Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hair treatment preparation comprising a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair. The nanoscopic nature of the entities being engineered ensures three distinct characteristics. First, the imparted attribute can be either nearly permanent or semi-permanent, depending on the attachment chemistry. In the semi-permanent version, the intended effect can be controllably erased by removal of the nanostructure by simple chemical or physical means. Second, the nanoscopic entities are invisibly small. Their presence does not deteriorate the hand or feel of the hair. Third, the nano-technology approach is infinitely flexible and adaptable. It can be coupled with many existing dyes, colorants, UV absorbers, fragrances, softening agents and the like for hair treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hair treatment preparation comprising a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair. The nanoscopic nature of the entities being engineered ensures three distinct characteristics. First, the imparted attribute can be either nearly permanent or semi-permanent, depending on the attachment chemistry. In the semi-permanent version, the intended effect can be controllably erased by removal of the nanostructure by simple chemical or physical means. Second, the nanoscopic entities are invisibly small. Their presence does not deteriorate the hand or feel of the hair. Third, the nano-technology approach is infinitely flexible and adaptable. It can be coupled with many existing dyes, colorants, UV absorbers, fragrances, softening agents and the like for hair treatment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treatments for dyed textile goods that will improve their fastness properties. More particularly, the invention is directed to certain fixatives that, when placed on the dyed textile, allow the dye to be permanently or substantially permanently affixed to the fabric. The dye-reactive fixative comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having reactive groups that react with a dye on a dyed web to affix the dye to the web.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for the treatment of cellulose-containing fibers and yarn to provide protection to the cellulose from attack by enzymes. The method comprises the steps of exposing cellulose-containing fibers and yarn to an aqueous solution of an enzyme-repelling chemical to give the fibers or yarn a protective coating, and using the protectively coated fibers and yarn to prepare cloth or fabric. In another embodiment, the method of the invention comprises the step of exposing a fabric comprising cellulose-containing yarn to an aqueous solution of an enzyme-repelling chemical to give the fabric a protective coating. The invention also encompasses cellulose-containing fibers and yarn, including cotton, having a protective enzyme-repelling coating. The invention is further directed to denim fabric comprising cotton fill yarn having a protective enzyme-repelling coating.

Abstract: This invention is directed to preparations useful for the permanent or substantially permanent treatment of textiles and other webs. More particularly, the preparations of the invention comprise an agent or other payload surrounded by or contained within a polymeric encapsulator that is reactive to webs, to give textile-reactive nanoparticles. By “textile-reactive” is meant that the payload nanoparticle will form a chemical covalent bond with the fiber, yarn, fabric, textile, finished goods (including apparel), or other web or substrate to be treated. The polymeric encapsulator of the payload nanoparticle has a surface that includes functional groups for binding or attachment to the fibers of the textiles or other webs to be treated, to provide permanent attachment of the payload to the textiles. Alternatively, the surface of the nanoparticle includes functional groups that can bind to a linker molecule that will in turn bind or attach the nanoparticle to the fiber.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treatments for dyed textile goods that will improve their fastness properties. More particularly, the invention is directed to certain fixatives that, when placed on the dyed textile, allow the dye to be permanently or substantially permanently affixed to the fabric. The dye-reactive fixative comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having reactive groups that react with a dye on a dyed web to affix the dye to the web.

Abstract: This invention is directed to fabric finishes or treatment preparations for nylon, polyester, and other textile and fibrous substrate materials that will render them hydrophilic. The finishes of the invention are comprised primarily of polymers that contain carboxyl groups, salts of carboxyl groups, or moieties that can be converted to carboxyl groups by some chemical reaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric treatment preparations for textiles and other fibrous substrates that impart water and oil repellency to fibers, yarns, textiles, or other fibrous substrates. More particularly, this invention comprises an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension of (a) a fluorinated polymer that contains reactive groups that can complex with metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater, and (b) one or more metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater. The invention is further directed to the process for treating fibrous substrates with textile preparations in one step that provide water/soil repellency that is durable to repeated cleanings and to abrasion. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, webs, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms “textiles” and “fibrous substrates”) treated with the textile-reactive water- and soil-resistant preparation of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to fiber-reactive polymeric dyes, which comprise a dye covalently bound to a carboxyl-containing polymer. By “fiber-reactive” is meant that the polymeric dye will form a chemical covalent bond with the fiber, textile, or web to be treated, via functional groups for binding or attachment to the fibers of the webs to be dyed. The invention also encompasses textile dye preparations comprising a solution or suspension of the fiber-reactive polymeric dye. The resulting polymeric dye preparations have improved colorfastness and retention on the textile or web fiber structure, even after a large number of washings. The textiles or webs treated with the fiber-reactive dye are also included in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hair treatment preparation comprising a payload in an intimate relationship to a polymeric nanostructure, the polymeric nanostructure being reactive to hair or capable of being immobilized onto or in hair. The nanoscopic nature of the entities being engineered ensures three distinct characteristics. First, the imparted attribute can be either nearly permanent or semi-permanent, depending on the attachment chemistry. In the semi-permanent version, the intended effect can be controllably erased by removal of the nanostructure by simple chemical or physical means. Second, the nanoscopic entities are invisibly small. Their presence does not deteriorate the hand or feel of the hair. Third, the nano-technology approach is infinitely flexible and adaptable. It can be coupled with many existing dyes, colorants, UV absorbers, fragrances, softening agents and the like for hair treatment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hybrid polymer material or system that combines naturally occurring building blocks with synthetic building blocks. The sets of naturally occurring and synthetic building blocks are mixed and joined on a molecular or nanoscopic level to give homogeneous or microphase-separated morphologies to the resulting mixed polymer system. These hybrid polymers combine the comfort attributes of natural materials with the robustness and design properties of synthetic materials.

