The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

The present invention relates to an elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board comprises a first wall element, a second wall element being spaced apart from the first wall element in the first radial direction, a third wall element and a fourth wall element being spaced apart from the third wall element in a second radial direction. The wall elements together define a cavity along a longitudinal direction. The wall elements defining a contracted state in which the first and second radial distances are reduced, and an expanded state in which the first and second radial distances are increased. The pelt board further comprising an elongated core element being movable in relation to each of the wall elements. The elongated core element allows the wall elements to selectively define the contracted state or the expanded state by moving the elongated core element in the longitudinal direction.

A pelt processing system includes a plurality of pelt boards, each of which is operable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state by moving a connecting element relative to the bottom of the pelt board. The system further includes a holding unit, configured to hold a plurality of pelt boards, that includes a top plate having a number of apertures, each of the apertures accommodating a connecting element of a pelt board; and a blowing unit including a bottom plate spaced from the top plate, a gas inlet configured for receiving a stream of gas, and a sidewall in a fluid-tight connection with the top and bottom plates, whereby an inner space is established between the top plate, the bottom plate, the gas inlet, and the sidewall; and a release mechanism configured for causing the pelt boards held by the holding unit to assume the non-expanded state.

A pelt processing system includes a plurality of pelt boards, each of which is operable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state by moving a connecting element relative to the bottom of the pelt board. The system further includes a holding unit, configured to hold a plurality of pelt boards, that includes a top plate having a number of apertures, each of the apertures accommodating a connecting element of a pelt board; and a blowing unit including a bottom plate spaced from the top plate, a gas inlet configured for receiving a stream of gas, and a sidewall in a fluid-tight connection with the top and bottom plates, whereby an inner space is established between the top plate, the bottom plate, the gas inlet, and the sidewall; and a release mechanism configured for causing the pelt boards held by the holding unit to assume the non-expanded state.

An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board defines a blunt end and an opposite pointed end and a longitudinal direction. The pelt board further defines a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, said pelt board comprising a first part at said blunt end and an opposite second part at said pointed end. The first part comprises a first wall element and a second wall element. The first and second wall elements are of identical configuration. The first wall element and said second wall element define a contracted state and an expanded state.

An elongated pelt board for accommodating an animal pelt. The pelt board defines a blunt end and an opposite pointed end and a longitudinal direction. The pelt board further defines a first radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first radial direction, said pelt board comprising a first part at said blunt end and an opposite second part at said pointed end. The first part comprises a first wall element and a second wall element. The first and second wall elements are of identical configuration. The first wall element and said second wall element define a contracted state and an expanded state.

A pelt board bag for use in combination with a pelt board for the tanning and drying of a pelt applied externally to the pelt board bag comprises a pair of oppositely positioned and substantially coextensively extending, elongated sheets. The pair of sheets are joined together along opposite longitudinal edges and define in a first state a flat two-layer structure and in a second state a basically tubular state. The pair of sheets define opposite first and second ends. The first end constitutes a narrow open end constituting a top end when used in combination with the pelt board, and the second end constitutes a broader bottom end when used in combination with the pelt board. The pair of sheets define in the second state an inner perimeter varying from the first narrow end to the broader second end. The pair of sheets have a region at a specific inner perimeter, which is provided with slits, oblong apertures, embossings, score lines or folds allowing the region to be expanded at least in one direction longitudinally or transversely when in the second state. Each of the longitudinal edges defines a respective fold line at which the material is folded and the fold lines are provided with slits, oblong apertures, embossings, score lines or folds and extend substantially between the first end and the second end.

A pelt board bag for use in combination with a pelt board for the tanning and drying of a pelt applied externally to the pelt board bag comprises a pair of oppositely positioned and substantially coextensively extending, elongated sheets. The pair of sheets are joined together along opposite longitudinal edges and define in a first state a flat two-layer structure and in a second state a basically tubular state. The pair of sheets define opposite first and second ends. The first end constitutes a narrow open end constituting a top end when used in combination with the pelt board, and the second end constitutes a broader bottom end when used in combination with the pelt board. The pair of sheets define in the second state an inner perimeter varying from the first narrow end to the broader second end. The pair of sheets have a region at a specific inner perimeter, which is provided with slits, oblong apertures, embossings, score lines or folds allowing the region to be expanded at least in one direction longitudinally or transversely when in the second state. Each of the longitudinal edges defines a respective fold line at which the material is folded and the fold lines are provided with slits, oblong apertures, embossings, score lines or folds and extend substantially between the first end and the second end.

A method of making stretch leather composites is provided. The method includes providing a semi-finished leather. The semi-finished leather is split to obtain a final split having a thickness of from 0.10 mm to about 1.25. The final split is dried to obtain a crust. The crust is laminated with a stretch fabric impregnated with a stiffener, e.g., starch, to prepare a laminate. The starch is removed from the stretch fabric after preparing the laminate, for example, by dissolving the starch in a liquid solution naturally present in another laminate processing step liquid. Laminating the crust can include the use of an adhesive. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can include providing a stretch leather composite, cutting the stretch leather composite to conform to a predetermined shape, and manufacturing the footwear using the stretch leather composite.

A method of making stretch leather composites is provided. The method includes providing a semi-finished leather. The semi-finished leather is split to obtain a final split having a thickness of from 0.10 mm to about 1.25. The final split is dried to obtain a crust. The crust is laminated with a stretch fabric impregnated with a stiffener, e.g., starch, to prepare a laminate. The starch is removed from the stretch fabric after preparing the laminate, for example, by dissolving the starch in a liquid solution naturally present in another laminate processing step liquid. Laminating the crust can include the use of an adhesive. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can include providing a stretch leather composite, cutting the stretch leather composite to conform to a predetermined shape, and manufacturing the footwear using the stretch leather composite.