Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of colouring polymer substrates at low temperatures. The method comprises subjecting the polymer substrate that is to be coloured to a colouring liquor comprising a solvent in which the colourant has a high solubility and then adding a solvent in which the colourant has a low solubility, typically water.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the application of a treatment agent to a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the pre-wetted substrate in an aqueous system comprising the solid particulate treatment agent in a closed container, the treatment being carried out at a ratio of liquor to substrate which does not exceed 2:1. Typically, the method is applied to the dyeing of textile fibres at liquor ratios of ?1:1 and is carried out in the absence of additives conventionally included for the sole purpose of promoting dye uptake by controlling electrical interactions or otherwise enhancing interactions between the substrate and the treatment agent. The invention also provides a method for the removal of surplus treatment agents following application of said treatment agents to a substrate, said method comprising not more than three wash-off treatments of said substrate with water following said application.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the application of a treatment agent to a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the pre-wetted substrate in an aqueous system comprising the solid particulate treatment agent in a closed container, the treatment being carried out at a ratio of liquor to substrate which does not exceed 2:1. Typically, the method is applied to the dyeing of textile fibres at liquor ratios of ?1:1 and is carried out in the absence of additives conventionally included for the sole purpose of promoting dye uptake by controlling electrical interactions or otherwise enhancing interactions between the substrate and the treatment agent. The invention also provides a method for the removal of surplus treatment agents following application of said treatment agents to a substrate, said method comprising not more than three wash-off treatments of said substrate with water following said application.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the drying of a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls, wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated so as to facilitate increased mechanical action between the substrate and the particulate material. Preferably, the drum comprising perforated side walls has a capacity of between 5 and 50 liters for each kg of fabric in the load and is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 0.99 G, and the method is carried out at a temperature of between 5° and 120° C. Preferably, the solid particulate material comprises a multiplicity of particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:1-10:1 by mass, wherein the particles comprise polymeric particles, non-polymeric particles, or mixtures of polymeric and non-polymeric particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the drying of a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls, wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated so as to facilitate increased mechanical action between the substrate and the particulate material. Preferably, the drum comprising perforated side walls has a capacity of between 5 and 50 litres for each kg of fabric in the load and is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 0.99 G, and the method is carried out at a temperature of between 5° and 120° C. Preferably, the solid particulate material comprises a multiplicity of particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:1-10:1 by mass, wherein the particles comprise polymeric particles, non-polymeric particles, or mixtures of polymeric and non-polymeric particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of polymeric particles recovered after use in cleaning processes for soiled substrates, the method comprising treating the particles with a particle cleaning agent. Preferably, said agent comprises at least one surfactant. Preferably said agent comprises an aqueous medium. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon or polyester. The invention also provides a method for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) treating polymeric particles with a particle cleaning agent; and (b) treating a moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of said treated polymeric particles. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre or fabric.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips.

Abstract: A method and system of image processing on a computer, and a computer program product adapted for image processing, wherein a digital image of an article is imported into a computer, the digital image is color-corrected, an internal palette is generated from a database of predetermined color attributes and applied to the color-corrected digital image so as to generate a second digital image, and wherein a third digital image corresponding to the second digital image is generated, but replacing the predetermined color attributes with vivid color attributes. The present invention is of particular utility in the manufacture of dental prostheses from ceramics materials which substantially match a person's natural tooth colors.

Abstract: A method and system of image processing on a computer, and a computer program product adapted for image processing, wherein a digital image of an article is imported into a computer, the digital image is color-corrected, an internal palette is generated from a database of predetermined color attributes and applied to the color-corrected digital image so as to generate a second digital image, and wherein a third digital image corresponding to the second digital image is generated, but replacing the predetermined color attributes with vivid color attributes. The present invention is of particular utility in the manufacture of dental prostheses from ceramics materials which substantially match a person's natural tooth colors.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, color matching and/or identifying color parameters of articles such as teeth, textiles, paints, dyes, car body repairs, picture restoration, metals and gems and for use in the cosmetics industry. The system comprises means for taking a colored image of an object, means for relaying the colored image to a place remote from where the image of the object was taken, means for analysing color values of the image and means for converting the color values into parameters from which the original color of the object can be reconstituted or color parameters may be cross-referenced and/or recorded over time.

Abstract: A method for dyeing cellulosic materials with reactive dye by pretreating the fabric with a polycationic polymeric agent which is desirably also polynucleophilic is disclosed. The agent can be a polyquaternary amine material especially a poly(DADMAC) or polyvinylpyridine, particularly one including nucleophilic sites such as primary amino groups, e.g. polyallylamine/DADMAC copolymers and polyvinylpyridines quaternisied with w-aminoalkyl groups. The dyes can react with the nucleophilic centres so dyebath exhaustion can be driven by dye fixation rather than substantivity to the substrate. The need to use of salts to drive substantivity can be obviated and post dyeing washing to remove unreacted/hydrolysed dye is much simplified. Material dyed by the method has the good wash fastness properties of materials dyed using reactive dyes. A wide variety of cellulosic substrates can be dyed including lyocell fibre materials and blend/union materials with polyamides.