Method and apparatus for dyeing cellulosic textile substrates with an inert leuco state dye and dyed product

摘要

Dyeing a cellulosic textile substrate (58) with reduced indigo dye (14) in a leuco state after foaming with an inert gas to maintain the dye (14) isolated from oxidizing substances. Following application of the foam to the substrate (58), it is exposed to the adjacent atmosphere, with the oxygen in the atmosphere oxidizing the reduced indigo dye (14) to regenerate it and cause it to affix to the textile substrate (58). A product can be produced using the method and apparatus of the present invention that has different dye characteristics on opposite surfaces of the substrate by applying the indigo dye foam to one surface and another dye, either an indigo dye or some other dye to the opposite surface.