Method of dyeing a semi-finished product

Abstract

A method of dyeing a semi-finished product is disclosed. The method comprise: (a) providing a semi-finished product selected from the group consisting of powders, pellets and strands, that contain at least one thermoplastic polymer; (b) immersing said semi-finished product in a dye bath comprising, (i) at least one dye, (ii) water, (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, (I) R1[O(CH2)n]mOR2 where R1 and R2 independently one of the other denote H, C1-18-alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl or phenyl radicals which may be substituted in the aromatic ring by alkyl and/or halogen, n is 2 or 3 and m is 1 to 35, and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2-C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2-C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols; (c) retaining said semi-finished product in said bath for a period of time sufficient to form a dyed semi-finished product; and (d) removing said dyed semi-finished product from said bath.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.