Patent Application
20200299514
This disclosure relates to a dryer sheet and more particularly to a dryer sheet for providing ultraviolet radiation (UV) protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing during use in a dryer. This disclosure also relates to an additive for incorporating ultraviolet radiation (UV) protection into a polymer, and more specifically, to an additive for incorporating UV protection and antimicrobial protection into rayon with the additive and the rayon for use in manufacturing a synthetic fabric, yarn, textile or garment. This disclosure further relates to a dryer sheet having UV protection and antimicrobial protection incorporated therein.
Ecological friendly fabrics or Eco-friendly fabrics are gaining in popularity and use in clothing. An Eco-friendly fabric may be a natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo which has been grown in soil that has not been treated with pesticides for a number of years. Some examples of other Eco-friendly fabrics are organic cotton, sisal, a combination of hemp and recycled rayon, a combination of hemp and cotton, broadcloth, denim, linen, and a combination of bamboo and recycled rayon. Natural fibers, which may be derived from plants or animals, such as wool, angora, silk, alpaca, cashmere, and silk are also examples of Eco-friendly fabrics. Synthetic fabrics, which may be made from synthetic sustainable products, such as nylon, rayon, olefin, spandex, and tencel are also examples of Eco-friendly fabrics.
To assist an individual in determining whether a garment has protection against ultraviolet radiation, a rating system has been developed. This rating system is known in the industry as the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating system. Clothing having a rating of UPF 50 are able to block out 98% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Further, by way of example, a garment having a rating of UPF 15-24 will only block out 93.3% to 95.9% of ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation (known as UVA/UVB rays) can damage the skin, can cause sunburn, and can lead to skin cancer over prolonged exposure.
There are a number of factors that affect the level of ultraviolet radiation protection provided by a fabric and the UPF rating. Some factors are the weave of the fabric, the color of the fabric, the weight of the fabric, the fiber composition of the fabric, the stretch of the fabric, moisture content of the fabric. If the fabric has a tight weave or a high thread count then the fabric will have a higher UPF rating. However, even though the fabric has a higher UPF rating, the fabric may be less comfortable because a tighter weave or higher thread count means that the fabric is heavy or uncomfortable to wear. Another factor that affects protection is the addition of chemicals such as UV absorbers or UV diffusers during the manufacturing process. As can be appreciated, some of the features that make a garment comfortable to wear also make the garment less protective. A challenge for a clothing manufacturer is to provide clothing having both protection from the sun and being comfortable to wear.
Athletic clothing or active wear clothing is typically manufactured from synthetic material such as polyester or nylon. Polyester may be formed into a filament yarn that is used to weave a fabric or garment. To form polyester, dimethyl terephthalate is placed in a container and first reacted with ethylene glycol in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of 302-410° F. The resulting chemical, a monomer alcohol, is combined with terephthalic acid and raised to a temperature of 472° F. Newly-formed polyester, which is clear and molten, is extruded through a slot provided in the container to form long ribbons, the long molten ribbons are allowed to cool until they become brittle. The ribbons are cooled and then cut into tiny polymer chips. These tiny polymer chips are then melted at 500-518° F. to form a syrup-like melt or liquid. This melt is put into a metal container called a spinneret and forced through its tiny holes to produce special fibers. The emerging fibers are brought together to form a single strand. This strand is wound on a bobbin for further processing or to be woven into yarn.
Dryer sheets are treated fabrics used in clothes dryers that are used to eliminate static cling in clothes, soften clothes, and impart a fragrance into clothes. Dryer sheets may be coated with positively charged chemicals that interact with clothes by heat and movement of clothes within the clothes dryer. Since clothes become positively charged static cling is reduced or eliminated. The dryer sheets may also be treated with chemicals that act as a lubricant which makes clothes feel softer. Dryer sheets may also contain a fragrance that is released during the drying process to coat clothes with the fragrance. However, dryer sheets do not contain or are not treated with any chemicals to provide UV protection or antimicrobial protection to clothes.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a dryer sheet used for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothes. Moreover, there is a need for a process for incorporating UV protection and antimicrobial protection into a dryer sheet so that the dryer sheet may impart UV protection and antimicrobial protection into clothes during a drying process. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have a dryer sheet incorporate adequate protection in a garment, fabric, or textile to protect against exposure to UV radiation, to increase the UV resistance of a garment, fabric, or textile, or to enhance UV radiation absorption of a garment, fabric, or textile to protect an individual from UV radiation.
