Improvements in the Manufacture of Knitted Woollen Clothing, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Knitted Woollen Clothing,
and in Apparatus therefor.
I, ALFRED ALEXANDER, of Bradford-on-Avon, in the County of Wilts, tailor, do
bereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists, firstly, in the employment, in the manufacture of
clothing, more particularly coats, waistcoats, or vests and trousers, of knitted
woollen cloth which has been previously shrunk, or, as it is technically termed,
*milled;" and, secondly, in the use of frames for stretching and shaping sleeves
and trousers composed of such material. That kind of knitted woollen cloth,
which is known as "corded" woollen cloth may be treated and used according to
this invention.
»
The material after having been "milled possesses a soft and elastic character
whereby, without being too open in the texture, it readily conforms to the curva-
ture required, as, for instance, in the back of a coat, waistcoat, or similar garment.
Hence such garments may be made without having a seam extending up the
middle of the back.
When intended to be used for sleeves or trousers, the material is knitted in
cylindrical seamless lengths, which are, after having been "milled," cut up as
required. The pieces so cut are stretched on frames formed approximately to the
shape of the article being produced and provided with screws for regulating the
degree of tension. These frames are then plunged into hot water or subjected to
the action of steam. Afterwards the material is allowed to dry, and, when dry, it
is taken off the frames, and assumes the ultimate form required.
Sleeves and trousers manufactured according to this invention have no side
seams.

page_text: and in Apparatus therefor.
I, ALFRED ALEXANDER, of Bradford-on-Avon, in the County of Wilts, Tailor,
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 consists, firstly, in the employment, in the manufacture of
clothing, more particularly coats, waistcoats, or vests and trousers of knitted
woollen cloth which has been previously shrunk, or, as it is technically termed
"milled;" and, secondly, in the use of frames for stretching and shaping sleeves
and trousers composed of such material. That kind of knitted woollen cloth
which is known as "corded" woollen cloth may be treated and used according to
this invention.
The material after having been "milled" possesses a soft and elastic character
whereby, without being too open in the texture, it readily conforms to the curva-
ture required, as for instance, in the back of a coat, waistcoat, or similar garment.
Hence such garments may be made without having a seam extending up the
middle of the back.
When intended to be used for sleeves or trousers, the material is knitted in
cylindrical seamless lengths, which are, after having been "milled," cut up as
required. The pieces so cut are stretched on frames formed approximately to the
shape of the article to be produced, said frame being provided with screws for
regulating the degree of stretch or tension put upon the cloth. These frames with
the cloth are then plunged into hot water or subjected to the action of steam
whereby the fabric assumes the shape of the frame. Afterwards the material is
allowed to dry and become set and is taken off the frames.
.
Sleeves and trousers manufactured according to this invention have no side
seams.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. Treating knitted woollen cloth by hot water or steam to cause them to assume
a desired shape as clothing or parts of clothing as set forth.
2. Stretching knitted woollen cloth on 'shaped or expansible frames to fix them
as articles of clothing; also the employment of shaped or expansible frames for the
purpose as herein before described.