Abstract: Three dimensional nanofiber structures are provided and methods of production thereof.

Abstract: Compositions are provided which i) consists essentially of a siloxane defoamer and an alkoxylated C4-10 alcohol, ii) are aqueous concentrates comprising composition i), an adjuvant, and an electrolyte, and iii) are aqueous formulations obtainable by diluting compositions ii). Furthermore the use of compositions i) and ii) for in the preparation of agricultural formulations iii) and the use of such formulations iii) to treat a field or plants.

Abstract: An implantable, pliable knitted silk mesh for use in human soft tissue support and repair having a particular knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and preserves the stability of the mesh when cut, the knitted mesh including at least two yarns laid in a knit direction and engaging each other to define a plurality of nodes.

Abstract: Variants of Bacillus sp. no. 707 alpha-amylase are provided that are produced more efficiently and thus more economically. Higher fermentation yields are achieved through introducing amino acid variations that promote solubility of the variant in a fermentation broth. Increased solubility allows more enzyme to remain in solution after expression in a host cell. This in turn increases the efficiency with which the expressed variant enzyme can be recovered from the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes. The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes at least partly bordering said receiving area. Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: A method of degumming jute fibers with complex enzyme, wherein said complex enzyme comprises pectinase and laccase, comprises the steps of: a. soaking the jute fibers in the water solution of said complex enzyme made from pectinase and laccase and adjusting the weight proportion of said complex enzyme water solution and said jute fibers; b. adjusting the PH value of said complex enzyme water solution, and adjusting the temperature of said complex enzyme water solution to a first temperature, then keeping said complex enzyme water solution with the first temperature for a certain period of time; c. adjusting the PH value of said complex enzyme water solution, and adjusting the temperature of said complex enzyme water solution to a second temperature; then, keeping said complex enzyme water solution with the second temperature for another period of time; d. conducting enzyme deactivation of the jute fibers processed with said complex enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing silicones present on fibers, yarns or textile sheet materials (substrates) wherein an aqueous preparation is allowed to act on the substrates, and then the thus treated substrates are rinsed to remove the residual silicone, characterized in that said preparation contains from 0.5 to 10% by weight of surface-active quaternary ammonium compounds and from 0.5 to 5% by weight of alkali hydroxide, respectively based on the aqueous preparation. The process is suitable, in particular, for the recovery and recycling of fibrous material and silicones from airbags or coated fabric scraps from the ready-making of airbags.

Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes (2) and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes (2). The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area (5) for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes (2) for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes (2) at least partly bordering said receiving area (5). Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes (2) are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes (2) used for measuring conductance in a drier.

Abstract: Variants of B. licheniformis alpha-amylase advantageously exhibit improved enzymatic performance. Suitable variants include those with an altered charge distribution on the surface of the enzyme or with altered active site residues. Structural modeling can inform the choice of amino acid modifications so that modified amino acids correspond to residues found in more active alpha amylases, for example. Compositions comprising the variants are useful in methods of cleaning surfaces, laundering textiles, desizing, treating starch, e.g., liquefaction and saccharification, and hydrolyzing biofilms off various substrates.

Abstract: An ?-amylase from Bacillus subtilis (AmyE) produces significant amounts of glucose from various carbohydrate substrates, including vegetable starch, maltoheptaose, and maltotriose. Among other things, this advantageous property allows AmyE or variants thereof to be used in a saccharification reaction having a reduced or eliminated requirement for glucoamylase. The reduction or elimination of the glucoamylase requirement significantly improves the efficiency of the production of ethanol or high fructose corn syrup, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clear and stable, highly alkaline composition with controlled foaming, containing a high amount of surface active nonionic alkylene oxide adduct and a hexyl glycoside as a hydrotrope. This composition has a very good wetting and cleaning ability and can be used for cleaning of hard surfaces, in a mercerization process and for a cleaning, desizing or scouring process of fibres and fabrics.

