Patent Grant
10865456
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to a system for drying a pelt and comprising a drying unit and a pelt board. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a drying unit, a pelt board and further adaptors for use with a drying unit.
In the drying of pelts, e.g. mink or fox pelt, after skinning and scraping off the layer of fat on the leather side of the pelt, the pelts are typically stretched on a pelt board which is often provided with a fat-absorbing material with the object of removing the remaining fat on the leather side of the pelt.
The use of pelt boards in connection with the drying of pelts is well known in the prior art and there has in the past been developed a great number of configurations of such pelt boards. There has also been established a standard of pelt sizes and thus also of pelt boards.
The most widespread pelt boards in the past were made of wood, and may in short be described as a flat piece of wood defining a longitudinal direction and having in the longitudinal direction a first broadside surface, a second broadside surface, a first narrow side surface and a second narrow side surface. One end of the board, the bottom end, is cut off at right angles to the longitudinal direction. The lower end adjacent the bottom has a constant breadth, which breadth gradually decreases towards a pointed and rounded end approaching the top end of the board. Such boards typically also have a longitudinal slot for allowing air to pass.
The drying procedure of the pelt shall be understood to be a drying-out of the leather side of the pelt to an extent which by experience prevents any attack on the pelt by mites. The drying process is typically effected by the blowing of dry air in the slot on the board via pipes which are introduces into the slot, where via the perforations in the walls of the pelt bag the dry air is diffused out of the leather side of the pelt and dries the pelt.
From WO 01/62985 is known a bag shaped holster, which is referred to as a fixing bag, which is used for securing the pelts on a pelt board during the drying process. The fixing bag is drawn over the board with the stretched pelt from the cranium end of the pelt so that the fur side of the pelt is in tight contact with the fur, which results in the pelt being pressed against the board with a force which is sufficient for the pelt to remain substantially in the stretched position during the drying.
Further prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,963 in which a pelt board comprising a flat body of sheet metal having perforations therein and beads along the sides is disclosed.
In WO 2005/026394 is disclosed a pelt board which is lockable in a position, in which it has a first circumference and can also assume a position in which it has a second circumference being smaller than the first circumference by displacing opposing half parts in relation to each other. This results in a considerably easier removal of the pelt from the pelt board.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,110,016 relates to a pelt board having a pair of longitudinal legs and a nose piece located there between.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,967 relates to a pelt drying system including an air conditioning unit for supplying temperature controlled air to a number of manifolds having nozzles onto which the pelt drying frames are attached.
WO 82/03634 relates to a pelting board of non-absorbing plastics having a plurality of channels near its edges to supply drying air to the edges of the board so that the pelt dry evenly and stick less often to the board.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,038 relates to a pelt drying frame comprising opposite side rods joined at a nose over which frame a pelt may be drawn and held taut.
DK 2012 70519 A1 relates to a pelt board has a lower part and an upper part. The lower part has an outer cross section circumference which is substantially constant and the upper part has an outer cross section which is gradually decreasing.
DK 2013 00091 U4 relates to a pelt board has a lower part and an upper part. The lower part has an outer cross section circumference, which is substantially constant and the upper part has an outer cross section which is gradually decreasing. The lower part extends between 36 cm and 50 cm.
DK 177480 B1 discloses a pelt board having two broad elongated side surfaces. The pelt board comprises expansion means defining a narrow elongated side surface extending between side edges of the broad side surfaces. The expansion means are movable between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.
Some of the above pelt boards have an outer circumference made up of opposing non-movable surfaces and opposing movable surfaces. Pelt boards having this variable circumference for simplifying the removal of the pelt after drying are thus known in the prior art. The pelt boards are thus expanded during the drying process. As the pelt is fixated firmly during drying and may shrink slightly, the pelts may be difficult to remove from the pelt boards. Further, the pelts are typically fixated in a stretched state, thus increasing the pressure of the pelt onto the pelt board. By reducing the circumference of the pelt board, the pelt will be easier to remove from the pelt board.
However, the pelt boards used until now only feature a limited variation in the circumference in that only a limited part of the circumferential surfaces are moving/may be reduced. Typically, the prior art pelt boards have two opposing surfaces which are movable in relation to each other and thus, there may still exist opposing surfaces or parts of the circumference which are non-movable in relation to each other. Although the pelt board according to the prior art may alter the total circumference and thereby relax the pelt, it has been noticed by the applicant that the pelt in some circumstances may still stick quite firm onto the pelt board at the locations of the pelt board at which the surface or circumference has not been reduced.
It is thus an object according to the present invention to provide technologies for simplifying the removal of the pelts from the pelt boards and avoiding the situations where the pelt due to the drying and stretching may stick to the pelt board, and at the same time ensure that the pelt board keeps a substantially elliptical circumference in order to distribute the inwardly oriented pressure of the pelt evenly over the pelt board.
It is an advantage according to the present invention that the pelt board may be locked in the expanded position and that the movement between the expanded position and the reduced position may be performed very accurately using very little force.
It is a feature according to the present invention that the pelt board may be modified to accommodate pelts of different sizes and shapes.
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising:
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising:
The pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention should have an overall size which is suitable for accommodating a pelt of an animal such as a mink or fox. The pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention typically has a substantially elliptic cylindrical shape which is tapering in the longitudinal direction. The pelt is applied onto the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention by drawing in onto the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention in the longitudinal direction, while the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention assumes its expanded state. It is understood that state of the art pelt bags may be used between the pelt and the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention in order to remove fatty substances from the pelt. The wall elements may be arched, which in connection with the wall elements should be understood to mean that the outer surfaces of the respective wall elements of the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention have a convex shape. The wall elements typically include a large number of holes or nozzles for allowing ventilation air to pass from the cavity within the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention to the outside through the pelt.
The first, second, third and fourth wall elements together define the substantially elliptical outer circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention, which is suitable for and adapted for accommodating a pelt of an animal, through its respective outwardly oriented surfaces.
The inwardly oriented surfaces may preferably define a concave shape, which surfaces together define the cavity in the pelt board according to the first and second aspect of the present invention. The wall elements are typically made of plastics. The wall elements are further delimited in the circumferential direction by longitudinal edges.
The elongated core element, which is located in the cavity, is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the wall elements. The actuator members of the wall elements and the cooperating members of the core element interact when the core element is moved in the longitudinal direction within the cavity. The cooperating members move in the longitudinal direction together with the elongated core whereas the actuator members move in any of the radial directions along with its respective wall element. The interaction between the cooperating members and the actuator members translate the longitudinal movement of the cooperating members to a radial movement of the actuator members.
The actuator members and the cooperating members thus cause the wall elements to move towards each other or away from each other in the respective first or second radial direction, thus making the cavity smaller or larger, when the core element is moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the wall elements. The wall elements are thus movable between the contacted state, in which the wall elements have moved towards each other, reducing the radial distances, and consequently the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and the cavity is small, and an expanded state in which the wall elements have moved away from each other, increasing the radial distances and consequently the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and the cavity is large. Typically, an upward movement of the elongated core element in relation to the wall elements yields an expansion of the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, whereas a downward movement of the elongated core element in relation to the wall elements yields a contraction of the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
Typically, the wall elements of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention move in directions which are spaced apart by 90 degrees and thus realize a four way expansion and contraction of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. Thus, the radial directions are perpendicular, i.e. spaced apart by 90 degrees. In this way, the overall impression of the shape of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, i.e. the general circumferential profile, is at least largely unaffected by the movements of the wall elements. In this way, the outwardly oriented pressure on the pelt during the drying will be applied substantially uniformly in the pelt by the outer surfaces of the arched elements. The outer surface of the wall elements will constitute the contacts surface between the pelt and the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, not taking into account the optional presence of a pelt bag between the pelt and the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. Using a two way expansion and contraction, e.g. by opposing movable wall element, will necessarily apply more pressure on the pelt at the movable surfaces relative to the non-movable surfaces. Such non-uniformly applied pressure may lead to non-uniform pelts or even damages on the pelt.
