Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Patent
1996-08-07
2000-02-15
Dixon, Merrick
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
1562722, 1563071, 427256, 427394, 427396, 427288, B05B 3100
Patent
active
060248238
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to treated textile fabric and more particularly, to a method of preparing a liquid and stain resistant, antimicrobial textile fabric that may be printed by transfer printing, and to the fabric so treated. The present invention further pertains to a liquid and stain resistant textile fabric suitable for applications requiring flame barriers without the use of a distinct flame barrier fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Stain resistance, water repellency and resistance to microbial growth are important in many uses of textile materials. In restaurants, for example, table cloths and seating upholstery often lack stain resistance and are subject to rapid water penetration. These properties necessitate frequent cleaning and/or replacement of such items. Although one generally views microbial growth as associated with fibers of biologic origin such as cotton, wool, linen and silk, in the field of marine use, the high relative humidity renders even synthetic polymer textiles such as polyesters and polyamides subject to microbial growth, which is also true of many other outdoor uses.
Textile fabrics may be made water resistant by various processes. For example, textile fabrics may first be scoured with a soap solution and then treated with a composition which may include zinc and calcium stearates as well as sodium soaps. The long chain carboxylic acid hydrophobic compounds provide a limited amount of water repellency. It is also possible to render fabrics liquid resistant by treating the fabric with commercially available silicone, for example poly(dimethylsiloxane).
To overcome problems associated with water absorption and stain resistancy, resort has been made to synthetic leathers and polyvinylchloride (vinyl) coated fabrics. However, these fabrics do not have the hand or feel of cloth, and in general, are difficult and in many cases impossible to print economically. Moreover, although attempts have been made to render such materials water vapor permeable. these attempts have met with only very limited success, as evidenced by the failure of synthetic leather to displace real leather in high quality seating and footwear.
Although the treating and coating methods discussed previously may assist in rendering the fabric partially liquid and/or stain resistant, fabrics thusly treated or coated cannot be satisfactorily printed. The treated liquid resistant fabrics refuse to accept or become incompatible with the application of color dyes. The polymeric coated liquid resistant fabrics cannot be transfer printed because the heat required in the printing process generally causes the polymeric coating to melt or deform. Thus, if a fabric with a particular design or logo is required, the textile fabric must be printed first by traditional methods, following which it may be treated or polymer coated. However, the polymer coating generally obscures the design due to its thickness and opacity, even when non-pigmented vinyl, for example, is used.
Applications of fluorochemicals such as the well known SCOTCHGUARD.TM. and similar compounds also may confer a limited degree of both water repellency and stain resistance. However, for optimal water repellency, it has proven necessary to coat fabrics with thick polymeric coatings which completely destroy the hand and feel of the fabric. Examples include vinyl boat covers, where the fabric backing is rendered water resistant by application of considerable quantities of polyvinylchloride latex or the thermoforming of a polyvinyl film onto the fabric. The fabric no longer has the hand and feel of fabric, but is plastic-like. Application of polyurethane films in the melt has also been practiced, with similar results. However, unless aliphatic isocyanate-based polyurethanes are utilized, the coated fabric will rapidly weather.
In many industrial, institutional, and commercial applications, severe flame retardant properties are required. Upholstered furniture must often pass the stringent so-called Boston chair or U.K. Crib 5 test
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patent: 5194667 (1993-03-01), Oxenrider et al.
patent: 5196080 (1993-03-01), Muzobuchi et al.
Bullock Kyle
Rubin Craig A.
Rubin Randy B.
Dixon Merrick
Hi-Tex, Inc.
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