Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making reduced odor individualized, crosslinked fibers which includes the steps of providing cellulosic fibers, contacting the fibers with a solution containing a C.sub.2 -C.sub.9 polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent, mechanically separating the fibers into substantially individual form, drying the fibers and reacting the crosslinking agent with the individualized fibers to form intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized cellulosic fibers are then contacted with a strong alkaline solution and strong oxidizing agent to reduce the odor and increase the brightness. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is citric acid, and preferably, between about 1.0 weight % and about 12.0 weight % of the crosslinking agent reacts to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Preferably, the alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, and preferably, about 0.09 weight % of the sodium hydroxide, on a dry fiber weight basis, is applied to the crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are hair coloring compositions comprising coloring agent and disaccharide. The coloring agent preferably comprises a first oxidizing agent for bleaching the hair, a dyeing agent for adding color to the hair and a second oxidizing agent for developing the dyeing agent. Also disclosed are methods for altering the color of hair to a predetermined degree comprising (a) applying to the hair a hair coloring composition, said composition comprising a coloring agent and a disaccharide; (b) allowing said composition to remain in contact with the hair for a time sufficient to achieve the predetermined degree of color alteration; and (c) substantially removing said composition from the hair.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for treating fabric or garments and a method for using the composition to treat the garments. The composition contains an oxidizer mixed with a gel or a thickening agent to form a liquid/solid colloidal suspension. The composition is inserted into a tumbler with garments and, typically, spreaders, such as short lengths of PVC pipe. Tumbling the composition with the spreaders allows the composition to be spread randomly over the garments to give them a faded or worn look.

Abstract: A method for bleaching textile material, including preparing an aqueous alkaline solution of a bleaching agent composed of formamidine sulfinic acid and at least one carbohydrate having a general total formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O.sub.n, the formamidine sulfinic acid and the at least one carbohydrate having a weight ratio with respect to one another which ranges from 80:20 to 99:1; and bleaching textile material composed at least in part of cellulose materials by contacting the textile material with the bleaching agent at a temperature above 50.degree. C. therefor.

Abstract: A phosphate-free reduction bleach formulation comprising(a) a reduction bleaching agent and(b) a bleach stabiliser selected from(b.sub.1) a citric acid derivative,(b.sub.2) a homo- or copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid,(b.sub.3) a water-soluble magnesium salt and(b.sub.4) an alkali metal salt of tetraboric acid.The bleach formulation is suitable for the reduction bleaching of vegetable, animal or synthetic fibres as well as paper. High degrees of whiteness are obtained. The formulation is substantially ecologically compatible.

Abstract: A hammering body having a plurality of protrusions on its external surface useful for randomly fading fabric and a method for randomly fading fabric are provided. The method comprising the steps of providing an at least partially wet fabric to be faded, at least one hammering body having an external surface with a plurality of protrusions, and a powder comprising a bleaching agent to a tumbling chamber, tumbling the fabric, the hammering body and the powder in the chamber such that the protrusions of the hammering body repeatedly strike the fabric, thereby driving the powder into the fabric until a desired fading effect is achieved, and separating the faded fabric from the hammering body.

Abstract: A Process for desizing an/or color fading of fabrics and garments utilizing a reducing gas or vapor. The process is particularly for pretreating fabrics which are decolorized to provide a color contrast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the addition of photosensitising compounds to woodpulps and mixtures thereof for enhancing their whiteness, brightness and chromaticity, as well as to the paper making fibres so obtained and the use thereof.

Abstract: A method for using a bleaching composition comprising a partially saturated carrier and a bleaching agent prepared by first mixing the dry carrier with the dry bleaching agent and then adding water while continuing mixing to produce a moist powder. This powder is used in a tumbler with at least partially nonsynthetic dyed fabrics to dry bleach or fade the dye from the fabrics. Specifically, the bleaching composition is a mix of potassium permanganate as the bleaching agent and diatomaceous earth as the carrier and is tumbled with the fabric to remove the dye from the fabric. The tumbling causes repeated contact with the bleaching agent and removes the dye in the fabric.

