DK2643486T3

DK2643486T3 - DEVICE FOR TREATMENT AND / OR YEARING OF SKIN OR TEXTILE

Info

Publication number: DK2643486T3
Application number: DK11794622.8T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Charles Ognibene
Original assignee: New Tan Tech S A R L
Priority date: 2010-10-08
Filing date: 2011-10-10
Publication date: 2018-02-19
Also published as: EP2643486B1; BR112013008489A2; WO2012048389A3; WO2012048389A2; EP2643486A2; WO2012048389A8; PL2643486T3; CN103476952A; CN103476952B; PT2643486T; ES2658914T3; TR201802290T4; NO2643486T3; BR112013008489B1

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of hides and in particular to an associated tanning process. The present invention may also relate to the use of this type of device for the treatment of textiles in the form, for example, of wads of fibres or finished products.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

The devices intended for the various steps of hide tanning are well known and are essentially in the form of tumbling drums, i.e. devices that have a rotary tank into which a liquid or a treatment bath is introduced in order to remove the hairs, fat and shreds of flesh, and to soften the hides. A dyeing step may also be provided within this same tank.

In reality a large number of operations are necessary in order to obtain hides that can be cut up and used to make finished products such as leather goods, saddlery, clothing, furniture, shoes, etc.

More specifically, these steps consist of the steps of pickling, tanning, re-tanning and feeding.

The various steps of the tanning process are themselves preceded by preparation of the hides, also referred to as “wet work”. In the course of this work, the hides are soaked in water, mixed with a chemical solution, limed so as to release the hairs, which are eliminated by a step of hair removal, and then any flesh and lime is removed. The hide which is then reduced to the dermis - the only part that can be used - is then referred to as “skin”. All of these various steps which are referred to as “wet work” are generally also carried out within rotary tumbling drums.

The tumbling drums are rotary tanks into which, for the various steps, one introduces appropriate treatment baths and for which, among other things, the treatment time, the temperature of the bath, the rotation speed and the composition of the bath are dictated by very precise rules which depend upon the type of hide and the finished products that one wishes to obtain. At the end, it is also possible for the hides to be dyed within these same tumbling drums.

Normally, the tumbling drums are in the form of a large tank or a reservoir which, by means of successive rotations in both directions (of rotation), will beat the hides in order to rid them of their hairs and flesh or to allow homogeneous treatment.

It is possible to treat the hides of large animals (cows, horses, buffalo, etc.) either in the form of entire hides or in the form of strips, butts, necks, flanks and that will be defined as tanning processes, as well as the hides of smaller animals such as the hides of calves, ovines, goats, kids, woolly sheep (doublesided), long-woolled sheep, reptiles, snakes, that will be defined as tawery processes.

For a long time wooden tumbling drums were used, and these have recently been replaced by tumbling drums made of steel, and in particular of stainless steel. However, it is a major disadvantage of the wooden tumbling drums as well as of the (stainless) steel tumbling drums that they are susceptible to damage arising from the corrosion of the treatment baths, and so may allow elements to become detached from the wall of the tumbling drum and are capable of damaging the hides during the treatment within the tumbling drums.

The use of tumbling drums made of synthetic material such as polypropylene, polystyrene or even polyester was then considered.

It is observed that in these old generation tumbling drums the hides may move within the entire space provided on the inside of the tank and so be subjected to excessive impacts and deterioration. A first improvement of the tanning process which is described in document FR A-2512063 consists in proposing a tumbling drum divided into two or more longitudinal and axisymmetrical chambers or compartments, the chambers or compartments being separated by helical or screw-shaped partitions which allow the hides to be beaten not from the top to the bottom in the direction of rotation of the tumbling drum, as is the case in the first generation tumbling drums, but rather horizontally from the left to the right by virtue of the specific shape of the separating partition. Another advantage of this configuration in the form of a number of compartments is the fact that it increases the useful capacity for one and the same dimension of the tank.

As described in document FR A-2368539, it is also known to propose, in view of improving the effectiveness of the chemical agents, circulation of the treatment bath in order to obtain an improved mixture of the chemical agents which is as homogeneous as possible. The tumbling drum is then provided with a hollow shaft disposed concentrically to the axis of rotation of the tumbling drum. This shaft is in communication with the compartments so as to provide evacuation from as well as a feed to the treatment bath. A major disadvantage of these circulation systems is that the same channels are used both for the evacuation of liquid from and for the feed to the latter. The circulation of the liquid within the tumbling drum becomes very complex and is dependent upon the direction of rotation. This generates a need for a larger quantity of treatment liquid, given that a large volume of treatment liquid accumulates in the different conduits without acting on the hides. Another disadvantage is the fact that the impurities will be deposited on the walls of the recirculation channels and conduits, and this pollutes the clean treatment liquid which flows within the same channels. A final disadvantage is the fact that the time taken to empty the tank is unduly extended.

The present invention is intended in particular to be attached to the water transfer and the appropriate treatment bath system, and more specifically to the injection system and to the bath extraction and/or recovery system.

The present invention seeks in particular to propose, by means of an appropriate system for introducing (injecting) and recovering (extracting) treatment liquid (and baths), a saving of water, a saving of chemical products and likewise a saving of energy, with the aim of fulfilling the very stringent ecological requirements which currently prevail.