Abstract: A process for degumming jute, which includes the following steps: (1) unpacking and bunching of raw jute (2); treating the raw jute with a compound enzyme, which comprises adding to a container an aqueous solution of the compound enzyme made from pectase and laccase so that the jute is treated, taking the jute out the container and patching the jute in a predetermined duration, and finally rinsing the raw jute with hot water (3); reduction bleaching, which comprises adding to the container an aqueous solution of reductive bleaching agent and bleaching the jute, and then adding a decolourizer thereto and treating the jute and finally taking the jute out the container after the treatments are carried out (4) beating the resulting jute, and then rinsing, oiling, dehydrating and drying sequentially, thereby obtaining a decolorized and impurity free jute fiber.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition comprising: a) a transglucosidase enzyme; and b) a natural gum polysaccharide, wherein said natural gum polysaccharide is a substrate for said transglucosidase enzyme. A method of using a transglucosidase enzyme to a degrade natural gum polysaccharide is also provided. The composition and method may be employed in cleaning applications.

Abstract: A method of achieving a permanent stone-wash effect on textile fiber materials, in which method the textile fiber materials are dyed with naphthol dyes and the dyed textile material is then after-treated with a stone-wash finish. Very fast dyeings having a permanent stone-wash finish are obtained.

Abstract: Warp size lubricants are disclosed. Processes of making and using the warp size lubricants are also disclosed. Methods of reclaiming one or more components of a warp sizing composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clear and stable, highly alkaline composition with controlled foaming, containing a high amount of surface active nonionic alkylene oxide adduct and a hexyl glycoside as a hydrotrope. This composition has a very good wetting and cleaning ability and can be used for cleaning of hard surfaces, in a mercerization process and for a cleaning, desizing or scouring process of fibres and fabrics.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the hydrophobicity of a hydrophobic polyolefin textile material over time and use. The method includes providing a solution having a pH level between 3.5 and 5.9, subjecting the hydrophobic polyolefin textile material to the solution, and drying. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin textile material maintains hydrophobicity with a contact angle with water of at least 90 degrees permanently. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric can be used in a monolayer or bilayer configuration. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric improves the water vapor transfer through the processed fabric because the processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric does not saturate, wick or swell with liquid perspiration thereby reducing water liquid attached to fabric pores which increases the volume of space for diffusion of perspiration vapor from the skin, through the fabric, to the outside ambient air. The result is a drier, more comfortable processed garment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removal of excess dye from newly manufactured printed or dyed fabric or yarn, comprising treatment with a rinse liquor comprising at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity or laccase activity, an oxidation agent, and at least one mediator comprising N-hydroxyacetanilide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removal of excess dye from newly manufactured printed or dyed fabric or yarn, comprising treatment with a rinse liquor comprising at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity or laccase activity, an oxidation agent, and at least one mediator selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, cyclo-aliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic compounds containing the moiety >N—OH, in particular 1-hydroxybenzotriazole.

Abstract: A method of removing spinning and finishing oils from fibers using supercritical carbon dioxide as an extraction media is provided. This process using carbon dioxide to remove oils from fiber surface operates at moderate pressures between 90 and 350 bar and at temperature levels ranghng from 40 to 120° C. The treated fibers have improved strength and elongation properties compared to those treated by conventional scouring. The treated fibers can be directly subjected to the subsequent dyeing processing.

Abstract: A method for laundering non-structured garments which are unsuitable for water washing and which are to be cleaned without wrinkling, shrinkage or color damage.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing a cellulose textile bearing oxidized vat dye comprising contacting the cellulose textile with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide containing an amount of a hydrogen peroxide catalyst sufficient to oxidize vat dye in the fabric until the dye is decolorized by oxidation. Then the cellulose textile is separated from the aqueous solution. The hydrogen peroxide catalyst can be a water-soluble lower alkyl quaternary amine salt such as a dihydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, chlorohydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide or epoxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, or it can be a transition metal ion such as a cupric or stannous metal ion present in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 ppm. The process is suitable for decolorizing denim bearing vat dyes such as indigo, and is particularly suitable for decolorizing denim scrap.