When in the expanded state, the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is large. In this state the pelt is applied to the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, optionally using a pelt bag. During the drying process, the pelt looses fat and moist and consequently contracts slightly. It may thereafter be very difficult to remove the pelt from the board. By contacting the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention by moving the wall element towards each other, the circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention defined by the outer surface of the wall elements will be smaller and thus typically allow the pelt to loosen from the outer surfaces of the wall elements, such that the pelt may be removed from the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. In this context, the complete circumference of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention will contract, effectively eliminating the risk of the pelt sticking to the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, when in the contracted state, the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlap respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges or alternatively the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges overlapping respective edges of the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges, and, when in the expanded state the first and second sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges are substantially flush with respective edges of the third and fourth sets of oppositely located longitudinal edges.
In order to allow the pelt to maintain an attractive surface structure, the outer surfaces of the wall elements should be at least substantially continuous. In order to achieve a substantially continuous outwardly oriented surface, the longitudinal edges of the wall elements in the expanded state should be at least substantially flush. This means that the outer surfaces of the wall elements form a substantially continuous structure avoiding any large gaps between the wall elements and adjacent outer surfaces.
When the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention assumes the contracted state and in order to maintain the general circumferential profile of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is advantageous that the longitudinal edges of adjacent wall elements of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention do overlap each other such that only a minor deviation from a continuous surface exists between adjacent outer surfaces of the wall elements. It is understood from the above that in order to realize the contraction, a part of the wall elements located at the respective longitudinal edges of the wall element may be pushed above or below its adjacent wall elements to form the overlapping such that the longitudinal edges are non-flush.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, any of the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and/or the fourth wall element define a central part and a peripheral part, the peripheral part encompassing the set of edges, the central part and the peripheral part being flexibly joined together and when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the contracted state, the peripheral part assuming an inwardly oriented position, whereas when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state, the peripheral part assuming an outwardly oriented position.
In order to simplify the overlapping of the wall elements and allow the gap between adjacent wall elements to be minimized, the wall elements may be partially flexible. Although it is fully feasible to realize an expansion and contraction of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention via the wall element using rigid wall elements, the thickness of the wall element will typically prevent a fully flush outwardly oriented surface in the expanded state. By allowing the part of the wall element which is going to be pushed below and/or above an adjacent wall element in the contracted state to be flexible in relation to the part of the wall element which is going to remain exposed to the pelt, the longitudinal edges of adjacent wall elements may be caused to be fully flush or continuous in the expanded state.
The central part of the respective wall element is movable in the respective first radial direction or the second radial direction according to the movement of the corresponding wall element, whereas the peripheral part may be movable in both the first and the second radial direction in order to be accommodated above or below the adjacent wall element as described above.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute pins and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, wherein the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins and the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.
The above guiding principle using a pin which is guided by a groove allows a well defined movement of the wall elements. It is evident that the opposite configuration is equally feasible, i.e. having the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins which are guided by the grooves between the contracted state and the expanded state, or any combination thereof. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core thus translates into a radial movement of the wall elements. The groove/pin configuration also allows for a very convenient latching of the wall elements and the core.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute wedge members for contacting the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member, or, the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute wedge members for contacting the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member.
Another guiding principle is employed by using wedge members which exhibit an angle and may consequently slide outwardly when pushed. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core element thus translates into a radial movement by interaction between the sloped members. This guiding principle may preferably be used when changing from said contracted state to said expanded state.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the third actuator member and the fourth actuator members further engage the cooperating members opposite the elongated core element.
Yet another guiding principle is employed by using actuator members acting on the side of the elongated core element which is located opposite the wall element to be moved. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core element thus translates into a radial movement by interaction typically by using sloped members. This guiding principle may preferably be used when changing from said expanded state to said contracted state.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element have an arched shape such that any of said first outwardly oriented surface, second outwardly oriented surface, third outwardly oriented surface and fourth outwardly oriented surface define a convex shape.
Using a convex shape of the wall element will allow the outer surfaces of the wall elements to adapt to the pelt which typically has a cylindrical shape.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, any of the first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element comprise ventilation grooves between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
Ventilation grooves may be present in order to allow dry air to be injected into the pelt for removing any remaining moisture in the pelt and thereby decrease the drying time of the pelt.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define an opening between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention at the bottom end for allowing ventilation air to enter the cavity.
The dry air injected into the pelt via the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and used for decreasing the drying time of the pelt may be let into the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention via a cavity near the bottom end of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. The bottom end of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is typically attachable to a drying unit for holding the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention in an upright position and for supplying the drying air.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the third wall element and the fourth wall element are fixedly connected at the bottom end.
In order to increase the rigidity of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and for allowing the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention to easily connect to a drying unit, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention may assume the same circumference at the bottom end both in the expanded state and in the contracted state. This may be made by fixedly connecting the wall elements at constant distance relative to each other near the bottom end and allowing the flexibility of the wall elements to determine the movement of the lower portion of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. The lower extreme of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is typically not used for accommodating the pelt since the pelt boards according to the present invention are typically made longer than the longest pelts for which the pelt boards are intended.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the first wall element defines a first radial edge adjacent the top end of the elongated core, the second wall element comprising a second radial edge adjacent the top edge of the elongated core, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention further comprising:
Although it is sometimes feasible, having a pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention which is expandable along its entire circumference may be undesirable near the upper part of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. The upper part of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is intended to accommodate the neck and head part of the animal and since the neck and head part of the animal pelt have a smaller circumference than the body part of the pelt, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention usually is tapered towards the top end having a thickness of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention which is reduced near the top of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, as described above. Since the actuator members, cooperating members and elongated core element require some space within the cavity, it may not be feasible to allow the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention to expand and contract along its entire circumference, i.e. a four way expansion of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention as described above, at the top end of the board. Instead, at the top end of the board, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention may be allowed to be movable in only two opposing directions.
The fifth wall element constitutes an extension of the first wall element, the sixth wall element constitutes an extension of the second wall element, whereas the core extension element constitutes and extension of the elongated core element. The moving principle in the first radial direction of the fifth wall element, sixth wall element and core extension element may be the same between the first wall element, the second wall element and the elongated core element, albeit the adjacent wall elements moving in the second radial direction are missing. This top structure including the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element may thus be made significantly thinner than the bottom structure including the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element, the fourth wall element. The fifth wall element and the sixth wall element may optionally be arched but will typically be substantially flat due to the limited space available at the top of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the third wall element and the fourth wall element comprise opposing extension elements partially enclosing the core extension element.
