U.S. patent application number 10/439139 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for topical incorporation of solid antimicrobial compounds on yarn surfaces through high pressure methods.
Invention is credited to Close, Leland G. JR., Green, David E..
Application Number | 20030200613 10/439139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24344230 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030200613 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green, David E. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2003 |
Topical incorporation of solid antimicrobial compounds on yarn
surfaces through high pressure methods
Abstract
Durable antimicrobial treatments for high pressure treatments
(such as package dyeing) for specific dyed yarns for further
incorporation within textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments
preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of
inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment
requires the presence of a resin binder as a component of the dye
bath formulation admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial
compound, the formulation then forced through a target yarn spool
in order to provide a finish over substantially all of the target
yarn. The yarn may then be knit, woven, pressed, laid-in, etc.,
into a textile fabric exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such a
treatment has been found to be extremely durable on such
substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and
dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount
and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity. The
particular treatment method, as well as the treated textile
fabrics, are also encompassed within this invention.
Inventors: |
Green, David E.;
(Simpsonville, SC) ; Close, Leland G. JR.;
(Spartanburg, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Milliken & Company
P.O. Box 1927
Spartanburg
SC
29304
US
|
Family ID: |
24344230 |
Appl. No.: |
10/439139 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10439139 |
May 15, 2003 |
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10146642 |
May 15, 2002 |
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10146642 |
May 15, 2002 |
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09586081 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
8/115.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49991 20150115;
Y10T 428/273 20150115; D06M 16/00 20130101; Y10T 428/2933 20150115;
D06M 11/44 20130101; Y10T 428/277 20150115; A01N 2300/00 20130101;
D06M 11/42 20130101; D06M 11/83 20130101; A01N 25/34 20130101; A01N
59/16 20130101; A01N 59/16 20130101; Y10T 428/2936 20150115; Y10T
428/294 20150115; Y10T 428/27 20150115; Y10T 442/2525 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/115.51 |
International
Class: |
D06M 010/00 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A yarn comprising fibers selected from the group consisting of
natural fibers, synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers, and any blends
thereof, treated with a wash-durable antimicrobial silver-ion
finish, wherein said yarn is treated through a high pressure
procedure involving the following sequential steps: (a) providing a
spool of said yarn; (b) providing a formulation comprising a
dispersion of solid silver-ion containing antimicrobial compounds
and optionally a binder material, wherein said antimicrobial
compounds are selected from the group consisting of
silver-containing ion exchange resins, silver-containing zeolites,
silver-containing glass, and any mixtures thereof; (c) placing said
spool of yarn within said dispersion of step "b"; and (d) pumping
said dispersion of step "b" through said spool of yarn at a
pressure of between about and 100 pounds per square inch for from
about 5 seconds to about 5 hours at a temperature in the range from
about 25.degree. to about 325.degree. C. in order to attach at
least one of said solid silver-ion containing antimicrobial
compounds within said dispersion to said yarn.
2. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said silver-ion containing
antimicrobial compound is a silver zirconium phosphate ion exchange
resin.
3. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said binder material of said
dispersion of step "b" is present.
4. A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in claim
1.
5. A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in claim
2.
6. A textile incorporating at least one yarn as defined in claim 3.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending application
Ser. No. 10/146,642, filed on May 15, 2002, which is a divisional
of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/586,081, filed on Jun. 2,
2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to high pressure antimicrobial
treatments for specific yarns (such as package dyeing) for further
incorporation within textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably
comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic
metal salts or zeolites. In order to impart wash durability to the
inventive package dyed treatment, this preferred treatment
generally requires the presence of a resin binder as a component of
the dye bath formulation admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial
compound, the formulation then forced through a target yarn spool
in order to provide a finish over substantially all of the target
yarn. The yarn may then be knit, woven, pressed, laid-in, etc.,
into a textile fabric exhibiting antimicrobial properties.
