Title of Invention

A NOVEL SOLID SEPARATOR

Abstract

The solid separator of the present invention consists of a perforated, cylindrical hollow light weight container with baffles fixed in the inner periphery through out the length of the container. The container has different diameter of friction rings fixed along its exterior periphery to form a trapezoid which makes an inclination, which helps the substrates to move from front side to rear side of the container while the container rotates by producing vibrating mechanical action with the support of eccentric friction rollers having different diameters. The substrate is fed through an external loading chute fixed at the front end of the container. As the container rotates, the hide / skin is lifted up along with the baffles and falls inside the container repeatedly. The solid to be separated is collected in a collector fixed underneath the container.

Full Text

The present invention relates to a solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides. The present invention particularly relates to a solid separator for separating salt from wet or dry salted skins and hides. The present invention more particularly relates to mechanical desalting of wet or dry salted skins and hides prior to processing. This device has enormous potential application in leather industry as a mechanical remover of salts from the surface of raw hides/ skins. Desalting of salt preserved raw hides/skins is a vital operation prior to first soak in a leather processing tannery. Manual desalting is done by using wooden frame, as shown in figure-1 of the drawings accompanying this specification. Figure-1 depicts the pictorial view of the wooden frame. Hides / skin are held at its edges by two persons and is beaten twice or thrice on the frame. The operation helps to remove salt from the salted substrates. The main limitation associated with this manual separation is that it is highly tiresome and time consuming. Another important limitation associated with this manual system is that the salts separated get dispersed throughout the floor and it has to be collected. Moreover, the manual beating deteriorates the quality of the leather. The above limitations have prompted the tanners to explore better options for salt separation by using a brush type-desalting machine. In the drawings accompanying this specification figure-2 represents the parts and assembly drawing of the existing brushing machine, available for desalting skins. Different parts of figure-2 are the following: 2. refers to the brush roller 3. refers to the frame assembly 4. refers to the bearing assembly 5. refers to the to the power transmission This machine, as shown in figure-2 of the drawings accompanying this specification, consists of a brush roller (2) supported by bearings (4) to rotate smoothly by a power transmission sources (5) thereby causing rotary motion of the brush roller as per the required rotation per minute and the entire system is placed on a frame assembly (3). The machine has its own limitations. The raw material has to be fed one by one, adversely affecting the productivity. Moreover, the salts removed get dispersed and require to be collected manually, consuming lot of time. The distance between the brush rollers has to be adjusted according to the to the thickness of the raw substrates. The workers might face accident if they don't feed the raw material properly, resulting in damage of their hands. As reported by Parthasarathi and Chandrababu (Lecture notes, Refresher Training Programme for the personnel from KVIC & KVIB, CLRI, pp. 44 - 44A, 1998), an improved desalting drum has been developed by making perforated holes the periphery of the cylindrical wooden tanning drum. In the drawings accompanying this specification figure-3 represents the parts and assembly drawing of the existing desalting drum, available for dieseling of hides / skins. Different parts of figure-3 are the following: 6. refers to the wooden drum 7. refers to the perforation at the periphery of the wooden drum 8. refers to the driving mechanism 9. refers to the journal bearing 10. refers to the frame assembly This machine, as shown in figure-3, comprises of a wooden drum (6) having perforations (7) at the periphery of the drum (6) supported by bearings (9) to rotate smoothly by a power transmission sources (8) thereby causing rotary motion of the drum as per the required rotation per minute and the entire system is placed on a frame assembly (10). Much better effect resulted in more effective separation of salt from the hides /skins due to the mechanical action under dynamic condition. Rotational movement of the drum ensures that the skin / hides are first lifted up by the shelves and then allowed to fall down under gravity into the drum and the separated salt comes out from the drum through the perforated holes and fall on to the ground. Although this remover ensures that the fatigue of the workers is reduced to a great extent, thereby improving the production rate, yet the major limitations associated herewith are as follows. The salts, removed by the process, have a tendency to stick on to the raw materials and the drum again. Thus the removal of salt by this drum is not effective. This requires a proper system for collection of the substrate as well as the solid to be separated as soon as the separation is over. Moreover, as the drum gets loaded, the torque required to rotate the drum is much higher than the normal running torque. The self-weight of the drum is also high as it is made of wood. A similar situation appears in case of removing any