The present invention relates to a method for fixation of the nose end of a pelt from a furred animal to the nose end/pointed end of a distension element or pelt board. The invention also further relates to a help arrangement for use in the execution of the method in connection with the stretching of the pelt from a furred animal placed on a distension element/pelt board, with the subsequent view of drying the leather side of the pelt during the fixing of the pelt in the stretched posi- tion on the distension element/pelt board.

The use of distension elements/pelt boards in connection with the drying of pelts is particularly well-known, and over the course of time there has been devel¬ oped a wide range of configurations of such boards with the object of improving the drying of pelts. With the mechanisation and organisation of the production and sale of pelts which has taken place, there has also occurred a certain standardisa¬ tion of pelt sizes, and herewith also of the pelt boards on which the pelts are fixed in the stretched position during the drying, the object being to be able to achieve the best possible and uniform pelt quality, which means that the producers can obtain a higher price for the pelts.

The pelt boards which have gained most widespread application, and which today are used by the majority of the producers of pelts, including namely mink pelts, are made of wood, and can briefly be described as a flattish piece of wood with a first broad side surface and a second broad side surface, and a first narrow side surface and a second narrow side surface, the breadth of which is essentially considerably less than the breadth of the broad side surfaces, and with one end (the foot end) which is cut off at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the board, and where the lower end nearest the foot end has a constant breadth, but where this breadth hereafter decreases gradually towards a pointed although rounded end part (the nose end, the front end), and where the board has a through-going slot between the first broad side surface and the second broad side surface, said slot lying symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the board and extending between near the pointed end part and at least over a half of the length of the board. The pelt board described above is a board intended for pelts from male animals, which are normally larger than pelts from female animals. A board in¬ tended for use in the drying of the leather side of pelts from female animals does not have a lower end where the breadth of the board is constant. Use can also be made of a distension element/pelt board which has a longi¬ tudinal axis, a first transverse axis (breadth axis) and a second transverse axis (height axis), a front end for receiving the nose end of a pelt, and a foot end which preferably terminates at right angles in relation to the longitudinal axis of the board, where the distension element/pelt board has at least a first and a second convex surface with an open structure which defines a cavity, and where the board is configured symmetrically around at least one of the defined axes and where the distension element/pelt board comprises an opening to the cavity in the foot end.

In the following there are provided some definitions which will be used here¬ after.

In the following, the term "mounting" of the pelt is to be understood as a process consisting of the following: the placing of a pelt on the board, preferably with the leather side of the pelt facing in towards the surface of the board so that the nose end of the pelt is placed in engagement with the pointed end of the dis¬ tension element/pelt board, the stretching of the pelt on the board and the fix¬ ing/securing of the pelt in the stretched position on the board.

In the following, the term "stretched pelt" is to be understood as a pelt applied to the board, stretched and secured to the board in the stretched position.

In the following, the term "removal" is to be understood as the removal of a pelt which has been applied to a pelt board, stretched and fixed in this position on the board, typically after the conclusion of the pelt drying process. The removal procedure also includes the removal of possible means for the securing of the pelt in the stretched position on the board.

In certain cases, the fat-absorbing material which is placed on the boards be- fore the mounting of the pelt can consist of a bag made of a fat-absorbent mate¬ rial, preferably of fat-absorbing paper with perforations, for example in the form of a so-called "pelt-board bag" which will thus be lying between the wood of the pelt board and the leather side of the pelt.

The drying procedure or drying of the pelt is to be understood as a drying-out of the leather side to a preferred degree where experience has shown that attack by mites is excluded. The drying process is typically carried out by the blowing of dry air into the slot in the board via pipes which are inserted into the slot, where via the perforations in the walls of the pelt-board bag the dry air is diffused out to the leather side of the pelt which is hereby dried.

In the applying of pelts to pelt boards (in the following called the mounting), there is effected a stretching of the pelt which is often carried out mechanically to achieve the greatest possible length of the pelt, and herewith to obtain the highest possible price at the fur auction.

