Durable press/wrinkle-free process
AssigneeAmerican Laundry Machinery, Inc.
InventorGeorge L. Payet
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Abstract
Cellulosic fiber-containing fabrics are made wrinkle resistant by a durable press wrinkle-free process which comprises treating a cellulosic fiber-containing fabric with formaldehyde, a catalyst capable of catalyzing the crosslinking reaction between the formaldehyde and cellulose and a silicone elastomer, heat-curing the treated cellulose fiber-containing fabric, preferably having a moisture content of more than 20% by weight, under conditions at which formaldehyde reacts with cellulose in the presence of the catalyst without a substantial loss of formaldehyde before the reaction of the formaldehyde with cellulose to improve the wrinkle resistance of the fabric in the presence of a silicone elastomeric softener to provide higher wrinkle resistance, and better tear strength after washing, with less treatment.
Claims20
A durable-press process for cellulosic fiber-containing fabrics comprising treating a cellulose fiber-containing fabric with an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, a catalyst capable of catalyzing the cross linking reaction between formaldehyde and cellulose, and an effective amount of silicone elastomer to reduce loss in tear and tensile strength in the treated fabric, heat curing the treated cellulosic fiber-containing fabric wherein the fabric being cured has a moisture content of more than 20% by weight under conditions at which formaldehyde reacts with cellulose in the presence of the catalyst and the silicone elastomer to improve the wrinkle resistance of the fabric while reducing loss in tear and tensile strength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.