Color ink method

Abstract

A method of changing an existing color on a fabric material involves desizing the fabric material, washing the fabric material with an enzyme, and applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material to cause the existing color on the fabric material to change into a different color. Subsequently, a chemical reagent is either sprinkled, or sprayed and sprinkled, onto the fabric. The fabric is then washed with a softening agent.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the treatment of fabric materials, and in particular, to a method of applying a color to a fabric material.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Colored fabric materials have been very popular in recent times, and have been used for many different types of articles, including clothing articles (e.g., hats, caps, sweaters, T-shirts, etc.) and non-clothing articles (e.g., certain furniture and household items like tablecloths, etc.). There are many known methods of applying colors to a piece of fabric. For example, most of the presently known methods include the traditional method of applying color directly on to the fabric by using paint, spray or dyes, which creates excess coloring ink and causes pollution during the processing. In addition, the resulting colors often appear muted and dull.

[0005] Thus, there still remains a need for a method of applying a color to a fabric material that overcomes the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for applying a color to a fabric material.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for applying a color to a fabric material in which the resulting color appears vibrant and natural.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for applying a color to a fabric material in which pollution is minimized.

[0009] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of changing an existing color on a fabric material. According to the method, the fabric material is desized, and then washed with an enzyme. Thereafter, one or more chemical reagents are applied to the fabric material to cause the existing color on the fabric material to change into a different color. Subsequently, a chemical reagent is either sprinkled, or sprayed and sprinkled, onto the fabric. The fabric is then washed with a softening agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0012] The present invention provides a method of applying a color ink to a fabric material which is implemented by causing the fabric material to change its color from an original color to a different color. Although the present invention will be illustrated herein in connection with caps and hats, it is possible to utilize the present invention with any fabric material that is used for any article (clothing or non-clothing). In addition, although the method of the present invention can be applied to almost any non-white fabric, the results are especially effective when utilized in connection with polo twills and jean materials.

[0013] One method according to the present invention, for use with hats, is illustrated in connection with the flowchart of FIG. 1. First, the fabric material (which may already be embodied in the form of a finished hat or cap) is subject to a desizing step 10 whose purpose is to extract resin, hard gel, unwanted colors and other particulates from the fabric. During this desizing step, the finished hats are loaded into a large washing machine, a desizing agent, such as TEXPERSE SP-800, is added, and the hats are washed at a high temperature (e.g., in the range of 85 to 90 degrees Celcius) at a pH value of about 4.4 to 5.5 for about 30 minutes.

[0014] The next step 20 is enzyme washing, in which the hats are loaded into another washing machine, an enzyme, such as ACID ENZYME 88L, is added, and the hats are washed at a temperature in the range of 60 to 65 degrees Celcius at a pH value of about 4.4 to 5.5 for about 80 minutes. The main reason for using enzymes to wash the hats is to make the edges of the hat look like a cowboy hat and to display a natural-appearing “hi-lo”.

[0015] In the next step 30, the hats are dried in an oven for about 30 minutes at a temperature of about 80-85 degrees Celcius.

[0016] Then, a chemical reagent is applied (e.g., coated) on to the hat in step 40. The chemical reagent can be applied manually by brush, and is utilized to instantaneously generate a different color on the fabric material. The chemical reagent can produce a different color on the fabric material upon a change in pH (e.g., a relatively high pH such as 4.5 to 5.5). The pH is changed at the same time that the chemical reagent is applied. In other words, a new color is obtained on the fabric as a result of the interaction of the chemical reagent with the existing color(s) on the fabric together with a change in pH, and does not require that the color be directly painted, sprayed or dyed onto the fabric.

[0017] Non-limiting examples of chemical reagants that can be used for the present invention include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04). Any one or more of these reagents, and different orders of applying these reagents, can be used to obtain changes in color. For example, if only one of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) or potassium permanganate (KMN04) is used, the manufacturer might obtain a slight color change. As another example, if all of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04) are applied (in this particular order) to a black fabric, then the black fabric will change into a light green color. As yet another example, if all of potassium permanganate (KMN04), sodium hydroxide (H202), hydros ulphite and hydrogen peroxide (H202) are applied (in this particular order) to a black fabric, then the black fabric will change into a yellow color. Thus, the number of these reagents and the order in which these reagents are applied may result in changes from the original or existing color into different colors. As yet a further example, if all of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04) are applied (in this particular order) to a red fabric, then the red fabric will change into a light yellow color.

[0018] At this point in the method, the hats can be processed either by a sprinkling step 50, or by a spraying and sprinkling step 60. In the sprinkling step 50, a small brush or toothbrush is dipped in a prepared chemical reagent, and is then used to sprinkle the prepared chemical reagent onto the hat. The prepared chemical reagant can be any of the chemical reagents identified above for step 40. The main purpose of this sprinkling step is to create the effect of a layered look on the fabric, similar to the effect of a watercolor.

[0019] In the spraying and sprinkling step 60, a chemical reagent (which can be any of the chemical reagents identified above for step 40) is filled into a container equipped with a spray head. After the chemical reagent has been sprayed onto the hat, the sprinkling (which can be performed in the same manner as step 50) is applied. The main purpose of the spraying step is to concentrate the color at certain locations. The subsequent sprinkling will then create color spots, which when combined with the spraying, creates a different color definition so that it looks like colors are being applied from different directions. Thus, the sprinkling step 50 and the spraying and sprinkling step 60 are used to create different visual appearances on the fabric, and either step 50 or step 60 can be selected by the manufacturer depending on the desired results that the manufacturer wishes to achieve.

[0020] Thereafter, soft washing is performed in step 70. To accomplish this, the hats are loaded into another washing machine, a softening agent, such as amino silicone, SP-30 or J-240, is added, and the hats are washed at a temperature in the range of 40 to 45 degrees Celcius at a pH value of about 7 for about 20 minutes. The purpose of this soft washing step is to make the finished hats feel softer.

[0021] Finally, in step 80, the hats are dried in an oven for about 30 minutes at a temperature of about 80-85 degrees Celcius. The hats are now ready for use.

[0022] Thus, the present invention uses a chemical reagent to change the existing color(s) on a fabric. The use of a chemical reagent avoids the use of messy and pollutive ink, so that pollution can be minimized. In addition, the method of the present invention has been shown to provide fabrics with new colors that appear more vibrant and natural than fabrics made according to the conventional spray, paint or dye methods.

[0023] While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of changing an existing color on a fabric material, comprising:

desizing a fabric material;

washing the fabric material with an enzyme;

applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material;

sprinkling one or more chemical reagents onto the fabric material; and

washing the fabric material with a softening agent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material further includes changing the pH.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of oven drying the fabric material after washing the fabric material with an enzyme, but before applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical reagant is one or more of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric material is part of a hat.

6. A method of changing an existing color on a fabric material, comprising:

desizing a fabric material;

washing the fabric material with an enzyme;

applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material;

spraying one or more chemical reagents onto the fabric material;

sprinkling one or more chemical reagents onto the fabric material; and

washing the fabric material with a softening agent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material further includes changing the pH.

8. The method of claim 6, further including the step of oven drying the fabric material after washing the fabric material with an enzyme, but before applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the chemical reagant is one or more of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04).

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the fabric material is part of a hat.