Abstract: A method for preserving hides, skins and pelts prior to tanning, without salt-curing. The hides are fatliquored, pickled and dried, all prior to tanning. The method may include the preliminary steps of washing, fleshing, liming and unhairing followed by the steps of fatliquoring, deliming, bating, pickling and drying. The method avoids the environmental damage caused by salt-curing. The treated hides are dry, flexible and readily rehydrated for further processing.

Abstract: A substituted acylaminopolyorganosiloxane (A) is a polyorganosiloxane containing substituted acylamino groups linked to silicon atoms of the polysiloxane skeleton via alkylene bridges or mono- or oligo-[alkylene-amino or alkylene-(substituted acyl)amino]-alkylene bridges. The alkylene contains 2-4 carbon atoms and the substituted acylamino groups are at least in part of formula and for the remaining part are selected from substituted acylamino groups of the formulae in which: X1 signifies hydrogen or the group —SO3?M+, X2 signifies hydrogen or the group —SO3?M+, with the proviso that one of X1 and X2 is —SO3?M+ and the other is hydrogen, R signifies C2-6-alkylene or cyclohexylene, and M+ signifies an alkali metal or ammonium cation. The substituted acylaminopolyorganosiloxane (A) and compositions thereof, in the presence of non-ionic or/and anionic surfactants (B), can be used as fat liquoring agents for fat-liquoring of animal hides, skins or pelts.

Abstract: Process for the production of leather, wherein pelts, pickled pelts or semifinished products are treated with at least one copolymer (A) which is obtainable by copolymerization of the following comonomers: (a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated C3-C10-carboxylic acid or at least one ethylenically unsaturated C4-C10-dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride, (b) at least one (meth)acrylate of an ?-branched C3-C10-alkanol, (c) at least one (meth)acrylate of a primary C4-C20-alkanol.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for decreasing and/or drying skins which comprises contacting the skins to be degreased and/or dried with one or more extractor solvents which are able to dissolve both fat and water. Preferably, the extractor solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether (DME), methylal, dioxolane, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol. Most preferably, the extractor solvent is DME.

Abstract: A semifinished leather product is produced from an animal hide by pretanning with the use of a chromium-free tanning agent and of a clay mineral which, after stirring for 30 minutes in water at 50° C. at a circumferential rotor speed of from 5 to 25 m/s, has a number average particle diameter of less than 2 ?m or a bimodal particle size distribution with a first, finely divided fraction whose number average particle diameter is less than 0.5 ?m and a second, coarser fraction whose number average particle diameter is less than 5 ?m, determined in each case by the method according to ISO 13320-1, by combined laser light diffraction and light scattering, a proportion of the first, finely divided fraction being from 10 to 90% by weight, and drying of the pretanned animal hide to a water content of from 5 to 45%, based on the total weight of the semifinished leather product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatliquoring agents for leathers, skins or hides, which contain neutral halogen-free organic phosphorus compounds, and the use of such fatliquoring agents for the flame-retardant treatment of leather and a process for fatliquoring in the production of flame-retardant leather, skin or hides.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for decreasing and/or drying skins which comprises contacting the skins to be degreased and/or dried with one or more extractor solvents which are able to dissolve both fat and water. Preferably, the extractor solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether (DME), methylal, dioxolane, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol. Most preferably, the extractor solvent is DME.

Abstract: Horny substances are removed from hides, pelts or skins of dead animals by treating the hides, pelts or skins in aqueous liquor with one or more compounds of the formula I or their corresponding alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts or ammonium or phosphonium salts, the variables being defined as follows: R1 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C12-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more S—H or O—H groups; X1 to X4 are identical or different and are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, O—H, S—H and N—HR2, R2 is hydrogen or C1-C12-alkyl or a C1-C4-Alkyl-C?O group, at least one radical X1 to X4 being S—H when R1 contains at least one sulfur atom and at least two radicals X1 to X4 being S—H when R1 contains no sulfur atom.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of active compound combinations containing phenolic active compounds and fungicidal active compounds for preserving animal hides and leather.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for lime- and sulfide-free unhairing of skins/hides using animal and/or herbal (plant) enzymes. The process comprises presoaking the skins or hides in water for 2–6 hours, pasting an enzyme solution of animal or plant origin on the flesh or grain side of the skins/hides and leaving the solution on the skins/hides for 10–24 h at a temperature ranging from 10° C. to 60° C. The soaking liquor is removed and the hides/skins to a bath of water containing 1 to 15% of enzyme for unhairing, with or without intermittent shaking, while maintaining the pH of the bath liquor at 4.5–10.0 for 12–24 h at ambient temperature. The skins/hides are then unhaired for further processing. The total elimination of lime and sulfide in the unhairing process leads to reduced TDS (total dissolved solids), BOD (biological oxygen demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) in the effluent without affecting the collagen of the skin/hide or the grain pattern.

