Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD OF PRODUCING SUBSTANTIALLY WRINKLE-FREE
TEXTILE SURFACES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of laundering to provide a
substantially wrinkle-free textile surface. In particular, the present
invention relates to a
method of laundering to provide a substantially wrinkle-free textile surface
without
ironing or pressing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wrinkles can cause an unacceptable and unprofessional appearance on
textile surfaces, including, for example, wearing apparel, flat goods, and
other textiles.
In the commercial and industrial businesses, including hotels, restaurants,
manufacturing, repair, and service organizations, uniforms (e.g. chef coats,
uniforms for
waitresses, factory workers, automotive shops, etc.) and flatware (e.g. bed
sheets, table
clothes, etc.) are representative of the business. It is therefore important
that the
garments worn by the employees and the flatware used in the business are
wrinkle-free.
Wrinkles often develop on textiles during washing and in subsequent processing
and
storing. The rigorous process of washing the textiles, particularly in the
commercial
setting, subjects the textiles to bending and folding. For example, wrinkles
may be
introduced onto the textiles during the extraction cycle (high speed spin
cycle) of a
washing process or when the textiles are extracted using a hydraulic press
following
washing in a continuous batch washer. Even with proper cool down procedures,
wrinkles can develop, especially in contained textiles. The wrinkles thus need
to be
completely removed in the subsequent finishing process.
In a typical commercial laundry process, the textiles are sent through a
series of aqueous baths where they are exposed to various chemicals needed
either to
clean the textiles or to achieve a desired quality for the garments, such as
softness, fresh
scent, water repellency, etc.
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After the textiles have been properly cleaned, the textiles go through a
finishing process. For example, garments may be sent through a finishing
tunnel and
flat goods may be sent through some type of finishing equipment such as an
ironer.
Garments are frequently exposed to steam and hot air in the finishing tunnel
where the
steam and hot air function to dry and condition the garments.
The most common methods of removing wrinkles from garments
containing cotton include ironing or pressing the textile. In some
applications, the
textiles are partially dried ('conditioned') before a final ironing or
pressing step.
Ironing or pressing the textiles is accomplished by manually inserting the
textile into the
processing unit, or in the case of garments, manually placing them on hangers.
The
textiles are then processed through equipment known in the art as an ironer or
finishing
tunnel.
One problem with ironing or pressing the textiles in order to eliminate
the wrinkles in the textile surfaces is that the process is time, labor,
energy, and capital
intensive. The finishing equipment is expensive and requires a large foot
print within
the production area. Ironing or pressing is labor intensive because, as stated
above, an
employee must either manually insert the textiles, or an operator must
manually feed or
position the textiles within the equipment. In addition, a significant amount
of energy is
also consumed by the equipment used to remove the wrinkles from the textile
surfaces.
Because the production rate is typically one half that of standard processing
methods
due to the individual handling requirement, this process may constitute the
bottleneck in
the entire laundering process even if capital-intensive, state-of-the-art
equipment is
utilized.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a method of applying a fabric relaxant provides a
substantially wrinkle-free textile surface. The method includes moistening the
textile
surface, applying the fabric relaxant onto the moistened textile surface, and
drying the
moistened textile surface using steam. The fabric relaxant includes a
hydrophobic
polydimethylsiloxane polymer having at least one positively-charged functional
group.
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In another embodiment, a method of laundering a textile produces a
substantially wrinkle-free textile. The method includes applying a
hydrophobic,
functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged
functional
group to the textile and drying the textile surface by steam drying. The
textile exhibits
substantially no wrinkles after drying when tested pursuant to AATCC method
No. 124-
1973.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A no-ironing/no-pressing, substantially wrinkle-free method of
laundering textiles involves a multi-step washing process during which a
fabric relaxant
is applied to the textile surface at least once, followed by a drying process
employing a
steam tunnel. The method may be employed in any of a wide variety of
situations
where it is desirable to obtain a substantially wrinkle-free textile surface.
The method is
particularly useful for obtaining a substantially wrinkle-free textile surface
without
ironing or pressing the textile surface. In addition, the method does not
require
continuous supervision by an operator or a substantial amount of time to be
effective.