For this reason the present invention also seeks to reduce production costs by reducing the quantity of water used by possible recycling, by reducing the quantity of chemical products and clearly reducing the amount of energy required for treating hides or textiles while increasing productivity by proposing a reduction in the bath time.

Document FR 2 104 547 (Brennan) describes an apparatus for the loose treatment of hides or similar layered materials that are porous and absorbent in nature, and relates more specifically to the treatment of such materials within a drum that comprises internal fins and rises to turn about an axis which is inclined relative to the horizontal.

Document DE 37 24 073 (Biesinger) describes an apparatus intended for the finishing of textiles which has a rotary drum which is intended to hold a textile item to be treated and the inclination of which in relation to the horizontal can be adjusted and into which is introduced concentrically, on one end face, an inlet conduit and a run-off conduit by means of which the circulation of liquid through the drum can be maintained while the apparatus is operating.

The present invention also seeks to improve the quality, enabling permanent control during the whole duration of the process, as well as improvement of the ecological aspects by appropriate recycling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the treatment and/or the tanning of hides and/or textile elements to be treated, comprising a rotary tank that has a convolution wall twisting about a central rotational axis and that has at each of its ends a first and a second side wall, the tank being designed to hold said hides and/or textile elements to be treated and at least one treatment liquid, said device comprising at least: a first circuit designed to inject said treatment liquid into the tank, and a second circuit designed to extract at least some of the treatment liquid from the tank, a separating partition which separates said tank into at least two treatment chambers or compartments, characterised in that: a) the separating partition has an essentially helicoidal form which extends longitudinally over essentially the whole length of the tank; b) the first circuit comprises at least one treatment liquid supply channel which comprises an outer wall, preferably provided with perforations and extending essentially along the central axis of the tank, and c) the second circuit comprises at least one channel for disposing of polluted treatment liquid or wastewater, said channel extending essentially along the central axis of the tank, said disposal channel being arranged concentrically with and inside the supply channel.

Preferably, said perforations are designed to be able to inject said treatment liquid into the tank. Preferably, the presence of said perforations, on the part of the outer wall of the supply channel and over the majority of its length (at least 70% of its length), makes it possible to inject the liquid easily into the tank.

Preferably, the supply channel and the disposal channel form at least partially a central shaft, possibly arranged concentrically in relation to the central rotational axis.

Preferably, the central shaft comprises a number of separate and concentric systems or assemblies, each of the assemblies comprising a supply channel arranged concentrically in relation to and on the outside of a disposal channel.

Preferably, the second circuit comprises one or more discharging conduits which preferably join at one end a radial zone of the tank and preferably join the disposal channel at the other end.

Preferably, at one end the discharging conduit or conduits join either the convolution wall directly or an extension of the latter.

Preferably, the discharging conduit or conduits is or are present on the side of the second wall of the tank.

Preferably, the supply channel is designed to be fed via one of its ends at a side end close to the first side wall of the tank, whereas the disposal channel is fed at the other side end of the tank close to the second wall by means of the discharging conduit or conduits. The liquid extracted via the disposal channel is extracted from the tank at the same side end of the tank as the introduction of the treatment liquid into the supply channel, i.e. close to the first side wall. Preferably, the first and the second circuits are joined by a rotary joint.

Preferably, the discharging conduit or conduits extends or extend along part of the circumference of said tank, preferably at an angle of at least 90°.

Preferably, each of the discharging conduit joins radially the convolution wall of the tank in angular positions spaced along the circumference of said tank.

Preferably, the disposal channel is watertight.

Preferably, the device comprises a bearing for supporting the central shaft disposed at one of the ends, while at the other end the tank is supported by the convolution wall, preferably on rollers.

Preferably, the central shaft does not project to the outside of the tank.

Preferably, the device comprises an outlet chute disposed on the second side wall, preferably concentrically in relation to the rotational axis, the outlet chute being equipped with one or more evacuation doors.

Preferably, the device is designed to function essentially in just one direction of rotation, the opposite direction of rotation being used purely for the extraction of the hides or textile elements to be treated from the tank, with the aid of outlet paddles which are disposed close to the outlet chute and to the corresponding evacuation door.

Preferably, said device is designed such that the treatment liquid present in the disposal channel flows in the opposite direction in relation to the treatment liquid present in the supply channel, thus allowing thermal exchange.

Preferably, the supply conduit is designed to allow the injection of steam into the tank through the perforations.

Preferably, the treatment liquid filtration device is connected between the first circuit and the second circuit.

Preferably, the filtration device is arranged statically in relation to the rotary tank.

Preferably, a third circuit is intended for the evacuation and/or the injection of air into said tank.

Preferably, the tank comprises a perforated separation wall which separates the tank into two parts, in particular into a first and a second part, and which is arranged such as to be permeable to said treatment liquid and to the waste, dirt or impurities conveyed by the treatment liquid, the second part being designed to hold the hides or textiles to be treated, the wall making it possible to capture the waste, dirt and impurities within the first part of the tank, not allowing the passage of said hides or textiles to be treated in this first part of the tank, in which the discharging conduit or conduits is or are designed to withdraw at least some of the treatment liquid from the first part of the tank.

Preferably, the first part of the tank extends along at least part of the circumference of the tank.

Preferably, the tank has at least one separating partition that is essentially helicoidal in form extending longitudinally over essentially the whole length of the tank and integral with the central shaft and the convolution wall of the tank.

