IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF 'SCOTCH BONNETS,' AND IN THE MATERIAL, MEANS, AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Wyllie at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
November 1869.
I, ALEXANDER WYLLIE, of the Firm of "David Wyllie and Son,"
Scotch Bonnet Manufacturers, of Stewarton, in the County of Ayr,
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF 'SCOTCH BONNETS,' AND IN THE MATERIAL,
MEANS, AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR," to be as follows, that is to
say:
This said Invention consists substantially in the new or improved use
of a thin film or layer of the thin sheet or web gutta percha, or its
solutions, or other equivalent adhesive waterproof material, such as those
now much used in the manufacture of the bodies of gentlemen's hats,
placed between the inside of the woollen body of "Scotch bonnets" and
their lining, and in causing the same by a slight pressure and the action
of heat to cement the lining and body in the operation of finishing, or
in the later shaping of the bonnet on the block, all which has the effect
of making the bonnet so manufactured more perfectly water-tight,
durable, and capable of receiving and retaining their original and desired
shape whether subjected to severe wet, hot or cold weather than has

page_text: been the case with "Scotch bonnets" as heretofore manufactured and
finished. When the thin web waterproof cement is employed it is
preferred to put the sewed or shaped lining over the shaping block and
then place a disc or piece of the thin cement about the size of the crown
over it, and a strip of the same about the breadth of the rim or band
part round it, and then by the slight rubbing action of the hot "loor"
or cloth and the pressure of the hand (over the whole outer surface of
the sheet cement and lining) cement the whole to the lining and to
itself at the edges and ends, which are made to overlap for the purpose.
The knitted body or woollen bonnet is then drawn over the block and
lining so covered with the cement, and then placed over a current of
hot steam or air, when by the pressure of the hand, or a cloth, brush, or
other equivalent, the body is pressed upon the coating of cement and
lining until they are all firmly attached. When cold the block is removed
from the interior of the bonnet, which is then ready for the final finishing
of putting on the trimming and scoop all otherwise as heretofore done,
but having a soft elastic feeling imparted to it which makes it keep or
come back to its original form when pressed out of shape. Although
the thin web or sheet of waterproof cementing materials in ordinary
use have only been mentioned for so cementing the lining and body of
"Scotch bonnets" in this new or improved manner, yet still it is to be
understood that the solutions of these waterproof cements in use may
also be used if preferred when these are not dissolvable in water under the
highest temperature of the ordinary atmosphere, and when these solutions
are used instead of the web cement they are preferred to be spread on
the lining with a brush, and the solvent naphtha or other spirit is allowed
to evaporate by slow heat before putting on the body, or at least before
finishing the bonnet,