GB855097A - Process for the manufacture of hats or other articles from plastic material, and means for carrying the said process into effect - Google Patents

Abstract

855,097. Making hats. VILLERS & CIE, L. April 7, 1959 [June 9, 1958; Sept. 3, 1958], No. 11765/59. Class 63 Relates to hats made from plastic material such as synthetic fabrics which is first softened by heat and is then blocked into shape by a stamping machine. According to the invention the material to be shaped is assembled at its periphery on a rigid frame 34, Fig. 1, which is engaged between a fixed heating plate 5a and a verticallymovable heating plate 5, the frame 34 being supported on a carriage 32 having rollers 33a, 33b running on rails 6, so that after heating the plate 5a is raised and the frame 34 conveyed by the carriage 32 to the stamping machine A, B for blocking, the carriage 32 then returning alone to a position between the plates 5, 5a. As shown the stamping machine is a conventional pedal press comprising a ram A a matrix B operated by a pedal C. Movements of the plate 5 and of the carriage 32 are effected by a system of levers and a pulley and cable arrangement. The frame 34 may be as shown in Fig. 8 in which the fabric 37 is held in place by a band 38 or the frame may comprise two apertured hinged plates 39, 40, Fig. 11 (not shown), the fabric being held in place between the plates by spikes 42 of one plate engaging in holes 43 of the other plate. Where the shaping of the hat necessitates a considerable degree of stretching of the material, the band 38 may be secured on the frame 34 in such manner as to permit the fabric to slide to a limited extent on the frame during the blocking process and thus avoid excessive stretching.