Preferably, the separating partition is perforated so as to allow exchange of the treatment liquid between said chambers or compartments.

Preferably, the separating partition is watertight.

Preferably, the separating partition is provided with means for holding or guiding the hides or textile elements to be treated such as chicanes, bars or pegs.

Preferably, the chambers or compartments are arranged axisymmetrically.

Preferably, the tank reservoir and possibly the partition is made of a polymer material, preferably polyester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures la, lb, lc, Id and le are 3D view representations of the outside of a tumbling drum according to the present invention.

Figure 2a shows an exploded perspective view of a tank with two chambers or compartments, used within the framework of the present invention.

Figures 2b, 2c and 2d respectively show a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the tank of a device according to the present invention and a transverse sectional view on the plane AA (Figure 2c) and on the plane BB (Figure 2d) shown in Figure 2b.

Figure 3a shows a detailed and sectional view of the inside of a tank of the device according to the present invention, whereas Figure 3b shows a view of the outside of the tank corresponding to the rear face.

Figures 4a and 4b show (partial) longitudinal and transverse sectional views of a device according to the present invention essentially comprising a tank or tumbling drum where one can clearly see the circuits for injecting and extracting the treatment liquid.

Figures 5a and 5b show a transverse sectional view of a central shaft of a device according to the present invention for two specific embodiments which comprises two treatment chambers or compartments which are respectively non-watertight and watertight with respect to one another, and in the latter case having separate supply/injection and extraction/disposal systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in detail with the aid of the figures which show one or more particularly preferred embodiments of the invention. However, all of the features shown in these figures may be present individually or grouped together within the devices of the invention.

Figures la-e show several perspective views taken from the outside of a preferred embodiment of the device for the treatment and/or the tanning of hides or textiles to be treated according to the present invention. The device, also referred to as the tumbling dmm, comprises a chassis (200) which is in the form of a frame or of a mechano-welded assembly produced, for example, from UPN and IPN profiles to which are fitted two support rollers (201) (Fig. 2a) and a rear bearing (202) with an oscillating roller bearing, thus making it possible to obtain perfect horizontal alignment of the tumbling drum. The assembly is provided with anti-corrosion treatment.

Already, this type of device offers an enormous advantage with respect to the various prior art solutions which required the positioning of terracing in order to be able to anchor the tumbling drums according to the prior art in the ground at the place where they had to be located.

The device according to the present invention is traditionally in the form of a rotary tank (11) which serves as a reservoir. The tank comprises a convolution wall (111) twisting about a central axis (12) and a first and a second side wall (113 and 114), arranged at each of the ends (113a and 114a) of the convolution wall (111) such as to form an internal volume that serves as the tank (11).

The tank which forms the reservoir is preferably made of a resistant material such as laminated polyester preferably comprising a minimum of 5 to 10% glass fibres coated in an anti-corrosive polyester resin. Particular care should be given to producing the surfaces in contact with the baths and/or the hides or the textiles to be treated by covering them with a layer of specific hard resin in order to obtain resistance to all of the conventional chemical agents used in tanneries, taweries or even in various textile treatments (pH between 1 and 13). Preferably, the internal structure of the reservoir is made entirely of polymeric material and preferably of polyester resin such that the hides or the textiles to be treated never come into contact with any other material (for example the steel used for the bearings, the evacuations, etc.).

The structure of the reservoir makes it possible to obtain excellent thermal insulation, in particular if it is produced from a polyester resin; the insulative value being better than that of wood and polypropylene. As an example, wood has a value of 0.18 Kcal, polypropylene has a value of 0.19 Kcal and polyester has a value of 0.2 Kcal.

This reservoir is advantageously essentially equipped with a double bottom (which is preferably conical), which may be perforated.

In order to increase the chemical and/or mechanical resistance, all of the internal walls of the reservoir are advantageously laminated.

The tank preferably comprises two side doors (210a, 210b) which are preferably arranged symmetrically on the convolution wall (111) and which make it possible to load, and possibly to unload, the hides or textiles to be treated. These doors also make it possible to introduce solid (chromium, etc.) products.

On the other hand, the device (10) according to the present invention also particularly advantageously has, in particular for the treatment of large-sized hides or textiles to be treated in the tannery, and as shown in Figures la, 2b, 3a, an outlet chute (220) preferably disposed axially on one of the side walls (113 or 114), preferably on the second wall (114). Advantageously there are disposed on the opposite side wall, (wall (113)), one or more inspection windows (230) as shown in Figures lc Id and 2a.

The outlet chute (220) is preferably circular and is disposed concentrically with the rotational axis (12). In the centre of the chute (220) and in the second side wall (114) there is a door called the front door (221) for the evacuation of the hides or textiles to be treated. This door may be made in one or more parts, in particular in the case of the presence of a number of watertight treatment chambers or compartments.

Figure 3a shows a longitudinal sectional view of this type of device where the convolution wall (111) of the rotary tank and the two side walls (113, 114) are clearly shown. Likewise, the central rotational axis (12) of the rotary tank (11) has been shown schematically.

