US2289815A

US2289815A - Apparatus for spraying hat bodies

Info

Publication number: US2289815A
Application number: US321829A
Authority: US
Inventors: Burling D Wells
Original assignee: MALLORY HAT Co
Current assignee: MALLORY HAT Co
Priority date: 1940-03-02
Filing date: 1940-03-02
Publication date: 1942-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 1959-07-14

Description

July 14, 1942- B. D. wl-:LLs

APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 2, 1940 July 14, 1942. B. D. WELLS APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 194C INVENTOR N 50a/Na. Wfl/ Ls M ATT RNEY July 14, 1942. B. D. wELLs APPARATUS-FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES Filed March 2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WAU Patented July 14, 1942 I APPARATUS FOB SPRAYING HAT BODIES Bui-ling D. Wells, Danbury, Conn., asslgnor `to The Mallory Hat Company, Danbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut l Application March 2, 1940, Serial No. 321,829

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatue for spraying hat bodies particularly for preparation of the hat bodies for being subjected to a subsequent operation. i

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a dependable and practical apparatus, of efficient action, for conditioning hat bodies for being subjected to a subsequent operation in the course of manufacture. Another object is to provide a simple and reliable apparatus spraying onto hat bodies liquid or like solutions or compositions. Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for dependably and inexpensively preparing hat bodies for luring.

Another object is to carry out the above-mentione'd objects in a thoroughly practical and efficient way for operation upon hat bodies conformed to have the shape of a crown and brim and where not only the crown but also both sides of the brim are to be prepared for a subsequent I operation, such as luring. Another object is to provide an apparatus for carrying on such operations as are above noted with a minimum of manual supervision and at a' high production rate. Another object is to provide an apparatus for automatically carrying on the application to thesurfacc or surfaces of a hat body of liquid or other preparations, particularly by way of preparation for subsequent operations on the hat body, such as luring.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for spraying liquid or other preparation onto the surface or surfaces of hat bodies that will be capable of ready and convenient adaptation to meet varying conditions met with in practice. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of contsruction, combinations of elements, arrangements, of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the sameto one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown by way of illustration one of the various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of my invention,

Figure l is a plan View with certain parts in section, other parts broken away, and other parts indicated diagrammatically; l

Figure 1 is a schematic or diagrammatic View showing several of the various positions of trav- Figure l? is a detached partially schematic showing of a, clutch mechanism and its actuating means;

Figure 2 is a front elevation, certain parts being broken away, other parts being shown in central vertical section and other parts being indicated diagrammmatically;

Figure 3 is an elevation as seen from the rear in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of heater elements and their controls.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In order better to'illustrate certain ofthe various features of my invention, let it be assumed that the hat body, generally indicated in the drawings by the reference character I0, is at that stage of its manufacture where it is about to be lured and Where it has already been given a shape to provide it with a crown C and a brim B, the outer surface of the crown and both faces, usually referred to as the upper brim and under brim, of the brim are to be prepared for the subsequent operation, such as luring. Preferably the hat body is mounted upon a block II which is received Within the crown C which snugly conforms to the shape and contour of the block and by way'of the block I I I support the hot body for rotation preferably about a horizontal axis, as is better shown in Figures 2 and` 3.

Such support I may achieve in any suitable way as, for example, by means of a. shaft I2 haverse of one of the parts relative to the hot body;

ing a bearing support in a suitable frame I3 with suitable driving connections to rotate the shaft I2 at a suitable and preferably relatively low speed, say a speed on the order of 45 R. P, M.

In view of certain other features of my invention, I preferably employ an electric motor Il suitably geared to the shaft I2 to drive the latter and I preferably embody the motor and the gear drive into or with the frame I3 so as to form a compact sub-assembly or sub-unit. Shaft I2 preferably has a substantial overhang from the frame I3 and at its outer end is provided .with any suitable form of chuck construction, such as that indicated generally at I5, for detachably grasping and holding the block, II with the axis ofthe hat body, usually oval, substantially coincident with the axis of shaft I2. The jaws IB of the chuck may be controlled in any suitable way as by the clamping collar I1, link I8, and spring biased lever I9, so that removal and replacement of th blocked hat body may be conveniently and readily achieved, without having to interrupt the 'drive of the chuck shaft I2.

In the prefer red form, I preferably effect relative movement, at appropriate intervals, 'between the hat-holding chuck and the device or devices that are to operate upon the hat body and in carrying out this preferred arrangement I preferably provide a suitable number, illustratively eight, sub-units, like those above-described, each for holding a blocked hat body, and mount them. upon Aa movable carrier arranged to move them successively into and out of operative relation to the other apparatus. Such a carrier may comprise a bed 2|! (Figures 1 and 2) suitably supported for rotation at its center and the hat-supporting units I mount on the bed adjacent its periphery, arranging them so that their chucks are equidistant from the axis of bed rotation and so that the axes of the hat-carrying shafts |2 lie in vertical planes through equiangularly spaced radii of the bed 20.

