# US 2018/0023151 A1 · Method for Processing Skins

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- Number: US 2018/0023151 A1
- Document ID: US20180023151A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/516,532
- Filed: 2015-10-01
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-01
- Inventors: Piet VAN QUATHEM; Frank VANCAUWENBERGHE
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023151A1

## CPC

- C14C 1/02: Curing raw hides
- C14C: CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF HIDES, SKINS OR LEATHER, e.g. TANNING, IMPREGNATING, FINISHING; APPARATUS THEREFOR; COMPOSITIONS FOR TANNING (bleaching of leather or furs D06L; dyeing of leather or furs D06P)

## Abstract

A method for processing skin, the method comprising freezing of the skin before freeze-drying this, freeze-drying of the skin and application of an impregnation material into the freeze-dried skin.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-16. (canceled)

### Claim 17

A method for processing skin, the method comprising:
freezing of the skin before freeze-drying this,
freeze-drying of the skin,
application of an impregnation material into the freeze-dried skin.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the freeze-drying takes place at a temperature between −20° C. and −180° C.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the skin is cooled by being dipped in liquid nitrogen.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the skin is freeze-dried at a temperature which is at least 10° C. colder than the temperature of the skin at the start of freeze-drying.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the freeze-drying takes place at a pressure lower than 15 mbar.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the freeze-drying takes place until the residual fraction of moisture in the skin is less than 8% of the total weight of the skin before freeze-drying.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the impregnation material is applied in a bath, where applicable under pressure, and/or wherein the impregnation material is applied by atomisation onto the skin, and/or wherein the impregnation material is applied by rubbing onto the skin, and/or wherein the impregnation material is applied via a foam application to the skin.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein after application of the impregnation material, the impregnated skin is pressed.

### Claim 25 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the duration of the freeze-drying is reduced by lowering the low pressure or by accelerating the cooling.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the impregnation material is applied at the latest 2 hours.

### Claim 27 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the skin is clamped before being freeze-dried.

### Claim 28 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the impregnation material comprises one or more of the following components: acrylates, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyurethanes, silicone material, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl chlorides, synthetic resins, starch derivatives, oils, natural resins, natural waxes.

### Claim 29 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein functional agents such as colourings, fragrances and/or an acrylate dispersion are added to the impregnation material.

### Claim 30 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, applied to a skin with a thickness between 200 and 1000 microns.

### Claim 31 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein the skin is soaked before being frozen.

### Claim 32 (depends on 17)

A skin processed using a method according to claim 17.