One can also see that, particularly advantageously, the tank (11) also comprises an internal perforated separation wall (16), preferably in the form of sheet metal, which separates the tank (11) into at least two parts; on the one hand a first part (17) preferably forming a conical crown at the end and adjacent to one of the two side walls and in particular close to the second wall (114), which is itself close to the outlet chute (220) and in which the liquid and the waste may be evacuated through the perforations (162) of the wall (16), and on the other hand at least one second part (18) forming the treatment chambers or compartments (11 and 11a) in which the hides or textiles to be treated are disposed. The fact that the wall (16) is permeable makes it possible to separate the waste, impurities and other dirt from the rest of the treatment bath and makes it possible to purify, during the treatment, the bath in which the hides or textiles to be treated are bathed and also to capture the waste, impurities and dirt within this first part (17), avoiding re-contamination of the treatment bath present in the second part (18).

Figures 4a and 4b show (partial) longitudinal and transverse sectional views of the device according to the present invention and in which one can clearly see the treatment liquid and bath circulation circuits. Particularly advantageously one can see that the device comprises a first circuit (13) designed to inject the treatment liquid into the tank, and a second circuit (14) designed to extract at least some of this treatment liquid from the tank (11).

The first circuit (13) is defined as the injection circuit and makes it possible to supply the clean, unpolluted and/or filtered treatment liquid or bath to the treatment chambers or compartments. This circuit includes all of the pipes, channels and conduits between the treatment chambers or compartments within the tank (11) and the filtration site. The second circuit (14) is the circuit which makes it possible to extract the polluted liquid or wastewater from the tank and to supply them to a filtration or evacuation device.

Particularly advantageously, one can consider partially reusing the treatment liquid extracted by the second circuit (14) if a filtration device (7), which may possibly be static, is provided in order to treat, filter and finally re-inject the treatment liquid via a pump (8) within the first circuit (13) via (by means of) a return.

One can also see that, advantageously, the filtration device may comprise a control reservoir (2), a pH monitoring device (3) and/or a temperature control device (4).

In the case where one does not wish to recirculate, the second circuit (14) is equipped with a shutoff valve which is present at the outlet of the second tank (11) extraction circuit (14).

The filtration device (7) is preferably formed by a solid/liquid separator which is preferably static and which separates the solid waste from the liquid and deposits it in a waste container (6), which liquid may possibly be re-injected into the first circuit (13) via a pump (8).

As shown in detail in Figures 2a, 3a and 4a, one can see according to a first embodiment that the second circuit (14), which is the liquid extraction circuit, has at least one part arranged preferably concentrically with the central rotational axis (12), this part being essentially in the form of a disposal channel (144) which preferably extends over the essentially whole length of the tank (11).

Likewise, and advantageously, the injection circuit (13) comprises a treatment liquid supply channel (131) which may be in the form of a hollow shaft. The supply channel (131) is arranged concentrically in relation to the disposal channel (144). Therefore, if the disposal channel (144) is concentric with the rotational axis (12), the supply conduit is arranged concentrically in relation to the central axis (12). The assembly formed by the supply channel (131) and the disposal channel (144), possibly surrounded by a protective envelope for the hides and/or the textile elements to be treated, forms the central shaft (120), as described in detail in Figure 5a.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, one may carry out separate treatments in each of the treatment chambers or compartments (11 and 11a). As shown in Figure 5b, this necessitates the presence of two separate systems for the first (13 and 13a) and the second (14 and 14a) circuits. Each circuit system has a set of supply conduits (131 or 131a) and disposal conduits (144 or 144a) arranged concentrically. Advantageously, for each of the compartments one provides an individual disposal channel and supply channel system placed concentrically in relation to one another. Each of the systems is preferably arranged symmetrically, but eccentrically, in relation to the rotational axis (see in particular Fig. 5). Preferably, each of the systems (supply channel, disposal channel) is arranged parallel to the other, preferably over the largest part (greater than 70% of the length of the tank).

According to the invention, the supply (131) and disposal channels (144) of the first and second circuits are arranged concentrically, the supply channel (131) of the first circuit being disposed outside of the disposal channel (144) of the second circuit.

The (internal) disposal channel (144) of the second circuit is preferably watertight, whereas the supply channel (131) of the first circuit is preferably perforated in order to be able to distribute the treatment liquid over the majority of the length of the tank.

Preferably, the supply channel (131 or 131a) is fed at the end that coincides with the first side wall (113). Advantageously, at this same end the disposal channel (144 or 144a) of the extraction circuit (14) discharges the wastewater (outlet side of the disposal channel (144 or 144a). In this way, the filtration circuit between extraction and injection is greatly simplified. Furthermore, one obtains a flow which is the opposite in the two channels, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4a. This is particularly advantageous when the liquid is kept at a high temperature (above 30°C) within the tank, the opposing flow making it possible to exchange thermal energy between the extracted liquid (channel 144 or 144a) and the injected liquid (channel 131 or 131a).

The supply channel (131 or 131a) of the first circuit extends longitudinally over the largest part, i.e. over more than 70% of the length of the tank (11).

Preferably, the supply channel (131 or 131a) is cylindrical in form or of any other equivalent form. Preferably, the disposal channel (144 or 144a) is cylindrical in form or of any other equivalent form.

Advantageously, the supply channel (131 or 131a) has perforations (132) intended to distribute the treatment liquid preferably over the majority and preferably over the whole length of the longitudinal axis of said tank. One thus obtains homogeneous and immediate distribution of the chemical treatment agents dissolved in the treatment liquid, avoiding concentrations of these agents at certain points within the tank which could damage the hides or textiles to be treated.

