US3778913A

US3778913A - Method of making a durable press garment

Info

Publication number: US3778913A
Application number: US00226987A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Lord
Original assignee: Cotton Inc
Current assignee: Cotton Inc
Priority date: 1969-05-20
Filing date: 1972-02-16
Publication date: 1973-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-18
Also published as: US3656246A

Abstract

A durable press garment is made by cutting and assembling the garment from a cellulose fiber-containing fabric, pressing the garment to impart a suitable crease thereto, applying a liquid impregnant containing all constituents for giving the garment durable press characteristics upon subsequent heating, said application of liquid impregnant being performed without significantly disturbing the pressed condition of the garment, then drying the impregnated garment under normal atmospheric conditions, re-pressing the garment without curing the impregnant to eliminate any wrinkles which may have formed therein and to touch up the crease, and heating of the garment at about 200* 350*F. to cure the creaseproofing agent.

Description

Lord

[ Dec. 18, 1973 METHOD OF MAKING A DURABLE PRESS GARMENT [75] Inventor: John Garvin Lord, Swarthmore, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Cotton, Incorporated, New York,

[22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1972 [21] AppL No.: 226,987

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 826,277, May 20,

1969, Pat. No. 3,656,246.

[52] U.S. Cl. 38/144 [51] Int. Cl D06m 13/54 [58] Field of Search 2/243; 38/144; 223/70; 8/116, 116.3, 115.7, 116.4, 120

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,341,955 9/1967 Pyke et a1. 38/144 2,974,432 3/1961 Warnock et a1. 38/144 3,333,747 8/1967 Glover 223/70 Lendle 223/70 Lord 38/144 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney-Peter H. Smolka et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A durable press garment is made by cutting and assembling the garment from a cellulose fiber-containing fabric, pressing the garment to impart a suitable crease thereto, applying a liquid impregnant containirig all constituents for giving the garment durable press characteristics upon subsequent heating, said application of liquid impregnant being performed without significantly disturbing the pressed condition of the garment, then drying the impregnated garment under normal atmospheric conditions, re-pressing the garment without curing the impregnant to eliminate any wrinkles which may have formed therein and to touch up the crease, and heating of the garment at about 200 350F. to cure the creaseproofing agent.

8 Claims, No Drawings METHOD OF MAKING A DURABLE PRESS mislocated crease during the simultaneous pressing- GARMENT curing step.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my earlier application Ser. No. 826,277 filed May 20, 1969, and entitled Method of Making a Durable Press Garment Which may be Conducted in the Home, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,246.

BACKGROUND In the rapidly expanding field of durable press garments made from cellulose fiber-containing fabrics, there is presently no satisfactory method of making such garments which is adaptable for use by a house wife to impart wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties to dresses, skirts, blouses and the like which she has made from cotton, rayon, linen and other cellulose fiber-containing fabrics.

According to one prior art process, a garment is produced by cutting and assembling fabric which has been pre-impregnated with a creaseproofing agent, but not cured; imparting creases to the garment made from the fabric; and then baking the garment in an oven to effect the final curing of the creaseproofing agent. This method is unsuitable for use by a housewife for several reasons. The treated fabrics tend to cure partially when stored for extended periods, the chemicals often give off noxious odors and the chemicals can be accidentally washed off.

Another commercial process is performed with fabrics which are impregnated and cured in the flat state at a finishing plant. However, because such fabrics cannot effectively be creased, garments which require creases cannot be made from them. Such fabrics are also difficult to sew, and excessive fullness cannot be ironed in.

It has been proposed to produce durable press garments within the home by soaking the assembled garment with a chemical solution to effect its impregnation, removing the excess chemical solution until the garment is damp, and then ironing the garment to cure the creasproofing agent. This method is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,553. There are several practical problems which make this process undesirable. The most notable difficulty is that the ironing of the damp impregnated garment results in the release of offensive odors. Further, this particular method relies on the ironing step to effect the curing operation. The proper locations of creases are not well defined before the pressing step, and a mislocated crease may inadvertently be permanently formed in the fabric. Also, since ironing is used to eliminate wrinkles and impart the crease during the curing step, the heat of the iron will produce at least a partial curing of the fabric before the wrinkles are entirely eliminated or the crease is fully impressed. This unavoidable partial curing naturally detracts from the ultimate smoothness and creasedefinition in the completed garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,440,198 discloses a method wherein the fabric is immersed in the impregnant solution, drain dried while completely flat until it is dry to the touch and then ironed, with the iron being firmly applied in those regions where creases or pleats are desired. As in the previously mentioned method of U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,553, this process may produce a permanently My earlier application Ser. No. 826,277, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,246 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclosed and claimed a process which may be performed entirely in the home by utilizing a relatively low temperature of about F.200F. for the curing step which gives the garment its durable press properties. This earlier application mentions that if suitable equipment is available, the curing step may be at higher temperatures and for reduced periods of time.