Examples of textiles that can be relaxed by a fabric relaxant followed by
steam drying
such that there is a minimal presence of wrinkles on the textile surfaces
include, but are
not limited to: clothing and flat goods.
During the washing step, the textile is first moistened by an aqueous
carrier solution, such as water. While the aqueous carrier solution includes
water, the
aqueous carrier solution may also include other chemicals, including, but not
limited to:
detergents, alkali, solvent boosters, chlorine or peroxygen based bleaches,
fabric
softeners, disinfecting agents, sanitizing agents, fragrances, odor-capturing
agents,
insect repellency agents, anti-pilling agents, mildew removing agents,
allergicide
agents, soil shielding/soil releasing agents, ultraviolet light protection
agents, water
repellency agents, moisturizing agents, fiber protection agents, optical
brightening
agents, anti-static agents, dye transfer inhibition/color-protective agents,
starching
agents, anti-wrinkle agents, or other chemicals that affect the surface
properties of the
textiles. The aqueous carrier solution may be applied by any means known in
the art,
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including, but not limited to: soaking, submerging, or spraying. A fabric
relaxant may
also be applied to the textiles at any of the washing or rinsing processes.
The aqueous carrier solution, when it includes an anti-static agent, can
generate a percent static reduction of at least about 50% When compared with a
textile
that is not subjected to treatment. The percent static reduction can be
greater than 70%
and it can be greater than 80%. The aqueous carrier solution can include anti-
static
agents such as those commonly used in the laundry drying industry to provide
anti-
static properties. An example of an anti-static agent includes, but is not
limited to, an
agent containing quaternary groups.
The aqueous carrier solution can include anti-wrinkling agents to provide
anti-wrinkling properties. Examples of anti-wrinkling suitable agents include,
but are
not limited to: siloxane or silicone containing compounds and quaternary
ammonium
compounds. Particularly suitable examples of anti-wrinkling agents include,
but are not
limited to: polydimethylsiloxane diquaternary ammonium, silicone copolyol
fatty
quaternary ammonium, and polydimethyl siloxane with polyoxyalkylenes. Examples
of
commercially available anti-wrinkling agents include, but are not limited to:
Rewoquat
SQ2Z,' available from Degussa/Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation, Hopewell, VA;
Lube SC1-QTh, 'available from Lambert Technologies; and Tinotex
CMAr,mavailable from
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation, Greensboro, NC.
The aqueous carrier solution can include odor capturing agents. In
general, odor capturing agents are believed to function by capturing or
enclosing certain
molecules that provide an odor. Examples of suitable odor capturing agents
include, but
are not limited to: cyclodextrins and zinc ricinoleate.
The aqueous carrier solution can include fiber protection agents that coat
the fibers of the textile to reduce or prevent disintegration and/or
degradation of the
fibers. An example of a fiber protection agent includes, but is not limited
to, cellulosic
polymers.
The aqueous carrier solution can include color protection agents for
coating the fibers of the textile to reduce the tendency of dyes to escape the
textile into
water. Examples of suitable color protection agents include, but are not
limited to:
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quaternary ammonium compounds and surfactants. Examples of particularly
suitable
color protection agents include, but are not limited to: di-(nortallow
carboxyethyl)
hydroxyethyl methyl ammonium methylsulfate and cationic polymers. Examples of
commercially available surfactant color protection agents include, but are not
limited to:
5 Varisott;cm WE 21 CP and Varisoft CCS- I, available from
Degussa/Goldschmidt
Chemical Corporation, Hopewell, VA; Tinofi)Cr"CL from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Corporation, Greensboro, NC; Color Care Additive DFC 9, Thiotarli'\IFR,
Nylofixan P-
Liquid. Polymer VRN. CartaretirF-4, and Cartaretin F-23. available from
Clariant
Corporation, Charlotte, NC; EXP 3973 Polymer, available from Alcoa,
Pittsburgh, PA;
and ColtidJ,mavailable from Croda, Edison NJ.
