| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Blocker, hand | Occupations | Affixes precision optical or ophthalmic lens blanks in metal blocks used to hold blanks during grinding and polishing operations: Selects blocks according to size of lens blank and heats blocks or lenses over gas burner to prepare for adherence of pitch or wax. Pours molten pitch into block, using ladle, or melts wax over holding surface of block, using torch. Presses and centers lens blank into wax or pitch. Pushes lens to test for adherence to block and positions blocked lens under fan for cooling. May smooth and remove sharp edges from lens, using grinding wheel. May test centering of lens in block, using lapping machine. (references) | |
| Blocker, hand I | Occupations | Shrinks felt cones to size and shapes cones to form unfinished hat bodies: Immerses cone in hot water, places cone in steam cabinet, or holds cone over steam jet, to shrink and soften cone. Positions softened cone over heated head-shaped block. Presses and rubs cone to smooth and shape cone by hand or using iron. Ties cord around base of crown and pulls edge of cone over base of block to form brim of hat. Removes cord and block from hat body after drying. May place cones in drying cabinet following blocking process. (references) | |
| Blocker, hand II | Occupations | Presses caps or hats over heated hat blocks, by hand or with electric iron, to shape, smooth, or finish articles by any combination of following methods: (1) Turns dial or handle on metal block to heat block and fits article over block. Presses, pulls, and rubs article by hand to smooth article. (2) Inserts parts of adjustable block into hat or cap and forces wedge between parts to expand parts to fill article. Places article on bed of steam chamber or holds article over steam jet to soften article. Presses article with electric iron before placing in heated drying box. May be designated according to hat blocked as Panama-Hat Blocker (hat & cap); Strawhat Blocker (hat & cap); or according to production stage as Trimming-Department Blocker (hat & cap). When performing final finishing operations in addition to blocking, such as brushing hats and clipping loose threads, may be known as Set-Off Blocker (hat & cap). (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
