To whom it nay concern: Be it known that I, Emil, KIPPER, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Adams, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collars and Cuffs, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates more particularly to the manufacture of collars and cuffs made of zylonite or a pyroxyline compound; and it has for its object to strengthen the edges and the button-holes of such articles and also the article itself; and to that end is secured along the edge or around the button-hole a piece of membranous substance—such, for instance, as gut-skin, bladder, eel-skin, various kinds of fish-skin, the intestines of the ox, known as "gold-beater's skin," and like substances—the membranous substance being preferably contained between sheets or pieces of the zylonite or pyroxyline compound. Heretofore efforts have been made to strengthen collars and cuffs, their buttonholes and edges, by embodying a sheet of metal or textile fabric between sheets of a pyroxyline compound; but the objection to metal is that it stiffens the fabric too much, and thus renders buttoning very difficult, and to textile fabric is that the edges where the fabric is exposed will fray, and when frequent washings of the article are necessary the fabric becomes soiled or discolored and continues so, and as a consequence the article in a little while assumes an unclean and objectionable appearance. My improvement not only overcomes that objection, but at the same time makes the edges and button - holes much stronger. In order that persons skilled in the art may more fully understand my invention, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings as an illustration of the manner in which the invention may be applied, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a collar, partly in section, showing the membranous substance along the edge and around the button-holes. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through a cuff, showing the membranous substance about the button-hole only. In carrying out my invention the membranous substance is first cleaned and then treated by the application of naphtha or benzine or ethylic or methylic alcohol, or by washing with soap, so as to remove oily and fatty impurities. A layer of zylonite or pyroxyline compound prepared as usual for the formation of a collar or cuff is then taken, and the membranous substance of the desired length, either plain, twisted, folded, or formed into a ring, is laid upon the layer at the point or points to be strengthened, and another layer of the zylonite or pyroxyline compound placed over it, with a liquid gum, collodion, or other 65 suitable cement applied either to the membranous substance or to the compound layers, to secure the several parts firmly together, and the whole is then pressed together and manipulated in the manner ordinarily practiced in making collars and cuffs to form the article, after which the slit or button-hole is cut through and the article finished and completed as usual.

The membranous substance may be applied as described only about the button-holes or along the edges to be strengthened, as desired; and instead of being applied between the layers composing the body of the article, it may be applied to either face of the article, between it and a separate strip of the compound applied along the edge or around the button-hole, or by folding a portion composing the body of the article over onto the membranous substance. The collar or cuff may be composed in whole or in part only of zylonite or a pyroxyline compound; and articles of wearing apparel other than collars and cuffs if made of zylonite or a pyroxyline compound, may have their 90 edges or button-holes strengthened by the membranous substance. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A collar or cuff or other article of wearing-apparel composed of zylonite or a pyroxyline compound strengthened along its edges by a membranous substance secured thereto, substantially as described. 2. A collar or cuff or other article of wearing-apparel composed of zylonite or a pyroxyline compound having along its edge a membranous substance confined between pieces of the article, substantially as described. 3. A collar or cuff or other article of wearing-apparel composed of zylonite or other pyroxyline compound having its button-holes strengthened by an attached membranous substance, substantially as described. 4. A. collar or cuff or other article of wearing-apparel composed of zylonite or other pyroxyline compound having its button-holes strengthened by a membranous substance confined between pieces of the article, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMIL KIPPER

Witnesses:
JAMES L. NORRIS,
JAMES A. RUTHERFORD