EP4268653A1 - Fiber-treating agent - Google Patents

Fiber-treating agent Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4268653A1
EP4268653A1 EP21910820.6A EP21910820A EP4268653A1 EP 4268653 A1 EP4268653 A1 EP 4268653A1 EP 21910820 A EP21910820 A EP 21910820A EP 4268653 A1 EP4268653 A1 EP 4268653A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mass
fibers
less
fiber
treating agent
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21910820.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Junichi Furukawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kao Corp
Original Assignee
Kao Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kao Corp filed Critical Kao Corp
Publication of EP4268653A1 publication Critical patent/EP4268653A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M15/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
    • D06M15/19—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with synthetic macromolecular compounds
    • D06M15/37—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D06M15/39—Aldehyde resins; Ketone resins; Polyacetals
    • D06M15/41—Phenol-aldehyde or phenol-ketone resins
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41G—ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS; WIGS; MASKS; FEATHERS
    • A41G3/00—Wigs
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M11/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising
    • D06M11/51—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium or compounds thereof
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M11/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising
    • D06M11/51—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium or compounds thereof
    • D06M11/54—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereof; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium or compounds thereof with sulfur dioxide; with sulfurous acid or its salts
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M15/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
    • D06M15/19—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with synthetic macromolecular compounds
    • D06M15/37—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D06M15/643—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing silicon in the main chain
    • D06M15/6436—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing silicon in the main chain containing amino groups
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M15/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
    • D06M15/19—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with synthetic macromolecular compounds
    • D06M15/37—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D06M15/643—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing silicon in the main chain
    • D06M15/65—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing silicon in the main chain containing epoxy groups
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41G—ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS; WIGS; MASKS; FEATHERS
    • A41G3/00—Wigs
    • A41G3/0083—Filaments for making wigs
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
    • D06M2101/12—Keratin fibres or silk
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
    • D06M2101/14—Collagen fibres
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2200/00—Functionality of the treatment composition and/or properties imparted to the textile material
    • D06M2200/10—Repellency against liquids
    • D06M2200/12—Hydrophobic properties
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2200/00—Functionality of the treatment composition and/or properties imparted to the textile material
    • D06M2200/30—Flame or heat resistance, fire retardancy properties
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2200/00—Functionality of the treatment composition and/or properties imparted to the textile material
    • D06M2200/45—Shrinking resistance, anti-felting properties

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fiber-treating agent for imparting water resistance, heat resistance and heat shape memory ability to naturally derived fibers which are used for hair ornament products such as wigs and extensions.
  • Naturally derived fibers examples include hair ornament products such as wigs and extensions.
  • naturally derived fibers have natural texture and appearance originating from a natural material.
  • regenerated protein fibers for example, regenerated collagen fibers are obtained by solubilizing acid-soluble collagen or insoluble collagen with an alkali or an enzyme to obtain a spinning stock solution, and discharging the spinning stock solution into a coagulation bath through a spinning nozzle to form fibers.
  • regenerated collagen fibers generally have higher hydrophilicity and hence higher water absorption as compared to synthetic fibers, and the fibers have extremely low mechanical strength when they contain a large amount of water. This leads to deterioration of suitability as a hair ornament product such that during shampooing, mechanical strength significantly decreases because of the high water absorption, and during subsequent blowing with a hair drier, rupture occurs.
  • Regenerated collagen fibers also have the problem of low heat resistance, so that if a set using a hair iron is performed at a temperature as high as that for human hair, shrinkage or crimping occurs, resulting in impairment of visual quality.
  • plastic synthetic fibers the shape in a heat set with a hair iron or the like is continuously memorized even after subsequent hair washing (there is heat shape memory ability), whereas in regenerated collagen fibers, the shape in a heat set with a hair iron or the like is lost through subsequent hair washing (there is no heat shape memory ability). Therefore, regenerated collagen fibers are inferior to conventional plastic synthetic fibers in terms of degree of freedom of styling.
  • Patent Literature 1 JP-A-2019-143281
  • the present invention provides a fiber-treating agent comprising the following components (A) to (C) and having a turbidity of 1,000 NTU or less, wherein a part or all of the components (A) and (B) are optionally a condensate formed from the components:
  • the present invention provides a method for treating fibers, comprising the following step (i):
  • the present invention provides a method for producing fibers for hair ornament products, comprising a step of treating fibers by the method for treating fibers.
  • the present invention provides a method for producing a hair ornament product, comprising a step of treating fibers by the method for treating fibers.
  • the present invention provides a fiber for hair ornament products, comprising a condensate formed from the components (A) and (B).
  • the present invention provides a hair ornament product having, as a constituent element, fibers comprising a condensate formed from the components (A) and (B).
  • the present invention relates to a fiber-treating agent for producing fibers for hair ornament products in which the water resistance and the heat resistance of naturally derived fibers typified by regenerated collagen fibers are improved, heat shape memory ability is imparted, and the fibers are excellent in stretchability (tenacity).
  • Patent Literature 1 when the fiber-treating agent disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is handled on the basis of the method for treating fibers in this document, a composition in which the fibers are immersed is changed through two-step phases. That is, in the phase 1, formaldehyde and a phenolic compound are present while reacting independently of each other, and in the phase 2, the formaldehyde and the phenolic compound grow while reacting with each other to form a condensation product, so that the turbidity of the composition increases.
  • the present inventor found that when naturally derived fibers are brought into contact with the composition in the phase 2, a hard resin layer is formed on the surfaces of the fibers, and thus motions, such as bending and stretching, of the fibers are restricted, so that it is difficult to maintain the stretchability (tenacity) of the naturally derived fibers, and the feel of the fiber surfaces is deteriorated.
  • the present inventor has further conducted studies on the basis of the above-described findings, and resultantly found that by treating naturally derived fibers with a composition containing formaldehyde and a specific phenolic compound and having a turbidity of 1,000 NTU or less while maintaining a state in which the turbidity of the treating agent is 1,000 NTU or less, not only the water resistance and the heat resistance of the naturally derived fibers are improved, so that heat shape memory ability can be imparted, but also surprisingly, the stretchability (tenacity) of the naturally derived fibers is improved as compared to that before the treatment, and can be enhanced to a level close to that of human hair, and the feel of the fiber surfaces can also be improved, leading to completion of the present invention.
  • a fiber-treating agent for producing fibers for hair ornament products in which the water resistance and the heat resistance of naturally derived fibers are improved, heat shape memory ability is imparted, and stretchability (tenacity) is improved.
  • Fibers to be treated with the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may be either synthetic fibers or naturally derived fibers, and are preferably naturally derived fibers.
  • the naturally derived fiber refers to fibers which are taken from a natural animal or plant, or artificially produced using keratin, collagen, casein, soybeans, peanuts, corn, silk flocks, silk fibroin or the like as a raw material and which are used for production of a hair ornament product.
  • fibers produced using keratin, collagen, casein, soybeans, peanuts, corn, silk flocks, silk fibroin or the like as a raw material are preferable
  • regenerated protein fibers such as regenerated collagen fibers made from collagen as a raw material or regenerated silk fibers made from silk fibroin as a raw material are more preferable
  • regenerated collagen fibers are further more preferable.
  • Regenerated collagen fibers can be produced by a known technique, are not required to have a composition of collagen 100%, and may contain a natural or synthetic polymer and additives for improvement of quality.
  • the regenerated collagen fibers may be post-processed.
  • Regenerated collagen fibers are preferably in the form of filaments. Filaments are generally taken from fibers wound around a bobbin or packed in a box. It is also possible to directly use filaments coming out from a drying step in a production process of regenerated collagen fibers.
