Method and apparatus for the washing of feathers and removing of extraneous material

Abstract

Washing system (1) suitable for continuous processing, for the pre-treatment of keratinaceous material, preferably feathers, hair or wool. The washing system (1) comprises an infeed device (2) for feeding the keratinaceous material to the washing system (1) and a washing space (3) for washing the keratinaceous material with an aqueous washing liquid. A washing liquid system for supplying and extracting the washing liquid to and from the washing space (3) is comprised in the washing system (1). The washing space (3) comprises a sinking zone wherein material with a higher density than the washing fiquid sinks below the keratinaccous material. An extracting system (8) is placed at the bottom of the sinking zone (6) for extracting the material with a higher density than the washing liquid. Furthermore, at least one washing structure (4) that sloshes the washing liquid and/or causes turbulence in the washing liquid is present in the washing space (3). Finally, an outfeed device (9) is provided for extracting the keratinaceous material from the washing system (1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.