CN100365194C

CN100365194C - Selective application of chemical agents in the pattern dyeing of textiles

Info

Publication number: CN100365194C
Application number: CNB2004800021500A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·K·康; D·T·马可波底; T·R·查姆波斯; E·荷赛; J·L·威廉姆森; R·D·科帕特瑞克; C·D·莱特; R·G·米克斯
Original assignee: Milliken and Co
Current assignee: Milliken and Co
Priority date: 2003-01-13
Filing date: 2004-01-07
Publication date: 2008-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-07
Also published as: CN1735730A

Abstract

A dyed substrate having at least one dyed surface. At least one dye solution is disposed across at least a portion of the surface in combination with a migration promoting composition and/or a migration limiting composition. The migration promoting composition and/or migration limiting composition adjusts the migration of at least a portion of the dye solution across the substrate in a controlled manner. Dye migration may be arrested by the application of RF (radio frequency) energy as a step in dye fixation. A process for forming the dyed substrate is also provided.

Description

The selectivity of chemical agent in textile design dyeing used

Technical field

The present invention relates to by using a plurality of colorant spreaders to distribute dyestuffs or liquid colourant, thereby with pattern or the monochromatic form method that substrate is dyeed to dye-acceptancy.More specifically, the present invention relates to method that the various chemical agents that selectivity is used are used in combination with dyestuff or liquid colourant, these chemical agents can influence and control this dyestuff or liquid colourant gamut in substrate.The selectivity of these chemical agents is used, and can strengthen the definition of whole suprabasil design.More particularly, the controlled application of these chemical agents relevant with the application of dyestuff or liquid colourant, can be used for (i) selection area in whole substrate, the dyestuff of strengthen to separate using or the mixing of liquid colourant and/or (ii) between whole substrate selection area, reduce the gamut of dyestuff or liquid colourant, make the boundary sharpening between the pattered region thus.Independence or interosculate this controlled color mixture of use and reservation can be used for the substrate of monochromatization and patterning.Practice of the present invention can be used for providing the free degree of the color mixture of enhancing.In addition, in pattern, deliberately and optionally introduce the ability of uneven dyestuff gamut (selection area in pattern uses separately with dyestuff reservation (dye containment) and is used in combination), can be used for increasing the weight of some area of the pattern or element, produce 3-D effect and other required visual effect.

Background technology

To the absorption base bottom coloring of for example fabric known be by disperseing local dyestuff to use (discrete localized dye application).Usually, this type of dispersion application method that is used for fabric carries out along two kinds of different approach.In first kind of approach (" drippage " approach) as required,, directly use the liquid color medium of dyestuff for example or liquid colourant from being positioned at the band valve spreader of the fabric substrate top for the treatment of patterning.In an example of this system, when in substrate, distributing dyestuff or colouring agent, open valve, when based suitable presumptive area has been carried the dyestuff of requirement, valve cuts out.

In a kind of structure of " drippage as required " equipment, the printhead that contains a plurality of independently dye nozzles moves around on the path of the substrate for the treatment of patterning.One or more dye nozzles can be connected respectively to independently on the dyestuff source of supply, and each source of supply can be supplied has the dyestuff of designated color separately, and offers multicolor patterns, makes spreader can distribute the dyestuff of predetermined color thus.When moving around on the wide cut direction of printhead in substrate and making substrate in proper order forward the time, the electronics that selected nozzle is sent the instruction of " on-off " form defines pattern data, so that the dyestuff of various required colors is assigned in the substrate, make the dyestuff shower nozzle that the comprises printhead raster pattern of on whole substrate surface, sketching thus, and on any desired zone, distribute the dyestuff of required color by the substrate of selected pattern appointment.

In order to implement to drip as required application, dye applicator can also be lined up fixing row along substrate path, and wherein the spreader of particular color dyestuff is arranged along the length direction of these row, may mix with the spreader that distributes the different colours dyestuff.Perhaps, can use a plurality of fixedly row, the dye applicator of particular color can be limited on the particular column, perhaps can be allocated in the different lines.In either case, the spreader position that all is necessary for respect to substrate of pattern control system affords redress.For example, under the multiple row situation, control system must compensate the distance between the adjacent column, and this is to postpone certain hour by the pattern instructions that makes the spreader on the downstream column to carry out, and this time equals the distance required time interval of substrate by these row.That these row can be arranged in is substantially parallel, near in abutting connection with, cross the path of substrate substantially, perhaps can be arranged in the rod that other predetermined spaced relationship is settled with some along the substrate path for the treatment of patterning.

Second kind of approach that DISPERSE DYES is used is " recirculation " approach, and wherein each dye applicator is united a kind of particular color.These spreaders can be arranged with the direction fixing with respect to the fabric substrate that moves, for example the series of parallel row of arranging with spaced relationship along the path of moving fabric.Yet, and only when needing, just distribute by pattern dyestuff different, the spreader in the recirculation approach always is in " opening " state and therefore produces dye stream continuously, in the catch basin that this dye stream is introduced with every row are associated.Have only by intermittently starting (promptly, start according to pattern data) horizontal air flow or other control fluid when transferring to dye solution stream on the substrate path, this dye solution stream just can arrive substrate, wherein said other control fluid changes the track of dye stream, and make dye stream avoid catch basin and arrive substrate surface, its time interval is enough to distribute the specified amount of dye of pattern data that is defined by electronics.Use spreader group separately and corresponding catch basin,, and it is recycled to the dye applicator row of distributing to this color dye so that can control the dyestuff of introducing specific catch basin.

Shown an example of this equipment in Fig. 1-2, its details will illustrate below, and many United States Patent (USP)s, comprise the United States Patent(USP) Nos. 4,116 of common transfer, 626,5,136,520,5,142,481 and 5,208,592, the content that these patents are lectured is being hereby incorporated by reference.

In the equipment and technology that illustrates in the United States Patent (USP) of quoting in the above, base pattern defines according to pixel, and the colouring agent of independent colouring agent or combination is distributed to each pixel, so that give in the substrate the regional required color of corresponding pixel or pixel size.(be also referred to as and use rod along each look rod by using, application bar) a plurality of individual dye spreaders of laying of length direction, particular pixels is used these colorants, and these look rods are settled with parallel spaced relation along the path of the mobile substrate for the treatment of patterning.To the colouring agent of each the spreader supply in the specific application rod from the same colorant holder, wherein different uses rod by the different holder supplies that contain different colorant usually.Can be required according to reproduced specific pattern, any pixel in the area of the pattern in the substrate is used any available colorant of using rod from any, this can be undertaken by producing the spreader enabled instruction, this instruction is regulated spreader along the position of using excellent length direction with along using the position of rod with respect to target pixel position in the mobile substrate.

Do not consider dyestuff is assigned to the lip-deep method of fabric substrate, use is sometimes for example bathed, pads, sprays or the technology of other suitable equipment is used various chemical agents to substrate.Use this kind equipment, before patterning step according to pattern-information selective application dyestuff, be administered to surfactant or other dyestuff gamut modifier on the substrate surface substantially equably, this is at for example common United States Patent(USP) Nos. of transferring the possession of 4,740,214 and 4,808, set forth to some extent in 191, the both is incorporated herein for your guidance, just as complete elaboration in this article.

