EP3415645A1

EP3415645A1 - Method and machine for stretching a pelt on a pelt board

Info

Publication number: EP3415645A1
Application number: EP17176383.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mr. Jens Jørgen Madsen; Mr. Kent Lange
Original assignee: Hedensted Gruppen AS
Current assignee: Hedensted Gruppen AS
Priority date: 2017-06-16
Filing date: 2017-06-16
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-16
Also published as: EP3415645B1; DK3415645T3

Abstract

A method for stretching pelts comprises the steps of:
a. fastening the lower end of the pelt board (3) in a pelt board-holding device (10),
b. gripping a lower end portion (14) of the pelt body of a pelt (2) arranged on the pelt board in a pelt body-gripping device (13) comprising pelt body-gripping elements (17,18)
c. gripping the tail (25) of the pelt (2) in a tail gripping device (21) comprising a tail gripping element (22)
d. stretching the pelt (2) by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the pelt board (3) between the pelt body-gripping device (13) and the pelt board-holding device (9) and additionally stretching the pelt (2) by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the pelt board (3) between the tail gripping device (21) and the pelt body-gripping device (13), and
e. fixing the pelt to the pelt board in the stretched position

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and a machine for longitudinally stretching a pelt, such as a mink pelt, on a pelt board.

Background of the Invention

In general, pelts of minks are longitudinally stretched before being dried in order to increase the length of the pelt and thus obtain the desired length of the pelt. Stretching of the pelt is usually carried out on a pelt board, and the stretched pelt is fixed or secured to the board and remains on the board during drying.
EP 1 678 331 B1 discloses a machine for stretching a pelt on a pelt board and where gripping elements are configured for gripping essentially the whole periphery of the lower end of the pelt body during stretching.
WO 2007/033681 A2 discloses a method and a machine for folding-out the tail of a pelt and stretching said pelt being arranged on a pelt board. During stretching of the pelt, the tail is clamped between a tail guide and a counter-hold to position the tail part on the tail guide.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to improve the stretching and thereby the obtainable lengthening of pelts.
In the following description, the term "pelt" is to be understood as the complete pelt including the tail thereof, whereas the term "pelt body" is to be understood as the portion of the pelt having covered the body of the animal, such as a mink. In other words, the term pelt body does not include the tail of the pelt.
In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for stretching pelts, such as mink pelts, having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end comprising the steps of:

a. fastening the lower end of the pelt board in a pelt board-holding device,
b. gripping and retaining a lower end portion of the pelt body arranged on the pelt board in the pelt body-gripping device, the pelt body-gripping device comprising pelt body-gripping elements comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part, the inner pelt body-gripping parts being placed between the pelt board and the pelt, and the outer pelt body-gripping parts being brought into engagement with the pelt body for gripping and retaining the pelt body between the inner and outer pelt body-gripping parts,
c. gripping and retaining the tail of the pelt in a tail-gripping means comprising a tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail-gripping part, the inner tail-gripping part being placed between the pelt board and the tail, and the outer tail-gripping part being brought into engagement with the tail for gripping and retaining the tail between the inner and outer tail-gripping parts.
d. stretching the pelt body by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device and additionally stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device,
e. fixing the pelt to the pelt board in the stretched position by means of a pelt-fixing device,
f. releasing the pelt body-gripping device and the tail-gripping device from the pelt, and
g. releasing the pelt board-holding device from the pelt board.

