Kit and method for tie-dyeing and utensil therefor

Abstract

Kit for tie-dyeing an object includes a utensil that retains the object, at least one container of dyeing material, at least one device for maintaining a gathered portion of the object together, and an optional instruction manual or idea guide. The utensil includes a base that can retain the dye containers and devices and an insert arranged in connection with the base. The insert is used during the tie-dyeing and includes a grate elevated from a bottom of the insert, defined by a bottom part, and having a plurality of apertures. The grate forms a support surface for the object and enables dye to flow through the apertures onto the bottom of the insert. The grate can be separated from the bottom part for cleaning and the bottom part can be removed from the base for cleaning.

1 . A kit for tie-dyeing an object, comprising:
 a utensil that retains the object;   at least one container of dyeing material; and   at least one device for maintaining a gathered portion of the object together;   said utensil comprising:   a base including means for retaining said at least one container and said at least one device; and   an insert arranged in connection with said base, said insert comprising a grate elevated from a bottom of said insert and having a plurality of apertures, said grate forming a support surface for the object and enabling dye to flow through said apertures onto the bottom of said insert.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said means for retaining said at least one container and said at least one device comprise a plurality of depressions, at least one of said depressions being sized to accommodate one of said containers in an upright position. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a receptacle into which said insert is removably inserted, said means for retaining said at least one container and said at least one device comprising a plurality of depressions arranged radially outward from said receptacle around a periphery of said base. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein said base includes a tubular wall that partly defines said receptacle and includes ridges, said ridges cooperating with corresponding structure on said insert to aid in securing of said insert into connection with said base. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein said insert further comprises a bottom part having ridges arranged to cooperate with said ridges on said tubular wall of said base to thereby enable said insert to be secured seated in connection with said base. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said insert further comprises a bottom part having a bottom wall and defining a step above from said bottom wall, said grate being removably seated on said step to thereby define a space between said grate and said bottom wall of said bottom part into which the dye flows through said apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein said insert further comprises a cover removably attachable to said bottom part when said grate is seated on said step of said bottom part. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7 , further comprising securing means for securing said bottom part of said insert in connection with said base. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein said grate includes at least one handle to enable grasping of said grate. 
     
     
         11 . A utensil for use in tie-dyeing an object, comprising
 a base; and   an insert arranged in connection with said base, said insert comprising a grate elevated from a bottom of said insert and having a plurality of apertures, said grate forming a support surface for the object and enabling dye to flow through said apertures onto the bottom of said insert.   
     
     
         12 . The utensil of  claim 11 , wherein said base includes a plurality of depressions adapted to retain objects used when tie-dyeing the object. 
     
     
         13 . The utensil of  claim 11 , wherein said base includes a receptacle into which said insert is removably inserted, said base including a plurality of depressions adapted to retain objects used when tie-dyeing the object and that are arranged radially outward from said receptacle around a periphery of said base. 
     
     
         14 . The utensil of  claim 13 , wherein said base includes a tubular wall that partly defines said receptacle and includes ridges, said ridges cooperating with corresponding structure on said insert to aid in securing of said insert into connection with said base. 
     
     
         15 . The utensil of  claim 14 , wherein said insert further comprises a bottom part having ridges arranged to cooperate with said ridges on said tubular wall of said base to thereby enable said insert to be secured seated in connection with said base. 
     
     
         16 . The utensil of  claim 11 , wherein said base includes a handle. 
     
     
         17 . The utensil of  claim 11 , wherein said insert further comprises a bottom part having a bottom wall and defining a step above from said bottom wall, said grate being removably seated on said step to thereby define a space between said grate and said bottom wall of said bottom part into which the dye flows through said apertures. 
     
     
         18 . The utensil of  claim 17 , wherein said insert further comprises a cover removably attachable to said bottom part when said grate is seated on said step of said bottom part. 
     
     
         19 . A method for tie-dyeing an object, comprising:
 gathering one or more portions of the object; then   applying at least one device to maintain the gathered portion or portions together; then   placing the object onto a grate having a plurality of apertures;   placing the grate onto a bottom part of an insert of a utensil; and   applying one or more dyes to the object after the object is placed onto the grate and the grate placed onto the bottom part of the insert of the utensil, whereby excess dye flows through the apertures of the grate onto a bottom of the insert.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of placing the grate onto the bottom part of the insert of the utensil comprises placing the grate onto a step formed in the bottom part and elevated from a bottom wall of the bottom part.