Abstract: The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for processing animal hides in a meat processing facility. In one embodiment, the system the system includes a grading station for determining hide grades, a measuring station for determining at least one hide dimension of the animal hide, a hide folding station, a stacking station adapted to deposit hides at a plurality of stacking sites, a conveyor system and a control system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for processing animal hides in a meat processing facility. In one embodiment, the system the system includes a grading station for determining hide grades, a measuring station for determining at least one hide dimension of the animal hide, a hide folding station, a stacking station adapted to deposit hides at a plurality of stacking sites, a conveyor system and a control system.

Abstract: A method of handling skins or hides having a central line of increased thickness along the back of the skin or hide between a tail end portion and a front end portion comprises displacing the skin or hide to a workstation by means of two clamping pincers on a handling apparatus, in accordance with the following sequence of steps: the skin or hide is engaged at its tail and front portions by the pincers; the pincers are moved away from each other in order to put the skin or hide under tension along the backline of the hide; the skin or hide is raised so as to allow it to fold along the backline while it hangs freely; the skin or hide is then displaced to a workstation while hanging in the folded position; the folded skin or hide is then laid out flat under tension on a reception plane at the workstation; and the pincers are released from the tail and front portions of the skin or hide.

Abstract: An apparatus for tentering a hide including endless tentering mats (1, 2) driven along continuous upper and lower paths. The mats (1, 2) are pressed together over a portion of the continuous path by compressed air. A stretching assembly that grips the mat edges is used to continuously stretch the portions of the mats that are pressed together as they advance. An endless wire (5) is used to feed hides into the nip between the mats (1, 2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of treating workpieces consisting of hides, skins, pieces of leather or the like and is characterized by subjecting the workpiece in conjunction with a drying operation to lateral and longitudinal stretching by way of a stretching operation which comprises extension of an elastic conveyor belt on which the workpiece is conveyed. The invention also relates to machine units which can be assembled to form complete treating plants and each of which is equipped with an elastic conveyor belt for conveyance of the workpiece and with apparatus for providing, by extension and bending of the conveyor belt, a stretching and softening treatment of the workpiece, and preferably also with apparatus for drying or remoistening the workpiece.

Abstract: An overload security system for a leather staking machine is disclosed. The system employs a disk spring package in order to release the staking plates from their predetermined positions when a certain critical pressure is exceeded. The position of the staking plates is adjustable for different qualities of leather or different intensities of staking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proportionally stretching a skin in multiple directions from the center of the skin. The degree of stretching is proportional to the distance of the periphery of the skin from its center. The skin is clamped at its periphery to multiple perforated pivotable plates which stretch the skin upon contact with a cover member. The cover member hermetically seals the skins whereupon a subatmospheric pressure is applied thereto at a temperature below 75.degree. C.

Abstract: A cover sheet is disposed over a recess in a work table. A folding apparatus, including an edge folder and edge erector is disposed over the recess and lowered until the edge erector is in the recess. The edge erector includes horizontally movable plates which are moved outwardly against the edges of the recess to erect the marginal edges of the sheet. The edge folder has downwardly depending, horizontally moving members. The edge folder is lowered until the members touch the work table after which the members are moved inwardly to fold the erected marginal edges of the sheet horizontally over the plates. The plates are then withdrawn while the edge folder members are maintained in contact with the folded marginal edges, and high frequency heat applied to weld the folded marginal edges to the sheet. After the welding is completed the edge erector and edge folder are raised to their initial position and the members are returned to their outward positions.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, flexibilizing or softening leather or like materials wherein opposite marginal regions or lines of at least one area section of the piece of material to be worked and extending at least partially over such piece of material are moved periodically in relation to each other. This relative movement comprises or consists of a movement component directed parallel to the plane of said piece of material. This can be achieved by means of at least two tools moved appropriately in relation to each other and acting on the material by imposing an alternating deformation thereon comprising a movement component parallel to the plane of the piece of material.

Abstract: A machine for processing flat, flexible articles, such as leather, to soften them. The machine utilizes a pair of opposed undulating surfaced processing members having an advance and return movement superimposed on an up and down movement. The opposed processing members are disposed on each side of the article to be processed, and soften the article, as well as move the article along between the processing members.

Abstract: This invention relates to machines for softening leather, commonly referred to as staking machines, of the type in which leather to be staked is passed between opposed interengageable processing elements the distance between which is periodically increased and decreased by relative movement of the processing elements. The leather is staked by the action of the processing elements as they approach their minimum distance apart. The construction of the machine is such that the processing elements both execute a periodic motion around closed paths e.g. circular paths. The movements of the two processing elements around their closed paths are mechanically synchronized. Thus, the leather is processed and is simultaneously transported by the movement of the processing elements.