The aqueous carrier solution can include soil releasing agents that can be
provided for coating the fibers of textiles to reduce the tendency of soils to
attach to the
fibers. Examples of suitable commercially available soil releasing agents
include, but
are not limited to: polymers such as Repel-O-TeSRP6 and Repel-O-Tex PF594,
available from Rhodia, Cranbury, NJ; TexaCarj1 00 and TexaCare 240, available
from
Clariant Corporation, Charlotte, NC; and SokalatimHP22. available from BASF
Corporation, Florham Park, NJ.
The aqueous carrier solution can include optical brightening agents that
impart fluorescing compounds to the textiles. In general, fluorescing
compounds have a
tendency to provide a bluish tint that can be perceived as imparting a
brighter color to
fabric. Examples of suitable optical brighteners include, but are not limited
to: stilbene
derivatives, biphenyl derivatives, and coumarin derivatives. Examples of
particularly
suitable optical brightening agents include, but are not limited to: distyryl
biphenyl
disulfonic acid sodium salt, cyanuric chloride/diaminostilbene disulfonic acid
sodium
salt, and diethylamino coinnarin. Examples of suitable commercially available
optical
brightening agents include, but are not limited to: TinopaiN5 BM-GX, Tinopal
CBS-CL,
Tinopal CBS-X, and Tinopal AMS-GX, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Corporation, Greensboro, NC.
The aqueous carrier solution can include a UV protection agent to
provide the fabric with enhanced UV protection. In the case of clothing, it is
believed
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that by applying UV protection agents to the clothing, it is possible to
reduce the
harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on skin provided underneath the
clothing. As
clothing becomes lighter in weight, UV light has a greater tendency to
penetrate the
clothing and the skin underneath the clothing may become sunburned. An example
of a
suitable commercially available UV protection agent includes, but is not
limited to,
TM
Tinosorb FD, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation, Greensboro,
NC.
The aqueous carrier solution can include an anti-pilling agent that acts on
portions of the fiber that stick out or away from the fiber. Anti-pilling
agents can be
available as enzymes such as cellulase enzymes. Examples of commercially
available
anti-pilling agents include, but are not limited to: PuradexT,mavailable from
Cienencor;
TM
and Endolase and. Carezyme, available from Novozyme, Franklinton, NC.
The aqueous carrier solution can include water repellency agents that can
be applied to textile to enhance water repellent properties. Examples of
suitable water
repellenancy agents include, but are not limited to: perfluoroacrylate
copolymers,
hydrocarbon waxes, and polysiloxanes.
The aqueous carrier solution can include disinfecting and/or sanitizing
agents. Examples of suitable sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents include,
but are not
limited to: quaternary ammonium compounds such as alkyl dimethylbenzyl
ammonium
chloride, alkyl dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, octyl decyldimethyl.
ammonium chloride, dioctyl dim.ethyl ammonium chloride, and didecyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride.
The aqueous carrier solution can include insect repellents such as
mosquito repellents. An example of a commercially available insect repellent
is DEET.
In addition, the aqueous carrier solution can include mildewcides that kill
mildew and
allergicides that reduce the allergic potential present on certain textiles
and/or provide
germ proofing properties.
In general, a series of rinse steps follow the washing step during which
other chemicals may be applied to the fabric, including, but not limited to:
souring
agents, softening agents, disinfectants, sanitizers, fragrances, odor-
capturing agents,
insect repellants, water repellants, sunscreen, moisturizers, anti-static
agents, color-
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protective agents, starching agents, and fabric relaxants. These chemicals may
either be
applied in separate subsequent rinse baths, in partially combined baths, or in
a single
bath. The chemicals may also be dispensed as separate products or as
combination
product, such as a product containing both souring agents and softening agents
or a
product containing souring agents, softening agents, and fabric relaxants. The
chemicals may be dispensed simultaneously or sequentially into the same bath
by
employing micro-processor controlled pump systems or other dispensing methods.