The process described in this specification is also intended for use by the housewife, with most steps being performed in the home. However, for the final step, it is expected that the garment would be taken to a commercial establishment and placed in a chamber which is heated to temperatures of about 200F.350F. until the impregnant cures to give the garment durable press properties. Heating chambers of this type may be coinoperated units located at dry cleaning establishments, coin-operated laundries or retail stores which cater to home seamstresses.

SUMMARY Basically, this invention involves the making of a du-. rable press garment from a knit, woven or nonwoven cellulose-fiber containing fabric by pressing an assembled garment to impart at least one crease thereto, impregnating the garment with a liquid impregnant which contains all constituents for giving the garment durable press properties upon subsequent heating, said impregnating step being performed without substantially disturbing the pressed condition of the garment, drying the impregnated garment without curing the creaseproofing agent, and heating the impregnated garment to about 200F.350F. to cure the impregnant and give the garment durable press properties. This basic approach differs from the prior art by including the pre-impregnation pressing step which provides an initial definition of the creases. Such creases may be located in trouser legs, shirt sleeves, or at seams or hems where the garment fabric is folded back upon itself.

In conjunction with the basic concept outlined above, the invention comtemplates drying the garment to a point where offensive odors will not be created by the creaseproofing agent upon pressing. The drying step is preferably performed under normal atmospheric conditions while supporting the garment on a clothes hanger or other form which is contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment, so that the loss of creases and creation of wrinkles will be minimized during the drying step. If desired, drying'may be performed under non-atmospheric conditions at controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Also, it is preferred that the impregnation be performed while supporting the garment on a form by spraying the garment with the liquid impregnant.

Another important feature of the invention involves a touch-up pressing operation which is performed after the impregnated garment is dried and before the curing step. This provides a more positive definition of the creases and a further elimination of the wrinkles in the fabric.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As explained previously, this invention involves a method of making a durable press garment which includes the steps of pressing an assembled garment to form at least one crease therein, impregnating the garment with a liquid impregnant which contains all constituents for giving the garment durable press properties upon subsequent heating, said impregnating step being performed without substantially disturbing the pressed condition of the garment, permitting the garment to dry and then heating the garment to cure the creaseproofmg agent. Preferably, but not essentially, the process may also include one or more of the following steps:

a. theinitial fabrication of the garment by cutting and sewing together suitable pieces of fabric;

b. performing the impregnating step by supporting I the garment on a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment and spraying the impregnating liquid on to the garment;

c. supporting the garment on a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment while performing the drying step under normal atmospheric temperv atures and pressures;

d. re-pressing the garment after the drying step and before the curing operation; and

e. curing the resin impregnant by heating the garment to about 200F.350F. in a chamber wherein the garment is supported in unwrinkled condition on a stationary support.

it is to be understood that when reference is made to a garment herein it is meant that the garment is formed from a cellulose fiber-containing fabric which is susceptible to treatment with a chemical creaseproofing agent. Curing of the impregnant on the garment imparts wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties to the garment. Examples of such fabrics are cottom, rayon, linen or the like and blends containing these fibers.

The creaseproofing agentsused in conjunction with in fabricating the garment. Representative creaseproofing agents are described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,166,765;

3,197,790; 3,372,404; and, the above mentioned US. Pat. No; 2,950,553, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Numerous advantages occur from various steps in the process, independently of and collectively with the other steps. For example, the spraying operation permits a visual evaluation of the amount of liquid the fabric so that excessive liquid will not be sprayed on and wasted. Spraying also eliminates the necessity of extracting excess liquid by wringing or spin drying, and the inherent disadvantages of such extraction which stem from (a) a lack of control over the amount of liquid' remaining inthe fabric, (b) the loss of the extracted liquid, and (c) introduction of wrinkles caused by wringing. More importantly, the spraying step permits the impregnation without significantly wrinkling the garment or disturbing its creases.

Other methods may prove. to be suitable for applying the durable press impregnant to the garment provided that they do not significantly impair the pressed condition of the garment. Possibly the impregnant may be EXAMPLE I A cotton garment is made by cutting the pieces of fabric and assembling them by sewing. The liquid impregnant was prepared by mixing the following constituents:

1. 19 ounces of dihydroxy dimethylol ethylene urea,

a non-hydrolysable glyoxal derivative sold under the name Permafresh 77 by Sun Chemical Com- 2. 4 ounces of zinc nitrate hexahydrate, a metallic salt complex containing zinc and sold under the name Catalyst X4 by Sun Chemical Company;

3. 4 ounces of a polyethylene emulsion, non-ionic wetting agent sold under the name Mykon SF Softener by Sun Chemical Company; and

4. Water to make 1 gallon.

The garment is initially pressed to remove wrinkles and to impart creases thereto. The garment is supported on a clothes hanger and sprayedwith the solution described above to fill the interstices of the fabric,

but without excessive run-off.

