MXPA00003902A - Fabric treatment compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric treatment composition comprises a fatty acid and a silicone elastomer, wherein the composition is used as a pretreatment for the fabric prior to application of ink thereto to facilitate retention and resolution of the ink on the fabric. The composition may also comprise a polyethylene glycol stearate and a fatty acid condensation product. The invention also describes a method of treating a fabric prior to printing thereon with an ink, the method comprising locating the fabric on a frame or base, applying a treatment composition comprising a polyethylene glycol stearate and a silicone elastomer to the fabric, and drying the fabric immediately thereafter. The invention further is for a method of preparing a fabric treatment composition.

Description

COMPOSITION, FOR THE TREATMENT OF FABRICS Field of the Invention This invention relates to compositions for treating natural and synthetic fabrics, and a method for treating such fabrics by applying the composition thereto. Particularly, the composition and the method of treatment of the fabrics has an application in the pre-treatment of a fabric before applying a pattern or design therein so that the fabric shows the pattern better., And in this way the pattern is lighter and has improved resolution and brightness. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a fabric treatment composition. The invention is typically used in conjunction with printing on fabrics with the use of inkjet printers, thermal printers, piezo, picto or laser, copiers, etc. These are referred to here as "printers" or "laser printers". These printers can be of any of the following types: manual or ADF, drum, flat sheet or continuous.

Background of the Invention The concept of printing several fabrics with REF .: 119738 dyes to form patterns is well known. In some cases, the printed fabric could not accept the ink optimally, which could result in poor resolution and immediate or subsequent discoloration of the pattern on the fabric. This is particularly true when printing patterns or patterns on a fabric directly from a printer.

Problems could arise in the treatment of the fabric when a design is desired, prepared for example on a computer using CAD programming elements, to be printed directly from the screen onto the fabric. Usually, it has been necessary to use intermediary devices, such as screens or heat transfer sheets, to ensure that the brightness of the pattern on the fabric is achieved and remains. On the other hand, the discoloration of the design and a washing appearance are likely to occur.

There are numbers of patents that describe the types of ink and the coating composition that are intended to improve the sharpness and durability of printed inks on different types of fabrics using printers. Some of these are discussed briefly later.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,594,485 (Koike) describes a textile inkjet printing method. In this patent, the fabric could contain a certain proportion of water-soluble high molecular weight polymers as well as highly synthetic polymers. These could include several celluloses, polysaccharides and protein substances.

The U.S. Patent No. 4,702,742 (I ata) describes the printing by injection of aqueous ink on textile fabric pre-treated with a polymeric acceptor. An acceptor for the ink is deposited on the surface of the fabric to facilitate easy and rapid absorption and for ink acceptance. Various acceptor materials are provided, and these may include natural or synthetic water-soluble or hydrophilic polymers. When the ink is applied, it is absorbed and accepted by the ink acceptor. The ink composition itself could contain various dispersants, surfactants, viscosity control agents.

The U.S. Patent No. 4,119,398 (Purser) also discloses a composition for pre-treating the fabric for use in transfer printing and transfer printing processes. This patent does not mention the publication of the improved printing of inkjet printers, which require specialized processes. The invention relates primarily to the improvement of fabric coatings that do not readily retain dyes by transfer printing, and the composition comprises a self-curing acrylic resin and a self-curing elastomer polysiloxane softening agent or composition. Various other components, such as humidifying agents, humectants, and the like, could also be added.

The U.S. Patent No. 3,936,542 (Cox) describes a method for incorporating a stable resin binder composition into the bond by printing. A wide variety of synthetic resins could be used, and the patent also establishes the self-thickening resins that could be used.

