Dyeing process to minimise waste water production

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of dyeing a textile, yarn or strand, in particular for use in footwear or apparel. The method may comprise the steps of: a) exposing at least a part of the textile, yarn or strand to a plasma field and a laser beam; and b) dyeing the textile, yarn or strand by digital dyeing, c) wherein the plasma field and the laser beam are at least partly overlapping to pre-treat the textile, yarn or strand prior to dyeing, and d) wherein the method is performed inside at least one of chamber(s). The present invention also relates to a textile, yarn or strand dyed according to the method of dyeing as well as to a system adapted for dyeing a textile, yarn or strand.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system adapted for dyeing a textile, yarn or strand, for use in footwear or apparel, the system comprising:
 at least one chamber;   a mechanism for exposing at least a part of the textile, yarn or strand to a plasma field and a laser beam inside the at least one chamber;   a mechanism for dyeing the textile, yarn or strand by digital dyeing inside the at least one chamber; and   wherein the plasma field and the laser beam are at least partly overlapping to pre-treat the textile, yarn or strand prior to dyeing.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamber is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure, room temperature, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamber further comprises a mechanism that applies a magnetic field, microwave radiation, ultrasound, or a combination thereof to the plasma field. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanisms for exposing at least a part of the textile, yarn or strand to a plasma field and a laser beam inside the at least one chamber are adapted to arrange the plasma field between a first and a second roller electrode, to arrange an overlapping area of the plasma field and the laser beam between the first and the second roller electrode, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the overlapping area of the plasma field and the laser beam is adapted to change one of: a morphology of the textile, yarn or strand, a chemical property of the textile, yarn or strand, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for dyeing the textile, yarn or strand by digital dyeing comprises a mechanism for dispensing a dye from at least one nozzle or an array of nozzles, wherein the system further comprises at least one of:
 a mechanism for collecting an excess of the dispensed dye, or   a mechanism for providing the excess of the dispensed dye back to the at least one nozzle or the array of nozzles.