Fiber treatment agent

Abstract

The present invention provides a fiber treatment agent which is a single-agent or multi-agent fiber treatment agent, and contains components (A) to (C) in its entire composition (wherein, in the case of a single agent, a part or all of components (A) and (B) can be in the state of a condensate generated from both). (A) : a compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are respectively bonded to 2 nitrogen atoms within a molecule; (B) : a phenol compound having at least 1 position of meta having an electron-donating group and at least 1 position of ortho and para being a hydrogen atom, wherein the electron-donating group of meta can form a benzene ring together with the adjoining carbon atom, and the benzene ring can be substituted with a hydroxyl group; (C) : water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fiber treatment agent for imparting water resistance, heat resistance and thermal shape memory to natural fibers used in headwear products such as wigs and hair extensions. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding natural fibers, one example of their applications is in headwear products such as wigs and hair extensions. Unlike synthetic fibers, they possess the natural feel and appearance of natural raw materials. Among natural fibers, regenerated protein fibers, such as regenerated collagen fibers, are obtained by using alkali or enzymes to dissolve acid-soluble or insoluble collagen, creating a spinning solution, which is then sprayed through a spinning nozzle into a coagulation bath and fibroinated.

[0003] However, compared to synthetic fibers, regenerated collagen fibers are generally more hydrophilic, resulting in high water absorption and extremely low mechanical strength when containing a large amount of water. Therefore, when using shampoo, the high water absorption significantly reduces mechanical strength, leading to breakage during subsequent drying with a hair dryer, thus reducing their suitability as hair accessories.

[0004] In addition, regenerated collagen fibers also have the problem of low heat resistance. When using a hair straightener to style hair at the same high temperature as human hair, they will shrink or curl, which will damage the appearance.

[0005] Furthermore, when using plastic synthetic fibers for heat setting, the shape can be retained even after subsequent shampooing (it has thermal shape memory capability). However, when using plastic synthetic fibers for heat setting, the shape is lost due to subsequent shampooing (it does not have thermal shape memory capability). Therefore, compared with existing plastic synthetic fibers, it is inferior in terms of the degree of freedom of styling.

[0006] The three aspects mentioned above have become the main reasons hindering the widespread use of regenerated collagen fibers in headwear. In particular, the impact of decreased water resistance, i.e., reduced mechanical strength when wet, is significant. Therefore, attempts have been made to modify regenerated collagen fibers and impart water resistance and heat resistance by acting reactive substances on the amino groups present in collagen molecules. For example, methods involving compounds containing hydroxymethyl groups are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Furthermore, in the field of human hair fibers used in headwear, methods involving compounds containing hydroxymethyl groups are also known to impart heat shape memory to human hair fibers that originally lack it (Patent Document 3).

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-9062

[0008] (Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent Publication No. 41-15258

[0009] (Patent Document 3) Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-143282 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a fiber treatment agent, which is a single-agent fiber treatment agent composed of a single composition or a multi-agent fiber treatment agent composed of multiple compositions, wherein the following components (A) to (C) are contained in all of its components (wherein, in the case of a single-agent formulation, some or all of components (A) and (B) may be in the form of a condensate formed by the two).

[0011] (A): A compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are bonded to two nitrogen atoms within the molecule;

[0012] (B): A phenolic compound having an electron-donating group at at least one meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one of the ortho and para positions (wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position may form a benzene ring with the adjacent carbon atom, the benzene ring being substituted with a hydroxyl group).

[0013] (C): Water.

[0014] The present invention also provides a fiber treatment method, which includes the following steps (i).

[0015] (i) The process of impregnating fibers in the aforementioned fiber treatment agent.

[0016] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing fibers for headwear products, which includes a step of treating the fibers using the above-described fiber treatment method.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a headdress, which includes a step of treating fibers using the above-described fiber treatment method.

[0018] The present invention also provides a fiber for headwear products, which contains a condensate formed from the above-mentioned components (A) and (B).

[0019] The present invention also provides a headdress article comprising fibers containing a condensate formed from the above-mentioned components (A) and (B) as constituent elements. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the manufacture of headwear, fibers may sometimes be subjected to intense elongation. In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1-3, the elasticity (flexibility) of the treated fibers may not be sufficient. Therefore, to prevent breakage during elongation, it is necessary to improve the elasticity of the treated fibers.

[0021] Therefore, the present invention relates to a fiber treatment agent that can improve the water resistance and heat resistance of natural fibers represented by regenerated collagen fibers, impart thermal shape memory capabilities, and be used to manufacture fibers for headwear products with excellent elasticity (flexibility).

[0022] The inventors of this invention discovered that by treating natural fibers with a composition containing specific hydroxymethyl and phenolic compounds, not only can the water resistance and heat resistance of natural fibers be improved, and thermal shape memory capabilities be imparted, but also, unexpectedly, the elasticity (flexibility) of natural fibers can be improved compared to before treatment, reaching levels approaching those of human hair, thus completing the invention. It is common knowledge that hydroxymethyl compounds, as used in references 1-3, cause tissue cross-linking, resulting in brittle tissue after treatment. However, it was surprisingly discovered that by using the aforementioned specific hydroxymethyl compounds, when natural fibers are the target of treatment, an improvement in elasticity (flexibility) compared to before treatment can be achieved.