Advantageously, the supply channel (131 or 131a), in particular in the case where several concentric systems are arranged in parallel in order to allow watertight distribution in each of the treatment chambers or compartments (11 or 11a), is only provided with perforations (132) close to the surfaces adjacent to the corresponding chamber or compartment (11 or 11a) (that one wishes to “irrigate”).

Advantageously, both of the concentric and separate systems, which are formed by a supply channel (131 or 131a) and a disposal channel (144 or 144a) (which extend essentially in parallel over the majority of the length of the tank), must join at the first side wall (13) in order to form a rotary joint (160). In this way, one can see that the inlet of the supply channel (131 or 131a) corresponds to the outlet of the disposal channel (144 or 144a) at the first side wall (13). The first and the second circuits are joined with the aid of said rotary joint (160). In particular in the case of several separate systems, a single rotary joint enables joining towards a number of injection /or extraction circuits.

Advantageously, the outlet of the supply conduit (131 or 131a) corresponds to the inlet of the disposal channel (144 or 144a), preferably at the second side wall (114). The two types of channel are preferably joined with the aid of discharging conduits as described below.

It should be noted that the disposal channel (144 or 144a) located on the inside of the supply channel (hollow shaft) (131 or 131a) forms the inner face (watertight wall) of the supply channel (131 or 131a). There is therefore a clear separation of the two circuits.

It is possible to adapt the supply channel (131 or 131a), and in particular the inlet section, such as to allow the injection of steam into the tank by means of the perforations (132).

Advantageously, the disposal channel (144 or 144a), which is preferably watertight, is produced from steel.

Advantageously, the supply channel (131 or 131a), which is preferably perforated, is produced from a polymeric material, and preferably from the same material as the polyester reservoir.

Advantageously, and in particular in the case of an embodiment using a number of supply and disposal channel systems (as shown in Figure 5b), one can consider “submerging” them in an envelope produced from a polymeric material, and preferably from polyester. This envelope may form the centre of the separating partition of the paddle (15) which will be defined below. The form of this envelope is such that it does not have any sharp edges and so avoids any deterioration of the hides and/or textiles to be treated. The assembly formed by the envelope and the different supply and disposal channel systems form the central shaft (120).

Preferably, each extraction circuit (14) also comprises one or more discharging conduits (141) which advantageously join a radial zone of the tank (11), preferably close to the first part (17) which contains the waste on the convolution wall, preferably at the end (114a) opposite that of the outlet of the second circuit or circuits (14). This or these discharging conduits (141a, 141b, etc.) partially extend essentially over one (outer) part of the circumference of said tank (11). In the case where there are a number of discharging conduits, they are placed in (different) angular positions (142a, 142b) spaced apart from one another along the circumference of said tank. Each of these discharging conduits (141a, 141b, etc.) follows a course at an angle of at least 90° before joining the disposal channel (144) disposed at the centre close to the central axis (12) of the tank (11), preferably in essentially the same axial position. A junction (145a, 145b) between each discharging conduit (141a, 141b) and the disposal channels (144,144a) will be made radially along the second side wall (114).

It should be noted that each of the discharging conduits (141a, 141b) joins, with one of its ends, the first part (17) of the tank which contains the waste (and not the hides or textiles to be treated) and which is separated by the separation wall (16) from the second part (18) (which only contains the hides or textiles to be treated), and this makes it possible to evacuate the wastewater from the treatment compartments (11, 11a). The discharging conduits (141a, 141b) preferably lead into a radial zone of the tank, for example on the convolution wall (111) or an extension of the latter. In Figures le and 3b it will be noted that cylindrical projections (115) are provided on the side wall (114) at the level of the convolution wall (111). Each of the cylindrical projections (115) is in communication with the first part (17) and with a corresponding discharging conduit (141a, 141b).

Each of the discharging conduits (141a, 141b) advantageously follows a course at an angle of at least 90°, and this offers the possibility of evacuating the polluted treatment liquid or bath, i.e. the wastewater, without having to use a pump, simply by the action of gravity which is obtained by rotating the tank (11) in the direction indicated by “O”.

Since the discharging conduits (141a, 141b) lead into the disposal channel (144) at the other end, a clear (watertight) separation of the injection circuits or the first circuit (13) extraction or the second circuit (14) is advantageously obtained. In this way one can prevent the clean or filtered treatment liquid from flowing in conduits previously used for the (dirty) wastewater that is to be extracted.

If a number of concentric supply and disposal channel systems or assemblies are provided in order to feed or extract the wastewater from a number of watertight compartments, it goes without saying that a number of discharge conduit assemblies must also be provided.

Furthermore, the concentric supply (131) and disposal (144) channel and discharging conduit (141) assembly is in the form of an assembly which is very compact in relation to the existing systems.

It is also possible to provide a third circuit (not shown) intended to evacuate and/or to inject air into the tank (11), in particular at the time of filling with and evacuating the treatment liquid. This third circuit may be designed in the form of one or more conduits (146, 147) extending to the discharging conduits (141a, 141b), but which enter the tank at different angular positions (146a, 147b) in relation to the discharging conduits (141) on the convolution wall (111).