Suitable means are provided for effecting stepby-step rotary movement of the bed 2|) and such means may comprise any suitable or appropriate Amechanism and in Figure 2 I have indicated the rotary support for the bed 20 and the mechanism for effecting step-by-step rotary advance or movement thereof only diagrammatically, as at 2|, the drive of this mechanism being preferably by means of an electric motor 22.

The step-by-step driving mechanism 2| may be of any suitable or desired form or type of mechanism and illustratively it may comprise a Geneva stop movement, various forms of which are well known. Where the rotary bed 20 carries, as in the above-mentioned illustration, eight hat-supporting devices, the driving mechanism 2| is constructed to give the bed 20 successive rotary movements each of 45 extent and with a suitable time interval interposed between successive increments of movement. During such time intervals during which the hat bodies are at rest, operations upon the latter may proceed according to the kind or types of operating machines related to the respective stations, and of these machines one may, for example, be a luring machine and the one at the preceding station is a machine for preparing the surfaces of the hat body for the luring operation.

Such a machine may comprise a suitable main base or frame (Figures 1, 2 and 3) having suitable pillars 23, 21 for supporting suitable bearings 28, 29 that rotatably support a shaft 30 from which preferably the various mechanisms and controls are operated. Shaft 30 is driven at a suitable rate of speed, preferably relatively low, by any suitable means, preferably by an electric motor 3| (Figure 2) suitably supported in an upstanding frame part 32, the latter preferably housing and supporting part of the driving connection between the motor and the shaft 30.

Thus, frame part 32 rotatably supports a shaft 33 (Figure 2) whose left-hand end is in geared connection, as at 34, with the shaft of motor 3| and whose right-hand end carries, exposed in the frame part 32, a worm 35 which meshes and coacts with a4 worm wheel 36 mounted coaxially with the shaft 30 by way of a hub 31 which at one end (see Figure 1) is formed to provide, or has attached to it, a toothed clutch part 38 with which coacts a companion toothed clutch part 39 which is also carried by shaft 3|) but is splined thereto as at 48 so that clutch part 39 may be moved axially along shaft 30 While maintaining a driving connection therewith.

Clutch 38-39 is preferably constructed and controlled, in an illustrative manner later described, to effect a drive of driven clutch part 39 and hence of shaft 30 throughout a rotary movement of a certain extent, illustratively and preferably an extent of one complete revolution and hence 360, whence the movable clutch part 39 is disengaged from the driving clutch part 38 to halt the drive of shaft 30. Subsequent shifting of clutch part 39 into engagement with clutch part 38 is preferably eected in timed relation to the rotary step-by-step movements of the rotary bed 20, in an illustrative and preferred manner as later described.

As above pointed out, it is preferably from the shaft 30 that various mechanisms and controls are operated; these mechanisms preferably comprise means, preferably in the form of' spray nozzles or spray guns for applying to the exposed surfaces of the hat body I0 a suitable medium to prepare the hat body for the subsequent luring operation. As appears in the drawings, the parts are preferably so related to each other that during the interval of stoppage of the bed 20 a hat body, carried and rotated by a shaft I2, becomes positioned so that its axis and that of the shaft l2 is substantially in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the frame 25, with the rotating hat body overhanging one end of the frame, and preferably the spray guns are two in number, being generally indicated by the reference characters 4| and 42, and as better appears in Figure 2 they are preferably arranged in such spaced relation that they are on the respective sides of the plane of the brim B of the hat body.

Spray gun 4| is preferably mounted in good thermal relation to a tank or container 43 (see Figure 2) which is to contain the luring preparation indicated at 44 in Figure 2, and since the latter preferably comprises components that include grease-like materials, it is preferred to maintain the preparation 44 at a suitably high temperature, thereby also to control or fix its viscosity at a point where it flows freely enough for proper handling by the spray gun 4| which, as later noted, is preferably constructed to function in the manner of an atomizer. Accordingly, I prefer to construct the tank 43 of a material vof good thermal capacity, such as aluminum, giving it preferably suitably heavy or thick walls. Suitable heating means are also provided and that may take the form of an electric heating unit 45 preferably accommodated in a suitable recess in the tank 43, under the control preferably of a thermostatic switch 46 also appropriately related thermally to the tank and its contents as, for example, by housing it in a suitable recess, as indicated in Figure 2.