In order to increase the rigidity of the top structure relative to the bottom structure, the top structure may include opposing extension elements which limit the radial movement or flexibility of the core extension element. The core extension element is thus located between the opposing extension elements, which are fixated to the respective third wall element and the fourth wall element.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention comprises:
The substantially elliptic cylindrical elements may be used for extending a short pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and make it suitable for larger animals. The substantially elliptic cylindrical elements typically do not have any variable circumference, however, the pelt typically sticks to the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention near the top and bottom ends of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, thus the elliptic cylindrical elements merely constitutes spacers. This will have the advantage that the same pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention may be used with animals of very different size and the adaptation to the size of the particular animal will be made by using the elliptic cylindrical elements. The core connecting element is merely used for connecting the longitudinal motion from the elongated core element to the core extension element.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute pins and the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, the fifth actuator member and the sixth actuator member constitute pins and the fifth cooperating member and the sixth cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state
The above guiding principle using a pin which is guided by a groove allows a well defined movement of the wall elements. This principle has been explained above in connection with the first and second actuator members.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the fifth wall element is connected to the first wall element at the first radial edge and the sixth wall element is connected to the second wall element at the second radial edge.
By connecting the fifth wall element to the first wall element at the first radial edge and connecting the sixth wall element to the second wall element at the second radial edge, it may be assured that the fifth wall element and the sixth wall element moves uniformly and synchronous with the respective first wall element and second wall element. It may also be avoided that the pelt is squeezed in-between the wall element and the arched wall elements at the first and second radial edges.
According to further embodiments of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the elongated core element comprises a first protrusion adjacent the bottom end, the elongated core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defining a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element or the fourth wall element comprise a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element defines the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions prevent any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element defines the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.
The pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is maintained in the expanded state merely due to the design of and internal friction between the movable parts of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. The friction increases with the pressure applied to the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention and although an increased friction may help keeping the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention in the expanded state also when a large inwardly pressure is applied from the pelt, it may also be very difficult to contract the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention. Experience has shown that after the drying, when the pelt has shrunk and thus applies a large pressure onto the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the users have to apply a large manual force to cause the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention to collapse. This work is very tedious and may lead to work related injuries.
The locking mechanism described above making use of cooperating protrusions for preventing movement of the elongated core element and thereby contraction of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention allows the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention to remain in the expanded state even when exposed to very large inwardly oriented pressure, while reducing the amount of work needed for changing the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention into the contracted state. The first and second protrusions will interlock when the elongated core is in its central position, effectively preventing any longitudinal movement of the elongated core, which in turn prevents any radial movement of the wall elements.
By merely exposing the elongated core element to a small radial force, overcoming the friction between the first and second protrusion and the spring constant of the elongated core element, the inwardly oriented pressure from the dried pelt will cause the wall element to move inwardly and the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention to contact, while the elongated core element is moved in the longitudinal direction and the first protrusion is passing by the second protrusion. This mechanism will also be less prone to accidental activation since it is not depending on any hard to determine internal friction between the activation members and the cooperating members.
It is evident that the above locking mechanism may be used for a generic pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention which does not necessarily have to encompass the four way expansion. Such pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention may e.g. be defined as an elongated pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention having a wall element and an elongated core element covered by the wall element, the wall element being capable of assuming an expanded state and a contacted state by longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, the elongated core element comprising a first protrusion adjacent a bottom end of the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defines a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the wall element comprising a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element define the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions preventing any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element define the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.
The change from expanded state to contracted state may preferably be made when the bottom end of the elongated core element is attached to the drying unit, e.g. by tilting the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention sideways, thereby also taking advantage of the leverage provided by the pelt board according to the first and second aspects of the present invention for overcoming the friction between the first and second protrusions.
According to two further advantageous embodiments of the pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention, the pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention is adapted to establish an intermediate position in which the first wall element and the second wall element, or alternatively, the third wall element and the fourth wall element, are shifted relative to one another for establishing a first intermediate state and a second intermediate state, respectively.
Consequently, according to a first alternative embodiment of the pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element further define a first intermediate state in which the first radial distance between the first inwardly orientated surface and the second inwardly orientated surface is increased, as compared to the contracted state.
According to a second alternative embodiment of the pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element further define a second intermediate state, in which the second radial distance between the third inwardly orientated surface and the fourth inwardly orientated surface is increased, as compared to the contracted state.
Although the elongated pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention may, according to the above described two alternative embodiments, in which a first and a second intermediate state, respectively, are defined, the elongated pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention may be adapted to allow the change from the contracted state to the expanded state and vice versa via the first intermediate state, or alternatively via the second intermediate state, or by directly shifting the elongated pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention from the contracted state to the expanded state or in the alternative, when collapsing the elongated pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention from the expanded state to the contracted state.
In a variant of the elongated pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second wall elements and likewise the third and fourth wall elements are integrated into integral wall element structures and consequently, according to this alternative embodiment, the first wall element defines a first edge among the first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and the second wall element defines a second edge among the second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the first and second edges being positioned adjacent one another, and the first wall element and the second wall element being integrally connected along the first and second edges, and the third wall element defines a third edge among the third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, and the fourth wall element defines a fourth edge among the fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, the third and fourth edges being positioned adjacent one another, and the third wall element and the fourth wall element being integrally connected along said third and fourth edges.
In the alternative embodiment of the pelt board according to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the first and second wall elements and likewise the third and fourth wall elements are integrated into integral wall elements, the first actuator member and the second actuator member are constituted by a single first integral actuator member, and the third actuator member and said fourth actuator member are constituted by a single second integral actuator member.
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a third aspect of the present invention obtained by an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising:
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a fourth aspect of the present invention obtained by an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board comprising:
a first wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
The pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention should have an overall size which is suitable for accommodating a pelt of an animal such as a mink or fox. The pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention typically has a substantially elliptic cylindrical shape which is tapering in the longitudinal direction. The pelt is applied onto the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention by drawing in onto the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention in the longitudinal direction, while the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention assumes its expanded state. It is understood that state of the art pelt bags may be used between the pelt and the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention in order to remove fatty substances from the pelt. The wall elements typically include a large number of holes or nozzles for allowing ventilation air to pass from the cavity within the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention to the outside through the pelt.
The first and second wall elements together define the substantially elliptical outer circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, which is suitable for and adapted for accommodating a pelt of an animal, through its respective outwardly oriented surfaces. The inwardly oriented surfaces may preferably define a concave shape, which surfaces together define the cavity in the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention. The wall elements are typically made of plastics. The wall elements are further delimited in the circumferential direction by longitudinal edges.
The elongated core element, which is located in the cavity, is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the wall elements. The actuator members of the wall elements and the cooperating members of the core element interact when the core element is moved in the longitudinal direction within the cavity. The cooperating members move in the longitudinal direction together with the elongated core whereas the actuator members move in any of the radial directions along with its respective wall element. The interaction between the cooperating members and the actuator members translate the longitudinal movement of the cooperating members to a radial movement of the actuator members.
