Multiple dye setting steam chamber apparatus and method

An apparatus for setting dye in multiple pieces of a dye receiving fabric by use of steam heat comprising:

• (a) a plurality of covers positioned in stacked relationship to one another when setting dye;
• each of said covers adapted to be placed in covering and surrounding relationship to the dye on a respective piece of the fabric so as to form a chamber with dye of a respective piece of fabric therein;
• (b) steam generation means;
• (c) means for conveying steam produced by said steam generation means to each of the chambers associated with said covers when said covers are in a dye setting orientation thereof;
• (d) each of said covers having an interior surface constructed of material substantially resistant to transfer of heat;
• and
• (e) each of said cover interior surfaces being generally planar and horizontally aligned when a respective cover is in the dye setting orientation thereof and constructed of material adapted to absorb a substantial quantity of water condensed thereon.

An apparatus for setting dye in a plurality of pieces of dye receiving fabric comprising:

• (a) a generally planar support surface adapted to support a first piece of the fabric;
• (b) a plurality of covers positioned on top of one another when in a dye setting orientation thereof;
• each of said covers being adapted to be placed in a covering position over one of said pieces of fabric so as to be in covering and surrounding relationship to dye on the respective piece of fabric and so as to form a respective chamber with the dye to be set therein;
• (c) each of said covers that have a cover positioned thereabove, when each cover is in the covering position thereof, includes an upper surface adapted to receive and support a piece of fabric received in respective chamber associated with the cover positioned thereabove;
• (d) hinge means and support structure;
• said hinge means connecting one end of each of said covers to said surface and allowing each of said covers to rotate between the covering position and an open position thereof;
• (e) steam generation means;
• and
• (f) flow connection means for connecting said steam generation means to each of said chambers when the covers associated therewith are in the covering position thereof.

A method for simultaneously setting dye on multiple pieces of a dye receiving fabric comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a first piece of said fabric on a planar surface;
• (b) placing a first cover in closely spaced relationship over said first piece of fabric so as to form a first chamber with dye on said first piece of fabric therein;
• said first cover having a substantially planar and insulative upper interior surface;
• (c) placing a second piece of fabric on an upper surface of said first cover;
• (d) placing a second cover over said second piece of fabric so as to form a second chamber with dye on said second piece of fabric therein;
• (e) generating steam means;
• and
• (f) simultaneously directing said generated steam to said first and second chambers while said first and second pieces of fabric are within said first and second chambers respectively and said first and second covers are in covering relationship to said first and second pieces of fabric thereby setting dye on said first and second pieces of fabric generally simultaneously.