solid substance, adhered to the surface of any other flexible substrate. In our co-pending Indian Patent application no. 2421DEL2004, an attempt has been made to remove the adhered salts in the salt cured hides/skins before subjecting the same for processing. The cured hides and skins are treated with not less than 500% w/v, of saturated sodium chloride solution for not less than 10 minutes, preferably with intermittent shaking. Saturated solution of sodium chloride contains 35.7% of sodium chloride at 0°C and 39.1% of sodium chloride at 100°C. Solubility of sodium chloride remains in the above range at a temperature in the range of 0°C - 100°C. Saturated sodium chloride solution does not take up the salt coming out of cured hides and skins and therefore slowly trickles down and settles at the bottom of the tank. The salt that has settled to the bottom of the tank is recovered through known separation methods. The recovered salt is washed with multiple changes of not less than 100% w/v of fresh saturated sodium chloride solution to remove the organic and other suspended impurities. The recovered wet salt is then dried by known methods to remove the moisture. The saturated sodium chloride medium, which becomes contaminated during washing operation of cured hides and skins is regenerated by treating with not less than 0.5% w/w, of deodorizing / decolourising compounds along with not less than 0.1% w/w, of alkali metal salt, selected from carbonate, bicarbonates or hydroxide for a period of not less than half an hour followed by separation by known method for further use. No prior art is available on any device providing facility for simultaneous separation and collection of the solids to be separated out and also the flexible substrate to be subjected to separation. The main objective of the present inventions is to provide a solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, which obviates the limitations as stated above. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device exhibiting provision for automatic unloading of the salt removed stock. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a single perforated vessel system exhibiting eccentric rotary motion to facilitates vibration effect for better mechanical agitation. Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a solid remover that ensures that the salts are collected properly thereby reducing the wastages. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device that ensure that the loaded stock with salt has to travel from front side of the vessel to the rear side of the vessel automatically for unloading the purified stock and simultaneously collecting the salt separately. The solid separator of the present invention useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, consists of a perforated, cylindrical hollow light weight container with baffles fixed in the inner periphery through out the length of the container. The container has different diameter of friction rings fixed along its exterior periphery to form a trapezoid which makes an inclination, which helps the substrates to move from front side to rear side of the container while the container rotates by producing vibrating mechanical action with the support of eccentric friction rollers having different diameters. The substrate is fed through an external loading chute fixed at the front end of the container. As the container rotates, the hide / skin is lifted up along with the baffles and falls inside the container repeatedly. The solid to be separated is collected in a collector fixed underneath the container. In the drawings accompanying this specification figure-4 shows the isometric view of the novel solid separator of the present invention. Different parts of the novel solid separator of the present invention as shown in figure-4 are the following: 11. refers to the perforated container 12. a. refers to the friction ring of bigger diameter 12.b. refers to the friction ring of smaller diameter 13. refers to the baffle 14. refers to the loading chute 15. refers to the salt collector 16. refers to the eccentric friction roller(s) of unequal diameters 17. refers to the bearing and housing 18. refers to the power transmission assembly 19. refers to the connecting shaft 20. refers to the frame assembly. The solid separator of the present invention useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, as shown in figure-4 of the drawings consists of a perforated cylindrical hollow container (11) open on both ends, provided with one or more baffles (13) fitted to the inner surface along the length of the container (11). The container periphery along its length having perforations sieve the solid to be separated out. The each of the end periphery of the container (11) being encapsulated with two circular friction rings (12a & 12b) having unequal external diameter. Positioning of rings and the difference in diameter of the rings being able to result in an inclination of the container (11). The angle of inclination being not more than the tangent inverse of the coefficient of friction of the substrates with respect to the container material. The side of the container (11) corresponding to the friction disc of greater external diameter (12a) being provided with a loading chute (14), fitted to the frame assembly (20), to facilitate loading of the substrate to be subjected to solid separation. The said two friction rings (12a & 12b) being placed on eccentric friction rollers (16) of unequal diameters. The rollers (16) being rotated through the connecting shafts (19) supported by bearing and