[0023] According to the present invention, a fiber treatment agent can be provided that improves the water resistance and heat resistance of natural fibers, imparts thermal shape memory capability, and is used to manufacture fibers for headwear products with improved elasticity (flexibility).

[0024] [Single-dose and multi-dose formulations]

[0025] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention also includes any form of single-agent fiber treatment agent composed of a single composition, two-agent fiber treatment agent, etc., which is composed of multiple compositions and impregnates fibers sequentially in these multiple compositions.

[0026] In this invention, the term "total composition of the fiber treatment agent" refers to the composition of a single composition constituting the single-agent fiber treatment agent in the case of a single-agent fiber treatment agent, and to the composition of a mixture assuming that all compositions constituting the multi-agent fiber treatment agent are mixed together in the case of a multi-agent fiber treatment agent that sequentially impregnates fibers. For example, in the case of a two-agent agent, when the first and second agents are used in equal amounts (i.e., a mass ratio of 1:1) for sequential treatment, the concentration of each component based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent is half the concentration of each component in each agent.

[0027] [The fiber that is being processed in this invention]

[0028] The fiber targeted by the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be any type of synthetic fiber or natural fiber, preferably natural fiber. Natural fiber refers to fiber obtained from natural plants and animals, or fiber artificially manufactured using keratin, collagen, casein, soybeans, peanuts, corn, silk flakes, silk protein, etc., and used in the manufacture of headwear products. Among these, fibers artificially manufactured using keratin, collagen, casein, soybeans, peanuts, corn, silk flakes, silk protein, etc., are preferred; regenerated protein fibers such as regenerated collagen fibers using collagen as a raw material and regenerated silk fibers using silk protein as a raw material are more preferred; and regenerated collagen fibers are even more preferred.

[0029] Regenerated collagen fibers can be manufactured using known techniques, and their composition does not necessarily have to be 100% collagen; they can contain natural or synthetic polymers or additives for quality improvement. They can also be substances obtained through post-processing of regenerated collagen fibers. Filaments are preferred as the form of regenerated collagen fibers. Filaments are typically taken from spools or boxes. Alternatively, filaments obtained directly during the drying process in the manufacturing process of regenerated collagen fibers can also be used.

[0030] [The condensate formed from components (A) and (B)]

[0031] In the case of a single-agent fiber treatment agent of the present invention, the hydroxymethyl compound of component (A) and the phenolic compound of component (B) may be contained in the fiber treatment agent in their own form, or in a state in which components (A) and (B) are partially or entirely condensates formed from the two. In addition to water-soluble condensates with small molecular weights, the condensate may also contain water-insoluble condensates formed by further linking water-soluble condensates together. In this specification, the term "condensate" includes any type of water-soluble and water-insoluble condensate.

[0032] [Ingredient (A): A specific hydroxymethyl compound]

[0033] Component (A) is a compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are bonded to two nitrogen atoms within the molecule. Examples of such compounds include compounds (A1) to (A4) shown below, among which compounds (A3) and (A4) are preferred, and compound (A3) is more preferred.

[0034]

[0035] Regarding the content of the constituent elements from component (A) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and strength to the treated natural fibers, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 2.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more. From the above viewpoint and the viewpoint of formulation suitability, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, further preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less.

[0036] That is, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and strength to the treated natural fibers and from the viewpoint of formulation suitability, the content of the constituent element from component (A) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 80% by mass, more preferably 1 to 70% by mass, further preferably 2.5 to 60% by mass, even more preferably 5 to 50% by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 40% by mass, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

[0037] In this specification, the term "constituent elements from component (A)" refers to the constituent parts from component (A) and the remaining component (A) in the above-mentioned condensate in the case of a single dosage form, and to component (A) itself in the case of a multi-dosage form.

[0038] [Component (B): Specific phenolic compounds]

[0039] Component (B) is a phenolic compound having electron-donating groups at at least one meta position, preferably two meta positions, and at least one of the ortho and para positions being a hydrogen atom. The meta electron-donating group of this phenolic compound can form a benzene ring together with the adjacent carbon atom, and this benzene ring can be further substituted with a hydroxyl group. The molecular weight of component (B) is preferably 110 or more, and from the viewpoint of good permeability to natural fibers, it is preferably 1000 or less, more preferably 700 or less, and even more preferably 500 or less. Examples of phenolic compounds that can be used as component (B) include components (B1), (B2), and (B3).

[0040] (B1) Resorcinol or its derivatives represented by general formula (1);

[0041] (B2) Naphthol derivatives represented by general formula (2) or (3);

[0042] (B3) Flavan-3-ol derivatives represented by general formula (4).

[0043] Component (B1) is a compound represented by the following general formula (1).

[0044]

[0045] In the formula,

[0046] A 1 ~A 4 These can be the same or different, representing hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, halogen atoms, carboxyl groups or their salts, sulfonic acid groups or their salts, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0047] Examples of components (B1) include resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, and pyrogallol.

[0048] Component (B2) is a compound represented by the following general formula (2) or (3).

[0049]

[0050] In the formula,

[0051] R 1 Indicates a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0052] A 5 This refers to a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or arylalyl group having 7 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents, a straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or -CO-R. 2 (R 2 It can be a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or arylalyl group with 7 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group with 6 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents.

[0053] D represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methyl group, or a straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0054] E represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0055] G represents a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 0 to 2.

[0056] As a naphthol derivative represented by general formula (2) or (3), in general formula (2) or (3), R 1Preferably, it is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0057] In addition, A 5 Preferably, it is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group.

[0058] In addition, D is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0059] In addition, E is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0060] Examples of such compounds include 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-methylnaphth-1-phenol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, and naphthalene-1,8-diol.

[0061] Compound (B3) is a flavan-3-ol derivative represented by the following general formula (4).

[0062]

[0063] In the formula,

[0064] R 3 Indicates a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0065] X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a methoxy group.

[0066] R 4 This indicates an aromatic hydrocarbon group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups and can form a fused ring with a 1,3-dioxolane ring.

[0067] R 5 This refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group, or a group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups and can form a fused ring with a 1,3-dioxolane ring, or an aryl carbonyloxy group or an aralkyl carbonyloxy group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups.

[0068] The molecular weight of the compound represented by general formula (4) is preferably 150 or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of good permeability to the interior of the fiber, it is preferably 1000 or less, more preferably 700 or less, and even more preferably 500 or less.

[0069] As a component (B3), examples include non-gallic acid esters such as catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, and gallic acid esters such as catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate. In this specification, "catechins" is a general term for them. Among these, one or more selected from catechin, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate are preferred. Alternatively, mixtures containing the above-mentioned compounds, such as tea extracts, may also be used.

[0070] The analysis of catechins in mixtures can be performed using analytical methods suitable for the conditions of the sample, which are commonly known for the analysis of non-polymeric catechins. For example, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be used. During the determination, appropriate treatments may be performed as needed, such as freeze-drying the sample to suit the detection range of the device, and removing impurities from the sample to suit the separation capabilities of the device.

[0071] In component (B), from the viewpoint that the condensate of component (A) and component (B) formed within the natural fiber makes the shape change of the natural fiber treated with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention more significant, improves the shape retention and durability of the natural fiber, and enhances the natural appearance and feel, it is preferably selected from resorcinol, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-methylnaphth-1-phenol, naphthol-1,5-diol, naphthol-1,8-diol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate. One or more of the following: resorcinol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and tea extract; more preferably, one or more of the following: resorcinol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and tea extract.

[0072] Component (B) can be used alone, or in combination of two or more types, or in combination of two or more types (B1) to (B3). From the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and durability to natural fibers, and from the viewpoint of improving tactile feel, one or more of (B1) and (B3) are preferred. From the viewpoint of inhibiting the dissolution of component (A) from the fiber after treatment, eliminating the need for fiber washing, improving factory productivity, and from the viewpoint of slight coloring of the fiber and being more suitable for use in headwear products, (B3) is more preferred.

[0073] Regarding the content of the constituent elements from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and strength to the treated natural fibers, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 1.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 3% by mass or more, and even more preferably 5% by mass or more. From the above viewpoint and the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of the fiber surface, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, further preferably 50% by mass or less, even more preferably 40% by mass or less, even more preferably 30% by mass or less, even more preferably 25% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or less.

[0074] That is, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and strength to the treated fibers and improving the tactile feel of the fiber surface, the content of the constituent element from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.1 to 80% by mass, more preferably 1 to 60% by mass, even more preferably 1.5 to 50% by mass, even more preferably 3 to 40% by mass, even more preferably 5 to 30% by mass, even more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 20% by mass.

[0075] In this specification, the term "constituent elements from component (B)" refers to the constituent portion of component (B) and the residual component (B) in the single-dose formulation, and to component (B) itself in the multi-dose formulation. Furthermore, when using a mixture containing component (B), such as a tea extract or a mixture containing catechins, it refers to component (B) contained in that mixture.

[0076] Regarding the total content of the constituent elements from component (A) and the constituent elements from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of imparting higher shape retention and strength to the treated fibers, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 5% by mass or more, further more preferably 10% by mass or more, further more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of the fiber surface, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, further preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less.

[0077] Regarding the molar ratio (A) / (B) of the constituent elements from component (A) to the constituent elements from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint that the shape retention and strength of the treated natural fiber are better by utilizing the condensate formed from the two within the natural fiber, it is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, and even more preferably 0.5 or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of good tactile feel, it is preferably less than 20, more preferably 15 or less, even more preferably 10 or less, and even more preferably 7.5 or less.

[0078] That is, from the viewpoint that the condensate formed in the natural fibers makes the treated natural fibers have better shape retention and strength and a better feel, the molar ratio (A) / (B) of the constituent element from component (A) to the constituent element from component (B) is preferably 0.1 or more and less than 20, more preferably 0.3 to 15, further preferably 0.5 to 10, and even more preferably 0.5 to 7.5.

[0079] [Ingredient (C): Water]

[0080] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention uses water (C) as a medium. The content of component (C) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, further preferably 30% by mass or more, even more preferably 40% by mass or more, and preferably 99% by mass or less, more preferably 97% by mass or less, even more preferably 95% by mass or less, and even more preferably 90% by mass or less.

[0081] That is, the content of component (C) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, preferably 10 to 99% by mass, more preferably 20 to 97% by mass, further preferably 30 to 95% by mass, and even more preferably 40 to 90% by mass.