Abstract: This invention is directed to preparations useful for the permanent or substantially permanent treatment of textiles and other webs. More particularly, the preparations of the invention comprise an agent or other payload surrounded by or contained within a polymeric encapsulator that is reactive to webs, to give textile-reactive nanoparticles. By “textile-reactive” is meant that the payload nanoparticle will form a chemical covalent bond with the fiber, yarn, fabric, textile, finished goods (including apparel), or other web or substrate to be treated. The polymeric encapsulator of the payload nanoparticle has a surface that includes functional groups for binding or attachment to the fibers of the textiles or other webs to be treated, to provide permanent attachment of the payload to the textiles. Alternatively, the surface of the nanoparticle includes functional groups that can bind to a linker molecule that will in turn bind or attach the nanoparticle to the fiber.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treatments for dyed textile goods that will improve their fastness properties. More particularly, the invention is directed to certain fixatives that, when placed on the dyed textile, allow the dye to be permanently or substantially permanently affixed to the fabric. The dye-reactive fixative comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having reactive groups that react with a dye on a dyed web to affix the dye to the web.

Abstract: The invention is directed to fiber-reactive polymeric dyes, which comprise a dye covalently bound to a carboxyl-containing polymer. By “fiber-reactive” is meant that the polymeric dye will form a chemical covalent bond with the fiber, textile, or web to be treated, via functional groups for binding or attachment to the fibers of the webs to be dyed. The invention also encompasses textile dye preparations comprising a solution or suspension of the fiber-reactive polymeric dye. The resulting polymeric dye preparations have improved colorfastness and retention on the textile or web fiber structure, even after a large number of washings. The textiles or webs treated with the fiber-reactive dye are also included in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to textile treatment compositions for imparting desirable characteristics durably to textile fibers and fabrics, including softness, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, surface lubricity, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, improved drape, and pilling resistance. More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations that comprise a carboxylate-functionalized fluorinated polymer and a catalyst that is capable of forming reactive anhydride rings between carboxyl groups on the polymer. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations comprising a polymeric softener having at least one anhydride functional group or at least one reactive group capable of forming an anhydride functional group, together with a catalyst for forming anhydrides from the reactive group or groups. In either embodiment, the resulting reactive anhydride rings bind to substrates, such as textiles and other webs, having free sulfhydryl, alcohol, or amine groups.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric treatment preparations for textiles and other fibrous substrates that impart water and oil repellency to fibers, yarns, textiles, or other fibrous substrates. More particularly, this invention comprises an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension of (a) a fluorinated polymer that contains reactive groups that can complex with metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater, and (b) one or more metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater. The invention is further directed to the process for treating fibrous substrates with textile preparations in one step that provide water/soil repellency that is durable to repeated cleanings and to abrasion. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, webs, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms “textiles” and “fibrous substrates”) treated with the textile-reactive water- and soil-resistant preparation of the invention.

Abstract: Microparticles including an organic coating covalently bound to an inorganic substrate are produced in one step by grinding the substrate while immersed in a reactive coating agent. Preferably, a silicon substrate is ground in the presence of an alkene to generate alkyl-coated silicon particles. The particle coatings are robustly attached to the particle cores through Si--C bonds. Various solids such as semiconductors can be used as substrates. The coatings can include various organic radicals, halogen atoms, or hydrogen. The particles can be used as stationary phases for chromatography, as substrates for biological assays, as polymer additives, or as catalyst supports.