The method hitherto used for maintaining the pelt in the stretched position on the board during the subsequent drying has consisted of fastening the pelt to the board with fixing means, for example staples, which are shot in manually or me¬ chanically, and which penetrate the pelt. Use is made of 10-14 staples per pelt, which consequently leave 20-28 holes in the dried pelt.

After the drying, first the staples are removed and then the pelt is removed from the board, which is also often effected mechanically and, as a consequence of the maximum stretching of the pelt, elongated holes from the staples are often left in the pelt, the result being that an optimum price cannot be obtained for the pelts at the fur auction, in that 2-3 cm of the pelt where this is broadest is ruined. Sometimes, the mechanical removal of the staples also gives rise to damage to the pelts. The holes from the staples thus constitute great losses for the fur farm¬ ers, and moreover considerably reduce the possibilities of use of the pelts when these are subsequently processed.

However, from WO 0162985 there is known a method and a bag-shaped item which in the following is called a "holding-bag" (fixing-bag) for use in the se¬ curing of pelts stretched on pelt boards during the drying process. The holding-bag (fixing-bag), the shape of which corresponds essentially to the shape of the pelt board comprising a fat-absorbing bag over which a pelt is stretched, is drawn over the board with the stretched pelt from the cranium end/the nose end of the pelt, so that the side of the holding-bag (fixing-bag) facing towards the fur side of the pelt is in tight contact with the fur side and brings about a force which presses the pelt against the board sufficiently enough for the pelt to remain in its stretched position during the drying. A further advantage with the use of the holding-bag is that a dry- ing-out of the fur side of the pelt is effected during the drying process, whereby the normal processing of the pelts with a water-carrying rotating brush, which results in a reduction of the hairs' natural layer of fat, and herewith the natural silky ap¬ pearance of the pelt, can be omitted. The work in connection with the removal of pelts stretched on pelt boards af¬ ter the end of the drying process is time-consuming, even though for this purpose machines have been developed for the cutting-up of the holding bags, the extrac- tion of the staples and the freeing of the pelt from the pelt board.

The mechanical stretching of pelts during the drying procedure during the stretching on the distension element/pelt board results in the pelts being exposed to relatively high traction forces, and with the latest development of machines, to- gether with the traction forces, and also a vibrating movement oriented in the lon¬ gitudinal axis of the distension element, as disclosed in WO 0244428 A, gives rise to the possibility of being able to stretch a pelt on a distension element/pelt board to a hitherto unknown degree, which results in larger pelts, and herewith also that higher prices can be achieved for the pelts produced in this manner.

For an effective use of said new technologies, it is important that the pelts are mounted correctly on the distension elements/pelt boards, so that the nose end of the pelt is in effective engagement with the pointed end of the distension ele¬ ment/pelt board, so that the nose end of the pelt does not slip off the pointed end of the board during the maximum stretching/vibrating. If this occurs frequently, the costs connected with the work of mounting become too great. The reason why the nose end of the pelt sometimes slides off the pointed end of the distension ele¬ ment/pelt board, is that by mistake during the manually executed skinning of the furred animal the pelt receives a cut in the nose/lip area, the result being that that edge of the nose end of the pelt, which shall be in engagement with the pointed end of the pelt board in order to create a counter-hold during the stretching proce¬ dure, slides down over the distension element/pelt board, the result being that the mounting procedure must be repeated, i.e. the board with the pelt is taken out of the stretching machine, the pelt is replaced with the nose end placed out over the pointed end of the board, after which the nose end - before the procedure is re¬ peated - is fixed to the pointed end of the board by means of staples or clips which are driven through the nose end of the pelt and anchored in the board mate¬ rial. Hereafter, there is carried out a stretching of the pelt, which is held in the stretched position on the distension element/pelt board by means of staples and/or a fixing-bag.