Alternatively, the binder resin may be applied only after treatment
and textile formation. Such a treatment has been found to be
extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of
standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away
in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its
antimicrobial activity. The particular treatment method, as well as
the treated textile fabrics, are also encompassed within this
invention.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] There has been a great deal of attention in recent years
given to the hazards of bacterial contamination from potential
everyday exposure. Noteworthy examples of such concern include the
fatal consequences of food poisoning due to certain strains of
Eschericia coli being found within undercooked beef in fast food
restaurants; Salmonella contamination causing sicknesses from
undercooked and unwashed poultry food products; and illnesses and
skin infections attributed to Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, yeast, and other unicellular organisms. With such an
increased consumer interest in this area, manufacturers have begun
introducing antimicrobial agents within various household products
and articles. For instance, certain brands of polypropylene cutting
boards, liquid soaps, etc., all contain antimicrobial compounds.
The most popular antimicrobial for such articles is triclosan.
Although the incorporation of such a compound within liquid or
polymeric media has been relatively simple, other substrates,
including the surfaces of textiles and fibers, have proven less
accessible. There is a long-felt need to provide effective,
durable, and long-lasting antimicrobial characteristics for textile
surfaces, in particular on apparel fabrics, and on film surfaces.
Such proposed applications have been extremely difficult to
accomplish with triclosan, particularly when wash durability is a
necessity (triclosan easily washes off any such surfaces).
Furthermore, although triclosan has proven effective as an
antimicrobial compound, the presence of chlorines and chlorides
within such a compound causes skin irritation which makes the
utilization of such with fibers, films, and textile fabrics for
apparel uses highly undesirable. Furthermore, there are
commercially available textile products comprising acrylic and/or
acetate fibers co-extruded with triclosan (for example Celanese
markets such acetate fabrics under the name Microsafe.TM. and
Acordis markets such acrylic fibers, under the tradename
Amicor.TM.). However, such an application is limited to those types
of fibers; it does not work specifically for and within polyester,
polyamide, cotton, spandex, etc., fabrics. Furthermore, this
co-extrusion procedure is very expensive.
[0004] Silver-containing inorganic microbiocides have recently been
developed and utilized as antimicrobial agents on and within a
plethora of different substrates and surfaces. In particular, such
microbiocides have been adapted for incorporation within melt spun
synthetic fibers, as taught within Japanese unexamined Patent
Application No. H11-124729, in order to provide certain fabrics
which selectively and inherently exhibit antimicrobial
characteristics. Furthermore, attempts have been made to apply such
specific microbiocides on the surfaces of fabrics and yarns with
little success from a durability standpoint. A topical treatment
with such compounds has never been successfully applied as a
durable finish or coating on a fabric or yarn substrate. Although
such silver-based agents provide excellent, durable, antimicrobial
properties, to date such is the sole manner available within the
prior art of providing a long-lasting, wash-resistant, silver-based
antimicrobial textile. However, such melt spun fibers are expensive
to make due to the large amount of silver-based compound required
to provide sufficient antimicrobial activity in relation to the
migratory characteristics of such a compound within the fiber
itself to its surface. A topical coating is also desirable for
textile and film applications, particularly after finishing of the
target fabric or film. Such a topical procedure permits treatment
of a fabric's individual fibers prior to or after weaving,
knitting, and the like, in order to provide greater versatility to
the target yarn without altering its physical characteristics. Such
a coating, however, must prove to be wash durable, particularly for
apparel fabrics, in order to be functionally acceptable.
Furthermore, in order to avoid certain problems, it is highly
desirable for such a metallized treatment to be electrically
non-conductive on the target fabric, yarn, and/or film surface.
With the presence of metals and metal ions, such a wash durable,
non-electrically conductive coating has not been available in the
past. Such an improvement would thus provide an important
advancement within the textile, yarn, and film art. Although
antimicrobial activity is one desired characteristic of the
inventive metal-treated fabric, yarn, or film, this is not a
required property of the inventive article. Odor-reduction, heat
retention, distinct coloriations, reduced discolorations, improved
yarn and/or fabric strength, resistance to sharp edges, etc., are
all either individual or aggregate properties which may be accorded
the user of such an inventive treated yarn, fabric, or film.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] is thus an object of the invention to provide a simple
manner of effectively treating a yarn in a package dye method with
a wash-durable antimicrobial silver-ion containing treatment.