The garment while supported on the hanger is permitted to dry at room temperature and pressure until its moisture content by weight is in the range of 3-8 percent.

The garment is removed from the hanger and is given touch up ironing with an iron having a temperature of 150,250F. which is insufficient to cure the resin to 40 any significant extent. This post-impregnation ironing step smooths the fabric and emphasizes the creases.

The garment may then be taken to an establishment which has a curing unit with a heating chamber which maintains a temperature of about 200250F. The garment is placed in the heated chamber until the impregnant is cured to provide the garment with durable press properties. The time of heating may vary, but about 15 to 30 minutes will usually suffice.

The completed garment is found to have excellent shape retention, dimensional stability, smoothness and crease. retention after being subjected to repeated washings in an automatic washing machine.

EXAMPLE n The process ,described in Example I was performed impregnation ironing step. The other steps of the process were performed in the manner described in Example l, and the resultant product was found to have excellent smoothness and crease retention properties;

EXAMPLE lll This experiment was performed similarly to Example I, but the drying step was terminated prematurely when the fabric was still damp. Upon being re-pressed, offensive odors wer given off. The smoothness of the fabric was slightly less than that produced according to Example I, but the crease retention properties were identical.

EXAMPLE IV The process of this example differs from that of Example I only in the respect that the garment is immersed in the creaseproofing impregnant while supported on a hanger, is spin extracted, air dried and then subjected to the touch-up ironing step. The garment so produced had a smoothness significantly less than the produced according to Examples I and III; however, the crease retention properties were the same.

EXAMPLE V The procedures followed in this example differ from Example I only in the respect that the garment is immersed in the impregnant and hand squeezed before being air dried and subjected to the touch-up ironing. As in the immediately preceding example, the smoothness was considerably less than was attained in Example I.

From the foregoing examples, it will be appreciated that the importance of this invention is largely tied to the concept of initially pressing the garment before impregnating it with a resin-containing solution. The partiuclar manner in which the liquid is applied and dried and the manner of touching up the garment and then curing it are believed to be important contributing factors to the satisfactory operation of the disclosed process.

I claim:

1. The method for making a durable press garment from a cellulose fiber-containing material whereby said garment has wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties imparted thereto, comprising the steps of:

a. pressing the garment to impart a crease thereto,

and supporting the garment in its pressed condition,

b. impregnating the supported garment with a liquid creaseproofing composition for giving the garment wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties upon subsequent heating,

0. drying the impregnated garment without curing the creaseproofing composition while supporting said garment in its pressed condition, and

d. heating the supported, dried, impregnated garment to a temperature of about 200F 350F for a time sufficient to give the garment wrinkel-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon, and wherein the drying step c reduces the moisture content of said garment below l5 percent by weight of the garment.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein, between steps 0 and d, the garment is re-pressed to remove wrinkles and touch-up said crease without substantially causing the creaseproofing composition to give the wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and washlwear properties, and wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the drying step c reduces the moisture content of said garment below 15 percent by weight of the garment, and wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric termperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a from contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the impregnating step is performed by spraying the liquid creaseproofing composition on the pressed garment.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein, between steps c and d the garment is re-pressed to remove wrinkles and touch-up said crease without substantially causing the creaseproofing composition to give the wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties, and wherein the drying step 0 reduces the moisture content of said garment below 15 percent by weight of the garment.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon, and wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,778,913 December 18, 1973 Patent No. Dated Invent0r(s) John Garvin Lord It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

IN THE CLAIMS Column 6, line 2, change "wrinkel" to wrinkle Column 6, line 28, change "from" (second occurrence) to form w Signed and sealed this 16th day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLE'I 'CHER,JR. G. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer a v A Commissioner of Patents F O RM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-PC UO376-P69 If U.S. GOVERNMENT PIFINTING OFHFI l9" 0-86-8SL

Claims

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon, and wherein the drying step c reduces the moisture content of said garment below 15 percent by weight of the garment.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein, between steps c and d, the garment is re-pressed to remove wrinkles and touch-up said crease without substantially causing the creaseproofing composition to give the wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties, and wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the drying step c reduces the moisture content of said garment below 15 percent by weight of the garment, and wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric termperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a from contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the impregnating step is performed by spraying the liquid creaseproofing composition on the pressed garment.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein, between steps c and d the garment is re-pressed to remove wrinkles and touch-up said crease without substantially causing the creaseproofing composition to give the wrinkle-resistant, crease-retentive and wash/wear properties, and wherein the drying step c reduces the moisture content of said garment below 15 percent by weight of the garment.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, blends containing cotton and blends containing rayon, and wherein the drying step c is performed at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures while supporting the garment from a form contoured to the shape of a portion of the garment.