# US 8,329,223 B2 · Double walled microcapsules with an outer thermoplastic wall and application process thereof

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- Number: US 8,329,223 B2
- Document ID: US8329223B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/544,772
- Filed: 2003-08-26
- Published: 2006-08-24
- Granted: 2012-12-11
- Earliest claimed: 2003-08-26
- Assignees: Devan-Micropolis SA
- Inventors: Jaime Isidoro Naylor Da Rocha Gomes; Carlos Joaquim Esteves Lima
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8329223B2

## CPC

- D06M 23/12: Processes in which the treating agent is incorporated in microcapsules (making microcapsules B01J13/02)
- B01J 13/22: Coating
- Y10T 442/2525: Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]
- D06M: TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present invention concerns double-walled microcapsules with an outer thermoplastic wall and an application process thereof on substrates, namely textile substrate. The microcapsules are applied to fibers so as to produce a slow release of products such as fragrances, antimicrobial, insecticides, antioxidants, vitamins or they can be used as materials such as thermochromic pigments, that change color when heated, or “phase change materials” (PCM), that convey thermal insulation/control.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of applying a plurality of microcapsules to an outside surface of textile fibres, without the use of binders, the microcapsules not being disposed within the fibre, and the textile fibres being formed into a yarn, fabric or non-woven textile prior to application of the microcapsules, each microcapsule comprising a body having inner and outer polymer walls, the outer wall being thermoplastic for the purpose of thermal fusion onto an outside surface of textile fibres that form a textile substrate such that the microcapsule is connected to a fibre only by the points of contact of the microcapsule outer polymer wall and the fibre outer surface; and a microencapsulated material disposed within the body, the method comprising:
adhering the outer wall of the microcapsules onto the outer wall of the textile fibres, manufactured as a yarn, fabric or non-woven, by heating up to at least a softening temperature, of the thermoplastic wall, wherein no film is formed between the microcapsules during the thermal fusing with the fibre and permeability of the fibre to air and vapor remains, along with both flexibility and drape of the textile fibres.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method, in accordance with claim 1, where pressure is also applied to help fusing microcapsules and fibres together.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of application of microcapsules, in accordance with claim 1, in which the outer wall of the microcapsules are fused with a thermoplastic foam or coating.

### Claim 4

An article which is of yarn, fabric or non-woven textile, the article comprising:
fibres having an outer wall and microcapsules which are not disposed within the fibre, each microcapsule comprising a body having inner and outer polymer walls, the outer wall being thermoplastic for the purpose of thermal fusion onto an outer wall of the fibres formed into a textile substrate such that the microcapsule is connected to a fibre only by the points of contact of the microcapsule outer polymer wall and the fibre outer surface; and a microencapsulated material disposed within the body, in which the microcapsules are stuck to the outer wall of the fibres by the fusion of the outer thermoplastic wall on the outer wall of the fibres without the use of binders,
the microcapsules being applied to the outer surface of the yarn, fabric or non-woven textile without the use of binders, the microcapsules not being disposed within the fibre, and the textile fibres being formed into a yarn, fabric or non-woven textile prior to application of the microcapsules;
wherein no film is formed between the microcapsules and the fibre during the thermal fusing with the fibre and permeability of the fibre to air and vapor remains, along with both flexibility and drape of the article.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An article in accordance with claim 4, in which the fibres also have a thermoplastic wall, which melts at temperatures near the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the microcapsule wall, fusing together during the process of application of the microcapsules.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heating is up to a melting temperature of the outer wall material.