Apparatus and method relating to textile dyeing

Abstract

A method for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile is provided. The method comprises the steps of: conveying the dyed textile along an automated processing line and into a first chamber having a first controllable environment; temporarily storing the dyed textile in the first chamber for a first time period; conveying the dyed textile into a second chamber having a second controllable environment; and temporarily storing the dyed textile in the second chamber for a second time period.

1 . A method for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile, the method comprising:
 conveying the dyed textile along an automated processing line and into a first chamber having a first controllable environment;   temporarily storing the dyed textile in the first chamber for a first time period;   conveying the dyed textile into a second chamber having a second controllable environment; and   temporarily storing the dyed textile in the second chamber for a second time period.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting the first and/or second controllable environment based on a characteristic of a textile to be dyed; a dyestuff for use in dyeing the textile and/or the dyed textile.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the first chamber comprises a first internal temperature and wherein the second chamber comprises a second internal temperature lower than the first internal temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  any preceding claim , wherein the first internal temperature is between 140° C. and 230° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  any preceding claim , wherein the second internal temperature is between 120° C. and 200° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  any preceding claim , wherein the second time period is greater than the first time period. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  any preceding claim , wherein the first time period is at least 10 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  any preceding claim , wherein the second time period is at least 2 hours. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 determining a cool down rate for the dyed textile, and   adjusting the controllable environment of the first and/or second chamber based on the cool down rate.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 temporarily storing the dyed textile at a plurality of different temperatures in the second chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 conveying the dyed textile through a plurality of different temperatures within the second chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 consolidating the dyed textile into a roll within the first chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 temporarily storing a plurality of dyed textile rolls in the second chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 conveying the dyed textile through a fixation chamber having a third controllable environment.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the temperature within the fixation chamber is between 180° C. and 220° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 or claim 15 , wherein the fixation chamber is configured to heat the dyed textile to the third temperature for between 1 minute and 15 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 transporting the second chamber to a new location whilst the dyed textile is temporarily stored therein.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 applying a dyestuff comprising a colourless dispersant to an undyed textile.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  any preceding claim , further comprising:
 dispensing dyestuff onto the textile via an array of flow channel dispensers.   
     
     
         20 . Apparatus for improving the colourfastness of a dyed textile, the apparatus comprising:
 a processing line configured to convey dyed textile into a first chamber having a first controllable environment, wherein the first chamber is configured to temporarily store the dyed textile for a first time period; and   a second chamber having a second controllable environment, wherein the second chamber is configured to temporarily store the dyed textile for a second time period.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the second chamber is directly adjacent to the first chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the second chamber is mobile. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to any of  claims 20 to 22 , wherein the first chamber is downstream of the second chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to any of  claims 20 to 23 , wherein the second chamber comprises a temperature gradient. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to any of  claims 20 to 24 , wherein the first chamber comprises a cylindrical core configured to receive the dyed textile and form a dyed textile roll, in use. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the first chamber comprises a cutting module configured to cut the textile and generate a discrete dyed textile roll. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the second chamber is configured to receive a plurality of discrete dyed textile rolls. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to any of  claims 20 to 27 , further comprising a fixation chamber configured to receive the dyed textile, wherein the fixation chamber comprises a third controllable environment configured to heat the dyed textile to a third temperature. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the fixation chamber is positioned downstream of the first and second chamber. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 or claim 29 , wherein the fixation chamber comprises an infra-red (IR) or near infra-red (NIR) drying module configured to heat the dyed textile.