Although existing practice has been used for providing the painted of equal even patternings in various substrates, but the method for believing prior art does not also realize the ability of two kinds of needs fully: at first, selectivity and strengthen in the pattern ability of mixed performance on the spot according to qualifications in single pattern, second, selectivity and give according to qualifications that three-dimensional vision is strengthened or sensation in single pattern, vision perhaps opposite and that give two dimension are simultaneously gone the ability strengthening or feel.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is by using the selectively controlled application of the dyestuff gamut controlling agent (dye-migration-controlling agent) that combines with dye application in substrate, realize the clear patterns degree of the mixing and the raising of controlled dyestuff, thereby advantage and the selection scheme that is better than prior art is provided.When realizing that required mixing and clear patterns are spent, with the fixing of dye of using in whole substrate to prevent fading of developing pattern.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the selectivity of dyestuff gamut controlling agent is used can registration or be relevant to the dyestuff pattern and carry out, can in the specific presumptive area of pattern, change the gamut or the diffusion characteristic of the dyestuff that in substrate, distributes like this, thereby the product of the patterning with various visual effects is provided, multiple aesthstic advantage is provided thus.Especially, can promote composition and/or gamut limit combination to combine with gamut, in a controlled manner application of dye solution in whole substrate.If desired, this dye solution can promote composition, gamut limit combination by main registration gamut in substrate, and perhaps the registration gamut promotes the patterning bond of composition and gamut limit combination.

According to another aspect of the present invention, can be by the dual complementary mechanisms of chemical gamut controlling agent in conjunction with RF (radio frequency) heating, the pattern that on fabric substrate, will dye location, thus the fixing of the dyestuff used and dye mixture passed through, stop further dyestuff gamut and/or mixing.The clear patterns degree has further been strengthened in the use of this RF heating thus.

Description of drawings

By introducing and constitute the accompanying drawing of this specification part, further specify the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically describes a kind of typical patterning equipment, and wherein a plurality of spreaders that can independently control of arranging along a series of length directions of using rod are configured on the substrate fabric path for the treatment of patterning;

Fig. 2 schematically describes the plane of the equipment of Fig. 1, the area of the pattern of the substrate that demonstration will be colored;

Fig. 2 A be explanation dyestuff, gamut limit combination, gamut promote on composition and its combinational logic and on the position at the Vean diagram of suprabasil various arrangements.

Fig. 3 represents to be positioned at selected suprabasil first kind of exemplary patterns, can be used for describing the possible visual effect (that is the degree of depth/image intensification) of attainable first series of the instruction of using this paper;

Fig. 4 represents to be positioned at selected suprabasil second kind of exemplary patterns, can be used for describing the possible visual effect (colour gamut enhancing) of the attainable second series of instruction of using this paper;

Fig. 5 is the decomposing schematic representation of typical multilayer carpet construction;

Fig. 6 is the simplification process chart of dye application and the fixing of dye in the carpet matte;

Fig. 7 is the expansion flow chart of the sequence of steps during the explanation carpet is made, and comprises matte surface applied and fixed dye;

Fig. 8 has illustrated fringing field radio frequency (RF) application apparatus, and the electrode that comprises a plurality of operating paths that extend through square carpet is to apply dry electric field; And

Fig. 9 is and the similar decomposition side view of Fig. 5 that its explanation is applied to the RF field at controlled substantially degree of depth place in the carpet backing and installation system; And

Figure 10 is the figure that the improved dyeing of RF preheating is used in explanation.

Although hereinafter will get in touch some exemplary embodiment, practice and specification and disclose various aspects of the present invention, this in no case is for the present invention being limited to specific implementations, practice or the operation that any of these can be used as explanation and/or description object.Or rather, be to contain all alternatives and the modification that can fall in true spirit of the present invention and the scope, and all equivalents.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 represents typical jet dyeing apparatus 10, for example by Spartanburg, and (the Milliken ﹠amp of Milliken Co. of SC; Company) Yan Fa Millitron ^Textile design machine (textilepatterning machine), it comprises that one group eight are independently used rod (being also referred to as the look rod) 15, wherein each uses dyestuff and/or dyestuff gamut controlling agent that rod can distribute particular color.Thus, term administering rod " be meant that any pattern that is fit to according to the rules is transported to application device in the substrate 25 with at least a colouring agent or at least a dyestuff gamut controlling agent.Certainly, can according to this install required complexity, to the demand of shades of colour scope and other factors usage quantity more or less use rod.

In typical devices, each is used rod 15 and comprises a plurality ofly along the spaced fluid applicator that can independently control of this excellent length direction or nozzle, and this excellent chemical agent or colorant is distributed in supply.The quantity of the spreader on the per unit length spreader rod can be, for example, and ten/inch, 20/inch or other quantity.Each uses the overall with that rod preferably passes substrate 25.As described herein, can provide the substrate 25 that does not form pattern from roller 30, fabric for example, and through framework 20 with use rod 15 times at each and transmit by transporter 40, this transporter 40 is made 44 motor driven by common mark.

In the zone that substrate is accurately defined, dyestuff gamut controlling agent and dye solution in the mode of accurate pixel (pixel-wise) layout after using rod and transmitting for 15 times, the substrate 25A of patterning can be by other the step relevant with dyeing, for example dry, fixation, or the like.For example, as hereinafter further specifying, the textile material of pattern-dyed can pass through the RF heater.The DYED FABRICS material that leaves the RF heater can transport through the steam fixation device subsequently to finish dye fixing.Can make to wash with water and remove excessive loose dyestuff and other chemical agent.The textile material that can make washing then is through drier and moisture absorption instrument.

Fig. 2 is the schematic plan view of the pattern devices of Fig. 1.The box indicating figure that comprises the computer system 50 that links to each other with electronic control system 52, electronic recording system 54 and rotary pulse generator or similar frequency converter 56 among this figure.The group performance of these systems has caused producing to be controlled in a controlled manner from using rod single " ON/OFF " enabled instruction to suprabasil fluid stream.Only as nonrestrictive example, in the common United States Patent(USP) Nos. of transferring the possession of 4,033,154,4,545,086,4,984,169 and 5,208,592, understand this type of control system in more detail, these patents intactly are incorporated herein by reference.

Although the invention of this paper is with the formal specification of recirculation type equipment, this paper professor's content is not limited to this kind equipment, can also use with drippage type equipment as required.No matter, can use multiple natural or synthetic dyestuffs, comprise ACID DYES, basic-dyeable fibre, REACTIVE DYES, direct dyes, DISPERSE DYES, mordant dye or pigment, make fabric form pattern according to the purposes for the treatment of the dyeing and weaving thing and fiber content in which kind of mode.This paper professor's content is applicable to this dyestuff of broad range, and the textile material of broad range.Can comprise knitting, weaving and nonwoven fabric material, tufted material, jointing material and analog by the textile material that mode of the present invention is carried out pattern-dyed.Usually, but be not necessary, these textile materials comprise matte.These textile materials can comprise mulching material (for example carpet, carpet, square carpet, ground cushion, etc.), Curtains Fabrics, upholstery fabric (comprising the automobile decoration fabric), and analog.These textile materials can be made of natural or synthetic fiber, for example polyester, nylon, wool, cotton and acrylic compounds, and the textile material that contains the mixture of these natural or synthetic fiber, or its combination.

In order to be convenient to discuss below, unless context illustrate separately or requirement, should use following definition.

Term " patterning " be meant according to tentation data with dye selection be administered to the specific region (or Zone Full) that constitutes substrate surface.Patterning can relate to the arrangement of multiple color, perhaps single kind color evenly using whole substrate.

Term " pattern structure " is used to represent that dyestuff or chemical agent when suprabasil layout, are meant the layout of carrying out according to reproduced pattern.An example of pattern structure layout is the layout that registration comprises each painted areas of this pattern.Yet, the layout of pattern structure can also only refer to the layout relevant with some pattern unit, wherein this layout may those pattern units of registration (if for example chemical agent is used for have with the pattern unit edge zone in irregular shape of preset distance, will this thing happens) can obtainable one or more effects with what realize this paper professor.

