Roller Leather Finishing Machine with Segmented Rubber Belt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leather finishing machines face issues with non-uniform spreading of chemical products due to leather thickness variations and surface irregularities, leading to waviness and contamination, and require complex leather-detachment systems that cause maintenance and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A system combining a soft rubber counterpart roller with a thin rubber conveyor belt and a mobile idler roller for leather detachment, allowing for uniform pressure distribution and reduced thickness to compensate for leather irregularities, while minimizing waviness and eliminating the need for separate detachment devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a thick rubber conveyor belt (14-20 mm) is used to compensate for leather thickness non-uniformity and surface irregularities, then uniform spreading of chemical products is improved, but peripheral speed differences between the wound area and horizontal branch increase causing leather waviness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of chemical product spreadingVSAvoidperipheral speed difference between wound area and horizontal branch
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the rubber conveyor belt into two separate functional components: a thick rubber counterpart roller (50-100 mm) dedicated to the spreading operation, and a thin rubber conveyor belt (2-5 mm) dedicated to transportation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the spreading function from the transportation function by removing the thick rubber layer from the conveyor belt and placing it on a separate counterpart roller. This extraction eliminates the source of peripheral speed differences that caused leather waviness while preserving the uniform pressure distribution needed for effective spreading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a thick rubber conveyor belt is used to guarantee effective squeezing of leathers, then contact homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases due to high-diameter driven roller requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of contact between spreading roller and leatherVSAvoiddriven roller diameter and radius of curvature requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the thick rubber component from the transportation conveyor belt and places it on a dedicated counterpart roller. This allows the thick rubber layer to be used for spreading without requiring the entire conveyor system to accommodate high-diameter rollers, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediate idler roller with adjustable position to mediate between the spreading roller and the thin conveyor belt. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve effective leather squeezing and uniform contact homogeneity without requiring the conveyor belt itself to have large diameter curvature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If a rubber conveyor belt system is used instead of a rubber contrast roller, then contact surface area is increased reducing specific pressure, but contact area geometry becomes irregular reducing pressure control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific pressure between spreading roller and contrast systemVSAvoidgeometry of contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the functions of pressure distribution and transportation by using a thick rubber counterpart roller for pressure distribution and a thin rubber conveyor belt for transportation. This segmentation allows the contact area geometry to be well-defined by the roller system while maintaining reduced specific pressure through the thick rubber layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by using a thick rubber layer specifically at the spreading contact point on the counterpart roller, while the rest of the conveyor belt remains thin. This localized thick rubber application provides the necessary pressure distribution and contact homogeneity without affecting the overall conveyor belt geometry or causing peripheral speed issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If a separate leather-detachment system is used with rubber contrast roller, then leather detachment is achieved, but maintenance requirements and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleather detachment capabilityVSAvoidmachine downtime for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the thin rubber conveyor belt to perform the leather detachment function itself through its adherence characteristics, eliminating the need for separate mechanical detachment devices. This self-service approach reduces maintenance requirements and machine downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the transportation and detachment functions into a single thin rubber conveyor belt system. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate detachment devices, thereby reducing device complexity, maintenance requirements, and operational downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures uniform application of chemical products, reduces waviness, prevents contamination, and simplifies leather detachment, enhancing production efficiency and reducing machine downtime.

Implementation Method 1

the leathers are subjected to the contact mechanical action with the spreading roller which discharges thereon by friction the finishing chemical product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the leather must be able to 'sink' easily in the rubber layer which traces and absorbs on the bottom the shapes thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4424848B1Roller leather finishing machine with a rubber conveyor belt
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ROTACOAT SRL
  • EP4424848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4424848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4424848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a spreading machine for roller leather finishing with a rubber conveyor belt.