Customer-Created Textiles and Customer-Oriented Garment Dyeing Machine

Abstract

Customers obtain customized textile materials by selecting style, shape, size, pattern and color for an undyed textile product. Based on a selection made by the customer, the textile product is transformed by a dyeing operation performed on a single item to yield a product, such as a shirt, pants, or jacket which has a color and pattern of his or her own choosing, in the size and style he or she desires. The process can be performed in a retail setting using a dye machine which allows the process to be viewed by the customer. Preferably, the textile material is constructed from yarns which include cationic cotton alone or in combination with natural cotton or other natural or synthetic fibers, and using anionic dyes, such as a fiber reactive dye, such that the dye is exhausted during the process and effluent from the dye machine is environmentally friendly without excess dye, salts, and alkalis. To enhance the educational and entertainment experience of the customer, the dyeing operation can be performed in a transparent tank or water kettle in the retail outlet so that the customer can view, for example, the garment as it is being dyed to the customer's specifications.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 689,213 filed Mar. 21, 2001, and the complete contents thereof is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to a new business method for providing customers with customized textiles, such as apparel including shirts, pants, coats, etc., upholstery for furniture or use in vehicles, bed linens, etc., where the customer can obtain a fabric material that will have a size, style, pattern and color of his or her own choosing, and where the fabric material will be produced for that customer on a one-at-a-time basis. Further, the present invention provides a customer-oriented dyeing machine which allows the customer to view the textiles he or she is purchasing while they are being dyed to his or her specifications.[0004]2. Background Description[0005]Consumer choice for textile products is currently limited by t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a business method that allows customers to select and obtain fabric materials in their desired size, style, pattern, and color. The fabric materials are undyed and can be obtained by weaving or knitting. Dyeing is performed using a dye that produces the color selected by the customer, under environmentally friendly conditions. The dye preferentially adheres to cationic cotton, resulting in patterns of interest to customers. The dyeing process can be enhanced by using a tank that is at least partially transparent, allowing the customer to see the fabric being sprayed or dipped in the dye. For smaller fabrics, such as socks or baby clothes, the dyeing process can be performed in a water kettle or a tank device with a mannequin shaped garment holder. The dye can also be embroidered with cationic cotton yarn, allowing customers to prepare customized baby clothing as newborn gifts.

Problems solved by technology

Consumer choice for textile products is currently limited by the number of colors and patterns offered by a store or manufacturer.

In the case of clothing, when a customer visits a store and tries on shirt, pants, suit, or other garments of interest, he or she may identify a style (i.e., cut, etc.) that he or she prefers, but may not be able to obtain the garment in a color he or she wants or in a pattern (e.g., faded, striped, etc.) he or she wants.

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