Another object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically
pleasing metal-ion-treated textile which is wash durable,
non-yellowing, non-irritating to skin, and which provides
antimicrobial properties.
[0006] Accordingly, this invention encompasses a yarn treated with
a wash-durable antimicrobial finish, wherein said yarn is treated
through a high pressure procedure involving the following
sequential steps:
[0007] (a) providing a spool of yarn;
[0008] (b) providing a formulation comprising a dispersion of a
solid antimicrobial compound and optionally a binder material;
[0009] (c) placing said spool of yarn within said dispersion;
and
[0010] (d) pumping said formulation through said spool of yarn at a
pressure of between about 0.1 and 100 pounds per square inch for
from about 5 seconds to about 5 hours at a temperature in the range
from about 25.degree. to about 325.degree. C. Also encompassed
within this invention is a process for producing a yarn exhibiting
antimicrobial characteristics comprising the steps of
[0011] (a) providing a spool of yarn;
[0012] (b) providing a formulation comprising a dispersion of a
solid antimicrobial compound;
[0013] (c) placing said spool of yarn within said dispersion;
[0014] (d) pumping said dye bath formulation through said spool of
yarn at a pressure of between about 0.1 and 100 pounds per square
inch for from about 5 seconds to about 5 hours at a temperature in
the range from about 25.degree. to about 325.degree. C.;
[0015] (e) combining said yarn with a plurality of other yarns to
form a textile fabric; and
[0016] (f) coating at least a portion of said yarn within the
textile fabric of step "e" with a binder resin. The resultant yarn
can then be utilized as one component of a textile fabric to
provide antimicrobial characteristics at a level of at least 99.0%
(log kill rate of at least 3.0) for Klebsiella pneumoniae and other
microbes (such as, for example, Staphylococcus aureus). By itself,
the topical solid compound treatment provides a durable finish on
the target yam. When incorporated within a fabric (through weaving,
knitting, adhering, placing, insetting, and the like), the finish
provides a K. pneumoniae log kill rate in excess of 1.5, preferably
in excess of 2.0, still more preferably in excess of 3.0, even more
preferably in excess of 3.4, and most preferably in excess of 3.6,
for the target fabric after 5 standard launderings performed in
accordance with the wash procedure as part of AATCC Test Method
130-1981. When admixed or coated with a binder material, the
inventive treatment exhibits the same high K. pneumoniae log kill
rates with simiultaneous long-lasting wash durability in excess of
10 standard launderings performed in accordance with the wash
procedure as part of AATCC Test Method 130-1981. Thus, even without
the binder material present, surprisingly the inventive package
dyed yarn (and textiles made therefrom) exhibits high durable
antimicrobial activity. The wash durability test noted above is
standard and, as will be well appreciated by one of ordinary skill
in this art, is not intended to be a required or limitation within
this invention. Such a test method merely provides a standard
which, upon 5 or 10 washes in accordance with such, the inventive
treated substrate will not lose an appreciable amount of its
antimicrobial finish.
[0017] Nowhere within the prior art has such a specific treated
substrate or method of making thereof been disclosed, utilized, or
fairly suggested. The closest art is a product marketed under the
tradename X-STATIC.RTM. which is a fabric article electrolessly
plated with a silver coating. Such a fabric is highly electrically
conductive and is utilized for static charge dissipation. Also, the
coating alternatively exists as a removable silver powder finish on
a variety of surfaces. The aforementioned Japanese patent
publication to Kuraray is limited to fibers within which a
silver-based compound has been incorporated through melt spun fiber
techniques. Nowhere has such a wash-durable topical high pressure
treatment as now claimed been mentioned or alluded to.