The actuator members and the cooperating members thus cause the wall elements to move towards each other or away from each other in the respective first or second radial direction, thus making the cavity smaller or larger, when the core element is moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the wall elements. The wall elements are thus movable between the contacted state, in which the wall elements have moved towards each other, reducing the radial distances, and consequently the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention and the cavity is small, and an expanded state in which the wall elements have moved away from each other, increasing the radial distances and consequently the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention and the cavity is large. Typically, an upward movement of the elongated core element in relation to the wall elements yields an expansion of the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, whereas a downward movement of the elongated core element in relation to the wall elements yields a contraction of the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
The outer surface of the wall elements will constitute the contacts surface between the pelt and the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, not taking into account the optional presence of a pelt bag between the pelt and the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
When in the expanded state, the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is large. In this state the pelt is applied to the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, optionally using a pelt bag. During the drying process, the pelt looses fat and moist and consequently contracts slightly. It may thereafter be very difficult to remove the pelt from the board. By contacting the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention by moving the wall element towards each other, the circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention defined by the outer surface of the wall elements will be smaller and thus allow the pelt to loosen from the outer surfaces of the wall elements, such that the pelt may be removed from the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention. In this context, the complete circumference of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention will contract, effectively eliminating the risk of the pelt sticking to the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
In order to simplify the overlapping of the wall elements and allow the gap between adjacent wall elements to be minimized, the wall elements may be partially flexible. Although it is fully feasible to realize an expansion and contraction of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention via the wall element using rigid wall elements, the thickness of the wall element will typically prevent a fully flush outwardly oriented surface in the expanded state. By allowing the part of the wall element which is going to be pushed below and/or above an adjacent wall element in the contracted state to be flexible in relation to the part of the wall element which is going to remain exposed to the pelt, the longitudinal edges of adjacent wall elements may be caused to be fully flush or continuous in the expanded state.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute pins and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, wherein the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins and the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.
The above guiding principle using a pin which is guided by a groove allows a well defined movement of the wall elements. It is evident that the opposite configuration is equally feasible, i.e. having the first actuator member and the second actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, and the first cooperating member and the second cooperating member constitute pins which are guided by the grooves between the contracted state and the expanded state, or any combination thereof. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core thus translates into a radial movement of the wall elements. The groove/pin configuration also allows for a very convenient latching of the wall elements and the core.
Another guiding principle is employed by using wedge members which exhibit an angle and may consequently slide outwardly when pushed. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core element thus translates into a radial movement by interaction between the sloped members. This guiding principle may preferably be used when changing from said contracted state to said expanded state.
Yet another guiding principle is employed by using actuator members acting on the side of the elongated core element which is located opposite the wall element to be moved. The longitudinal movement of the elongated core element thus translates into a radial movement by interaction typically by using sloped members. This guiding principle may preferably be used when changing from said expanded state to said contracted state.
According to a further embodiment according to the present invention, the first wall element and the second wall element have an arched shape such that the first outwardly oriented surface and the second outwardly oriented surface define a convex shape.
Using a convex shape of the wall element will allow the outer surfaces of the wall elements to adapt to the pelt which typically has a cylindrical shape.
According to a further embodiment according to the present invention, the first wall element and the second wall element comprise ventilation grooves between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
Ventilation grooves may be present in order to allow dry air to be injected into the pelt for removing any remaining moisture in the pelt and thereby decrease the drying time of the pelt.
According to a further embodiment according to the present invention, the first wall element and the second wall element define an opening between the cavity and the outside of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention at the bottom end for allowing ventilation air to enter the cavity.
The dry air injected into the pelt via the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention and used for decreasing the drying time of the pelt may be let into the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention via a cavity near the bottom end of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention. The bottom end of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is typically attachable to a drying unit for holding the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention in an upright position and for supplying the drying air.
In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the elongated pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention according to the first and the second aspect of the present invention, the first wall element and the third wall element are constituted by a first unitary structure, the second wall element and the fourth wall element are constituted by a second unitary structure and the core element and the core extension element are constituted by a second unitary core element structure. Consequently, this presently preferred embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention according to the first and the second aspect of the present invention is assembled from three separate elements, namely a single unitary core element structure and two identically shaped unitary wall element structures.
In order to increase the rigidity of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention and for allowing the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention to easily connect to a drying unit, the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention may assume the same circumference at the bottom end both in the expanded state and in the contracted state. This may be made by fixedly connecting the wall elements at constant distance relative to each other near the bottom end and allowing the flexibility of the wall elements to determine the movement of the lower portion of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention. The lower extreme of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is typically not used for accommodating the pelt since the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is typically made longer than the longest pelts for which the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is intended.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the first wall element defines a first radial edge adjacent the top end of the elongated core, the second wall element comprising a second radial edge adjacent the top edge of the elongated core, the pelt board further comprising:
Although it is sometimes feasible, having a pelt board which is expandable along its entire circumference may be undesirable near the upper part of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention. The upper part of the pelt board is intended to accommodate the neck and head part of the animal and since the neck and head part of the animal pelt have a smaller circumference than the body part of the pelt, the pelt board usually is tapered towards the top end having a thickness of the pelt board which is reduced near the top of the pelt board, as described above. Since the actuator members, cooperating members and elongated core element require some space within the cavity, it may not be feasible to allow the pelt board to expand and contract along its entire circumference, at the top end of the board.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the third wall element and the fourth wall element comprise opposing extension elements partially enclosing the core extension element.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the pelt board comprises:
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute pins and the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state, or, the third actuator member and the fourth actuator member constitute pins and the third cooperating member and the fourth cooperating member constitute grooves, e.g. linear or curved grooves, in which the pins are guided between the contracted state and the expanded state.
The above guiding principle using a pin which is guided by a groove allows a well defined movement of the wall elements. This principle has been explained above in connection with the first and second actuator members.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the third wall element is connected to the first wall element at the first radial edge and the fourth wall element is connected to the second wall element at the second radial edge.
By connecting the third wall element to the first wall element at the first radial edge and connecting the fourth wall element to the second wall element at the second radial edge, it may be assured that the third wall element and the fourth wall element moves uniformly and synchronous with the respective first wall element and second wall element. It may also be avoided that the pelt is squeezed in-between the wall element and the arched wall elements at the first and second radial edges.
According to a further embodiment of the pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the elongated core element comprises a first protrusion adjacent the bottom end, the elongated core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defining a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the first wall element and the second wall element comprise a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the first wall element and the second wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element defines the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions prevent any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element defines the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.
The pelt board according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention is maintained in the expanded state merely due to the design of and internal friction between the movable parts of the pelt board. The friction increases with the pressure applied to the pelt board and although an increased friction may help keeping the pelt board in the expanded state also when a large inwardly pressure is applied from the pelt, it may also be very difficult to contract the pelt board. Experience has shown that after the drying, when the pelt has shrunk and thus applies a large pressure onto the pelt board, the users have to apply a large manual force to cause the pelt board to collapse. This work is very tedious and may lead to work related injuries.
The locking mechanism described above making use of cooperating protrusions for preventing movement of the elongated core element and thereby contraction of the pelt board allows the pelt board to remain in the expanded state even when exposed to very large inwardly oriented pressure, while reducing the amount of work needed for changing the pelt board into the contracted state. The first and second protrusions will interlock when the elongated core is in its central position, effectively preventing any longitudinal movement of the elongated core, which in turn prevents any radial movement of the wall elements.
By merely exposing the elongated core element to a small radial force, overcoming the friction between the first and second protrusion and the spring constant of the elongated core element, the inwardly oriented pressure from the dried pelt will cause the wall element to move inwardly and the pelt board to contact, while the elongated core element is moved in the longitudinal direction and the first protrusion is passing by the second protrusion. This mechanism will also be less prone to accidental activation since it is not depending on any hard to determine internal friction between the activation members and the cooperating members.