Abstract: Novel bleach catalysts, a method for bleaching substrates using these catalysts and bleach compositions containing the catalysts are reported. These catalysts are magnesium salts of sulfonimines. Substrates such as fabrics and dishware may be bleached in an aqueous solution containing the magnesium sulfonimine salts and a peroxygen compound.

Abstract: The detergent additive granulate is a coated co-granulate containing at least one enzyme and at least one photobleaching agent. If a detergent, a component of which is such detergent additive granulate, is used for laundering, the photobleaching agent will not tend to adhere selectively to the laundry during the initial washing process.

Abstract: A process for selectively decolorizing a fabric containing cellulosic material oxidizable colorants which comprises the steps of wetting the fabric and then contacting the wetted fabric with an oxidizing gas or vapor. The contact with the oxidizing gas or vapor is terminated before any substantial degradation of the fabric occurs.

Abstract: A process for desizing an/or color fading of fabrics and garments utilizing a reducing agent. The process is particularly for pretreating fabrics which are subsequently decolorized with oxidizing agents.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching and dyeing of fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage and therefore improved dyeing. Said processes comprising the steps of: (1) bleaching fibers with hydrogen peroxide; (2) adding either, (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent; (3) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers; (4) adding an oxidizing material in an amount at least sufficient to oxide excess reductive bleaching agent; and (5) dyeing of the bleached fibers. Also encompassed by the present invention are novel bleached and dyed fibers produced by the aforementioned processes, having highly advantageous and desirable properties.

Abstract: Textile bleaching operations are enhanced by passing the cloth being treated alternately between an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and an oxygen-containing head space.

Abstract: A very effective method is proposed for the shrink-proof treatment of a fabric material of keratinous fibers, e.g., wool, in which the fabric material is first soaked with an aqueous solution of a persulfate compound followed by drying to effect surface oxidation of the fibers and then finished with a curable organopolysiloxane composition. Preferably, the curable organopolysiloxane composition comprises, as a dispersion in an aqueous medium, (A) an organopolysiloxane having hydroxyl or alkoxyl groups, (B) silica or an organopolysilsesquioxane in a finely divided form, (C) an alkoxy silane having an amido group and a carboxyl group in a molecule, (D) an alkoxy silane having an amino group or an epoxy group in a molecule, and (E) a curing catalyst, each in a specified proportion.

Abstract: A bleaching composition comprising a partially saturated carrier and a bleaching agent prepared by first mixing the dry carrier with the dry bleaching agent and then adding water while continuing mixing to produce a moist powder. This powder is used in a tumbler with at least partially nonsynthetic dyed fabrics to dry bleach or fade the dye from the fabrics. Specifically, the bleaching composition is a mix of potassium permanganate as the bleaching agent and diatomaceous earth as the carrier and is tumbled with the fabric to remove the dye from the fabric. The tumbling causes repeated contact with the bleaching agent and removes the dye in the fabric.

Abstract: A novel bleach composition is disclosed comprising a sulfatase enzyme and a peroxydisulfate which composition, in aqueous solution, generates the more reactive peroxymonsulfate bleach compound. Detergent compositions and bleach processes are also disclosed wherein the peroxymonsulfate is produced in situ to provide bleach functions with greatly reduced dye damage, particularly useful to remove blood stains from textile materials.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes comprising the steps of: (1) bleaching fibers with hydrogen peroxide; (2) adding either, (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (3) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers. Also encompassed by the present invention are novel bleached fibers produced by the aformentioned processes, having highly advantageous and desirable properties e.g. a high degree of whiteness with low degree of damage.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of pigmented and unpigmented fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes including processes comprised of: (1) adsorption of ferrous ions by pigmented and unpigmented fibers; (2) removing a portion of the ferrous ions from the fibers, with at least a portion of the ions remaining on the pigmented fibers; (3) contacting the fibers with hydrogen peroxide to provide oxidative bleaching including bleaching by interaction with the ferrous ions; (4) adding either (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (5) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers.