In one form of the present disclosure, a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing is disclosed which comprises a carrier substrate, a quantity of dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, a fatty acid, and clay, and a quantity of zinc oxide particles each having a surface treated with an acid polymer with the acid polymer binding to the surfaces of the zinc oxide particles.
In another form of the present disclosure, a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing is disclosed which comprises a carrier substrate, a quantity of dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, a fatty acid, and clay, a quantity of zinc oxide particles with each of the zinc oxide particles having a surface, and a quantity of an acid polymer for assembling on the surfaces of the zinc oxide particles.
In yet another form of the present disclosure, a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing is disclosed which comprises a carrier substrate, a quantity of dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, a fatty acid, and clay, a quantity of zinc oxide particles each having a surface treated with an acid polymer with the acid polymer binding to the surfaces of the zinc oxide particles, and an adhesive for coating each of the surfaces of the treated zinc oxide particles.
In one method form of the present disclosure, a method for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into rayon comprises the steps of providing pulp to form cellulose sheets, steeping the cellulose sheets, pressing the cellulose sheets, shredding the cellulose sheets into white crumb, aging the white crumb to form yellow crumb, xanthation of the yellow crumb, dissolving the yellow crumb to form a viscose, adding an additive to the viscose, ripening the viscose, filtering the viscose, degassing the viscose, spinning the viscose to form a fine filament of rayon, drawing the rayon, washing the rayon, and cutting the rayon.
In another method of the present disclosure, a method for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into rayon comprises the steps of providing pulp to form cellulose sheets, steeping the cellulose sheets, pressing the cellulose sheets, shredding the cellulose sheets into white crumb, aging the white crumb to form yellow crumb, xanthation of the yellow crumb, dissolving the yellow crumb to form a viscose, homogenizing the viscose, adding an additive to the viscose, ripening the viscose, filtering the viscose, degassing the viscose, spinning the viscose to form a fine filament of rayon, drawing the rayon, washing the rayon, and cutting the rayon.
In still another method of the present disclosure is directed to incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into rayon which comprises the steps of providing pulp to form cellulose sheets, steeping the cellulose sheets, pressing the cellulose sheets, shredding the cellulose sheets into white crumb, aging the white crumb to form yellow crumb, xanthation of the yellow crumb, dissolving the yellow crumb to form a viscose, adding an additive to the viscose, homogenizing the viscose, ripening the viscose, filtering the viscose, degassing the viscose, spinning the viscose to form a fine filament of rayon, drawing the rayon, washing the rayon, and cutting the rayon.
The present disclosure is also directed to a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection which comprises a quantity of a urethane based binder, a quantity of zinc oxide particles, and a yarn.
In a method for producing a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection, the method comprises the steps of providing a quantity of zinc oxide particles, providing a quantity of a urethane based binder, diluting the quantity of zinc oxide particles and the quantity of urethane based binder in water to form a dispersion, applying the dispersion to a yarn on a single end sizing machine, removing any excess dispersion from the yarn, and drying and curing the yarn.
In still another method for producing a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection, the method comprises the steps of diluting an appropriate amount of an acrylic binder and an appropriate amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles with water to form a dispersion, applying the resulting dispersion to yarn on a single end sizing machine, immersing the yarn in the dispersion, squeezing out any excess solution, and drying and curing the wet yarn at temperatures appropriate for the acrylic binder employed.
The present disclosure provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection to be used to produce or manufacture a fabric which is lightweight and can be worn in any temperature.
The present disclosure provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection having enhanced protection from both UVA and UVB radiation.
The present disclosure also provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection which retains ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection after use or after cleaning.
The present disclosure provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection that is used to produce or manufacture a fabric which is comfortable to wear.
The present disclosure provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection which can be incorporated into the production of yarn manufacturing.
The present disclosure also provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection which can be manufactured without increasing the cost of yarn.
The present disclosure provides a product having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection that is incorporated into active wear clothing or athletic clothing.
The present disclosure is directed to an additive for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into a yarn that is used to produce a synthetic yarn that is employed to manufacture a fabric or garment.
The present disclosure further provides a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing during use of the dryer sheet in a dryer.
