Abstract: A cap drying and shaping apparatus includes a substantially planar base, an inflatable bladder disposed proximal one end of the planar base, and a ribbed cage member. The ribbed cage member includes a domed portion having a predetermined radius to the apex and a predetermined diameter parallel to the planar base, and a planar portion at least as long and wide as a bill on a typical ball cap. Attachment means are disposed on top of the planar base for removably clamping the ribbed cage member to the planar base.

Abstract: A system for evaporating excess water from a source includes a housing having: an air inlet, the air inlet directing air in a first direction; an air outlet; a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels. In some embodiments, baffles are created with walls that depend from the ceiling of the housing and that are interdigitated with dividers that separate the channels. This configuration can remove water generated by the source (such as an external compressor unit) in a quick and efficient manner.

Abstract: A device and method of shaping the visors of caps is disclosed. In the device, a visor shaping unit has a movable upper mold and a fixed lower mold. The upper mold, with a coil heater, is outwardly curved into a predetermined curvature at its lower surface and is operated by a hydraulic cylinder. The lower mold is inwardly curved into the same curvature as that of the upper mold at the top surface. The cooling unit has first to third chambers with a plurality of perforated sections being formed on the top wall of each of the chambers. Upper and lower panels are exteriorly attached to the top wall of each chamber at a position covering each perforated section. The two panels define a curved gap between them, thus holding a heated visor in the gap during a cooling process. The visors are heated at about 90.degree. C. to 150 .degree. C. for about 5-20 seconds in the visor shaping unit prior to being cooled in the cooling unit for about 10-30 seconds using cool air having a temperature of about 5-20 .degree. C.

Abstract: A device and method of shaping the visors of caps is disclosed. In the device, a visor shaping unit has a movable upper mold and a fixed lower mold. The upper mold, with a coil heater, is outwardly curved into a predetermined curvature at its lower surface and is operated by a hydraulic cylinder. The lower mold is inwardly curved into the same curvature as that of the upper mold at the top surface. The cooling unit has first to third chambers with a plurality of perforated sections being formed on the top wall of each of the chambers. Upper and lower panels are exteriorly attached to the top wall of each chamber at a position covering each perforated section. The two panels define a curved gap between them, thus holding a heated visor in the gap during a cooling process. The visors are heated at about 90.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. for about 5-20 seconds in the visor shaping unit prior to being cooled in the cooling unit for about 10-30 seconds using cool air having a temperature of about 5-20.degree. C.

Abstract: What may be termed a low-boy machine is provided with a side-positioned air-supplying blowing chamber, an air heating and upwardly and directing chamber-defining base part, a centrally disposed upright support post or column, an upright steam burst and heat-applying pipe assembly, an upper platform frame on the column that carries cap-finishing means, and a non-permeable bag positioned to extend upwardly between the base part and the upper frame to define a fluid-directing and mixing chamber for supplying steam and hot air to the cap-finishing means. The cap-finishing means has a pair of perforated cap-receiving and stretching parts through which steam and heated air is supplied to the inside of a fabric cap to be finished. The pair of parts have means for relatively moving them towards and away from each other to release and stretch a cap that is positioned thereon.