Improvements in or applicable to the Manufacture of Felt Hats.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in or applicable to the Manufacture of Felt Hats.
I, JOSEPH TAYLOR, of Paradise Street Hat Works, Hurst Brook, Ashton-under-
Lyne, Hat Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My said invention relates to improvements in felt hats.
The object thereof is to produce a hat the brim of which is stiffened in such a
manner as to enable the edge thereof to retain the shape and curvature given to
it in the process of manufacture while the body of the hat and the part of the brim
nearest the head remains soft and pliant.
According to my said invention I stiffen or proof the brim so as to produce
gradually decreasing stiffness from the outer edge of the brim inwards.
(6
This I effect in accordance with one part of my said invention by applying the
stiffening or proof" by brushing or otherwise in successive stages of varying
degrees of stiffness or strength so as to produce graduated zones.
I may also produce the same effect by dipping in such a manner as to cause the
outer edge of the brim to absorb more or stronger proof than the inner part of
the brim.
Dated th: 00th do of Tul. 1000
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in or applicable to the Manufacture of Felt Hats.
I, JOSEPH TAYLOR, of Paradise Street Hat Works, Hurst Brook, Ashton-under-
Lyne, Hat Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
My said invention relates to improvements in felt hats.
The object thereof is to produce a hat the brim of which is stiffened in such a
manner as to enable the edge thereof to retain the shape and curvature given to
it in the process of manufacture while the body of the hat and the part of the brim
nearest the head remain soft and pliant.
According to my said invention I stiffen or proof the brim so as to produce
gradually decreasing stiffness from the outer edge of the brim inwards. In one
way of carrying into practice my said invention after the felted hat body has been
Di Q77

page_text: waterproofed with the usual soft water proof and "blocked" to shape I lay an
annular plate or stencil over the hat briin so as to leave uncovered the outer margin
to which I apply stiffening proof of full strength by means of a brush. The
stencil is then replaced by one of less diameter so as to expose a wider margin to
which a second supply of stiffening proof is applied. This second application of
stiffening proof is rather more diluted than that used at first. The second stencil
is replaced by a third of still less diameter and another application of still more
diluted stiffening proof is applied, and so on according to the width of the brim
or the degree of graduation which it is desired to impart to the stiffening. Finally
the whole brim is treated with very dilute proof applied by means of a sponge for
the purpose of shading off the edges of the zones of proofing into each other and
to prevent marks.
The stiffening proof or solution used is the ordinary spirit stiffening proof well
known to felt hat makers. The degree of strength to be used for each zone and
the number of zones will be determined in each case by the user to suit the
particular amount or variation of stiffness he wishes to impart to the hat brim
under treatment.
Although I find it better to apply the stiffening proof in zones by brushing a
similar result may be obtained by dipping the brim to different depths into stiffen-
ing solutions of varying degrees of dilution.
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. As a new article of manufacture a felt hat the brim of which possesses a
gradually decreasing stiffness from the outer edge inwards substantially as set
'forth.
2. The process of stiffening the brim of a hat by the successive applications of
stiffening proof of different degrees of strength substantially as set forth.
3. The process of producing a graduated stiffening of the brim of a hat by apply-
ing by means of a brush successive zones of stiffening proof gradually decreasing
in strength from the outer edge inwards substantially as set forth.
Dated this 31st day of October 1898.
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M.'Inst. C.E.,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.