Improvements in the Manufacture of Soft Fitting Hats and in the Preparation and Employment of Ingredients for the Purpose of such Manufacture.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1889-Accepted; 27th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soft Fitting Hats and in the
Preparation and Employment of Ingredients for the Purpose of
such Manufacture.
I, JOHN ROBINSON KELSEY, of 209 Wilmot Street, Bethnal Green, Middlesex,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing soft fitting hats, the body
being made of Felt, of Fur, of Wool, or the like, or a combination of any of such
material, the object being to preserve flexiblity and porosity, so that the hat may adapt
itself to suit the shape of head without undue pressure.
The covering of the hat may be of Silk, Plush, Merino, Tweed, or any other desired
material say, Italian Cloth, or the like.
In order to prepare the body according to my invention I use certain ingredients
prepared in a special manner.
I first make a combination of say,
6 lbs. Shellac and 2 lbs. Gum Mastic dissolved in Methylated Spirits, to which I add
2 oz. Collodion.
I take 2 oz. Virgin Rubber and dissolve it in a suitable quantity of Bisulphide of
Carbon, to, which I add 3 oz. Boiled Linseed Oil and thoroughly mix the same.
I dissolve 1 lb. of Thus by heat and then add sufficient Turpentine to hold it in
solution.
These three Mixtures are then compounded and reduced to any desired strength
with Methylated Spirits. This Mixture I call No. 1.
The bodies are then proofed with it in the ordinary way.
The body is then blocked and the tip and brim strengthened by the same composition
but of greater density or a Calico Robin cut on the bias may be put round the square
and a cover of Calico may be put over the tip if preferred; but no Calico or cover of
any kind must be put upon the side crown.
In order to support the curl and shape of the brim a strip of Calico cut on the bias
may be pulled round the edge to about half the width of the brim.
The body is then finished with hot iron and water as when finishing a felt hat.
I next prepare four Mixtures, say, A, B, C, and D.
A is composed of;
6 lbs. Orange Shellac dissolved in liquid Ammonia and six quarts of water.
B is composed of:
2 lbs. Mastic and ½ lb. Gum Elimi and I dissolve these in Methylated spirits
C is composed of ;
1 lb. Thus, reduced by heat and then sufficient Turpentine added to hold it in
solution.
D is composed of ;
2 oz. Virgin Rubber dissolved in Bisulphide of Carbon to which I add 2 oz.
Collodion.
I then compound these four Mixtures A, B, C, and D. The compounded Mixture in
"lather" form is now brushed on to the body in lieu of the ordinary Spirit Varnish
and the plush or other fabric applied as a covering, which is then finished in the
ordinary way.
The proportions of the several ingredients given may be slightly varied.
D
T
Lalandiananas

page_text: thus obtain softness and pliability, so that the hat will adapt itself to different shapes of
heads, at the same time I preserve the flexibility and the porosity of the body
which allows the heat to escape.
Dated this 17th day of September 1888.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London, Agent for the said John Robinson Kelsey.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soft Fitting Hats and in the
Preparation and Employment of Ingredients for the Purpose of
such Manufacture.
I, JOHN ROBINSON KELSEY, of 209 Wilmot Street, Bethnal Green, Middlesex,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing soft self-fitting hats, the
body heing made of Felt, of Fur, of Wool, or other suitable material, or combination
of materials, the object being
1. To obtain flexibility, so that the hat may adapt itself to suit the shape of head-
without undue pressure.
2. To provide the necessary ventilating properties.
The covering of the hat may be of Silk, Plush, Merino, Tweed, or any other desired
material, say, Italian Cloth, or the like.
In order to prepare the body according to my invention, I use certain ingredients
prepared in a special manner.
I first take, say,
6 lbs. Shellac and 2 lbs. Gum Mastic, and dissolve them in Methylated Spirits, to
which I add 2 oz. Collodion.
Secondly :-I take 2 oz. Virgin Rubber and dissolve it in a suitable quantity of
Bisulphide of Carbon, to which I add 3 oz. Boiled Linseed Oil and thoroughly mix
the same.
Thirdly I dissolve 1 lb. of "Thus" by heat and then add sufficient Turpentine to
hold it in solution.
These three separately prepared Mixtures are then compounded and reduced to any
desired strength with Methylated Spirits. This Mixture I call No. 1, and employ it
for "proofing" in the ordinary way.
:
The body is then blocked and the tip and brim strengthened by the same composition
but of greater density, a Calico "Robin" cut on the bias may however be put round
the "square
"viz. the top part of the crown just below the "tip" and Calico may be
placed over the tip, if desired; but no Calico must be put upon the side crown. In order
to support the curl and shape of the brim a strip of Calico cut on the bias may be pulled
round the edge to about half the width of the brim. The body is then finished with
hot iron and water as when finishing a felt hat.
I next prepare four Mixtures, say, A, B, C, and D.
A is composed of
6 lbs. Orange Shellac dissolved in liquid Ammonia, and six quarts of water.
B is composed of
2 lbs. Mastic and lb. Gum Elemi, and I dissolve these in Methylated Spirits.
C is composed of
1 lb. "Thus," reduced by heat and then sufficient Turpentine is added to hold it in
solution.
D is composed of
2 oz. Virgin Rubber dissolved in Bisulphide of Carbon to which I add 2 oz,
Collodion.

page_text: These four separate Mixtures A, B, C, and D are compounded together, and worked
up into "lather" and brushed on to the body in lieu of the ordinary Spirit Varnish,
the Plush or other fabric being then applied as a covering, and the hat finished in the
ordinary way.
The proportions of the several ingredients given may be slightly varied. ⚫
By this invention,
1. I dispense with the use of Calico for covering side crowns.
2. I obviate the usual process of ironing up hat bodies with paste, or other like
preparation.
3. I obtain softness and pliability and thereby ensure an easy fit, the hat readily
adapting itself to different shapes of heads.
4. The hat body allows heat to escape for ventilating purposes, but retains its
waterproof and grease proof properties.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :--
1. In the manufacture of soft self-fitting hats, the treatment of the ingredients
named, in or about the proportions specified, as preparatory compounds, and the
admixture of the compounds, and their employment for the first operation upon hat
bodies, and previously to the proofing thereof, as described.
2. In the manufacture of soft self-fitting hats the treatment of ingredients, defined
by A, B, C, and D to constitute Mixtures and which are afterwards compounded
together, and applied as a
"
"lather upon the hat body previously to the Plush, or
other fabric being put on, as set forth.
3. In the manufacture of soft, pliable, (flexible) self-fitting hats, the treatment of the
several ingredients and their employment, as herein before described for the purpose set
forth, without destroying the porosity, or ventilating properties of the hat body while
in wear.
L 1711 1
T
1000
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London, Agent for the said John Robinson Kelsey.