Term " pixel " is used to describe Minimum Area or the site that can accurately use the colouring agent of a kind of color or respective numbers in the substrate reliably to it.Correspondingly, pixel is the basis of defining pattern, and the patterning equipment of discussing for this paper, and pixel is to produce the basis of reproducing the required dye applicator enabled instruction of these patterns.The term pixel mode of deriving is used to describe site distribution or application of dye or other liquid to pixel size specific in the substrate, for example, can betide in the reproduction of the pattern that defines with pixel or pattern unit.Term " dye solution " is meant the liquid mixture of various components, comprises dyestuff (various suitable kind) and randomly, as described herein is assigned to suprabasil other additive.Dye solution is different with " dyestuff " or " colouring agent ", and the latter is meant dyestuff or colouring agent component actual in the dye solution.

Term " process color " was meant before mixing with other dyestuff or colouring agent or being in harmonious proportion, the color when dyestuff or colouring agent are administered in the substrate.Print couple is meant following color, and promptly other color of all that produce in substrate all must be made of them.

Term " substrate " is meant any substrate of accepting dyestuff, includes but not limited to by independent natural or fabric that synthetic threads constitutes.The fabric substrate of method particularly suitable as herein described comprises fabric and comprises the mulching material of carpet, carpet, square carpet and ground cushion.Yet, this paper professor's content is applicable to the patterning of following fabric fully, and for example inside relates to fabric (for example curtain, table linen, upholstery fabric, wall hanging fabric etc.), is used for flag or other fabric, automobile fabric (for example being used for fabrics such as door-plate, seat, cushion, liner, inside roof lining, support (tray), luggage case liner), dress material and other fabric of drawing and indicating.

Term " rank " is meant that dying the basal region that same color is arranged shows the degree of consistent color visually.Low-level pigmented section presents variegated or the colour mixture outward appearance.

Term " diffusion " is meant to have soft fuzzy relatively outward appearance, perhaps as above hereinafter described, because the outward appearance that dyestuff causes to the relatively low adjacent area gamut of dye strength from the higher relatively zone of dye strength.Relational language used herein is " soft focus ", is used to describe pattern or image with the outward appearance of disperseing or bluring slightly.

Term " mixes " on the spot and derivative words is meant dyestuff gamut and the mixing of carrying out after dye application is to substrate.In an example, adjacent image point is used the dyestuff of same color, and the dyestuff gamut between the adjacent image point trends towards producing more consistent outward appearance in the pigmented section of substrate.In another example, identical pixel is used the dyestuff of two or more colors, and mix at first generation in identical pixel (and the degree owing to the dyestuff side direction gamut that takes place reaches lighter degree in adjacent image point).In the 3rd example, adjacent image point used have dyes in different colors, produce pixel to the pixel gamut, it is composite coloured to form effectively to mix various application of dye so more or less.Certainly, above-mentioned various combinations (for example every two or more adjacent image points are used multiple dyestuff, pixel takes place to the pixel gamut) are feasible, and are favourable under certain conditions.

Term " high relief " is meant to have the outward appearance of high order focusing clearly, produces highly careful impression.This can be according to this paper professor's content, by using dyestuff gamut inhibitor or retarding agent, limits the degree of regional gamut that dyestuff directly uses from this dyestuff or diffusion effectively and realizes.This migration or diffusion can be side direction (for example to adjacent image point) or vertical (for example occupying the length direction of the pile yarns of particular pixels on carpet, carpet or the fleece).

Term " loose saturation degree " is meant that the fiber in the fibre bundle keeps being unstained and have the situation of white appearance thus in yarn beam.Relational language " frost is white " also is meant end more shallow outward appearance of tone for terminal following part of fibre bundle, the surface is looked seemingly do not dye part.

Term " super pixel " is used to describe one group of adjacent image point (that is, it is similar to single pixel and is laid in the pattern) of creating as an integral unit, has promoted therein to mix on the spot.Be used to make the hybrid technology on the spot of the single pixel that contains the mixed printing look, in many pixel structures, replace effectively using.

Although (that is, drippage or recirculation as required) various embodiments are in fact quite successful, but still continue to seek the improvement in some performance field for above-mentioned two kinds of prior art pattern-dyed approach.Such field relates to dye solution flowing or the gamut characteristic after it reaches substrate, and this is the related field of content that this paper teaches.For example, in those area of the pattern that one or more dyestuffs of needs are evenly used, because after dye solution is applied in the substrate, but mix on the spot with inadequate pixel to pixel or little significantly pixel that the dyestuff gamut is relevant to the inhomogeneities of pixel, find that following zone is very normal: described zone has uneven color rank, but causes pigmented section to have trickle visually tangible spot effect.

In order to strengthen mixing on the spot, be known that usually the viscosity that can reduce dye solution is to promote pixel to pixel dyestuff gamut.Yet the viscosity of this reduction also may cause can't realizing enough definition or high relief using area of the pattern.This may cause uncontrolled fuzzy slightly border between the various dyeing fragments.The viscosity that reduces also may cause loose saturation degree or " frost is white ", and wherein owing to reduce with the contact time of colouring agent, yarn fibers keeps being unstained.

The method according to this invention is at the needs of contradiction on the surface, promptly use by the selectivity of dyestuff gamut controlling agent in substrate 25 (Fig. 2), promote to mix on the spot, promote the generation of high relief image in the whole substrate simultaneously, make and contain the dyestuff of using in suprabasil presumptive area substantially, allow controlled dyestuff gamut in other zone simultaneously.Especially, be used in combination the surfactant that promotes gamut so that in substrate, produce the patterned arrangement in the gamut zone that strengthens and limit with gamut restriction agent.

According to first expection practice, using one of rod at first or second locates, evenly or with required pattern in substrate 26, use for example gamut promotion composition or " levelling agent " of the middle anionic surfactant of describing of United States Patent (USP) 4,110,367 (being incorporated herein by reference) of Papalos.Gamut promotes the characteristic of composition to be preferably neutral or has the ion characteristic identical with dye solution.Most preferably, gamut promote composition have the ion characteristic identical with dye solution and with the counterion characteristic of substrate.Therefore, if substrate is when being generally the nylon of neutrality or cationic on the characteristic, gamut promoter and dye solution most preferably are anionic property.Only as nonrestrictive example, the anionic surfactant of the promotion gamut of various imaginations comprises diphenyl ether sulfonate and the sulfonated alkyl phenacetol that mixed fatty alcohol sodium sulphate, alkyl sulfonic ester, alkyl diaryl sulphonic acid ester, sulfonation sulfone dialkyl sulfosuccinate succinate, alkane or alkene-acylamino--benzene-sulfonic acid class, single sulfonated alkylbenzene oxygen base glycerol, alkyl replace.It is also contemplated that corresponding sulfate and phosphate compounds can be used to replace any above-mentioned sulfonated bodies.A kind ofly believe that especially effectively anion surfactant is considered to the sulfonate dispersion, it is provided by the industrialization department of the Chinese Academy of Sciences of Beyer Co., Ltd that has a place of business in the Pennsylvania, America Pittsburgh (Bayer Corporation Industrial Chemicals Division) with trade name TANAPURE AC.

First or second use the rod another on, can use the gamut limit combination.According to preferred practice of the present invention, the counterion type that this gamut limit combination is a dye solution.When gamut promoted that composition is ion-type on characteristic, the gamut limit combination is the counterion type of gamut promotion composition preferably.The gamut limit combination can evenly be applied in the zone that needs the restriction gamut, also can be used as the track profile and uses the border that stops gamut to define.On zone to be dyeed, cover the gamut limit combination, help at this zone formation high relief painted.Preferably, gamut promotes composition and gamut limit combination offsetting each other in nature and quantitatively, a kind of like this and alternative the mixing makes the characteristic of mixture change (that is, promote to change to the gamut restriction from gamut, and vice versa) from a kind of gamut characteristic gradually to another kind.

Certainly, when on one or another kind of whole surface that evenly is administered to substrate that gamut limit combination or gamut is promoted composition, this using is considered to and can carries out in the upstream of using rod 15 by various application techniques such as for example pad dyeing, dip-coating, sprayings.If adopt this practice, can clash into (dye impingement) at dyestuff before to have used the gamut control combination thing of negative function, to adjust the gamut characteristic in the substrate 25 in first mode of using the rod place.Only as nonrestrictive example, one or another kind of gamut control combination thing can evenly be used by spraying equipment or analog using excellent upstream.