The spray gun 4| is preferably mounted for movement relative to the rotating hatbody to vary the direction of its discharge and to effect application of the luring preparation to the dierent parts of the crown and preferably also to the upper brim. A preferred mechanism for effecting such movement may comprise a carrier arm 41 whose right-hand end (see Figure 2) has a downwardly extending shank externally cylindrical to provide a shaft-like support for the carrier arm 41, as shown at 48, the shaft part 48 being supported for rotary movement about a vertical axis in a bearing formed in an upstanding boss 53 adjacent the right-hand end of frame 25. At its left-hand end the carrier arm 41 is shaped to provide an upwardly directed stud-like shaft 5| with which is rotatably interfitted a sleeve-like which is preferably squarer in cross-section and Y which is mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of the frame 25 by way of suitable bearings 58, 51. Near the, left-hand end of rack bar 55, as seen in Figure 2, the bar has secured to it an upstanding arm 58 carrying in its forked end a roller 88 which coacts as a cam follower. with a cam 8| secured to the main shaft 88. Suitable later described.

Such swinging of the carrier 41 about the axis of the bearing 50, the latter axis being preferably positioned so as to intersect the axis of rotation of the hat body I8, preferably adjacent the plane of the brim (compare Figures 1 and 2), is preferably also accompanied by a change or shifting of the direction of the axis of the spray or discharge emanating from the mouth or nozzle end 4|'L of the spray gun 4|. Such a change or shift I preferably-achieve by changing the angular relationship between the tank 43 and the carrier arm 41 and may be effected by means of a link 63 pivotally connected at one end to the arm 53 of the tank 43 and connected at its other end as by a ball and socket 64 or other universal type of connection to one end of a lever 65 whose lower end is pivoted as by pinv 88 in a suitable bracket or eye of the frame 25 (Figure 2).

Lever 85 carries a roller 61 to coactas a cam follower with a cam 68 mountedon the main shaft 30, a spring 10, connected between lever 65 anda stationary part of the frame 25, holding the cam follower 61 always in engagement with the peripheral cam face of the cam 88. As the latter thus rotates, it effects shifting of the lever 65 in a manner not only to compensate for the motion of translation (in a yoke) of the axis of the tank-supporting stud shaft 5|, but also determines the extent and rate of shift or change of thatank 43 and spray gun 4| angularly with respect to a fixed axis or plane, such as the longitudinal axis of the frame 25 or a vertical `plane passing through such an axis.

To eiect ejectiony of the luring preparation from the tank 44, preferably in the form of a spray of ne particles of the preparation, I prefer to bring into action air under pressure, and depending upon the character of the luring preparation, being preferably of the kind earlier above noted, I preheat the air under pressure that takes part in effecting discharge of the preparation onto the hat body.

Thus, referring again to Figure 2, I may provide a suitable source of supply of air under suitable pressure, such as a tank and pump, as is diagrammatically indicated at 1| and lead air by

suitable pipingor conduit

12 and 18, preferably after preheating it in a suitable heater 14 which may bein the form of an electrical heating unit of suitable construction, to the movably. mounted tank 43 and spray gun or nozzle 4|,

preferably utilizing ya suitable length of flexible conduit, as indicated at 18 in Figure 2.

By way of conduit 18, preferably with a pressure-regulating valve 11 interposed therein, air under suitable pressure is fed into the tank 48 in the space above the level of the luring preparation 44. the pressure of the air being maintained substantially constant by the action of the regulating valve 11 which is of any suitable or appropriate construction and preferably also adjustable, as indicated in Figure 2, thus main,

taining the luring preparation 44 under suitable pressure and thereby insure its flow upwardly lthrough a pipe or conduit 18 to the spray gun 4|,

the lower end of the pipe 18 being exposed near the bottom of the tank 48 and being preferably provided with a strainer 88.

By way of conduit or piping 8| with preferably a pressure-regulating valve 82 interposed therein, air under pressure is fed directly to the spray gun 4| at a suitable pressure maintained substantially uniform by the pressure-regulating valve 82 which also is ofany suitable construction and preferably adjustable, as indicated.

The spray gun 4| may be of any suitable internal construction, having preferably a suitable means, such as a hand wheel or thumb screw 83 for adjusting its action and being also preferably provided with suitable valve means diagrammatically indicated at 84 in Figure 2, for starting and stopping its action. This valve means 84 is preferably controlled in a timed relation to the action or movement of other parts of the apparatus, as is described below in greater detail, and the mechanism for controlling the valve means 84 may comprise a bell crank lever 85 pivotally related to the gun 4| and having-connection with the valve means 84 so that the latter assumes open orclosed or intermediate positions according to the position given the bell crank lever 85 about its pivotal support.

Lever 85 extends toward the nozzle end of the gun 4| and to one side thereof, where, at its end, it is connected to a` link 88 that extends downwardly adjacent the right-hand end face of the tank 43, as seen in Figure 2 (see alsov Figure 3), and at its lower end link 88 is pivotally connected to a plunger-like rod 81 which is mounted and guided for vertical sliding movement in the upright shaft extension 5| of the carrier arm 41, the part 5| being for that purpose hollow or sleevelike to provide an internal cylindrical bearing surface for the plunger rod 81 that is concentric with the external bearing surface of the part 5| and about which the tank 48 itself may swing.