The U.S. Patent No. 4,806,391 (Shorin) discloses a hydrophobic silicone-based coating composition that can be made in printable coatings. These silicone-based solvent-free hydrophobic compositions are based on vinyl or hydroxyl chain stop polysiloxanes having viscosities within specific limits. Various polysiloxanes are used in the composition for printing inks and varnishes.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,352,503 (Drake) describes a compressed paper of a substrate and a coating. The coating includes a pigment and a binder. The binder could include polyethylene glycol. One of the significant objects of the invention is to avoid the ripple problem due to a change in relative humidity.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,501,902 (Kronzer) refers to a printable material that includes the first and second layers. The first layer is typically a sheet material, such as film, paper, woven and nonwoven web, while the second layer consists of a number of components including humectants such as polyethylene glycol, viscosity modifiers and particles of a thermoplastic polymer. . It is to be noted that the second layer is typically applied to the side of the paper that does not have the coating for printing.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,396,275 (Koike) refers to the problems in printing on fabric by an inkjet printing, some of the problems relate to sharpness, high density and high brightness. This patent s.e refers to the problem of adjusting the moisture content of the fabric, applying the ink to this adjusted fabric of predetermined density, dyeing the fabric including the use of heat treatment, and washing the remaining dye. The printing ink itself could include an organic solvent, a large number of examples of which are provided, and which include various glycols.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,515,093 (Haruta) discloses the use of cationic substances, contained in a fabric, so that printing can be carried out on a variety of fabric types with an ink that is ordinarily used in commercially available ink jet printers. The cationic substance could be comprised of an amine, the use of a cationic inorganic particle with a binder, and the application of an anionic dyeable polymer.

The U.S. Patent No. 4,969,951 (Koike) describes a liquid composition for inkjet printing. This liquid by ink injection includes a delivery dye in an aqueous liquid medium. The patent also covers dispensing a liquid composition onto a fabric and then subjecting the fabric to the dye fixing treatment. The composition contains a number of different agents including organic solvents, dispersing agents, viscosity controlling agents and defoaming agents. The organic solvent includes various glycols; the dispersing agents or surfactants include salts of fatty acids, condenses, ethers and esters; and the viscosity controlling agents include sodium polyacrylate and other natural or synthetic polymers.

The U.S. Patent No. 5,631,684 (Takaide) discloses an inkjet textile printing system that includes the use of disperse dyes. The invention uses at least two types of ink on a cloth, these two types of ink are coated, heat treated and subsequently washed. The inks contain the dyes and a compound to distribute the dyes.

Brief Description of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a fabric treatment composition comprising a fatty acid and a silicone elastomer, wherein the composition is used as a pretreatment for the fabric before the ink is applied thereto, to facilitate the retention and resolution of the ink on the fabric. The composition could also comprise water. Preferably, the fatty acid is polyethylene glycol stearate, and the silicone elastomer is a functional polysiloxane emulsion. This composition can be used to excel in natural and synthetic fibers and fabrics. It has particular application with respect to fibers and natural fabrics. In this specification, silicone means a polymer of at least silicon and oxygen.

The composition could further comprise a thickening agent, which could be a polyacrylate, preferably in the form of an emulsion. The composition could also comprise an anti-migrant to control the mobility of the dye particles, and the anti-migrant could be a synthetic resin, preferably one selected from the group consisting of vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, vinyl esters and polyacrylic resins.

In a preferred embodiment, the polyacrylate emulsion is present in the amount of about 20% by weight, preferably about 5% by weight; the polyethylene glycol stearate is present in the amount of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, preferably about 0.5% by weight; the anti-migrant is present in the amount of about 1% to about 20% by weight, preferably about 2% by weight; the polysiloxane emulsion is present in the amount of about 30% to about 90% by weight, preferably about 75% by weight; and water is present in the amount of from about 5% to about 50% by weight, preferably about 18% by weight.

The composition is applied to the fabric on which a design or pattern is printed directly on it by means of a printer. The fabric could be backed with a removable backing material to facilitate the application of a design or pattern on the fabric. The backing material is preferably applied using a glue selected for its ability to leave the fabric free of debris after removal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a fabric treatment composition comprising a polyethylene glycol stearate and a fatty acid condensation product, wherein the composition is used as a pretreatment for the fabric prior to the application of ink on it to facilitate the retention and resolution of the ink on the fabric. In this aspect, the composition has particular application with respect to fibers and synthetic fabrics.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for treating a fabric before printing thereon with an ink, the method comprising placing the fabric on a frame or base, applying a treatment composition comprising a stearate of polyethylene glycol and a silicone elastomer to the fabric, and the coloring of the fabric immediately afterwards. Preferably, the fabric is further located adjacent to a screen having a mesh with pores therein, the treatment composition is applied to fill the screen with the composition.