The present disclosure is also directed to a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing with such protection being retained in the clothing after use, after further cleaning, and after further drying.
The present disclosure is further directed to a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing that may be used with any type of clothing.
These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Various methods or processes are disclosed herein for the immobilization of UV-blocking nanoparticles on Eco-friendly fabric to incorporate UV protection in the fabric. Once the UV-blocking nanoparticles are attached, the Eco-friendly fabric will be able to protect a wearer of the fabric from UV radiation. One method comprises direct immobilization from in situ formation of the particles. A second method comprises carboxylation or phosphorylation of the fabric followed by binding of the UV-blocking nanoparticles to the modified fabric. A third method comprises modifying UV-blocking nanoparticles with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) or polymer layer containing an active chemical group capable of binding to the fabric and deposited on the fabric from solution.
ZnO (zinc oxide) nanoparticles are generally formed by the precipitation of a zinc salt (acetate, sulfate, nitrate, chloride) using either aqueous hydroxide or an amine. The following examples disclose direct immobilization from in situ formation of the ZnO nanoparticles.
4.39 g. zinc acetate (20 mmol) is dissolved in 100 mL deionized or distilled water. A textile is added to this solution and 100 mL 0.4M NaOH is added while mixing. The suspension is mixed for 2 hours to form a suspension of zinc oxide nanoparticles in contact with the fabric. The textile is removed from the nanoparticle suspension and laundered in a household washing machine. As can be appreciated, a fabric may be treated to have ultraviolet radiation protection incorporated in the fabric by the steps of dissolving zinc acetate or other zinc salt in a liquid to form a solution containing Zn(II) ions, adding a fabric to the solution, mixing the solution and the fabric, and adding a base to the solution when the solution and the fabric are being mixed to form a suspension of zinc oxide nanoparticles in contact with the fabric.
4.39 g. zinc acetate (20 mmol) is dissolved in 100 mL deionized water. A textile is added to this solution while mixing and 40 mmol amine is added while mixing. Amines used may include ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, (tris)hydroxymethylaminomethane, or others. The textile is removed from the nanoparticle suspension and laundered in a household washing machine.
5.75 g. zinc sulfate heptahydrate (20 mmol) and 0.88 g (15 mmol) sodium chloride are powered finely and blended, then placed with a textile in a ball mill or similar mechanical mixer. 1.6 g (40 mmol) sodium hydroxide is powdered and added to the mixer. After twenty minutes, the textile is removed and rinsed thoroughly with water.
The following examples disclose carboxylation or phosphorylation of the fabric followed by binding of the UV-blocking nanoparticles to the modified fabric.
For this process it will be necessary to modify a textile with phosphonic acid groups. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, but it is desirable to use materials that are non-toxic and/or renewably sourced chemicals. Phosphorylated cellulose should form covalent linkages with ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles. The interaction between phosphonates and oxide surfaces are used for modification of the oxide surfaces. In essence, the procedure consists of condensing the cellulose textile with a bis(phosphonic acid), phosphonate, or phosphate species, either organic or inorganic. Urea may be added to forestall discoloration of the textile. Phosphorylation takes place driven by the elimination of water. The resulting phosphorylated textile will directly bind both zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles. It will be necessary to restrict the degree of phosphorylation of the textile to prevent great alteration in the properties of the textile by controlling a reaction time. This process does not require in situ synthesis of the zinc oxide nanoparticles. Commercially available zinc oxide nanoparticles may be used.
A sample of cotton textile is wetted with a 10% v/v solution of phosphoric acid or bis-phosphonic acid containing 10-30% w/v urea. The textile is pressed to remove excess solution and baked in an oven at 85-100° C. for 5 minutes to dry, then at 170° C. for 2-4 minutes to cure unreacted groups. The textile is removed from the oven and washed with water. The textile is then used without further modification in subsequent deposition steps.
A sample of cotton textile (ca. 1 g) is added to a solution composed of 90 mL water with 10 mg (0.065 mmol) TEMPO and 0.22 g (2 mmol) sodium bromide. Hydrogen peroxide 3% is added (0.9 mL, 1 mmol) and the reaction stirred at RT for 10 minutes to 2 hours. The material is washed with water, dried, and used without further modification in the following ZnO deposition step.
