The invention concerns a method for decoloring of a textile material, the method comprising the steps of: providing a textile material; providing an alkaline solution containing one or more anionic polyelectrolytes; treating the textile material in the alkaline solution during a treatment period; and recovering at least some of the textile material from the alkaline solution.

A manufacturing method for functionalized dyed textile, where the textile is preferably a textile or a knit, including the following steps: getting a dyed textile having a majority by mass of natural fibers, preferably cellulose fibers; bleaching of the dyed textile in order to get a bleached dyed textile whose dye has not been altered; and chemical functionalizing of the bleached dyed textile in order to get a hydrophobic dyed textile, where the functionalization has an increased attachment to the dyed textile because of the prior bleaching. Also, a functionalized dyed textile and the use of a bleaching solution for increasing the hold on the dyed textile of the chemical functionalization.

The subject invention provides environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for enhancing production of textiles and leather. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise incorporating the application of a biological amphiphilic molecule into a textile or leather-making process to reduce chemical usage, reduce water usage, reduce water pollution and/or provide an added benefit to the process. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise substituting a chemical surfactant with a biological amphiphilic molecule in one or more steps involved in textile or leather-making process that would traditionally utilize a chemical surfactant.

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.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a fabric material, involving the application of optical energy to the substrate, typically in the form of a beam of light, where the energy of the beam causes removal of the contaminant from substrate, such as from the fibers of a fabric material. The cleaning may occur via any mechanism, including one or more of, alone or in any combination, ablation, melting, heating or reaction with the substrate or contaminant or agent introduced to aid in the cleaning. The optical energy is typically applied to a selected area of the substrate (e.g., as a beam), and the substrate and beam or optical energy source moved relative to one another so as to clean a larger area of the substrate, either by moving the substrate or the beam, or both. Movement of the beam with respect to the substrate can be attained through a beam scanning mechanism or through movement of the optical source itself.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a fabric material, involving the application of optical energy to the substrate, typically in the form of a beam of light, where the energy of the beam causes removal of the contaminant from substrate, such as from the fibers of a fabric material. The cleaning may occur via any mechanism, including one or more of, alone or in any combination, ablation, melting, heating or reaction with the substrate or contaminant or agent introduced to aid in the cleaning. The optical energy is typically applied to a selected area of the substrate (e.g., as a beam), and the substrate and beam or optical energy source moved relative to one another so as to clean a larger area of the substrate, either by moving the substrate or the beam, or both. Movement of the beam with respect to the substrate can be attained through a beam scanning mechanism or through movement of the optical source itself.

A whitening composition for fabric, in particular, unbleached cellulosic fiber-containing fabric. The composition includes a blue dye, a violet dye; and, optionally, a thickening agent; wherein the composition is free of bleaching agents and optical brighteners. A method of whitening a fabric using whitening compositions is also disclosed.

A manufacturing method for functionalized dyed textile, where the textile is preferably a textile or a knit, including the following steps: getting a dyed textile having a majority by mass of natural fibers, preferably cellulose fibers; bleaching of the dyed textile in order to get a bleached dyed textile whose dye has not been altered; and chemical functionalizing of the bleached dyed textile in order to get a hydrophobic dyed textile, where the functionalization has an increased attachment to the dyed textile because of the prior bleaching. Also, a functionalized dyed textile and the use of a bleaching solution for increasing the hold on the dyed textile of the chemical functionalization.

Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for bleaching textiles using ozone gas that incorporates 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 wastewater dye removal step, in which ozone is used to clean the water and remove dyes and other colors that may be deposited via denim or other garments.

Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for bleaching textiles using ozone gas that incorporates 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 wastewater dye removal step, in which ozone is used to clean the water and remove dyes and other colors that may be deposited via denim or other garments.