For example, at some point during the multiple rinse processes of the
washing operation, generally in the final conditioning bath (following several
other
rinse steps with only water), a souring agent may be added to the textile such
that the
pH of the textile approximately matches the proper processing pH. The souring
agent is
a mild acid used to neutralize residual alkalines and reduce the pH of the
textile such
that when the garments come into contact with human skin, the textile does not
irritate
the skin. Examples of suitable souring agents include, but are not limited to:
phosphoric
acid. formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluorosilicic acid, saturated fatty
acids, dicarboxylic
acids. tricarboxylic acids, and any combination thereof. Examples of saturated
fatty
acids include, but are not limited to: those having 10 or more carbon atoms
such as
palmitic acid. stearic acid, and arachidic acid (C20). Examples of
dicarboxylic acids
include, but are not limited to: oxalic acid, tartaric acid, glutaric acid,
succinic acid.
adipic acid, and sulfamic acid. Examples of tricarboxylic acids include, but
are not
limited to: citric acid and tricarballylic acids. In one embodiment,
approximately 12
milliliters of souring agent is added to approximately 22 pounds of textiles.
In general,
the dosage of such souring agents will depend on the concentration of the
active
ingredient (i.e. the acid) and the amount of alkaline chemicals (such as
caustic soda,
soda ash, silicates, etc.) added to the previous wash baths which may generate
pH
values higher than 12. Examples of suitable commercially available souring
agents
include, but are not limited to: TurboLizeRi Injection SouFurboPlemAdvaCare
120
Souim, 'AdvaCare 120 Sanitizing SouP;1CarboBrite. " and Econo 11111
available from
Ecolab Incorporated, Saint Paul, MN.
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At another stage, either with or subsequent to the addition of the souring
agent, a fabric relaxant may be applied to the textile surface. Preferably,
the fabric
relaxant is added during the final rinse cycle of the wash process to ensure
that the
fabric relaxant is neither washed nor rinsed off during subsequent rinsing
steps. In
addition, the fabric relaxant may be added to the textile either once or
numerous times
during the wash process. The fabric relaxant is typically applied in either an
aqueous-
based carrier or a solvent-based carrier. In one embodiment, approximately 15
milliliters of fabric relaxant is added to approximately 22 pounds of
textiles. An
example of a suitable fabric relaxant is a functionalized polydimethylsiloxane
polymer.
In general, the polydimethylsiloxane polymer features one or more positively-
charged
functional group (e.g. quaternary ammonium) to anchor the polydimethylsiloxane
polymer to the textile in order to enhance the antiwrinkle performance of the
polydimethylsiloxane polymer as compared to other uncharged
polydimethylsiloxane
polymers. The positively-charged functional group may be part of the backbone
of the
polydimethylsiloxane polymer or part of a side chain of the polymer. The
positively-
charged functional group is preferably attached at an end of the
polydimethylsiloxane
polymer such that the positively-charged group is more accessible. It is also
believed
that the hydrophobicity of the fabric relaxant also affects the smoothness of
the textile.
The hydrophobicity of the fabric relaxant is significant because it allows
deposition of a
chemical out of an aqueous solution onto the textile surface. The more
hydrophobic a
chemical is, the easier it is to precipitate out, or drive out, the chemical
from an aqueous
solution. Thus, the presence of molecules having mostly dimethylsiloxane
backbones
are desired in the fabric relaxant because of the hydrophobic nature of methyl
groups.
Particularly suitable examples of fabric relaxants include, but are not
limited to:
polyfunctional polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane diquaternary
ammonium,
and polyquaternary polydimethylsiloxane copolyol derivatives. Examples of
suitable
commercially available fabric relaxants include, but are not limited to:
Tegopren 6922
(a.k.a. Rewoquat SQ1), available from DegussaiGoldschmidt Chemical
Corporation,
Hopewell, VA; Tinotex CMA, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Corporation,
TM
Greensboro, NC; and Formasil 888, available from GE Silicones, Wilton, CT.
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The polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged
functional group may also include at least one alkoxy group. Examples of
alkoxy
groups include, but are not limited to: ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and longer
alkoxy
groups.
