Claims
- 1. A method of altering water wettability and absorbency in textile fibers without alkaline scouring, said method comprising treating said fibers with an enzyme in an aqueous medium, said enzyme being a combination of cellulase and pectinase, said aqueous medium being substantially free of surface active agents.
- 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said treating of said fibers with said enzyme is conducted at a temperature within the range from about 20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C.
- 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising immersing said fibers in a boiling aqueous liquid prior to treating said fibers with said enzyme.
- 4. A method in accordance with claim 3 in which said boiling aqueous liquid is water, said method comprising immersing said fibers therein for at least about 0.1 minute.
- 5. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said textile fibers are cotton fibers and said method further comprises immersing said fibers in boiling water for a period of time ranging from about 0.3 minute to about 30 minutes prior to treating said fibers with said enzyme.
- 6. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said aqueous medium is buffered by an inorganic buffering agent.
- 7. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said treating if said fibers with said enzyme is continued for a period of time ranging from about 10 minutes to about one hour.
- 8. A method of altering water wettability and absorbency in textile fibers without alkaline scouring, said method comprising treating said fibers with an enzyme in an aqueous medium, said enzyme is a pectinase, and said method further comprises immersing said fibers in boiling water for a period of time ranging from about 0.3 minute to about 6 minutes prior to treating said fibers with said enzyme.
- 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 in which said textile fibers are cotton fibers.
Parent Case Info
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/611,829, filed Mar. 6, 1996 the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, now abandoned.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
102e Date |
371c Date |
PCT/US97/03411 |
3/6/1997 |
|
|
3/16/1998 |
3/16/1998 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO97/33001 |
9/12/1997 |
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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Dixon |
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|
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4228785 A1 |
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DEX |
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Jul 1991 |
JPX |
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JPX |
4-126869 |
Apr 1992 |
JPX |
6-220772 |
Aug 1994 |
JPX |
6-264359 |
Sep 1994 |
JPX |
WO9313256 |
Jul 1993 |
WOX |
WO9613632 |
May 1996 |
WOX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
Kirk-Othmer, "Enzyme Applications (Industrial)," Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9 (1994) pp. 602-2604. |
Cheshkova et al., "Use of an enzyme-Containing Formulation for Treatment of Cotton Textiles" Chemical Abstracts, (Feb. 21, 1994) 120(8): 127-128, Abstract No. 120:79317m. |
Kawabata et al., "Application of Enzymes to Textile Infustry," Chemical Abstracts (Jan. 28, 1991) 114(4): 77, Abstract No. 114:25677m. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
611829 |
Mar 1996 |
|