US2153137A - Yarn conditioning processes and compositions therfor - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE YARN CONDITIONING PROCESSES AND COMPOSITIONS THERFOR Joseph B. Dickey and James G. McNally, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation oi. New

Jersey No Drawing.

Application November 26, 1937,

Serial No. 176,687

18 Claims.

acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, etc., to render them more amenable totextile operations such as knitting and the like.

As is well-known in the manufacture of yarns, particularly those composed of or containing cellulose organic derivatives, it is necessary to treat the yarn in order to reduce the tendency toward breakage of the individual filaments or fibers when they are subjected to various mechanical strains and to lubricate the yarn in order to facilitate handling in such operations as spinning, twisting, winding and reeling. In addition, it is necessary to treat yarn to adapt it for use as warp or filling or for the manufacture of various types of knitted fabrics. In knitting, it is particularly important that the yarn be soft and pliable in order that it may conform readily to the contour of the needles and thus produce a closely knit fabric free from such defects as 5 stitch distortion, pin holes, laddering, and

the like.

Heretofore it has been proposed to employ softening agents such as polyhydric alcohols and similar agents as .ingredients of yarn conditioning or lubricating formulae, generally in connection with mineral, animal or vegetable oils. It has been found, however, that most of the known softening agents and the various formulae containing them have certain drawbacks, one of 35 the most serious of which is high vapor pressure, and in some cases too drastic a solvent action on the yarn. Many of such agents possess slight or insuflicient solvent power for the lubricants with which they are used and it is accordingly neces- 40 sary to employ blending agentsor emulsifying agents in order to obtain operable yarn treating formulae. In addition, many of the known softening and lubricating agents are insufiiciently soluble in water to permit satisfactory removal by aqueous scour baths.

This invention has as its principal object to provide an entirely new class of yarn condition,- ing agentswhich are particularly adapted for the treatment of. yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose and capable of lubricating, softening and rendering such yarns more amenable to knitting and other textile operations. 5. further and specific object is to provide a ciass of conditioning agents which augment or assist the lubricating action of various lubricants when applied to such yarns. A still further object is to provide yarn softening and lubricating formulae which can be readily removed from the yarns by the usual scour baths. A still further object is to provide an improved method for the conditioning of yarns, particularly those composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, whereby the yarn is rendered soft and pliable and capable of employment in. a variety of textile operations where complicated designs or stitches are employed. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

ing invention which, in its broader aspects, comprises the discovery that alkyl carbonates having the general formula:

where R and R are the same or difierent alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or alkoxy alkyl groups, may be used as yarn conditioning agents and particularly as softening agents with or without the addition of animal, mineral or vegetable oils in the treatment of yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose. We have found that these compounds have a slight solvent and/or softening action on cellulose organic derivative yarns which renders such yarns soft and pliable without at the same time having too drastic a solvent action thereon. These alkyl carbonates or esters are characterized by their especially solvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineral oils, blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying, animal and vegetable oils and at the same time are appreciably soluble in water. This latter characteristic facilitates the removal of these compounds from textile materials lubricated therewith and the removal of mixtures of these materials with one or more of the commonly employed textile lubricants by means of solutions of mild alkali customarily employed in scouring textile products.

In accordance with the invention these compounds may be applied directly to the yarn during or after spinning, or may be added to the spinning solution itself. We have found that these compounds have exceptional solvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineral oils and blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying,- vegetable and animal oils and accordingly, and they may be and preferably are, employed as ingredients of yarn conditioning or lubricating formulae in conjunction with agents which function wholly or partially as lubricants.

These objects are accomplished by the follow- In the following examples and description, we have set forth several of the preferred embodiments of our invention, but they are included merely for purposes 01 illustration and not as a 5 limitation thereof.

' The esters or alkyl carbonates with which the present invention is primarily concerned may be prepared in accordance with well-known procedure, for example, that referred to in the J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 52, 3720 (1930) or Ann: Univ.

Aboensis III, 3, 60 (1932).

Our invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples in which typical applications of the inventions are set forth:

Example I.--Cellulose acetate yarn intended for use as a knitting yarn is treated by the application thereto by means of an applicator roll of ethyl methoxy ethyl carbonate. The amount of softening agentranges from 4-25% by weight of the yarn depending upon the degree of softening required.

Example 1I.-A conditioning liquid is prepared by mixing the following ingredients in the inan This compound is applied to a textile yarn intended for weaving in the manner set forth in Example I, the amount applied being 1-5% of the weight of the yarn.

Other examples of yarn conditioning compositions which may be applied to various types of yarn, particularly those composed of or containing cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate and similar cellulose organic derivative yams as well as yarns composed of viscose, silk, wool, cotton and the like in accordance with our invention and which compositions render these yarns soft and pliable and well-adapted for various textile operations particularly knitting,.are the following:

Example III Percent Ethyl-p-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate 70 White mineral oil 10 Oleic a 10 Ethanolamine 3 Water 10 Example v11 Percent Di-B-methoxyethyl carbonate 20 Sperm 60 75 Laurol aware-z Example IX.-A 20% solution of cellulose acetate in acetone in which is incorporated 1-25% of the weight of the cellulose acetate oi. di-p'- ethoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate is extruded m through fineorifices into an evaporative atmosphere. The filaments thus produced are wound, or twisted and wound. Yarns produced from filaments thus produced are pliable and suitable for knitting.