According to one preferred embodiment, the tank (11) has a separating partition or paddle (15) which is essentially helicoidal in form and which preferably extends over the whole length of the tank (11) with a rotational axis which corresponds to the central rotational axis (12) of the tank (11).

It is obvious that a number of partitions (15) can be provided, separating the tank into more than two longitudinal chambers or compartments. Preferably, these partitions subdivide the tank into axisymmetrical compartments. This paddle may form a partition as described in document FR-A-2368539 and which is fixed to the internal walls of the tank (11) such as to allow the separation of said tank into at least two longitudinal chambers or compartments (11 and 11a) with essentially equivalent volumes, each of the chambers or compartments being able to contain approximately the same quantity (half, a third, etc.) of the hides or textiles to be treated.

The separating partition or partitions (15) are integral with the central shaft (120) that (possibly) comprises one or more concentric supply (131) and disposal (144) channel assemblies.

Preferably, the separating partition or partitions (15) are preferably perforated such as to enable the exchange of treatment liquid between the various chambers or compartments (11, 11a) during operation of the tumbling drum.

Alternatively, the separating partition or partitions (15) may be watertight. In this case one provides a number of supply channels (131, 131a), also watertight with respect to one another and connected to the compartments (11, 11a) created by the separating partition or partitions (15). Each supply channel (131, 131a) is arranged concentrically in relation to a disposal channel (144, 144a) as shown in Figure 6b.

It is of course possible to consider providing or to provide more than two watertight treatment chambers or compartments, for example three or four, or more; in this scenario it goes without saying that it is appropriate to provide three or four or more separate systems for injecting the baths and evacuating wastewater. This alternative makes it possible to carry out different treatments in different compartments (11, 11a).

The device (10) forming the tumbling drum as described above will advantageously be equipped with a brake reducer motor assembly (not shown) which is formed by a pulley and belt system placed between the motor and the reducer, thus making it possible to modify the rotation speed of the tumbling dmm, in particular in order to adapt it to the desired working conditions. In some cases one can also consider reversing the rotation of the tumbling drum into the direction indicated by “V” in Fig. 3b, in particular in order to be able to extract the hides or textiles to be treated via the outlet chute (220) and the evacuation door (221) for the hides or textiles to be treated or to carry out emptying more quickly. The transmission of the movement of the motor to the tank may be carried out by means of preferably trapezoidal belts.

Advantageously, the device (10) is designed to operate essentially in a single direction of rotation (O) of the tank for the treatment of the hides or textiles to be treated.

The opposite direction of rotation (V) is used for the emptying of the hides or textiles to be treated, for example via the outlet chute (220). One thus obtains a simplified operating mode, making it possible to automatically extract the hides or textiles to be treated laterally from the tank via the evacuation door (221), instead of manual extraction via the side doors (210a and 210b) provided on the convolution surface (111).

Extraction via the outlet chute (220) is made particularly efficient by virtue of the presence of outlet paddles (170) also arranged in parallel (along) the rotational axis (12).

To this end it should be noted that the central shaft (120) (advantageously) does not extend beyond the evacuation door (221) for the hides or textiles to be treated, the tank being supported at this end (114a) on the convolution wall (111) by support rollers (201). The central shaft (120) may be connected to the convolution wall (111) by support bars or any other means.

Particularly advantageously, one can also consider equipping the separating partition (15) with chicanes (150) (in the form of bars or pegs), and this makes it possible to obtain movement which ensures that the hides or textiles to be treated are continuously moved in relation to one another such as to avoid any mass formation and to obtain separation of the hides or textiles during the treatment. The helicoidal configuration of the separating partition (15) associated with the presence and appropriate positioning of said chicanes (150) makes it possible to achieve this goal, ensuring operation without reversing the direction of rotation.

By appropriately utilising this configuration one can thus observe a reduction in material fatigue with more regular work on the hides or textiles to be treated. Another advantage seeks to eliminate the time delays between each reversal of the direction of rotation and to thus to increase, as a consequence, productivity.

This measure even makes it possible to consider performing certain operations in dry conditions.

It can be estimated that the saving in water and treatment baths may vary from 50 to 80%, or even 100% in the case of dry operation.

One of the features of the tumbling drums is the substantial intermixing of the treatment baths checked by the speed with which the baths are split up into the two compartments.

If one also intends to use these tumbling drums for the treatment of textile fibres, and in particular in the form of wads of fibres, washing, laundering, smoothing or even dyeing may be considered. More specific treatments such as the waterproofing or the sandblasting of jeans are also possible within such devices.

Savings on products may come within a range: for standard tanning products - from 20 to 40%, for products intended for textile treatments - from 10 to 30% for dyeing and food products - from 10 to 25%.

Savings on treatment times are of two types: those linked directly with the work on hides or textile fibres, according to the types of hide or textile fibres and the types of operation, these savings may range from 20 to 50% of the time; one must also take into account the reductions in time spent on associated operations: water conveyance, rinsing, emptying, washing. These operations are too specific to each operation in order to be able to quantify the saving in time achieved, but they have a true impact upon the total duration of the treatment cycle; as regards manufacture controls, these are made very easy by the presence of service doors positioned at the level of each compartment and once again generate a saving of time.

IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY

The possibility of working in a short bath is associated with a considerable reduction in the consumption of hot water.

By virtue of the automatic emptying of the hides or textile elements, the handling periods are greatly reduced and so generate a gain in productivity.

The physical bulk (m2) for the same production is clearly less by approximately 50%.

Wastewater

The impact of using tumbling drums as regards pollution is considerable in terms of volume as well as in terms of pollutant load.

The amount of emissions may be divided by 5 and 6.

The COD-BOD-SM pollutant load is reduced by 70 to 80%.

The chromium pollutant load is reduced by 75 to 85%.

Examples of the tumbling drum according to the present invention:

Procedure for testing the tumbling drum 2508 (preferred embodiment) for cattle hides Paddy field operations:

With the device according to the invention, the full treatment period lasts for +/- 24 hours of continuous work as compared to +/- 48 hours for a standard tumbling drum.

Work capacity of the tumbling drum - 3500-4000 kg soiled weight.

Water consumption: 70 to 90% saving for each bath.

To start with, turning is at a rate of 2 to 4 turns/minute for 4 hours, then one passes to 6 turns/minute for 6 hours for the lime, and one then finishes for the rest of the time at 8 turns/minute.

One notes:

All of the hair is removed from the hides

The hides have been passed through The hides are not very taut

The hides have not been damaged by the work of the tumbling drum Tanning operations: 3000 to 4000 kg load

Duration of the operations: loading, de-liming and pickling, tanning and unloading: 24 hours

De-liming: 20 to 40% less bath (on average) 3-4 washes: 60 to 80% less bath (on average)

Pickling: 20 to 40% - 20 to 30% less bath (on average) with a Baumé degree adjustment for the salt

Tanning: 25 to 30% less bath (on average); this percentage is dependent upon the amount of liquid chromium to be added

One notes:

Hides fully tanned and passed through Grain on ground tanning materials Hides not taut compared with the standard Open grains (dependent upon the bate)

Resistant to boiling water Dyeing operations:

Load: 900kg (average from 800 to 100kg) - shaved wet weight (not dry)

Amount of water: 50 to 100% less Uniform and homogeneous dyeing Total depletion of the baths

Some tanners may possibly modify the number of turns which may vary from a maximum of 1 to 2 turns, all dependently upon the habits and installations.

The same characteristics are proven to be correct:

Saving of water - 5 to 6 litres per bath

Saving of leather dye -between 40 and 50% (depending on the dyes)

Saving of wool dye depending on the process used Saving of food - between 40 and 50%

Very good unison of leather and wool dye

Procedure for testing the tumbling drum 2508 for double-sided wool sheepskin applications.

Tanning operation

Load of 600 to 700 wool sheepskins corresponding to 4 to 5kg per hide.

Dyeing operation

Load of 300 to 400 wool sheepskins

Generally, this work is carried out with a bath ratio of about 4 to 6 litres per hide (15 to 20 litre paddle vat).

For the washing - rinsing - pickling operations, the savings made in relation to the paddle vat are for:

Soaps: saving of 10 to 30%

Salt: saving of 60%

Rinsing water - 30 litres/hide instead of 90 litres/hide

For the tanning and food operations, the savings made in comparison to the same tasks carried out in the paddle vat are: CHROMIUM: saving of between 40 and 50% FOOD: saving of between 40 and 50%

Operating time: 24 hours

As regards quality, the quality of the wool is higher in the present case than in the case of treatment in a paddle vat; including the flanks, seeing as the hair are not mixed in due to the intermixing of the hides in the tumbling drums of the invention. The hides are removed with hardly any separation having to be performed.

The tanning is more regular on the surface (impact upon the regularity of the dyeing), the hides are very supple. Very good depletion of the food is noted.

For the pickling and tanning operations, the economy of the product alone makes it possible to make production profitable to a significant extent.

According to one aspect of the invention, one mainly proposes a device, preferably in the form of a tumbling drum, for the treatment, the tanning and the dyeing of hides, comprising a rotary tank which has a convolution wall and preferably, at each of its ends, a side wall about a central rotational axis, the tank being designed to hold said hides and at least one treatment liquid, characterised in that said device comprises: a first circuit designed to inject said treatment liquid into the tank, a second circuit designed to extract at least some of the treatment liquid from the tank.

Preferably, the second circuit is at least partially arranged concentrically with the central rotational axis.

Preferably, the second circuit is integrated at least partially with the tank and comprises at least one discharging conduit which preferably leads to one side or to one end of the convolution wall.

Preferably, the discharging conduit extends essentially over part of the circumference of said tank and preferably at an angle of at least 90°.

Preferably, the device according to the invention has a number of discharging conduits, each leading to a same side or to a same end on the convolution wall of said tank, but at different positions along the circumference of said tank.

Preferably, the second circuit comprises a channel arranged concentrically with and parallel to the central rotational axis of the tank.

Preferably, the channel of the second circuit extends essentially along the length of the tank.

Preferably, the first circuit comprises a treatment liquid supply channel which is arranged concentrically in relation to the central axis.

Preferably, the channels of the first and the second circuits are concentric, the channel of the first circuit being disposed on the outside of the channel of the second circuit. Preferably, the channel of the second circuit is watertight, while the channel of the first circuit is perforated.

Preferably, the channel of the first circuit extends essentially over the length of the tank and comprises perforations intended to distribute the treatment liquid along the whole of said tank.

