Abstract: Temperature adaptable fibers are provided in which a polyol/glyoxal based crosslinking system is used to create a water-insoluble polyacetal coating. The formaldehyde release properties characteristic of methylolamide finishing agents is avoided. The non-catalytic reaction utilizes stoichimetric amounts of sulfonic acids to derivatize the polyols which in turn react with the glyoxal to form a water-insoluble polymer. The material also possesses improved properties relating to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.

Abstract: The preparation of water-insoluble, bactericidal, peroxide-containing products, by reaction of magnesium acetate with hydrogen peroxide, and products obtained are disclosed. Processes for application and deposition of these reaction products on natural, synthetic and blend fibrous substrates are also disclosed. The modified fibrous substrates thus produced inhibit the growth and spread of odor- and disease-causing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and the antibacterial activity of the modified fibrous substrates is durable to repeated launderings.

Abstract: Temperature adaptable textile fibers are provided in which phase-change or plastic crystalline materials are filled within hollow fibers or impregnated upon non-hollow fibers. The fibers are produced by applying solutions or melts of the phase-change or plastic crystalline materials to the fibers. Cross-linked polyethylene glycol is especially effective as the phase change material, and, in addition to providing temperature adaptability, it imparts improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.

Abstract: The acetals, 2,3-dihydroxy-1,1,4,4-tetramethoxybutane, 3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran, and glyceraldehyde dimethylacetal, when applied to cotton fabric by conventional pad-dry-cure procedures using special combined acid catalysts, were found to crosslink cellulose hydroxy groups at a very rapid rate (e.g., 20 seconds at 160.degree. C.), thereby imparting improved wrinkle recovery in the range of that required for durable press finishing. Cotton fabrics treated with these acetals have the advantage of no formaldehyde release.

Abstract: Temperature adaptable textile fibers are provided in which phase-change or plastic crystalline materials are filled within hollow fibers or impregnated upon non-hollow fibers. The fibers are produced by applying solutions or melts of the phase-change or plastic crystalline materials to the fibers. Cross-linked polyethylene glycol is especially effective as the phase change material, and, in addition to providing temperature adaptability, it imparts improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.

Abstract: Acetals of glyceraldehyde, when applied to cotton fabric by conventional pad-dry-cure procedures using special combined acid catalysts, were found to crosslink the cellulose hydroxyl groups at a very rapid rate (e.g., 10 seconds at 170.degree. C.), thereby imparting improved wrinkle recovery. In particular, the aldehydes studied were the diethyl and dimethyl acetals of glyceraldehyde. The best results were obtained with glyceraldehyde dimethyl acetal.

Abstract: The preparation of bacteriostatic, water-insoluble peroxide-containing complexes of zinc acetate, by reaction of zinc acetate with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of acetic acid, is disclosed. A process for in situ formation and deposition of these complexes on cellulosic and polyester textiles is described. The textile finishes so produced inhibit the growth and spreading of odor- and infection-producing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria on the treated textiles. The antibacterial activity of the finished textiles is durable to repeated launderings.

Abstract: Bacteriostatic, water-insoluble complexes of zirconyl acetate with inorganic peroxides are disclosed. Peroxides operative in forming these complexes are hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal perborates and alkali metal peroxydiphosphates. Processes for in situ formation and deposition of the insoluble complexes on the surfaces of cellulosic textiles are described. The textile finishes so produced inhibit the growth and spreading of odor- and infection-producing gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria on the treated textiles. The antibacterial activity imparted to the textiles is durable to repeated laundering.

Abstract: The preparation of bacteriostatic, water-insoluble peroxide-containing complexes of zinc acetate, by reaction of zinc acetate with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of acetic acid, is disclosed. A process for in situ formation and deposition of these complexes on cellulosic and polyester textiles is described. The textile finishes so produced inhibit the growth and spreading of odor- and infection-producing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria on the treated textiles. The antibacterial activity of the finished textiles is durable to repeated launderings.

Abstract: Bacteriostatic, water-insoluble complexes of zirconyl acetate with inorganic peroxides are disclosed. Peroxides operative in forming these complexes are hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal perborates and alkali metal peroxydiphosphates. Processes for in situ formation and deposition of the insoluble complexes on the surfaces of cellulosic textiles are described. The textile finishes so produced inhibit the growth and spreading of odor- and infection-producing gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria on the treated textiles. The antibacterial activity imparted to the textiles is durable to repeated laundering.