Ca. 1 mg/mL nanoparticles are suspended in water, ethyl alcohol, or other solvent. The phosphorylated or carboxylated cellulose textile is added to the suspension and the suspension is gently mixed over a reaction period of 1 to 12 hours. The textile is removed from the suspension and subjected to tumble drying or another drying procedure to force surface condensation and cure remaining groups.
The following example discloses modifying UV-blocking nanoparticles with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) or polymer layer containing an active chemical group capable of binding to the fabric and deposited on the fabric from solution.
In this method, ZnO particles are synthesized separately by any of the means discussed in Examples 1-3 or the ZnO particles may be purchased commercially. The ZnO particles are suspended in water or a weak non-nucleophilic aqueous buffer and an organosilane or phosphonate with one of the given combinations of reactive groups, as shown in Table 1, is added. Multidentate ligand or polymeric silanes may also be added to this mixture to facilitate the formation of a durable reactive layer and an oxide, alkoxide, or salt of another metal such as Ti or Si may be added first to form a surface layer of another oxide in the ZnO particles. After a reaction time of 1 to 12 hours, the particles are collected by centrifugation and washed with water. The particles are then resuspended in water or buffer and added to the textile. The conditions for binding of the particles to the textile vary depending on the headgroup, as shown in Table 1, but may involve direct application of the particles to the textile similarly to the process disclosed in Example 6, raising the pH of the suspension containing the textile, or heating the textile either in or after removal from the suspension. This process has the advantage of yielding extremely fine control over the nature of the linkage between particle and textile. This process has a further advantage in that the treated textile will be durable due to the robustness of self-assembled siloxane layers on oxide.
The terms “fabric” or “textile” are intended to include fibers, filaments, yarn, melt, textiles, material, woven and non-woven fabric, knits, and finished products such as garments. The methods described herein may be used in treating fibers, filaments, yarn, textiles, and fabrics. For example, fibers may be initially treated by use of one or more of the disclosed methods and the fibers may be manufactured into a fabric or a textile. Once manufactured into a fabric, the fabric may be treated by use of one or more of the disclosed methods. In this manner, individual fibers and the entire fabric are treated to incorporate UV protection. As can be appreciated, the treated fabric may be used to manufacture a garment such as, by way of example only, shirts, pants, hats, coats, jackets, shoes, socks, uniforms, athletic clothing, and swimwear. It is also possible and contemplated that the treated fabric may be used to construct non-apparel items such as blankets, sheets, sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents.
Further, it is also possible to further modify ZnO particles with a thin layer of other oxides in a “core-shell” type procedure by adding a reactive precursor to a suspension of the ZnO oxides. Oxides that can be deposited in this manner include SiO2 from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or sodium silicate, and Al2O3 and TiO2 either from the appropriate alkoxides, aluminate/titanate compounds, or other hydrolyzable aluminum or titanium compounds. A second oxide shell of this type may enhance the formation and stability of both directly applied ZnO-textile conjugates and those formed by modification of nanoparticles with an organic monolayer. ZnO can also be modified by the addition of a multidentate silane along with a silane containing the desired functional group. The multidentate silane yields a more densely crosslinked siloxane surface than monodentate silanes alone, forming a more stable layer on ZnO.
Although the above examples and methods are applicable to the manufacturing process in which ultraviolet radiation protection is incorporated into the fabric, textile, or garment when initially produced, the following discloses various methods of incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection directly to clothing being laundered. By use of the following methods, a garment after purchase may be made a protected garment by an end user.
In general, the methods may comprise the self-assembly of certain polyanionic materials onto a ZnO surface to create a linker which will bind the particles to a cellulose (cotton) surface. Several acidic or oxyanion functional groups are capable of self-assembly onto ZnO. These functional groups include siloxane, silanol, carboxylic acid, carboxylate, phosphonic acid, phosphonate, boronic acid or other groups capable of binding to oxide layers. Boronic acid is capable of forming very strong interactions with carbohydrates, including the glycosidically linked glucose units making up cellulose. One method or approach is to prepare a polymer bearing boronic acid groups and use that polymer to bind ZnO to cotton.
Various methods or processes are disclosed herein for the treatment of fabric to incorporate UV protection in the fabric by use of a laundry additive. One method is identified as the cellulose-to-oxide method. A second method is termed the oxide-to-cellulose method. A third method is described as the free mixing method.