  • formaldehyde as a component (A) and a phenolic compound as a component (B) may be contained as the compounds themselves, or may be contained with a part or all of the components (A) and (B) being a condensate formed from the components.
  • the condensate may include water-soluble condensates having a small molecular weight, and water-insoluble condensates formed by linkage of the water-soluble condensates as long as the turbidity is 1,000 NTU or less.
  • the condensate includes both water-soluble and water-insoluble condensates when referred to simply as a "condensate".
  • NTU nephelometric turbidity unit
  • the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent can be measured at room temperature (25°C) with the fiber-treating agent directly placed in a measurement cell of a digital turbidimeter (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation/model: TB700) .
  • formaldehyde examples include formaldehyde monohydrate (methanediol). Among them, formaldehyde is preferable from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and durability to naturally derived fibers after treatment.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.2 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.3 mass% or more, even more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to naturally derived fibers after treatment, and preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, further more preferably 50 mass% or less, even more preferably 40 mass% or less, even more preferably 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of formulation compatibility in addition to the above-described viewpoint.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent in the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 80 mass%, more preferably from 0.2 to 60 mass%, further more preferably from 0.3 to 50 mass%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 40 mass%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 30 mass%, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to naturally derived fibers after treatment and the viewpoint of formulation compatibility.
  • the term "constituent element derived from the component (A)” refers to a constituent part derived from the component (A) in the condensate and the remaining component (A).
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 1 mass% or more, further more preferably 3 mass% or more, even more preferably 5 mass% or more and preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, further more preferably 50 mass% or less, even more preferably 40 mass% or less, even more preferably 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to fibers after treatment and the viewpoint of formulation compatibility.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 80 mass%, more preferably from 1 to 60 mass%, further more preferably from 3 to 50 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 40 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 30 mass%.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.2 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.3 mass% or more, even more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, and preferably 50 mass% or less, more preferably 40 mass% or less, further more preferably 30 mass% or less, even more preferably 20 mass% or less, even more preferably 10 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to fibers after treatment and the viewpoint of formulation compatibility.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 50 mass%, more preferably from 0.2 to 40 mass%, further more preferably from 0.3 to 30 mass%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 20 mass%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 10 mass%.
  • the component (B) is a phenolic compound having an electron donating group on at least one, preferably two of meta-positions and a hydrogen atom on at least one of ortho-positions and a para-position.
  • the electron donating group on the meta-position of the phenolic compound may form a benzene ring together with an adjacent carbon atom, and the benzene ring may be further substituted with a hydroxy group.
  • the molecular weight of the component (B) is preferably 110 or more, and preferably 1,000 or less, more preferably 700 or less, further more preferably 500 or less, from the viewpoint of good infiltration into naturally derived fibers.
  • Examples of the phenolic compound of the component (B) include the following components (B1), (B2) and (B3).
  • the component (B1) is a compound of the following formula (1): wherein A 1 to A 4 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkoxy group or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
  • component (B1) examples include resorcin, 2-methylresorcin, 4-chlororesorcin, and pyrogallol.
  • the component (B2) is a compound of the following formula (2) or (3) : wherein
  • R 1 in formula (2) or (3) is preferably a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom.
  • a 5 is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group.
  • D is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
  • E is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
  • Examples of the compound include 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-methylnaphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, and naphthalene-1,8-diol.
  • the compound (B3) is a flavan-3-ol derivative of the following formula (4): wherein
  • the molecular weight of the compound of formula (4) is preferably 150 or more. From the viewpoint of good infiltration into fibers, the molecular weight is preferably 1,000 or less, more preferably 700 or less, further more preferably 500 or less.
  • Examples of the component (B3) include non-gallates such as catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin, and gallates such as catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate, and herein, the term "catechins” is a generic term of these compounds. Among them, one or more selected from the group consisting of catechin, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate are preferable. It is also possible to use a mixture containing any of the above-described compounds, such as a tea extract.
  • Analysis of catechins in a mixture can be performed by an analysis method appropriate to a measurement sample among known methods for analyzing non-polymeric catechins. It is possible to perform the analysis by, for example, a liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. In the measurement, treatment may be appropriately performed if necessary, such as freeze-drying of the sample for adaptation to the detection range of an apparatus, or removal of contaminants in the sample for adaptation to the resolution of an apparatus.
  • HPLC liquid chromatography
  • the component (B) is preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of resorcin, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-methylnaphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-1,8-diol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and a tea extract, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of resorcin, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and a tea extract, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of resorcin, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and a tea extract, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of resorcin, cate
  • One component (B) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination, and two or more of (B1) to (B3) may be used in combination.
  • One or more selected from the group consisting of (B1) and (B3) are preferable from the viewpoint of being able to impart higher shape sustainability and durability to naturally derived fibers and the viewpoint of enhancing feel quality, and (B3) is more preferable from the viewpoint of being able to improve productivity in a factory by suppressing elution of the component (A) from treated fibers to omit a fiber washing step and the viewpoint of making coloring of fibers minimal to enhance suitability for use for hair ornament products.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 1 mass% or more, further more preferably 2.5 mass% or more, even more preferably 5 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to naturally derived fibers after treatment, and preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, further more preferably 50 mass% or less, even more preferably 40 mass% or less, even more preferably 35 mass% or less, even more preferably 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces in addition to the above-described viewpoint.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 80 mass%, more preferably from 1 to 60 mass%, further more preferably from 2.5 to 50 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 40 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 35 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 30 mass%, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to treated fibers and the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the term "constituent element derived from the component (B)” refers to a constituent part derived from the component (B) in the condensate and the remaining component (B).
  • a mixture containing the component (B) such as a mixture containing catechins, such as a tea extract
  • the above-mentioned term refers to the component (B) contained in the mixture.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 1 mass% or more, further more preferably 2.5 mass% or more, even more preferably 5 mass% or more, and preferably 60 mass% or less, more preferably 50 mass% or less, further more preferably 40 mass% or less, even more preferably 35 mass% or less, even more preferably 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to treated fibers and the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 60 mass%, more preferably from 1 to 50 mass%, further more preferably from 2.5 to 40 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 35 mass%, even more preferably from 5 to 30 mass%.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.2 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, even more preferably 1 mass% or more, even more preferably 2 mass% or more, and preferably 50 mass% or less, more preferably 40 mass% or less, further more preferably 30 mass% or less, even more preferably 20 mass% or less, even more preferably 15 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to treated fibers and the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the content of a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 50 mass%, more preferably from 0.2 to 40 mass%, further more preferably from 0.5 to 30 mass%, even more preferably from 1 to 20 mass%, even more preferably from 2 to 15 mass%.
  • the total content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) and a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 1 mass% or more, more preferably 5 mass% or more, further more preferably 10 mass% or more, even more preferably 20 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to treated fibers, and preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, further more preferably 50 mass% or less, even more preferably 40 mass% or less, even more preferably 30 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the total content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) and a constituent element derived from the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 1 mass% or more, further more preferably 2.5 mass% or more, even more preferably 4 mass% or more, even more preferably 5 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape sustainability and strength to treated fibers, and preferably 50 mass% or less, more preferably 30 mass% or less, further more preferably 20 mass% or less, even more preferably 15 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the molar ratio of a constituent element derived from the component (A) to a constituent element derived from the component (B), (A)/(B), in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.005 or more, more preferably 0.01 or more, further more preferably 0.05 or more, even more preferably 0.1 or more, even more preferably 0.5 or more, from the viewpoint of further improving the shape sustainability and strength of naturally derived fibers after treatment by a condensate of the components which is formed in the naturally derived fibers, and preferably less than 5, more preferably 4 or less, further more preferably 3 or less, even more preferably 2 or less, from the viewpoint of a good feel.