Extending about the upwardly exposed portion of the plunger rod 81 and interposed between the upper end of the shaft part 5| and a suitable abutment adjacent the upper end of the rod 81 is a helical spring 88 under the expansive force of which rod 81 is urged upwardly to move valve control lever 85 in a direction to shut ofi the valve means 84 and thus stop the discharge of the luring preparation onto the hat body.

The lower end of plunger rod 81 that projects below the carrier arm 41 is provided with an elongated slot or eye 88, preferably of adjustable effective length, as shown in 4Figure 2, in which is engaged one end of a lever 9| shaped as is better shown in Figures 2 and 3 to extend through a recess or slot 41 (see Figure l) in the carrier arm 41 in which it is pivoted byl pivot pin 92. The other or upper end of the lever 8|, thus brought to the upper side of carrier 41, extends over the shaft-like part 48 which also is preferably sleeve-like in construction, being bored out or otherwise formed to provide a cylindrical bearing surface 48 for slidably supporting a round A plunger rod 93 coaxially with the axis of the shaft part 48' and with its upper end underneath the upper arm of lever 9|.

The lower end of rod 93 engages one arm 94 of a bell crank lever pivotally supported in a shaft As cam 91 thus rotates when shaft 30 rotates,L

the valve means 84 of the spray gun 4| is shifted or positioned according to the shape of the cam 91.

'I'he companion or coacting spray gun 42 (Figures 2 and 3) is in general of the same construction as the device 4| with its associated tank 43 and related parts. The gun 42 is again preferably mounted on a tank having an electric heating unit |0| with a thermostatic control switch |02 therefor to maintain the luring preparation at the desired temperature and viscosity. The tank |00 with the gun 42 is secured as by bracket part |03 to one end of the frame 25, as by securing it to the boss 50 thereof, thus preferably positioning the gun 42 in alinement with but underneath the overhanging shaft |2 of the hat-supporting and rotating mechanism when the latter is positioned by bed 20 during a point of stoppage of the latter, the nozzle or discharge end 42B of the gun 42 being directed toward the face of the under brim, the general relationship being as shown in the drawings.

By piping or conduit |05, with a presureregulating valve |06, also preferably adjustable, interposed therein, air under pressure, and also preferably heated, is led to the spray device 42 as by piping |01 with pressure-regulating valve |08, also preferably adjustable, interposed therein, air under pressure, and also preferably heated, is supplied to the tank |00 in the space above the luring preparation contained therein.

The spray gun 42 is also provided with suitable valve means, diagrammatically indicated at 0, like the valve means 84 above described, being controlled by a bell crank lever whose operating arm extends downwardly alongside of the tank |00 (see Figure 3) where it is pivotally connected to a link I2 (see Figures 1 and 3) that extends lengthwise and above the frame 25 to a lever ||3 to whose upper end it is pivotally connected and whose lower end is pivoted to a suitable fixed part of the frame 25 as at ||4. Lever ||3 carries a cam follower in the form of a roller ||5 intermediate of its length for coaction with a cam ||6 on cam shaft. 30. A spring ||1 (Figures 1 and 3), having one end connected to the valve-controlling bell crank lever and having its other end anchored to the tank |00, urges the lever in a direction to close the valve means I0 and also in a direction always to maintain the cam roller ||5 in engagement with the periphery of cam |6.

Accordingly, with motor 3| continuously driving clutch member 38 and with each motor I4 driving, also preferably continuously, its associated chuck shaftv |2 with a blocked hat held in the chuck i5, the presentation of a blocked hat like the hat |0 to the spraying mechanism, effected by the actuation of the bed 20 through the step-by-step mechanism 2|, preferably' with achieved electromagnetically. Thus, referring to Figures 1 and 1b, clutch member 39 may be axially shiftable by a lever |20 suitably provided at its midpart with a yoke with which a trunnioned ring about the clutch member 38 is pivotally connected, lever |20 being pivoted at its left-hand end in a fulcrum block |2| slidably mounted in suitable guides formed in a bracket |22 secured to the side of the frame 25 and carrying an adjustable stop |23 between which and the fulcrum block |2| is interposed a spring |24 tending to press the block |2| away from the stop |23. Thus, upon actuating lever |20 in clutch-engaging direction, spring |24 can yield and fulcrum block |2| slide away from the frame 25 should the teeth of the two clutch members not be properly related at the instant of lever actuation, lever |20 being held in actuated position by a latch |25 and spring |24 thereupon effecting clutch interengagement upon the necessary and small ensuing relative rotation between the clutch parts as may be necessary to mesh the toothed parts thereof.

Such actuation of clutch lever |20 also effects withdrawal of the end |21 of a lock lever |21, pivoted upon a suitable fixed part and connected by link |28 to clutch lever |20, from a recess 39B in the side face of clutch part 39, releasing it for rotation. Clutch 38-39 is held in engaged position by the action of part |21a of lock lever bearing against the side face` of cam part 39. As the latter rotates, cam |28 on the clutch part 39 comes around and, prior to completion of the single revolution of the clutch part 39, trips the latch |25 to permit subsequent movement of lever I 20 to disengage the clutch parts.