In this method, cotton garments are pre-treated with boronic acid polymer resulting in cloth or fabric coated with boronic acid groups capable of binding to suspended uncoated ZnO particles. A home washing machine having the capability of adding a substance on a delayed basis may be used. In particular, boronic acid polymer is added to laundry detergent or added at the beginning of the laundry cycle. A suspension of ZnO particles may be added to a compartment in the washing machine that will dispense the particles on a delayed basis. For example, several washing machines have a compartment for storing bleach which is dispensed later on in the laundry cycle. The suspension of ZnO particles may be placed in the bleach compartment to be dispensed at the time that bleach would normally be dispensed into the washing machine. The washing machine would initially mix the clothing with the boronic acid material. This will result in the clothing bearing boronate groups. At the end of the delayed period the washing machine will dispense the suspension of ZnO particles into the washing machine. The ZnO particles will bind to the boronate groups and become attached to the clothing. It is also possible and contemplated that the suspension of ZnO particles may be manually added to the washing machine in a delayed manner. Manually adding the suspension may be required if the washing machine is not equipped with a compartment for adding bleach on a delayed basis.
In this method, ZnO particles are treated with boronic acid polymer. Once prepared, these particles may be either mixed with laundry detergent and distributed in that form or sold as a separate additive that may be added to laundry detergent. The particles mixed with the laundry detergent or the separate additive is used in the washing machine as normal. During the course of the wash cycle, the boronic acid groups attach to the ZnO particles would assemble on and bind to cotton or other cellulose clothing. This results in an ultraviolet protected garment.
In this method, boronic acid polymer and ZnO particles (untreated) are incorporated into the laundry detergent preparation in the solid phase. When added to a laundry cycle or wash cycle the detergent and water will solubilize these materials causing boronic acid polymer to assemble on both ZnO and cellulose. This will result in linked ZnO material. This method may require more boronic acid polymer and ZnO particles then the more controlled methods disclosed in Examples 8 and 9 to yield adequate grafting densities of ZnO on clothing.
Use of any of the methods disclosed in Examples 8, 9, or 10 will result in ZnO particles being bound to the fabric that is being washed in a conventional household washing machine. Once the ZnO particles are bound to the fabric, the fabric will have incorporated therein ultraviolet radiation protection. It is also possible and contemplated that the various methods described in Examples 8, 9, and 10 may be used more than once to incorporate ultraviolet radiation protection into clothing. For example, clothing may be treated by use of one or more of these methods and over time and after numerous washings the ultraviolet radiation protection may diminish. If there is any concern about the ultraviolet radiation protection of the garment, the garment may be washed using the various methods discussed in Examples 8, 9, and 10. Further, it is possible that a consumer may purchase a garment that has been treated using the methods described in Examples 1-7. Again, over time the ultraviolet radiation protection of the garment may decline. The consumer may use the methods disclosed in Example 8, 9, and 10 to wash the garment to again incorporate ultraviolet radiation protection into the garment.
All synthetic material such as polyester and nylon that is used in the manufacture of athletic clothing or active wear clothing may be rendered UV-absorbing using a ZnO preparation. These types of fabrics may resist treatment using the methods as outlined with respect to Examples 8, 9, and 10. One solution to this problem is to prepare ZnO particles coated with functional groups capable of being grafted directly to polyester or nylon materials. This may be accomplished by using benzophenone photografting chemistry. The following examples and methods are applicable to the manufacturing process in which ultraviolet radiation protection is incorporated into the artificial or synthetic composition, polymer, fabric, textile, or garment when initially produced.
The following methods provide for the direct grafting of ZnO particles to nonpolar, non-natural polymers such as nylon and polyester. Nylon and polyester have little in the way of chemical functionality, containing only aliphatic and aromatic C—H bonds and amide or ester linkages between monomers. The method is capable of directly functionalizing C—H bonds. The following method describes preparing ZnO particles coated with functional groups capable of being grafted directly to polyester or nylon materials by using the photografting reaction of benzophenone.
