Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for color management by a retailer comprising the steps of: choosing an engineered color standard (ECS); communicating the ECS to a product vendor; having a product produced using the ECS; and controlling the product&#39;s color quality by comparing the ECS to the produced product. The ECS preferably comprises reflectance data and a dye specification.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/289,978 filed May 10, 2001 (unofficial). 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention is directed to a process for color management in manufactured goods.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Color is an extremely important element in the successful marketing and sales of most, if not all, retail articles. Managing color for acceptable shade, properties, and performance is challenging regardless of the substrate colored, for example, textiles, leather, plastics, paper, paint, ink, etc. Managing color can be especially formidable if a particular retail article is sourced from multiple vendors, as is the most likely case for articles with mass appeal, or if it contains different substrates or if it must be produced with “exact” or similar color on multiple substrates. The former situation (same article, multiple suppliers) is typical of a textile garment which, for example, could be supplied to a single retailer by 10 different vendors in 6 different countries on 3 different continents. The retailer, of course, expects the garments to look the “same” on his shelf, regardless of the vendor source. The latter situation (different substrates, same color) can be represented by a retailer selling coordinated components, for example, cotton towels, polyester curtains, vinyl shower curtains, wallpaper, plastic soap dishes, and other accessories for a bathroom or the components of an automobiles interior. Colors of the various coordinated components should behave similarly as viewing conditions change, such as, natural daylight versus artificial lighting, or viewing angle.  
           [0004]    The textile/apparel industry, and its global supply web, provides a clear example of the importance of color management. Color is extremely important in the retail sales of textile products, for example, clothing. Retailers know that color is among the most important factors in determining whether the product is sold. To that end, retailers may employ designers to create new textile products. The designers, or others in the organization, may also supervise the production of those products. One element of both product creation and production is color management. Insuring that the color chosen by the designers is actually the color of the product produced for sale is extremely important. Insuring that the color chosen by the designer is the color of the product produced for sale, however, is not easy, particularly for products made for mass marketing efforts.  
           [0005]    Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified, prior art process  10  for color management in textile production is illustrated. To simplify the following discussion, the textile product shall be referred to as a garment, it being understood that the textile product is not so limited. A retailer/designer  12  creates a new garment. The garment may include: a pattern; a fabric; and a color. The color selection process is tedious. See: Frugia, R. “Show Your True Colors—Today&#39;s Quality Control is Better Than Ever,”  Quality Control,  August 2000, pp. 36-38, incorporated herein by reference. The garment is submitted to a textile vendor  14 . The textile vendor  14  may be: a cut and sew shop  16 ; a fabric mill  18 ; a dye house  20 ; or some combination thereof. The cut and sew shop  16  is responsible for transforming fabric, typically colored (dyed), etc., via the pattern, into the garment. Transforming refers to cutting the fabric and then sewing together the cut fabric to form the garment. The fabric mill  18  is responsible for weaving or knitting the fabric and may be responsible for coloring the fabric. The fabric mill  18 , however, may not have the capability to dye the fabric, and accordingly, must rely upon the dye house  20 . The dye house  20  is responsible for matching the color of the fabric requested by the retailer/designer  12  and dyeing the fabric for the fabric mill  18 . To do this, the dye house  20  may use internal resources or consult external resources, such as a dye manufacturer  22 . If the latter, the dye manufacturer  22  matches the color requested by the retailer/designer  12 . Often, the match, by either the dye house  20  or dye manufacturer  22 , is not perfect, but instead is “the best they can do” with the dyes they are familiar with, or the dyes typically available. This color match is then passed back up through the chain  14  to the retailer/designer  12  who is responsible for approving or disapproving the color match. This is a simple illustration of the prior art process.  
           [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 illustrates how the complexity of this process may escalate. In this illustration, it is assumed that the retailer/designer  12  plans to sell a coordinated outfit with a top and a bottom that have matching colors. The retailer/designer  12  may send the top to one cut and sew shop  16  and the bottom to another cut and sew shop  16 . The cut and sew shop  16 , in turn, solicits competitive bids for the colored fabric from two different fabric mills  18 .  