housing (17). The power to the connecting shafts (19) being provided from a transmission source (18) such as an electric motor, enabling rotary cum vibratory motion to the container (11) resulting in the separation of the solid during the movement of the substrates through the baffles (13) till its collection at the other end of the container (11). The separated solid being collected in a collector (15) provided between the container (11) and the bearing and housing (17). The entire system being placed on a frame assembly (20). Accordingly the present invention provides a solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, which comprises in combination an open ended perforated cylindrical hollow container, baffle(s), friction rings of unequal diameters, eccentric friction roller(s) of unequal diameters, power transmission assembly, connecting shaft, bearing and housing, chute, salt collector and frame assembly; characterized in that the open ended perforated cylindrical hollow container being provided with one or more baffles fixed in the inner periphery through out the length of the container; the said container being also provided with unequal diameter friction rings fixed along its exterior end peripheries; the said friction rings being placed on rotatable eccentric unequal diameter friction rollers connected to a power transmission assembly through means such as connecting shaft, bearing and housing; the said container being provided at the larger opening end with an external loading chute, a salt collector fixed underneath and the entire combination being placed on a frame assembly. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sieve size of the peripheral perforations on the cylindrical hollow container is more than the particle size of the solid to be separated out. In another embodiment of the present invention, the container being provided with unequal diameter friction rings fixed along its exterior end peripheries to form a trapezoid which makes an inclination. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the angle of. inclination being not more than the tangent inverse of the coefficient of friction of the substrates with respect to the container material. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the diameter to length of the cylindrical container is in the range of 0.8 :1 to 0.8:1.5. In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the difference of diameters of the two unequal friction rollers is in the range of 30 to 50 mm. In a further another embodiment of the present invention, the power transmission source is such as an electric motor having variable speed electric drive capable of providing rotational speed to the cylindrical container in the range of 8 to 20 r.p.m. In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the bearing used is such as self-aligned ball bearing, journal-bearing assembly. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, which consists of a perforated cylindrical hollow container (11) open on both ends, provided with one or more baffles (13) fitted to the inner surface along the length of the container (11), the said cylindrical container (11) end peripheries being encapsulated with two circular friction rings (12a & 12b) having unequal external diameter; the side of the container (11) corresponding to the friction disc of greater external diameter (12a) being provided with a loading chute (14), fitted to the frame assembly (20); the said two friction discs being placed on eccentric friction rollers (16) mounted on connecting shafts (19) supported by bearing and housing (17) and rotatable by means of power transmission source (18); between the said container (11) and the said bearing and housing (17) being provided a collector (15); the entire system being placed on a frame assembly (20). The solid separator of the present invention is made of material such as non-corrosive stainless steel, chemical resistant fiberglass reinforced polymer, seasoned wood. The material used for friction disk, friction roller is such as stainless steel, mild steel, cast iron, teflon, nytrile rubber. The solid separator of the present invention is described below in detail with reference to figure-4 of the drawings: The solid separator consists of a cylindrical container (11) open on both ends. The ratio of the diameter to length of the cylindrical container is in the range of 0.8 : to 0.8 : 1.5. It is provided with one or more baffles (13) fitted to the inner surface along the length of the container (11). The container periphery along its length has perforations to sieve the solid to be separated out. The perforated periphery of the container (11) is encapsulated with two circular friction rings having unequal external diameter (12a & 12b). The difference of diameters of the two unequal friction rollers is in the range of 30 to 50 mm. The positioning of discs and the difference in diameter of the rings enable the container to remain in an inclined position, in such a way that the angle of inclination of the container (11) is not more than the tangent inverse of the coefficient of friction of the substrates with respect to the container material. The side of the container (11) corresponding to the friction ring of greater external diameter (12a) is provided with a chute (14), which is fitted to the frame assembly (20) to facilitate loading of the substrate to be subjected to solid separation. The two friction rings are placed on eccentric friction rollers (16), which rotate through the connecting shafts (19) supported by bearing and housing (17). The power drive is from a