Abstract: Synthetic fibers and synthetic fiber textile materials finished with mineral oil finishes, silicone oil finishes or both can be simultaneously stripped of these finishes and dyed in one liquor comprising as essential ingredientsa) anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants,b) dyes, andc) optionally further compounds selected from the group consisting of the nonionic surfactants, the terpene hydrocarbons/alcohols, sorbitol esters and their alkoxylates, fatty acid ethanolamides, alkylpolyglycosides and solvents.The treatment is carried out at pH 4.0 to 7.5 at 80-110.degree. C. and at a liquor ratio of 5:1 to 100:1.

Abstract: An economical process for reducing water consumption and, therefore, water discharge during the dyeing of textile goods is disclosed. Processing baths during dyeing, which can be reused directly or after minimal treatment, are segregated from baths which contain a high level of pollutants and color. The reuse baths are combined and stored separately from baths which are to be discharged. The reuse baths are then recycled directly or after minimal treatment to the dyeing process. Baths containing a high level of pollutants and color are either discharged directly to the local public treatment works or are treated in a conventional wastewater treatment plant. The process results in substantial economic benefits because the operating costs of recycling reuse baths are low and because the quantity of wastewater discharged is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A process for desizing and cleaning fabrics and garments which produces a substantially desized fabric or garment while holding the dye that is removed from the garment in suspension in the bath is disclosed. The process includes the steps of immersing the woven fabric or garments in an aqueous bath containing from about 1.0% to about 8.0% owg of a desizing agent and maintaining the fabric in the desizing bath for a time sufficient to desize the goods while minimizing the removal of dye present in the goods. The desizing agent includes from about 1.0% to about 100% by weight of the desizing agent of a clay and up to about 10% by weight of the desizing agent of at least one surfactant.

Abstract: Garment, e.g. a new pair of jeans, made from dyed twill fabric and having localised variations in the colour density of the fabric providing the jeans with a stone-washed or abraded look corresponding to a delta remission value (.DELTA.R) higher than 11, and a reflection of a first area of the jeans fabric of less than 12%, the reflection and .DELTA.R value being determined by a) measuring the reflection of the first and a second area of the fabric at a wavelength of 420 nm using a reflectometer having a measuring diaphragm with a diametrical dimension of 27 mm, the first area being located within the area of the upper half of the zipper cover visibly having the highest colour density (i.e. being relatively more coloured), and the second area being located at least about 5 cm from any stitching present on the jeans, b) expressing the reflection in % related to a white standard (100% reflection), and c) calculating the .DELTA.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously desizing and bleaching of a sized fabric containing starch or starch derivatives, which process comprises treating the fabric with a bleaching composition and an oxidation stable .alpha.-amylase.

Abstract: A new method of manufacturing a fabric or a garment with a stone-washed or worn look, the method comprising coating the yarn or fabric or garment with a polymer, e.g. a xyloglucan, prior to dyeing and afterwards creating the abraded or worn look by enzymatic degradation of said polymer, e.g. by using a xyloglucanase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing an abraded look with a reduced strength loss in dyed fabric comprising (a) contacting, in an aqueous medium, a dyed fabric with a cellulase in a concentration corresponding to 0.01-250 .mu.g of enzyme protein per g of fabric; and (b) simultaneously or subsequently treating the fabric with a phenol oxidizing enzyme and an enhancing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of sizing and desizing yarn, or more specifically to a method of coating yarn with size and removing size from yarn with liquid carbon dioxide solvent.

Abstract: A process for the continuous pretreatment of cellulosic textile material comprisesa) a precleaning step wherein the treatment bath used comprises customary surfactants and other customary auxiliaries with or without customary enzymes as desizing agents and has a pH of from 5 to 11, and, after washoff and rinse,b) a bleaching step with hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline-aqueous liquor which comprises customary surfactants and other customary auxiliaries,wherefor the treatment bath of (a) additionally comprises from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the textile material,(i) either of an aminopolycarboxylic acid, of a hydroxyalkyl- or amino-phosphonic acid, of a polycarboxylic acid, of a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid or of an inorganic polymetaphosphate, or a mixture thereof, as complexing agent for polyvalent metal ions, or(ii) of a water-soluble polymer derived from 40 to 100% by weight of monoethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides, or a mixture thereof, and has a K value of fr

Abstract: Mixtures of various starch-degrading enzymes (amylases) which comprise at least one high temperature amylase (HTA) and at least one low temperature amylase (LTA) in an activity ratio of HTA to LTA of 10%:90% to 90%:10% develop at least 60% of their maximum activity in the temperature range from 30.degree. to 90.degree. C. Such mixtures can be diluted with water and treated with customary additives. These mixtures are suitable for desizing textiles sized with starch by treatment of the textiles with the mixtures mentioned and subsequent rinsing.

