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 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: This invention is directed towards fibers of fabric or other fibrous substrates coated with amine-containing polymers. These polymers impart durable anti-microbial activity, renewable control of certain odors, and the capacity to bind certain materials to the substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a synthetic, man-made or natural fiber substrate to create a permanently attached protein sheath around each fiber of the substrate. Such a treatment gives a composite substrate that exhibits the most desirable characteristics of the fiber core coupled with the most desirable characteristics of the protein sheath. It is also possible to apply this technology to individual synthetic fibers or yarns, if desired, before weaving, knitting, stitch-bonding or other method of woven or non-woven substrate formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a synthetic, man-made, or natural fiber substrate to create a permanently attached carbohydrate sheath around the fibers of the substrate. Such a treatment gives a composite fibrous substrate that exhibits the most desirable characteristics of the fiber core coupled with the most desirable characteristics of the carbohydrate sheath. It is also possible to apply this technology to individual synthetic fibers or yarns, if desired, before weaving, knitting, stitch-bonding or other method of woven or non-woven substrate formation.

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 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 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: This invention is directed to treatment preparations useful for the permanent or substantially permanent treatment of textiles and other webs to provide tear and abrasion strength and softness to durable-press garments. The preparations comprise a softener (a “resin-reactive modifier”) durable to repeated laundering used in conjunction with a durable-press resin, to increase the comfort and lifetime of durable-press garments. The resulting durable-press/softener preparation is substantially permanently attached to the web and provides improved softness and tear/abrasion strength retention within and/or on the textile or web fiber structure while retaining the durable-press properties of the resin. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms “textiles” and “webs”) treated with the textile-reactive durable-press/softener preparation.

Abstract: A tape holding case is described for use with a thermal printing device which allows for more efficient cutting and feeding of tape. The cassette has a slot into which a cutting blade can pass which avoids the use of an anvil for cutting. Moreover, the cassette can have a stepped portion for providing a so-called "peel cut" at the end of the tape.

Abstract: A tape holding case is described for use with a thermal printing device which allows for more efficient cutting and feeding of tape. The cassette has a slot into which a cutting blade can pass which avoids the use of an anvil for cutting. Moreover, the cassette can have a stepped portion for providing a so-called "peel cut" at the end of the tape.