The central longitudinal part of the back of the pelt body and the tail, being an extension of said back part, is the strongest part of a pelt, and said back part and especially the tail can therefore be subjected to a higher stretching stress that the rest of the pelt, especially than the lower end portion of the belly portion of the pelt body. By stretching the pelt body by a relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device and additionally stretching the pelt by a relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device, higher longitudinal stress can be exerted on the tail by the longitudinal displacement of the tail-gripping device that can be exerted on the lower end portion of the pelt body by the pelt body-gripping device. Additionally, the stress level exerted on the pelt by the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device, respectively, during the displacement thereof can be controlled independently of each other to obtain the desired optimal stretching of the pelt.
Correspondingly, the speed of the longitudinal displacement of the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device, respectively, can be controlled independently of each other to obtain the desired optimal stretching of the pelt. The above advantages allow for an optimal lengthening of the pelt, especially when subjecting the tail to an optimal longitudinal stress being higher than the stress exerted on the lower end portion of the pelt body.
The pelt-fixing device can be configured for engaging at least the lower end of the pelt to bring said lower part into tight and retaining contact with the pelt board. Alternatively, the pelt can be fixed to the board by means of staples.
According to an at present preferred embodiment, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device is, during stretching, a displacement of the pelt board-holding device in a holding device displacement direction towards the pelt body-gripping device. In other words, during stretching, the board-holding device is moved towards the pelt body-gripping device, typically upwardly towards the pelt body-gripping device when the machine and the frame thereof is arranged vertically, being the usual orientation of a stretching machine.
According to the at present preferred embodiment, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device is, during stretching, a displacement of the tail-gripping device in a tail-gripping device displacement direction away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device. In other words, during stretching, the tail-gripping device is moved away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device, typically downwardly towards the pelt board-holding device when the machine and the frame thereof is arranged vertically, being the usual orientation of a stretching machine.
Based on the above at present preferred embodiments, the tail gripping device is, during stretching, moved in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pelt board-holding device is moved during stretching. As a result, a higher stress can be exerted on the tail during the displacement of the tail-gripping device than the stress exerted on the pelt during displacement of the pelt board-holding device, and the additional advantages mentioned above are obtainable, and an optimal stretching of the pelt is obtainable.
The relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. upwardly displacement of the pelt board device, and the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e. g. downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device, can be effected simultaneously.
Alternatively, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. upwardly displacement of the pelt board-holding device, can be effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e. g. downwardly displacement of the tail gripping device.
Additionally, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e. g. downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device, can be effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. upwardly displacement of the pelt board-holding device.
Finally, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e. g. downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device, and the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. upwardly displacement of the pelt board-holding device, can be effected alternately. The lengthening of the pelt might be optimized by alternating between stretching by displacing the pelt gripping-device longitudinally and displacing the tail-gripping device longitudinally. The alternation may take place one or more times during stretching of the pelt.
In the four possibilities mentioned above, the longitudinal displacement of the pelt board-holding device towards the pelt body-gripping device and the longitudinal displacement of tail-gripping device towards the pelt board-holding device can be shortly interrupted one or more times during stretching of the pelt.
In an additional embodiment according to the invention, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device is, during stretching, a displacement of the pelt body-gripping device in a pelt body-gripping device displacement direction towards the pelt board-holding device. In other words, during stretching, the pelt body-gripping device is moved towards the pelt board-holding device, typically downwardly towards the pelt board-holding device when the machine and the frame thereof are arranged vertically, being the usual orientation of a stretching machine.
In case of the above embodiment, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device can, during stretching, be a displacement of the tail-gripping device in a tail-gripping device displacement direction away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device. In other words, during stretching, the tail-gripping device is moved away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device, typically downwardly towards the pelt board-holding device when the machine and the frame thereof is arranged vertically, being the usual orientation of a stretching machine.
It should be noted that the above, at present, preferred embodiment and the additional embodiment can be combined so that, during stretching, the pelt board-holding device is displaced towards the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device is displaced towards the pelt board-holding device
The relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. the downwardly displacement of the pelt body-gripping device, and the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e.g. the downwardly displacement of the tail gripping device, can be effected simultaneously.
Alternatively, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. the downwardly displacement of the pelt body-gripping device, can be effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e.g. the downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device.
Additionally, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e.g. the downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device, can be effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. downwardly displacement of the pelt body-gripping device.
Finally, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device, e.g. downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device, and the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device, e.g. downwardly displacement of the pelt body-gripping device, can be effected alternately. The lengthening of the pelt might be optimized by alternating between stretching by displacing the pelt body-gripping device longitudinally and displacing the tail-gripping device longitudinally. The alternation may take place one or more times during stretching of the pelt.
In the four possibilities mentioned above, the longitudinal displacement of the pelt body-gripping device towards the pelt board-holding device and the longitudinal displacement of tail-gripping device towards the pelt board-holding device can be shortly interrupted one or more times during stretching of the pelt.
In a second aspec,t the present invention relates to a method for stretching pelts, such as mink pelts, having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end comprising the steps of:

a. fastening the lower end of the pelt board in a pelt board-holding device,
b. gripping and retaining the tail of the pelt in a tail-gripping device comprising a tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail gripping part, the inner tail gripping part being placed between the pelt board and the tail and the outer tail gripping part being brought into engagement with the tail for gripping and retaining the tail between the inner and outer tail gripping parts, then
c. stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board holding device,
d. optionally effecting a relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device in a direction opposite to that during stretching of the pelt in step c, thereafter
e. gripping and retaining a lower end portion of the pelt body of a pelt arranged on the pelt board in a pelt body-gripping device, the pelt body-gripping device comprising pelt body-gripping elements comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part, the inner pelt body-gripping parts being placed between the pelt board and the pelt body and the outer pelt gripping parts being brought into engagement with the pelt for gripping and retaining the pelt body between the inner and outer pelt body-gripping parts, then
f. stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device
g. fixing the pelt to the pelt board in the stretched position by means of pelt-fixing device,
h. releasing the pelt gripping device and the tail-gripping device from the pelt, and
i. releasing the pelt board-holding device from the pelt board.

In step b, only the tail is gripped and retained, no other parts of the pelt are gripped and retained in step b.
In step e and f, the tail is still gripped and retained in the tail-gripping device.
The optional step d is carried out in case the stretching of the pelt in step c has elongated the pelt to an extent where the lower end portion of the pelt body cannot be gripped and retained by the pelt body-gripping device.
In step c, the relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device can be a displacement of the board-holding device towards the tail-gripping device, i.e. typically upwardly towards the tail-gripping device.
Correspondently, in step e, the relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device can be a displacement of the board-holding device towards the pelt-gripping device, i.e.typically upwardly towards the pelt body-gripping device.
The tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device can be mutually connected Additionally, in step c the relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board holding device can be a displacement of the tail-gripping device towards the pelt board-holding device, i.e. typically downwardly towards the pelt board-holding device.
Correspondingly, in step e, the relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device can be a displacement of the of the pelt body gripping-device towards the pelt board-holding device, i.e. typically downwardly towards the pelt board-holding device. The tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device can be mutually connected and thereby displaced together or simultaneously.
The stretching machine according to the invention for stretching pelts having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end and additionally for carrying out the method according to the invention comprises:

a frame having a longitudinal frame axis,
a pelt board-holding device configured for releasably fastening and retaining the lower end of the pelt board to position the longitudinal board axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal frame axis,
pelt body-gripping device configured for releasably gripping and retaining a lower end portion of a pelt body arranged on the pelt board, the pelt body-gripping device comprising:
- at least one pelt back-gripping element configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion of the back portion of the pelt body and comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part where the pelt is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the pelt is free, and
- at least one pelt belly-gripping element configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion of the belly portion of the pelt body and comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part where the pelt is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the pelt is free,
a first guide and drive device configured for implementing a relative longitudinal displacement essentially in the longitudinal direction of the frame between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device,

a tail-gripping device configured for gripping and retaining the tail of a pelt arranged on the pelt board, the tail-gripping device comprising at least one tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail-gripping part, the outer tail-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner tail-gripping part where the tail is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the tail is free, and
a second guide and drive device configured for implementing a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the frame between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device independent of the guided relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device.

The possibility of stretching the pelt by gripping the tail with the tail-gripping device and longitudinally displacing the tail-gripping device relative to the pelt body-gripping device allows for subjecting the tail to a higher stretching stress than the rest of the fur and provide an optimal stretching of the pelt as described above.
The second guide and drive means can be configured for implementing a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the frame between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device independent of the guided relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device.
In an, at present, preferred embodiment, the pelt board-holding device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt board-holding device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
The tail-gripping device can be longitudinally displaceable along a tail-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
Alternatively, the tail-gripping device can be longitudinally displaceable along a tail-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the pelt body-gripping device.
In an additional embodiment, the pelt body-gripping device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt body-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
The tail-gripping device can be longitudinally displaceable along a tail-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the pelt body-gripping device.
As an alternative to being connected to the pelt body-gripping device, the tail-gripping device guide could be connected to the frame.
It should be noted that the features of the above. at present. preferred embodiment and the above additional embodiment can be combined so that the pelt board-holding device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt board-holding device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame, and the pelt body-gripping device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt body-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
The pelt board-holding device guide and the pelt body-gripping device guide can be the same guide, i.e. a common guide for the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device.

Brief Description of the Figures

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated into and a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar pa rts.

Fig. 1 illustrates in a schematically perspective view of an exemplary stretching machine according to the invention as seen slanted from behind and with a pelt board arranged in the machine,
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the machine shown in Fig. 1 seen from behind,
Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, as seen slanted from behind, gripping elements of a pelt body-gripping device and a tail gripping device of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the gripping elements of pelt body-gripping device and the tail-gripping device being in an open position and moved away from a pelt board and a pelt arranged on the pelt boa rd,
Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the pelt body-gripping device and the tail gripping device shown in Fig. 3, and where the gripping elements of the pelt body-gripping device have been moved close to the pelt and the gripping elements at the belly portion of the pelt are open, whereas the gripping elements of the gripping device on the back portion of the pelt are closed and grip the lower end portion of the pelt body, and the gripping element of the tail-gripping device have been moved close to the pelt and the tail-gripping element grips the tail.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a lateral view of the arrangement shown in Fig.4,
Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a view from behind of the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5,
Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a top view of the pelt board and the gripping elements of the pelt body-gripping elements of the pelt body-gripping device and the tail-gripping element of the tail-gripping device moved away from the pelt board as shown in Fig. 3,
Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a top view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 and with a pelt arranged on the pelt board, and
Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 and where the gripping elements of the pelt body-gripping device at the belly portion of the pelt body are in an open position immediately before the lower end portion of the belly portion of the pelt body is gripped whereas the gripping elements of the pelt body-gripping device at the back portion of the pelt body are in a closed position gripping the lower end portion of the back portion of the pelt body, and the gripping element of the tail-gripping device is in a closed position gripping the tail.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As shown in the drawings, the stretching machine 1 according to the invention for stretching pelts such as mink pelts 2 arranged on a pelt board 3 with a longitudinal board axis 12 comprises a frame having a longitudinal frame axis 5, a rear frame side 7, a front frame side 6 and a frame base 8.
A pelt board-holding device 9 is in the embodiment described arranged movably along vertical pelt board-holding device guides 10 being parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame and connected to the frame 4. The movement or displacement of the pelt board-holding device 9 along the guides 10 is controlled by a not shown drive device such as a motor or linear actuator controlled by a not shown control unit. The pelt board-holding device guides 10 and the not shown drive device form a first guide and drive device. The pelt board-holding device 9 is configured for releasably fastening and retaining the lower end 11 of the pelt board 3 to position the longitudinal board axis 12 essentially parallel to the longitudinal frame axis 5. In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal board axis 12 and the longitudinal frame axis 5 are coincident when the pelt board is retained in the pelt board-holding device 9.
Additionally, the stretching machine 1 comprises a pelt body-gripping device 13 configured for releasably gripping and retaining a lower end portion 14 of the pelt body of the pelt 2 arranged on the pelt board 3. The pelt body has a belly portion 15 facing the front of the frame side 6 and a back portion 16 facing the rear frame side 7 when the pelt board 3 with a pelt 2 thereon is fastened to the pelt board-holding device 9.
In the embodiment shown, the pelt body-gripping device 13 comprises two pelt back-gripping elements 17 configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion 14 of the back portion 16 of the body of the pelt 2 and two pelt belly-gripping elements 18 configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion 14 of the belly portion 15 of the body of the pelt 2.
Each pelt back-gripping element 17 comprises an inner pelt body-gripping part 19 and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part 20 being pivotally connected with the inner pelt body-gripping part and pivotally moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part 19 where the pelt body is gripped and retained between said parts 19,20 and an open position where the pelt body is free. Correspondingly, each pelt belly-gripping element 18 comprises an inner pelt body-gripping part 19 and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part 20 being pivotally connected with the inner pelt body-gripping part and pivotally moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part 19 where the pelt body is gripped and retained between said parts 19,20 and an open position where the pelt body is free.
By comparing Fig. 3 with Figs. 4 ,5 ,6 and Fig 8 with the pelt belly-gripping elements 18 in Fig. 9, it appears that each pelt body-gripping elements 17, 18 by means of not shown gripping element movement devices of the pelt body-gripping device can be moved between a position shown in Figs. 3 and 8, respectively, laterally spaced from the pelt board 3 and the pelt 2 arranged thereon and a position shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9 adjacent or at the pelt board 3. In the latter position where the pelt body-gripping elements 17, 18 are moved to the position at or adjacent the pelt board 3, the pelt body-gripping elements are open at the belly portion of the pelt and the inner pelt body-gripping parts 19 are arranged between the outer surface of the pelt board 3 and the lower end portion 14 of the body of pelt 2 while the outer pelt body-gripping parts 20 are arranged spaced from the outer surface of the body of the pelt 2. In the position at or adjacent the outer surface of the pelt board 3, the inner pelt body-gripping parts 19 can advantageously be in direct contact with the outer surface of the pelt board 3. The surface of the inner pelt body-gripping part 19 facing or being in contact with the outer surface of the pelt board 3 can advantageously have a contour matching the outer contour of the pelt board 3.
From the positon shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 9 for the pelt belly-gripping elements, the outer pelt body-gripping parts 20 can be pivotally moved to a closed position where the pelt body is gripped and retained between the inner and the outer pelt body-gripping parts 19,20. The closed and gripping position of the pelt body-gripping parts is in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9 shown for the pelt back-gripping elements 17.
In the embodiment described, the pelt body-gripping device including the gripping element movement devices is rigidly connected to the frame, i.e. the pelt body-gripping device is not displaceable in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame and a pelt board fastened in the pelt board-holding device. However, the pelt body-gripping elements and the inner and outer pelt body-gripping parts are obviously moveable as described above.
The machine additionally comprises a tail-gripping device 21 comprising a tail-gripping element 22 comprising an inner tail-gripping part 23 and an opposed outer tail-gripping part 24. The outer tail-gripping part 24 is movable along a tail part guides 26 between a closed position relative to the inner tail-gripping part 23 where the tail is gripped and retained between said tail-gripping parts and an open position where the tail 25 is free. The tail guide parts 26 extend between the inner tail-gripping part 23 and an outer stop plate 27 defining an outer position of the outer tail gripping part 23 in the open position thereof. The tail-gripping device is arranged centrally between the two pelt back gripping elements 17, however at a lower level than the pelt back-gripping elements 17. The open position of the gripping parts 23,24 of the tail-gripping element 22 of the tail-gripping device 21 is shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, while in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9, the gripping parts are shown in the closed position gripping and retaining the tail 25.
The tail-gripping device 21 is movable along a guide bar 28 comprising a longitudinal slot 29 being arranged essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis 5 of the frame 4. A projection 30 projecting from the rear side of the stop plate 27 is received in the slot 29 of the guide bar 28 and thereby allow for a guided displacement of the tail-gripping device 21 along the slot 29 and thereby the guide bar. The movement or displacement of the tail-gripping device 21 along the slot of the guide bar is controlled by a not shown drive device, such as a motor or linear actuator controlled by a not shown control unit. In the embodiment described, the guide bar 28 is by means of a not shown connection device rigidly connected to the frame. The guide bar could, however, also be rigidly connected to the pelt body-gripping device 13. The guide bar 28 and the not shown drive device form a second guide and drive device for a longitudinal displacement of the tail-gripping device essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame and a pelt board fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9. It should further be noted that the tail-gripping device could also be arranged displaceable along vertical guides, e.g. the pelt board-holding device guides 10.
An embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the invention is illustrated below with reference to the above described embodiment of the stretching machine 1 according to the invention.
In the above described machine 1, the pelt board-holding device 9 is vertically displaceable parallel with the axis 5 of the frame 4, the pelt body-gripping device 13 is fixed vertically relative to the frame 4, and the tail gripping device 21 is vertically displaceable parallel with the longitudinal axis 5 of the frame 4, the axis 5 of the frame 4 being coincident with the longitudinal axis 12 of a pelt board 3 fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9.
The method according to the first aspect is carried out as follows:

a. A mink pelt is mounted on a pelt board 3
b. The lower end of the pelt board is fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9
c. The lower end portion 14 of the pelt body of the pelt 2 on the pelt board is gripped and retained by the pelt body-gripping parts 19,20 of the pelt body-gripping elements 17,18 of the pelt body-gripping device 13
d. The tail is gripped and retained between the tail gripping parts 23,24 of the tail gripping element 22 of the tail gripping device 21
e. The pelt is stretched by a longitudinal upwardly displacement towards the pelt body-gripping device 13 of the pelt board-holding device 9 and the pelt board 3 with the pelt 2 and a longitudinal downwardly displacement of the tail gripping device 21 away from the pelt body-gripping device 13
f. Fastening the stretched pelt to the pelt board
g. Releasing the pelt body-gripping device and the tail gripping device from the pelt
h. Releasing the pelt board from the pelt board-holding device 9

As described previously, the tail gripping device can be displaced prior to after or at the same time as the pelt body-gripping device.
Additionally, it should be mentioned that it is contemplated to grip only the lower end portion of one of the pelt body portion such as the belly portion and the tail during stretching.
An embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the invention is illustrated below with reference to the above described embodiment of the stretching machine 1 according to the invention.
In the above described machine 1, the pelt board-holding device 9 is vertically displaceable parallel with the axis 5 of the frame 4, the pelt body-gripping device 13 is fixed vertically relative to the frame 4, and the tail-gripping device 21 is vertically displaceable parallel with the longitudinal axis 5 of the frame 4, the axis 5 of the frame 4 being coincident with the longitudinal axis 12 of a pelt board 3 fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9.
The embodiment of the method according to the second aspect of the invention and carried out on the stretching machine according to the invention comprises the following steps:

a. A mink pelt is mounted on a pelt board 3
b. The lower end of the pelt board is fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9
c. The tail is gripped and retained between the tail gripping parts 23,24 of the tail gripping element 22 of the tail gripping device 21, no other parts of the pelt is gripped
d. The pelt is stretched by a longitudinal downwardly displacement of the tail-gripping device 21 towards the pelt board-holding device 9
e. The lower end portion 14 of the pelt body of the pelt 2 on the pelt board is gripped and retained by the pelt body-gripping parts 19,20 of the pelt body-gripping elements 17,18 of the pelt body-gripping device 13,
f. The pelt is stretched by a longitudinal upwardly displacement towards the pelt body-gripping device 13 and the tail-gripping device 21 of the pelt board-holding device 9 and the pelt board 3 with the pelt 2
g. Fastening the stretched pelt to the pelt board
h. Releasing the pelt body-gripping device and the tail-gripping device from the pelt
i. Releasing the pelt board from the pelt board-holding device 9

