Improvements in Machines for Blocking and Pressing Hats.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Blocking and Pressing Hats.
I, MICHAEL QUINN, of Westborough, in the County of Worcester and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Pattern-maker, 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 :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine;
Figure 2, is a vertical transverse section of the same;
Figure 3, a top plan view partially broken away; and
Figure 4, a sectional view of a modification.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of
the drawings.
My invention relates especially to machines for simultaneously forming or
blocking and pressing straw-hats; and it consists in certain novel features herein-
after fully set forth and claimed, the object being to produce a simpler cheaper, and
more effective device of this character than is now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation:
In the drawings, A represents a cylindrical tank, which is provided around its
upper edge or mouth with an annular flange b. A pipe d taps through the bottom
of said tank and connects with a supply-pipe f and a discharge g, suitable valves hh*
being interposed in said supply and discharge, respectively, at opposite sides of the
pipe d.
The block C (see Figure 2) is of the ordinary form and is adapted to be disposed
within the tank A, said block being supported therein by legs i on a plane flush
with the flange of the tank. The face of the block is perforated at j. The upper
face of the block is covered by a sheet of rubber k or similar elastic material, said
sheet being secured by an annulus m, fastened by bolts p to the body-flange b.
A die or
The interior diameter of the ring m is the same as that of the tank A.
press block D is shaped to fit tightly into the ring m over the block C. A steam-
pipe q encircles the crown of said die and is connected by a pipe r with any suitable
steam-supply, whereby the block D may be heated.
In operating the machine the hat H, prepared with sizing, is disposed on the
block C above the elastic sheet k, against which it is formed by the die D. By
opening the valve h water under high pressure is admitted to the tank A, and
passing through the perforations j in the block forces the elastic sheet k against the
hat material, shaping the same accurately into the die D. The valve h being closed
and the valve ' opened, the pressure of the water is relieved from the elastic sheet,
and heat being applied by the steam-pipe q the hat is readily dried into its proper
shape. The sheet k prevents moisture from reaching the straw. By mounting the
block C on legs, so that a large water area is afforded, the pressure is equalized on
all parts of the hat. The die D, fitting tightly into the ring m, all lateral movement
thereof incident to the compression of the elastic sheet is avoided. The hat when

page_text: removed is entirely completed, excepting trimming and binding. The action of the
apparatus, as described, at a single operation forms, blocks, and presses the hat,
which ordinarily necessitates at least two distinct processes. Instead of having the
die fit tightly into the ring m, said die may be of sufficient diameter to cover the
hat-rims of ordinary width, and the tank and ring be of a diameter suitable to admit
hats having wider rims. A heavy ring t may in this case be dropped between the
edge of the die and the ring m, the weight of said ring t being sufficient to resist
the water-pressure and form the outer edge of the hat-rim.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a hat blocking and pressing machine, the combination of a tank having an
annular flange, means for supplying and discharging water to and from said tank, a
detachable perforated block supported on legs within said tank on a plane flush
with the flange of said tank, a sheet of rubber covering said perforated block and
annular flange of the tank, an annulus resting upon the outer portion of said rubber
covering and connected to the flange, and a die shutting within the annulus.
Dated this 10th day of June 1892.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.