  • the molar ratio of a constituent element derived from the component (A) to a constituent element derived from the component (B), (A)/(B), is preferably 0.005 or more and less than 5, more preferably from 0.01 to 4, further more preferably from 0.05 to 3, even more preferably from 0.1 to 2, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2, from the viewpoint of further improving the shape sustainability and strength of naturally derived fibers after treatment by a condensate of the components which is formed in the naturally derived fibers, and the viewpoint of a good feel.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention has water as a medium.
  • the content of the component (C) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 10 mass% or more, more preferably 20 mass% or more, further more preferably 30 mass% or more, even more preferably 40 mass% or more, and preferably 99 mass% or less, more preferably 98 mass% or less, further more preferably 97 mass% or less, even more preferably 95 mass% or less.
  • the content of the component (C) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 10 to 99 mass%, more preferably from 20 to 98 mass%, further more preferably from 30 to 97 mass%, even more preferably from 40 to 95 mass%.
  • Component (D) organic compound having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of from 16 to 40 Mpa 1/2 ]
  • an insoluble condensate having a large molecular weight is formed in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention by a reaction with the components (A) and (B), motions, such as bending and stretching, of naturally derived fibers may be restricted by a hard resin layer formed on the surfaces of the naturally derived fibers, resulting in not only impairment of the stretchability (tenacity) of the fibers but also deterioration of the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention contains an organic compound having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 16 Mpa 1/2 or more and 40 Mpa 1/2 or less, provided that organic salts and compounds having an aldehyde group and having a molecular weight of 150 or less are excluded, from the viewpoint of easily dissolving oligomeric condensation products of the components (A) and (B), which are formed in the process of reaction and cause an increase in turbidity, by preventing aggregation of the oligomeric condensation products.
  • organic salts which have charge, rapidly increase the turbidity when present in the system, and compounds having an aldehyde group, such as glutaraldehyde, rapidly increase the turbidity by cross-linking phenol compounds of the component (B) at multiple points, the organic salts and the compounds having an aldehyde group are excluded from the component (D).
  • the Hansen solubility parameter SP value refers to ⁇ Tot (Mpa 1/2 ) calculated at 25°C in the DIY program using Software Package HSPiP 4th Edition 4.1.07 based on Hansen Solubility Parameters: A User's handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton FL, 2007.
  • Examples of the organic compound having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 16.0 Mpa 1/2 or more and 40.0 Mpa 1/2 or less in the compound (D) include monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, dihydric alcohol derivatives, polyhydric alcohols with a valence number of 3 or more, lactam, imidazolidinone, pyrimidinone, lactone, alkylene carbonate, and other general-purpose organic solvents whose SP value is within the above-described range.
  • compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 35.8 Mpa 1/2 or less are preferable, compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 34.7 Mpa 1/2 or less are more preferable, and compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 29.2 Mpa 1/2 or less are further more preferable, from the viewpoint of being able to maintain low turbidity over a longer time by adequately dissolving a condensate of the components (A) and (B) which is formed in the process of reaction and causes an increase in turbidity.
  • compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 17.8 Mpa 1/2 or more are preferable, compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 21.1 Mpa 1/2 or more are more preferable, and compounds having a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 22.0 Mpa 1/2 or more are more preferable.
  • dihydric alcohols, lactam and imidazolidinone are preferable, and at least one selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol (29.2), triethylene glycol (26.1), N-methylpyrrolidone (22.0), 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazoridinone (22.3) and DMDM hydantoin (28.1) is more preferable.
  • any one component (D) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the content of the component (D) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 10 mass% or more, more preferably 15 mass% or more, further more preferably 25 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of long maintaining a state in which the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent is 1,000 NTU or less, and preferably 80 mass% or less, more preferably 60 mass% or less, further more preferably 45 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of efficiently carrying out a condensation reaction and further improving the shape sustainability and strength of naturally derived fibers after treatment by a condensate of the component (A) and the component (B) which is formed in the naturally derived fibers.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention contains a sulfur-containing reducing agent from the viewpoint of improving the heat resisting temperature and suppressing coloring of naturally derived fibers after treatment, and suppressing an increase in turbidity of the fiber-treating agent during heating treatment.
  • Examples of the component (E) include sulfurous acid salts and thiol compounds.
  • the sulfurous acid salt is preferably sodium sulfite or sodium pyrosulfite
  • the thiol compound is preferably thioglycerol or Mesna (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) because compounds having a carboxy group (for example thioglycolic acid) or an amino group (for example cysteamine) cause yellowish coloring, resulting in deterioration of suitability as a hair ornament product.
  • sodium sulfite is preferable.
  • any one component (E) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the content of the component (E) in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, further more preferably 2.0 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of improving the heat resisting temperature, suppressing coloring, and suppressing an increase in turbidity during heating treatment, and preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 5.0 mass% or less from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in fiber strength by a reducing action.
  • the molar ratio of the component (E) to the component (A), (E)/(A), is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, further more preferably 0.5 or more, from the viewpoint of sufficiently exhibiting the effect of improving the heat resistance and the effect of suppressing coloring of fibers treated with the component (E) and the effect of suppressing an increase in turbidity of the fiber-treating agent, and preferably 3.0 or less, more preferably 1.5 or less, further more preferably 1.0 or less from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in fiber strength by a reducing action.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may contain a cationic surfactant as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.
  • the cationic surfactant is preferably a long chain monoalkyl quaternary ammonium salt having one alkyl group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms and three alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
  • At least one long chain monoalkyl quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the following formula: wherein R 4 is a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R 8 -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) m - or R 8 -CO-O-(CH 2 ) m - (R 8 represents a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkyl chain having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, and m represents an integer of 1 to 4), R 5 , R 6 and R 7 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X - represents a hydrochloride ion, a bromide ion, a methosulfate ion or an ethosulfate ion.
  • Suitable cationic surfactant examples include long chain quaternary ammonium compounds such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, myristyltrimethylammonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride. One of them may be used alone, or a mixture thereof may be used.
  • the content of the cationic surfactant in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.05 mass% or more, more preferably 0.1 mass% or more, and preferably 10 mass% or less, more preferably 5 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment, and further improving the effects of the present invention.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may contain silicone from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment, and improving styling ease.
  • the silicone is preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of dimethylpolysiloxane and amino-modified silicone.
  • any of cyclic or acyclic dimethylsiloxane polymers can be used, and examples thereof include SH200 Series, BY22-019, BY22-020, BY11-026, B22-029, BY22-034, BY22-050A, BY22-055, BY22-060, BY22-083 and FZ-4188 (each manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), and KF-9088, KM-900 Series, MK-15H and MK-88 (each manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).
  • SH200 Series BY22-019, BY22-020, BY11-026, B22-029, BY22-034, BY22-050A, BY22-055, BY22-060, BY22-083 and FZ-4188 (each manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), and KF-9088, KM-900 Series, MK-15H and MK-88 (each manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).
  • any silicone having an amino group or an ammonium group can be used, and examples thereof include amino-modified silicone oil which is terminal-blocked at all or a part of terminal hydroxyl groups with a methyl group or the like, and amodimethicone which is not terminal-blocked.
  • Examples of the amino-modified silicone preferable from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment and improving styling ease include compounds of the following formula: wherein R' represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or R X , where R X represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, J represents R X , R"-(NHCH 2 CH 2 )aNH 2 , OR X or a hydroxy group, R" represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a represents a number of 0 to 3, and b and c represent numbers whose sum is 10 or more and less than 20,000, preferably 20 or more and less than 3,000, more preferably 30 or more and less than 1,000, further more preferably 40 or more and less than 800, in terms of number average.
