Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Turning-up, Curling, Ironing, and Setting the Brims of Hats.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th May, 1894-Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Turning-up,
Curling, Ironing, and Setting the Brims of Hats.
I, JOHN EATON of Swallow Street Stockport in the County of Chester Hat
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists first in an improved method of turning up the brims of
the hat with only a half or quarter curl at the sides, running off to nothing at
front and back, so as to allow of the easy and quick removal of the hat therefrom.
This I propose to effect by means of a suitable shaped solid wood or metal frame
without any join at back or front so as to leave no lines or marks on the brim of
the hat.
In this condition the brim is formed into its true desired shape but at the
same time the curl is only half formed, and to complete the operation I employ
another frame made in two halves the exact shape of the one used for turning
up the brim. This frame dispenses with the use of pads and the like for
ironing upon.
It being the exact set, arch, curve, curl, and perfect shape desired, it is obvious
that when the curl has been ironed upon the said frame whilst in the set position
it will be and remain quite perfect in shape when the two half frames are taken
out, thereby obtaining a correct and most perfect style.
For the purpose of holding the hat and the two half frames in position whilst
the curls are being ironed I employ an apparatus or table with movable rests and a
holding-down clamp at each end, this said apparatus is mounted on a bracket or
stand on the bench and has a pivot the end of which turns in the said bracket or
stand so that when one side curl has been ironed the frame or table can instantly
be turned round for the other curl to be ironed.
Dated this 18th day of March 1893.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Turning-up,
Curling, Ironing, and Setting the Brims of Hats.
I JOHN EATON of Swallow Street Stockport, in the County of Chester, 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 ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention consists first in an improved method of turning up the brims of
the hat with only a half or quarter curl at the sides running off to nothing at
front and back so as to allow of the easy and quick removal of the hat from the
frame.
The frame which I employ for this purpose is a suitably shaped solid wood (or
metal) frame as seen at a on the sectional elevations Figs. 1 and 2 of the annexed
sheet of drawings the frame being somewhat similar to an ordinary setting frame
without join at the back or front so as to leave no lines or marks on the brim of
the hat the shape of the curl being tapered to nothing at the back and front of

page_text: the frame and leaving a plain vertical surface say two inches in length at those
parts so that the brim of the hat when pressed by the water bag is merely turned
down see Fig. 1, and by very slightly forcing outwards the curl at the sides
(see Fig. 2) the hat can easily be removed from the frame.
I would here remark that the ordinary setting frames may be altered for the
above purpose by filling up or stopping out the groove of the curl at the back and
front with any suitable substance or material so that the curl of the hat will only
be turned up or half formed at those parts by the water bag.
As the hat b sets in this condition the brim b¹ is formed, as seen, into its true
desired shape but at the same time the curl 62 is only half formed, and to complete
the operation, I may use the ordinary shapers' pads or like appliances for ironing
down the curl.
If however unskilled labor only is available. I employ another frame c made in
two half halves (see Figs. 3 and 4) the exact shape as regards the brims and curls
of the one previously described and used for turning up the brim and setting the
hat this frame dispenses with the skill required for the use of pads and the like,
and as it is the exact set arch curve curl and perfect shape desired it is obvious
that when the curl has been ironed upon the said frame whilst in the set position it
will be and remain quite perfect when the two half frames are taken out thereby
obtaining a correct and most perfect style with unskilled labor; c' are small knobs
for facilitating the removal of the half frames c.
For the purpose of holding the hat and the two half frames in position whilst
the curls are being ironed I may use any suitable clamping device. I prefer
however to employ an apparatus or table with movable.rests and a holding down
clamp at each end; this said apparatus is mounted on a bracket or stand on the
bench, and has a pivot the end of which turns in the said bracket or stand so that
when one side curl has been ironed, the frame or table can instantly be turned
round for the other curl to be ironed.
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:-
1. The process of setting the brim and only half or partly forming the curl of
the hat upon a frame and then completing the said partly formed curl by ironing
substantially as herein before set forth.
2. A solid frame for use in the above process having its curl running off to
nothing at front and back where its surface is plain, or filled in or stopped out
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
3. The two half frames for finishing the curl of the hat by unskilled labor
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 17th day of May of 1801
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.