In this method, an artificial fabric composed of polyester, nylon, or other polymer lacking hydroxyl functional group is modified by use of a preparation of a zinc oxide particle modified with a layer of reactive groups capable of C—H activation. Examples of the reactive functional group capable of C—H activation are benzophenone, sulfonylazides, aryl azides, or diazonium salts. The prepared particles are coated onto the fabric and a reaction is initiated using UV light, heat, or both. By way of example only, a mercury-vapor UV lamp may be used and the time for exposure may be one hour. Unbound particles are washed off the fabric. This second step, a curing step, bonds the prepared particles to the fabric. This method adds a second UV-absorbing chromophore which cross-links and becomes further bonded to the polymer surface of the fabric upon exposure to UV light. In this method, zinc oxide particles can be composed of pure zinc oxide or zinc oxide coated with aluminum, titanium, or silicon oxides in a core-shell configuration. The result is an artificial fabric with photografted zinc oxide particles.
By way of example, the zinc oxide particles were prepared in the following manner. Five grams of zinc oxide nanoparticles were used and suspended in a solution of 98% ethyl alcohol. Two grams of benzophenone silane linker were suspended in this solution and the pH of the solution was adjusted to 12. After twelve hours, the zinc oxide particles were recovered by centrifugation and dried overnight at 50-60° C. in an oven.
It is also possible to prepare a phosphoether of 4-hydroxybenzophenone and use this self-assembling molecule to functionalize ZnO particles. The resulting particles, having a monolayer of nonpolar molecules, will be substantially nonpolar and will adhere to nonpolar polyester and nylon. In order to bond the particles to the polymer surface an UV light may be used to initiate a reaction. Again, the process has the advantage of adding a second UV absorbing chromophore which cross-links and becomes further bonded to the polymer surface upon exposure to UV light.
The following describes an additive for incorporating UV protection into a polymer prior to the polymer being placed into a spinneret or prior to the polymer being formed into fibers. Nylon and polyester have little in the way of chemical functionality, containing only aliphatic and aromatic C—H bonds and amide or ester linkages between monomers. The additive is capable of directly functionalizing C—H bonds.
An artificial fabric composed of polyester, nylon, or other polymer lacking hydroxyl functional group is modified by use of an additive of a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with a synthetic polymer having C—H bonds. Examples of the reactive functional group capable of C—H activation are benzophenone, sulfonylazides, aryl azides, diazonium salts, isocyanate, oxime, and azo. The prepared particles may be added to the synthetic polymer prior to the synthetic polymer being placed into a spinneret. Further, it is also contemplated that the additive may be packaged with the synthetic polymer and the packaged additive and synthetic polymer may be placed into the spinneret. The modified zinc oxide particles can also be coated with aluminum, titanium, or silicon oxides in a core-shell configuration.
By way of example, the zinc oxide particles were prepared in the following manner, a quantity of zinc oxide particles was suspended in a solution of 98% ethyl alcohol, a quantity of benzophenone silane linker was suspended in the solution of zinc oxide particles and 98% ethyl alcohol, the pH of the solution of zinc oxide particles, 98% ethyl alcohol, and benzophenone silane linker was adjusted to 12, the pH adjusted solution of zinc oxide particles, 98% ethyl alcohol, and benzophenone silane linker was placed into a centrifuge, the zinc oxide particles prepared by centrifugation was recovered after a period of time, and the recovered prepared zinc oxide particles were dried. By further way of example only, five grams of zinc oxide nanoparticles were used and suspended in a solution of 98% ethyl alcohol. Two grams of benzophenone silane linker were suspended in this solution and the pH of the solution was adjusted to 12. After twelve hours, the zinc oxide particles were recovered by centrifugation and dried overnight or for eight hours at 50-60° C. in an oven.
By way of example only and in not a limiting sense, it is also possible to prepare a phosphoether of 4-hydroxybenzophenone and use this self-assembling molecule to functionalize ZnO particles. The resulting particles, having a monolayer of nonpolar molecules, will be substantially nonpolar and will adhere to nonpolar polyester or nylon. The resulting or modified zinc oxide particles can also be coated with aluminum, titanium, or silicon oxides in a core-shell configuration. Further, it is to be understood that many other benzophenone derivatives are suitable for use to prepare a self-assembling molecule to functionalize ZnO particles.
Synthetic material such as rayon that is used in the manufacture of athletic clothing or active wear clothing may be rendered UV-absorbing and antimicrobial using a ZnO preparation. This type of fabric may resist treatment using the methods as outlined with respect to Examples 8, 9, and 10. One solution to this problem is to prepare ZnO particles coated with functional groups capable of being grafted directly to rayon material. This may be accomplished by using benzophenone photografting chemistry. The following examples and methods are applicable to the manufacturing process in which ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection are incorporated into the rayon polymer, fabric, textile, or garment when initially produced.