transmission source (18) enabling rotary cum vibratory motion to the container (11) to facilitate the separation of the solid during the movement of the substrates through the baffles (13) till its collection at the other end of the container (11). The cylindrical container rotates at a speed in the range of 8 to 20 r.p.m. The separated solid is collected in a collector (15), which is provided between 10 the container (11) and the bearing and housing (17). The entire system is placed on a frame assembly (20). In the solid separator of the present invention which is useful for separating solid particles such as salt adhering to any flexible substrate such as wet or dry salted raw skins and hides, the essential constructional features are: 1. A perforated cylindrical container open on both ends to sieve the solid to be separated out from impure flexible substrates. 2. The container is having one or more baffles fitted to the inner surface along the length of it. 3. The perforated periphery of the container is encapsulated with two circular friction discs having unequal external diameter. 4. The side of the container corresponding to the friction disc of greater external diameter is provided with a chute, which is fitted to the frame assembly to facilitate loading of the substrate to be subjected to solid separation. 5. The two friction rings being placed on eccentric friction rollers, which rotate through the connecting shafts supported by bearing and housing. 6. The connecting shafts, bearing and housing. Out of the above essential constructional features of the solid separator of the present invention, the features present in the hitherto known device are: (a) Perforated cylindrical container is used in desalting drum. (b) The connecting shafts, bearing and housing are used in Brush type separator. 11 The non-obvious constructional features present in the solid separator of the present invention are : 1. Baffles fitted to the inner surface along the length of it. 2. The perforated periphery of the container is encapsulated with two circular friction rings having unequal external diameter. 3. Chute fitted to the frame assembly to facilitate loading of the substrate. 4. The two friction rings of unequal diameters being placed on eccentric friction rollers. The novelty of the solid separator of the present invention are: 1. The solid separator of the present invention is useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as from wet or dry salted skins and hides. 2. The device reduces the stress and strain on workers. 3. By utilizing one single motor three operations are carried out simultaneously. a) Removing unwanted solid particles from the flexible substrates. b) Translation of flexible substrates from front end to rear end. c) Automatic collection of separated solid particles and unloading of purified flexible substrates. d) Single transmission unit has been utilized for the following three different operations: (i) Eccentric rotation of the perforated container, (ii) Removal of solid particles. (iii) Movement of the substrates from front end to the rear end helping in unloading to get purified substrate. 12 The non-obvious Inventive step(s) / constructional features, which enable realization of the novelty are: (i) Eccentric rotation of the perforated container, removal of solid particles and movement of the substrates from front end to the rear end help in unloading purified substrates and are operated by a single transmission unit. (ii) The two circular friction rings having unequal external diameter, positioned in such a way as to enable simultaneous separation as well as collection of the solid to be separated and the substrate to be subjected to separation without involvement of any manual operations. The inventiveness of the present invention lies in providing two circular friction rings having unequal external diameter positioned in such a way as to enable simultaneous separation as well as collection of the solid to be separated and the substrate to be subjected to separation without involvement of any manual operations. The following examples are given by way of illustration only and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. Example-1 15 nos. of salted Goatskin pieces of weight 1200 grams were considered for desalting. The container used was made from wood. The friction rollers made of cast iron. These rollers were held in position by stainless steel shaft mounted on journal bearings. The power transmission was through belt drive mechanism. The mode of power transmission was 13 manual. The container was rotated at 10 rpm and the skins dropped into the container through a chute. The material rotated for half revolution and fell inside the container itself. This resulted in the removal of salt. The salt removed was collected in a collector and are drained out for reuse.The desalted skins were weighed and found to be 825 grams. The salt removed was 375 grams. Example-2 20 nos. of Cowhides pieces were taken for desalting. Its weight was found to be 2350 grams. Non-corrosive stainless steel was the material used for the fabrication of the container. The container rested on friction rollers made of nytrile rubber. Shafts made of mild steel and held by self aligning ball bearing held the rollers. A conventional power transmission was used with the help of gear drives. The container was made to rotate at 8 rpm. The material dropped into the container through a chute and got rotated for half revolution and fell inside the container. This resulted in the removal of salt, with the desalted hides weighing 1900 grams. The