Such tripping of latch |25 having taken place, clutch lever |20 swings in counter-clockwise direction under the urge of spring |44 to disengage the movable clutch part 39 from the driving clutch part 38 only when lock lever |21, connected to the clutch lever |20 by link |28, is permitted to swing in counter-clockwise direction by the entry of its left-hand end |21 into the recess 39 in the side face of the` clutch part 39, thus disengaging the clutch at the end of a single revolution and thus locking the clutch part 39 and shaft 30 in a position of rest.

Energization of winding |30 to effect clutch 'by the bed 20, illustratively eight, and positioned to .coact with the peripheral parts of the bed 20 is a switch structure |35 which has a cam part or follower |36 urged in a direction toward the e cam periphery of the bed 20 by a spring |31, the

switch structure being so positioned that its cam part |38 enters a cam recess il!b only upon the completion of an increment of rotary movement of 45 (where there are eight hat-carrying devices onthev bed 20) with resultant halting of one of the hat-carrying devices with a blocked hat thereon in proper relation to the tools 4| and 42, as above described. 'I'he bed 20 coming to a halt at such point thus effects actuation of the switch |35 to close an energizing circuit, like that shown in Figure 1, to the winding |30, thus to actuate the clutch 39-38 and commence the drive of themain shaft 30 throughout one complete revolution.

With the commencement of drive of the shaft 30 in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, the coaction between cam 6| and cam follower 60 commences a rotary movement of the carrier arm 41 and at the same time cam 91 moves bell crank'lever 96--94 in a direction to shift valve lever 86 in counter-clockwise direc-l tion (Figure 2) to move the'valve means 84 into open position, thus commencing the emission from the mouth or nozzle end 4I of the spray gun ,4| of a substantially cone-shaped spray of heated luring preparation in finely divided or atomized form, the axis of the cone-shaped spray being at the outset substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the hat body I so that the top part of the rotating crown (the lefthand part as seen in Figure 2) has the preparation uniformly deposited on it.

In this connection, it will be noted that the spray gun is also maintained at a suitably high temperature, obtaining heat not only from the heated tank 43,'by conduction and otherwise, but alsofromthe flow of heated luring liquid and from the flow thereto of heated air. Also, the emission from the nozzle end 4|*il of both heated finely divided luring preparation'and of heated air insures against condensation in transit across theair space 'between the nozzle end and the hat body-and insures dependable deposit ofthe material onto the hat body itself,

together with the transfer of some heat to the hat body as weil.

In Figure 1l this initial position of the spray gun 4| is diagrammatically indicated at A.v

Under control ofv cam' 6| arm 41 swings in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and during an earlier stage of that movement cam 68 (Figure 2) through the cam follower 61 and link 63 effects such a shift or control of the spray gun 4| and its support, about the axis of the stud shaft part 5I, as to maintain it substantially parallel toits initial or starting position throughout a first portion of its arcuate traverse as effected bythe carrier arm 41, thus to eifect application oftheluring preparation throughout the somewhat flat top part of the crown C, all during the continued rotation of the hat body; depending upon the shape of the cam,

-such a nrst or initial stage may extend throughout the portionB of the otherwise substantially arcuate path of traverse of the mouth of the nozzle 4|a which, `it will be noted, is substantially coincident with .a vertical extension of the axis of the shaft part 5| about which the tank 43 may swing relative tothe carrier 41. Thereupon, as, for example, throughout.,substantially the rest of the arcuate path or traverse`indicated at C in Figure l, cam 68 eifects a progressive or continued change in the angie ory direction of the axis of the cone-shaped spray discharge, the nozzle 4| assuming at the end of this portion C of the traverse a position somewhat as indicated at "E in Figure la, having, during its traverse, continued to discharge the luring preparation onto the rotating crown and applied the material substantially uniformly over the square" of the crown and also over the side of the crown.

At the end of the portion C of the traverse (Figure la), cam 6| (Figure 2) permits carrier arm 41 to pause or rest and during that pauseC portions of cam 68 come into effect to shift the spray gun 4| relative to the supporting shaft part 5| but in a direction to change the spray gun, preferably progressively, from the position E in Figure 1'I to the position F in which the cone-like discharge becomes directed onto the upper face of the briml B to the plane of which the axis of the gun and cone-shaped spray is now substantially at right angles, this positionA being held for a suiiicient length of time to insure' the deposit on the upper brim face of a sufiicient quantity of the finely divided luring preparation. v

During all of the above cam 91 through its connecting links and mechanism maintains the valve means84 of the spray gun 4| vopen and, if desired, the shape of the portion of the cam-effective during thisinterval may be varied if it is desired to vary the rate of emission of the gun as may sometimes be desirable according to the shape of the hat, such, as for example, the radius of curvature at the square of the hat crown.