Abstract: A process for the dyeing of wool with anionic dyes is described, wherein the wool is dyed in the presence of a UV absorber and bleached oxidatively and then bleached reductively in a new bath.This process makes it possible to produce very bright, brilliant shades.

Abstract: A process for bleaching articles, such as fabrics, comprising the steps of treating an article with a permanganate bleaching agent and then reducing the permanganate with a reducing composition comprised of ammonium bisulfite and ammonium sulfite.

Abstract: Raw material costs are lowered and effluent BOD is improved when high molecular weight guar combined with 0.1 to 1.0% sodium persulfate are added prior to heat treatment during textile fiber processing. Productivity is improved for stain-resistant treatment of carpet.

Abstract: A bleaching composition is described that includes a peroxygen compound such as sodium perborate, an oxygen transfer agent such as a sulfonimine, and a bleach precursor such as TAED. These sulfonimines at relatively low concentrations enhance the activity of the precursor. A method for bleaching substrates is also provided, especially a method for cleaning fabrics.

Abstract: Novel bleaches, a method for bleaching substrates using these materials and detergent compositions containing same are reported. The bleaches are of the N-sulfonyloxaziridine type. Substrates such as fabrics may be bleached in an aqueous solution containing the oxaziridine.

Abstract: Permanganate based fabric bleaching processes, such as stone-washing processes, are substantially improved by utilizing a reducing composition comprising a metabisulfite and a sulfite in the washing step. The relative amounts of metabisulfite and sulfite in the reducing composition are selected so as to substantially eliminate the odor of sulfur dioxide during the washing step at the particular temperature selected. For washing temperatures of 100.degree.-140.degree. F. the preferred weight ratio of sodium metabisulfite to sodium sulfite is 7:3, which produces a reducing composition having a pH of 6.2 (in a 5% by weight solution). Such a composition not only allows operation at elevated temperatures without an odor of SO.sub.2, it also allows a reduction in the washing time and in the amount of reducing composition used.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of pigmented and unpigmented fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes including processes comprised of: (1) adsorption of ferrous ions by pigmented and unpigmented fibers; (2) removing a portion of the ferrous ions from the fibers, with at least a portion of the ions remaining on the pigmented fibers; (3) contacting the fibers with hydrogen peroxide to provide oxidative bleaching including bleaching by interaction with the ferrous ions; (4) adding either (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive beaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen peroxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (5) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers.

Abstract: In a process for treating a cellulosic fabric which includes the step of scouring and/or bleaching the improvement which comprises treating said fabric with a quaternary compound of the formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein R, R', R" and R"' are each lower alkyl radicals and X.sup.- is an anion prior to dyeing so as to improve its whiteness and/or dyeability.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to new processes for sequential oxidative and reductive bleaching of fibers (e.g. natural, synthetic, or blends thereof) e.g. in a single bath, which provide superior bleaching with less physical damage. Said processes comprising the steps of: (1) bleaching fibers with hydrogen peroxide; (2) adding either, (a) a material which combines with hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive bleaching agent, or (b) an inactivating material to inactivate unspent hydrogen perioxide with subsequent addition of a reductive bleaching agent, and; (3) reductively bleaching the already oxidatively bleached fibers. Also encompassed by the present invention are novel bleached fibers produced by the aforementioned processes, having highly advantageous and desirable properties e.g. a high degree of whiteness with low degree of damage.

Abstract: The invention provides novel bleaching compositions comprising peracid precursors with the general structure ##STR1## with R, R', R" and L as defined in the specification. Novel peracids and precursors are also herein disclosed. These peracid precursors provide new, proficient and cost-effective compounds for fabric bleaching.

Abstract: Process for bleaching of materials, at which an aqueous solution of borohydride containing borohydride corresponding to from 15 to 35 percent by weight of sodium borohydride and hydroxylic ions corresponding to not more than 10 percent by weight of NaOH is brought to react with a bisulfite solution, after which the dithionite solution thus obtained is added to the material to be treated. This process gives a simple and economic preparation of dithionite bleaching solution in situ, in connection with the bleaching.