Because the fabric relaxant is preferably added during the final rinse
cycle of the wash process, the fabric relaxant will be substantially free of
chemicals
such as, but not limited to: surfactants, bleaches, and builders. Surfactants,
bleaches,
and builders need to be rinsed from the textile surface prior to being used
due to their
detrimental effect on the textile surface when left on the textile surface for
an extended
period of time. For example, residual surfactants in the textile surface can
cause the
textile surface to have a soapy feel and residual bleach can damage the
textile surface.
Residual builders in the textile surface can increase the pH of the textile
surface. As
previously mentioned, textiles having a high pH can be a skin irritant. Thus,
the fabric
relaxant is substantially free of these chemicals in order to avoid their
potentially
detrimental effects.
A fabric softener may also be added to the textile either together with the
fabric relaxant or in a separate step. In one embodiment, approximately 15
milliliters of
fabric softener is added to approximately 22 pounds of textiles. However, the
dosage of
the fabric softener may vary with the type and the concentration of the active
ingredient.
An example of a suitable commercially available fabric softener includes, but
is not
Th
limited to, TurboFreshI, available from Ecolab Incorporated, Saint Paul, MN.
The
process of adding fabric softener and fabric relaxant to the textile is
generally carried
out in the final wash operation, which lasts from between approximately 4
minutes and
approximately 7 minutes. Subsequently, all of the water is extracted from the
washer
and the textiles are removed from the washer for further finishing/drying
procedures.
Before drying the textile, the textile may optionally be conditioned in a
dryer. For example, the textile may be placed in a dryer for a short period of
time to
eliminate some of the water absorbed into the textile during the washing and
rinsing
processes. Although the textile is discussed as being conditioned in a dryer,
the textile
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may be conditioned by any method known in the art without departing from the
intended scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the final step of the laundering process is steam
drying of the textile by sending the textile through a steam tunnel. The
length of time
5 the textile spends within the steam tunnel depends on a variety of
factors, including, but
not limited to: the length of the steam tunnel, the mechanical condition of
the steam
tunnel, and the available steam. In an exemplary embodiment, the textiles are
exposed
within the steam tunnel for between approximately 4 minutes and approximately
8
minutes. As the textile leaves the steam tunnel, the surface of the textile
will be
10 substantially wrinkle-free, as determined by applying American
Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method No, 124-1973. Thus, the textile
does
not need to be ironed or pressed to achieve a generally smooth appearance.
Examples
of suitable commercially available steam tunnels include, but are not limited
to:
TM TM TM TM
SkinnyMac, UMae, MidMac, and CFS 2100, available from Colmac Industries, Inc.,
Colville, WA. Although the textile is described as being dried by passing
through a
steam tunnel, the textile can be dried by other methods known in the art,
including, but
not limited to: heat drying and blow drying. A suitable temperature for drying
the
textile is between approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit ( F) and approximately
280 F.
A particularly suitable temperature for drying the textile is between
approximately 260
"F and approximately 280 "F.
EXAMPLES
The present invention is more particularly described in the following
examples that are intended as illustrations only, since numerous modifications
and
variations within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in
the art. Unless otherwise noted, all parts, percentages, and ratios reported
in the
following examples are on a weight basis, and all reagents used in the
examples were
obtained, or are available, from the chemical suppliers described below, or
may be
synthesized by conventional techniques.
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The following test method was used to characterize the smoothness
appearance results in the examples:
AATCC Test Method 124-1973
Approximately 22 pounds of 100% cotton shirts and pants were washed
with cleaning detergent. Approximately 12
milliliters (m1) of souring agent,
TurboLizer, was added to a first chemical supply hopper. After the souring
agent was
added, approximately 15 ml of the fabric relaxant was then added to a second
chemical
supply hopper. Approximately 15 ml of fabric softener, Turbohesh, was then
added to
a third supply hopper. The textiles were kept in this bath containing all
three chemicals
for approximately 4 minutes. Subsequently, the shirts and pants were removed
from the
washer and placed in a plastic box with 2 one-gallon water bottles on top as
weight.
