Improvements in Machinery for Veneering Felt Hat Bodies.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Veneering Felt Hat Bodies.
I, LEWIS BARBER of Glebe Hat Works, Denton, Hat Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to machinery for vencering felt hat bodies and has
for its object to supersede veneering by hand, and also to veneer hat bodies in a
distended state instead of veneering them in a folded or loose state as heretofore
and thus avoid "crose or other marks.
""
In accordance with my invention I employ a "he" and "she" cone, whereof
means, and
the "he" or solid cone is mounted on a vertical shaft driven by suitable
is enclosed in a trough or tank.
Over the solid or "he" cone I place the "she" or hollow cone and on the
inside surface of this hollow cone I form ribs or flutings. Between each of said
flutings insert strips of textile material, preferably moleskin, said strips of
material being designed to come into touching or rubbing contact with the
"he" cone.
"
The action is as follows:-A felt hat body is placed upon the "he" cone and
the "she cone which is mounted in vertical guides is brought down over it so
enclosing the hat body. Revolving motion is then imparted to the solid cone
and veneering liquor is introduced through an opening at the apex of the hollow
cone which flows into the space between the two cones and under the rubbing action
of the moleskin produces the required veneer on the hat body.
The veneering liquor flows continuously between the two cone surfaces and is
distributed and felted onto the hat body by the revolving and rubbing action of
The veneer liquor as it runs from the cones is received into the
tank and may be pumped up again by any suitable means for re-use.
the outer cone.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Veneering Felt Hat Bodies.
I, LEWIS BARBER of Glebe Hat Works, Denton, Hat Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has reference to machinery for veneering felt hat bodies and has
for its object to supersede veneering by hand, and to veneer hat bodies in a distended
state instead of in a folded or loose state as heretofore and thus avoid "crose
other marks.
"
or
In accordance with my invention I employ a set of solid and hollow cones
whereof the solid cone is mounted on a vertical shaft driven by suitable means and
is enclosed in a trough or tank. Over the solid cone I place the hollow cone
and on the inside surface of this hollow cone I form ribs or flutings in each of which
Hutings I insert strips of textile material, preferably moleskin designed to come
into touching or rubbing contact with the solid cone.

page_text: The action is as follows:-A felt hat body is placed upon the solid cone and the
hollow cone which is mounted in vertical guides is brought down over it so enclosing
the hat body. Revolving action is then imparted to the solid cone and veneering
liquor is introduced through an opening at the apex of the hollow cone which flowing
into the space between the two cones and under the rubbing action of the moleskin
produces the required veneer on the hat body.
And in order that my said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will
now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon:
On the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a side elevation (both partly in section) of
my improved apparatus for veneering felt hats.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate details on an enlarged scale.
In accordance with my invention I employ a solid or external cone (A) made
of wood or other suitable material and which is mounted on a vertical shaft (B).
I also employ a hollow or internal cone (C), also made of wood or other suitable
material and supported centrally above the solid coue (A) by cords or chains (D)
and balance weights (E).
The shaft (B) on which the cone (A) is supported revolves in a footstep bearing
in the top of the bearing (F) and passing centrally through a trough (G) is held
vertical by a cross bar (H). Motion is imparted to the said shaft (B) by bevil
or other gearing from a horizontal driving shaft (1) and driving pulley (J), or by
other equivalent means.
The internal conical form of the hollow cone (C) coincides to the external
conical form of the solid cone (A).
The internal face of the hollow cone (C) (or if desired the external surface of the
solid cone (A)) is formed with a series of grooves or flutings either set vertical
from the narrower part or apex of the cone, or diagonally as required and into
these flutings are placed strips of textile material, preferably moleskin which lying
above the internal surface of the cone form ribs or projections (K). I prefer
moleskin because of the non-adherence thereto of the fur.
The top of the hollow cone (C) is formed with a hopper or basin (L) communicating
through a hole or passage (L') with the interior of the cone (C) as shewn more
clearly in Fig. 3.
The operation of veneering a felt hat by my improved machine may be
described as follows:-The parts being in the position shewn in Fig. 1 i.e. with the
hollow cone raised from the solid cone, the felt hat body to be treated is placed
upon the solid cone. The hollow cone (C) is next lowered into touching contact with
the hat body as seen in Fig. 2 being guided in its descent by the ribs or angle
bars (M) and the forked ends of the arms (M') (see Figs. 1, 2, and 4). Revolving
action being now (or previously) imparted to the solid cone the hat body is spun
round with the ribs of moleskin in the hollow cone rubbing against it, or vice-versa,
by reason of the hollow cone being held stationary by the bars (M). The veneering
liquor (fur, fur dust or other similar material and water) is next poured into the
basin (L) which finding its way between the cone surfaces, and under the rubbing
action of the moleskin ribs, becomes incorporated with the fur of the hat. The
surplus liquor escaping from the cones falls into the trough (G) from whence it
is again elevated into the basin (L) by a system of elevator buckets (not shewn).
As it is necessary to keep the veneering liquor warm during the veneering
process the liquor in the trough (G) is heated up by a jet of steam from the
pipe (N).
To keep the liquor from interfering with the shaft (B) the latter is surrounded
by a sleeve (0).
By veneering the bat whilst on the cone (A) and in a distended state I avoid
what are known as 66 crose or crease marks resulting from the folding of the hat
bod
"

page_text: It will be observed that the hollow cone (C) may be a fixture with the solid
cone arranged to rise and fall, also that the hollow cone may be arranged to
revolve and the solid cone to remain stationary or both to revolve but in opposite
directions.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details or relative proportions of the
improved veneering machine, but what I do claim and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is :-
1st. In means for veneering felt hats the use and employment of a solid or
external cone for holding a felt hat body in its distended or conoidal form, in com-
bination with a corresponding hollow or internal cone capable of fitting over said
solid cone and carrying textile rubbing faces, and mounted and operating substan-
tially as set forth.
2nd. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved felt
hat veneering machine or any mere modification thereof substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 21st day of September 1894.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.