[0018] Any yarn may be utilized as the substrate within this
application. Thus, natural (cotton, wool, ramie, hemp, linen, and
the like), synthetic (polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins,
polyaramids, acetates, rayon, acrylics, and the like), or inorganic
fibers (such as fiberglass, boron-derivative fibers, and the like)
may constitute the target yarn, either alone or in any combinations
or mixtures of synthetics, naturals, or blends or both types. As
for the synthetic types, for instance, and without intending any
limitations therein, polyolefins, such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, and polybutylene, halogenated polymers, such as
polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate,
polyester/polyethers, polyamides, such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6,
polyurethanes, as well as homopolymers, copolymers, or terpolymers
in any combination of such monomers, and the like, may be utilized
within this invention. Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, polypropylene, and
polyethylene terephthalate (a polyester) are particularly
preferred. The selected fiber or yarn may be of any denier, may be
of multi- or mono-filament, may be false-twisted or twisted, or may
incorporate multiple denier fibers or filaments into one single
yarn through twisting, melting, and the like. Furthermore, the yarn
may be dyed or colored to provide other aesthetic features for the
end user with any type of colorant, such as, for example,
poly(oxyalkylenated) colorants, as well as pigments, dyes, tints,
and the like. Other additives may also be present on and/or within
the target fabric or yarn, including antistatic agents, brightening
compounds, nucleating agents, antioxidants, UV stabilizers,
fillers, permanent press finishes, softeners, lubricants, curing
accelerators, and the like. Particularly desired as optional and
supplemental finishes to the inventive yarns or fabrics made
therefrom are soil release agents which improve the wettability and
washability of the fabric. Preferred soil release agents include
those which provide hydrophilicity to the surface of polyester.
With such a modified surface, again, the fabric imparts improved
comfort to a wearer by wicking moisture. The preferred soil release
agents contemplated within this invention may be found in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,377,249; 3,540,835; 3,563,795; 3,574,620; 3,598,641;
3,620,826; 3,632,420; 3,649,165; 3,650,801; 3,652,212; 3,660,010;
3,676,052; 3,690,942; 3,897,206; 3,981,807; 3,625,754; 4,014,857;
4,073,993; 4,090,844; 4,131,550; 4,164,392; 4,168,954; 4,207,071;
4,290,765; 4,068,035; 4,427,557; and 4,937,277. These patents are
accordingly incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, other
potential additives and/or finishes may include water repellent
fluorocarbons and their derivatives, silicones, waxes, and other
similar water-proofing materials.
[0019] The particular treatment must comprise at least one type of
a solid antimicrobial compound, preferably metal-based compounds
and/or ion-exchange compounds, and most preferably silver-based
antimicrobial compounds, or mixtures thereof of different types.
The term silver-based compounds encompasses compounds which are
silver-based ion-exchange resins, zeolites, or, possibly
substituted glass compounds (which release the particular metal ion
bonded thereto upon the presence of other anionic species). The
preferred metal-ion containing compound for this invention is an
antimicrobial silver zirconium phosphate available from Milliken
& Company, under the tradename ALPHASAN.RTM.. Other potentially
preferred silver-containing antimicrobials in this invention is a
silver-substituted zeolite available from Sinanen under the
tradename ZEOMIC.RTM. AJ, or a silver-substituted glass available
from Ishizuka Glass under the tradename IONPURE.RTM., may be
utilized either in addition to or as a substitute for the preferred
species. Such compounds actually appear to provide silver ion as
the antimicrobially active component. Although such silver-ion
producing compounds are preferred, it is to be well understood that
other solid compounds, such as transition metal particles, salts,
oxides, zeolites, ion-exchange compounds, and the like, may be
utilized as part or all of the inventive yarn's solid antimicrobial
component. The term transition metal is intended to encompass any
or all of the standard, well known, transition metals, including
without limitation silver, gold, platinum, manganese, magnesium,
zinc, copper, iron, and the like. Again, silver and zinc are
preferred with silver most preferred. Generally, such a solid
antimicrobial compound is added in an amount of from about 0.01 to
40% by total weight of the particular treatment composition; more
preferably from about 0.05 to about 30%; and most preferably from
about 0.1 to about 30% (most preferably about 30% owf). Preferably
the solid antimicrobial compound add-on weight is from about 0.01
to about 5% owf, preferably from about 0.05 to about 3.0% owf, more
preferably from about 0.1 to about 2% owf, and most preferably
about 1.0% owf. The treatment itself, including any optional
binders, adherents, thickeners, and the like, is added to the
substrate in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 10% owf.