After approximately 30 minutes, the shirts and pants were removed from the
plastic
box, hung on wire hangers, and either air dried or sent through a steam
tunnel. The
shirts and pants were then subjected to inspection using standard lighting and
viewing
area by rating the smoothness appearance of the textile in comparison to
reference
standards. Four different smoothness ratings were used: unacceptable, very
weak,
acceptable, and superior.
Materials Used
TM TM
TurboCharge II and TurboFlex D: a textile detergent system, available
from Ecolab Incorporated, Saint Paul, MN.
TurboLizer : a souring agent, available from Ecolab Incorporated, Saint
Paul, MN.
Tegopren 6922 : a fabric relaxant, available from Degussa/Goldschmidt
Chemical Corporation, Hopewell, VA.
Tintotex CMAO: a fabric relaxant, available from Ciba Specialty
Chemicals Corporation, Greensboro, NC.
Formasil 888: a fabric relaxant, available from GE Silicones, Wilton,
CT.
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FC20Pla fabric relaxant, available from Wacker Silicones, Adrian, MI.
CSI-Q2;rma fabric relaxant, available from Lambent Technologies,
Gurnee, IL
Rhodorsil HydrosoftO: a fabric relaxant, available from Rhodia,
Cranbury, NJ.
TurboFresh(); a fabric softener, available from Ecolab Incorporated,
Saint Paul, MN.
Examples 1, 2, and 3 and Comparative Examples A, B, and C
The fabric relaxants used in Examples 1, 2, and 3 included a
functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer having at least one positively-
charged
functional group as the fabric relaxant during the washing process. By
contrast, the
fabric relaxants of Comparative Examples A. B. and C used various other
polymers.
Approximately twenty-two pounds of textiles were placed in a wash with
approximately 12 milliliters (m1) of souring agent, 15 ml of fabric relaxant,
and 15 ml
of fabric softener. The textiles were hung on wire hangers and passed through
a steam
tunnel. While in the steam tunnel, the textiles were heated to a temperature
of between
approximately 260 F and approximately 280 F.
Table 1 provides the fabric relaxant used during the washing process and
the smoothness appearance of the textiles after being washed and dried, as
analyzed
pursuant to the method discussed above, for the compositions of Examples 1, 2,
and 3
and Comparative Examples A, B, and C.
Table 1
Fabric Relaxant Smoothness
Rating
Example 1 Tegopren 6922 Superior
Example 2 Tinotex CMA Superior
Example 3 Fornnasil 888 Acceptable
Comparative Example A FC201 Unacceptable
Comparative Example B Rhodorsil Hydrosoft Unacceptable
Comparative Example C CSI-Q2 Unacceptable
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Examples 1, 2, and 3 and Comparative Examples A, B, and C were
tested for the appearance of smoothness, which is illustrated by the data
provided in
Table 1, after the textiles were washed and passed through a steam tunnel. In
particular,
the textiles of Examples 1 and 2 had superior smoothness ratings and the
textiles of
Example 3 had an acceptable smoothness rating. In contrast, the textiles of
Comparative Example A, Comparative Example B, and Comparative Example C
exhibited unacceptable smoothness appearance ratings.
As previously mentioned, to achieve a smooth surface, the
polydimethylsiloxane polymers must adhere to the textile surface. This may be
achieved by exposing the textiles to elevated temperatures in order to
crosslink the
polymers. Alternatively, because the surfaces of the textiles are generally
negatively
charged, a positively-charged functional group can assist in anchoring the
polydimethylsiloxane polymer to the surface of the textile. The positively-
charged
functional group, or cationic group, will be attracted to the negatively
charged textile
and facilitate in adhering the polydimethylsiloxane polymers to the textile
surface.
As can be seen in Table 1, the textiles of Examples 1 and 2 had superior
smoothness appearance ratings. It is believed that this is due to the presence
of
positively-charged functional groups in the polydimethylsiloxane polymer
present in the
fabric relaxant. In particular, the fabric relaxant of Example 1 contained 50%
active
polydimethylsiloxane diquaternary ammonium and the fabric relaxant of Example
2
contained polyfunctional (cationic/nonionic) polydimethylsiloxane. In
addition, the
structure of the fabric relaxant of Example 1 includes a cationic group at
each end of the
dimethylsiloxane polymer molecule (U.S. Patent No. 4,891,166), making them
easily
accessible. The structure of the fabric relaxant of Example 1 also
includes
dimethylsiloxy groups, which are very hydrophobic because of the methyl
groups.
