Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to impart coffee stain resistance to polyamide textile substrates such as carpets. The compositions comprise either (i) a copolymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrolyzed aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, a half ester of an aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, and mixtures thereof, or (ii) an aromatic-containing acrylate copolymerized with an acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The coffee stain-resistant polyamide textile substrates made are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to impart coffee stain resistance to polyamide textile substrates such as carpets. The compositions comprise either (i) a copolymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrolyzed aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, a half ester of an aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, and mixtures thereof, or (ii) an aromatic-containing acrylate copolymerized with an acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The coffee stain-resistant polyamide textile substrates made are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A method of imparting acid dye stain resistance to polyamide substrates having improved durability of the stain resistance to detergent washings comprising treating the polyamide substrate with an effective amount of a mixture of phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer and 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer, wherein the phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is the stain resist agent, and the 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is added to improve the durability of the stain resist agent.

Abstract: The stain resistance of nylon fibers is improved by attaching stainblocking compounds to the fiber surface using agents which have been grafted to the nylon using UV light and a photoactivator.

Abstract: A method of imparting acid dye stain resistance to polyamide substrates having improved durability of the stain resistance to detergent washings comprising treating the polyamide substrate with an effective amount of a mixture of phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer and 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer, wherein the phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is the stain resist agent, and the 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is added to improve the durability of the stain resist agent.

Abstract: A method of imparting acid dye stain resistance to polyamide substrates having improved durability of the stain resistance to detergent washings comprising treating the polyamide substrate with an effective amount of a mixture of phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer and 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer, wherein the phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is the stain resist agent, and the 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is added to improve the durability of the stain resist agent.

Abstract: An enhancement of the bulk and hand of carpeting and carpet fiber is made by treating with a terpolymer, particularly the terpolymer of (a) phenyl vinyl ether, (b) 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)ethyl vinyl ether, and (c) maleic anhydride.

Abstract: A method to impart coffee stain resistance to polyamide fibers such as those found in textile substrates (e.g., carpets). The method includes preparing an aqueous dispersion of charged microfine beads of either (i) a copolymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrolyzed aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, a half ester of an aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, and mixtures thereof, or (ii) an aromatic-containing acrylate copolymerized with an acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and maleic acid, immersing the polyamide fiber in the aqueous dispersion so that the beads contact and coat the fiber via an electrostatic attraction. The aqueous dispersion is prepared by dissolving the polymer into a water-soluble solvent to form a solution, injecting the solution into water, and evaporating the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to impart coffee stain resistance to polyamide textile substrate such as carpets. The compositions comprise either (i) a copolymer selected from the group consisting of a hydrolyzed aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, a half ester of an aromatic-containing vinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, and mixtures thereof, or (ii) an aromatic-containing acrylate copolymerized with an acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The coffee stain-resistant polyamide textile substrates made are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A broad class of antimicrobial fabrics result from graft copolymerization of a functionalized vinyl monomer onto a base fabric followed by reaction of the functional group of the graft copolymer, or some derivative thereof, with another functional group of an antimicrobial reagent with formation of a covalent bond. When electron beam irradiation is used to effect graft copolymerization virtually any organic fabric may be used. The multiplicity of functional groups on the graft copolymer also makes possible reaction with several different antimicrobials to afford a broad spectrum antimicrobial fabric.

Abstract: Materials in a closed or semi-closed environment can be effectively disinfected by thermally depolymerizing solid polymeric aldehydes which are in equilibrium with gaseous monomer acting as the disinfecting agent. Glutaraldehyde is a particularly effective disinfectant, and polyglutaraldehyde maintains its effectiveness by releasing the gaseous monomer at a slow, controlled rate over many days.