           [0007]    The fabric mills  18 , in turn, approach two different dye houses  20  to solicit bids on the color and obtain color matches. The dye houses  20 , in turn, contacts two dye manufacturers  22  to solicit information about color match and dye requirements. Therefore, it is possible that the top and bottom could have up to eight different dye recommendations, and none of these dye recommendations may be the same, resulting in undesirable metamerism and a strong probability of various fastness and performance anomalies.  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 illustrates yet another level of detail regarding the traditional method of color management in the production of textiles. Here, the retailer/designer  30  is responsible for determining the classical shade design and concept of the garment. That shade design and concept are relayed to the retailer&#39;s color management team  32 . The color management team  32  compares the color of the concept garment to existing commercially available standards  34 , such as those produced by Pantone Inc. of Carlstadt, N.J., USA or Scotdic Colours Ltd. of New York City, N.Y., USA. If a suitable match exists, the garment is moved on to the textile vendor chain  14  discussed above. But, if no suitable match exists, the color management team  32  must commission the production of a suitable color sample  36 . Such samples are produced by Pantone Inc. or Scotdic Colours Ltd. After a suitable match is produced, the garment is moved on to the textile vendor chain  14  discussed above.  
           [0009]    With all of these independent color choices or decisions being made remote from the retailer/designer, each raises the possibility of further deviation from the designer&#39;s initial color choice. Each increases the likelihood that the color chosen by the retailer/designer will not be matched well. Those mistakes can have a detrimental impact on retail sales of the textile product. Moreover, the foregoing process can also be extremely time consuming which can also have a detrimental impact on retail sales.  
           [0010]    This problem is recognized in the industry, but the solutions proposed have not eliminated the problem. See: Conrad, A., “In Living Color,”  Women&#39;s Wear Daily,  Dec. 27, 2000, p. 10, and Powers, D., “Target&#39;s Color Story,”  Women&#39;s Wear Daily,  Feb. 1, 2001, both incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, there is a need to improve the color management process.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention is directed to a method for color management by a retailer comprising the steps of: choosing an engineered color standard (ECS); communicating the ECS to a textile vendor; having a textile produced using the ECS; and controlling the textile&#39;s color quality by comparing the ECS to the produced textile. The ECS preferably comprises reflectance data and a dye specification. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art process for color management in the production of textiles.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a prior art process for color management in a production of a textile.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a prior art process for color management in the production of textiles.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the instant invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the printed form of an ECS.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the instant invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a swatch. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 4 a schematic representation of the present invention, a method for color management  100  by a retailer. A retailer refers to, for example, one who directly sells to consumers (e.g., a chain store (e.g., Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears, Old Navy, GAP), or automobile manufacturer (e.g., Ford, GMC, Chrysler)), or one who sells coordinated products to a direct seller to consumers (e.g., clothing or housewares designer, such as Laura Ashley, Martha Stewart, or the like), or anyone who could take advantage of the present invention.  
         [0022]    The present invention, for ease of explanation, will be discussed with reference to textile production, e.g., garment manufacture, it being understood that the invention is not so limited.  
         [0023]    In FIG. 4, a retailer/designer  110  creates a new textile product, for example, a garment. The garment may include: a pattern; a fabric; and a color. The retailer/designer  110  consults with an engineered color standard provider  120 . The provider  120  assists the retailer/designer  1   10  with the color management process by, among other things, providing engineered color palettes for speeding color selection and development, and engineered color standards. The provider  120  matches the color of the garment and provides an engineered color standard (ECS), described in detail below, to the retailer/designer  110 . The retailer/designer  110  then communicates with textile vendor  130 . This communication may be for the purpose of soliciting a bid, or placing an order, for the production of the garment. The communication may consist of information about the garment, such as the pattern, the fabric, and the color. The most effective way of communicating information about color is with the ECS. The textile vendor  130  may consist of: a cut and sew shop  140 ; a fabric mill  150 ; a dye house  160 ; or combinations thereof. By use of the ECS, the retailer/designer  110  insures that the color of the garment for which the retailer/designer  110  is soliciting bids, or placing orders, will be the same among the various textile vendors used. After the retailer/designer  110  has chosen the specific textile vendor  130  to produce the garment, the retailer/designer  110  may use the ECS as the control by which to measure the quality of the color of the garment produced by the textile vendor  130 .  
