Walter R Hendrix

US Patent:

6615620, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/888924

Inventors:

Walter A. Hendrix - Raleigh NC
Gerardo A. Montero - Garner NC
C. Brent Smith - Raleigh NC
Donald L. Butcher - Knightdale NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D06F 3700

US Classification:

68207, 68184, 68189, 8475

Abstract:

A process for introducing a textile treatment material into a textile treatment system, particularly a supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SCFâCO ) treatment system. The process includes the steps of providing a preparation vessel in fluid communication with a textile treatment system; loading a textile treatment material into the preparation vessel; dissolving or suspending the textile treatment material in near-critical liquid carbon dioxide or supercritical fluid carbon dioxide in the preparation vessel; and introducing the dissolved or suspended textile treatment material into the textile treatment system. The textile treatment material can be selected from a group including a brightening agent, a whitening agent and a dye. A system suitable for use in carrying out the process is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6676710, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/729566

Inventors:

Carl Brent Smith - Raleigh NC
Walter A. Hendrix - Raleigh NC
Donald L. Butcher - Knightdale NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D06M 102

US Classification:

811551, 81156, 81161, 8107, 8137, 8139, 8142, 8404, 8474, 8475, 8495, 8916, 134 42

Abstract:

A process for treating a textile substrate, the process including the steps of providing a textile substrate; providing a treatment bath; entraining a transport material in the treatment bath wherein the transport material further comprises a treatment material dissolved or suspended therein and wherein the transport material is substantially immiscible with the treatment bath; and contacting the textile substrate with the transport material in the treatment bath to thereby treat the textile substrate with the treatment material in the transport material.

US Patent:

6261326, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Jan 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/482371

Inventors:

Walter A. Hendrix - Raleigh NC
Gerardo A. Montero - Garner NC
C. Brent Smith - Raleigh NC
Donald L. Butcher - Knightdale NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D06P 336
D06P 500
D06B 512

US Classification:

8475

Abstract:

A process for introducing a textile treatment material into a textile treatment system, particularly a supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SCF-CO. sub. 2) treatment system. The process includes the steps of providing a preparation vessel in fluid communication with a textile treatment system; loading a textile treatment material into the preparation vessel; dissolving or suspending the textile treatment material in near-critical liquid carbon dioxide or supercritical fluid carbon dioxide in the preparation vessel; and introducing the dissolved or suspended textile treatment material into the textile treatment system. The textile treatment material can be selected from a group including a brightening agent, a whitening agent and a dye. A system suitable for use in carrying out the process is also disclosed.

US Patent:

60483695, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Sep 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/162817

Inventors:

Carl Brent Smith - Raleigh NC
Gerardo A. Montero - Garner NC
Walter A. Hendrix - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Releigh NC

International Classification:

D06P 100
D06P 500

US Classification:

8475

Abstract:

Processes for dyeing a hydrophobic textile fiber with a colorant material using a SCF--CO. sub. 2 dyebath are described. One process employs cooling, without venting or removing CO. sub. 2 from the system, to a target CO. sub. 2 temperature at or below the glass transition temperature of the hydrophobic fiber, followed by the venting of the dyeing system to atmospheric pressure. The other process employs venting, without cooling, to a target CO. sub. 2 density where dye is no longer soluble in the SCF--CO. sub. 2, followed by cooling to a target temperature and then venting to atmospheric pressure. Optionally, the temperature of the dyeing process is established by heating the process according to a selected temperature profile.