Device and method for dyeing fibres and fabrics

Abstract

 There is described a device and method for dyeing fibers, fabrics or garments using a solvent realized by a dry cleaning machine appropriately modified and the coloring method performed therewith.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fiber and fabric dyeing.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As it is known, fiber and fabric dyeing represents a fundamental step in the textile industry which involves a large number of studies and research aimed at improving both the products utilized directly for dyeing, in particular as regards their effects on the environment, and the machinery utilized for the various operations.

[0003] The different types of fabric are subject, during dyeing, to a shrinkage that varies from fabric to fabric and can even reach 30% and therefore, to date, dyeing is carried out on single types of materials, with different types of machinery and at different temperatures; moreover, a same dye can give completely different results on different materials.

[0004] Considering that in many cases the garments are produced with parts made of different fabrics, it is evident just how important it would be to achieve a device that allows fabrics of different types to be colored simultaneously, while guaranteeing uniform distribution of the dye on the different types of fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] 

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of operation of the apparatus according to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There is described an apparatus that allows simultaneous dyeing of fibers and fabrics of different types (or of finished garments with parts made of different fabrics) comprising a device capable of allowing dosing of a predetermined quantity of dye as a function of the solvent in which dyeing takes place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention allows the aforesaid problem to be solved through an apparatus essentially realized by a dry cleaning machine, also comprising a valve, if necessary a servo valve, and connected to an appropriate actuation and control device and connected to a tank containing the dye to be utilized, which allows a quantity of dye compatible with the solvent utilized to be fed into the drum, in which the washing and actual dyeing takes place.

[0008] According to the invention, said dry cleaning machine is a machine conventionally used to clean materials that cannot be washed in water which normally utilizes perchlororethylene as cleaning solvent.

[0009] With reference to the accompanying figure, said dry cleaning machine essentially comprises a washing chamber 10, in turn comprising a rotating drum 11, suitable to contain the garments to be washed and into which the necessary solvent coming from a specific tank 12 is fed, through a filter 13 which retains any impurities.

[0010] The solvent is absorbed by the materials to be cleaned which are then spun and, after the solvent has been separated, dried using hot air.

[0011] The hot air saturated with solvent is then cooled and the solvent is recovered and conveyed together with the solvent separated during spinning and the solvent remaining in the filter.

[0012] Finally, the air present in the machine at the end of the cycle is fed through a bed of activated carbon so that the last traces of solvent are also collected before the machine is opened.

[0013] Finally, the dirty solvent is then regenerated by distillation.

[0014] According to the present invention, a machine, essentially as described above, also comprises at least one tank 14 containing dye of a suitable type and connected, by means of an appropriate connection duct 15 provided with a pump 18 and with a flow regulating valve or mixing valve 16, to the feed pipe 17 of the solvent before this enters the drum.

[0015] The mixing valve 16, which can be manual or if necessary a servo valve and connected to an appropriate actuation and control device, allows the predetermined quantity of dye necessary for the desired coloring to be mixed with the solvent. Solvents and dyeing substances can be utilized as preferred, in the most appropriate proportions known to those skilled in the art. Employing several coloring circuits 19 such as the one described above, comprising a tank 14 containing dye, a pump 18 and a mixing valve 16, it is possible to perform coloring using shades obtained by combining different basic colors, according to methods, percentages and quantities determined and set by the user.

[0016] According to the present invention, a possible process for dyeing fabrics which employs the apparatus according to the invention involves the following steps:

• loading the drum with the materials to be dyed;
• mixing dye/solvent in the proportions desired through the aforesaid mixing valve 16;
• feeding the dye/solvent mixture into the drum 11;
• spinning and eliminating the solvent and the excess dye;
• recovering the solvent through distillation and elimination of the dye;
• washing if necessary to eliminate excesses of dye.

[0017] If desired it is possible to subsequently apply fixing liquid by feeding it into the drum through the normal feed system utilized for the solvent and the dye or by spraying it onto the dyed products extracted from the drum according to known techniques.

[0018] By operating with the modified machine and following the process as described above it is possible to dye different fibers and materials and to obtain very special shades of color, also managing to avoid the problem of shrinkage of the materials and fabrics processed.

[0019] The present invention also extends to the fabrics and garments obtained through the apparatus and process described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dyeing different fibers and fabrics comprising: a washing chamber (10), a first tank (12) containing the cleaning solvent and connected to said washing chamber (10) through a feed duct (17) and a filter (13) suitable to retain any impurities of said solvent, at least one coloring circuit (19) connected to said feed duct (17) and comprising a second tank (14) suitable to contain dye substances and an appropriate connection duct (15) provided with a pump (18) and with an appropriate mixing valve (16).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said washing chamber (10) comprises a rotating drum (11) suitable to contain the garments to be washed and dyed and associated with said feed duct (17).

3. Apparatus according to claims 1-2, characterized in that said mixing valve (16) is a servo valve and is connected to an appropriate actuation and control device suitable to allow a predetermined quantity of dye necessary for the desired coloring to be mixed with said solvent.

4. Apparatus according to claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises a dry cleaning machine for garments and materials that cannot be washed in water, in turn comprising said washing chamber (10), said rotating drum (11), said first tank (12), said feed duct (17) and said filter (13), added to which are said second tank (14) - suitable to contain dye substances - connected to said feed duct (17) by means of an appropriate connection duct (15) provided with an appropriate mixing valve (16).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said dry cleaning machine for garments and materials that cannot be washed in water is of the type which utilizes perchloroethylene as washing solvent.

6. Method for dyeing fibers and fabrics comprising the following steps:

a) loading the drum with the materials to be dyed;

b) mixing dye/solvent in the proportions desired through the aforesaid mixing valve (16);

c) feeding the dye/solvent mixture into said drum (11);

d) spinning and eliminating the solvent and the excess dye;

e) recovering the solvent through distillation and elimination of the dye;

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises the following further step:

f) washing of the materials subjected to washing and dyeing to eliminate any excesses of dye.

Drawing