Abstract: An oxygen bleach composition which includes a peroxy bleach component selected from the group consisting of perborates, persulfates, persilicates, perphosphates, and percarbonates, and an organic oxygen bleach activator component capable of reacting with the peroxy bleach component to produce an active peroxy acid, the activator being selected from the group consisting of acetamide functional organosilicon compounds and succinimide functional organosilicon compounds. The activator is a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds having the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R=an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms,R'=an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms,R"=an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, andn=0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: A precipitated alkaline earth metal carbonate is produced by calcining raw alkaline earth metal carbonate, for example a calcium carbonate, under conditions such that substantially all the chemically combined carbon dioxide is driven off to form an oxide, slaking the oxide in water to form a suspension of the corresponding alkaline earth metal hydroxide, allowing the suspension to cool to 45.degree. C. or below, and then carbonating the hydroxide in suspension in water with substantially pure carbon dioxide in the presence of a dithionite bleaching reagent to form a precipitate of an alkaline earth metal carbonate of increased brightness and purity. The precipitate may then be separated from the aqueous medium by, for example, filtration.

Abstract: Solutions of low viscosity solvents and high viscosity, pasty products, for example water and sodium dithionite formulations, are prepared in a continuous manner in a matter of seconds in static and dynamic mixers connected in series while at the same time the ingress of air is avoided.

Abstract: Guar and xanthan gums are used as additives to sodium dithionite aqueous solutions for enhancing the stability of such solutions when in contact with air and used for vat dyeing of textiles and bleaching. The gums are added at levels of 0.1-0.2% by wt. and preferably at 0.15% by wt. of the solution. The stability of these polymeric-containing bleaching solutions is enhanced by more than 100-200%.

Abstract: Desirable color of glycosides are obtained through bleaching and stabilization with a source of sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: Aqueous sodium dithionite slurries, which are non-settling during shipment thereof and are thereafter pumpable, and a method for their manufacture are provided. The slurries contain at least 25% by weight of crystalline pure sodium dithionite and at least about 0.13% by weight of a xanthan gum. As textile bleaching compositions, the slurries comprise, on a weight basis, at least about 36% of commercial sodium dithionite, at least about 3% of sodium hydroxide, at least about 0.25% of a chelate, and at least about 0.25% of a xanthan gum. As woodpulp bleaching compositions, the slurries comprise, on a weight basis, about 28% of commercial sodium dithionite, at least about 2% of sodium carbonate, at least about 2% of sodium tripolyphosphate, and at least about 0.13% of a xanthan gum.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aqueous composition for removing or reducing the intensity of dyes in dye transfers and the intensity of dyes used by photo retouchers on transparencies and color prints. The composition comprises, per 100 parts by weight of water, from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of a thiourea and from about 5 to about 20 parts by weight of an ammonium nitrate compound. Application of this composition to dye transfers and/or to dyes used by photo retouchers on transparencies and color prints proportionally removes magenta, cyan and yellow dyes therefrom.

Abstract: A bleaching composition comprises sodium hydrosulfite, hexamethylenetetramine and a water soluble sulfite such as sodium sulfite or ammonium sulfite, or further a polyphosphate such as a pyrophosphate or a tripolyphosphate and is used in bleaching pulp with a good bleaching effect with no substantial hydrogen sulfide generation.

Abstract: Improved method for bleaching cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate, by adding during the hydrolysis reaction of the cellulose ester at from 80.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. a bleaching agent mixture of hydrogen peroxide and at least one monopersulfate salt selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and lithium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A powdered detergent suitable for use in home laundry machines contains (1) an acid component which provides an initial wash solution with a pH of 1-4 and (2) a coated alkali-supplying substance which neutralizes the acid wash solution within a period of about 2 to 25 minutes. The compositions may be free of phosphates and avoid the problem of ash build-up on fabrics usually caused by carbonate-based non-phosphate detergents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an after-dyeing treatment process for synthetic/cellulosic fibre mixed substrates which have been dyed with at least one disperse and at least one reactive dye in which after fixation, the dyed or printed substrate is reductively treated at a neutral to alkaline pH with an aqueous solution containing reducing agent, whereby non-bound disperse dyestuff is decomposed such that it does not re-build up on the substrate whilst the fixed reactive dyestuff remains substantially unaffected.