[0020] The binder material, which, although optional, does provide
highly beneficial durability for the inventive yarns, is preferably
selected from a permanent press type resin and an acrylic type
resin. Such resins provide washfastness by adhering silver to the
target yarn and/or fabric surface. Such binding agents must not be
cationic or strongly anionic in nature; slightly anionic materials
are acceptable. In general, such binding agents thus must exhibit
adhesion to the target substrate as well as the target
antimicrobial solids, and must also act to retain such solids on
the target substrate surface. More particular classes of such
binding agents include acrylic based materials (such as, without
limitation, Rhoplex.RTM. TR3082 from Rohm & Haas), nonionic
permanent press agents (a term well known in the art, compounds of
which include, without limitation, Permafresh.RTM., available from
Sequa). Such binders may be applied within the high pressure
procedure itself, or topically applied subsequent to fabric
formation with the inventive yarns. In any event, the amount
applied should roughly be from about 0.01 to about 10% owf,
preferably from about 0.05 to about 5% owf, more preferably from
about 2 to about 3% owf, and most preferably about 2.5% owf.
[0021] Textile fabrics may be produced with the same yarns
discussed above, including any blends thereof. Such fabrics may be
of any standard construction, including knit, woven, or non-woven
forms. The inventive fabrics may be utilized in any suitable
application, including, without limitation, apparel, upholstery,
bedding, wiping cloths, towels, gloves, rugs, floor mats, drapery,
napery, bar runners, textile bags, awnings, vehicle covers, boat
covers, tents, and the like. The inventive fabric may also be
coated, printed, colored, dyed, and the like.
[0022] The high pressure procedure necessary for providing the
antimicrobial solid application on the surface of the target yarns
must be sufficient to permit penetration of the solid compounds
into the actual yarn structure. A high temperature may be desired
to permit "opening" of the fiber structure to facilitate such
solids introduction within a solid yarn. In general, the high
pressure conditions must be from about 0.1 and 100 pounds per
square inch with an exposure time of from about 5 seconds to about
5 hours at a temperature in the range from about 25.degree. to
about 325.degree. C. Such conditions are most readily provided
within a jet dye, closed vessel system, and appears to work most
readily for package dyed yarns. The type of fiber is consequential
only to the extent that certain temperatures permit easier
penetration within certain fibers. Thus, natural fibers (such as
cotton) require relatively low temperatures to "open" of the
cellulosic structure; nylon requires a much higher temperature (to
exceed its glass transition temperature, typically) to provide the
most effective antimicrobial characteristics. For the most part,
the high pressure actually appears to force the solid particles
into the yarns; surprisingly, such solid-solid interaction works to
retain a substantial amount of the solid antimicrobial, even after
washing. Preferably, however, a binder agent is added to aid in
solid particle retention since such solid particles will most
likely exhibit a desire to become detached from the yarn over
time.
[0023] The inventive procedure was developed "through an initial
attempt at understanding the ability of such metal-ion containing
compounds to attach to a fabric surface. Thus, a sample of
ALPHASAN.RTM. was first exhausted from a dye bath on to a target
polyester fabric surface. The fabric was then tested for
antimicrobial characteristics at different locations on the fabric
surface. The fabric exhibited excellent log kill rate
characteristics; however, upon washing in a standard laundry method
(AATCC Test Method 103-1981, for instance), the antimicrobial
activity was drastically reduced. Such promising initial results
led to the inventive wash-durable antimicrobial treatment wherein
the desired metal-ion containing compound would be forceably
introduced within a the surface of a target yarn through a high
pressure treatment with a formulation comprising a dispersion of
the desired solid antimicrobial compound and optionally a binder
material. More succinctly, and preferably, the desired solid
antimicrobial compound was admixed with a binder resin within a dye
bath formulation and forced through a spool of target yarn during a
package dye procedure. This specific procedure yielded an excellent
long-lasting, wash-durable, and antimicrobially effective treatment
on the target yarns. The knit fabrics including these yarns thus
exhibited both excellent antimicrobial results and wash-durability,
even after as many as ten standard laundering procedures. Without
the binder resin, the target fabrics still exhibited surprisingly
high levels of antimicrobial effective and durability.