salt removed was found to be 450 grams. The salt removed was collected in a collector and drained out for reuse. Example-3 25 nos. of Calfskin pieces were taken for desalting. Its weight was found to be 2500 grams. The container was made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer. Friction rollers made of cast iron supports the container. Self-aligning ball bearing held the shafts made of mild shaft on which the rollers are fixed. The conventional power transmission was done with chain drives. The container was rotated at 8 rpm. The material was dropped into the container through a chute and got rotated for half revolution and fell inside the container, resulting in the removal of salt. 14 The desalted calfskins weighed 2000 grams. The salt removed was found to be 500 grams. The salt removed gets collected in a collector and are drained out for reuse. The main advantages of the present invention are the following: 1. Raw materials can be dropped through the chute and the desalted material is collected at the rear end, thereby reducing the fatigue involved in manual desalting. 2. The removed salts are collected separately with out any wastage in a collector. 3. The percentage of salt removed is very high, when compared to other methods. 4. Single transmission unit has been utilized for the following three different operations: (i) Eccentric rotation of the perforated container. (ii) Removal of solid particles. (iii) Movement of the substrates from front end to the rear end helping in unloading to get purified substrates.. We claim: 1. A solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, which comprises in combination an open ended perforated cylindrical hollow container, baffle(s), friction rings of unequal diameters, eccentric friction roller(s) of unequal diameters, power transmission assembly, connecting shaft, bearing and housing, chute, salt collector and frame assembly; characterized in that the open ended perforated cylindrical hollow container being provided with one or more baffles fixed in the inner periphery through out the length of the container; the said container being also provided with unequal diameter friction rings fixed along its exterior end peripheries; the said friction rings being placed on rotatable eccentric unequal diameter friction rollers connected to a power transmission assembly through means such as connecting shaft, bearing and housing; the said container being provided at the larger opening end with an external loading chute, a salt collector fixed underneath and the entire combination being placed on a frame assembly. 2. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve size of the peripheral perforations on the cylindrical hollow container is more than the particle size of the solid to be separated out. 3. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein the container being provided with unequal diameter friction rings fixed along its exterior end peripheries to form a trapezoid which makes an inclination. 4. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein the angle of inclination being not more than the tangent inverse of the coefficient of friction of the substrates with respect to the container material. 5. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein the ratio of the diameter to length of the cylindrical container is in the range of 0.8 :1 to 0.8:1.5. 6. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein the difference of diameters of the two unequal friction rollers is in the range of 30 to 50 mm. 7. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-6, wherein the power transmission source is such as an electric motor having variable speed electric drive capable of providing rotational speed to the cylindrical container in the range of 8 to 20 r.p.m. 8. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-8, wherein the bearing used is such as self-aligned ball bearing, journal-bearing assembly. 9. A solid separator as claimed in claim 1-9, wherein is provided a solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, which consists of a perforated cylindrical hollow container (11) open on both ends, provided with one or more baffles (13) fitted to the inner surface along the length of the container (11), the said cylindrical container (11) end peripheries being encapsulated with two circular friction rings (12a & 12b) having unequal external diameter; the side of the container (11) corresponding to the friction disc of greater external diameter (12a) being provided with a loading chute (14), fitted to the frame assembly (20); the said two friction discs being placed on eccentric friction rollers (16) mounted on connecting shafts (19) supported by bearing and housing (17) and rotatable by means of power transmission source (18); between the said container (11) and the said bearing and housing (17) being provided a collector (15); the entire system being placed on a frame assembly (20). 10. A solid separator useful for separating solid particles from any flexible substrate such as skins and hides, substantially as herein described with reference to the examples and drawings accompanying the specification.

Documents:

788-del-2006-abstract.pdf

788-del-2006-Claims-(30-09-2013).pdf

788-del-2006-claims.pdf

788-del-2006-Correspondence Others-(30-09-2013).pdf

788-del-2006-correspondence-others.pdf

788-del-2006-description (complete).pdf

788-del-2006-description (provisional).pdf

788-del-2006-drawings.pdf

788-del-2006-form-1.pdf

788-del-2006-form-2.pdf

788-del-2006-Form-3-(30-09-2013).pdf

788-del-2006-form-3.pdf

788-del-2006-form-5.pdf