Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 9.djvu/416

 BBBNABD V. HEIMANN. 401 �BiiATCHFOED, C. J. Tbis suit is brought on letters patent granted to Eobert Gray, September 9, 1879, for an "improvement in head- coverings." The specification, which is accompanied by and refers to a drawing, which representa a seotional side view of a bat embodying the invention, says : �"ihis invention relates to the manufacture of bats, bonnets, or otherhead- coverings with a top layer of flock. Hats of this description have been made by applying the flock to a buckram support, but have invariably been stiff owing to the fact that in order to give the article the reijuired body or strength it was necessary to use a heavy or thick piece of buckram. One objection to this hat is the stiffness referred to, it being desirable in some cases to iurnish a soft hat, and another the visibility of the buckram tending to defeat the object of the flock-layer, which is to produce a felt-like article. My invention is a head-covering, consisting of a support of buckram or the like, a top layer of flock, and a canton-flannel or other similar lining, whereby the article is rendered capable of taking a soft finish, while both surfaces thereof have the appearance or semblance of f elt — one of plain felt and the other of napped felt. In the drawing the letter A designates the support, B the flock- layer, and C the canton-flannel or other similar lining. In carrying out my invention I first cernent the lining, C, to a piece of buckram, or other like fabric, by a suitable adhesive substance, with the nap of the lining exposed, and then press the two together in any usual or suitable manner to the desii-ed shape. In lieu of canton flaniiel the fabric known as ' glove lining' may be used. I now apply to the buckram a layer of cotton, woolen, or other flock, this pro- cess consisting in coating the buckram with an adhesive substance, and strew- ing the flock thereon in flnely-powdered form. The article is then in a state for trimming. The buckram. A, supports both the flock-layer, B, and the lining, C, and being re-enforced by the lining, a light or thin piece of such material may be used, rendering the article pliable or soft, substan tially like soft felt. The appearance of the article, moreover, is felt-like, inasmuch as the lin- ing has the semblance of napped felt and the flock-layer that of plain felt." �The claim is as follows : �«A head-covering consisting of a support of buckram or the like. a top layer of flock, and a canton-flannel or oiuer similar Iniing, substantially as and for the purpose described." �The only defence is want of novelty. It is plain that the hat of the patent must be a hat made by pressing the materials into the shape of a hat, and not made, the top in one piece, the side crown in another, and the brim in another, aud then these joined. There must also be — �(1) A layer of flock on a support of buckram, or the like ; (2) a support of buckram, or the like, next the flock, with a coating of adhesive substance on the buckram, on which the flock is strewn; (3) a canton-flannel or other v.9,no.6— 26 ��� �