Can will be appreciated that, promote composition to have the using of gamut limit combination of opposite characteristic, trend towards surpassing the effect that gamut promotes composition in site to the small part of using of this gamut limit combination with the gamut used before.Thus, though in preliminary step with the gamut substrate that promoted the composition uniform treatment, also can use the gamut limit combination that plays negative function of effective dose by patterning, in substrate, set up the regional area that gamut reduces.Similarly, can use gamut limit combination preliminary treatment substrate, use the gamut of negative function to promote composition to form pattern then.Thus, it is contemplated that by the gamut restriction agent of each position and the relative quantity of promoter in the control substrate and change suprabasil dyestuff gamut characteristic.Such as will be discussed further, this makes the degree that dyestuff can't be realized before whole suprabasil controlled mixing and reservation reach.

According to an expection practice, the gamut limit combination comprises the component of the counterion type of component in the dye solution, so that react with this dye solution.Thus, according to this preferred practice, one of dye solution or gamut limit combination comprise cationic component, and another kind contains such anionic components.If desired, dye solution can also comprise the component of reacting between the complementary ion component that strengthens dye solution and gamut limit combination.Preferably, the reactive ion component in gamut limit combination or dye solution at least a comprises the ionic polymerization material, and for example molecular weight is for about at least 5,000, preferably about at least 10,000 material.More preferably, dye solution and gamut limit combination comprise that all molecular weight is at least about the reactive polymeric material of 5,000 (more preferably being at least about 10,000).According to most preferred expection practice, dye solution and gamut limit combination comprise that all molecular weight is at least about the reactive polymeric material of anionic of 5,000 (more preferably being at least about 10,000).The anionic polymerization component of imagination comprise xanthan gum for example biological polyoses, contain polymerizing acrylic acid thing, mosanom and analog.The cationic polymerization component comprises the polyacrylamide copolymer that contains cation group, the polyacrylamide copolymer that contains primary amine, secondary amine and tertiary amine of for example quaternized and on-quaternised.Non-polymeric type anionic group comprises for example anionic surfactant of neopelex.Non-polymeric type cationic components comprises for example cationic surface active agent of DDAC etc.

Comprise in the method for reactive complementary ion component that at dye solution and gamut limit combination cationic components (from one of dye solution or gamut limit combination) and anionic group (from dye solution or the gamut limit combination another) are preferably in and contact with each other when dye solution is administered on the textile material.Produce ionic interaction then, effectively control unacceptable dyestuff gamut.If, for example, make cationic components and anionic group before textile material, react in dye application, the blobs of dye that may form can make dyestuff using on required pattern become very difficult or even may so.If, on the other hand, dye solution contacts the appreciable time of experience with textile material after, making the reaction of cationic components and anionic group, dyestuff just may move by not desirable ground colour so.

The desirable interaction in the zone of needs restriction gamut of cationic components and anionic group can followingly realize easily: before dye solution is used according to required pattern, a kind of in the ion component is administered on the textile material with the form that is included in the gamut limit combination in the aqueous solution (its on the fabric to distribute with respect to the pattern relationships of gamut promoter), then with the dye solution component applied of corresponding compensation ionic material as registration gamut restriction agent.If at first cationic components is limited the agent component applied to textile material as gamut thus, so can be with anionic group as the dye solution component applied.Similarly, if at first anionic group is administered on the textile material as aqueous composition, so can be with cationic components as the dye solution component applied.

As mentioned above, contain a kind of gamut limit combination of reactive ion component, preferably before dye solution is used, be administered to the zone that will comprise dyestuff on the textile material.This ion component, that is, anionic group or cationic components can provide with the solution form usually, and its content in solution is the extremely about 10wt.% of about 0.1wt.% of aqueous solution weight, and preferably approximately 0.2wt.% is to about 5wt.%.Also can choose the additional textile dyeing preliminary treatment chemical agent that broad range is provided in this aqueous solution wantonly, as long as these chemical agents can not disturb aforesaid ionic interaction.Example comprises, for example, and wetting agent, buffer etc.The ideal pH value of the aqueous solution is approximately 3 to about 9, although the pH value is not crucial.

The solution amount that is loaded with the gamut limit combination that is applied on the textile material can change in wide region, and this amount is from being enough to make the saturated fully amount of textile material to amount that only can the wet fabric material.The CATION that is provided or the amount of anionic group can change in the scope of broad according to quantity of molecular weight, ionic group etc.Generally speaking, about 1wt.% that the amount of the gamut limit combination of using can be textile material weight is to about 500wt.%, and preferably approximately 5wt.% is to about 300wt.%, most preferably approximately 50wt.% to about 200wt.%.

After in required pattern, using the gamut limit combination, can be with the textile material drying before application of dye solution, perhaps can not first dry fabric material and direct application of dye solution.

Certainly, it being understood that and in substrate, to use other gamut limit combination with pattern relationships.Only as nonrestrictive example, as United States Patent (USP) 4,808, the method of describing in 191 (the quoting for your guidance) is considered to and can uses, wherein will have+2 or more the aqueous solution of slaine of high price be administered in the substrate, after this will contain dyestuff and can be administered in the substrate with pattern form with the aqueous dye solutions that the slaine of using in advance forms the thickener of complex compound.Substantially suppress to surpass the dyestuff gamut of pattern boundaries thus with the complex compound of dyestuff coordination.Believe in this method, because the preliminary treatment of textile material to be dyeed, slaine is adhered on the fiber of textile material, like this when according to required pattern subsequently during application of dye-aqueous thickener solution, metal forms complex compound to thickener with " fixing ", and this complex compound and dyestuff coordination.As a result, rely on fabric substrate-metal-thickener-dye complexes, dye molecule is stabilized constraint, and is suppressed through the dyestuff gamut of diffusion or capillarity route.Potential preferred slaine comprises the salt of aluminium, zirconium, hafnium, boron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, strontium, barium, gallium and beryllium.

According to potential preferred practice, under the situation of using this type of gamut limit combination, imagination optionally is administered to needs with them according to patterned arrangement and produces the zone of high relief by the gamut restriction in substrate, rather than is assigned in the whole substrate as instructing in the prior art.In addition, preferably gamut promoter is placed on the remaining at least a portion of substrate the combination of in substrate, setting up the gamut restriction thus simultaneously and promoting.

What be susceptible to equally is other gamut limit combination with the fixing of dye/absorbing composition form, optionally can be administered on the zone that needs high relief.According to an expection practice, this type of fixing of dye/absorbing composition comprises color-fixing agent and ink absorbent.In one embodiment, the fixing of dye/absorption compound can comprise compatible resin binder.The other additive that can use with the fixing of dye/absorbing composition, for example brightening agent, antiseptic, light stabilizer/UV absorbent and lubricant.

In one embodiment, the molecular weight of color-fixing agent is at least about 1000.In one embodiment, color-fixing agent comprises the active amino compound of high-cation.A kind of potential preferred active amino compound is the compound (that is every at least gram one (1) milliequivalent) with high positive charge density.Among the present invention operable active amino compound comprise contain at least one primary, secondary, uncle or season amino part compound.In addition, the active amino compound can contain the reactive group that can react the valence link that is connected thereto with generation with fabric substrate or resin binder.The example of reactive group comprises epoxy radicals, isocyanates, vinyl sulfone and halo triazine.Especially, chloropropylene oxide polyamine condensation polymer is particularly useful.