The use of staples for securing the nose end of a pelt to the pointed end of the distension element/pelt board is an operation which is carried out with reluc- tance, in that the use hereof is very time-consuming and, moreover, with the use hereof in the removal of the pelts provided with said staples, the staples are easily overlooked with the result that the staples can damage the back of the pelt during the removal procedure.

Since said cutting error in nose or lip during the skinning of furred animals, will hardly be able to be completely avoided, despite the fact that this work is car¬ ried out by skilled persons, the object of the invention is to provide a method and a help arrangement for the execution of the method which relieves the above- mentioned problems concerning the stretching and fixation of pelts on distension elements/pelt boards, so that the nose end of the pelt, regardless of the extent of possible cutting errors in the nose and lip region, will remain in effective engage¬ ment with the pointed end of the distension element/pelt board during the stretch¬ ing and drying of the pelt.

With the invention it is realised that a method for the relieving of the above- mentioned problems consists with advantage in the carrying out of a securing of the nose end of the pelt and the pressing-down of a hood-like element over the nose end before the securing of the pelt mounted on a distension element/pelt board, so that over relevant parts of the nose end the pelt is clamped firmly be¬ tween the outer side of the distension element and the inside of the hood-like ele¬ ment. It is hereby achieved that the nose end of the pelt is secured in the pointed end/the nose end of the distension element/pelt board during the stretching and possible vibration and the subsequent drying of the pelt.

A help arrangement for use in the execution of the method according to the invention is characterised in that it consists of a hood-like element comprising a cavity, the shape of which corresponds substantially to the pointed end, and is in¬ tended for accommodation of the pointed end of a relevant distension element/pelt board on which a pelt is mounted, an outer surface and an inner surface, a pointed end and, opposite this, a lower end with an opening for the introduction of the pointed end of the distension element/board with a pelt mounted, whereby the nose end of the pelt is clamped firmly between the distension element/board and the inner surface of the hood-like element facing towards the distension ele- ment/board.

There is hereby achieved an effective securing of the nose end of the pelt on the pointed end of the distension element/board, where in the mounting of the hood-like item this is pressed down over the pointed end of a distension ele¬ ment/board provided with a pelt, whereby the pelt is effectively clamped/secured in the desired position during the stretching of the pelt, and also the subsequent dry¬ ing procedure. One of the reasons for this is that the shape of the cavity is adapted to the shape of the pointed end of a relevant pelt board with a pelt mounted, so that the mounting of the hood-like element is effected by pressing-in, which gives rise to a friction which ensures that the nose/lip region of the pelt will be effectively clamped/secured.

With the object of being able to use the hood-like help arrangement in con¬ nection with most possible configurations of distension elements/pelt boards, the hood-like element can consist of a stiff, semi-stiff or elastic yielding item, the inner surface of which corresponds substantially to the surface shape of the pointed end of a relevant distension element/pelt board on which a pelt has been mounted.

Since the help arrangement solely serves the object of being able to estab¬ lish an effective securing of the nose end of the pelt in the area around the pointed end of the distension element, it can be an advantage that the hood-like element has a length which extends substantially from the pointed end of the board to an area near the jaw region of a pelt mounted on the distension element/pelt board.

With the view of improving the securing properties of the help arrangement, the inner surface of the hood-like element can comprise corrugations, grooves or barbs, at least along a part of those regions of the inner surface which presses the pelt against relevant parts of the side surfaces of the distension element/pelt board. There will hereby be achieved an improved securing ability, in that the re¬ sult of a traction in the pelt's thigh and back side will be merely that the hood-like element is pulled into a firmer contact with the distension element/board. Without renouncing the right to other configurations, it can be mentioned that it is preferred that the corrugations/grooves on the hood-like item are placed opposite the areas of the distension element/board where the upper lip part and the nose part of the pelt are in engagement with end edge of the pointed end of the distension ele¬ ment/pelt board.