[0082] In addition to single-agent formulations, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can also be formulated into multi-agent formulations, such as two-agent formulations, which consist of multiple compositions and are used to sequentially impregnate fibers. As a multi-agent fiber treatment agent, each agent uses water (C) as a medium and contains component (A) and component (B) in different formulations. For example, formulations containing a first agent containing component (B) and component (C) and a second agent containing component (A) and component (C) can be listed.

[0083] [Component (D): Hansen solubility parameter SP value is 16-40 MPa] 1 / 2 Organic compounds

[0084] In the case of a single-agent fiber treatment agent of the present invention, when a large molecular weight insoluble condensate is generated in the fiber treatment agent through the reaction of component (A) and component (B), a hard resin layer is formed on the surface of the natural fiber. This not only restricts the bending or stretching of the natural fiber, hindering its elasticity (flexibility), but also sometimes deteriorates the tactile feel of the fiber surface. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing the aggregation of oligomers formed by the condensate of component (A) and component (B) during the reaction process and causing an increase in turbidity, and making them easily soluble, the single-agent fiber treatment agent preferably contains an SP value of 16 MPa for the Hansen solubility parameter. 1 / 2 Above 40MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds (excluding organic salts and compounds with a molecular weight of 150 or less and having an aldehyde group) are excluded. When charged organic salts coexist in the system, the turbidity increases sharply, and compounds with aldehyde groups, such as glutaraldehyde, cause the phenolic compounds in component (B) to crosslink with each other at multiple points, thus causing a sharp increase in turbidity. Therefore, they are excluded from component (D).

[0085] In this invention, the SP value of the Hansen solubility parameter refers to δTot (MPa) calculated in the DIY program at 25°C using the software package HSPiP4th Edition 4.1.07, based on Hansen SolubilityParameters: A User's Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton FL, 2007. 1 / 2 ).

[0086] The SP value of Hansen's solubility parameter for component (D) is 16.0 MPa.1 / 2 Above 40.0MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds may include monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, dihydric alcohol derivatives, polyhydric alcohols of three or more members, lactams, imidazolinones, pyrimidinones, lactones, alkylene carbonates, and other common organic solvents, and compounds with SP values ​​within the above range.

[0087] The following lists the SP value for Hansen's solubility parameter as 16.0 MPa. 1 / 2 Above 40.0MPa 1 / 2 The following are specific examples of compounds. The values ​​in parentheses in each example are SP values ​​calculated using the method described above.

[0088] Examples of monohydric alcohols: ethanol (25.4%), 1-propanol (22.9%), isopropanol (22.3%), 1-butanol (22.9%);

[0089] Examples of diols: ethylene glycol (31.6%), diethylene glycol (29.2%), triethylene glycol (26.1%), tetraethylene glycol (24.3%), pentaethylene glycol (23.1%), hexaethylene glycol (22.2%), propylene glycol (31.7%), 1-dipropylene glycol (26.0%), tripropylene glycol (23.4%);

[0090] Examples of diol derivatives: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (21.1), dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (17.8), dipropylene glycol diacetate (19.0), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (18.5);

[0091] Examples of polyols with three or more components: glycerol (35.7%), sorbitol (35.8%);

[0092] Examples of lactams: 2-pyrrolidone (24.8), N-methylpyrrolidone (22.0);

[0093] Examples of imidazolinones: ethylurea (28.5), 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolinone (22.3);

[0094] • Examples of pyrimidinones: N,N'-dimethylpropylidene urea (21.3);

[0095] • Examples of lactones: γ-butyrolactone (24.6);

[0096] Examples of alkylene carbonates: ethylene carbonate (29.2), propylene carbonate (27.1);

[0097] Examples of common organic solvents: DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide) (24.2), DMAc (N,N-dimethylacetamide) (23.0), DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) (23.6), THF (tetrahydrofuran) (18.2), 1,4-dioxane (20.5), acetonitrile (23.9).

[0098] Among these, from the viewpoint of ensuring the complete dissolution of the condensate formed by components (A) and (B) during the reaction, which is the cause of the turbidity increase, and maintaining low turbidity for a longer period of time, a Hansen solubility parameter SP value of 35.8 MPa is preferred. 1 / 2 Hereinafter, 34.7 MPa is more preferred. 1 / 2 The following is a further preferred value: 29.2 MPa 1 / 2 From the same point of view, 17.8 MPa is preferred. 1 / 2 The above is preferred, and more preferably is 21.1 MPa. 1 / 2 The above is further preferred to be 22.0 MPa. 1 / 2 above.

[0099] Preferably, the ingredients are diols, lactams, and imidazolinones, and more preferably, at least one of diethylene glycol (29.2), triethylene glycol (26.1), N-methylpyrrolidone (22.0), and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolinone (22.3).

[0100] Component (D) can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Regarding the content of component (D) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of maintaining a low turbidity state of the fiber treatment agent for a longer period, it is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 25% by mass or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of efficiently carrying out the condensation reaction and utilizing the condensate of component (A) and component (B) formed within the natural fiber to improve the shape retention and strength of the treated natural fiber, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 45% by mass or less.

[0101] [Component (E): Sulfur-containing reducing agent]

[0102] In the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of increasing the heat resistance temperature of the treated natural fibers and suppressing coloring, and suppressing the increase of turbidity of the fiber treatment agent during heat treatment, it is preferable to contain a sulfur-containing reducing agent.

