US 6,533,824 B1 · Method for restoring original color to bleached regions of nylon carpets

Abstract

A new method for spot dying nylon carpet requires no color theory nor use of a color wheel. The new method is distinguished from prior art methods primarily by the fact that the focus in on the hue of the spot at any given moment during the process, and that primary dye colors are applied in a sequence determined by the color of the spot. The method has been shown to work on both solid-color and multi-color nylon carpets. It is also effective for spot dyeing light-color (off-white) carpets. The method can also be employed to repair stained areas of a carpet by simply bleaching the stained area and redyeing the bleached area. Prior to the redyeing process, the area to be treated is subjected to several rinse and extract steps. A bleach neutralizer is then applied, allowed to remain on the area to be treated for about 5 minutes, then extracted without further rinsing. For most bleached spots, which will have either white, yellow, or orange hues, the redyeing sequence generally begins with dilute primary blue dye. However, if the bleached spot were to have a blue or green hue, the sequence would preferably begin with dilute primary red dye. On the other hand, if the bleached spot were to have a purple or lavender hue, the sequence would preferably begin with dilute primary yellow. Based on the color of the spot, the bleached area is then sprayed with the appropriate dilute primary color dye, which is then vacuum extracted without rinsing. The spray and extract process is repeated until either the desired color is obtained or the slightest tinge away from the color to be matched is observed. For each primary color dye, it is best to under-dye the area rather than over-dye it for the first application of a particular primary color dye. As the spot changes color, the remaining two primary colors are employed in an order as though the redyeing process were just beginning.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for restoring an original color to a bleached region of nylon carpet, said method comprising the steps of:

applying to the bleached region at least one primary color acid dye selected from the group consisting of the colors blue, red and yellow, until the original color is restored, selection of a primary color acid dye for each application being a function of the then current color of the bleached region, wherein
if the bleached region has a white or yellow or orange hue, primary blue dye is applied thereto until either the color of the region is restored to the original color or the region acquires a noticeable blue or green or purple tinge;
or
if the bleached region has a blue or green hue, primary red dye is applied thereto until either the color of the region is restored to the original color or the region acquires a noticeable purple or lavender or orange hue;
or
if the bleached region has a purple or lavender hue, primary yellow dye is applied thereto until either the color of the region is restored to the original color or the region acquires a noticeable yellow or orange or green hue.

3 more elements

A method for spot dying a region of a nylon carpet, where an original color has been partially or completely destroyed by a bleaching agent, in order to restore the original color, said method comprising the steps of:

determining the prevailing hue of the region;
treating the region with an acid dye solution selected from the group consisting of three primary color acid dye solutions, as a function of the region's prevailing hue, wherein, alternatively,
a primary blue dye solution is applied to the bleached region if it has white or yellow or orange hues;
a primary red dye solution is applied to the bleached region if it has a blue or green hue;
a primary yellow dye is applied to the bleached region if it has a purple or lavender hue;
and
wherein if a match between the treated region and the original color is not achieved after a first application of primary color acid dye, at least one subsequent application of primary color acid dye is applied to the treated region as a function of the treated region's non-matching prevailing hue until a desired match is achieved.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for restoring original color to bleached regions of nylon carpets

Life of this patent

Method for restoring original color to bleached regions of nylon carpets

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18