  • amino-modified silicone oils such as SF8452C and SS3551 (each manufactured by Dow Corning Toray) and KF-8004, KF-867S and KF-8015 (each manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), and amodimethicone emulsions such as SM8704C, SM8904, BY22-079, FZ-4671 and FZ4672 (each manufactured by Dow Corning Toray).
  • the content of silicone in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.2 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, and preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 5 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment, and further improving the effects of the present invention.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may contain a cationic polymer from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment.
  • the cationic polymer refers to a polymer having a cationic group, or a group capable of being ionized into a cationic group, and also includes a generally cationic ampholytic polymer. That is, examples of the cationic polymer include those in the form of an aqueous solution, which contain an amino group or an ammonium group on the side chain of the polymer chain or contain a diallyl quaternary ammonium salt as a constituent unit, for example, cationized cellulose derivatives, cationic starch, cationized guar gum derivatives, polymers or copolymers of a diallyl quaternary ammonium salt, and quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivatives.
  • one or more selected from the group consisting of a polymer containing a diallyl quaternary ammonium salt as a constituent unit, a quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivative and a cationized cellulose derivative are preferable, and one or more selected from the group consisting of a polymer or copolymer of a diallyl quaternary ammonium salt and a cationized cellulose derivative are more preferable, from the viewpoint of improving the effects of softness, smoothness and finger-combability in the feel during rinsing and shampooing and ease of styling and moisture retainability during blowing, and the stability of the agent.
  • Suitable polymer or copolymer of a diallyl quaternary ammonium salt include dimethyldiallylammonium chloride polymers (polyquaternium-6, for example, MERQUAT 100; Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.), dimethyldiallylammonium chloride/acrylic acid copolymers (polyquaternium-22, for example, MERQUATs 280 and 295; Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.), and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride/acrylamide copolymers (polyquaternium-7, for example, MERQUAT 550; Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.).
  • suitable quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivative include polymers obtained by polymerizing a vinylpyrrolidone copolymer and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (polyquaternium 11, for example, GAFQUAT 734, GAFQUAT 755 and GAFQUAT 755N (Ashland Inc.)).
  • Suitable cationized cellulose include polymers obtained by adding glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride to hydroxycellulose (polyquaternium 10, for example, LEOGARDs G and GP (Lion Corporation) and POLYMERs JR-125, JR-400, JR-30M, LR-400 and LR-30M (Amerchol Corporation)), and hydroxyethylcellulose dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (polyquaternium-4, for example, CELQUATs H-100 and L-200 (Akzo Nobel N.V.).
  • polyquaternium 10 polymers obtained by adding glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride to hydroxycellulose
  • polyquaternium 10 for example, LEOGARDs G and GP (Lion Corporation) and POLYMERs JR-125, JR-400, JR-30M, LR-400 and LR-30M (Amerchol Corporation)
  • polyquaternium-4 for example, CELQUATs H-100 and L-200
  • the content of the cationic polymer in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 0.001 mass% or more, more preferably 0.01 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.05 mass% or more, and preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of naturally derived fibers after treatment.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may contain an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid, and a pH adjuster such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid.
  • an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid
  • a pH adjuster such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid.
  • the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent of the present invention be as low as possible from the viewpoint of improving the stretchability (tenacity) of naturally derived fibers and the viewpoint of improving the feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent is 1,000 NTU or less, preferably 500 NTU or less, more preferably 100 NTU or less, further more preferably 20 NTU or less.
  • the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent refers to one from turbidness originating from a condensate of the components (A) and (B), and when other components causing turbidness are present, only turbidness caused by the condensate of the components (A) and (B) is taken into account.
  • the amount of the condensate can be determined by, for example, a derivatization-pyrolysis GC/MS method after filtration with a membrane filter having a pore diameter of 0.1 ⁇ m.
  • the pH of the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably 3.0 or more, more preferably 3.5 or more, further more preferably 4.0 or more, and preferably 11.0 or less, more preferably 9.0 or less, further more preferably 7.0 or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to naturally derived fibers.
  • the pH in the present invention is a value at 25°C.
  • the pH of the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is preferably from 3.0 to 11.0, more preferably from 3.5 to 9.0, further more preferably from 4.0 to 7.0 from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to naturally derived fibers.
  • the storage temperature can be set to a cool temperature or gap portions in a storage container can be filled with nitrogen for the purpose of preventing coloring of the component (B) by oxidation, and progress of an unintentional reaction during transportation.
  • the storage temperature is preferably 1°C or higher, more preferably 2°C or higher, further more preferably 5°C or higher, from the viewpoint of preventing occurrence of freezing and recrystallization, and preferably 25°C or lower, more preferably 20°C or lower, further more preferably 15°C or lower, from the viewpoint of preventing coloring by oxidation and progress of an unintentional reaction.
  • naturally derived fibers are treated by a method comprising the following step (i), it is possible to impart shape sustainability and high durability to the naturally derived fibers while maintaining high stretchability (tenacity) of the naturally derived fibers.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention may be directly applied to fibers, but when the fiber-treating agent is applied to the fibers after being heated for a certain time without causing an increase in turbidity of the treating agent, the stretchability of the fibers can be further enhanced. For this reason, the following step (0) may be provided before the step (i).
  • the heating treatment in the step (0) is preferably 40°C or higher, more preferably 45°C or higher, further more preferably 50°C or higher, from the viewpoint of improvement of productivity, and preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 80°C or lower, further more preferably 70°C or lower, from the viewpoint of being able to stop heating at an appropriate point.
  • the heating time in the step (0) is preferably 0.2T or more, more preferably 0.3T or more, further more preferably 0.4T or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a stretchability improving effect on naturally derived fibers, and preferably 0.8T or less, more preferably 0.7T or less, further more preferably 0.6T or less, from the viewpoint of exhibiting ability to treat naturally derived fibers for a long time.
  • the naturally derived fibers immersed in the fiber-treating agent may be dry or wet.
  • the amount of the fiber-treating agent in which the naturally derived fibers are immersed is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, further more preferably 5 or more, even more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 20 or more, and preferably 500 or less, more preferably 250 or less, further more preferably 100 or less, in terms of bath ratio to the mass of the naturally derived fibers (mass of fiber-treating agent/mass of naturally derived fibers).
  • the bath ratio is preferably from 2 to 500, more preferably from 3 to 250, further more preferably from 5 to 100, even more preferably from 10 to 100, even more preferably from 20 to 100.
  • the naturally derived fibers may be fixed with a curler or the like, followed by immersion in the fiber-treating agent of the present invention under heating. This enables a desired shape to be imparted to the naturally derived fibers together with shape sustainability and high durability.
  • the immersion of the naturally derived fibers in the fiber-treating agent in the step (i) is performed under heating, and this heating is performed by heating the fiber-treating agent.
  • This heating may be performed by immersing the naturally derived fibers in the fiber-treating agent being heated, or by immersing the naturally derived fibers in the fiber-treating agent at a low temperature, followed by heating.
  • the temperature of the fiber-treating agent is preferably 20° or higher, more preferably 35°C or higher, further more preferably 45°C or higher for increasing interaction of the component (A) and the component (B) with fiber constituent molecules, for example protein molecules, in the naturally derived fibers, and accelerating a condensation reaction between the component (A) and the component (B) in the naturally derived fibers to obtain the effects of the present invention, and preferably lower than 100°C, more preferably 80°C or lower, further more preferably 70°C or lower, further more preferably 60°C or lower for preventing the naturally derived fibers from being degenerated by heat and thus degraded.