[0024] The preferred embodiments of these alternatives fabric
treatments are discussed in greater detail below.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Examples of particularly preferred methods and articles
compounds within the scope of the present invention are set forth
below.
EXAMPLE 1
[0026] Several spools of 150 denier polyester multifilament yarn
were placed within a sealed dye bath. The dye bath liquor contained
1.0% owf of active ALPHASAN.RTM., 0.5% by weight of nonionic
leveler 528 (butyl benzoate, available from Milliken &
Company), and the balance water. After sealing of the chamber, the
pump was activated at a pressure of 60 psi at a temperature of
about 280.degree. F. The pump remained activated for about 60
minutes. The resultant spools of yarn were then utilized in a
knitting operation to produce a sock. Three different discrete
areas of the sock were tested for log kill rates for K. pneumoniae
after different numbers of launderings. The colorations of the sock
remained virtually the same after such repeated launderings. The
log kill results are tabulated below:
1TABLE 1 Log Kill Rates On The Knit Fabrics (Binder-Free) Number of
Log Kill Rate for Washes K. pneumoniae 0 4.43 5 4.13
[0027] The knit fabric thus retained a substantial amount of its
ALPHASAN.RTM. finish applied during the package dyeing process for
an extremely long duration.
EXAMPLE 2
[0028] Several spools of 150 denier multifilament polyester yarn
were placed within a sealed dye bath. The dye bath liquor contained
1.0% owf of active ALPHASAN.RTM., 0.5% owf nonionic leveler 528,
2.0% owf of Rhoplex.RTM. TR3082 (an acrylic-based slightly anionic
binding agent), and the balance water. After sealing of the
chamber, the pump was activated at a pressure of 60 psi at a
temperature of about 280.degree. F. The pump remained activated for
about 60 minutes. The resultant spools of yarn were then utilized
in a knitting operation to produce a sock. Three different discrete
areas of the sock were tested for log kill rates for K. pneumoniae
after different numbers of launderings. The colorations of the sock
remained virtually the same after such repeated launderings. The
log kill results are tabulated below:
2TABLE 2 Log Kill Rates On The Knit Fabrics (With Acrylic Binder)
Number of Log Kill Rate for Washes K. pneumoniae 0 4.43 5 4.20 10
4.03
[0029] The knit fabric thus retained a substantial amount of its
ALPHASAN.RTM. finish applied during the package dyeing process for
an extremely long duration.
EXAMPLE 3
[0030] Several spools of 150 denier multifilament polyester yarn
were placed within a sealed dye bath. The dye bath liquor contained
1.0% owf of active ALPHASAN.RTM., 0.5% owf of nonionic leveler 528,
and the balance water. After sealing of the chamber, the pump was
activated at a pressure of 60 psi at a temperature of about
280.degree. F. The pump remained activated for about 60 minutes.The
resultant spools of yarn were then utilized in a knitting operation
to produce a sock. A permanent press binding agent (2.0% owf of
Petmafresh.RTM., available from Saqua) was then padded on the
entire sock. After drying, three different discrete areas of the
sock were tested for log kill rates for K. pneumoniae after
different numbers of launderings. The colorations of the sock
remained virtually the same after such repeated launderings. The
log kill results are tabulated below:
3TABLE 3 Log Kill Rates On The Knit Fabrics (With Permanent Press
Binder) Number of Log Kill Rate for Washes K. pneumoniae 0 4.43 5
4.42 10 3.85
[0031] The knit fabric thus retained a substantial amount of its
ALPHASAN.RTM. finish applied during the package dyeing process for
an extremely long duration.
[0032] There are, of course, many alternative embodiments and
modifications of the present invention which are intended to be
included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *