Continuous carpet dyeing process

Abstract

A continuous dyeing process for use in dyeing material, such as carpet, a selected one of a number of colors. The process is performed by providing at least two dye applicator means, advancing a length of material to be dyed along a predetermined path adjacent the applicator means, operating one of the applicator means a predetermined period of time to apply one color dye to the length of material moving along the predetermined path, fixing the first color dye to the length of material, operating the other one of the dye applicator means for a predetermined period of time to apply a second color dye to a length of material moving along the predetermined path, and fixing the second color dye to the length of material. The dye is applied in a foam mixture having predetermined amounts of dye material, predetermined amounts of a thickening material, predetermined amounts of water and predetermined amounts of air processed in a mixing apparatus to develop a foam mixture. The foam mixture containing dye is applied only to one surface of material moving along a predetermined path by either extruding the foam material onto the length of material being dyed, creating a puddle of the foam material on the length of material and doctoring the foam material to a predetermined height, or by introducing the foam dye material into a container applicator means having an edge operable for doctoring the foam material to a predetermined height.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.