Ink absorbent in the available fixing of dye/absorbing composition comprises the inorganic particle of drawing ink by absorption or absorption.In one embodiment, the granularity of ink absorbent equals, or less than about 10 microns.In another embodiment, the granularity of ink absorbent is equal to or less than about 3 microns.In another embodiment, the granularity of ink absorbent is equal to or less than about 1 micron.The example of the ink absorbent of imagination comprises silica, silicate, calcium carbonate, aluminium oxide, aluminium hydroxide and titanium dioxide.Bohemite aluminium oxide and silica gel may be especially suitable for use as the ink absorbent in the fixing of dye/absorbing composition, especially have the silica gel particle of positive charge through handling.Under the situation of silica gel particle, may need alumina surface coating and cationic silane surface modification.The microporous properties of believing bohemite aluminium oxide and silica gel allows further physics to capture dyes/pigments, and anionic dye/pigment for example is so that provide improved washability.In one embodiment, inorganic particle has the loose structure that the aperture is about the extremely about 200nm of 10nm.

In most of preparations, the positive charge that comes from the cation activity amino-compound is more much bigger than the positive charge that exists on the inorganic particle.Therefore, on inorganic particle, only there is less relatively positive charge, can not just passing through-the obviously interaction of raising dyestuff/substrate of negative electrical charge interaction.The highly charged just active amino compound and the combination of microporous inorganic particle have further improved the gamut limited characteristic of handling substrate.

In one embodiment, color-fixing agent constitutes the extremely about 20wt.% of the about 0.2wt.% that handles fabric substrate usually.Ink absorbent constitutes the extremely about 20wt.% of the about 0.2wt.% that handles fabric substrate usually.In one embodiment, the fixing of dye/absorbing composition constitutes the extremely about 20wt.% of the about 1wt.% that handles fabric substrate.In another embodiment, the fixing of dye/absorbing composition constitutes the extremely about 5wt.% of the about 1wt.% that handles fabric substrate.In another embodiment, the fixing of dye/absorbing composition constitutes the extremely about 10wt.% of the about 5wt.% that handles fabric substrate.Before placing fabric substrate, the fixing of dye/absorbing composition is preferably the stable aqueous solution or dispersion form.

As described herein, the fixing of dye/absorbing composition can be used in combination with resin binder with restriction dyestuff gamut.Imagination be that resin binder has the characteristic with the fiber excellent bonds of fabric substrate.Resin binder can be thermoplastic or heat cured polymer binder.This type of adhesive preferably has and is lower than about 40 ℃ glass transition temperature.Equally preferably, this adhesive is durable when washing.The example of resin binder comprises non-anion or cationic latex, for example ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, urethane polymer, polyamide, polyester and polyvinyl chloride.In one embodiment, the formation of resin binder in handling substrate is up to about 10wt.%.

Believe that color-fixing agent and ionic dye attract to interact because of charge type, and color-fixing agent of the present invention usually can with the fiber-reactive of fabric substrate to form the chemical bond with fabric substrate.In the embodiment of a use resin binder, believe that color-fixing agent is with participant and the resin binder chemical bonding bonding with fabric substrate.People believe that also ink absorbent provides surf zone for the ink from ink-jet printer, thereby interact with color-fixing agent, help bringing into play the effect of color-fixing agent thus.

The aforesaid fixing of dye/absorbing composition ground patterning is used, and the registration application of dye can provide the PRINTED FABRIC with excellent chroma-luminance and print distinctness.These benefits are especially remarkable for place the aqueous pigment ink of handling on the fabric substrate with pixel * pixel basis for.More specifically, the aqueous pigment ink of adhesive can be printed on the fabric substrate of processing, so that make the graphic image of water-fast and weatherability on the fabric of handling, wherein pigment is about 10 to 1 or higher to the weight ratio of ink.In addition, contain about 10wt.% or still less the paint ink of adhesive can be printed onto on the fabric substrate of handling with the season amino-compound that contains or do not contain inorganic particle, and provide durable stamp.Can by chemical bond or other any suitable method with season amino-compound be fixed on the fabric substrate.Believe when finishing agent absorbs water-base ink and expand.People believe that also expanding to increase interactional chance between the high-cation of the granules of pigments of ink and finishing agent and the porous feature.

It should be understood that term dye solution used herein is intended to comprise various dye liquid.Therefore, for example, dyestuff or colouring agent can be dissolved in the aqueous medium, perhaps dyestuff can not exclusively dissolve, and only to be considered to be suitable for the form that the pattern-dyed final use is used usually, is dispersed or suspended in the aqueous medium.Usually, the dye solution that is administered on the textile material contains one or more conventional dyes, comprises ACID DYES, basic-dyeable fibre, DISPERSE DYES, REACTIVE DYES, direct dyes, pigment and analog, and this depends on textile material to be dyeed.The concentration of dyestuff can be in the traditional range of textile dyeing operation in the dye solution, for example, account for dye solution weight about 0.01 to about 2wt.%, preferably account for about 0.01 to about 1.5wt.%.Can add other traditional proportioning and additive in this dye solution, for example conspicuous to those skilled in the art acid material, levelling agent, thickener and defoamer.Except above-mentioned major function, the anion or the cationic components that are present in the dye solution can be realized the function that some is desirable in dye solution.Like this, especially, have been found that the desirable rheology characteristic of the dye solution that this type of component can the control meeting alters a great deal according to used patterning techniques.

The concentration of dyestuff in dye solution depends on required color fully, but, be in usually in the traditional range of textile dyeing operation, for example, account for dye solution weight except that thickener about 0.01 to about 2wt.%, preferably account for about 0.01 to about 1.5wt.%.Selection joins the amount of the thickener in the water soluble dyestuffs solution, so that the desired viscosity that is fit to the specific pattern colouring method to be provided.Should be understood that under the situation of using multiple dyes in different colors solution, water-based thickener in the various dye solutions and concentration thereof can be identical or different, although preferably in all dye solutions, use identical thickener usually.

Usually, dyestuff and thickener for example, defoamer, wetting agent, biocide, and multiple other component of other additive combine, to obtain dye solution by the patterning devices allocation.Usually, the amount of thickener be in dye solution weight less than 0.1 to about 3wt.% scope.For requirement, can be different from slightly drip the requirement of patterning system (therein, dye solution only just flows out) as required when it is directed in the substrate as the described patterning system of Fig. 1 and 2 (dye solution is recirculation therein).Although for various types of patterning equipment, the relative scale and accurate composition that obtain the required examples of such additives of optimum performance can be different, but have been found that, novel teachings disclosed herein is suitable for preparing the colouring agent of these two types of patterning equipment, and no matter colourant solution is assigned to the mode of substrate surface, can both obtains excellent result by which kind of.

For the equipment shown in Fig. 1-2, proved useful in about 50 viscosity to about 1,000 centipoise scope.Miscellaneous equipment, for example the equipment that those uses can not recirculation dye solution system is believed for optimum efficiency, needs about 800 viscosity to about 5,000 centipoise scopes according to operating condition (for example, the jet size of dyestuff pressure and spreader).It should be noted that and stipulate all viscosity numbers that this paper enumerates all by in 30rpm and 25 ℃ operation down, the Brookfield LVT viscosimeter that has the No.3 spindle records.

Have been found that by promote composition and gamut limit combination with gamut, in the forming process of complex pattern, set up the free degree of abundant raising substrate 25 patterning optionally.Especially, handle the application of the selectivity application of chemical agent,, and in the formation of the controlled patterns mixing of process color, provide sufficient freedom in the distinctness conversion of creating between the painted areas in conjunction with the patterning dyestuff.

Only, in the exit portion 75 of Fig. 2, in background area 80, illustrate the multiple dye solution of using rod from a plurality of by using, coloured forme 70 that can form as nonrestrictive example.Coloured forme 70 can comprise several shades and/or painted

areas

82,84,86, has different transition between these zones.Only as an example, in first area 82, can be by in whole chemically treated substrate, patterning is used one or more dye solutions of using rod from one or more, reaches the three-dimensional painted high relief of the dark shadowed of enough levels.Shown in the real edge line 90 between first area 82 and the adjacent second area 84, between first area 82 and adjacent second area 84, exist border distinct, sharp outline.