[0103] As component (E), sulfites and thiols can be listed. Sodium sulfite and sodium metabisulfite are preferred as sulfites. As thiols, compounds with carboxyl groups (e.g., thioglycolic acid) or amino groups (e.g., cysteine) cause yellowing, reducing their suitability as headwear; therefore, thioglycerol and mesna (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) are preferred. Sodium sulfite is particularly preferred.

[0104] Component (E) can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Regarding the content of component (E) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of improving heat resistance temperature, suppressing coloring, and suppressing the increase of turbidity during heat treatment, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 2.0% by mass or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in fiber strength by utilizing reduction, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. When the fiber treatment agent is a multi-component formulation, component (E) can be contained in the first agent, in the second agent, or in both the first and second agents.

[0105] Furthermore, regarding the molar ratio (E) / (A) of component (E) to component (A), from the viewpoint of fully demonstrating the effect of improving the heat resistance of the fiber treated with component (E), suppressing the coloring effect, and suppressing the increase of turbidity of the fiber treatment agent, it is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, and even more preferably 0.5 or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in fiber strength by utilizing the reduction effect, it is preferably 3.0 or less, more preferably 1.5 or less, and even more preferably 1.0 or less.

[0106] [Catonic surfactants]

[0107] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain a cationic surfactant within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. The cationic surfactant is preferably a single long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium salt having one alkyl group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms and three alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0108] Preferably, at least one single long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from compounds represented by the following general formula.

[0109]

[0110] In the formula, R 4 R represents saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl groups with 8 to 22 carbon atoms. 8 -CO-NH-(CH2) m -or R8 -CO-O-(CH2) m -(R 8 Represents a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl chain with 7 to 21 carbon atoms (m represents an integer from 1 to 4), R 5 R 6 and R 7 Independently representing alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X - This indicates chloride ions, bromide ions, methyl sulfate ions, or ethyl sulfate ions.

[0111] Preferred cationic surfactants include, for example, long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, myristyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, stearamide propyltrimethylammonium chloride, etc., which can be used alone or in mixtures thereof.

[0112] From the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of the treated natural fibers and further enhancing the effectiveness of the present invention, the content of the cationic surfactant in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less. When the fiber treatment agent is a multi-component formulation, the cationic surfactant may be contained in the first agent, in the second agent, or in both the first and second agents.

[0113] [Silicone]

[0114] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the feel of the treated natural fibers and enhancing their combability, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain silicone. Preferably, the silicone is selected from one or more of dimethylpolysiloxane and amino-modified silicone.

[0115] As dimethyl polysiloxane, any cyclic or acyclic dimethyl polysiloxane polymer can be used. Examples include the SH200 series, BY22-019, BY22-020, BY11-026, B22-029, BY22-034, BY22-050A, BY22-055, BY22-060, BY22-083, FZ-4188 (all from Toray Industries, Inc.), KF-9088, KM-900 series, MK-15H, and MK-88 (all from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0116] As amino-modified silicones, so-called silicones having amino or ammonium groups can be used. Examples include amino-modified silicone oils with all or part of their terminal hydroxyl groups capped by methyl groups, and uncapped amino-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes. From the viewpoint of improving the feel of treated natural fibers and enhancing combability, preferred amino-modified silicones include, for example, compounds with the following formula.

[0117]

[0118] In the formula, R' represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or R X R X J represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, whether substituted or unsubstituted; J represents R. X R"-(NHCH2CH2) a NH2, OR X Or hydroxyl group, R" represents a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a represents a number from 0 to 3, b and c represent numbers that are all 10 or more and less than 20,000, preferably 20 or more and less than 3,000, more preferably 30 or more and less than 1,000, and even more preferably 40 or more and less than 800.

[0119] Specific examples of commercially available preferred amino-modified silicones include: amino-modified silicone oils such as SF8452C, SS3551 (both from Toray D. Corning Co., Ltd.), KF-8004, KF-867S, and KF-8015 (both from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), and amino-terminated polydimethylsiloxane emulsions such as SM8704C, SM8904, BY22-079, FZ-4671, and FZ4672 (both from Toray D. Corning Co., Ltd.).

[0120] From the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of the treated natural fibers and further enhancing the effectiveness of the present invention, the silicone content in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5% by mass or less. When the fiber treatment agent is a multi-component formulation, silicone may be contained in the first agent, the second agent, or both the first and second agents.

[0121] [Catonic polymers]

[0122] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of treated natural fibers, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain cationic polymers.

[0123] Cationic polymers refer to polymers having cationic groups or groups capable of being ionized by cationic groups, and also include amphoteric polymers that are cationic overall. Specifically, examples include aqueous solutions in which the side chains of the polymer chain contain amino or ammonium groups, or contain diallyl quaternary ammonium salts as structural units, such as cationic cellulose derivatives, cationic starch, cationic guar gum derivatives, polymers or copolymers of diallyl quaternary ammonium salts, and quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivatives. Among these, from the viewpoint of improving the softness, smoothness, and finger accessibility during rinsing and shampooing, as well as the combability and moisturizing properties during drying, and the stability of the formulation, polymers containing diallyl quaternary ammonium salts as structural units, quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivatives, and cationic cellulose derivatives are preferred; more preferably, polymers or copolymers of diallyl quaternary ammonium salts and cationic cellulose derivatives are preferred.