  • the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is transparent right after preparation, but the turbidity increases as the condensate formed by reaction between the component (A) and the component (B) in the fiber-treating agent grows. From the viewpoint of further enhancing the stretchability (tenacity) of naturally derived fibers, it is desirable to carry out the step (i) with the turbidity being as low as possible and the turbidity of the fiber-treating agent during treatment is preferably 1,000 NTU or less, more preferably 500 NTU or less, further more preferably 100 NTU or less, even more preferably 20 NTU or less.
  • the immersion time in the step (i) is preferably 0.3T or more, more preferably 0.4T or more, further more preferably 0.5T or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a stretchability improving effect on naturally derived fibers, and preferably 0.95T or less, more preferably 0.90T or less, further more preferably 0.85T or less for suppressing damage to naturally derived fibers.
  • the specific immersion time is appropriately adjusted depending on a heating temperature used, and is preferably 15 minutes or more, more preferably 30 minutes or more, further more preferably 1 hour or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a stretchability improving effect on naturally derived fibers, and preferably 48 hours or less, more preferably 24 hours or less, further more preferably 12 hours or less for suppressing damage to naturally derived fibers, for example.
  • step (i) it is preferable to carry out the step (i) in an environment where evaporation of moisture is suppressed.
  • the specific means for suppressing evaporation of moisture include a method in which a container of the fiber-treating agent in which naturally derived fibers are immersed is covered with a film-shaped material, a cap, a lid or the like made of a material impermeable to water vapor.
  • the naturally derived fibers may be rinsed, or is not required to be rinsed, and it is preferable to rinse the naturally derived fibers from the viewpoint of preventing deterioration of the feel of the naturally derived fibers by an excess polymerized product.
  • These treatments may allow the components (A) and (B) to infiltrate the naturally derived fibers and interact with fiber constituent molecules, for example protein molecules, in the naturally derived fibers.
  • fiber constituent molecules for example protein molecules
  • a condensate of the component (A) and the component (B) is formed. Therefore, the naturally derived fibers treated by the method of the present invention does not lose shape even when washed.
  • the turbidity of the treating agent increases during treatment in the step (i)
  • a hard resin layer is formed on the surfaces of naturally derived fibers, which makes it difficult to maintain high stretchability (tenacity) of the naturally derived fibers, and it is difficult to secure a good feel of the fiber surfaces.
  • the turbidity of the treating agent can be confirmed by the above-described turbidity measurement method with a sample appropriately taken from the treating agent. If the naturally derived fibers taken out during treatment have not been sufficiently treated, the step (i) may be performed again. That is, it is preferable to provide step (ii) after the step (i), and to repeat the step (i) and the step (ii) two or more times.
  • step (ii) it is preferable to wash out the insoluble condensate by rinsing the surfaces of naturally derived fibers after taking out the naturally derived fibers from the treating agent in the step (ii). That is, it is preferable to carry out the following step (iii) after the step (ii).
  • the rinsing in the step (iii) be performed using a composition containing the component (D).
  • the rinsing composition may be composed only of the component (D), or may contain water in addition to the component (D).
  • the content of the component (D) in the rinsing composition is preferably 60 mass% or more, more preferably 80 mass% or more, further more preferably 95 mass% or more.
  • one or more treatments selected from the group consisting of bleaching, dyeing, surface finish for imparting hydrophobicity and reducing friction, and heating treatment for further improving fiber stretchability (tenacity) may be performed in addition to the steps (i) to (iii).
  • the treatments of bleaching and dyeing may be performed before or after the steps (i) to (iii), or between the steps (i) to (iii).
  • a plurality of steps may be combined and added, and when both bleaching and dyeing are added, any of the treatments may be performed first except that it is necessary to perform bleaching before dyeing. It is also possible to perform another treatment between bleaching and dyeing.
  • surface finish for imparting hydrophobicity and reducing friction and heating treatment for further improving fiber stretchability (tenacity) be performed after the steps (i) to (iii).
  • surface finish for imparting hydrophobicity and reducing friction and heating treatment for further improving fiber stretchability (tenacity) are performed after the steps (i) to (iii) as described above, their treatment order relation with bleaching and dyeing is not particularly limited.
  • One of surface finish for imparting hydrophobicity and reducing friction and heating treatment for further improving fiber stretchability (tenacity) may be performed before or after the other.
  • the bleaching is performed by immersing naturally derived fibers in a bleach composition containing an alkali agent, an oxidizing agent and water.
  • the bleach composition is typically of two-part type. The first part contains an alkali agent and water, and the second part contains an oxidizing agent and water. These two parts are typically stored separately, and mixed before immersion of naturally derived fibers.
  • alkali agent examples include, but are not limited thereto, ammonia and salts thereof; alkanolamines (monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminobutanol and the like) and salts thereof; alkanediamines (1,3-propanediamine and the like) and salts thereof; carbonates (guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and the like); and mixtures thereof.
  • alkanolamines monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminobutanol and the like
  • alkanediamines (1,3-propanediamine and the like
  • carbonates guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and the like
  • the content of the alkali agent in the bleach composition is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, further more preferably 1 mass% or more, and preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 7.5 mass% or less).
  • Suitable oxidizing agent examples include, but are not limited thereto, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamine peroxide and sodium bromate. Among these oxidizing agents, hydrogen peroxide is preferable.
  • the content of the oxidizing agent in the bleach composition is preferably 1 mass% or more, more preferably 2 mass% or more, and preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 12 mass% or less, further more preferably 9 mass% or less.
  • the pH of the second part at 25°C is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 2.5 or more, and preferably 6 or less, more preferably 4 or less.
  • the pH can be adjusted by a suitable buffering agent.
  • the pH of the bleach composition at 25°C is preferably 6 or more, more preferably 6.5 or more, further more preferably 6.8 or more, and preferably 11 or less, more preferably 10.5 or less, further more preferably 10 or less.
  • the dyeing is performed by immersing naturally derived fibers in a dyeing composition.
  • the dyeing composition contains a dye, and optionally contains an alkali agent or an acid, an oxidizing agent or the like. Examples of the dye include direct dyes, oxidizing dyes, and combinations thereof.
  • the type of the direct dye is not particularly limited, and any direct dye suitable for dyeing can be used.
  • Examples of the direct dye include anionic dyes, nitro dyes, disperse dyes, cationic dyes, and dyes having an azo-phenol structure selected from the group consisting of the following HC Red 18, HC Blue 18 and HC Yellow 16, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.
  • cationic dye examples include, but are not limited thereto, Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue 26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, Basic Brown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Orange 31, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12, Basic Red 22, Basic Red 51, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14, Basic yellow 57, Basic Yellow 87, and mixtures thereof.
  • Basic Red 51, Basic Orange 31, Basin Yellow 87 and Mixtures thereof are particularly preferable.
  • anionic dye examples include, but are not limited thereto, Acid Black 1, Acid Blue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue 74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 4, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, Acid Red 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 33, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, Acid Red 180, Acid Violet 2, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1, Acid Yellow 10, Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, Food Yellow No. 8, D&C Brown No. 1, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No.
  • preferred anionic dyes are Acid Black 1, Acid Red 52, Acid Violet 2, Acid Violet 43, Acid Red 33, Acid Orange 4, Acid Orange 7, Acid Red 27, Acid Yellow 3, Acid Yellow 10, and salts thereof. More preferred anionic dyes are Acid Red 52, Acid Violet 2, Acid red 33, Acid Orange 4, Acid Yellow 10, and salts and mixtures thereof.
  • nitro dye examples include, but are not limited thereto, HC Blue No. 2, HC Blue No. 4, HC Blue No. 5, HC Blue No. 6, HC Blue No. 7, HC Blue No. 8, HC Blue No. 9, HC Blue No. 10, HC Blue No. 11, HC Blue No. 12, HC Blue No. 13, HC Brown No. 1, HC Brown No. 2, HC Green No. 1, HC Orange No. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HC Orange No. 5, HC Red BN, HC Red No. 1, HC Red No. 3, HC Red No. 7, HC Red No. 8, HC Red No. 9, HC Red No. 10, HC Red No. 11, HC Red No. 13, HC Red No. 54, HC Red No.
  • HC Violet BS HC Violet No. 1, HC Violet No. 2, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 5, HC Yellow No. 6, HC Yellow No. 7, HC Yellow No. 8, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Yellow No. 10, HC Yellow No. 11, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Yellow No. 13, HC Yellow No. 14, HC Yellow No. 15, 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picramic acid, 1,2-diamino-4-nitrobenzol, 1,4-diamino-2-nitrobenzol, 3-nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzol, 2-hydroxyethylepicramic acid, and mixtures thereof.
  • disperse dye examples include, but are not limited thereto, Disperse Blue 1, Disperse Black 9, Disperse Violet 1, and mixtures thereof.
  • One of these direct dyes may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. Direct dyes different in ionicity may be used in combination.
  • the content of the direct dye in the dyeing composition is preferably 0.001 mass% or more, more preferably 0.01 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.05 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining sufficient dyeability, and preferably 10 mass% or less, more preferably 7.5 mass% or less, further more preferably 5.0 mass% or less, further more preferably 3.0 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of compatibility.
  • the dyeing composition contains only direct dyes, an oxidizing agent is not necessary for dyeing naturally derived fibers.
  • the composition may contain an oxidizing agent.
  • the composition When the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye, the composition is typically two-part type.
  • the first part contains an oxidizing dye intermediate (precursor and coupler) and an alkali agent, and the second part contains an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide.
  • the oxidizing dye intermediate is not particularly limited, and it is possible to suitably use any known of precursors and couplers which are commonly used for dyeing products.
  • Examples of the precursor include, but are not limited thereto, paraphenylenediamine, toluene-2,5-diamine, 2-chloro-paraphenylenediamine, N-methoxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-phenylparaphenylenediamine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-paraphenylenediamine, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-paraphenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-paraphenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylamine, 1,3-bis(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(4-aminophenyl)amino)-2-propanol, PEG-3,3,2'-paraphenylenediamine, paraaminophenol, paramethylaminophenol, 3-methyl-4-aminophenol, 2-aminomethyl-4-aminophenol, 2-(2-hydroxyethylaminoethyl)-4
  • coupler examples include, but are not limited thereto, metaphenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol, 2-amino-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)anisole, 2,4-diamino-5-methylphenetole, 2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxyethoxy)toluene, 2,4-dimethoxy-1,3-diaminobenzene, 2,6-bis(2-hydroxyethylamino)toluene, 2,4-diamino-5-fluorotoluene, 1,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane, metaaminophenol, 2-methyl-5-aminophenol, 2-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)phenol, 2,4-dichloro-3-aminophenol, 2-chloro-3-amino-6-methylphenol, 2-methyl-4-chloro-5-aminophenol, N-cyclopentyl-metaa
  • the content of each of the precursor and the coupler in the dyeing composition is preferably 0.01 mass% or more, more preferably 0.1 mass% or more, and preferably 10 mass% or less, more preferably 7.5 mass% or less, further more preferably 5 mass% or less.
  • the dyeing composition when the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye, the dyeing composition further contains an alkali agent.
  • suitable alkali agent include, but are not limited thereto, ammonia and salts thereof; alkanolamines (monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminobutanol and the like) and salts thereof; alkanediamines (1,3-propanediamine and the like) and salts thereof; carbonates (guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and the like); and mixtures thereof.
  • the content of the alkali agent in the dyeing composition is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, further more preferably 1 mass% or more, and preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 7.5 mass% or less.
  • the composition containing an oxidizing agent (second part) when the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye is stored separately from the composition containing an oxidizing agent (first part), and mixed before naturally derived fibers are immersed.
  • suitable oxidizing agent include, but are not limited thereto, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamine peroxide and sodium brominate. Among these oxidizing agents, hydrogen peroxide is preferable.
  • the content of the oxidizing agent in the dyeing composition is preferably 1 mass% or more, more preferably 2 mass% or more, and preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 12 mass% or less, further more preferably 9 mass% or less.
  • the pH of the second part at 25°C is preferably 2 or higher, more preferably 2.5 or higher, and preferably 6 or less, more preferably 4 or less.
  • the pH can be adjusted by a suitable buffering agent.
  • the pH of the dyeing composition obtained by mixing the first part and the second part at 25°C is preferably 6 or higher, more preferably 6.5 or higher, further more preferably 6.8 or higher, and preferably 11 or less, more preferably 10.5 or less, further more preferably 10 or less.
  • the dyeing composition may further contain any of the direct dyes exemplified above.
  • the dyeing composition may further contain the following surfactant, conditioning component and the like.
  • the dyeing composition can be in the form of solution, emulsion, cream, paste and mousse.
  • the temperature of the dyeing composition is preferably 0°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, further more preferably 20°C or higher, and preferably 90°C or lower, more preferably 80°C or lower, from the viewpoint of efficiently infiltrating and diffusing the dyeing composition into naturally derived fibers to enhance the effect of dyeing.
  • the surface finish for imparting hydrophobicity and reducing friction is performed by immersing naturally derived fibers in the following surface finish agent after the steps (i) to (iii), or alternatively, when step (iv) for improving the feel is performed, after the step (iv).
  • the surface finish agent comprises the following component (F) and water.
  • the epoxyaminosilane copolymer as the component (F) is a reaction product of the following compounds (a) to (d).
  • the compound (a) is polysiloxane having at least two oxiranyl groups or oxetanyl groups, and examples thereof include compounds of the following formula (5): wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and an oxiranyl group or an oxetanyl group at the terminal and optionally having a hetero atom, and x represents a number of 1 to 1,000.
  • the compound (b) is polyether having at least two oxiranyl groups or oxetanyl groups, and examples thereof include compounds of the following formula (6): wherein R represents the same meaning as described above, y is 1 to 100, z is 0 to 100, and y + z represents a number of 1 to 200.
  • the hetero atom optionally contained in R is preferably an oxygen atom.
  • R include an oxiranylmethyl group (glycidyl group), an oxiranylmethoxy group (glycidyloxy group), an oxiranylmethoxypropyl group (glycidyloxypropyl group), an oxetanylmethyl group, an oxetanylmethoxy group, an oxetanylmethoxypropyl group and a 3-ethyloxetanylmethyl group.
  • hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and an oxiranyl group and optionally having a hetero oxygen atom are preferable, and at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxiranylmethyl group (glycidyl group), an oxiranylmethoxy group (glycidyloxy group) and an oxetanylmethyl group, an oxiranylmethoxypropyl group (glycidyloxypropyl group) is more preferable.
  • the compound (c) is aminopropyltrialkoxysilane.
  • alkoxy group in the compound (c) include alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 carbon atoms, and among them, an isopropoxy group is preferable.
  • examples of the compound (c) include aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, aminopropyltriethoxysilane, aminopropyltripropoxysilane, aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane, aminopropyltributoxysilane, and aminopropyltri-tert-butoxysilane, and among them, aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane is preferable. Any one compound (c) may be used alone, or two or more compounds (c) may be used in combination.
  • the compound (d) is a compound selected from the group consisting of the following primary and secondary amines:
  • primary amines are preferable, and one selected from the group consisting of aminopropyldiethylamine, aminopropyldimethylamine and aminopropyldibutylamine is more preferable.
  • One compound (d) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the reaction of the compounds (a) to (d) is performed by, for example, refluxing the compounds in a solvent such as isopropanol for a certain time.
  • a solvent such as isopropanol
  • the molar ratio of oxiranyl groups or oxetanyl groups of compounds (a) and (b) to amino groups of the compound (c) is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1.1 or more, further more preferably 1.2 or more, and preferably 4 or less, more preferably 3.9 or less, further more preferably 3.8 or less.
  • component (F) examples include those having the INCI name of polysilicone-29, and examples of the commercially available product thereof include Silsoft CLX-E (containing an active ingredient at 15 mass%, dipropylene glycol and water) from Momentive Performance Materials Company.
  • the content of the component (F) in the surface finish agent is preferably 0.01 mass% or more, more preferably 0.05 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.10 mass% or more, further more preferably 0.20 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of imparting sufficient hydrophobicity to naturally derived fibers, and preferably 15.00 mass% or less, more preferably 10.00 mass% or less, further more preferably 8.00 mass% or less, further more preferably 6.00 mass% or less, from the viewpoint that a sticky feel is not given.
  • the pH of the surface finish agent at 25°C is preferably in the following range.
  • the pH is preferably 1 or higher, more preferably 1.5 or higher, further more preferably 2 or higher, and preferably 5 or lower, more preferably 4.0 or lower, further more preferably 3.5 or lower.
  • the pH is preferably 7 or higher, more preferably 7.5 or higher, further more preferably 8.0 or higher, and preferably 11 or lower, more preferably 10.5 or lower, further more preferably 10 or lower.
  • the surface finish agent may appropriately contain a pH adjuster for adjusting the pH of the surface finish agent to be within the above-described range.
  • a pH adjuster for adjusting the pH of the surface finish agent to be within the above-described range.
  • alkanol amines such as monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol and 2-aminobutanol, or salts thereof; alkanediamines such as 1,3-propanediamine, or salts thereof; carbonates such as guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide; and the like can be used as the alkali agent.
  • inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid
  • hydrochlorides such as monoethanolamine hydrochloride
  • phosphorates such as monopotassium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium monohydrogen phosphate
  • organic acids such as lactic acid and malic acid, and the like
  • the amount of the surface finish agent in which naturally derived fibers are immersed is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 5 or more, further more preferably 10 or more, and preferably 100 or less, more preferably 50 or less, further more preferably 20 or less, in terms of bath ratio to the mass of the naturally derived fibers (mass of surface finish agent/mass of naturally derived fibers).
  • naturally derived fibers can be heated while being stretched by applying tension to the fibers.
  • the naturally derived fibers are small in amount, it is preferable to use a hair iron for the heating, and when the naturally derived fibers are large in amount, an equivalent result can be obtained by, for example, hot air heating while applying tension by a rewinder.
  • the fiber draw ratio during heating is preferably 0.1% or higher, more preferably 0.2% or higher, further more preferably 0.5% or higher, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 10% or lower, more preferably 5% or lower, further more preferably 2% or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • the heating temperature is preferably 120°C or higher, more preferably 140°C or higher, further more preferably 160°C or higher, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 240°C or lower, more preferably 220°C or lower, further more preferably 200°C or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • the heating time is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 3 seconds or more, further more preferably 5 seconds or more, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 60 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less, further more preferably 20 seconds or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • the draw ratio here is preferably 0.1% or higher, more preferably 0.2% or higher, further more 0.5% or higher, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 10% or lower, more preferably 5% or lower, further more preferably 2% or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • the water temperature is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 20°C or higher, further more preferably 30°C, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 80°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, further more preferably 50°C or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • the time for leaving the fibers to stand in water is preferably 1 minute or more, more preferably 5 minutes or more, further more preferably 30 minutes or more, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the stretchability of the fibers, and preferably 48 hours or less, more preferably 24 hours or less, further more preferably 3 hours or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers.
  • stretchability equivalent to that of human hair can be achieved during drying of the fibers.
  • the naturally derived fibers subjected to the above treatment can be treated with the composition containing the component (E) for the purpose of suppressing or eliminating coloring in the fibers.
  • the preferred component (E) is as described above.
  • the composition is preferably an aqueous solution of the component (E).
  • the pH of the composition is preferably 2.0 or higher, more preferably 3.0 or higher, further more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 9.0 or lower, more preferably 7.0 or lower, further more preferably 6.0 or lower, from the viewpoint of preventing a decrease in strength of naturally derived fibers.
  • the content of the component (E) in the composition is preferably 0.5 mass% or more, more preferably 1.0 mass% or more, further more preferably 2.0 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 5.0 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of preventing a decrease in strength of naturally derived fibers by a reducing action.
  • the temperature for the treatment with the composition containing the component (E) is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, further more preferably 20°C or higher, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, further more preferably 40°C or lower, from the viewpoint of avoiding the onset of yellowish coloring.
  • the time for the treatment with a composition containing the component (E) is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 30 seconds or more, further more preferably 1 minute or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 60 minutes or less, more preferably 30 minutes or less, further more preferably 15 minutes or less, from the viewpoint of avoiding the onset of yellowish coloring.
  • the naturally derived fibers can be treated with a composition containing a component (G) as in the treatment with a composition containing the component (E).
  • Component (G) compound having chelating action
  • component (G) examples include compounds in which the total number of hydroxy groups, carboxy groups and phosphoric acid groups is 2 or more, and specifically, etidronic acid, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, disodium catechol-3,5-disulfonate monohydrate and phytic acid are preferably exemplified.
  • the composition containing the component (G) is preferably an aqueous solution.
  • the pH of the composition is preferably 2.0 or higher, more preferably 3.0 or higher, further more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 9.0 or lower, more preferably 7.0 or lower, further more preferably 6.0 or lower, from the viewpoint of preventing a decrease in strength of naturally derived fibers.
  • any one component (G) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the content of the component (G) in the composition containing the component (G) is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, furthermore preferably 2.0 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, further more preferably 5.0 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in fiber strength.
  • the temperature for the treatment with the composition containing the component (G) is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, further more preferably 20°C or higher, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, further more preferably 40°C or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in fiber strength.
  • the time for the treatment with the composition containing the component (G) is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 30 seconds or more, further more preferably 1 minute or more, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of suppressing or eliminating coloring of naturally derived fibers, and preferably 72 hours or less, more preferably 48 hours or less, further more preferably 24 hours or less, from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in fiber strength.
  • Coloring of fibers which is caused by treatment with the fiber-treating agent of the present invention is considered to include both brownish coloring by oxidation (which can be countered by treatment with a sulfur-containing reducing agent as the component (E)) and yellowish coloring by a catechin-metal complex (which can be countered by a chelating agent as the component (G)), and it may be possible to more adequately suppress coloring of the fibers by performing bleaching treatment corresponding to each case.
  • the treatments with the compositions may be performed in a sequential order (the treatment order is not limited), and it is also possible to perform the treatments as one treatment using a single composition containing the components (E) and (G).
  • the contents of each of components in the composition, the treatment temperature and the treatment time are the same as in the case where separate compositions are used.
  • the upper limit for the composition containing the component (G) is longer than that for the composition containing the component (E), and in the case of the treatment with a single composition containing both the components, the treatment time may be in the treatment time range for the composition containing the component (E) from the viewpoint of avoiding the onset of yellowish coloring.