Abstract: A process of bleaching cotton fabrics, especially in relation with household laundry, is provided by adsorbing on the fabric sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine photoactivator followed by rinsing and drying of the fabrics in the presence of visible light and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for improving the storage behavior of alkali persalts in particularly alkali percarbonates, by preparing a granulate composition therefore is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of:(a) granulating an alkali persalt, wherein the alkali cation is an alkali metal cation or ammonium and which is selected from the group consisting of solid addition-products of an alkali salt with hydrogen peroxide and alkali salts of peroxo-acids in the presence of a sodium phosphate which is selected of sodium polyphosphates and sodium phyrophosphate and of water, and(b) drying the resulting granulate.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for the frosting of hair comprised of an intimate mixture of particulate persulfate salts and alkaline silicates dispersed in an anhydrous organic carrier, the anhydrous organic carrier being sufficiently hydrophobic to retard absorption of atmospheric moisture and provided in a quantity sufficient to coat the particles to prevent persulfate decomposition in the presence of moist air. The carrier is sufficiently hydrophilic so as to be emulsifiable in an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to form with a thickener a viscous hair frosting emulsion.

Abstract: A process of removing soil and/or stains from fabrics by immersing the fabrics in a peroxygen bleach bath containing as a peroxygen activator a sulfonyl oxime.Also described are dry blend compositions containing the bleach bath components.

Abstract: A sodium chlorite bath for the bleaching of textile fibers, e.g. cotton, is activated by one or more bisulfite derivatives of an organic-reducing compound having one or more aldehyde or ketone functional groups and which are capable of forming bisulfitic combination addition compounds with an alkali bisulfite. Such activators have been found to be effective in bringing about the progressive decomposition of the sodium chlorite of the bath and hence controlled bleaching at relatively low temperatures of the sodium chlorite bath.

Abstract: A process of removing soil and/or stains from fabrics by immersing the fabrics in a peroxygen bleach bath containing as a peroxygen activator a disulfone of the formulaRSO.sub.2 SO.sub.2 R.sub.1wherein R and R.sub.1, which may be alike or different, are each selected from the class consisting of an alkyl radical of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 7 carbon atoms said alkyl and cycloalkyl radicals bearing optional substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkoxyl, fluoro and chloro; and an aromatic radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and heterocyclic having 1 ring or 2 fused rings containing 5 to 6 members of which 1 to 2 are heteroatoms selected from the class consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, said aromatic radicals optionally bearing 1 to 3 substituents selected from the class consisting of nitro, alkyl of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, aliphatic carboxamido of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, benzamido, chlorine and bromine.

Abstract: Paper pulp is prepared from dicotyledonous plants by stirring said plants in an alkaline solution in the presence of a surfactant and stain inhibiting agent to obtain a stock containing a woody core fraction and a bark fraction containing bast fibers, separating said fractions and then cooking and bleaching the bark fraction in an alkaline solution containing an oxidizing agent and an alkyl sulfate surfactant.

Abstract: A fabric comprising cotton and/or keratinous fibers, e.g., wool, is treated to impart wash and wear characteristics including dimensional stability by contact of said fabric with hot, aqueous, relatively concentrated solution of a sulfite for a time sufficient to impart said wash and wear characteristics to said fabric. A preferred sulfite is aluminum sulfite and preferred treatment conditions comprise contact of the fabric with a boiling solution containing from about 10% to 20% by weight of the sulfite for a time of from 5 to 15 minutes. Preferably the solution also contains sodium carbonate in an amount of about 1% to 50% by weight, preferably from about 5% to about 20% by weight, based on the amount of sulfite.