         [0024]    Matching the garment color for the purpose of providing an engineered color standard is preferably accomplished by use of color matching software. Such software is known. Commercially available color matching software includes, for example, MATCHWIZARD™ PRO color matching software available from Clariant Corporation of Charlotte, N.C., USA; ProPalette® software from Gretag Macbeth, New Windsor, N.Y.; and ColorTools® software from DataColor Corporation, Lawrenceville, N.J.  
         [0025]    The engineered color standard (ECS) preferably is reflectance data and a dye specification. See FIG. 5. The dye specification may include a dyestuff formula and a recommended dyeing process. The dyestuff formula is the specific dyestuffs and the blend ratio necessary to obtain, for example, a specific color shade and a specific fastness on a particular substrate. Use of the same dyestuff formula among various suppliers will, among other things, eliminate metameric color matches, reduce shade variations, and improve colorfastness variation. The ECS may also include a finish (e.g., finish chemical formula) and a recommended finishing process. Additionally,the ECS may include preparation chemicals, preparation chemical formulas and recommended preparation process. Dye specification could alternatively refer to a pigment specification depending upon the substrate. The ECS may also include a swatch, discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0026]    Communication of the ECS from the retailer/designer  110  to the textile vendor  130  is preferably by electronic media, e.g., via the Internet. Such communication is quick and secure, and may be linked directly with appropriate software for controlling or managing the color in the textile production. Alternatively, communicating may include: physical delivery; posting to a website; or combinations of the foregoing.  
         [0027]    Control of color quality is preferably accomplished by use of color matching software (electronically inspecting). Such software is known. Commercially available color matching software includes: MATCHWIZARD™ PRO software from Clariant Corporation of Charlotte, N.C.; ProPalette® software from Gretag Macbeth, New Windsor, N.Y.; and ColorTools® software from DataColor Corporation, Lawrenceville, N.J. Alternatively, control may be accomplished by visually inspecting, visually inspecting under a single light source, visually inspecting under multiple light sources, or combinations of the foregoing.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 6, the foregoing method is explained in another level of detail. Method  200  is built around an ECS provider  210 . ECS provider  210  assists a retailer/designer  220  with the color management process by, among other things, providing engineered color palettes for speeding color selection and development, engineered color standards (ECS), providing color quality management services, and other related color, or finishing, advice. The retailer/designer  220  creates a color for the garment. See: Frugia, R., “Show Your True Colors 1 —Today&#39;s Quality Control is Better Than Ever,”  Quality Digest,  August, 2000, pp. 36-38, incorporated herein by reference. The retailer/designer  220  may refer that color to the retailer/designer&#39;s color management team  230 . The color management team  230  refers the color to the ECS provider  210 . The ECS provider  210  may have a retailer/designer profile  215 , i.e., considerations necessary to facilitate ECS recommendation that are tailored to the specific retailer/designer  220 . The profile  225  identifies “acceptable tradeoffs,” e.g., cost versus fastness, color versus light source. Provider  210 , preferably utilizing color matching software, matches  240  the color and prepares the ECS. The match may, preferably, be confirmed  250  with an alternate technique (e.g., actual dyeing). Thereafter, the ECS is submitted  260  to team  230  for approval. Upon approval, the provider  210  generates  270  the ECS, e.g., posts the ECS to a secure website, or communicates the ECS to the retailer/designer  220 . The ECS is communicated  280  to the textile vendor. The vendor produces  290  the product. Product quality, e.g., color or finish quality, may be controlled  295  against the ECS.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 7, a swatch  300  is illustrated. Swatch  300  may be included as a part of the ECS. Swatch  300  comprises a carrier  310  and colored fabric  320 . Carrier  310  preferably is made of a stout paper stock which is folded to sandwich and secure fabric  320 . Fabric  320  is colored (e.g., dyed) to match the ECS. Additionally, fabric  320  may be finished. Information  330  (e.g., reflectance data, dye specification(s), finish(s)) about the ECS may be printed on swatch  300 . Alternatively, encrypted information  340 , e.g., the foregoing information  330 , may be contained in bar code. Swatch  300  physically illustrates the color of the ECS.  
         [0030]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.