It is evident that the above locking mechanism may be used for a generic pelt board which does not necessarily have to encompass the four way expansion. Such pelt board may e.g. be defined as an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the pelt board defining a longitudinal direction, a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, the pelt board having a wall element and an elongated core element covered by the wall element, the wall element being capable of assuming an expanded state and a contacted state by longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, the elongated core element comprising a first protrusion adjacent a bottom end of the pelt board, the core element being spring-loaded at the bottom end and defines a centralized relaxed position and a non-centralized loaded position in the first radial direction and/or second radial direction, the wall element comprising a second protrusion cooperating with the first protrusion such that when the wall element define the expanded state and the elongated core element define the centralized related position, the first and second protrusions preventing any longitudinal movement of the elongated core element, whereas when the elongated core element define the non-centralized loaded position, the first and second protrusions allow longitudinal movement of the elongated core element.
The change from expanded state to contracted state may preferably be made when the bottom end of the elongated core element is attached to the drying unit, e.g. by tilting the pelt board sideways, thereby also taking advantage of the leverage provided by the pelt board for overcoming the friction between the first and second protrusions.
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention are according to a fifth aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising:
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention are according to a sixth aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising:
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention are according to a seventh aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising:
The above object, the above features and the above advantage together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention are according to a eighth aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of manufacturing a pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt, the method comprising:
The above methods according to the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention may preferably be used together with the pelt board according to the first aspect. The wall elements and the elongated core are preferably made as separate molded plastic items. The wall elements are typically snap fitted together. In some cases, any of the first wall element, the second wall element, the third wall element and the fourth wall element may constitute two or more items which are snap fitted together.
In addition to the above described shortcomings of the prior art pelt boards, it has been revealed by the applicant company that the pelt boards and their associated drying units usually embodied as drying boxes exhibit serious drawbacks as to their drying capability. Through experiments, which have been carried out by the applicant company, it has been revealed that a particular drawback of the prior art pelt boards relating to the drying capability has to do with a physical limitation of the air volume, which may be input into the pelt board for establishing the drying of the pelt received and fixated relative to the pelt board, and in view of this realization, it is a further object of the present invention to improve the drying capability of the pelt boards by use of an associated and cooperating drying unit, which together with its pelt board or pelt boards improve the overall drying capability or in the alternative, drying time used for the drying of pelts by use of the pelt boards and the corresponding drying unit.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a ninth aspect of the present invention obtained by a system for drying a pelt, said system comprising a drying unit and a pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
According to the investigations and experiments carried out by the applicant, which will be discussed below, it has been revealed that the pelt boards which have been developed by the applicant company and also the competitor company Jasopels A/S and known as ‘FIX-tane 2’ and ‘XL-tane’, respectively, have inherently a limitation as to the volume of air, which may be forced through the pelt boards, which limitation is primarily determined by the air inlet into the pelt board in question, which air inlet is established through the connector of the pelt board, which connector is in the prior art described as a “stubby element”. Apart from the inlet limitation, the overall configuration and in particular the apertured outer surface of the pelt board also establishes a limitation as to the air inlet capability or volumetric air inlet capability of the prior art pelt boards. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention as defined in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the air outlet from the drying unit and the air inlet into the pelt board, which drying unit and pelt board constitute a system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, exhibit a large interface area allowing a substantive increase of the air inlet into the pelt board, which again improves the drying capability or reduces the drying time for the drying of the pelts mounted on the pelt boards. It is in this context to be realized that an extended drying time may in itself deteriorate the pelt for the reason that the existence of wet areas at the leather side of the pelt may generate so-called black spots, which eventually deteriorate the pelts and reduces the commercial value of the pelt.
In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the air inlet area and the air outlet area are of the same size or alternatively of substantially the same size, simply for gaining the benefit of the large inlet area of the pelt board. As will be evident from the below detailed description of experiments carried out by the applicant company, it will be verified that an increase of the inlet area above approximately 45-50% of the bottom area provides a rather limited increase in the drying capability of the pelt board and the overall system, as it is contemplated that the dominating factor in determining the maximum drying capability and the maximum volume of air, which may be forced into the drying pelt, is in an embodiment in which the inlet air exceeds 50% of the bottom area predominantly determined or limited by the apertured wall of the pelt board.
The air inlet of the pelt board may be constituted by a single large aperture at the bottom of the pelt board or alternatively be implemented by several individual air inlets, which are preferably located circumferentially encircling the connector of the pelt board simply for increasing the flow of air into the pelt board along the central axis of the pelt board. Similarly, the air outlet of the drying unit may advantageously in accordance with and in conformity with the above embodiment of the pelt board be located circumferentially encircling the receptor aperture.
In accordance with the prior art technique as implemented in the commercially available products produced and sold by the applicant company and also the competitor company Jasopels A/S, the connector may have additional inlet slots for allowing air to be introduced into the inner cavity from the housing of the drying unit through the slots, which additional slots evidently further increase the volumetric input of air into the pelt board.
In accordance with specific further embodiments of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, two adaptors are provided, the one serving for allowing a conventional drying unit to be used in combination with the drying unit of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, and the alternative or second embodiment constituting an adaptor allowing the pelt board of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention to be used in combination with the conventional drying unit to be used in combination with the conventional or prior art pelt board such as the above described pelt boards produced by the applicant company and the competitor company Jasopels A/S. According to these two distinct embodiments of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the system further comprises a first adaptor having an inlet end configured in conformity with said bottom end of said pelt board and having an opposite closed-off upper end, in which a minor air outlet aperture, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm2, is provided for allowing air to be output through said minor air outlet aperture for input into a conventional pelt board having a smaller size connector through which air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board through the connector, said first adaptor having a first inner air passage from said air inlet to said minor air outlet aperture, and still further comprises a second adaptor having an outlet configured in conformity with said bottom end of said pelt board and having an opposite closed-off bottom end, from which a smaller size connector extends, said smaller size connector having inlet slots for allowing air to be introduced into the inner space of said second adaptor through said smaller size connector, said second adaptor having a second inner air passage from said small size connector to said air outlet.
In accordance with the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the drying unit is advantageously embodied for receiving a plurality of pelt boards and the system consequently further, according to the presently preferred embodiment of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention comprises a set of pelt boards and a housing of the drying unit, and similarly has a plurality of receptor apertures and air outlets.
In order to improve the drying capability of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the drying unit preferably has biased closing-off plates for closing off receptor apertures and corresponding air outlets, in which receptor apertures no pelt board is received, simply to prevent that the air forced into the housing of the drying unit is outlet through open receptor apertures and corresponding air outlets without being introduced into the pelt boards, on which pelts are mounted and consequently being wasted in relation to the intentional purpose of forcing air into the housing of the drying unit, namely of causing the air to be outlet from the housing of the drying unit and input into the pelt boards, on which pelts are received.