  • the fibers When naturally derived fibers are treated by the above method for treating fibers, the fibers contain a condensate formed from the components (A) and (B), so that it is possible to produce fibers for hair ornament products in which the fibers are excellent in shape sustainability and tensile elastic modulus and the stretchability (tenacity) of the naturally derived fibers is highly improved, and it is also possible to produce a hair ornament product using the fibers.
  • examples of the hair ornament product include hair wigs, wigs, weavings, hair extensions, blade hairs, hair accessories, and doll hairs.
  • compositions having formulations shown in Table 1 regenerated collagen fibers were treated by the following method, and various properties were evaluated.
  • the pH of each composition was measured with the prepared composition directly applied to a pH meter (F-52 manufactured by HORIBA, Ltd.) at room temperature (25°C).
  • the turbidity of the composition was measured with a fiber-treating agent directly placed in a measurement cell ( ⁇ 25 ⁇ 60 mm borosilicate glass) of a digital turbidimeter (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation/model: TB700/measurement method: equivalent to ISO 7027, Nephelometry (90°)/light source: infrared emitting diode (850 nm)/detector: crystal silicon solar cell module) at room temperature (25°C).
  • an average breaking elongation that is, an average value in evaluation on a plurality of fibers (ten fibers) for the percentage by which the fiber was stretched by tensioning with respect to the original fiber length when rupture occurred was used.
  • the evaluation was performed in the following procedure using a tress immediately after treatment performed as described in ⁇ Treatment method> above.
  • the degree of increase (C%) in average breaking elongation of the treated tress (B%) with respect to an untreated state when the average breaking elongation during fiber tensioning in an intact state (untreated) at the time of being cut from the commercially available product (A%) is used as a reference is determined by the following formula, and shown as "ratio of increase in average breaking elongation during fiber tensioning [%]" in the table.
  • C % B % ⁇ A %
  • Evaluation of the average breaking load during fiber tensioning was performed using a tress immediately after treatment performed as described in ⁇ Treatment method> above. As a numerical value, an average value in evaluation on a plurality of fibers (ten fibers) was used. The evaluation was performed in the following procedure.
  • the degree of increase (Y (gf)) in average breaking load of the treated tress (W 1 (gf)) with respect to an untreated state when the average breaking load during fiber tensioning in an intact state (untreated) at the time of being cut from the commercially available product (Wo (gf)) is used as a reference is determined by the following formula, and shown as "amount of increase in average breaking load during fiber tensioning [gf]" in the table.
  • Y gf W 1 gf ⁇ W 0 gf
  • the curling-up ratio ratio of decrease in tress length (I) (%) determined by the following formula, where Lo is an untreated tress length (22 cm) and L is a treated tress length, was defined as curling strength.
  • I L 0 ⁇ L / L 0 ⁇ 100
  • the curling-up ratio ratio of decrease in tress length (I) (%) determined by the following formula, where Lo is an untreated tress length (22 cm) and L is a treated tress length, was defined as curling strength.
  • I L 0 ⁇ L / L 0 ⁇ 100
  • the treatment was performed in the same manner as in ⁇ Treatment method> above except that as the regenerated collagen fibers manufactured by Kaneka Corporation, those that are white with a color number of 30 were used.
  • ⁇ E*ab was defined as [(L 1 - L 0 ) 2 + (a 1 - a 0 ) 2 + (b 1 - b 0 ) 2 ] 1/2 , where (L 0 , a 0 , b 0 ) is a measured value of the untreated white tress with a color number of 30, and (L 1 , a 1 , b 1 ) is a measured value for the treated tress.
  • regenerate collagen fibers treated in Example 2 were treated with a surface finish agent shown in Table 2, and various properties were evaluated.
  • the tress was drawn with each of its both ends held by a hairpin for applying tension to the extent that each fiber forming the tress was stretched at 0.1 to 0.5% on average, and in this state, the tress was left to stand in water at 40°C for 1 hour with the hairpins fixed to the wall of a water bath by a tape, and was then blown with a dryer.
  • various properties were evaluated (Examples 9, 11 and 13).
  • Example 8 9 10 11 12 13 Object to be treated Regenerated collagen fibers treated in Example 1 Regenerated collagen fibers treated in Example 2 Regenerated collagen fibers treated in Example 4 Hair iron treatment Slided 30 times at 160°C Slided 30 times at 160°C Slided 30 times at 160°C Water immersion treatment - 40°C 1 hr - 40°C 1 hr 40°C 1 hr Effect Durability improvement Ratio of increase in average breaking elongation during fiber tensioning [%] 5.8 6.9 6.7 9.5 6.0 9.7 Amount of increase in average breaking load during fiber tensioning [gf] 15.9 16.9 20.8 11.2 26.3 24.0 Heat shape memory ability I: Shaping (curl) - 67 - 40 - 48 II: Reshaping (straight) - 94 - 97 - 90 III: Re-reshaping (curl) - 62 - 33 - 49 Surface feel quality 16 17 15 16 17 19
  • compositions having formulations shown in Table 4 were treated in the same manner as in the above-described method.
  • the tress was drawn with each of its both ends held by a hairpin for applying tension to the extent that each fiber forming the tress was stretched at 0.1 to 0.5% on average, and in this state, the tress was left to stand in water at 40°C for 1 hour with the hairpins fixed to the wall of a water bath by a tape, and was then blown with a dryer.
  • Various properties were evaluated.
  • the tresses treated in Examples above can all be directly used as extensions by attachment to head hair with pins or the like, and can exhibit sufficient performance on the human head.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
EP21910820.6A 2020-12-25 2021-12-21 Fiber-treating agent Pending EP4268653A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2020217993 2020-12-25
JP2021061912 2021-03-31
PCT/JP2021/047437 WO2022138680A1 (ja) 2020-12-25 2021-12-21 繊維処理剤

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4268653A1 true EP4268653A1 (en) 2023-11-01

Family

ID=82156982

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21910820.6A Pending EP4268653A1 (en) 2020-12-25 2021-12-21 Fiber-treating agent

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20240060234A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP4268653A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2022103114A (ja)
WO (1) WO2022138680A1 (ja)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5952440A (en) * 1997-11-03 1999-09-14 Borden Chemical, Inc. Water soluble and storage stable resole-melamine resin
EP1229156B1 (en) * 1999-07-14 2007-02-07 Kaneka Corporation Regenerated collagen fiber with excellent heat resistance
US20210059336A1 (en) * 2018-02-15 2021-03-04 Kao Corporation Human hair fiber treatment agent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2022138680A1 (ja) 2022-06-30
JP2022103114A (ja) 2022-07-07
US20240060234A1 (en) 2024-02-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP7281913B2 (ja) 人毛繊維処理剤
US7771734B2 (en) Process to color and permanently restructure hair
EP1803434B1 (en) Hair dye composition
JP7281914B2 (ja) 人毛繊維処理剤
EP4268653A1 (en) Fiber-treating agent
EP4268652A1 (en) Fiber treatment agent
EP4268651A1 (en) Fiber-treating agent
EP4317576A1 (en) Fiber-treating agent
AU607777B2 (en) 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, process for its preparation and its use as a coupler in oxidation dyes for keratinous fibres
EP4268650A1 (en) Fiber treatment agent
CN116783347A (zh) 纤维处理剂
CN116710610A (zh) 纤维处理剂
CN114341423B (zh) 人发纤维处理剂
CN117120686A (zh) 纤维处理剂
WO2023224002A1 (ja) 繊維処理剤
WO2023224003A1 (ja) 繊維処理剤

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230623

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)