While spray gun 4I has thus been operating upon the crown and upper brim of the rotating hat body, the companion spray gun 42 (Figures 2 and 3) is made effective upon the under face of the brim B. Under the control of cam IIS (Figure 3) which commences its rotation with the starting of the main shaft 3U and the other cams just above-mentioned, the valve means |I0 of the spray gun 42 isactuated into position to effect a similar discharge of heated luring preparation, together with heated air, and, as shown in the drawings, spray gun 42 may, for these actions, remain stationary with its axis and hence the axis of its cone-shaped spray-like discharge substantially `at right angles to the plane of the brim B.

According to the shape of the cam H6, valve means lli) may be actuatedto start the spray discharge at any suitable point during the time interval of action of the spray gun 4|. Thus,- the under brim may be sprayed continuously duringv the spraying of the crown and upper brim, in which case, since ,the area to be covered is less in the former case than in the latter, the rate of emission by gun 42 is correspondingly less either by adjustment of the gun' itself or by y the shape of cam IIG or in any other suitable way. Or, the cam IIB may initiate the action of spray gun 42 only at about the time that spray gun 4| becomes effectivel upon the upper face of the brim B as when it reaches the position F of-Figure 1l, whence the rates of discharge of the two guns may be substantially the same.

Thus, the exposed surfaces of the hat body may be dependably and uniformly sprayed with the luring preparation, it being pointed out, furthermore, that the spread of the cone-shaped spray from both nozzles is sufiicient to deposit the sprayed preparation on all exposed parts of the hat body even though the latter may be, as is indicated in Figure 1, and usually is, oval in cross-section both as to crown and brim.

In a preferred mode of operation, the continued rotation of the above-mentioned cams may now effect, by cams 91 and a closure of the valve means 84 and ||0, respectively, of the two spray guns 4| and 42, and by way of cams 6| and 68 effective, during the remainder of the 360 rotary movement of shaft 30, a restoration of the movable spray gun 4| with its tank 43 to its initial or starting position and convenient- `ly this latter movement may be caused by having the cams effect what may be a retracing of the traverse or successiveV positions above described in connection with, and shown in, Figure la. It will be understood, of course, that, by suitably shaping the various cams, these actions may be otherwise interrelated, if so desired, and, for example, spraying may continue during both strokes of traverse so that cut-olf takes place only upon return to starting position of the spray gun 4|, though, in such case the rate of emission of the gun may be and preferably is cut down.

Just prior to completion by the, main or cam shaft 30 of its rotary movement of 360, a cam |40 on the shaft 30 momentarily actuates a cam follower |4| to tilt the operating bar |32 (Figure 1b) in clockwise direction to disengage the lug end of lever out of thdnotch |34, the continued energization of the winding |30 moving the operating bar |32 downwardly, further compressing a spring |43 against which the core |3| of the solenoid operates. The clutch lever |20 is thus freed from its engagement with the operating bar |32 and the latter is by the above actions also prepared for a subsequent actuation.

Upon the substantial completion, or somewhat prior thereto, of the 360 rotary movement of shaft 30, cam |26 trips the latch |25 to disengage it from the lever |20 and upon completion of the 360 rotary movement part |21 of the lock lever |21 enters the recess 39a in the clutch face 39, thus permitting spring |44 to move clutch lever |20 in counter-clockwise direction to disengage the movable clutch member 39 from the driving clutch member 38, thus bringing the shaft 30 to a halt.

Connected to be actuated concurrently with the halting of the shaft 30 is a switch |45 conveniently connected mechanically to the lock lever |21 so that, when the latter is actuated as just described to enter its lock part |21a in the clutch recess 39, switch |45 is actuated in one direction, such as into closed position, to energize a circuit to initiate the actuation of the step-by-step mechanism 2| (Figure 2) and thus to start the rotary movement of bed 20 to move the sprayed hat out of the spraying apparatus and to bring into operative relation to the latter the next hat body to be operated upon.

For this purpose switch |45 may form part of a relay vor control circuit comprising conductors |46 and |41 (Figures 1b and 2) in which is included an electromagnet or solenoid |48 which when energized upon closure of switch |45 initiates the action of the Geneva stop movement or step-by-step mechanism 2|, in any suitable manner. For example, between the mechanism and the motor 22 maybe interposed a clutch |50 constructed in any suitable manner to be moved into engaged position upon energization of the solenoid |48; with the mechanism 2| now in action bed 20 partakes of movement throughout one step, such as 45, moving the sprayed hat out of the apparatus and moving into operative relation to the apparatus a hat carried by the next succeeding hat-supporting and rotating frame I3 carried by the bed 20.