It is to be realized that the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention and particularly the pelt board of the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention may be implemented in accordance with the above described aspects of the present invention relating to the advantageous embodiments of the expandable and collapsible pelt boards.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, which are according to a tenth aspect of the present invention obtained by a drying unit for use in combination with a pelt board and for drying a pelt, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
The drying unit according to the tenth aspect of the present invention may advantageously include any of the features of the above described system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention obtained by a pelt board for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
The pelt board according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention may, apart from any of the features of the pelt board defined in the system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, preferably and advantageously include features according to the above described aspects relating to the expandable and collapsible pelt boards according to the previously described aspects of the present invention.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to an twelfth aspect of the present invention obtained by an adaptor for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, and a pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, said pelt board and said drying unit defining an air transfer area between the bottom end of said pelt board and an air outlet of said drying unit constituting between 15% and 95% of the bottom end area of said pelt board, such as preferably more than 30%, such as preferably 45-50% of said bottom area of said pelt board, said adaptor having an inlet end configured in conformity with said bottom end of said pelt board and having an opposite closed-off upper end, in which a minor air outlet aperture, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm2, is provided for allowing air to be output through said minor air outlet aperture for input into a conventional pelt board having a smaller size connector through which air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board through the connector, said first adaptor having an inner air passage from said air inlet to said minor air outlet aperture.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to an thirteenth aspect of the present invention obtained by an adaptor for use in combination with a drying unit for drying a pelt, and a pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end, said pelt board having a smaller size connector at its bottom end, through which smaller size connector air is input into the inner cavity of the pelt board, and said drying unit having a minor receptor and air outlet aperture for receiving said smaller size connector, such as an aperture of the size of 400 mm2, said adaptor having an inlet end including said smaller size connector and having an opposite upper end, in which an air outlet aperture of the size of 1000 mm2-2500 mm2 is provided for allowing air to be output through said air outlet aperture for input into a pelt board having an air inlet of the size of 1000 mm2-2500 mm2 into an inner cavity of said pelt board, said adaptor having an inner air passage from said smaller size connector to said air outlet aperture.
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention obtained by a system for drying a pelt, said system comprising a drying unit and a pelt board, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention obtained by a drying unit for use in combination with a pelt board and for drying a pelt, said pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
The above objects, the above features and the above advantages together with the above described specific objects of improving the drying capability of the pelt boards and the associated drying units together with numerous other objects, advantages and features will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention, are according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention obtained by a drying unit for use in combination with a pelt board and for drying a pelt, the pelt having a substantially tubular shape defining an inwardly oriented leather side and an outwardly oriented fur side and further defining a nose end and a rear end,
It is to be realized that the system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention and particularly the pelt board of the system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention and further the drying unit according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention may be implemented in accordance with the above described aspects of the present invention relating to the advantageous embodiments of the expandable and collapsible pelt boards.
In the below detailed description of the various embodiments described with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures identifying identical components described only once in the first occurrence of the element. Elements or components serving the same purpose or being configured similar to previously described components or elements, respectively, are designated the same reference numeral as previously indicated, however, added a marking to identify the geometrical difference from the previously described component or element, still, to the use of the same integer identifying the correspondence as to function and structure. It is further contemplated that elements or components from one embodiment described below may readily be combined with another embodiment with reference to a different figure, as the various variants of embodiments are readily interchangeable and/or elements or components from one embodiment being readily substituted with or by components or elements of another embodiment.
The first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 comprises respective peripheral elements 16′ 16″ 18′ 18″, which are flexibly connected to the center elements of the respective first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18. The third wall element 20 will in the present contracted state overlap the peripheral elements 16′ 18′ and the fourth wall element 20 will in the present contracted state overlap the peripheral elements 16″ 18″. The fifth wall element 28 and a sixth wall element 30 both mutually overlap each other. An extension element 32 is interconnecting the lower part 12 and the upper part 14.
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The fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 comprise actuator members 34′ along the longitudinal dimension and the elongated core element 26 comprise cooperating members 36′ along the longitudinal dimension. The actuator members 34′ define curved grooves along the longitudinal dimension of the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element 30 whereas the cooperating members 36 define pins of the core extension element 26′.
When the core extension element 26′ moves together with the elongated core element 26 along the longitudinal dimension, the pins constituting the cooperating members 36′ move along the curved grooves constituting the actuator members 34′ and thereby causing the fifth wall element 28 and the sixth wall element to move outwardly in opposite directions.
The movement of the first wall element 16 and the second wall element 18 will be explained in detail in the following figures.
The wall elements 16A 16B 18A 18B also each comprise a number of respective peripheral parts 44 which are flexibly connected to its corresponding wall elements 16A 16B 18A 18B.
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In
In
In general, the above described presently preferred embodiment 10VI of the pelt board according to the present invention fulfill the following features characteristic of the embodiment. The shell parts 28 and 30 are forcedly guided relative to the elongated core element 29 at a total of six locations along the shell parts, as the forcedly guiding or controlling is established during expansion of as well as during collapsing of the pelt board. The locks of the pelt board serve as a frictional lock preventing collapsing and expansion of the pelt board until an outer force generated by a pelt position on the pelt board activates the lock. The expansion in both transversal directions and likewise the collapsing in both transversal directions is forcedly controlled and guided. The above stubby elements together with the lower end of the shell parts serve to center the pelt board in a drying box or drying machine and provides a stop in the drying box. Further, the stubby element, as distinct from previously used stubby elements serving to catch and lock in the tanning machine and in the drying box or drying machine provides gripping flanges or elements for an improved fixation. For providing individual recordal of the pelt received on a specific pelt board, the pelt board is further provided with an internal holder for receiving an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device).
The shell parts further exhibit the following additional features by providing holes for the drying of the back part of the pelt and providing an increased air through flow as compared to conventional and commercially available pelt boards. In the longitudinal direction of the pelt board, the shell parts are reinforced every 60 mm and transversal bands are further provided every 30 mm. The overall surfaces of the two shell parts prevent vertical shifting of the pelt relative to the pelt board, and the teeth at the upper ends of the two shell parts fixate the upper end, i.e. the head of the pelt relative to the pelt board. The number of teeth for catching the head of the pelt may be constituted by any arbitrary numbers such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or even further teeth as the presently preferred embodiment exhibit a total of four teeth in each of the two shell parts 28 and 30. The assembled pelt board 10VI shown in
The lower part 12I of the pelt board 10VII is composed of a total of three components, namely two identically shaped shell parts 72 and 74 and a central elongated core element 26.
Each of the shell parts 72 and 74 comprise a major low curvature wall part 22I and 20I, respectively, and a minor high curvature wall part 18I and 16I, respectively. The major low curvature wall parts 22I and 20I are joint to the minor high curvature parts 18I and 16I, respectively, through imaginary lines 17I and 19I, respectively.
The embodiment of the pelt board 10VII shown in
In
The separation or the shifting of the shell parts 72 and 74 is accomplished by means of cooperating actuator elements 34 and 36 shown in
In
In
In
In
On the housing extension 82, an operator handle 84 is provided, which may be shifted as indicated by an arrow in
In
In
In
In
Turning to
In the connector 100 shown in
The advantage of the large cross sectional area access into the interior of the pelt board 10X generated by the presence of the fairly large connector 100 and the large area air inlet is illustrated in
It is to be understood that the outer contour of the pelt boards is determined by the standard of the company Kopenhagen Fur, for which reason the conventional pelt board produced by the applicant company and the competitor company Jasopels A/S, and the new pelt board according to the present invention in any embodiment described herein before or afterwards and also the pelt board shown as indicated referring to the solid line of
Consequently, the “ideal” pelt board having an inlet area of 90% (delimited by the wall thickness of the pelt board) will have an inlet area of approximately 3000 mm2, i.e. less than twice the inlet area of the presently preferred embodiment of the pelt board 10X having an inlet area of 1518 mm2. It is to be understood that the solid line of
As distinct from the conventional pelt board, the prototype of the presently preferred embodiment of the pelt board according to the present invention clearly allows for a far larger air input than the conventional pelt board as the curve at its right hand end is still far from being steep and exhibits a fairly linear relation between the pressure increase and the volume input increase, as the pressure of approximately 1.5 hPa generates a volumetric input of 25-30 m3/h at an increase to 3.0 hPa of the inlet pressure almost doubles the air input.
