Abstract: Textile fibers are dyed in a dyebath containing the dye and ethylene glycol as the solvent. Generally, the dyeing is conducted at a temperature of about from 110.degree. to 165.degree. C. until the desired level of dyeing is attained. Excellent results are obtained in a very short time period, e.g., from about 2 seconds to 10 minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous treatment of an advancing web such as a cotton fabric with one or more reactive gases comprises one or more reaction chambers, each including fluid dicharge means for directing a treating gas onto the web in the chamber and evacuation means disposed on both ends of the chamber to prevent both the fluid from escaping from the chamber and the fluid outside the chamber from entering the chamber. Heating means adapted to heat the continuously advancing web of fabric material may also be provided, if desired.Such an apparatus may be used for the application of gases such as ammonia to a fabric impregnated with monomeric tris (hydroxymethyl) phosphine to form on the fabric a polymerized phosphorus-containing material and to impart flameproofing properties thereto. The apparatus can also be used to apply gases such as formaldehyde or sulfur dioxide or both to a cellulose fiber-containing fabric at an elevated temperature and in the presence of controlled amounts of moisture.

Abstract: The abrasion and wear resistance of edge portions of garments made of cellulose-containing fabrics which have durable press properties imparted thereto by exposing the garments to vapors containing formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide and curing them are improved by selectively applying a barrier to the edge portions prior to exposure of the garments to the reactive vapors. This barrier may be physical in nature, such as a plastic resin film applied to the edges to be protected, or it may be a catalyst poison or inactivator which prevents the crosslinking reaction from taking place in the protected portions of the fabric.