According to the potential preferred practice of the present invention, before application of dye solution, gamut limit combination with cationic, the aqueous solution that for example contains cationic polyacrylamide copolymer, quaternized ammonium salt or foregoing other suitable composition (counterion of reagent in the dye solution), handle substrate 25, make the gamut limit combination be distributed in the substrate 25 with the form that comprises first area 82 substantially.According to potential preferred practice, the distribution of gamut restriction agent preferably coextends with the border of first area 82.Only as an example, can use rod 15 and carry out ink-jet and impact the controlled distribution that patterning is realized the gamut limit combination by using one.In this respect, should be understood that the gamut limit combination can be applied directly on the surface of substrate 25, or before covering, use the gamut promoter of the gamut limit combination being played negative function.After using the gamut limit combination, use at least a dye solution that contains dyestuff that contains or do not contain thickener at required pattern.Dyestuff and/or any thickener have ionic, so that react with the gamut limit combination that covers first area 82.Because the dye diffusion that surmounts border 90 has been got rid of in the reaction between the counterion component in gamut limit combination and dye solution substantially.

As a further example, in second area 84, the gamut limit combination can promote composition to combine existence with gamut, and their relative concentration makes can provide the gamut characteristic different with the first area.That is to say that the pixel that allows controlled degree is to the pixel dye diffusion.In addition, shown in the shade that disperses gradually, the dye diffusion degree in whole zone might change gradually.In the exemplary practice of explanation,, can stop the dye diffusion in the second area 84 that is close to boundary line 90 substantially by the dominant gamut limit combination of relative concentration is administered in the substrate 25.But when distance border 90 was more and more far away, with respect to the concentration of gamut promotion composition, the concentration of gamut limit combination can reduce.Therefore, between the pixel or among dye diffusion strengthen, caused " soft focus " outward appearance away from the position of boundary line 90.Thus, the controlled distribution of gamut promotion and gamut limit combination be can utilize, controlled light and shade aberration or hatching effect given.Can adopt this type of light and shade aberration or hatching effect, the high relief zone that makes first area 82 for example with respect to around the soft focus zone have clear focal point, make the 3D vision impression thus.

As mentioned above, gamut promotes and the gamut limit combination preferably has the characteristic of cancelling each other substantially, can adjust suprabasil diffusion characteristic as required by quantitatively handling the relative quantity of gamut control combination thing like this.Only as an example, according to an expection practice, can promote or the whole surface of one of gamut limit combination preliminary treatment second area 84 with gamut.After this, can according to required concentration pattern use that gamut promotes or the gamut limit combination in another kind so that offset the composition of at first using in the different piece in zone 84 wholly or in part.

Shown in the interrupted boundary line 88 between second area 84 and adjacent the 3rd zone 86, estimate that practice of the present invention can make a look district incorporate another look district gradually into.In addition, expectation can use a small amount of process color to realize the secondary colour on the spot of broader series.Especially, expectation is by the controlled combination of gamut restriction agent and gamut promoter, control suprabasil dyestuff gamut characteristic, also can control the mixing on the spot of color and obtain various semi-tones, to produce other monochrome of basic ad eundem shown in the basic homogeneous hue in the 3rd zone 86.

Can recognize that according to previous example dyestuff, gamut limit combination and gamut promote that composition can be used for obtaining different effects in suprabasil various combinations.Logically with on the position various combinations have been set forth by the Vean diagram shown in Fig. 2 A.Can recognize that any zone that comprises dyestuff can be used separately, perhaps be used in combination, to realize required patterning with the one or more zones (comprising blank substrate) that do not comprise dyestuff.Even pigmented section does not have and the region overlapping that contains gamut promotion and/or limit combination, situation also is so, because adjacent area still can influence those regional gamuts, influences outward appearance thus.

The practice of this method provides the ability of the effective mixed printing look of arrangement that uses so-called " super pixel " (that is adjacent image point group of using in the mode of independent pixel) in pattern.An example of this technology is as follows.If pattern contains the zone of the specific pink tone of needs, this zone is by forming Chinese white and orchil with each pixel that specific vast scale excessively is administered in this zone, and the amount that the orchil amount that the tone requirement is used each pixel can be carried less than delivery system, pink tone still can be at one group, for example produce in two to four adjacent image points, and can be by using group of pixels to pile up the zone that needs in the pattern with the similar mode of single pixel.Like this, in this example, induction system can be carried, and the amount that forms required proportion requirement than attempting in single pixel to mix red and other colouring agent Duo two or four times orchil, overcomes any restriction of the process color conveying that hinders few relative quantity in the conveying equipment thus.Promote the combination of composition to use by gamut restriction and gamut, for the maximum mixing that produces when only using gamut to promote composition is provided mixing on the spot in these super pixels.Thus, the number of picture elements that constitutes super pixel can be adjusted from little to relatively large.In this regard, the number of picture elements that estimate to constitute super pixel more for a long time, preferably utilize application of dye in super pixel widely between pixel gamut evenly painted to realize, and the number of picture elements of the super pixel of formation than hour, utilize gamut between more inactive pixel.

As an example, at needs list kind process color, perhaps during the various tone of the secondary colour of two or more process colors, expectation can combination dye gamut characteristic be adjusted the quantity of every kind of dyestuff being taken to suprabasil nozzle in substrate, to produce multiple color tones.Especially, if desired during a kind of dark monochromatic piece of process color, use have this tone dye solution to soak into fully through handling with at the bottom of the segment base that prevents the dyestuff gamut substantially.Thus, the color of the dye solution of using on each pixel can not faded because of being diffused into adjacent image point.Yet, during if desired than thin shade or mixed shades, can reduce the ratio of in each super pixel the dyestuff of original process color being taken to suprabasil nozzle simultaneously by using the gamut promoter that percentage improves, strengthen suprabasil dyestuff gamut characteristic.Thus, make the dye nozzles of impacting the original process color of substrate really can experience controlled gamut, so that be diffused in the adjacent undyed pixel, or in super pixel, participate in adjacent image point on the mixing on the spot of one or more dyestuffs of using with different printing look.

The practical application of above-mentioned practice is substantial.Only as an example, in Fig. 3, use device as shown in Figure 1 landscape figure can be administered in the substrate.In this type of figure, combine with loose saturated the controlled of diffusion mixed zone by the high relief district, can form the effect of basic three-dimensional.Especially, the printing that can (for example relate to the 82 described zones, first area among Fig. 2) in the zone that has the gamut limited characteristic substantially is as prospect or the unit 105 that shows with special bright color.Have the opposite unit 107 that gamut promotes that zone (for example the 3rd zone 86 among Fig. 2) printing of characteristic shows as background, it meets the background depth effect that will be endowed.

As further example, in Fig. 4, shown ramage.The practice of the application of the invention can be handled the zone 105 ' that shows with the high relief form by (for example relating to the 82 described zones, first area among Fig. 2) in the zone that has the gamut limited characteristic substantially, gives three-dimensional character.Can use controlled light and shade aberration in zone 109 ', for example the zone by changing gradually in the gamut characteristic (as relate among Fig. 2 84 described zones, zone) printing strengthens this high relief effect.

Can recognize, not consider the gamut characteristic in the specific region, in case reached required mixability, wish rapidly and effectively with this fixing of dye in substrate to get rid of further unacceptable mixing and/or gamut.In the past, this fixation realizes by multiple technologies, comprises saturated and superheated steam, natural and force air heat and use radiation and/or convective heat exchange mechanism to heat.