As is evident from
In
In
In
As distinct from the above described second embodiment of the adaptor 122I shown in
In
In
In
In
In
In
The disconnection of the assembly of the conventional pelt board 130 and its cooperating adaptor 134 is established as is illustrated in
In
The catching elements 136 are, as is illustrated in
In order to allow the pelt boards according to the present invention, such as the eleventh and twelfth embodiments of the pelt boards designated the reference numerals 10XI and 10XII, respectively, to be used in combination with a conventional drying unit, a further adaptor is deduced in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In
Although the present invention has above been described with reference to several advantageous embodiments, it would be evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications and variants of the above technical disclosure may be deduced without deviating from the overall inventive concept as defined in the appending claims, and it would be evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art to deduce variants of the above described advantageous embodiments by combining the embodiments, i.e. by including features of one embodiment into a different embodiment.
a first wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
a second wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing said first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, said first and second wall elements being spaced apart in said first radial direction,
a third wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member,
a fourth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface facing said third inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, said third wall element and said fourth wall element being spaced apart in said second radial direction, said first inwardly oriented surface, said second inwardly oriented surface, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction, said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element defining:
a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and, said second radial distance between said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, and, said second radial distance between said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface is increased, and
an elongated core element extending within said cavity along said longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to each of said first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element, said elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with said first actuator member of said first wall element, a second cooperating member interacting with said second actuator member of said second wall element, a third cooperating member interacting with said third actuator member of said third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with said fourth actuator member of said fourth wall element for allowing said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element to selectively define said contracted state or said expanded state by moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element.
a fifth wall element adjacent to said first wall element at said first radial edge, said fifth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said fifth wall element defining a fifth outwardly oriented surface and a fifth actuator member,
a sixth wall element adjacent to said second wall element at said second radial edge, said sixth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said sixth wall element defining a sixth outwardly oriented surface and a sixth actuator member, said fifth and sixth wall elements being spaced apart in said first radial direction, and
a core extension element connected to said top end of said elongated core element and extending along said longitudinal direction away from said elongated core element, said core extension element being movable in relation to said fifth wall element and sixth wall element, said core extension element comprising a fifth cooperating member interacting with said fifth actuator member of said fifth wall element and a sixth cooperating member interacting with said sixth actuator member of said sixth wall element for allowing said fifth wall element and said sixth wall element to change between said contracted state and said expanded states by moving said elongated core element and said core extension element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element, said fourth wall element, said fifth wall element and said sixth wall element.
a lower section including said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element, said fourth wall element and said elongated core element,
an upper section comprising said fifth wall element, said sixth wall element and said core extension element, and
an intermediate section located between said lower section and said upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting said elongated core element and said core extension element, and a number of substantially elliptic cylindrical elements surrounding said core connecting element.
providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
providing a third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member,
providing a fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member,
providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member, a second cooperating member, a third cooperating member and a fourth cooperating member,
positioning said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element along a longitudinal direction such that said first inwardly oriented surface is facing said second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said third inwardly oriented surface facing said fourth inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a second radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and said first radial direction, such that said first inwardly oriented surface, said second inwardly oriented surface, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
interacting said first cooperating member, said second cooperating member, said third cooperating member and said fourth cooperating member with said first actuator member of said first wall element, said second actuator member of said second wall element, said third actuator member of said third wall element and said fourth actuator member of said fourth wall element, respectively, and
moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element thereby causing said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element to move between a contracted state and an expanded state, when in said contracted state said first radial distance and said second radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface, and, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are reduced, whereas, when in said expanded state said first radial distance and said second radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface, and, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are increased.
Second Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention
a first wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
a second wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing said first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member, said first and second wall elements being spaced apart in said first radial direction,
a third wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member,
a fourth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface facing said third inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member, said third wall element and said fourth wall element being spaced apart in said second radial direction, said first inwardly oriented surface, said second inwardly oriented surface, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction, said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element defining:
a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and, said second radial distance between said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface is reduced, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, and, said second radial distance between said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface is increased, and
an elongated core element extending within said cavity along said longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to each of said first wall element, second wall element, third wall element and fourth wall element, said elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with said first actuator member of said first wall element, a second cooperating member interacting with said second actuator member of said second wall element, a third cooperating member interacting with said third actuator member of said third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with said fourth actuator member of said fourth wall element for allowing said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element to selectively define said contracted state or said expanded state by moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element.
a fifth wall element adjacent to said first wall element at said first radial edge, said fifth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said fifth wall element defining a fifth outwardly oriented surface and a fifth actuator member,
a sixth wall element adjacent to said second wall element at said second radial edge, said sixth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said sixth wall element defining a sixth outwardly oriented surface and a sixth actuator member, said fifth and sixth wall elements being spaced apart in said first radial direction, and
a core extension element connected to said top end of said elongated core element and extending along said longitudinal direction away from said elongated core element, said core extension element being movable in relation to said fifth wall element and sixth wall element, said core extension element comprising a fifth cooperating member interacting with said fifth actuator member of said fifth wall element and a sixth cooperating member interacting with said sixth actuator member of said sixth wall element for allowing said fifth wall element and said sixth wall element to change between said contracted state and said expanded states by moving said elongated core element and said core extension element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element, said fourth wall element, said fifth wall element and said sixth wall element.
a lower section including said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element, said fourth wall element and said elongated core element,
an upper section comprising said fifth wall element, said sixth wall element and said core extension element, and
an intermediate section located between said lower section and said upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting said elongated core element and said core extension element, and a number of substantially elliptic cylindrical elements surrounding said core connecting element.
said first wall element defining a first edge among said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and said second wall element defining a second edge among said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said first and second edges being positioned adjacent one another, and said first wall element and said second wall element being integrally connected along said first and second edges, and said third wall element defining a third edge among said third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and said fourth wall element defining a fourth edge among said fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said third and fourth edges being positioned adjacent one another, and said third wall element and said fourth wall element being integrally connected along said third and fourth edges.
providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
providing a third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface, a third inwardly oriented surface, a third set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a third actuator member,
providing a fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface, a fourth inwardly oriented surface, a fourth set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a fourth actuator member,
providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member, a second cooperating member, a third cooperating member and a fourth cooperating member,
positioning said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element along a longitudinal direction such that said first inwardly oriented surface is facing said second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said third inwardly oriented surface facing said fourth inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a second radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and said first radial direction, such that said first inwardly oriented surface, said second inwardly oriented surface, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
interacting said first cooperating member, said second cooperating member, said third cooperating member and said fourth cooperating member with said first actuator member of said first wall element, said second actuator member of said second wall element, said third actuator member of said third wall element and said fourth actuator member of said fourth wall element, respectively, and
moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element thereby causing said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element to move between a contracted state and an expanded state, when in said contracted state said first radial distance and said second radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface, and, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are reduced, whereas, when in said expanded state said first radial distance and said second radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface, and, said third inwardly oriented surface and said fourth inwardly oriented surface, respectively, are increased.
