Patent GB-456896-A (GB)
Title: Improved apparatus for moulding, blocking or otherwise shaping articles such as hats formed from sheet materials
IPC: A42C1/04
Filed: 1935-04-16
Abstract: 456,896. Hats. WEIR, G. D., 37, Burrindi Road, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia. April 16, 1935, Nos. 11765 and 11766. Convention dates, April 21, 1934 and May 5, 1934. [Class 63] [See also Group XVI] Apparatus for moulding, blocking, or otherwise shaping articles, such as hats formed from sheet materials, comprises a casing having a vacuum chamber therein on which is disposed a perforated mould to receive the sheet material, hat, or other article to be shaped, a movable mould being adapted under the action of vacuum and compressed air respectively to engage and disengage with the perforated mould to cause the hat &c. to conform approximately to the shape of the mould, and a resilient pressure creating and moulding member being also provided, which, after the movable mould has effected its moulding operation, is adapted under the action of vacuum to close on to and grip the material on the perforated mould and cause it to conform exactly to the shape of the mould and to complete the moulding or blocking operation. For shaping and blocking felt or straw hats or the like, the apparatus comprises a main vacuum chamber 3, round the open top of which is a perforated circular plate 4 and in which is situated a removable perforated hat mould 5, held in position by a detachable flange 7a. By changing the mould 5 or the flange 7a hats with different crowns or brims may be obtained. Superimposed above the mould 5 is a movable counter mould 18 adjustably mounted on a cross-head 19 which is connected at each end to rods 20 carried by pistons 21, so that on the application of suction to the cylinders 22, the cross head 19 descends bringing the counter mould 18 into engagement with the hat which has been arranged in the mould 5. At the same time, the brim of the hat in the mould is stretched by means of gripping elements 23 which comprise pivoted fingers which grip the hat brim when screwed tight and which are carried by flexible bands 25 connected to pistons 26, so that upon applying suction to the cylinders 27 the stretching fingers 23 move radially outwards. Vacuum compartments 30 are arranged beneath the perforated plate 4 and these are connected to a combined vacuum and compressed air pump through a common pipe fitted with a four-way valve which also controls pipes leading to the cylinders 22 and 27 and the chamber 3, all of which are provided where necessary with suitable valves. A resilient, pressure-creating, moulding member 12, formed of rubber reinforced with metallic tubes or helically wound wire, is supported on a hinged frame mounted on the edge of the table 4 by a double hinge arrangement, so that the member 12 may be folded back clear of the mould 5, and disposed within the vacuum chamber 3 is an electric heater and a steam pipe 11. In operation, a hat 17 which is already roughly shaped is placed in the mould 5 so that the rim rests on the flange 7a and the crown seats in the hollow of the mould, and a felt liner 45 is positioned thereover. The movable mould 18 is then drawn into the mould 5 and the stretching fingers 23 are operated by operating all the cylinders 22, 27 simultaneously, after which compressed air is admitted to the cylinders 22 and the member 18 is raised. The resilient moulding member 12 is then adjusted to cover the entire surface of the perforated table 4 and the vacuum compartments 30 are put in communication with the chamber 3 so that the member 12 is drawn into and conforms closely to the shape of the mould 5. The vacuum pump is then operated and applies a greater suction force to complete the shaping operation.