The following methods provide for the direct grafting of ZnO particles to rayon. The following method describes preparing ZnO particles coated with functional groups capable of being grafted directly to rayon material by using the photografting reaction of benzophenone.
Most commercial rayon production utilizes the viscose process. In particular, reference is made to
Referring now to
As can be appreciated, various other steps in the above described methods may be included. By way of example only, some other steps may include providing a slurry tank, providing a slurry press, providing an aging drum, providing a hopper, providing a heat exchanger, providing a ripening tank, providing vacuum, providing a deaerator, providing a spinning tank, providing a stretching mechanism or machine, providing steam, providing a drier and opener, and providing a bale press.
The following describes an additive for incorporating UV protection and antimicrobial protection into rayon as described in the methods shown in
An artificial fabric composed of rayon is modified by use of an additive of a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with rayon having C—H bonds. Examples of the reactive functional group capable of C—H activation are benzophenone, sulfonylazides, aryl azides, diazonium salts, isocyanate, oxime, and azo. The prepared particles may be added during the process of manufacturing rayon so that the particles are added prior to the rayon being placed into a spinneret or prior to a wet spinning step. Further, it is also contemplated that the additive may be packaged with rayon and the packaged additive and rayon may be placed into the spinneret. The modified zinc oxide particles can also be coated with aluminum, titanium, or silicon oxides in a core-shell configuration.
By way of example, the zinc oxide particles were prepared in the following manner. A quantity of zinc oxide particles was suspended in a solution of 98% ethyl alcohol, a quantity of benzophenone silane linker was suspended in the solution of zinc oxide particles and 98% ethyl alcohol, the pH of the solution of zinc oxide particles, 98% ethyl alcohol, and benzophenone silane linker was adjusted to 12, the pH adjusted solution of zinc oxide particles, 98% ethyl alcohol, and benzophenone silane linker was placed into a centrifuge, the zinc oxide particles prepared by centrifugation was recovered after a period of time, and the recovered prepared zinc oxide particles were dried. By further way of example only, five grams of zinc oxide nanoparticles were used and suspended in a solution of 98% ethyl alcohol. Two grams of benzophenone silane linker were suspended in this solution and the pH of the solution was adjusted to 12. After twelve hours, the zinc oxide particles were recovered by centrifugation and dried overnight or for eight hours at 50-60° C. in an oven. It is also possible and contemplated that the additive may comprise ZnO nanoparticles that are uncoated. It is further possible that the additive may comprise nanoparticles or particles that are uncoated and made by any of the methods described herein.
By way of example only and in not a limiting sense, it is also possible to prepare a phosphoether of 4-hydroxybenzophenone and use this self-assembling molecule to functionalize ZnO particles. The resulting particles, having a monolayer of nonpolar molecules, will be substantially nonpolar and will adhere to rayon. The resulting or modified zinc oxide particles can also be coated with aluminum, titanium, or silicon oxides in a core-shell configuration. Further, it is to be understood that many other benzophenone derivatives are suitable for use to prepare a self-assembling molecule to functionalize ZnO particles.
The following methods are used to provide a product, such as yarn, having ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection incorporated therein. A first method comprises the steps of diluting an appropriate amount of a urethane binder and an appropriate amount of ZnO nanoparticles or particles with water to form a dispersion, applying the resulting dispersion to yarn on a single end sizing machine, immersing the yarn in the dispersion, squeezing out any excess solution, and drying and curing the wet yarn at temperatures appropriate for the urethane binder employed. By way of example only, the following urethane binders may be used which are Formax 4389 and Formax 4363 which are manufactured by Lubrizol. Again, by way of example only and not in a limiting sense, the drying and curing temperature will be 130° C. to 180° C. The effective concentration on the dried yarn by weight should be 1% to 5% ZnO nanoparticles or particles and 5% to 10% urethane binder. The concentration of the nanoparticles or particles and the urethane binder in the immersion solution will depend on the wet pickup of the yarn. For example, if 100 grams of yarn takes up 100 grams of solution, then 1% to 5% ZnO and 5% to 10% urethane binder will be the solution concentrations. If 100 grams of yarn takes up only 50 grams of solution, then 2% to 10% ZnO and 10% to 20% urethane binder will be the required solution concentrations. By way of example only, one example of a single end sizing machine is manufactured by Izumi International and identified as the Unisizer KS-7. Examples of ZnO nanoparticles or ZnO particles have been provided herein.