The rotary movement of bed 20 operates the switch mech'anism |35 (Figure 1) thus to deenergize thel winding |30 (Figures 1 and lb), permitting the vsolenoid core |3| and the operating bar 32 to move upwardly under the urge of spring I 43 and thus reengaging clutch lever |20 in the notch |34 of the operating bar 32, thus preparing these parts for a subsequent energization of winding |30 and ensuing actuation of the clutch 38-39.

The step-by-step or Geneva stop mechanism 2|, upon concluding the steps of moving and locking the bed 20, is preferably arranged to set the clutch |50 in disengaged position, as, for example, by means of a cam |5| which coacts with a cam follower, diagrammatically indicated at |52, arranged in any suitable way to actuate the clutch |50 into disengaged position at the proper moment and thus also prepare the clutch for a. subsequent actuation in reverse direction by the solenoid |48. Upon bed 20 coming to rest switch |35 (Figure 1) is closed, thus energizing clutch control winding |30 which swings clutch lever |20 in clockwise direction (Figure 1b) to initiate th'e cycle of action of the sprayingools on the'newly positioned hat body; but'the actuation of the clutch lever |20 actuates also switch |45, thus deenergizing the clutch control winding |48 (Figure 2) and preparing the latter for va subsequent energization when the hat-operating tools have completed their cycle of operations, as above described.

The bed 20, h'aving, in the above illustration, eight hat-supporting and rotating means, may have at the corresponding eight stations thereabout suitable hat-operating mechanisms or machines aside from the spraying machine above described and at least one such other machine comprises a luring machine positioned at the station adjacent to th'e above described spraying machine so that the sprayed hat, as it is moved out of the spraying machine, is moved into operative relation to the luring machine to be lured; such a luring machine may take the form of that described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 321,828, led of even date herewith and to that application reference may also be made for an embodiment in detailed form of the step-bystep mechanism 2| and its controls. Also, wh'ere the movable bed 20 is to coact with a suflicient number, such as eight, stations, and hence carries eight hat-supporting and rotating devices, I may also subdivide the eight stations i'nto groups, each group comprising machines for performing successive and different operations on the hat bodies, such as spraying with a lure preparation at one station followed by luring at the next station, at least one station of each' group being a loading and discharging station at which blocked hat bodies are replaced.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention a method and apparatus Y aasasis in' which the various objects heretofore noted,

pendable in action and well adapted to meet theconditions of hard practicaluse.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in' various parts, all without departing from the scope ofthe invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto the crown and the two sides of th'e brim of a hat Ibody, comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body about an axis at right angles` to the general .plane of the brim, two spraying devices having means supporting them in spaced relation on therespective sides of the plane of a brim of a hat supported in said -supporting means, the supporting means for the spraying device on the crown side of said plane being movable, means for shifting said movable supporting means to traverse it and to change the angle of emission of its spraying device to effect spraying of the top, square, and side of the crown and-the upper face of -the brim, means for moving said hat-supporting and rotating means into and out off operative relation to said spraying devices, and means operating in timed relation thereto to elect traverse andshifting of said movable supporting lmeans for said shiftable spraying device.

2.. An apparatus asv claimed in claim 1 in which said spraying devices are provided with control valve means, and means operating in timed relation to the movement of said hat-supporting and rotating means into land out of operative relation vfor controlling the emission of said two spraying devices.

3. An apparatus for spraying aluring preparation onto the crown and the two sides of the brim of av hat body, comprising means for supporting and rotating ahat body about an axis at right angles to the general plane of the brim, two spraying devices having means supportingk them in spaced relation on the respective sides of the plane of a brim of a hat supported in said lsupporting means, the supporting means for the spraying device on the crown side of said plane being movable, means for shifting said movable supporting means to traverse it and to change the angle of emission of its spraying device to ellect spraying of the top, square, and side of the crown and the upper face of the brim, and means for stopping the emission of both spraying devices upon conclusion of the traversing and shifting movement of said shlftable spraying device.

4. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto the crown and the two sides of the brim of a hat body, comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body about an axis at right angles to the general plane of the brim, a plurality of spraying means comprising spray- -ing means positioned to one side of said plane for spraying the under side of a brim and spraying means positioned to the other side of said plane and adapted to i effect spraying of thecrown and upper side of the brim, fmeans for shifting said hat-supporting and rotating means to move a hat body carried thereby into operative relation to said spraying means and to move it out of operative relation therefrom upon the lapse of a certain time interval, and means for starting and then stopping the spraying action of said spraying means to effect spraying of the aforesaid surfaces of the hat body while'the latter is rotating in operative relation thereto'during said time interval;

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the spraying means operative upon the under side of th'e brim has a spread or cone of spray distent of oval shape that the brim might have, and

means mounting said spraying means relative to said means for shifting said hat-supporting and rotating means to effect clearance therebetween and a hat body as the latter is shifted into or out of operative relation to said spraying means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4in which the two spraying means have mounting means for eiecting therebetween relative movement, and meansI operating in timed relation vto the shifting means for said hat-supporting and rotating means to effect relative movement between said two spraying means.