Third Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention
a first wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
a second wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing said first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
said first wall element and said second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in said longitudinal direction,
said low curvature part of said first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said low curvature part of said second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said first edge of said first wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said second wall element and said first edge of said second wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said first wall element, said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
said first wall element and said second wall element defining:
a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which said first edge of said first wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said second wall element, and in which said first edge of said second wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said first wall element, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which said first edge of said first wall element and said second edge of said second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in said first radial direction, and in which said first edge of said second wall element and said second edge of said first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and said first radial direction and
an elongated core element extending within said cavity along said longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to said first wall element and second wall element, said elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with said first actuator member of said first wall element and second cooperating member interacting with said second actuator member of said second wall element, for allowing said first wall element and said second wall element, to selectively define said contracted state or said expanded state by moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element and said second wall element.
a first wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
a second wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface facing said first inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
said first wall element and said second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in said longitudinal direction,
said low curvature part of said first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said low curvature part of said second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said first edge of said first wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said second wall element and said first edge of said second wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said first wall element, said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
said first wall element and said second wall element defining:
a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which said first edge of said first wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said second wall element, and in which said first edge of said second wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said first wall element, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which said first edge of said first wall element and said second edge of said second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in said second radial direction, and in which said first edge of said second wall element and said second edge of said first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and said second radial direction and
an elongated core element extending within said cavity along said longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end and being movable in relation to said first wall element and second wall element, said elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member interacting with said first actuator member of said first wall element and second cooperating member interacting with said second actuator member of said second wall element, for allowing said first wall element and said second wall element, to selectively define said contracted state or said expanded state by moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element and said second wall element.
a third wall element adjacent to said first wall element at said first radial edge, said third wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said third wall element defining a third outwardly oriented surface and a third actuator member,
a fourth wall element adjacent to said second wall element at said second radial edge, said fourth wall element extending along said longitudinal direction and away from said second wall element, said fourth wall element defining a fourth outwardly oriented surface and a fourth actuator member, said third and fourth wall elements being spaced apart in said first radial direction, and
a core extension element connected to said top end of said elongated core element and extending along said longitudinal direction away from said elongated core element, said core extension element being movable in relation to said third wall element and fourth wall element, said core extension element comprising a third cooperating member interacting with said third actuator member of said third wall element and a fourth cooperating member interacting with said fourth actuator member of said fourth wall element for allowing said third wall element and said fourth wall element to change between said contracted state and said expanded states by moving said elongated core element and said core extension element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element, said second wall element, said third wall element and said fourth wall element.
a lower section including said first wall element and said second wall element and said elongated core element,
an upper section comprising said third wall element, said fourth wall element and said core extension element, and
an intermediate section located between said lower section and said upper section and comprising a core connecting element interconnecting said elongated core element and said core extension element.
providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
said first wall element and said second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in said longitudinal direction, said low curvature part of said first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of
said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said low curvature part of said second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said first edge of said first wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said second wall element and said first edge of said second wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said first wall element, said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member and a second cooperating member,
positioning said first wall element and said second wall element along a longitudinal direction such that said first inwardly oriented surface is facing said second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, such that said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
interacting said first cooperating member and said second cooperating member with said first actuator member of said first wall element and said second actuator member of said second wall element, respectively, and
moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element and said second wall element causing said first wall element and said second wall element to move between a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which said first edge of said first wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said second wall element, and in which said first edge of said second wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said first wall element, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which said first edge of said first wall element and said second edge of said second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in said first radial direction, and in which said first edge of said second wall element and said second edge of said first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and said first radial direction.
providing a first wall element defining a first outwardly oriented surface, a first inwardly oriented surface, a first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a first actuator member,
providing a second wall element defining a second outwardly oriented surface, a second inwardly oriented surface, a second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges and a second actuator member,
said first wall element and said second wall element being of identical configuration and each having a low curvature part and a high curvature part joint together along a line of junction extending generally in said longitudinal direction,
said low curvature part of said first wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said first wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said first set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said low curvature part of said second wall element defining a first longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said high curvature part of said second wall element defining a second longitudinal edge of said second set of oppositely located longitudinal edges, said first edge of said first wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said second wall element and said first edge of said second wall element being positioned juxtaposed said second edge of said first wall element, said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together defining a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
providing an elongated core element comprising a first cooperating member and a second cooperating member,
positioning said first wall element and said second wall element along a longitudinal direction such that said first inwardly oriented surface is facing said second inwardly oriented surface and spaced apart along a first radial direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, such that said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface together define a cavity along said longitudinal direction,
interacting said first cooperating member and said second cooperating member with said first actuator member of said first wall element and said second actuator member of said second wall element, respectively, and
moving said elongated core element in said longitudinal direction relative to said first wall element and said second wall element causing said first wall element and said second wall element to move between a contracted state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is reduced, in which said first edge of said first wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said second wall element, and in which said first edge of said second wall element is positioned closely against said second edge of said first wall element, and
an expanded state in which said first radial distance between said first inwardly oriented surface and said second inwardly oriented surface is increased, in which said first edge of said first wall element and said second edge of said second wall element is positioned in spaced apart relationship in said second radial direction, and in which said first edge of said second wall element and said second edge of said first wall element are positioned in spaced apart relationship and said first radial direction.
Fourth Set of Points Defining Features of the Invention
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14161481 | Mar 2014 | EP | regional |
| 14161512 | Mar 2014 | EP | regional |
| 14199640 | Dec 2014 | EP | regional |
| 14199651 | Dec 2014 | EP | regional |
This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/128,669, filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is the national phase entry, under 35 U.S.C. Section 371(c), of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/056431, filed Mar. 25, 2015, claiming priority from European Application Nos. 14161481.8, filed Mar. 25, 2014, 14161512.0, filed Mar. 25, 2014, 14199640.5, filed Dec. 22, 2014, and 14199651.2, filed Dec. 22, 2014. The disclosures of the International Application and the European Applications from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
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| WO2017118721 | Jul 2017 | WO |
| WO-2017118721 | Jul 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
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| Written Opinion on related PCT application (PCT/EP2015/056441) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Sep. 3, 2015. |
| Danish patent application No. DK 2003 01592; Filed on Oct. 28, 2003; Inventor: Jens Hedegaard. |
| International Search Report on corresponding PCT application (PCT/EP2015/056431) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Jun. 15, 2015. |
| Written Opinion on corresponding PCT application (PCT/EP2015/056431) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Jun. 15, 2015. |
| International Search Report on related PCT application (PCT/EP2015/056441) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Sep. 3, 2015. |
| International Search Report on corresponding PCT application (PCT/EP2016/066619) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Nov. 30, 2016. |
| Written Opinion on corresponding PCT application (PCT/ EP2016/066619) from International Searching Authority (EPO) dated Nov. 30, 2016. |
| Non-Final Office Action on co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 15/744,388) dated Nov. 19, 2019. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190292611 A1 | Sep 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15128669 | US | |
| Child | 16424208 | US |
