Method of sealing a colorant to a carpet

Abstract

A method of sealing a colorant to carpet. The colorant is applied to the carpet. A composition that coalesces and causes the colorant to flow onto fibers of the carpet is applied. The colorant and the composition are dried. The composition is formulated to form a topcoat on the carpet, such that upon drying the topcoat has a hard component and a soft component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of sealing a colorant to carpet, the method comprising:
 applying the colorant to the carpet;   applying a composition that coalesces and causes the colorant to flow onto fibers of the carpet; and   drying the colorant and the composition,   wherein the composition is formulated to form a topcoat on the carpet, such that upon drying the topcoat has a hard component and a soft component.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topcoat is formed by a first film forming polyurethane dispersion of the composition and a second film forming dispersion of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first film forming polyurethane dispersion is an aliphatic polycarbonateester-polyether polyurethane dispersion, and the second film forming polyurethane dispersion is an aliphatic, anionic polyurethane dispersion. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is applied as an aerosol spray. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to a portion of the carpet that includes the colorant and a portion of the carpet that does not include the colorant. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes at least one of an antibacterial, an antifungal, a pH buffer, a free radical scavenger, and a UV light absorber. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to portions of the carpet that include the colorant and to portions of the carpet that do not include the colorant.