FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A process for treating tanned leather with extracts of herbs and herbal oils


APPLICANTS
Tata International Limited an Indian company having its registered office at
Block 'A' Shivsagar Estates, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli
Mumbai 400 018, Maharashtra , India
INVENTORS
Subramani Saravanabhavan, Anupama Pati, Rajiv Bhirud
and Opender Kumar Kaul all Indian nationals of
Tata International Limited an Indian company having its registered
office at Block 'A' Shivsagar Estates, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli
Mumbai 400 018, Maharashtra , India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for treating leather with extracts of herbs and herbal oils, leather thus treated and articles made therewith.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The raw material - hides/skins is a natural bio-polymer converted into leather through a set of chemical operations employing various chemicals. Leather is a unique and flexible sheet material that is quite analogous to textiles and considered to be the first and only natural fabric. It links farmers to fashion world. The unique characteristics of leather are largely due to its structure, which is an interwoven, three-dimensional network of fibers inherent in the natural raw materials - hides and skins. It finds various applications in this world. The major applications are leather footwear, leather garment and leather goods. The footwear industry makes fashion oriented gents, ladies and children shoes and sandals. Leather is a porous and breathable material, which transmits the water vapor from inside to outside of shoes while wearing. This makes more foot comfort to the wearer. Since the leather is thermo-regulating material makes the garment wearer feel warmth inside. Leather has aesthetic appeal, which makes application in leather goods manufacture.
Generally, the leather processing is a chemical process of biological material employing huge amounts of chemicals and water (Saravanabhavan et al., Environmental Science and Technology, 40(3), 1069-1075). The leather making process is highly complex and do not involve process rationale (Thanikaivelan et al., Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 99, 53-66, 2004). Leather processing involves a four major operations, viz., pre-tanning or beam house, tanning, post tanning and finishing. The pre-tanning operation is to prepare the raw hides/skins for tanning. Tanning is the process, in which the degradable material is converted into non-degradable material. Post tanning process is a

critical operation to enhance/provide the bulk properties of leather such as color, softness, fullness, tightness and appearance for different end uses. Finishing operation is to improve/alter the surface characteristics of leather for various kinds of application (Heidemenn, Roetherduch, Dermstadt, 1993).
Retanning, dyeing and fatliquoring are steps of post tanning process (Heidemenn, Roetherduch, Dermstadt, 1993). Tanned leathers are retanned with combination of synthetic tanning agents and natural materials to enhance the bulk properties such as fullness and tightness. Retanning operation primarily employs synthetic tanning agents such as condensates of phenol, naphthalene, urea, melamine, low molecular weight acrylic resins, polyamides and natural materials such as vegetable tannins, lignin and polysaccharides. Leather processing employs synthetic dye for dyeing the leather. Synthetic fatliquors from paraffin oils are primarily used in the leather processing. The use of synthetic substances in leather can cause acute toxicity to the leather product users (Laliberte et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine, 25, 841-844, 1995).
Very few attempts have been made using natural materials for leather making (Saravanabhavan et al., Environmental Science and Technology, 38(3), 871-879). The application of natural materials such as vegetable tannins for retanning are well known (Palop et al., Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 102, 271-279, 2007). Natural dyes for dyeing the leather have been attempted (Rao et al., Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 103, 68-75, 2008). The natural oil based fatliquors are well known and employed for leather making many years ago (Liu et al., Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 97, 431-440, 2002). However, no attempt has been made to produce leathers with active herbals for therapeutic action on skin of leather product user's.
Herbals have been used as therapeutic material for thousands of years. It is a traditional medical system for a variety of diseases and believed that it is much

safer to human body than synthetic drugs (Joseph Thas, Clinics in Dermatology. 26(1), 62-78, 2008). Plant herbals are used as main source of drug for many dermatological disorders (Raghavan et a!., US Patent No. 6379673, 2002). Varieties of herbal extracts are known for therapeutics action on skin diseases (Rosen, US Patent No. 7235265, 2007; Anderson, US Patent No. 7368135, 2008; Vasquez, US Patent No. 7357923, 2008; Pushpangadan et al, US Patent No. 7344737, 2008). Tanned leather is a highly porous in nature, which can absorb herbals and keep the same in intact and active condition. The intact and active herbals get released and contacts with wearer's skin steadily over the period of usage of herbal leathers. Hence, the active herbal acts on the wearer's skin makes healthy and heals the skin diseases such as heel crack, blisters, athlete's foot and wounds.
Consequently, the inventors of the present invention realized that there exists a dire need to develop a process for the manufacture of herbal leathers. The present invention aims at providing a manufacture process for herbal leather, thereby healing the skin diseases and wounds of the leather user's.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is thus to manufacture of herbal leathers.
Another objective of the present invention is to make herbal leather for therapeutic action on skin diseases and wounds.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to make herbal leather that does not employ any synthetic substances.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to make herbal leathers for different end uses.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to make herbal leathers that match the properties of conventional (synthetic chemical containing) leathers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the manufacture of herbal leathers comprising the steps of:
[a] Preparation of herbal extracts;
[b] Preparation of herbal oil emulsion;
[c] Incorporation of herbal extracts and herbal oil emulsion obtained from [a] and [b] on tanned leather for making various kinds of herbal leathers for different end use.
Sustained release of the active principles of the herbs captured in leather enables easy and continued assimilation of such active principles through the skin of the user. Herbally treated leather avoids skin allergies and irritations caused by leather obtained by chemical treatment
The raw herb powders used for the preparation of herbal extracts may be such as Neem (Azadirechta indica), Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia), Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Shikakai (Acacia concinna), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica), Henna (Lawsonia Inermis), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Turmeric (Curcuma Ionga) either alone or in combination.
The amount of water used for the preparation of herbal extracts may be in the range of 100 - 300% w/w based on weight of herbal material.
The extraction temperature for the preparation of herbal extracts may be in the

rangeof90-100°C.
The herbal oil used for the preparation of herbal oil emulsion may be such as Neem oil (Azadiracta indica), beeswax (Apis mellifera), castor oil (Ricinus communis), sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus), coconut oil (Cocos nucifera), Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) either alone or in combination.
The emulsifier used for the preparation of herbal oil emulsion may be such as nonionic, anionic and cationic either alone or in combination.
The amount of emulsifier used for the preparation of herbal oil emulsion may be in the range of 10 - 50% w/w based on the herbal oil
The amount of herbal extracts used for the preparation of herbal leather may be in the range of 10 - 100% w/w based on weight of tanned leather
The amount of herbal oil emulsion used for the preparation of herbal leather may be in the range of 1 - 25% w/w based on weight of tanned leather.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
A process for treating tanned leather with extracts of herbs and herbal oils comprising the steps of (1) preparing an aqueous extracts from new herbs such as neem, (Azadirechta indica), Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia), Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Shikakai (Acacia concinna), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica), Henna (Lawsonia Inermis), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) either alone or in combination; (2) preparing an emulsion of herbal oils such as Neem oil ((Azadiracta indica), beeswax (Apis mellifera), castor oil (Ricinus communis), sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus), coconut oil (Cocos nucifera), Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) either alone or in

combination with an emulsifier; (3) treating tanned leather with said extracts from herbs; (4) subsequently treating the said leather obtained in step (3) with said herbal oil emulsion; (5) subjecting said treated leather to conventional mechanical treatments and drying.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The process of the present invention is described below in detail.
Preparation of herbal extract:
Raw herbal powder is charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 100 - 300% (w/w based on the herbal powder) is added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature range of 90 - 100°C for period of not less than 0.5 h. Aqueous solution is filtered and filtrate cooled and chlorocresol of not less than 0.01%o (w/w based on the herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion:
Herbal oil is charged into closed thermo-static vessel. To this emulsifier 10 - 50% (w/w based on the herbal oil) is added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature not more than 70°C for period of not less than 0.5 h. The mixture is cooled to a room temperature and water 100% (w/w based on the herbal oil) is added and stirred for not less than 20 min. Emulsied oil is discharged from the reactor and stored.
Incorporation of herbal extracts and oil emulsion on various kinds of tanned leathers:
Tanned leathers were taken shaved to uniform thickness and weighed. The weighed tanned material is loaded into the experimental tanning drum. The cross-

section pH of material is adjusted to 4.5 - 5.0 employing alkali in a rotating drum. After achieving the desired pH, the material is washed with water 100% (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts 10 - 100% (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period of not less than 30 min in a rotating tanning drum. Then, herbal oil emulsion 1 - 25% (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) is added to the rotating drum. The drum was run for not less than 30 min. Finally, the pH of bath is adjusted to pH 2.5 - 3.0 using formic acid. The resulting leathers were taken out from the drum and piled for 4hrs. After piling, the leathers are taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leathers.
The invention is described in detail in the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration only and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.
Example 1
Preparation of herbal extract I:
Raw herbal powder 1 kg containing Neem (Azadirechta indica) 200g, Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia) 80g, Amla (Emblica Officinalis) 120g, Shikakai (Acacia concinna) 60g, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) 60g, Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) 80g, Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica) 80g, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 120g, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) 80g, Tea (Camellia sinensis) lOOg and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) 20g, were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 2 kg (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred and heated to a temperature of 100°C for period of 2 h and then cooled. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 1.8 kg and chlorocresol of 2 g (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) added and stored.

Preparation of herbal oil emulsion I:
Herbal oils 500 g containing Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) lOOg, beeswax (Apis mellifera) 30gs castor oil (Ricinus communis) 30g, sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus) 20g, coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) 20g, Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) lOOg and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) lOOg, were charged into closed thermo¬static vessel. Non-ionic emulsifier 100 g (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 70°C for period of 1 h. The mixture was cooled and water 500 g (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for lh. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 1.1 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts and oil emulsion on various kinds of tanned leathers:
Ten goat chrome tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 1.1 - 1.2 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 4 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 5.0 employing sodium formate 40 g and sodium bicarbonate 40 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 5.0, the material was washed with water 4 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts (obtained from example 1) 2 kg (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 30 min. Then, herbal oil emulsion 400 g (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 30 min. Finally, the pH of bath was adjusted to pH 3.0 using formic acid 40 g. The resulting leathers were taken out from the drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
Example 2
Preparation of herbal extract II:

Raw herbal powder 1.5 kg containing Neem (Azadirechta indica) 500g, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 800g and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) 200g, were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 3 kg (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred and heated to a temperature of 90°C for period of 2 h and then cooled. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 3.1 kg and chlorocresol 0.15 g (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion:
Herbal oils 1 kg containing Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) 600g, Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) 300g and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) lOOg, were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Anionic emulsifier 500 g (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 50°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 1.5 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 1 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 3 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts II and oil emulsion II on tanned leathers:
Two cow aluminium tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 1.1 - 1.2 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 6 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 4.5 employing sodium formate 60 g and sodium bicarbonate 40 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 4.5, the material was washed with water 6 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts II (obtained from example 2) 3 kg (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 1 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion (prepared from example 2) 1.5 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath is adjusted to pH 2.7 using formic acid 70 g. The resulting leathers

were taken out from the drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
Example 3
Preparation of herbal extract III:
Raw Henna powder 2 kg were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 2 kg (w/w based on the herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred at a temperature of 95°C for period of 4 h. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 1.8 kg and chlorocresol 0.75 g (w/w based on the herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion:
Neem oil 2 kg were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Cationic emulsifier 200 g (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 70°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 1.5 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 1 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 2.1 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts II and oil emulsion II on tanned leathers:
Five sheep aldehyde tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 0.8 - 0.9 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 3 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 5.0 employing sodium formate 30 g and sodium bicarbonate 35 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 4.0, the material was washed with water 3 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather was treated with herbal extracts III (prepared from example 3) 300 g (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 1 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion III (prepared from example 3) 750 g (w/w