Drying could be carried out at a temperature of about 250 ° F to 280 ° F for about one minute, after which the cloth is passed through a frame, and kept under tension in the frame.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparing a fabric treatment composition comprising introducing into a mixer a polysiloxane emulsion and a polyethylene glycol stearate to form a paste, and maintaining the mixture in the mixer for about 20 minutes. 30 minutes with the mixer operating at approximately 3500 to 5000 rpm. The anti-migrant, water and the polyacrylate emulsion are preferably added to the mixture, which could be prepared to have a viscosity between 2000 and 4000 cps.

Detailed description of the invention The present invention provides compositions that could be used in natural or synthetic tissues as a pre-treatment before the printing is presented. The invention facilitates the direct printing, without the use of an intermediary means, from the computer screen to the fabric using, for example, a printer, so that the inks on the fabric are received and retained to provide brightness, durability and high resolution designs.

Preferably, the inks used in the printer, preferably an inkjet printer, are resistant to spillage or spreading thereof on or in the fabric, and, in addition, are designed to efficiently prevent or eliminate any application of discoloration thereof to the fabric The composition improves the effect and action of the ink on the fabric, particularly with respect to brightness and high resolution of colors, and this could be achieved by ensuring that the ink is not absorbed into the fabric, thereby causing it to "run" " Preferably, the process of application of the composition is carried out with a very good penetration and coverage, so the depth sometimes goes everywhere through the other side. This is more likely to occur in fabrics that are not too tight. When these fabrics are printed, the ink acts in the same way; It covers almost everything. In this stage, the composition acts in each area (from one side to another), and has the same properties, avoiding the spill and making the printed fabric that is closer to the current conventional fabric, even if it is observed from the back.

Additionally, the composition of the invention allows the superimposition of the colors printed on a fabric without, or with substantially reduced spillage. Colorants and inks that are not solid colors could be used with improved results, at least at this stage of the treatment of the fabric, by virtue of the presence of the composition In one aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least one fatty acid, such as polyethylene glycol stearate, and a silicone elastomer, for example a functional polysiloxane emulsion. The composition could also comprise water. Such a composition has been found to work well with natural fibers or fabrics.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising a fatty acid, such as polyethylene glycol stearate, and a preferably nonionic fatty condensation product. Such a composition has been found to work well with synthetic fabrics.

The composition could further include a thickening agent such as polyacrylate, which is used in the form of a polyacrylate emulsion. Any suitable polyacrylate could be used in the emulsion.

The composition could also include an anti-migrant to control the mobility of the dye particles in the aqueous systems and to prevent the migration of the dyes during drying or heat setting processes. The anti-migrant could be any of a large number of synthetic resins, such as vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, vinyl esters, polyacrylic resins etc.

In other aspects, the invention also relates to a method for making the composition and to a method for applying the composition to a fabric.

The employment • In one embodiment, the composition comprises an emulsion of polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol stearate, an anti-migrant component,. a polysiloxane emulsion and water. Preferably, the anti-migrant used is Superclear® 320-N, manufactured by Ameritex of Santa Fe Springs, California. The fatty acid could comprise a salt or ester of stearic acid, and any of a number of appropriate stearates could be used in the composition. The fatty acid condensation products could be used in the composition of the invention instead of the polysiloxane emulsion when the synthetic fabrics are coated.

In one embodiment, the composition could have: about 1% to about 20% by weight of polyacrylate emulsion, preferably about 5% by weight; about 0.1% to about 10% of a fatty acid such as polyethylene glycol stearate, preferably about 0.5% by weight; about 1% to about 20% of Superclear® 320-N anti-emigrant, or an equivalent thereof, preferably about 2% by weight; about 30% to about 90% by weight of the polysiloxane emulsion, preferably about 75% by weight; and about 5% to about 50% by weight of water, preferably about 16% to about 18% by weight.

The composition is prepared by mixing the ingredients in a high potency mixer to form a paste, which preferably has a viscosity of between about 2000-4000 cps. A preferred order for introducing the ingredients into the high potency mixer is as follows: polysiloxane emulsion; polyethylene glycol stearates; Superclear 320; Water; and polyacrylate emulsion.

The components are kept in the mixer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, with the mixer operating at approximately 3500 to 5000 rpm. The various components could be present in the proportions set forth above, although the relative proportions could vary from 20% to 30% thereof.

The fabric on which it is desired to print a design or pattern directly from a printer, preferably an inkjet printer, is treated with the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is applied to a PFP fabric, preferably a white PFP fabric, on a rotary printer with an open screen. It is also noted that the PFP fabric is the untreated fabric before any ink, the composition of the invention or other additives have been applied to it. The PFP fabric is then coated and colored with the inks in the manner described herein.

