Beaker type dyeing machine

Abstract

A dyeing machine includes a beaker and a carrier within the beaker. The carrier includes a perforation and supports a sample. A pump assembly circulates a processing solution to a first side of the carrier. The processing solution passes through the perforation for dyeing the sample from the inside-out. The carrier is substantially a cylinder.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A dyeing machine, comprising: 
 a beaker;    a carrier within the beaker, the carrier including a perforation and supporting a sample; and    a pump assembly for circulating a processing solution to a first side of the carrier, the processing solution passing through the perforation for dyeing the sample.    
     
     
         2 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the carrier defines an interior volume, the first side being an interior side of the carrier and the second side being an exterior side of the carrier; and    the sample is supported on the exterior side of the carrier.    
     
     
         3 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the carrier is substantially a cylinder.    
     
     
         4 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , further including: 
 a flow guide element having: 
 an input flow port which receives the processing solution from the storage device; and  
 an output flow port which transmits the processing solution to the first side of the carrier.  
   
     
     
         5 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein centrifugal forces cause the processing solution transmitted from the output flow port to coat the first side of the carrier.  
     
     
         6 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the carrier is submerged in the processing solution within the storage device.  
     
     
         7 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , further including: 
 a displacement body within a volume of space defined by the carrier, the pump circulating the processing solution within a gap between the first side of the carrier and the displacement body.    
     
     
         8 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , further including: 
 a storage device housing the processing solution.    
     
     
         9 . A dyeing machine, comprising: 
 a dyeing beaker;    a support assembly mounting the beaker;    a carrier, within the beaker, including an aperture and supporting a sample; and    means for circulating a processing fluid to a first side of the carrier, the processing fluid passing through the aperture for dyeing the sample.    
     
     
         10 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 9 , further including: 
 an input flow port which receives the processing fluid into a flow guide element; and    an output flow port which transmits the processing fluid from the flow guide element to the first side of the carrier at a predetermined angle.    
     
     
         11 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the support includes: 
 a magnet; and    an impeller, the magnet and the impeller cooperating to circulate the processing fluid through the flow ports.    
     
     
         12 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the impeller generates a centrifugal force for causing the processing fluid from the output flow port to spray the first side of the carrier.  
     
     
         13 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the output flow port is set at a predetermined angle for causing the processing fluid to coat the first side of the carrier.  
     
     
         14 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the carrier surrounds a volume of space in the beaker, the dyeing machine further including: 
 a displacement body within the volume of space surrounded by the carrier, the processing fluid being circulated within a gap between the first side of the carrier and the displacement body.    
     
     
         15 . The dyeing machine as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the carrier causes a portion of the sample to be submerged in the processing fluid.  
     
     
         16 . A method for dyeing a sample, the method comprising: 
 securing a sample to a sample side of a carrier including a perforation;    securing the carrier within a beaker;    circulating a processing solution to a processing side of the carrier; and    passing the processing solution through the perforation for dyeing the sample.    
     
     
         17 . The method for dyeing a sample as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the step of securing the sample includes: 
 securing a plurality of layers of the sample to the carrier, the layer of the sample closest to the carrier being dyed before the layer of the sample farthest from the carrier.  
   
     
     
         18 . The method for dyeing a sample as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of circulating includes: 
 receiving the processing fluid in an input flow port of a flow guide element; and    transmitting the processing fluid to the processing side of the carrier via an output flow port of the flow guide element.    
     
     
         19 . The method for dyeing a sample as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the step of transmitting includes: 
 transmitting the processing fluid between a displacement body and the processing side of the carrier; and    drawing the processing fluid to the processing side of the carrier via a centrifugal force.    
     
     
         20 . The method for dyeing a sample as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the carrier is substantially cylindrically shaped, the method including: 
 wrapping the sample around the carrier.    
     
     
         21 . The method for dyeing a sample as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of securing the carrier within the beaker includes: 
 submerging a portion of the sample in the processing solution.