Leather/hide drier - using multi-stage heating in free and forced air
The material is laid epidermis-side downwards on flat carrier plates, fixed to an endless chain conveyor or on a polished stainless steel conveyor belt which initially passes over a heater, or under a first radiant heater within a hood, before it enters the first of one or more forced air drying chambers contg. blowers and heater elements below which is an extractor pipe for the moist air. The chambers may be linked by relatively low tunnels contg. air locks or by inter. radiant heater sections with hoods. Relatively simple method of obtg. desired final moisture content without excessive drying, cracking etc.