A second method comprises the steps of diluting an appropriate amount of an acrylic binder and an appropriate amount of ZnO nanoparticles or particles with water to form a dispersion, applying the resulting dispersion to yarn on a single end sizing machine, immersing the yarn in the dispersion, squeezing out any excess solution, and drying and curing the wet yarn at temperatures appropriate for the acrylic binder employed. By way of example only, the following acrylic binder may be used which is Lypoprint PT-RV which is manufactured by Huntsman. Again, by way of example only and not in a limiting sense, the drying and curing temperature will be 130° C. to 180° C. The effective concentration on the dried yarn by weight should be 1% to 5% ZnO nanoparticles or particles and 5% to 10% acrylic binder. The concentration of the nanoparticles or particles and the acrylic binder in the immersion solution will depend on the wet pickup of the yarn. For example, if 100 grams of yarn takes up 100 grams of solution, then 1% to 5% ZnO and 5% to 10% acrylic binder will be the solution concentrations. If 100 grams of yarn takes up only 50 grams of solution, then 2% to 10% ZnO and 10% to 20% acrylic binder will be the required solution concentrations. Again, examples of ZnO nanoparticles or ZnO particles have been provided herein.
As can be appreciated, the above methods for treating yarn may be used with any yarns such as yarn of natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk, hemp), yarn of synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, nylon, acrylic), and yarn of blends of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. By use of these methods, yarn is treated to incorporate UV radiation protection and antimicrobial protection. As can be appreciated, the treated yarn may be used to manufacture various other products such as a garment such as, by way of example only, shirts, pants, hats, coats, jackets, shoes, socks, uniforms, athletic clothing, and swimwear.
The following describes a dryer sheet for incorporating UV radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing. A dryer sheet initially comprises a carrier substrate such as a paper or a non-woven fabric which may be treated with the following composition. The dryer sheet is treated with a composition of or a quantity of dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, a fatty acid, and clay. This composition is heated until free flowing. Zinc oxide particles or zinc oxide nanoparticles are added to this composition and the resulting composition is mixed to uniformly dispense the zinc oxide particles or nanoparticles. The resulting composition is then applied to the carrier substrate in any known suitable method. The dryer sheet may be treated with other known components such as a fragrance or a fabric softener. The dryer sheet is placed in a dryer having clothes for the dryer sheet to impart UV radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into the clothing during a drying or heating process. In this manner, UV radiation protection and antimicrobial protection is transferred from the dryer sheet into the clothing. It is also possible that the zinc oxide particles may be coated to enhance adhesion to clothing. The various coatings described and disclosed herein may be used. Further, the various ZnO particles and nanoparticles described and disclosed above may be used to prepare the dryer sheet.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing which fulfills the various advantages sought therefore. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject dryer sheet for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into clothing are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/291,989 filed on Mar. 4, 2019, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/267,946 filed on Feb. 5, 2019, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/180,776 filed on Nov. 5, 2018, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/951,834 filed on Apr. 12, 2018, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/064,242 filed on Mar. 8, 2016, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/833,317 filed on Aug. 24, 2015, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,214, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/245,152 filed on Apr. 4, 2014, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 9,150,824, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/632,223 filed on Oct. 1, 2012, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,964, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/317,152 filed on Oct. 11, 2011, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,277,518.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15064242 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Child | 15951834 | US | |
| Parent | 14245152 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Child | 14833317 | US | |
| Parent | 13632223 | Oct 2012 | US |
| Child | 14245152 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16291989 | Mar 2019 | US |
| Child | 16789838 | US | |
| Parent | 16267946 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Child | 16291989 | US | |
| Parent | 16180776 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Child | 16267946 | US | |
| Parent | 15951834 | Apr 2018 | US |
| Child | 16180776 | US | |
| Parent | 14833317 | Aug 2015 | US |
| Child | 15064242 | US | |
| Parent | 13317152 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Child | 13632223 | US |
