Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Treatment of hides – skins – feathers and animal tissues – Tanning
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2001-01-30
Einsmann, Margaret (Department: 1751)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Treatment of hides, skins, feathers and animal tissues
Tanning
C008S09419C, C428S540000, C036S043000, C036S083000, C036S098000, C036S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179879
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to leather and leather products, and more particularly to leather impregnated with microspheres containing a temperature stabilizing material, and a method for tanning the microspheres into leather.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tanning is a very old art, which is a treatment for preventing the decomposition of raw hides or skins. The tanned raw hides, typically referred to as leather, are also flexible and very strong. Originally, tanning was accomplished by using vegetable tanning agents such as bark, leaf, or bean extracts. Bark extracts used include for example those that can be obtained from oak, hemlock or avaram trees. Leaf extracts used include those that can be obtained from for example sumac. Bean extracts can be obtained for example from the acacia tree.
Mineral tanning agents or tannins have gradually replaced vegetable tanning agents, because mineral tanning agents produce stronger and more flexible leathers from the raw skins. Of the mineral tannages, the most prominent used today is chromium sulfate. Zirconium and aluminum are other minerals widely used in tanning. Other natural tannages include aldehyde, which is toxic because it uses formaldehyde, and oil tannage. Oil tannage is primarily used for “chamois” leather. Syntans or synthetic organic tanning agents are also used. Of all these tannages, it is widely believed that “chrome” tannage produces the strongest leather.
For many years various attempts have been made to improve the function and appearance of leathers by changing the methods of tanning and by putting various additives into the tanning mixture during processing. When leather is used for various garments, such as for shoes and gloves, it is desirable that the leather have additional properties that would improve the comfort to the wearer and durability of the leather. For example, leathers have been stain-proofed and waterproofed using various additives. However, there remains a need for improved leather and improved processes for treating leather that provides a thermally enhanced leather, while maintaining the softness, stretchability, resilience, and appearance of the leather.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved leather impregnated with a temperature stabilizing material, such as microspheres containing a phase change material.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved process for tanning leather for use in garments with microencapsulated phase change material, which provides improved thermal properties to the leather.
The invention is generally directed to a tanned leather including an internal fiber matrix and a plurality of microspheres containing a temperature stabilizing material. The microspheres are embedded within the fiber matrix in a sufficient amount that the microspheres enhance the thermal stability of the leather when subject to heat or cold. The present invention is also directed to leather products formed of such leather, such as garments, shoes, and gloves. This allows such leather products to thermally regulate the temperature of the user.
The present invention is also directed to a method of impregnating a material having an internal fiber matrix. The method comprises the steps of placing the material in a container, adding a tanning agent to the container, combining a plurality of microspheres containing a temperature stabilizing material with a liquid to form a suspension, adding the suspension to the container, and agitating the contents of the container until microspheres are embedded within the fiber matrix. A sufficient amount of the microspheres are embedded so that, the microspheres enhance the thermal stability of the material when subject to heat or cold. In the method, the material to be treated, can be either raw skins or tanned leather.
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Erickson John J.
Redwood Michael
Robinson Douglas K.
Acushnet Company
Einsmann Margaret
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
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