V7. 'An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the spraying means operating upon the under side of the brim of the rotating hat body is stationary but has an effective spread of spray discharge of sufficient expans impinge upon the under side of the brim through ut its width and throughout such radial relative displacement of the rotating brim as is caused by whatever extent of oval shape thatthe brim might have and in which the other spraying means has means mounting it for movement, and means operating during the aforesaid time interval to effect movement of said movable spraying means to cause its discharge to impinge successively upon the crown and upper brim portions of the hat.

8. An apparatus for sprayinga luring preparation onto a hat body, comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body about an axis at right angles to the general plane of the brim, spraying means, means movably mounting said spraying means inv operative relation to a hat body carried by said supporting and rotating means, said mounting means comprising a movable support with means mounting said spraying means thereon for movement relative to said support, cam means for effecting movement of said support to effect a traversing movement of said spraying means relative to said hat body, and vcam means operative upon said spraying means to effect shifting thereof relative to said movable support.

9. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto a hat body, comprising means for supporting and rotating ahat body about an axis at right angles to the general plane of the brim, spraying means, means movably mounting said spraying means in operative relation to a hat body carried by said supporting and rotating means, said mounting means comprising a movable support with means mounting said spraying means thereon for movement relative to said saidspraying means having valve control means,

and means operating in timed relation to the movement of said spraying means relative to the hat body for controlling said valve control means.

10. A hat spraying apparatus comprising means for supporting a hat body, spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and said spraying means for relative movement therebetween, driving means for effecting relative movement between said first-mentioned means and said spraying means and thereby eil'ect relative traverse between the surface of the hat body to be sprayed and said spraying means, means for starting and stopping the discharge of said spraying means, and means operating in timed relation to the operation of said traversing means for controlling said discharge starting and stopping means.

11. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation onto a hat body comprising means for supporting a hat body, a liquid discharge device having valve control means, means providing a movable mounting for said device and valve control means, means operating upon said movable mounting for effecting a traversing movement thereof relative to the surface of thehat body to be treated-whereby said discharge device and valve control means partake of motion of translation, and means operating in timed relation to the beginning and end of said traversing movement for controlling said valve means.

12. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation onto a hat body comprising means for supporting a hat body, a liquid discharge device having valve control means, means for effecting a relative traversing movement between the surface of the hat body to be treated and said discharge device, said traversing means comprising a movable mounting for said discharge device with said valve means and means for effecting movement thereof relative to said surface of the hat body, control means for said valve means and comprising operating connections to said valve means, said operating connections being operative during movement of said mounting with said discharge device and valve means.

13. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to a surface of a hat body comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body, spraying means therefor, said spraying means comprising a liquid discharge device, means supporting the latter for movement about an axis to effect traverse thereof relative to the hat body, control means for said discharge device, and operating connections to said control means including an operating member positioned coaxially with said axis.

14. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to a surface of a hat body comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body, spraying means therefor, said spraying means comprising a liquid discharge device, means supporting the latter for movement about an axis to effecttraverse thereof relative to the hat body, said supporting means comprising a carrier having means for supporting it to swing about an axis and means'relating said discharge means to said carrier for movement relative to the latter about an axis, means'for controlling the movement of said carrier about its axis, 'and means for controlling movement of'said discharge means relative to said carrier means.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said discharge means is provided with control means for controlling its discharge, and operative connections including actuating means respectively coaxial with said two axes for said control means.

16. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to a surface of a hat body,

comprising means for supporting a hat body,

spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and said spraying means for relative movement therebetween sufcient to effect the desired relative traverse between the hat body surface to be sprayed and said spraying means, power-actuated driving means therefor, automatic means for halting the driving means and operating to effect halting in response to the completion of a certain relative traversing move-` ment between said hat body supporting means and said spraying means, means for controlling the emission of the preparation from said spraying means, and means operating in timed relation to said halting means for actuating said controlling means.

17. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to a surface of a hat body, comprising means for supporting a hat body, spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and said spraying means for relative movement therebetween suflicient to effect the desired relative traverse between the hat body surface to be sprayed and said spraying means and to bring them into or out of operative relation to each other, thereby to permit the replacement of a hat body when they are out of operative relation to each other, power-actuated driving means therefor, means for halting the driving means, means making said halting means operative automatically upon the completion of a certain relative traversing movement between said hat body supporting means and said spraying means, means for controlling the emission of the preparation from said spraying means, oper-- ating means for said controlling means, and operating connections between said operating means and said driving means for actuating said emission control means to prevent emission of the preparation when said hat-supporting means and said spraying means are out of operative relation to each other and for permitting emission of the preparation during movement of relative traverse between said spraying means and said hat-supporting means.

BURLING D. WELLS.