Abstract: A method of treating a substrate with a solid particulate material and a treatment liquor comprising: agitating the substrate with said solid particulate material and said treatment liquor; and (a) separating the substrate from effluent comprising solid waste fragments derived from the substrate, said solid particulate material and the treatment liquor; (b) transferring said effluent to a hydrocyclone separator comprising an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, wherein the effluent is fed into the hydrocyclone separator via the inlet; (c) separating the effluent in the hydrocyclone separator to produce a first stream and a second stream, wherein the first stream comprises said solid particulate material and exits the hydrocyclone separator via the first outlet and wherein the second stream comprises treatment liquor and solid waste fragments and exits the hydrocyclone separator via the second outlet; and (d) collecting the first stream after it exits the hydrocyclone separator via the first outlet.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate with a solid particulate material and a treatment liquor comprising: agitating the substrate with said solid particulate material and said treatment liquor; and (a) separating the substrate from effluent comprising solid waste fragments derived from the substrate, said solid particulate material and the treatment liquor; (b) transferring said effluent to a hydrocyclone separator comprising an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, wherein the effluent is fed into the hydrocyclone separator via the inlet; (c) separating the effluent in the hydrocyclone separator to produce a first stream and a second stream, wherein the first stream comprises said solid particulate material and exits the hydrocyclone separator via the first outlet and wherein the second stream comprises treatment liquor and solid waste fragments and exits the hydrocyclone separator via the second outlet; and (d) collecting the first stream after it exits the hydrocyclone separator via the first outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the treatment of animal skin substrates which employs a multiplicity of solid particles.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in the treatment of at least one substrate with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising: a) a housing (20) in which a drum (40) is rotatably mounted; b) a door (60) moveable between an open position wherein the at least one substrate can be placed in the drum and a closed position wherein the apparatus is substantially sealed; c) a separator (100) mounted in the door, wherein the separator comprises a perforated portion; d) a flow pathway pipe (110) mounted on or in the housing, wherein the flow pathway pipe comprises an outlet (140); and e) pumping means (210) configured to pump treatment liquor and a multiplicity of solid particles from a first location through the flow pathway pipe and out of the outlet towards the separator; wherein the separator is arranged to direct the multiplicity of solid particles into the drum and wherein the separator is further arranged to direct a portion of the treatment liquor to a location other than the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovery of a solid particulate material from an animal skin substrate subjected to a treatment using said particulate material, comprises a support arranged to support the animal skin substrate, at least one air knife arranged to direct its output flow of air to the animal skin substrate when supported on the support, and a transport arrangement configured to move at least one of the air knife and the animal substrate relative to the other. A method of recovering solid particulate material from such an animal skin substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the treatment of animal skin substrates which employs a multiplicity of solid particles.