Spray dyeing of garments

Abstract

A method of dyeing a fabric is provided. The method includes removing folds from the fabric, spraying a dye on a first side of the fabric, and exposing the fabric to a migration and fixation process prior to the dye drying on the first side so that the dye migrates from the first side to a second side of the fabric and reacts with and affixes to a component of the fabric.

1 . A method of dyeing a fabric comprising: 
 spraying a dye on a first side of the fabric; and    exposing the fabric to a migration and fixation process after spraying said dye on said first side but prior to said dye drying on said first side so that said dye migrates from said first side to a second side of the fabric and reacts with and affixes to a component of the fabric.    
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising removing folds from the fabric prior to spraying said dye.  
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein spraying said dye comprises spraying said dye to minimize over-spray of said dye.  
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises synthetic fibers having an amine site with which said dye reacts and affixes.  
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises natural fibers.  
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein said reaction and affixation between said dye and said component forms an attachment selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a disbursement into the fiber molecule, and any combinations of the foregoing.  
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein said dye is water soluble.  
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein said migration and fixation process comprises applying steam and heat to the fabric for a desired time period.  
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein said desired time period is about 1 minute to about 7 minutes.  
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein said desired time period is about 3 minutes to about 5 minutes.  
     
     
         11 . A method of dyeing a garment made of fabric comprising: 
 spraying a first side of the garment with a dye; and    steaming and heating the garment after spraying said dye on said first side but prior to said dye drying on said first side so that said dye migrates from said first side to a second side and reacts with and affixes to a component of the fabric.    
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising disposing the garment on a carrier so that said first side of the garment faces away from said carrier and said second side faces said carrier.  
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein said carrier shapes the garment to a desired state.  
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13 , wherein said desired state comprises removing folds and creases in the garment.  
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein spraying said first side comprises moving a spray nozzle with respect to said first side.  
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein spraying said first side comprises moving said first side with respect to a spray nozzle.  
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein spraying said first side comprises moving said first side and a spray nozzle with respect to one another.  
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the fabric comprises synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein said dye is water-soluble.