based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath was adjusted to pH 3.0 using formic acid 45 g. The resulting herbal leathers were taken out from the drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
Example 4
Preparation of herbal extract IV:
Raw herbal powders 2.5 kg containing Neem (Azadirechta indica) 700g, Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia) 180g, Amla (Emblica Officinalis) 120g, Shikakai (Acacia concinna) 600g, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) lOOg, Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) lOOg, Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica) 180g5 Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 120g, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) lOOg and Tea (Camellia sinensis) 300g, were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 7.5 kg (w/w based on the herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred at a temperature of 95 C for period of 2 h. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 6.4 kg and chlorocresol 0.125 g (w/w based on the herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion IV:
Herbal oils 2 kg containing Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) 1200g, Jatropha oil CJatropha curcas) 400g and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) 200g, were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Nonionic emulsifier 1 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 40°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 2 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 1 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 5 kg.

Incorporation of herbal extracts IV and oil emulsion IV on tanned leathers:
Four buff calf vegetable tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 1.1 -1.2 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 4 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 5.0 employing sodium formate 20 g and sodium bicarbonate 20 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 5.0, the material was washed with water 4 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather was treated herbal extracts IV (obtained from example 4) 4 kg (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 2 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion (obtained from example 4) 40 g (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath is adjusted to pH 3.0 using formic acid 40 g. The resulting herbal teaShess wt taken out ftom the. drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
Example 5
Preparation of herbal extract V:
Raw herbal powders 2 kg containing Neem (Azadirechta indica) 400g, Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia) 180g; Amla (Emblica Officinalis) 120g, Shikakai (Acacia concinna) 300g, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) 80g, Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) 120g, Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica) 80g, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 220g, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) 200g, Tea (Camellia sinensis) 200g and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) lOOg, were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 4 kg and alkali (sodium bicarbonate) 10 g (w/w based on the herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred at a temperature of 90°C for period of 3 h. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 6.4 kg and chlorocresol 0.2 g (w/w based on the herbal powder) added and stored.

Preparation of herbal oil emulsion V:
Herbal oils 3 kg were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Nonionic emulsifier 1.5 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 60°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 3 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 1 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 7.2 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts V and oil emulsion V on tanned leathers:
Six goat iron tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 1.1-1.2 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 3 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 4.5 employing sodium formate 30 g and sodium bicarbonate 35 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 5.0, the material was washed with water 3 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts V (obtained from example 5) 3 kg (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 2 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion (obtained from example 4) 300 g (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath was adjusted to pH 2.5 using formic acid 45 g. The resulting herbal leathers were taken out from the drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
Example 6
Preparation of herbal extract VI:
Raw herbal powders 1 kg containing Amla (Emblica Officinalis) 200g, Shikakai (Acacia concinna) 200g, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 200g, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) 200g and Tea (Camellia sinensis) 200g were charged into the closed thermo-static

vessel containing condenser. To this water 2 kg (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred at a temperature of 95°C for period of 1 h. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 1.6 kg and chlorocresol 0.1 g (w/w based on the raw herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion VI:
Herbal oils 2 kg containing Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) lOOOg, castor oil (Ricinus communis) 200g, Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) 350g and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) 450g, were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Nonionic emulsifier 1 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 60°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 2 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 2 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 5 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts VI and oil emulsion VI on tanned leathers:
Eight sheep chrome tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 0.8 - 0.9 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 4 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional pH of material was adjusted to 4.5 employing sodium formate 40 g and sodium bicarbonate 40 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 4.5, the material was washed with water 4.5 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts VI (obtained from example 6) 2 kg (w/w based on the tanned weight) for period 2 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion VI (obtained from example 6) 1 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath is adjusted to pH 2.5 using formic acid 50 g. The resulting leathers were taken out from the drum and piled for 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.