In that it is presupposed that the help arrangement will remain in its mounted position during the whole of the drying procedure after the pelt is stretched and secured in this position on the distension element/pelt board, it will be necessary that moisture from the leather side of the pelt is able to be diffused out through the cranium/nose area of the pelt, so that the pelt does not require any special subse¬ quent treatment/drying when the help arrangement is used. With the object of en¬ suring that diffusion can take place, and also to ensure that it becomes possible to carry out an induction of drying air through the mouth/nose part of the pelt, the walls of the hood-like element can be provided with outlet holes. It is hereby achieved that the hood-like element has an open structure which permits the pas¬ sage of moist air and the induction of drying air.

The help arrangement is envisaged to be able to be used in a relatively uni- versal manner, which means that it will find application together with traditional pelt boards of wood, where during the drying procedure the boards are suspended at the nose end on hooks in the ceiling of a drying room, and where near each indi¬ vidual hook there exists an air pipe which is introduced through the jaw part of the pelt for the induction of drying air to the slot in the board, and the help arrange- ment will also be able to be used in connection with modern pelt boards, where the drying air is renewed via openings at the lower end (at the foot) of the distension element. The hood-like element will, however, cover the hole which exists in the nose end on the traditional pelt boards of wood for suspension from the above- mentioned hooks in the drying room. With the view of ensuring that the help ar- rangement can also be used together with traditional boards, in the area around the pointed end the hood-like element can comprise a nose oriented in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the hood-like element, said nose at least com¬ prising a through-going hole. It is hereby achieved that the help arrangement ac¬ cording to the invention can also find application in the drying of pelts on traditional pelt boards, and in the drying rooms traditionally-used.

With the view of ensuring good possibilities of access for the introduction of a pipe for drying air through the jaw part of the pelt with the use of the help ar¬ rangement according to the invention, the inner surface of the cavity of the hood- like element can comprise at least one recess oriented in its longitudinal axis, the bottom of which via through-going openings stands in connection with the outer surface, said recess extending from the nose to the edge of the opening of the hood-like element. This hereby facilitates the introduction of a pipe for the induc¬ tion of drying air through the jaw part of the pelt, and the pipe can also be led in through the said openings. With the view of being able to introduce a pipe for the induction of drying air through the nose of the help arrangement, the nose of the hood-like element can have a slot-shaped opening between the outer surface and the inner surface.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where

Fig. 1 is an embodiment of a help arrangement according to the invention for fixing the nose part of the nose end of the pelt from a furred animal on a distension element or a pelt board during stretching and drying, Fig. 2 is a side view of the first broad surface side of the help arrangement shown in fig. 1 , Fig. 3 is a side view of the second broad surface side of the help arrange¬ ment shown in fig. 1 , Fig. 4 is a side view of the narrow side of the help arrangement shown in fig. 1 , and Fig. 5 is a side view of the inner side of the help arrangement shown in fig. 1 , where the second broad surface side is removed along line A-A in fig. 4.

In fig. 1 there is shown a help arrangement 2 for securing the nose end 4 of a pelt 6 on the pointed end 8 of a distension element or pelt board 10 (indicated by stippled line). Fig. 1 also shows the jaw part 12 (indicated by dotted line) on the underside of the nose end 4 of the pelt. The edge 14 of the nose end 4 of the pelt is placed over the edge 16 of the distension element/pelt board 10, so that the nose end of the pelt 6 is hereby secured on the pointed end 8 of the distension element/pelt board 10, which for the sake of brevity is hereafter called the board 10.