In the sieve, the pores of the mesh are left open in the areas to be coated. The screen is filled with the composition, and pressed through the open mesh with a magnetic bar, rubber, or other appropriate instrument, to apply the composition to the fabric. Sometimes, two screens are used in the process, one after the other, so that if there is any area that the first screen was not able to, or did not cover, the second screen will cover it. The application could be at the speed of 25 to 30 yards per minute. The fabric with the applied composition is subjected to immediate drying, from 250 to 280 ° F, for about one minute. The fabric is passed through a frame adjacent to the rotary printer while it is in tension, and at approximately the same temperature as the drying temperature.

The polysiloxane could be any of a number of commercially available products. It has been found to be effective Leomin WA, or Leomin WMA-T New, manufactured by Dystar L.P. of Charlotte, North Carolina. However, products such as EM-350 manufactured by Ferro Corp. or Hammond, Illinois, or Drewplus L-418 manufactured by Drew Industrial Div of Boonton, New Jersey, are alternative products that could be equally effective.

The polyethylene glycol stearate used could be Spect rasperse Lubricant NA7460, a product manufactured by SpectraChem Corporation of Paterson, New Jersey. Alternative products that could be used are, however, available and substitutes include Alkamuls sold by Rhone-Poulenc of Cranbury, New Jersey, or Troysol G148 manufactured by Troy Chemical Corp, East Hanover, New Jersey.

The fatty acid condensation product that could be used in the composition of the invention is Fibramoll® NI Conc, a product of Clariant Corporation located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A typical polyacrylate emulsion that could be appropriate is Imperon Cocentrate LV-5 manufactured by Dystar L.P. from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Leomin is slightly cationic and is preferably used in woven or knitted fabrics, cotton, wool, natural silk and treated viscose (in general, natural and cellulose "fibers").

Fibranol, a fatty acid condensation product (based on animal, based on fat, transformed when mixed with polymers), is recommended to be used on woven or knitted fabrics made of synthetic fibers.

Prior to the treatment of the fabric by the composition of the invention, the fabric could be placed on a paper or film backing by means of an adhesive. The backing of paper or film facilitates proper application of the design on the fabric by keeping the fabric in a more rigid condition, which is advantageous when the composition is applied and the fabric is run through the inkjet printer. The paper or film backing can be easily removed once the colorant application process has been completed, so that the fabric can be loaded and transported in a conventional manner. Typically, the backing of paper or film, however, will not be used, at least in runs to higher production, due to the expensive thereof.

A wide variety of backup materials could be used. These include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic paper, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and PETG. Each of these various backing materials may be in a number of forms and have a variety of properties, including, but not limited to: textured, matte, semi-matte, clear, white, natural and black.

The backing material is applied to the fabric using an appropriate glue. While a large number of different glues can be used, a particular glue could be selected based on its compatibility and effectiveness with the type of fabric with which it is used. The glue could be vegetable based, animal based or chemical based. The glue should be carefully selected according to the type of material to which it is to be applied, the failure of which may adversely affect the fabric during and after the printing process. The glue must have the ability to easily separate from the fabric not only after the printing has been presented, but at any time during the printing process. In addition, the glue is preferably selected to combine the type of material in which residues remain or are minimal in the fabric after it has been removed from it.

The invention described herein, in this way, provides a composition and method for applying the composition, whereby a fabric is better for receiving ink dyes from a printer directly and, at the same time, maintaining and maintaining the ink, so that the desired pattern has good resolution. It reduces or completely eliminates a discolored appearance, washing the fabric.

When the used ink is not of a permanent nature, additional treatment of the fabric after printing will be necessary. In this way, if a permanent print is desired, an appropriate finishing process or step may be required to retain the dyes permanently on the fabric. However, if the ink is comprised of a pigment ink or reactive ink, a heat-setting or vaporization process will usually follow.

. It will be appreciated that the relative constituents of the composition could be, at least to some degree, determined according to the nature of the fabric. In this way, the proportion of any component could be adjusted depending on whether the fabric is natural or synthetic, woven or non-woven, etc.

