Apparatus and method for increasing colourfastness
AssigneeAlchemie Technology Limited
InventorsSimon KEW, Thomas BLYTHE, Scott CHAMBERS, Keith FORDHAM
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile is provided. The method comprises the steps of: conveying a dyed textile along a processing line in a first direction; flowing a fluid from a reservoir through the dyed textile on the processing line in a second directly substantially opposite to the first direction; subsequently removing at least 50% of the applied fluid from the dyed textile; removing contaminants from the fluid; and returning the fluid to the reservoir.
Claims24
A method for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile, the method comprising:
- conveying a dyed textile along a processing line in a first direction;
- flowing a fluid from a reservoir through the dyed textile on the processing line in a second directly substantially opposite to the first direction;
- subsequently removing at least 50% of the applied fluid from the dyed textile;
- removing contaminants from the fluid;
- and
- returning the fluid to the reservoir.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the total mass of fluid applied to the dyed textile is up to 500% of the mass of the dyed textile.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid applied to the dyed textile is applied at 1-50 litres per minute.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
- heating the fluid to above 40° C.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
- heating the fluid to above 50° C.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
- heating the fluid to above 60° C.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
- heating the fluid to above 70° C.
The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
- determining a range of acceptable flow rates for the fluid being applied;
- monitoring the flow rate of the fluid being applied;
- and
- adjusting the flow rate of the fluid being applied if the flow rate of fluid being applied is outside of the range of acceptable flow rates.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the dyed textile.
The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid comprises an additive configured to improve the colourfastness of the textile.
Apparatus for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile, the apparatus comprising:
- a processing line for conveying a textile in a first direction;
- a reverse osmosis unit including a fluid reservoir for retaining a fluid and a filtration unit for removing contaminants from the fluid;
- a fluid applicator configured to apply the fluid to the textile in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction;
- a fluid removal device configured to remove the fluid from the textile and return it to the reverse osmosis unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.