According to a potential preferred practice of the present invention, in case reached the dyestuff gamut of controlled degree and/or mixing on the spot, just can apply RF (radio frequency) electric field that reaches effective controlled degree of depth in the substrate, so that the coloured portions that effectively and promptly heats substrate is with preparation dyestuff to be fixed.The parameter that control RF uses is avoided burning or other damage of the structural constituent of base material simultaneously the intrabasement controlled degree of depth is provided directed rapidly heating.Expect this RF heat treated may be in the processing of the nap fabric of for example carpet or analog advantageous particularly, although it also can be used for the processing of other substrate.Therefore, although hereinafter put up with the processing of fluffing carpet fabric the method is described, it is exemplary and explanat that this explanation only is understood that.

According to one aspect of the present invention, can be to the heat energy that adds of substrate feed electric field form, this electric field is to use that electrode system was produced with the what is called of the frequencies operations in the RF scope " fringing field ", and the positive pole that wherein replaces and negative electrode are settled in that the fluffing surface of carpet is relative with this surface.The setting of determining operating frequency and electrode is to provide and to keep the required thermal level that adds.

With reference to Fig. 5, having illustrated can be by the carpet that adds backing of RF heat treated or the exemplary substrate structure 225 of square carpet form.In this representative configuration, underlying structure 225 is made of elementary carpet fabric 212, and this fabric 212 is formed by a large amount of napping yarns 214 of the cluster that passes elementary backing layer 216 (for example well known to a person skilled in the art polyester or polyacrylic scrim or nonwoven fibrous web).The precoating backing layer 218 of elastic adhesive (for example SBR latex) is distributed in the downside of elementary carpet fabric 212, so that with napping yarn 214 fix in position in elementary backing layer 216.For example the adhesive phase 220 of hot-melt adhesive extends from precoating backing layer 218.Between adhesive phase 220 and cushion 224 (for example original or combine again polyurethane foam or analog), place for example stabilizing material 222 of glass cloth or glass fibre (nonwoven glass) of one deck.Place one deck secondary backing layer 226, for example the nonwoven mixture of polyester and polypropylene fibre at the downside of cushion 224.

Can recognize, can carry out various changes the actual configuration of underlying structure 225.Correspondingly, multi-ply construction shown in Figure 5 is considered to only constitute the representative configuration of representing carpet, and the present invention is equally applicable to carpet and/or other fabric of any other structure as required.For example, United States Patent(USP) Nos. 6,203 has illustrated the structure of square carpet in 881 and 6,468,623, and these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

When underlying structure was carpet, napping yarn 214 can be staple fibre yarn or the filament yarn that is made of for example natural fabric of wool, cotton or analog.Napping yarn 214 also can be made of synthetic material, and for example polyamide polymer comprises nylon 6 or nylon 6,6; Polyester, for example PET and PBT; Polyolefin, for example polyethylene and polypropylene; Rayon; With polyvinyl polymer, for example polyacrylonitrile.The blending of natural and synthetic fiber, the blending of for example cotton, wool and nylon also can be used for napping yarn 214.In Fig. 5, show napping yarn 214 with circle suede structure.Certainly, it being understood that and also can use other napping structure well known by persons skilled in the art, comprise clipping structure and analog.

As mentioned above, can in substrate 225, use the pattern arrangement of gamut control chemical agent and dyestuff, so that on the surface of substrate 225, form required pattern.The pattern that forms can be the result of the process color that disperses with pattern relationships in substrate 225, and/or the controlled result who mixes on the spot of two or more process colors.In addition, can allow the degree of dyestuff gamut further to control pattern by abundant control forms.Do not consider used pattern formation technology, it is desirable to, to have the ability of further dyestuff gamut of basic prevention and/or mixing with controlled way rapidly by the fixing of dye is in place.

According to potential preferred practice, have been found that and use RF (radio frequency) heater that intrabasement controlled degree of depth place is realized rapidly and efficient temperature raises, with the fixing of dye of the coloured portions of promotion substrate.In operation, the RF heater is introduced alternating electric field in object to be heated, makes the electric field coupling of the rapid rotation of hydrone to attempt and to change in this material thus.This being rotated in produces heat in the product, cause the heating in the object thus.

The applicant has realized that after being administered to the dye solution patterning on the napping yarn the suitable application of RF heating can be used for strengthening the fixing of dye on carpet or other fabric substrate material.Especially, have been found that applying of RF electric field can provide rapid heating, so that stop dye diffusion with rapid and controlled way.In addition, because heating proceeds to the fact of the controlled degree of depth, the based transfer of energy is more effective, and makes substantially and reduce to minimum to the damage possibility of the various techonospheres of substrate colored surfaces below.

In application, the present invention preferably utilizes so-called " fringing field " RF heater, and example is installed as illustrated in Figure 8.RF bringing device 230 comprises with row and replaces charged rectangular electrode 234 generator coupled 232.In potential preferred structure, electrode 234 is the bar forms that extend conveyer belt 236 tops and cross this conveyer belt 236, and this conveyer belt 236 transports substrate 225 through the thermal treatment zone.Have been found that by operating frequency with respect to the suitable selection of the electrode lay-out of substrate, can realize suitable surface heating and fixing, and can not produce the electric arc between the electrode that may be harmful to and/or the inappropriate heating of lower face construction unit.Shown in imaginary route, between alternating electrode, form applied field with the patterned arrangement form.The field that so produces extends in the substrate 225 with operating distance, thereby provides energy to realize the molecule rotation in the border.

Fig. 9 is illustrated in the field that produces between the electrode controlled substantially operational depth with respect to each layer of substrate composite construction.As shown in the figure, operating frequency and electrode gap make effective electric field extend to just the position of napping yarn below, with any substantive heating of any bottom down of avoiding containing moisture.

Be used to strengthen the RF heating of the fixing of dye, believe to have promoted dye chromophore fixing rapidly in napping yarn 214,, also can on the visible surface of napping yarn 214, realize than shade even like this with relatively low dye strength.Figure 10 has shown the improvement of color and luster maintenance aspect, wherein (sample uses the RF preheating to carry out the fixing of dye in the carpet sample with the identical dyeing of same concentrations, feed steam then, and another sample only uses steam fixation to carry out the fixing of dye) the reflection of yarn top measuring light.According to of the measurement of ADOBE PHOTOSHOP L value record along the reflectivity of Y-axis, the dark-coloured pool of wherein lower number representative, it is corresponding to the light absorption that improves and the reflectivity of corresponding reduction.As shown, when using the dyestuff of low concentration, present dark-coloured pool with the carpet of RF preheating.Along with the dyestuff of using higher concentration, it is so unobvious that the difference on the tone becomes.Yet even under higher dye application level, the yarn top of the carpet of use RF preheating increases gorgeous tone and also can measure.

Although also do not fully understand and cause that the yarn top is painted to increase gorgeous phenomenon, believe the use of RF heating, make the coloured portions of substrate be heated to enough levels rapidly, leave the trend of using the zone by capillarity to suppress dye solution.As if as if convection current and/or conduction heating can not suppress the dyestuff gamut in very early, and the RF heating can be accomplished this point.Therefore, have been found that avoid simultaneously producing the white phenomenon of so-called frost on the dyed yarn top, the use of RF heating has improved the definition of pattern in the substrate substantially by preventing that pixel to pixel diffusion from surpassing required degree.

Believe that in actual practice the use of the fringing field RF fixing of dye can be used for improving substantially the efficient of fixing of dye method, and the aesthetic appearance of the product that forms thus.The a large amount of actual product formation practices of RF heating of having introduced have been imagined with the help fixing of dye.Only, in Fig. 6 and 7, illustrate the various operations that can be used for handling carpet as the example of unrestricted row.

According to the practice of first kind of imagination, the dye application step is carried out in a substrate (carpet fabric that for example has bunch shape or adhesive construct, it comprises a large amount of napping yarns that outwards protrude), during according to pattern application of dye from the teeth outwards.This using can be undertaken by any known technology, although the controlled flow of possibility preferred coloring agent solution, wherein dyestuff is an applied based with pixel * pixel.After to carpet matte application of dye, heat matte by the RF that uses fringing field RF heater, thereby active electric field is applied to desired depth in the carpet matte.If desired can be in this step fixed dye.Behind the RF heating steps, carpet is cooled off.If desired, can use forced cooling device to carry out this cooling procedure.

