Closed cycle apparatus for the rapid, continuous and waterless dyeing of textile and plastic materials

A closed cycle apparatus for the rapid, continuous and waterless dyeing of a generally continuous textile or plastic material with a dye comprising dyestuff dissolved or suspended or dispersed in a high boiling organic liquid which is free or substantially free of water and at a relatively high temperature comprising:

• a dyeing apparatus for dyeing the textile or plastic material and recycling the used dye to the dyeing apparatus;
• means for cooling and padding the dyed textile or plastic material and condensing vapors from the hot residual high boiling organic liquid and returning the vapors to said dyeing apparatus and returning the residual used dye to said dyeing apparatus;
• means for washing the dyed textile or plastic material with a low boiling organic liquid which is free or substantially free of water and separating the used wash liquor from the residual high boiling organic liquid and residual dyestuff and returning said used wash liquor to the washing means and residual high boiling liquid and residual dyestuff to said dyeing apparatus, respectively;
• means for drying the dyed and washed textile or plastic material and condensing vapors from the used residual low boiling organic liquid and returning said vapors to said washing means;
• said dyeing apparatus, said means for cooling and padding, said means for washing, and said means for drying being arranged in series;
• means for conveying the textile or plastic material successively through said dyeing apparatus, said means for cooling and padding, said means for washing, and said means for drying;
• and
• means for taking-up the dyed, washed and dried textile or plastic material.