Patent ID: 6253973
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: A42B

Abstract:
A hat shaping arrangement comprisingan inflation assembly; andan inflatable bladder assembly comprising an underlying form and an overlying bladder membrane; said bladder assembly having two end states consisting of a deflated end state and a fully inflated end state; said bladder assembly having a continuum of inflated states between said end states; and said bladder assembly having an air port defined thereinwherein:said underlying form is configured to substantially conform to an interior circumference of a hat to be shaped;said overlying bladder membrane is adapted to form a substantially conformal fit about said underlying form when said bladder assembly is in said deflated end state;said underlying form and said bladder membrane are releasably connected to each other to define an air receiving space there between; said air receiving space is substantially airtight other than at said air port;said inflation assembly is in fluid communication with said air receiving space through said air port; andsaid inflation assembly adapted to selectively:input air pressure to said air receiving space through said air port to extend said bladder membrane toward conformance with the hat to be shaped; andrelease air pressure from said air receiving space through said air port to allow said bladder membrane to retract away from conformance with the hat to be shaped;thereby facilitating the retention of the shape of the hat while the hat dries.