In Fig. 7, shown the key step of potential preferred substrate dyeing and processing method.In the method, promote composition and the gamut limit combination preliminary treatment substrate (carpet fabric that for example has bunch shape or adhesive construct, it comprises the napping yarn of many outside protrusions) of playing negative function by above-mentioned gamut.After having used gamut control combination thing, by any suitable technology according to pattern application of dye on the carpet matte.After dye application, by fringing field RF heater preliminary treatment matte, this device is applied to desired depth in the carpet matte with active electric field.Behind the RF heating steps, use Steam Heating to finish the fixing of dye.After this can be with carpet washing, dry and cooling before using.

Certainly, can will be appreciated that, although showed and illustrated several potential preferred embodiment, operation and practice, in any case the present invention is not limited to this, because can make amendment, and those skilled in the art in the invention can expect other embodiment of the principle of the invention.Therefore, claims are intended to contain any such modification and other embodiment, and these are revised and other embodiment can embody feature of the present invention in true spirit of the present invention and scope.

Claims

1. a dyestuff is accepted substrate, comprise below in conjunction with:

One surface;

At least aly be allocated in dye solution on this surface at least a portion with the pixel layout pattern structure;

Be relevant on surperficial at least a portion of described at least a dye solution, the gamut that distributes with the pixel layout pattern structure promotes composition, makes this gamut promote that composition is suitable for promoting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution at this lip-deep gamut.

2. dyestuff as claimed in claim 1 is accepted substrate, and wherein said at least a dye solution has the non-neutral ion characteristic.

3. dyestuff as claimed in claim 2 is accepted substrate, and wherein said at least a dye solution has anion characteristic.

4. dyestuff as claimed in claim 3 is accepted substrate, and wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or anion characteristic substantially.

5. dyestuff as claimed in claim 1 is accepted substrate, and wherein said at least a dye solution has cationic characteristic.

6. dyestuff as claimed in claim 5 is accepted substrate, and wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or cationic characteristic substantially.

7. dyestuff as claimed in claim 1 is accepted substrate, and wherein said dye solution comprises at least a dyestuff that is selected from ACID DYES, basic-dyeable fibre, DISPERSE DYES, REACTIVE DYES, direct dyes and pigment.

8. a dyestuff is accepted substrate, comprise below in conjunction with:

One surface;

Be allocated in substrate presumptive area place with pixel layout, substantially the gamut of using respectively according at least a portion registration of described at least a dye solution promotes composition, makes this gamut promote that composition is suitable for promoting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution at this lip-deep gamut in described presumptive area.

9. dyestuff as claimed in claim 8 is accepted substrate, and wherein said at least a dye solution has the non-neutral ion characteristic.

10. dyestuff as claimed in claim 9 is accepted substrate, and wherein said at least a dye solution has anion characteristic.

11. dyestuff as claimed in claim 10 is accepted substrate, wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or anion characteristic substantially.

12. dyestuff as claimed in claim 8 is accepted substrate, wherein said at least a dye solution has cationic characteristic.

13. dyestuff as claimed in claim 12 is accepted substrate, wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or cationic characteristic substantially.

14. a dyestuff is accepted substrate, comprise below in conjunction with:

One surface;

The gamut of using respectively that is allocated on this surface at least a portion with pixel layout promotes composition, makes this gamut promote that composition is suitable for promoting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution at this lip-deep gamut; With

On the discrete areas on the surface that is relevant to described at least a dye solution, the gamut limit combination of using respectively according to predetermined pattern structure distributes with effective dose makes this gamut limit combination be suitable for limiting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution at this lip-deep gamut.

15. dyestuff as claimed in claim 14 is accepted substrate, wherein said at least a dye solution has the non-neutral ion characteristic.

16. dyestuff as claimed in claim 14 is accepted substrate, wherein said at least a dye solution has anion characteristic.

17. dyestuff as claimed in claim 16 is accepted substrate, wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or anion characteristic substantially.

18. dyestuff as claimed in claim 17 is accepted substrate, wherein the gamut limit combination has cationic characteristic substantially.

19. dyestuff as claimed in claim 18 is accepted substrate, wherein at least a at least a ionic polymerization component that is selected from anion and cationic polymerization material that comprises in dye solution and the gamut limit combination.

20. dyestuff as claimed in claim 14 is accepted substrate, wherein said at least a dye solution has cationic characteristic.

21. dyestuff as claimed in claim 20 is accepted substrate, wherein gamut promotes that composition has neutrality or cationic characteristic substantially.

22. dyestuff as claimed in claim 17 is accepted substrate, wherein the gamut limit combination has anion characteristic substantially.

23. a dyestuff is accepted substrate, comprise below in conjunction with:

One surface;

Be allocated in first kind of dye solution on described surperficial at least a portion with pixel layout with first kind of process color;

Be allocated in the second kind of dye solution that has second kind of process color at least on described surperficial at least a portion with pixel layout;

The gamut of using respectively that is allocated on this surface portion with pixel layout promotes composition, wherein this gamut promotes composition to be suitable for promoting described first kind and second kind of dye solution at this lip-deep gamut, to realize the color mixture on the spot of at least the second kind of process color in described first kind of process color and the presumptive area.

24. accept substrate as claim 1-13 and any one described dyestuff of 14-23, wherein after having used at least a dye solution, make this dyestuff accept substrate and stand the radio frequency heating, to cause the fixing of described at least a dye solution.

25. dyestuff as claimed in claim 24 is accepted substrate, wherein the radio frequency heating realizes by fringing field radio frequency structure.

26. one kind dyestuff accepted the method for the padding of substrate, may further comprise the steps:

On described surface, promote composition and/or dyestuff gamut limit combination with pixel layout application of dye gamut;

On at least a portion on described surface, use at least a dye solution with pixel layout;

Behind the step of applying this dyestuff is being accepted the substrate heating so that described dye solution is fixing on described surface.

27. the jet dyeing machine that method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said dyestuff gamut promote composition and described dyestuff gamut limit combination to use has drippage as required or a re-circulation means is used in the pixel mode.

28. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said dye solution comprise at least a dyestuff and a kind of thickener, and described dye solution is that viscosity is the aqueous solution of 50 to 5,000 centipoises.

29. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said surface is a carpet surface.

30. method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said carpet are the forms of square carpet.

31. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said gamut promote that composition comprises at least a component that has the counter ion feature with described surface.

32. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said gamut promotes at least a ionic polymerization component that is selected from biological polyoses, contains polymerizing acrylic acid thing, mosanom and cationic polyacrylamide that comprises in composition, gamut limit combination and the dye solution.

33. dyestuff as claimed in claim 23 is accepted substrate, further comprises the gamut limit combination of using respectively that is allocated on described surperficial at least a portion; And described gamut limit combination is suitable for preventing described first kind and second kind of dye solution gamut on described surperficial at least a portion.

34. dyestuff as claimed in claim 23 is accepted substrate, the pixel that wherein said mixing on the spot is at least 2 kinds of colors in the adjacent image point is to the pixel color mixture.

35. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said heating is worked by using the radio frequency heated mechanical.

36. a dyestuff is accepted substrate, comprise below in conjunction with:

One surface;

Be relevant on surperficial at least a portion of described at least a dye solution, according to the gamut limit combination of using respectively that predetermined pixel layout pattern structure distributes, make this gamut limit combination be suitable for limiting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution with effective dose at this lip-deep gamut; With

The gamut that is allocated on described surperficial at least a portion promotes composition, makes this gamut promote that composition is suitable for promoting at least a portion of described at least a dye solution at described lip-deep gamut.