.

6. Drum (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric power source (8) comprises at least one electric battery (11) arranged inside said load-bearing framework (2).

7. Drum (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises second actuation means electrically connected to said electric power source (8) and suitable to be operated to activate / deactivate said lighting means (7).

8. Drum according to claim 7), characterized in that said second actuation means comprise a control key suitable to be manually pressed by an operator to activate said lighting means, as soon as said shaped shutter takes said second position, and to deactivate said lighting means as soon as said shaped shutter takes said first position.

9. Drum according to claim 8), characterized in that said control key is coupled to said load-bearing framework.

10. Drum according to claim 8), characterized in that said control key belongs to an operating keyboard arranged on an electrical control panel coupled to said load-bearing framework.

11. Drum (1 ) according to claim 7), characterized in that said second actuation means comprise a computer product belonging to a central processing and control unit arranged on an electrical control panel (12) coupled to said load-bearing framework (2), said computer product being suitable to automatically activate said lighting means according to programmed and predetermined times and / or operating situations.

12. Drum (1 ) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises a central processing and control unit arranged on an electric control panel (12) coupled to said load-bearing framework (2) and electrically connected to said first actuation means which move said shaped shutter (5) in opening and closing.

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