Example 7
Preparation of herbal extract VII:
Raw herbal powders 2 kg containing Neem (Azadirechta indica) 300g, Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia) 100g, Amla (Emblica Officinalis) 120g, Shikakai (Acacia concinna) 380g, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) 60g, flaritaki (Terminalia chebula) 140g, Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica) 180g, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 130g, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) 160g, Tea (Camellia sinensis) 360g and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) 50g, were charged into the closed thermo-static vessel containing condenser. To this water 6 kg (w/w based on the herbal powder) was added and continuously stirred at a temperature of 95 C for period of 2 h. Aqueous solution was filtered and weight of filtrate was found to be 7.0 kg and chlorocresol 0.1 g (w/w based on the herbal powder) added and stored.
Preparation of herbal oil emulsion VII:
Herbal oils 3 kg containing Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) 1500g, Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) 500g and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) lOOOg, were charged into closed thermo-static vessel. Nonionic emulsified 500g and anionic emulsifier 500 g (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added and continuously stirred and heated to temperature of 35°C for period of 2 h. The mixture was cooled and water 3 kg (w/w based on the herbal oil) was added slowly and stirred for 2 h. Emulsified herbal oil was discharged from the reactor. The weight of emulsified herbal oil was found to be 6.8 kg.
Incorporation of herbal extracts VII and oil emulsion VII on tanned leathers:
Three cow chrome tanned leathers were shaved to uniform thickness 1.1-1.2 mm and weighed. The weight of materials was found to be 8 kg and loaded into experimental tanning drum. The cross-sectional ptf of material was adjusted to

5.0 employing sodium formate 80 g and sodium bicarbonate 80 g in a rotating drum. After achieving the pH 5.0, the material was washed with water 8 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight). The washed leather is treated with herbal extracts VII (obtained from example 7) 4 kg (w/w b&sed on the tanned weight) for period 2 h. Then, herbal oil emulsion (obtained from example 7) 1.2 kg (w/w based on the tanned leather weight) was added. The drum was run for 1 h. Finally, the pH of bath is adjusted to pH 2.5 using formic acid 120 g. The resultmg herbal leathers were taken out from the drum and piled fof 4h. After piling, the leathers were taken for conventional mechanical operations to get dried herbal leather.
The following are the advantages of the present invention:
1. This process employs herbal extracts and oils for making leather which provides healthy and therapeutic action on leather user's skin.
2. This process hardly requires any complicated control measures.
3. Suitable for all kinds of raw materials and final products.
4. Non-toxic nature of products
5. Enhanced bulk properties and natural feel compared to synthetic chemical based leather

WE CLAIM
1. A process for treating tanned leather with extracts of herbs and herbal oils
comprising the steps of
(1) preparing an aqueous extracts from new herbs such as neem, (Azadirechta
indica), Aritha (Sapindus laurifolia), Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Shikakai
(Acacia concinna), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Haritaki (Terminalia chebula),
Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica), Henna (Lawsonia Inermis), Bhringraj (Eclipta
alba), Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) either alone or
in combination.
(2) preparing an emulsion of herbal oils such as Neem oil ((Azadiracta
indica), beeswax (Apis mellifera), castor oil (Ricinus communis), sunflower
oil (Helianthus annuus), coconut oil (Cocos nucifera), Jatropha oil (Jatropha
curcas) and Karanja oil (Pongamia glabra) either alone or in combination with
an emulsifier.
(3) treating tanned leather with said extracts from herbs.
(4) subsequently treating the said leather obtained in step (3) with said herbal oil emulsion.
(5) subjecting said treated leather to conventional mechanical treatments and
drying.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said herbs are extracted with 100 to 300% w/w parts of water on the basis of the herbs.
3. The process as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said aqueous extraction is carried out at a temperature of 90 to 100°C.

4. The process as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein said emulsifier for
emulsifying herbal oils is non-ionic, anionic and cationic either alone or in combination with one another.
5. The process as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein 10 to 50% w/w of the emulsifier on the basis of the herbal oil is added to emulsification.
6. The process as claimed in claims lto 5, wherein 10 to 100% w/w of said herbal extract is added based on the weight of tanned leather.
7. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein 1 to 25% w/w of the herbal oil
emulsion is added based on the weight of tanned leather.
8. Tanned leather treated with herbs when produced by a process as claimed in
claims 1 to 7.
9. Leather articles and products such as bags, chairs, wallets, belts and the like
made from herbally treated leather as claimed in claim 8.
Dated this 3rd day of December 2008

J