Abstract: A tape for shaping garments comprised of a thin narrow malleable metal strip, a thin narrow backing strip of a flexible material, coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, bonded to the metal strip, and an easily removable protective strip overlying the metal strip. The metal strip is preferably formed from malleable copper, aluminum or mild steel, such that it can be easily shaped by hand. The backing strip is wider than the metal strip whereby its adhesive coated side portions extend outwardly from the edges of the metal strip for bonding the protective strip. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the backing strip is eliminated by adhesively coating the metal strip and bonding the protective strip directly to the metal strip.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a garment collar which includes upper and lower facing strips of a predetermined shape each having a finished and unfinished surface and a lining of the same predetermined shape which has one fusible surface. The facing strips and lining are stacked in alignment so that the lower facing strip is on the bottom with its finished surface facing upward, the upper facing strip is in the middle with its finished surface facing downward, and the fusible lining is on top with its fusible surface facing upward. Next, this stack is stitched around three peripheral edges and is turned inside out so that the lining is disposed between the two facing strips with the finished surfaces of the facing strips directed outward and the fusible surface of the lining facing the unfinished (inner) surface of the lower facing strip. The reversed collar is then again sewn about its periphery and is compressed in a press which provides heat to at least the lower facing strip.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flat cut textile piece possessing variable stiffness over its surface, which comprises fabricating cut textile pieces from a dimensionally stable web-like flat structure. There is applied to the cut textile pieces, in accordance with a predetermined pattern and in a predetermined quantity, a preparation containing at least one substance forming a film at the prevailing processing temperature. This film possesses a Shore hardness A of at least 50 at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. and at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. possesses at most 80 percent of the hardness value measured at 20.degree. C. This film does not melt at a temperature below about 180.degree. C. Then the cut pieces are dried. The flat cut textile pieces produced according to the invention are preferably used as inserts for various clothes or garments, such as collars and cuffs.

Abstract: The method of stiffening the ends for shirt collars or the liner therefore is achieved by first forming an elongated polyester stiffening element or stay to be attached to the collar or collar liner. At least one side of the stay is coated with a polyester heat fusible film. The stay is placed within the ends of the collar with the polyester film placed adjacent the material to which the stay is to be at least temporarily attached after which heat is applied at a pre-determined temperature and for a predetermined period, preferably by an electric heating element to the area adjacent the stay thereby softening the polyester film carried by the stay to a point of causing the polyester film to soften and adhere to the adjacent material. The method is carried out preferably by a semi-automatic machine shown and described herein. The stays are placed in a stack at each side of the machine from which a single stay is removed and placed in each end of the collar or liner as the case may be.

Abstract: The machine is for aiding in attaching stiffening elements or stays to shirt collars or to inserts which are later attached or positioned inside the outer surface of the collar. The stays are first stamped from sheets of hard thin flexible material such as a polyester plastic and coated on at least one side with a film of heat sensitive adhesive. The stays are stacked in a magazine with the side containing the adhesive facing either upwardly or downwardly depending on which of the collar elements the stay is to be attached to. Each end of the collar, or liner, is tautly drawn over a thin shelf of the same configuration as the outline of the collar. A machine element will move the lower most stay from beneath the stack and position it within a channel to be engaged by another machine element and moved into position within the collar or liner where it is to be attached.