Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for separating and recovering post-consumer polyester from various contaminant materials. The invention can be utilized to separate post-consumer polyester from various contaminants including glass, dirt, paper, metal, glue, dye, and the like. The disclosed process includes several stages including a preparation stage, in which a portion of the contaminants can be removed from the polyester, as well as a reaction stage, in which a portion of the polyester can be saponified and contaminants can be physically separated from the polyester. In addition, during the reaction stage, certain hard-to-separate contaminants, such as aluminum and polyvinyl chloride, can react to a form more easily separable from the polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyester, and particularly polyethylene terephthalate, from various contaminants and impurities. In general, the process includes the steps of mixing materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition in a mixer. The mixer imparts sufficient energy to the slurry to provide substantially complete, even coating of the polyester containing materials with the alkaline composition and cause saponification of the outer surface of the polyester with the alkaline composition. After reaction in the mixer, the mixture is heated causing some of the impurities to be chemically modified into a more separable form. After heating, the mixture can be washed with water and the polyester can be easily separated from the remaining impurities. Through the process of the present invention, polyester can be separated and recovered from waste materials such as those containing polyvinyl chloride and aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose fibers excellent in dirt removability and a method of treatment thereof. The cellulose fibers of the invention are liquid ammonia-treated cellulose fibers whose partial or entire exterior is coated with an ester of (A) a polycarboxylic acid having at least three carboxyl groups and (B) a hydrophilic polyol having an oxyethylene group or groups and at least two alcoholic hydroxyl groups and/or which fibers are impregnated with the ester.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a fibrillated cellulose acetate fiber comprising contacting cellulose acetate fiber with a strong base solution at conditions sufficient to remove greater than about 5% of bulk acetyl groups from said cellulose acetate fiber. Modified cellulose acetate staple fiber comprising an outer layer of regenerated cellulose in which at least about 5% of the acetyl groups are removed on an overall fiber basis are also disclosed. Paper products incorporating said fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating a dyed, velvet fabric is disclosed wherein two-toned color effects between the pile and the fabric backing are achieved. The preferred fabric comprises a cellulosic (cotton or rayon) or synthetic fiber weave backing dyed preferably with a non-disperse dye, e.g. a direct dye, and pile composed of cellulose acetate fibers dyed with a disperse dye. The dyed fabric is contacted with a dilute caustic solution, e.g., sodium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to at least partially or totally hydrolyze the cellulose acetate of the pile fiber, which noticeably also reduces the color intensity of the pile while having little effect on the color intensity of the backing. This is followed by rinsing, neutralization and conditioning of the treated fabric.

Abstract: Textile substrates are impregnated with a aqueous disperison of a fine crystalline wax containing carboxy and carboxylic acid ester groups, a paraffin wax and a non-ionic emulsifier, optionally together with an optical brightener and/or a resin finish, and then submitted to a heat treatment. The treated textile substrates have improved sewability.