V 15 Other examples of yarn conditioning agents which may be employed in accordance with our invention are following:

Eazample X Percent Ethyl-p-hydroxyethyl-p-ethoxyethyl carbona 10 Water Gelatin 5 Sulfonated olive oil 5 Example XI Percent Water 80 Water soluble cellulose ester 5 Dl-p'-butoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate l0 Diethylene gly 5 As will be apparent from the above examples and description, the conditioning agents of our invention may be applied by a wide variety of methods. For example, we may employ the agent as an ingredient of the spinning dope from which the filaments are formed, the amount of the agent so employed depending upon a number 40 of factors, such as the particular cellulose derivative used in making the yarn, the solvent or solvent combination used in making up the spinning solution, and the degree of softness or pliability desired in the yarn, etc,

If the conditioning agent is to be applied to the yarn after spinning, this may be done by bringing the yarn in contact with a wick, roll, or felt wet therewith or the liquid may be applied by immersion, spray, or otherwise. The particular point at which the liquid is applied may vary. It may, for example, be applied to the yarn inside or outside the spinning cabinet, between the guide and godet roll, between the godet or other roll or guide and the point of winding and/or twisting. In some cases, the liquid may even be applied to the yarn after onto cones, spools, bobbins, or the like or by the socalled bobbin to bobbin method. In the case of staple fiber manufacture, the liquid may be 5 applied to the yarn prior to, or after cutting into staple lengths.

The amount of the agent so employed will vary widely depending upon the results 'desired, the specific nature of the material to which the agent a; is applied, the use to which the yarn is eventually to be put and other factors. For example, in a given case where a cellulose organic acid ester yarn such as a yarn composed of cellulose acetate, is intended for knitting, about 4% to 25% or 7 more by weight, based on the weight of the dry yarn, may be satisfactory, while if the yarn is intended for weaving, the amount may vary between about 1% and 5%.

Although in the above examples we have re- 7| depending upon the particular purpose for which the composition is intended. For example, if it is desired to control the solvent or softening action of the conditioning agent, the amount of the agent'may be adjusted as, for example, by reducing the amount of the agent and correspondingly increasing the amount of oil or other ingredient.

While we have described our invention with particular reference to the treatment of yarns composed of organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, the conditioning agents and formulas. described herein are applicable to the conditioning of many other types of cellulose derivative yarns such as those composed of or containing cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate,

cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate bu tyrate, ethyl cellulose methyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose and others, as well as to the conditioning of silk, wool, cotton, viscose and other natural or artificial materials.

The term yarn as used herein and in the claims is to be understood as including a single filament, a plurality of filaments associated into the form of a thread, either of high or low twist, single or multiple threads associated or twisted together, composite threads composed of a mixture of natural and artificial filamentsor a composite' thread formed by twisting together individual strands of natural or artificial materials, as well as cut staple fibers produced from natural and/or artificial filaments or threads and spun yarn produced from such staple fibers.

As indicated above, the yarn-conditioning agents of our invention are exceptionally good solvents for a wide variety of mineral, blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying animal and vegetable oils such as cottonseed, olive, castor, neats-foot, sperm and other oils. This enables them to be used with any of such oils in making up a variety of yam-treating formulae of varying composition. 7

'The yarn conditioning method and compositions of our invention possess many outstanding advantages. The fundamental and outstanding characteristic of the agents employed in accordance with the invention is their ability to soften yarns, especially those composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate and render them soft and pliable and amenable to various textile operations, especially operations such as those involved in weaving and knitting where complicated designs or stitches are employed, without to drastic an action on the yarn material. Another outstanding characteristic of these compounds is their exceptional solvent power for a wide variety of mineral, animal and vegetable oils and their ability to act as lubricating assistants in conjunction with these oils when applied to such yarns. In addition, due to their solubility in water, they may be readily removed from yarns and fabrics by means of the usual aqueous scour baths. By employing the yarn conditioning agents and method of our invention as herein described, one is enabled to obtain highly satisfactory results in the manufacture of yarns and woven fabrics and especially the production from these yarns of closely knit fabrics free from defects such as pin holes, stitch distortion, laddering and the like.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The process of conditioning yarn to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkyl carbonate having the generalformula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hdroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

2. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting,'weaving, spinning and the like which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

3. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

R.-OCOO-R.' where R and R. are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

4. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knittin weaving, spinning and the like, which' comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups, and a textile lubricant.

5. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing di-;8'-ethoxy-pethoxyethyl carbonate.

6. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing ethyl-p'-hydroxyp-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

7. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and'the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing ethyl-p-butoxyethyl carbonate.

8. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textile operation including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like which comprises an alhl carbonate having the general formula:

RO-C0---OR' where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

9. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like which comprises an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups of a textile lubricating oil.

10. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containing di-p'-ethoxy-fl-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

11. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containing ethyl-p-hydroxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

12. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containing ethyl-fi-butoxyethyl carbonate.

13. Textile yarn amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant containing an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

14. Textile yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, impregnated with a conditioning agent comprising an alkyl carbonate having the general formula: Y

a-o-co-o-a' where R and R are alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

15. Textile yam composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, impregnated with a. conditioning agent comprising an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

R-O-CO--O-R' where R and R are or anic radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups and a textile lubricant.

16. Textile yarns composed of or contain cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, impregnated with a lubricant comprising di- 5'-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate. 1

17. Textile yams composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, impregnated with a conditioning'a'gent comprising ethyl-p'-hydroxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

18. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, impregnated with a lubricant-comprising ethyl-B-butoxyethyl carbonate.

JAMES G. MCNALLY. JOSEPH B. DICKEY.

' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION,

' Patent No 2, 1 5 .1 7

April ,hs

JOSEPH B. DICKEY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed'specifieation ofjhe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 67, for "to" read too; andsecond column, line 20, claim 1, for "hdroxyalkyl" read hydroxyallryl; page second column, line 11, claim 11;, after "are" insert the words organic radicals selected from the group consisting bf; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent ori ice.

Signed. and sealed this 27th day of June, A. o. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents