Apparatus and method for spray treating fabric

A method of coating a substrate comprising:

• causing at least one nozzle to at least partially traverse a length of fabric in one direction whilst causing fluid to be emitted and thereby to be coated onto the fabric unevenly in a direction perpendicular to the one direction in a first spray zone by oscillating the at least one nozzle in the direction perpendicular to the one direction and
• causing the at least one nozzle to subsequently traverse a second length of fabric in a second direction whilst causing fluid to be emitted and thereby to be coated onto the fabric unevenly in a direction perpendicular to the second direction in a second spray zone by oscillating the at least one nozzle in the direction perpendicular to the second direction,
• wherein the first and second spray zones are arranged to overlap;
• wherein the method comprises arranging the at least one nozzle to have a primary fluid emission direction that is angled to the vertical so that the each spray zone is caused to have the heaviest distribution of fluid nearest the at least one nozzle and the lightest distribution of fluid furthest from the at least one nozzle.

A spray coating apparatus arranged, in use, to coat onto a substrate, the spray coating apparatus comprising:

• a carriage carrying a nozzle, the carriage being arranged, in use, to carry the nozzle in a first direction and at least partially traverse a fabric with the nozzle being arranged to emit an uneven distribution of fluid in a second direction defining a non-zero angle relative to the first direction,
• wherein the nozzle is pivotally mounted to the carriage, wherein:
• the nozzle is mounted to the carriage with an oscillator arranged, in use, to cause the nozzle to be oscillated back and forth in the second direction, and the apparatus further comprises a fluid supply means to supply fluid to the nozzle so that fluid is sprayed from the nozzle as it simultaneously traverses and oscillates, and
• the oscillator includes a reciprocating lever which is connected to the nozzle at a location spaced from a pivotal connection of the nozzle and which causes the nozzle to oscillate.