[0124] Specific examples of preferred diallyl quaternary ammonium salt polymers or copolymers include dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride polymers (polyquaternary ammonium salt-6, e.g., MARcourt 100; Lubrizol Advanced Materials), dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride / acrylic acid copolymers (polyquaternary ammonium salt-22, e.g., MARcourt 280, MARcourt 295; Lubrizol Advanced Materials), and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride / acrylamide copolymers (polyquaternary ammonium salt-7, e.g., MARcourt 550; Lubrizol Advanced Materials), etc.

[0125] As a specific example of a preferred quaternized polyvinylpyrrolidone derivative, polymers obtained by polymerizing vinylpyrrolidone copolymers and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates (polyquaternium salt 11, such as GAFQUAT734, GAFQUAT755, GAFQUAT755N (all of which are from Ashland)) can be listed.

[0126] Specific examples of preferred cationic cellulose include: polymers formed by the addition of hydroxycellulose to glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (polyquaternium salt 10, such as LEOGARD G, LEOGARD GP (all of which are from Lion Corporation), Polymer JR-125, Polymer JR-400, Polymer JR-30M, Polymer LR-400, Polymer LR-30M (all of which are from Amacol Corporation)), and hydroxyethyl cellulose dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (polyquaternium salt 4, such as CELQUATH-100, CELQUAT L-200 (all of which are from AkzoNobel Corporation)).

[0127] From the viewpoint of improving the tactile feel of the treated natural fibers, the content of the cationic polymer in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, further preferably 0.05% by mass or more, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less. When the fiber treatment agent is a multi-component formulation, the cationic polymer may be contained in the first agent, in the second agent, or in both the first and second agents.

[0128] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention may also contain: antioxidants such as ascorbic acid; pH adjusters such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, and hydrochloric acid.

[0129] [pH]

[0130] Regarding the pH of the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to fibers derived from natural materials, in the case of a single-agent formulation, it is preferably 3.0 or higher, more preferably 3.5 or higher, even more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 11.0 or lower, more preferably 9.0 or lower, and even more preferably 7.0 or lower. The pH in the present invention is the value at 25°C.

[0131] That is, regarding the pH of the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to fibers from natural sources, in the case of a single agent, it is preferably 3.0 to 11.0, more preferably 3.5 to 9.0, and even more preferably 4.0 to 7.0.

[0132] In the case of multiple formulations, it is preferred that the formulation containing component (A) (i.e., the second formulation) and the formulation containing component (B) (i.e., the first formulation) are both within the above-mentioned range. In this invention, the pH of the hair treatment agent refers to the value obtained by directly measuring the undiluted hair treatment agent at room temperature (25°C) using a pH meter (HORIBA / model: F-52).

[0133] [Storage method of fiber treatment agent]

[0134] When transporting and storing the fiber treatment agent manufactured as described above before applying it to the fiber, the storage temperature may be set to a low temperature to prevent oxidative discoloration of component (B) or unintentional reaction during transport. Regarding the storage temperature, from the viewpoint of preventing freezing or recrystallization, it is preferably 1°C or higher, more preferably 2°C or higher, and even more preferably 5°C or higher. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing oxidative discoloration or unintentional reaction, it is preferably 25°C or lower, more preferably 20°C or lower, and even more preferably 15°C or lower.

[0135] [Fiber treatment methods]

[0136] (Basic processing)

[0137] By using the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, natural fibers are treated by a method including the following step (i), thereby highly maintaining the elasticity (flexibility) of natural fibers and imparting shape continuity and high durability to natural fibers.

[0138] (i) The process of impregnating natural fibers in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention.

[0139] In cases where the fiber treatment agent is a multi-agent formulation, such as a first agent containing components (B) and (C) and a second agent containing components (A) and (C), step (i) is a step in which the fiber is impregnated in one of the first agent and the second agent, and then impregnated in the other agent. However, it is preferable to impregnate the fiber initially in the first agent and then in the second agent.

[0140] When the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is a single-agent formulation, it can be applied directly to the fiber. However, by heating it for a certain period of time at a level that does not cause an increase in the turbidity of the treatment agent before applying it to the fiber, the elasticity of the fiber can be further improved. Therefore, the following step (0) can also be included before step (i).

[0141] (0) The process of heating the fiber treatment agent.

[0142] Regarding the heating temperature of process (0), from the viewpoint of improving productivity, it is preferably 40°C or higher, more preferably 45°C or higher, and even more preferably 50°C or higher. In addition, from the viewpoint of stopping heating at a suitable point, it is preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 80°C or lower, and even more preferably 70°C or lower.

[0143] Regarding the heating time of step (0), the treatment agent is heated immediately after the components are mixed and prepared, and the heating time until the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU is defined as T. From the viewpoint of improving the elasticity of natural fibers, it is preferably 0.2T or more, more preferably 0.3T or more, and even more preferably 0.4T or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of maintaining the treatment ability of natural fibers for a long time, it is preferably 0.8T or less, more preferably 0.7T or less, and even more preferably 0.6T or less.

