Rotating Drum Leather Treatment Process

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leather treatment processes are inefficient in reducing the exposure time of hides to chemicals and extending the drying time, which can be improved.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a rotating drum with temperature and humidity control, where hides are sprayed with chemicals, followed by controlled drying and milling steps to achieve desired humidity levels, allowing for faster treatment and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hides are soaked in rotating drum filled with tanning bath, then chemical exposure is achieved, but treatment time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hides are pre-wetted with water before chemical spraying to ensure rapid and uniform absorption of chemicals. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for prolonged soaking, reducing treatment time while maintaining effective chemical penetration and reaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Chemicals are applied to the hides using spray nozzles that distribute the tanning solution uniformly across the hide surface. This hydraulic application method replaces traditional prolonged soaking, achieving rapid and even chemical penetration significantly faster than conventional drum soaking methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If traditional drying processes are used, then hides are dried, but drying time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drying process utilizes controlled temperature and humidity parameters within the rotating drum to accelerate moisture removal from hides. By optimizing these environmental parameters, the system achieves rapid drying without compromising leather quality, significantly reducing drying time compared to traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Chemicals are sprayed onto the hides while they are still wet and rotating in the drum, allowing the chemicals to be absorbed during the drying process itself. This preliminary chemical application eliminates the need for separate soaking and drying stages, reducing total processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If chemicals are sprayed through nozzles, then chemical application speed is improved, but uniform distribution becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical application speedVSAvoidchemical distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating drum provides a curved surface that allows spray nozzles to distribute chemicals uniformly across the hide as it rotates. The rotational motion ensures all areas of the hide pass through the spray zone, achieving even chemical distribution at high speed without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the dynamic rotation of the drum to achieve uniform chemical distribution. As the drum rotates, hides continuously move through the spray zone, ensuring all surfaces receive equal chemical exposure. This dynamic approach replaces static application methods, maintaining uniformity while increasing application speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 process significantly reduces the time required for leather treatment by optimizing chemical exposure and drying times, enhancing the efficiency of the leather treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

spraying with chemicals and exposing them to suitable heat treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

spraying of said mixture is commenced through nozzle (4) with mixture of chemicals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

exposing them to suitable heat treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 4

drying using different processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

said drum (1) is equipped with temperature control system, preferably heating system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 6

climate control system, preferably with device able to regulated humidity, more preferably by device capable by spraying water into said drum (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity control:

Implementation Method 7

milling in rotating drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 8

followed by drying and another treatment of milling in rotating drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical action: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2481821B1Process for treating leather
Publication Date: 2013.03.20 BOXMARK LEATHER PROIZVODNJA IN TRGOVINA D O O
  • EP2481821B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Leather in form of hides (2) or articles of leather or other articles comprised of similarly behaving material is introduced into rotating drum (1) or stirring vessel or other form of similar device where it undergoes spraying with chemicals and drying to desired humidity to be followed by drying and another treatment of milling in rotating drum (1).