| abstract |
A process and an apparatus for treating large articles to impart color or performance enhancing additives to the article in which a treatment system which includes: (i)a coloring solution and/or a solution containing at least one performance enhancing additive, (ii)water, and (iii)a solvent such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is applied to the article. The apparatus is made up of (a)a spray enclosure sized to contain the article(s) to be treated; (b)dispensing means, such as nozzles, which are configured to dispense sequentially, hot solution (i), hot solution(ii) and hot water(iii) directly onto the article surface(s); (c)means for securing and transporting the article to be treated into and out of the spray enclosure(such as a trolley system); and at least three closed vessels capable of delivering enough hot saturated coloring and/or performance enhancing solution, hot dye-free rinse solution and deionized water, respectively, with sufficient pressure to form small droplets from the spray nozzles, to thoroughly cover and rinse articles contained in the enclosure. |