The above described embodiment of the stretching machine 1 according to the invention may be modified by mutually connecting the tail-gripping device 21 and the pelt body-gripping device 13 to form a unit being fixed vertically relative to the frame. In the modified machine the pelt board-holding device 9 is vertically displaceable parallel with the axis 5 of the frame 4, the axis 5 of the frame 4 being coincident with the longitudinal axis 12 of a pelt board 3 fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9, and the unit comprising the pelt body-gripping device 13 and the tail-gripping device 21 is fixed vertically relative to the frame 4.
An embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the invention and carried out by the above described modified stretching machine comprises the following steps:

a. A mink pelt is mounted on a pelt board 3
b. The lower end of the pelt board is fastened in the pelt board-holding device 9
c. The tail is gripped and retained between the tail gripping parts 23,24 of the tail gripping element 22 of the tail gripping device 21, no other parts of the pelt is gripped
d. The pelt is stretched by a longitudinal upwardly displacement of the pelt board-holding device 9 towards the tail-gripping device 21.
If the pelt by the stretching in step d has been elongated to an extend moving the lower portion of the pelt so much upwardly that the pelt body-gripping device cannot grip and retain the lower portion of the pelt, the pelt board-holding device 9 is moved downwardly to allow said gripping of the lower end portion of the pelt 2.
e. The lower end portion 14 of the pelt body of the pelt 2 on the pelt board is gripped and retained by the pelt body-gripping parts 19,20 of the pelt body-gripping elements 17,18 of the pelt body-gripping device 9.
f. The pelt is stretched by a longitudinal upwardly displacement towards the unit comprising the pelt body-gripping device 13 and the tail-gripping device 21 of the pelt board-holding device 9 and the pelt board 3 with the pelt 2.
g. Fastening the stretched pelt to the pelt board
h. Releasing the pelt body-gripping device and the tail-gripping device from the pelt
i. Releasing the pelt board from the pelt board-holding device 9

Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

List of reference numerals

1.: machine
2.: pelt
3.: pelt board
4.: frame
5.: frame axis
6.: front frame side
7.: rear frame side
8.: frame base
9.: pelt board-holding device
10.: pelt board-holding device guides
11.: lower end of pelt board
12.: pelt board axis
13.: pelt body-gripping device
14.: lower end portion of pelt body
15.: belly portion
16.: back portion
17.: pelt body back-gripping elements
18.: pelt body belly-gripping elements
19.: inner pelt body-gripping part
20.: outer pelt body-gripping part
21.: tail-gripping device
22.: tail-gripping element
23.: inner tail-gripping part
24.: outer tail-gripping part
25.: tail
26.: tail part guide
27.: stop plate
28.: guide bar
29.: slot
30.: projection

Claims

A method for stretching pelts, such as mink pelts, having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end comprising the steps of:
a. fastening the lower end of the pelt board in a pelt board-holding device,

b. gripping and retaining a lower end portion of the pelt body of a pelt arranged on the pelt board in a pelt body-gripping device, the pelt body-gripping device comprising pelt body-gripping elements comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part, the inner pelt body-gripping parts being placed between the pelt board and the pelt body and the outer pelt gripping parts being brought into engagement with the pelt for gripping and retaining the pelt body between the inner and outer pelt body-gripping parts,

c. gripping and retaining the tail of the pelt in a tail-gripping device comprising a tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail gripping part, the inner tail gripping part being placed between the pelt board and the tail and the outer tail gripping part being brought into engagement with the tail for gripping and retaining the tail between the inner and outer tail gripping parts,

d. stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device and additionally stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device,

e. fixing the pelt to the pelt board in the stretched position by means of pelt-fixing device,

f. releasing the pelt body-gripping device and tail-gripping device from the pelt, and