The help arrangement 2 consists of a hood-like element 18 which, in the shown embodiment, has a cavity 20 to accommodate the pointed end 8 of the board 10 on which a pelt 6 is mounted, so that the pelt 6 is clamped firmly mainly between the edge 16 of the board 10 and relevant wall sides 24' of the hood-like cavity 20 which face towards the pelt 10. The hood-like element 18 has an outer surface 22 and inner surface 24, a pointed end 26 and, opposite the pointed end, a lower end 28 comprising an opening 30 for the introduction of a board 10 on which a pelt 6 is mounted. The geometry of the cavity 20 corresponds substantially to the surface ge¬ ometry of the pointed end of a board 10 with a pelt 6 mounted. As will appear from fig. 2, the hood-like element 18 is oval in cross-section, the peripheral length of which decreases in the longitudinal axis 32, extending from the opening 30 to- wards the pointed end 26, which means that the hood-like element 18 according to the invention can be used both in connection with traditional boards of wood as well as in connection with modern boards/distension elements which have a more spatial extent.

As will also appear from fig. 1 , but more so from fig. 2 and fig. 5, a part of the inside surface 24 of the cavity 20 comprises barbs 34 which, in the placing of the hood-like element 18 over the pointed end of the board 10 with the pelt 6, will be pressed in against the pelt 6 in line-formed parts, which in turn will be pressed against the edge 16 of the board 10. This will result in a particularly good fixing of the nose end of the pelt on the pointed end 8 of the board 10, and will prevent the pelt from sliding off the edge 16 of the board 10, in cases where the lip part 12 of the pelt is damaged by being cut, during the stretching of the pelt 6 by a relative displacement between the holding means (not shown) for the board 10 and grip¬ ping means (not shown) which engage the lower end (not shown) of the pelt, also even when during the stretching there is applied a vibrating movement which is oriented substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the hood-like ele¬ ment. Moreover, the good fixation has the result that the hood-like element is se¬ cured on the pointed end of the board, which is of great importance for the use of the help arrangement in connection with traditional boards 10 and traditional methods of drying, as will appear from the following.

As further appears from fig. 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, the hood-like element 18 has an open structure, in that the surface comprises a number of cut-outs 36,36'and holes 58, 60, 62, 64 on the side 54 of the item 18, and the cut-outs 38, 38'40, 40',42, 42', 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 on the side 54 of the item 18. This results in a very open structure of the element, which is advantageous during the drying of the pelt 6, in that the open structure permits diffusion of moisture which is removed from the pelt 6 during the drying procedure. Moreover, the holes, the cut-outs, facilitate an easy placing of pipes (not shown) for the induction of drying air, said pipes un- der normal conditions being introduced through the jaw part 12 of the pelt and into a slot 58 in the board 10. As will appear from the example embodiment of the help arrangement 2, the pointed end 26 of the hood-like element 18 comprises a nose 60 oriented in the same direction as the longitudinal axis 32 of the hood-like element. The nose comprises a through-going slot-shaped hole 44 which serves primarily for the sus- pension of the board 10 with the stretched pelt mounted in a traditional drying room which has a ceiling surface provided with hooks, where at each hook there is provided an air pipe connected to an air blowing plant, said pipe being introduced into the slot 58 in the board via the opening in the jaw part 12 of the pelt.

In order to facilitate the introduction of said air pipes 8 (not shown), the inner surface 24 of the cavity 20 of the hood-like element comprises a recess 66, 66' which respectively stands in connection with the holes 58, 60, 62, 64 and 46, 48, 50, 52. With the configuration of the hood-like element 18 described above, there is achieved a particularly good fixing of the pelt 6 mounted on the board 10, not only during the stretching but also during the drying process, and due to its open structure and configuration with the recesses 66, 66, the hood-like element 18 permits an easy and unhindered placing of the air pipes for the blowing of drying air into the slot 58 in the board 10. The slot-shaped hole 44 in the nose 60 also offers improved possibilities for suspension of the board 10 with the pelt 6, as compared with the method traditionally used where the board is suspended in the drying position on a hook by introducing the free end of the hook through a hole in the pointed end of the board, which is visible only on the one side of the board. With the through-going slot-shaped hole, suspension possibilities are achieved from both sides 54, 56.