Preferably, it comprises a treatment liquid filtering device connected between the first circuit and the second circuit.

Preferably, the filtering device is arranged statically in relation to the rotary tank.

Preferably, it comprises a third circuit intended for the evacuation and/or the injection of air into said tank.

Preferably, the tank comprises a perforated separating metal sheet which separates the tank into two parts and which is arranged so as to be permeable to said treatment liquid and to the dirt or impurities arising from the hide treatment and which also makes it possible to capture them within a first part of the tank, but does not allow the passage of said hides which are still present in the second part within this first part of the tank.

Preferably, the second circuit is designed to withdraw at least some of the treatment liquid from the first part of the tank.

Preferably, the tank has a paddle which is essentially helicoidal in form extending along the tank and the rotational axis of which is the central rotational axis of the tank, this paddle being fixed to the internal walls of said tank such as to separate said tank into two compartments, each of the compartments being able to contain the hides to be treated, preferably half of the hides to be treated. Preferably, the paddle performs a rotation of at least 90° such that it makes it possible to push the hides so that they do not perform a vertical movement, but rather a horizontal movement.

The present invention also concerns a process for treating hides and for tanning hides with the aid of a treatment liquid in which a tank as described above is disposed and in which at least some of the treatment liquid is extracted during the rotation of the tank with re-injection of some of the treatment liquid.

Preferably, the extracted liquid is filtered before being re-injected.

Preferably, the hides are extracted to outside of the tank during the rotation of said tank, preferably by reversing the direction of rotation of the tank.

Claims

DEVICE FOR TREATMENT AND / OR YEARING OF SKIN OR TEXTILE REQUIREMENTS

A device (10) for treating and / or tanning hides and / or textile elements, comprising a rotating container (11) having a folding wall (111) around a central axis of rotation (12) and at each of the ends (113a, 114a) a first (113) and a second (114) side partition, wherein the container (11) is designed to receive the hides and / or textile elements and at least one treatment fluid, the device at least comprising: a first circuit (13) designed for injecting the treatment fluid into the container (11) and another circuit (14) designed to discharge at least a portion of the treatment fluid from the container (11), a partition (15) separating the container into at least two treatment chambers, or - compartments (11 and 11a), characterized in that: a) the partition (15) has a substantially helical shape extending longitudinally over substantially the full length of the container (11); b) said first circuit (13) comprises at least one supply channel (131) for said treatment liquid, said channel comprising an outer partition, preferably provided with perforations (132) and extending substantially along the central axis (12) of said container (11); ); and c) said second circuit (14) comprises at least one outlet channel (144) for said contaminated treatment liquid or wastewater extending substantially along the central axis (12) of said container (11), said outlet channel (144) being located concentrically and internally. in the supply duct (131).

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply duct (131) and the outlet duct (144) form at least partially a central shaft (120) which is optionally located concentric to the central axis of rotation (12).

Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central shaft (120) comprises a plurality of separate and concentric systems or units, each unit comprising a supply channel (131 or 131a) located concentrically relative to and outside an outlet channel (144 or 144a).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second circuit (14) comprises one or more deflection channels (141a, 141b), preferably having an end which joins a radial region of the container (11). ) and preferably assembled at the other end of the outlet channel (144).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain channel (s) (141a, 141b) are assembled at one end either directly at the folding wall (111) or an extension thereof.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage channel (s) (141a, 141b) are located near the second partition (114) of the container (11).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain channel (s) (141a, 141b) extend along a portion of the periphery of the container (11), preferably at an angle of at least 90 °.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the discharge channels (141a, 141b) radially collects the folding wall (111) of the container (11) at angular positions spaced along the periphery of the container (11). .

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet duct (144) is sealed.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a bearing (201) for supporting the central shaft (120) located at one of the ends (113a) while the container in the other end is supported by the folding wall (111) preferably on rollers (202).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central shaft (120) does not extend outside the container (11).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises an outlet channel (220) located on the second side partition (114) preferably concentric to the axis of rotation (12), which outlet channel is provided with a discharge opening (221).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply duct (131) is designed to allow injection of steam into the container (11) via the perforations (132).

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for filtering (7) the treatment liquid which is connected between the first circuit (13) and the second circuit (14).

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtering device (7) is arranged in a static manner relative to the rotating container (11).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third circuit intended for discharge and / or for injecting air into the container (11).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (11) comprises a perforated partition (16) separating the container (11) into two parts (17, 18), in particular a first (17). and another portion (18) positioned so that it is permeable to the treatment fluid and waste, dirt or impurities transported by the treatment fluid, the second portion (18) being designed to receive the hides or fabrics where partitions (16) allows waste, dirt and impurities to be retained within the first part (17) of the holder (11), while passage of the hides or fabrics in the first part (17) of the container (11) is not possible.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (17) of the container extends at least along a part of the periphery of the container (11).

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partition wall (15) is connected to a central shaft (120) and the folding wall (111) of the container (11).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partition (15) is perforated to enable an exchange of the treatment fluid between the chambers or compartments (11, 11a).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partition (15) is sealed.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partition (15) is provided with means for holding or controlling the hides or textile elements to be treated, such as harassment, rods or pins.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers or compartments (11, 1a) are located in an axially symmetrical manner.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough of the container and any partition wall is made of a polymeric material, preferably of polyester.