Abstract: Finishing agent for the finishing treatment of textile fiber materials of natural origin and/or of regenerated cellulose and/or of synthetic fibers, containing i) a fine-grained, inorganic abrasive, ii) an anionic or non-ionic, low-foaming wetting agent, and iii) a non-ionic carrier, and the use of this finishing agent in the finishing treatment of textile fiber materials, whereby special surface effects are obtained.

Abstract: A denim fabric sheet is drawn into a folded rope configuration, and passed through an impact mechanism and an abrasion mechanism to give the fabric sheet a worn-out stonewashed appearance. Prior to passage through the impact mechanism the fabric sheet is coated with a water solution containing about five percent lubricant, four percent surfactant and about one percent antimigrant. After passage through the impact mechanism, the fabric sheet is rinsed and coated with a more dilute water solution about one percent lubricant, one quarter percent surfactant, about one half percent migrant, and about one half cellulase enzyme. The process is controllable to produce a consistent product appearance and fabric texture.

Abstract: A process for desizing and/or color fading of fabrics and garments utilizing ozone in the absence of steam or any substantial amount of water. The process includes treating the fabrics and garments in a closed chamber under slow rotation.

Abstract: A process for improving the removal of undesired substances from a cellulosic textile material comprisingi) treating the textile material with an aqueous solution comprisinga) citric acid,b) an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a gluconic acid, andc) optionally a mineral acid (preferably in a minor amount).

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a textile material comprisinga) applying evenly a liquor solution (hereinafter referred to as "the liquor") for performing the treatment to the material in such a manner that the dry weight uptake of the solution at the end of this step is no more than 200%;b) then passing the material into a high frequency field of 10-50 MHz for 1 to 120 seconds; andc) optionally maintaining the material at the temperature that the material reaches in the high frequency field for up to 15 minutes (preferably 1-5 minutes).

Abstract: Three reuasable surgical/medical fabrics provide improved barrier properties, as reflected by their Suter ratings, and also posses a "hand" similar to a "cotton hand". The Suter ratings are degraded in the order of 10%-20% after 100 sterile reprocessing cycles. The fabrics are reliable free of "voids", permitting their use as a single layer barrier panel. The fabrics are woven, respectively, with false twist 100/100 warp yarns and air texturized core and effect 2/60/100 fill yarns; flat trilobal 100/50 warp yarns and air texturized core and effect 2/60/100 fill yarns; and false twist 2/50/34 warp yarns and false twist 150/200 fill yarns. The fabrics are characterized by a minimum porosity of at least 10.times.10.sup.6 pores/square centimeter and maximum average. and mean pore sizes. The fabrics have a thickness of at least 0.005 inch, a weight of at least 3.5 ounces per square yard and a filament density of at least 2.0.times.10.sup.6 filaments per square inch.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous pretreatment of a long cloth produced commercially in completely gaseous system, in which, by utilizing the combination of a desizing and scouring process in a low temperature plasma atmosphere and a bleaching process in an atmosphere of ozone and ultraviolet ray radiation, and thus entirely no application of liquid system.

Abstract: An improved process for producing woven textiles, comprising:a) sizing yam to be woven, with an aqueous solution of a poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer containing from about 7 to 15 weight percent units derived frown a comonomer selected from the group consisting of an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl methacrylate, a dialkyl fmnarate and a dialkyl maleate, wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms;b) weaving the yam to produce woven textile;c) desizing the resulting woven textile with an aqueous caustic solution having a concentration between 0.001 and 10 weight percent caustic material in water, andd) optionally washing the caustic desized woven textile with water.The sizes are very readily desizable, even when the woven textile fabrics have been heat treated.