[0144] NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) is a turbidity unit based on the turbidimetric method using formazine as the turbidity standard solution. The turbidity of the fiber treatment agent can be measured at room temperature (25°C) by directly placing the fiber treatment agent into the measuring cell of a digital turbidimeter (manufactured by AS ONE / model: TB700).

[0145] In step (i), the natural fibers impregnated in the fiber treatment agent can be dried or moistened. The amount of fiber treatment agent impregnating the natural fibers is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, further preferably 5 or more, even more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 20 or more, and preferably 500 or less, more preferably 250 or less, and even more preferably 100 or less, based on the bath ratio (mass of fiber treatment agent / mass of natural fibers) relative to the mass of the natural fibers.

[0146] That is, the above-mentioned bath ratio is preferably 2 to 500, more preferably 3 to 250, even more preferably 5 to 100, even more preferably 10 to 100, and even more preferably 20 to 100. Wherein, when the fiber treatment agent is a multi-formula, the above-mentioned bath ratio applies to each formulation.

[0147] Alternatively, in step (i), natural fibers can be pre-fixed using a curling iron or similar device, and then impregnated in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention under heating conditions. By doing so, natural fibers can not only be given shape retention and high durability, but also the desired shape can be achieved simultaneously.

[0148] In step (i), the impregnation of the natural fibers in the fiber treatment agent is preferably carried out under heating conditions, which is achieved by heating the fiber treatment agent. This heating can be performed by impregnating the natural fibers in a heated fiber treatment agent, or by impregnating the natural fibers in a low-temperature fiber treatment agent followed by heating. Regarding the temperature of the fiber treatment agent, in order to increase the interaction between components (A) and (B) and the fiber-forming molecules, such as protein molecules, within the natural fibers, and to promote the condensation reaction of components (A) and (B) within the natural fibers, thereby achieving the effects of the present invention, a temperature of 20°C or higher is preferred, more preferably 35°C or higher, and even more preferably 45°C or higher. Furthermore, to prevent the natural fibers from being modified and deteriorated due to heat, a temperature of less than 100°C is preferred, more preferably 80°C or lower, even more preferably 70°C or lower, and even more preferably 60°C or lower. In the case of a multi-formula fiber treatment agent, the above-mentioned temperatures apply to each formulation.

[0149] Components (A) and (B) in the fiber treatment agent form condensates after penetrating the fiber. Through their interaction with the fiber, they exert the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, in single-agent fiber treatment agents, condensations also form water-soluble condensates, which, similarly, form condensates with larger molecular weights after penetrating the fiber, thus exerting the effects of the present invention. On the other hand, as fiber treatment proceeds, the water-soluble condensates in the single-agent fiber treatment agent combine with each other, slowly forming water-insoluble condensates, which contribute to the increased turbidity of the fiber treatment agent. When these water-insoluble condensates come into contact with the fiber, they form a hard resin layer on the fiber surface, restricting the fiber's bending or stretching movements, thus making it difficult to maintain the fiber's elasticity (flexibility). Therefore, from the viewpoint of further improving the elasticity (flexibility) of natural fibers and improving the tactile feel of the fiber surface, it is desirable that process (i) be carried out with the turbidity of the single-agent fiber treatment agent as low as possible. The turbidity of the fiber treatment agent during treatment is preferably 1000 NTU or less, more preferably 500 NTU or less, further preferably 100 NTU or less, and even more preferably 20 NTU or less. Furthermore, the turbidity of the fiber treatment agent mentioned above refers to the turbidity arising from the condensate formed by components (A) and (B). If other components are present that contribute to the turbidity, only the turbidity caused by the condensate formed by components (A) and (B) is considered. Regarding the quantification of the condensate, for example, it can be quantified using a 0.1 μm pore size membrane filter followed by GC / MS analysis of derivative thermal decomposition.

[0150] When the fiber treatment agent is a single agent, regarding the impregnation time in step (i), if the treatment agent is heated immediately after the components are mixed and prepared, and the heating time until the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU is defined as T, from the viewpoint of improving the elasticity of natural fibers, it is preferably 0.3T or more, more preferably 0.4T or more, and even more preferably 0.5T or more. In addition, in order to suppress damage to natural fibers, it is preferably 0.95T or less, more preferably 0.90T or less, and even more preferably 0.85T or less.

[0151] The specific impregnation time is adjusted appropriately according to the heating temperature used. For example, from the viewpoint of improving the elasticity of natural fibers, it is preferably 15 minutes or more, more preferably 30 minutes or more, and even more preferably 1 hour or more. In addition, to suppress damage to natural fibers, it is preferably 48 hours or less, more preferably 24 hours or less, and even more preferably 12 hours or less. Where the fiber treatment agent is a multi-formula, the above-mentioned impregnation time applies to each formulation.

[0152] Process (i) is preferably carried out in an environment where moisture evaporation is suppressed. Specific means of suppressing moisture evaporation include covering a container impregnated with a fiber treatment agent made of a film-like material, cap, or lid made of a raw material that is impermeable to water vapor.

[0153] After step (i), the natural fibers may be rinsed or not. From the viewpoint of preventing the natural fibers from losing their tactile feel due to residual polymer, rinsing is preferred.