In addition, the composition may contain other ingredients that improve the final product. Such ingredients could include, for example, humectants, wetting agents and dispersion stabilizers. Additionally, the pigments and binders could be used in the composition and an anti-rippling agent could be incorporated.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (36)

1. A fabric treatment composition, characterized in that it comprises: a fatty acid; and 'a silicone elastomer; wherein the composition is used as a pretreatment for the fabric before the ink is applied thereto to facilitate the retention and resolution of the ink on the fabric.

2. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the grade acid is polyethylene glycol stearate, and the silicone elastomer is a functional polysiloxane emulsion.

3. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in the rei indications 1 or 2, characterized in that it also includes water.

4. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it also comprises a thickening agent

5. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the thickening agent is a polyacrylate.

6. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the polyacrylate is in the form of an emulsion.

7. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises an anti-migrant to control the mobility of the dye particles.

8. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the anti-migrant agent is a synthetic resin.

9. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the synthetic resin is selected from the group consisting of: vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, vinyl esters and polyacrylic resins.

10. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the polyacrylate emulsion is present in the amount of about 1% to about 20% by weight.

11. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the polyacrylate is present in the composition in the amount of about 5% by weight.

12. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the polyethylene glycol stearate is present in the amount of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight.

13. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the polyethylene glycol stearate is present in the amount of about 0.5% by weight.

14. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the anti-migrant is present in the amount of about 1% to about 20% by weight.

15. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the anti-migrant is present in the amount of about 2% by weight.

16. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the polysiloxane emulsion is present in the amount of about 30% to about 90% by weight.

17. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the polysiloxane emulsion is present in the amount of about 75% by weight.

18. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the water is present in the amount of about 5% to about 50% by weight.

19. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the water is present in the amount of from about 16% to about 18% by weight.

20. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 1 to 19, characterized in that the composition is applied to a fabric on which a design or pattern is printed directly on it by means of a printer.

21. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 1 to 20, characterized in that the composition is applied to a cloth backing with a removable backing material to facilitate the application of a design or pattern on the fabric.

22. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the backing material is applied using a glue selected for its ability to leave the fabric free of residue after the removal thereof.

23. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the glue is selected from the group of vegetable based components, animal base and chemical base.

2-4. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the backing material is selected from the group consisting of: paper, film, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic paper, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and PETG .

25. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the backing material has a property selected from the group consisting of: textured, matte, semi-matte, clear, white, natural and black.

26. A treatment composition of. fabric characterized because it comprises: a polyethylene glycol stearate; and a fatty acid condensation product; wherein the composition is used as a pretreatment for the fabric prior to the application of the ink thereon to facilitate the retention and resolution of the ink on the fabric.

27. A fabric treatment composition characterized in that it comprises: about 1% to about 20% by weight of polyacrylate emulsion; about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate; about 1% to about 20% by weight of an anti-immigrant; about 30% to about 90% by weight of polysiloxane emulsion; Y about 5% to about 50% by weight of water

28. A fabric treatment composition as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that it comprises: about 5% by weight of the polyacrylate emulsion; about 0.5% by weight of polyethylene glycol stearate; about 2% by weight of the anti-migrant; about 75% by weight of the polysiloxane emulsion; Y about 16% to about 18% by weight of water

29. A method for treating a fabric before printing thereon with an ink, characterized in that the method comprises: place the fabric on a frame or base; applying a treatment composition comprising a polyethylene glycol stearate and a silicone elastomer to the fabric; Y Dry the cloth immediately afterwards.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the fabric is further positioned adjacent to a screen having a mesh with pores therein, the treatment composition is applied to fill the screen with the composition.

31. A method as claimed in claims 29 or 30, characterized in that the composition is pressed through the open mesh when applying the composition to the fabric.

32. A method as claimed in claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the drying is carried out at a temperature of about 250 ° F to 280 ° F for about one minute.

33. A method as claimed in claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the cloth is passed, after drying thereof, through a frame, and is kept under tension in the frame.

34. A method for preparing a fabric treatment composition, characterized in that it comprises: introducing into a mixer a polysiloxane emulsion and a polyethylene glycol stearate to form a paste; Y keep the mixture in the mixer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes with the operation of the mixer at approximately 3500 to 5000 rpm.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, characterized in that at least one ant i-migrant, water and polyacrylate emulsion are added to the mixture.

36. A method as claimed in claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the mixture is prepared to have a viscosity between 2000 and 4000 CPS.