Year: 1887

page_text: 1, ANNIE BLACKBURN, of 45 Blenheim Road, Bradford, in the County of York,
Milliner, 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 has reference to ribbons of silk or other material and more especially
to those used for trimming Ladies bonnets, hats, caps and the like, and is intended to
stiffen the ribbon and enable it to preserve any desired shape and appearance when
arranged artistically in the form of bows, loops or ties or in other ways suitable for
trimmings and like purposes.
At present threads or cords of cotton or other fibrous material, are sometimes
inserted in the ribbon for the purpose of stiffening it. These supports are very
unsatisfactory as they do not sufficiently resist wind pressure or compression by
contact, but are liable to lose their shape and fashionable appearance, and when
compressed cannot be easily restored and re-formed to their original shape.
In some cases Milliners require a certain amount of elasticity in the stiffening to
impart the requisite amount of "spring" or "arch" to the trimming; but in most
cases what is required is a stiffening sufficiently soft to be easily formed or moulded
by the fingers, yet possessing enough strength to sustain a strong wind pressure
without losing form or becoming crushed, and also endowed with sufficient toughness
to allow of the ribbon being easily reformed without fracture when depressed or
disarranged.
Having experimented with various material to effect the desired result, I find that it
can be best accomplished by means of fine threads of metallic wire, inserted in the
ribbon or in the edge thereof.
These wires can be woven into the ribbon during manufacture or can be inserted
after it is made, in tubular spaces formed for the purpose, by weaving in small cords
of cotton or other fibrous material, and afterwards withdrawing them and inserting
the metal wires in their place. Or it may be inserted in the edge of the ribbon as
before stated.
These wires are most suitable when formed of soft iron or steel, and may be used in
varying numbers and of various sizes and sections and degrees of softness according

page_text: to the material employed for the ribbon, or the effect to be produced. Thus for
example a thick heavy material such as velvet, will require more small wires, or else
wires of larger dimensions, than ordinary thin silk ribbon.
Iron or Steel are not however, the only metal or metals adapted for this purpose,
and although I use them by preference on account of their cheapness and suitability,
yet it is obvious that wires of other metals would answer the same purpose.
Nor do I restrict myself entirely to the use of metal threads alone as a combination of
metal and fibrous material would answer the same purpose.
If preferred the wires may be dipped in, or coated with gutta-percha, india-rubber
or other suitable substance, or may be covered with cotton, so as prevent oxydation
of the wire, or abrasion of the material in which they are placed. They may also be
-gilt or silvered so as to produce an ornamental effect in the ribbon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :
1. The use of metallic wires threads or tapes in ribbons, for the purpose of stiffening
the ribbon, substantially as herein described and set forth.
2. The combination of metal wires with fibrous or other materials for the purpose
of strengthening or stiffening ribbons used in millinery and for similar uses, substan-
tially as herein described and explained.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1887
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C.,
Patent Agent.