# US 4,391,604 A · Process for dyeing textile fabric: mechanical treatment to promote foaming in fabric before steaming

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- Number: US 4,391,604 A
- Document ID: US4391604A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/313,353
- Filed: 1981-10-20
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1980-10-21
- Inventors: Hans Schomakers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391604A

## CPC

- D06B 19/0094: {as a foam}
- Y10S 8/929: Carpet dyeing
- D06B: TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS (mechanical treatment of natural fibrous or filamentary material to obtain fibres or filaments D01B)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

The dyeing of textile fabrics conventionally calls for the wetting of fabric pile with a dye solution. Difficulties arise in achieving uniform wetting and consequently uniform dyeing of the textile fabric without expenditure of large amounts of energy or dyeing solution. The present invention solves the problem of uniform dyeing according to a process wherein the textile fabric is wetted with an unfoamed dyeing solution containing a foaming agent, followed by mechanical treatment by means of alternating compression and relief and finally, a steam treatment process.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process of dyeing textile fabrics comprising:
(a) wetting a fabric with an unfoamed dyeing solution containing foaming agents;
(b) exposing the wetted fabric to a mechanical treatment consisting of alternating compression and relief; and
(c) subjecting the wetted, mechanically treated fabric to a steaming treatment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 wherein said fabric is a continuous fabric and steps (a), (b) and (c) are conducted continuously.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said fabric is wetted with said dyeing solution in an amount of about 50% to about 150% with respect to the dry weight of the fabric to be dyed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The process of claim 3 wherein said mechanical treatment consists of alternating compression and relief brought about by passing the fabric over at least one set of compression rollers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The process of claim 3 wherein said mechanical treatment consists of alternating compression and relief brought about by passing the fabric through a mill operation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2)

The process of claim 1 or 2 further comprising prewashing said fabric prior to wetting said fabric with the dyeing solution.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The process of claim 6 further comprising removal of moisture from said prewashed fabric by suction prior to wetting said fabric with the dyeing solution.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2)

The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said fabric is a non-woven fabric.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The process of claim 8 wherein said non-woven fabric is a pile fabric.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The process of claim 8 wherein said fabric is a tufted pile fabric.