Abstract: A method for the pretreatment of a long cloth continuously in which a cloth to be subjected to desizing, scouring and bleaching for the pretreatment thereof is preliminarily subjected to souring treatment in the sodium chlorite solution prepared by absorbing the chlorine dioxide gas, which is exhausted from the subsequent bleaching process with the use of chlorite, in a solution of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and NaOH, and accordingly it is possible to transport the long cloth continuously in the pretreating process speedily with no need of staying the cloth in folded state for increasing the productivity and improving the quality of the product, and further to render the pretreating apparatus compact so as suitable for the production of small lot products.

Abstract: The machine for the superficial abrasive treatment of fabrics comprises means (B1, B2, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) for feeding the fabric (T) for treatment and for pressing said fabric against an abrasive means (29; 51) which exerts an abrasive action on said fabric. The abrasive means comprises one or more blocks (33, 34, 35, 36; 51) of a natural, artificial or synthetic cellular or honeycombed abrasive material; the relative velocity between the active surface of the abrasive means and the fabric is between 10 and 60 m/min.

Abstract: A method for desizing and scouring of a long length of cloth comprising desizing a cloth washed with hot water, and then subjecting the cloth thus washed successively to soaking with a hot alkaline sodium chlorite solution, immersing in a hot acid solution with a pH of 2-4, then to soaking with a caustic soda solution, and finally to the wet heat treatment under the ordinary pressure.

Abstract: Yarn to be utilized for the manufacture of pre-softened fabric is stiffened without the use of binding agents. Only corn starch and low temperature wax are utilized as stiffeners. Fabric manufactured from such yarn is then subjected to a finishing process, in which enzymes capable of breaking down the corn starch and a wetter/rewetter are added to the fabric itself. These enzymes are activated during a subsequent soaking in water only, followed by agitation, whereby stiffness may be removed from the fabric in approximately 5 minutes. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, softeners are also added to the fabric during the finishing process. The softeners are also released during the subsequent garment washing operation. Preferably, the softeners include at least reactive silicon. This serves the additional purpose of lubricating sewing needles and cutting knives during the garment manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for removing silicones from fibers, yarns or two-dimensional textile materials by the action of aqueous preparations, which may contain surface active equilibration catalysts for organosiloxanes, and optionally detergents, wetting agents and alkali carbonates, optionally at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Processes for desizing and bleaching fabrics in a single operation in a bath comprising sodium chlorite and a base such as sodium hydroxide, desirably together with an activating agent, an enzyme preparation based on a starch-degrading enzyme, and a surfactant, the processes affording substantial savings in water, steam, labor and investment costs.

Abstract: A process for producing a woven cotton fabric wherein the warp is treated with water-soluble cold size. A pile warp, if present, is sized after warping. After weaving, the size is washed out with soda and a decalcifying agent. By rinsing twice, the dissolved size, lime and soda residues are removed. Drying is effected on a tenter frame, with or without shrinking. The process produces a fabric wherein the cotton fibers retain many of their natural properties.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous desizing and bleaching of textile material made from cellulose fibers, which comprises treating the textile material with a liquor containing per liter of water(a) from 1 to 10 grams of a peroxide activator,(b) from 10 to 80 ml of hydrogen peroxide,(c) from 1 to 10 grams of urea,(d) from 1 to 10 grams of a surfactant and a compound of weakly alkaline reaction in such an amount that the pH of the liquor is 7 to 8.

Abstract: A bath for the simultaneous desizing and bleaching of fabrics comprising hydrogen peroxide, a sequestering agent, an amylase, a surfactant, and a buffer consisting essentially of sodium tetraborate decahydrate. Also, the method for the simultaneous desizing and bleaching a fabric comprising saturating a fabric with the above destarching and bleaching bath, maintaining the saturated fabric for a time and at a temperature sufficient to desize and bleach to the desired degree, and washing the fabric.

Abstract: Water-containing peroxydisulfate suspensions containing potassium peroxydisulfate, a water-soluble polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid and/or maleic acid, with or without an anionic surfactant, where appropriate mixed with a non-ionic surfactant, and water, in which the aqueous phase contains from 12 to 65% by weight of not less than one other dissolved compound which keeps the system at a pH of not less than 5 and is a source of potassium ions.