g. releasing the pelt board-holding device from the pelt board.
A method according to claim 1, wherein, during stretching, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device is a displacement of the pelt board-holding device in a holding device displacement direction towards the pelt body-gripping device.
A method according to claim 1 and/or 2, wherein, during stretching, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device is a displacement of the tail-gripping device in a tail-gripping device displacement direction away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device.
A method according to claim 1, wherein, during stretching, the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device is a displacement of the pelt body-gripping device in a pelt body-gripping device displacement direction towards the pelt board-holding device.
A method according to claim 1 and/or 4, wherein, during stretching, the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device is a displacement of the tail-gripping device in a tail-gripping device displacement direction away from the pelt body-gripping device and towards the pelt board-holding device.
A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device and the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device is effected simultaneously.
A method according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device is effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail gripping device and the pelt board-holding device.
A method according to any of the preceding claim 1-5, wherein the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device is effected prior to the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device.
A method according to any of the preceding claim 1-5, wherein the relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device and the relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device are effected alternately.
A method for stretching pelts, such as mink pelts, having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end comprising the steps of:
a. fastening the lower end of the pelt board in a pelt board-holding device,

b. gripping and retaining the tail of the pelt in a tail-gripping device comprising a tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail gripping part, the inner tail gripping part being placed between the pelt board and the tail and the outer tail gripping part being brought into engagement with the tail for gripping and retaining the tail between the inner and outer tail gripping parts, then

c. stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board holding device,

d. optionally effecting a relative longitudinal displacement between the tail-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device in a direction opposite to that during stretching of the pelt in step c, thereafter

e. gripping and retaining a lower end portion of the pelt body of a pelt arranged on the pelt board in a pelt body-gripping device, the pelt body-gripping device comprising pelt body-gripping elements comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part, the inner pelt body-gripping parts being placed between the pelt board and the pelt body and the outer pelt gripping parts being brought into engagement with the pelt for gripping and retaining the pelt body between the inner and outer pelt body-gripping parts, then

f. stretching the pelt by effecting a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the board between the pelt body-gripping device and the pelt board-holding device,

g. fixing the pelt to the pelt board in the stretched position by means of a pelt-fixing device,

h. releasing the pelt gripping device and the tail-gripping device from the pelt, and

i. releasing the pelt board-holding device from the pelt board.
A stretching machine for stretching pelts, such as mink pelts, having a back portion and a belly portion and being arranged on a pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a lower end and an upper end, comprising:
- a frame having a longitudinal frame axis,

- a pelt board-holding device configured for releasably fastening and retaining the lower end of the pelt board to position the longitudinal board axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal frame axis,

- a pelt body-gripping device configured for releasably gripping and retaining a lower end portion of a pelt arranged on the pelt board, the pelt body-gripping device comprising:
- at least one pelt back-gripping element configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion of the back portion of the pelt body and comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part where the pelt is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the pelt body is free, and

- at least one pelt belly-gripping elements configured for gripping and retaining the lower end portion of the belly portion of the pelt body and comprising an inner pelt body-gripping part and an opposed outer pelt body-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner pelt body-gripping part where the pelt body is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the pelt body is free,

- first guide and drive device configured for implementing a relative longitudinal displacement essentially in the longitudinal direction of the frame between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device,
wherein the machine additionally comprises
- a tail-gripping device configured for gripping and retaining the tail of a pelt arranged on the pelt board, the tail-gripping device comprising at least one tail-gripping element comprising an inner tail-gripping part and an opposed outer tail-gripping part, the outer tail-gripping part being moveable between a closed position relative to the inner tail-gripping part where the tail is gripped and retained between said parts and an open position where the tail is free, and

- a second guide and drive device configured for implementing a relative longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction of the frame between the tail gripping device and the pelt body-gripping device optionally independent of the guided relative longitudinal displacement between the pelt board-holding device and the pelt body-gripping device.
A machine according to claim 11, wherein the pelt board-holding device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt board-holding device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
A machine according to claim 11 and/or 12, wherein the pelt body-gripping device is longitudinally displaceable along a pelt body-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
A machine according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein the tail-gripping device is longitudinally displaceable along a tail-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the frame.
A machine according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein the tail-gripping device is longitudinally displaceable along a tail-gripping device guide being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and being connected to the pelt body-gripping device.