Abstract: Agents for the fatliquoring of, in particular, leathers and hides tanned in the absence of chromium comprise A) at least one modified natural oil and B) at least one stabilizer LnR where Ra is H or methyl, Rb is methyl, ethyl or tert-butyl, Rc is methyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl or methylcyclohexyl, R is an n-valent C3- to C30-hydrocarbon radical which is unsubstituted or substituted and/or contains hetero atoms and n is an integer from 1 to 10, the stabilizer LnR having altogether at least 20, in particular altogether at least 28, carbon atoms, and, where n is 2, —R— also being —S—, —O—, —N(H)—, —CH2—, —(CH2)2—, —CH(CH3)—, —CH2)3—, —CH(C2H5)— or —C(CH3)2—. The novel fatliquoring agents are used in leather production and/or leather treatment, and leather is produced and/or treated using aqueous dispersions of these fatliquoring agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of superabsorbent (co)polymers (SAP) as an agent for preservation treatment of animal hides. The SAP is used preferably in conjunction with salt or other hygroscopic agent, in particular 50% NaCl/50% SAP by weight. Suitably treated hides are obtained in 24 hours and one-half less salt is used in comparison to the prior art, disadvantages such as surface brine, salt in slaughterhouse waste, and others being eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-step method for dehydrating biological tissues for producing preserved transplants. In a first step, the tissue is partially dehydrated with an organic, water-miscible solvent. In a second step, the tissue is dehydrated further by freeze drying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suede-like sheet which is characterized in that, in a suede-like sheet comprising primarily ultrafine fiber of no more than 0.3 dtex and polyurethane, said polyurethane employs polymer diol containing 30 wt % to 90 wt % polycarbonate diol, said sheet contains from 20 wt % to 60 wt % of said polyurethane, the average nap length is 300 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m, and the percentage retention of the local fatigue resistance before and after an accelerated ageing treatment is at least 50%, and it also relates to a method for the preparation of a suede-like sheet which is characterized in that, in the production of a suede-like sheet comprising a nonwoven fabric of ultrafine fibre of no more than 0.3 dtex and a polyurethane which employs polymer diol containing 30 wt % to 90 wt % polycarbonate diol, a buffing treatment is carried out after applying an antistatic agent to the sheet.

Abstract: A material is impregnated into leather by incorporating the material into micro-capsules and then applying said micro-capsules to said leather material by means of a suitable process. A roller coating process is described in which the material is applied to a roller under which said leather material passes whilst compressed. Alternatively, the micro-capsules may be applied to said leather by drumming-in in a wet process.

Abstract: Leather is tanned by cross-linking collagen with tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or a condensate of a tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt with an amide or amine in a main tannage or retannage.

Abstract: Collagen membranes are formed from porcine rinds (i.e., pig skins) for us in a variety of applications and, most preferably, for wrapping food products, such as hams and the like. First, after removing skins from the porcine, the skins are promptly frozen. In later processing, the rinds are thawed and then enzymatically defatted. Then, a quick alkalinic hydrolyzation is performed on the rinds. Then, an acidic hydrolyzation is performed on the rinds. The rinds are then ground into a gel-like fluid mass. Finally, the fluid mass is extruded, sheeted and dried into a collagen membrane. The collagen membrane produced can be, in preferred embodiments, used for wrapping food products, such as hams.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved hide-curing additive comprising an effective biocidal amount of an essential oil and a non-ionic surfactant. The improved additive provides an effective cure for the hides, is environmentally safe and economical.

Abstract: A method for producing leather generally including the steps of: (a) providing wet blue, full grain skins, (b) applying a liquid chrome solution to the skins while at a pH of 3.5 or lower, (c) raising the pH level of the skins to at least approximately 6.0 or above, (d) retaining the skins with a vegetable tanning agent, (e) introducing the skins to a dye bath, (f) introducing lubricants into the dye bath, (g) fixing the dyestuff and lubricants in the skins while reducing the pH level to the range of 3.3-3.8, (g) introducing the skins to a second dye bath, (h) fixing the dyestuff while reducing the pH level to a range of 3.0-3.5, (i) introducing the skins to a float containing a waterproofing agent, (j) fixing the waterproofing agent while reducing the pH level to approximately 3.0, (k) capping the skins to remove emulsifiers, and (1) introducing the skins to a bath containing flame resistant agents.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of hides and skins (3). The hide or skin is placed on a support (1, 2) and sealed to the support around the edges of the skin or hide. A treatment liquor is then supplied under pressure between the skin or hide and the support to distend and stretch the skin or hide to permit the more rapid penetration of the treatment liquor into the skin or hide.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of combinations of active compounds composed of phenolic active compounds and azole compounds for the preservation of animal hides and leather.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aqueous formulation for pretanning leather, which formulation comprises (a) a reductive saccharide having a dextrose equivalent of 10 to 100, and (b) an aliphatic dialdehyde containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and which is devoid of mineral salts. The leather treated with the novel aqueous composition (wet white leather) is eminently suitable for further processing, especially for the manufacture of leathers which are devoid of heavy metals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved hide-curing additive comprising an effective biocidal amount of an essential oil and a non-ionic surfactant. The improved additive provides an effective cure for the hides, is environmentally safe and economical.