Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy... – Textile treating
Patent
1995-06-15
1998-01-13
Degen, Nancy
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Process of utilizing an enzyme or micro-organism to destroy...
Textile treating
81161, 8401, 435209, D06M 1600, D06M 1100, C12N 942, C09B 6700
Patent
active
057078580
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved cellulase treatment of cellulosic fabrics to improve fabric quality with respect to handle and appearance without loss of fabric wettability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most newly manufactured cotton fabrics and cotton blend fabrics have a handle that is rather hard and stiff unless they are treated with finishing components. Furthermore, the fabric surface is not smooth due to small fuzzy fibers protruding from it. In addition, after a relatively short period of wear, pilling appears on the fabric surface thereby giving it an unappealing, worn look.
A high degree of fabric softness and smoothness can be obtained by using fine, i.e., low-denier, yarns in weaving. However, the resulting cost is high as the loom output decreases concurrently with the weft yarn diameter.
A less expensive way of ensuring a soft and smooth fabric "handle" is to impregnate the finished fabric with a softening agent, typically a cationic, sometimes silicone-based, surface active compound. However, this treatment does not remove pills and fuzz. Furthermore, the fabric obtains a somewhat greasy "handle" and is not wash-proof, and its moisture absorbency is often considerably reduced.
Another known method for obtaining a soft and smooth fabric is treating cellulosic fabrics with cellulases. See Bazin et al., "Enzymatic Bio-Polishing of Cellulosic Fabric," presented at the 58th Congress of the Association of Chemists and the Textile Industry in Mulhouse, France (Oct. 25, 1991) and Asferg et al., "Softening and polishing of cotton fabrics by cellulase treatment," ITB Dyeing/Printing/Finishing (Feb. 1990).
Cellulase treatment of the fabric surface improves fabric quality with respect to handle and appearance without loss of fabric wettability. The most important effects are less fuzz and pilling, increased gloss/luster, improved fabric handle, increased durable softness and improved water absorbency. These effects are referred to as Bio-Polishing effects. Presently, cellulases are applied in a single dose.
One disadvantage of enzymatic treatment of cellulosic fabrics has been that the large dose amounts needed to achieve Bio-Polishing effects in the finishing step causes "yellowing" of the fabric during drying.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved enzymatic process for treating cellulosic fabrics to achieve Bio-Polishing effects.
It is also an object of the present invention to overcome the yellowing problem of the present enzymatic processes for treating cellulosic fabrics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a multiple step cellulosic treatment of a cellulase fabric in order to achieve improved Bio-Polishing effects.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a process for treating a cellulosic fabric comprising applying at least two cellulase treatments to the fabric in order to achieve Bio-Polishing effects. The process according to the present invention is especially useful in continuous textile manufacturing processes. However, the process may also be used in batch operations.
The initial enzymatic treatment should result in a weight loss between about 0.05 and about 10.0%, preferably between about 0.5 and about 8.0%, and most preferably between about 1.0 and about 5.0%, of the weight of the cellulosic fabric. Weight loss is defined herein as the weight loss caused solely by the cellulase treatment, i.e., the weight loss caused by any mechanical treatment during the cellulase treatment, e.g., washing, tumbling, stretching, pulling, etc., is not taken into account.
The weight loss in the first step can be achieved by a dosage of between about 100 and about 40,000 EGU/kg of fabric, preferably between about 200 and 20,000 EGU/kg of fabric. The enzyme activity in EGU/g is measured according to the following procedure:
A substrate solution containing 34.0 g/l CMC (Hercules 7 LFD) in 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH of 6.0 is prepared. The enzyme sample to be analyzed is dissolved in the
REFERENCES:
patent: 4912056 (1990-03-01), Olson
patent: 5232851 (1993-08-01), Cox et al.
patent: 5246853 (1993-09-01), Clarkson et al.
Selby et al. "The Degradation of Cotton Cellulose by The Extracellular Cellulase of Myrothecium verrucarra" Biochem J. 88 288-296 1963.
Pedersen Gitte
Screws Garrett A.
Degen Nancy
Lambiris, Esq. Elias J.
Novo Nordisk A S
Zelson Esq. Steve T.
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