Ozone process for color removal and drain system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for bleaching textiles using ozone gas. Embodiments also incorporate a color removal step. In one example, there is provided a hybrid machine that incorporates certain features of a washer, but that also includes an integrated blower for gas distribution inside the machine. There is also provided an ozone dosing control system that allows for maintenance of a constant concentration of ozone in the machine. In one embodiment, the ozone output measured in grams / hour at this constant concentration in conjunction with the weight of product measured being treated may be referred to as the “bleaching factor.” There is further provided a drain sump design that helps minimize water volume in the presence of fabric lint, various added materials, and other processing chemicals.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 772,154, filed Nov. 28, 2018, titled Drain Sump Design, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 15 / 281,686 filed Sep. 30, 2016, titled “Ozone Process for Color Removal,” now allowed, which application claims to benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 241,301, Oct. 14, 2015, titled “Ozone Process for Color Removal,” which application was a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 14 / 694,120, filed Apr. 23, 2015, titled “Method of Bleaching Textiles and Clothing Items with Ozone,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,493,896, which application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 983,661 filed Apr. 24, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Embodiments of the present disclosure relate g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system and method for bleaching textiles that are more reliable and reproducible. The system allows for controlled dosage of ozone during the bleaching process, and a hybrid washing machine is used that combines a sealed vessel with a washing machine and a commercial dryer. The patent also includes methods for removing various dyes from the machine. An improved drain sump system is also described. Overall, this patent provides technical means for effective and efficient bleaching of textiles.

Problems solved by technology

However, these were dry machines only, not capable of handling any water injected into the system.

They also failed to provide any flow rate or circulation of ozone inside the machine during processing.

However, these systems provide only a user-programmed power percentage variability on the ozone generator to vary ozone levels.

This results in low reproducibility of bleaching effects, as well as variability based on operator knowledge.

In traditional denim wash processes, there may be problems with re-depositing (also referred to as back-staining) of indigo dye onto white pocket materials or other materials to be treated resulting in production shipping delays, seconds, or rejects.

However, the normal wash and bleach processes require clear water rinses to be used between process steps.

This can't be time-consuming and is not an environmentally-friendly solution.

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