Generally, molecules that have mostly dimethylsiloxane backbones are more
hydrophobic. Hydrophobicity of the fabric relaxant is also important because
the more
hydrophobic the chemical is, the easier it is to precipitate the chemical out
of an
aqueous solution. Thus, without being bound by theory, it is believed that
both the
presence of terminal cationic anchors and the hydrophobicity of the fabric
relaxant are
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important in adhering the polydimethylsiloxane polymers to the textile surface
and
increasing the smoothness of the textile surfaces.
The textiles washed using the fabric relaxant of Example 3 had an
acceptable smoothness appearance rating, although slightly less acceptable
than
Examples 1 and 2. While the fabric relaxant of Example 3 also contained a
polydimethylsiloxane polymer with at least one positively-charged functional
group, the
fabric relaxant of Example 3 contained 80% active polyquaternary
polydimethylsiloxane copolyol. In addition, it is believed that, due to the
copolyol part
of the polymer, the fabric relaxant of Example 3 was slightly more hydrophilic
than the
fabric relaxants of Examples 1 and 2, as measured in terms of solubility and
miscibility
with water. Thus, it is believed that the textiles washed with the fabric
relaxant of
Example 3 were not as smooth as the textiles washed with the fabric relaxants
of
Examples 1 and 2 because of the location of the positively-charged functional
groups
and the hydrophilic copolyol part of the fabric relaxants.
The textiles washed with the fabric relaxants of Comparative Examples
A, B, and C were observed to have unacceptable smoothness appearances. It is
believed that the smoothness appearances of the textiles were affected by the
reduced
presence, or lack of, at least one positively-charged functional group in the
polydimethylsiloxane polymers present in the fabric relaxant as well as the
hydrophilicity of the fabric relaxants. Without sufficient numbers of
positively-charged
functional groups, it is believed that the polydimethylsiloxane polymers were
not able
to anchor to the textile surfaces strongly enough to be effective. In
addition, the more
hydrophilic the fabric relaxant, the more difficult it is to precipitate out
the chemical
from the aqueous solution. Thus, rather than having a smooth appearance, the
textiles
of Comparative Examples A, B, and C had a stiff and wrinkled appearance.
Although the fabric relaxants of Comparative Examples A and B
included polydimethylsiloxane polymers, the polymers did not have any
positively-
charged functional groups. In particular, the fabric relaxant of Comparative
Example A
contained 60% active nonionic polysiloxane. It is also believed that the
nonionic
polysiloxane was ineffective due to the need for elevated temperatures for
cross-linking.
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The fabric relaxant of Comparative Example B contained 100% amino polydimethyl
siloxane, also a nonionic polymer, and did not have much effect on the
textiles.
The fabric relaxant of Comparative Example C did contain some
positively-charged functional groups. In particular, the fabric relaxant of
Comparative
5 Example C contained 40% of a blend of silicone carboxylate and amino-
silicate
functional component that is cationic. However, the surface of the textile was
still
observed as unacceptable after washing and drying. This is believed to be due
to the
presence of carboxylate groups (silicon carboxylate) in the fabric relaxant.
Carboxylate
groups are negatively charged (anionic) at neutral pH and are also very
hydrophilic. It
10 is believed that the carboxylate groups hinder attachment of the
polydimethylsiloxane
polymers to the textile surface because the anionic charge of the carboxylate
groups
eliminates the cationic charge of the positively-charged functional group.
Thus,
although the fabric relaxant of Comparative Example C did contain at least one
positively-charged functional group, its effect was negated by the carboxylate
groups.
15 In addition, as mentioned above, it is believed that hydrophobicity,
lacking in the fabric
relaxant of Comparative Example C, facilitates attachment of
polydimethylsiloxane
polymers to the textile surface. Thus, in combination with the anionic charge
of the
carboxylate groups, the hydrophilic nature of the carboxylate groups caused
the fabric
relaxant of Comparative Example C to perform poorly.
