Pentagonal Mandrel for Uniform Pelt Scraping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for processing the flesh side of tubular pelts, such as mink pelts, face challenges in achieving uniform and effective scraping, particularly in the front leg area, without damaging the pelt.

Innovation Solution

A mandrel with a pentagonal cross-section and tapering shape is used, allowing for improved engagement of scraping rollers with the pelt, with additional rollers arranged to scrape all sides, including the front legs, and varying the length and orientation of sides to accommodate different pelt sizes, ensuring thorough cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rectangular mandrel is used with scraping rollers, then the apparatus can process the flesh side of pelts, but the scraping effectiveness is insufficient especially in the front leg area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping effectivenessVSAvoiduniform scraping pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel is designed with a pentagonal cross-section instead of a rectangular one, creating asymmetric side lengths and angles. This asymmetry allows the scraping rollers to engage different portions of the pelt with varying pressures, specifically improving access to the front leg area while maintaining uniform scraping across all surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different sides of the pentagonal mandrel have different lengths, allowing localized optimization of scraping conditions. The shorter sides provide better engagement for difficult-to-reach areas like front legs, while longer sides accommodate broader pelt sections, creating locally adapted scraping quality across different regions of the pelt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If scraping rollers are arranged to scrape all sides of the pelt, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but the circumferential length of engagement is too large reducing scraping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidscraping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pentagonal cross-section with unequal side lengths reduces the total circumferential engagement length compared to a rectangular mandrel with the same width. This asymmetric geometry allows scraping rollers to cover all necessary areas while minimizing the overall path length, thereby improving scraping efficiency without sacrificing thoroughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the mandrel has a rectangular cross-section, then the structure is simple, but the pelt is difficult to handle and position at corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemandrel structureVSAvoidpelt handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pentagonal cross-section replaces the rectangular shape, creating angled corners that are more favorable for pelt positioning and handling. The asymmetric geometry with obtuse angles allows the pelt to be more easily guided and secured at the corners during the scraping process, improving operational ease while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances the scraping efficiency, particularly at the front legs and corners, by allowing for a smaller circumferential length of engagement and easier pelt handling, resulting in improved cleaning without damaging the pelt.

Implementation Method 1

bringing the flesh side of the pelts into contact with a rotating scraping roller with teeth scraping clean the flesh side of the pelt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical scraping: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3091091B1An apparatus with a pentagonal mandrel for processing pelts
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 HEDENSTED GRUPPEN
  • EP3091091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3091091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3091091B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for processing a tubular pelt comprises - a mandrel (7) with a polygonal cross-section on which the tubular pelt can be mounted or drawn - at least a primary scraping roller (22) arranged at each side face of the mandrel, - a mandrel movable in relation to the scraping rollers in its longitudinal direction, wherein the mandrel (7) has a cross-section as a convex, symmetrical pentagon, said first side of the pentagonal cross-section of the mandrel (7) defining a first side face of the mandrel, the pentagonal cross-section further comprising a second (12) and a third mutually diverging side and respectively defining a second and a third side face of the mandrel, and a fourth and a fifth side extending convergingly and fifth side face of the mandrel.