Examples 1, 2, and 3 and Comparative Examples D, E, and F
The fabric relaxants used in Examples 1, 2, and 3 and Comparative
Examples D, E, and F all included a polydimethylsiloxane polymer having at
least one
positively-charged functional group. In particular, Example 1 and Comparative
Example D tested the same fabric relaxant (Tegopren 6922), Example 2 and
Comparative Example E tested the same fabric relaxant (Tinotex CMA), and
Example 3
and Comparative Example F tested the same fabric relaxant (Formasil 888).
Approximately twenty-two pounds of textiles were placed in a wash with
approximately
12 milliliters (ml) of souring agent, 15 ml of fabric relaxant, and 15 ml of
fabric
softener and washed.
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After washing, Examples 1, 2, and 3 were passed through a steam tunnel
where the textiles were heated to a temperature of between approximately 260
F and
approximately 280 F. Comparative Examples D, E, and F were only allowed to
air dry
for a predetermined amount of time and were not passed through a steam tunnel.
Table 2 provides the fabric relaxant used during the washing process, the
method of drying, and the smoothness appearance of the textiles after being
washed and
dried, as analyzed pursuant to the method discussed above, for the
compositions of
Examples 1, 2, and 3 and Comparative Examples D, E, and F.
Table 2
Fabric Relaxant Method of Smoothness Rating
Drying
Example 1 Tegopren 6922 Steam Tunnel Superior
Example 2 Tinotex CMA Steam Tunnel Superior
Example 3 Formasil 888 Steam Tunnel Acceptable
Comparative Example Tegopren 6922 Air Drying Very Weak
D
Comparative Example Tinotex CMA Air Drying Very Weak
E
Comparative Example Formasil 888 Air Drying Very Weak
F
After it was determined that the fabric relaxants of Examples 1, 2, and 3
gave superior and acceptable smoothness ratings, the methods of drying the
textiles
were tested and observed. In particular, Examples 1, 2, and 3 were sent
through a steam
tunnel while Comparative Examples D, E, and F were only allowed to air dry. As
can
be seen in Table 2, the textiles that were sent through the steam tunnel
exhibited a
higher smoothness rating than the textiles that were only allowed to air dry.
After being
passed through the steam tunnel, Examples 1 and 2 were observed to have
superior
smoothness ratings and Example 3 was observed to have an acceptable smoothness
ratings.
By contrast, Comparative Examples D, E, and F were only allowed to air
dry and received very weak smoothness ratings. This is because in order to
achieve a
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smooth surface, the polydimethylsiloxane polymers must adhere to the textile
surface.
One method of anchoring the functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymers to a
textile
surface is to apply elevated temperatures to the textile surface to crosslink
the polymers.
The elevated temperatures can be reached by methods such as ironing or
pressing the
textile surface. However, the ironing and pressing processes are both time-
consuming
and labor intensive. By passing the textiles through a steam tunnel, the
appropriate
elevated temperatures may be reached without expending undue time or effort.
Moistened textiles that are applied with a functionalized
polydimethylsiloxane polymer fabric relaxant and subsequently dried in a steam
tunnel
exhibit improved smoothness appearance. One of the main factors that affects
the
smoothness appearance level of recently cleaned and dried textiles is the
presence of
one or more positively-charged functional groups in the polydimethylsiloxane
polymers. It is also believed that the hydrophobicity of the fabric relaxant
also affects
the smoothness of the textile. The presence of a polydimethylsiloxane polymer
having
at least one positively-charged functional group increases the smoothness
appearance of
cleaned and dried textiles by facilitating attachment of the
polydimethylsiloxane
polymer to the textiles. The high hydrophobicity of the fabric relaxant also
enhances
the smoothness appearance of textiles by efficiently depositing a chemical out
of an
aqueous solution onto the textile surface. By eliminating the need to iron or
press the
textiles after cleaning and drying, process times and capital cost for
acceptable
smoothness appearances of textiles can be decreased.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred
embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest
interpretation
consistent with the description as a whole.