[0154] It is believed that through these treatments, components (A) and (B) permeate into the natural fibers, interacting with the fiber constituent molecules, such as protein molecules, within the natural fibers. Furthermore, condensates of components (A) and (B) are formed within the natural fibers. Therefore, the shape of the natural fibers treated using the method of this invention will not be damaged even after washing.

[0155] When the fiber treatment agent is a single-agent formulation, during step (i), as the turbidity of the treatment agent increases, a hard resin layer forms on the surface of the natural fibers, making it difficult to maintain the elasticity (flexibility) of the natural fibers and ensuring a good tactile feel on the fiber surface. Therefore, it is preferable to remove the natural fibers from the treatment agent before the turbidity exceeds 1000 NTU. A suitable sample is selected from the treatment agent, and the turbidity of the treatment agent can be confirmed using the aforementioned turbidity measurement method. If the treatment of the removed natural fibers is insufficient, step (i) can be repeated. That is, when the fiber treatment agent is a single-agent formulation, it is preferable to include step (ii-a) after step (i), repeating step (i) and step (ii-a) at least twice.

[0156] (ii-a) A process of removing natural fibers from a treatment agent before the turbidity of the single-agent treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU.

[0157] On the other hand, if the fiber treatment agent is a multi-agent formulation, the natural fibers can be simply removed from the treatment agent by the following steps (ii-b) after step (i).

[0158] (ii-b) The process of removing natural fibers from the treatment agent.

[0159] After the natural fibers are removed from the treatment agent in step (ii-a) or step (ii-b) above, it is preferable to rinse the surface of the natural fibers to wash away the insoluble condensates. That is, it is preferable to perform step (iii) after step (ii).

[0160] (iii) A process of rinsing the extracted natural fibers.

[0161] The rinsing in step (iii) is preferably performed using a composition containing the aforementioned component (D). This rinsing composition may contain only component (D), but may also contain water in addition to component (D). The content of component (D) in the rinsing composition containing water is preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 95% by mass or more.

[0162] [Further processing can be added]

[0163] In addition to the aforementioned steps (i) to (iii), the fiber treatment method of the present invention may further include one or more treatments selected from decolorization, dyeing, surface processing for imparting hydrophobicity and low friction, and heat treatment for further improving fiber elasticity (flexibility).

[0164] At this point, the decolorization and dyeing processes can be performed before, after, or between the aforementioned steps (i) to (iii). Alternatively, multiple processes can be combined. When decolorization and dyeing are added, in addition to decolorization before dyeing, any of the above processes can be performed first, or other processes can be performed between decolorization and dyeing.

[0165] On the other hand, the surface finishing for imparting hydrophobicity and low friction, and the heat treatment for further improving fiber elasticity (flexibility), need to be performed after the aforementioned steps (i) to (iii). Furthermore, when the surface finishing for imparting hydrophobicity and low friction, and the heat treatment for further improving fiber elasticity (flexibility), are performed as described above after steps (i) to (iii), there is no particular limitation on the order of these processes with decolorization and dyeing. Additionally, the surface finishing for imparting hydrophobicity and low friction, and the heat treatment for further improving fiber elasticity (flexibility), can be performed in any order.

[0166] (Decolorization)

[0167] Bleaching is carried out by impregnating natural fibers with a bleaching agent composition containing an alkali, an oxidizing agent, and water. The bleaching agent composition is typically a two-component type, with the first component containing an alkali and water, and the second component containing an oxidizing agent and water. These two components are usually stored separately and mixed before impregnating the natural fibers.

[0168] Preferred alkaline agents include, for example: ammonia and its salts; alkanolamines (monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminobutanol, etc.) and their salts; alkyldiamines (1,3-propanediamine, etc.) and their salts; and carbonates (guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc.); and mixtures thereof, but are not limited to these.

[0169] The content of alkali in the decolorizing agent composition (or a mixture of the first agent and the second agent in the case of a two-agent type) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 1% by mass or more, and preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 7.5% by mass or less.

[0170] Preferred oxidizing agents include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamine peroxide, and sodium bromate. Among these oxidizing agents, hydrogen peroxide is preferred.

[0171] The content of oxidant in the decolorizing agent composition is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 2% by mass or more, and preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 12% by mass or less, and even more preferably 9% by mass or less.

[0172] When the first and second agents are stored separately, the pH of the second agent at 25°C is preferably 2 or higher, more preferably 2.5 or higher, and preferably 6 or lower, more preferably 4 or lower. This pH can be adjusted using a suitable buffer. The pH of the decolorizing agent composition at 25°C is preferably 6 or higher, more preferably 6.5 or higher, further preferably 6.8 or higher, and preferably 11 or lower, more preferably 10.5 or lower, and even more preferably 10 or lower.

[0173] (dyeing)

[0174] Dyeing is performed by impregnating natural fibers with a dyeing agent composition. The dyeing agent composition contains dyes and may optionally contain alkalis or acids, oxidizing agents, etc. Examples of dyes include direct dyes, oxidative dyes, and combinations thereof.

[0175] There are no particular limitations on the types of direct dyes; any direct dye suitable for dyeing can be used. Examples of direct dyes include anionic dyes, nitro dyes, disperse dyes, cationic dyes, and dyes with an azophenol structure selected from HC Red 18, HC Blue 18, and HC Yellow 16, as well as their salts and mixtures thereof.

[0176]

[0177] Examples of cationic dyes include, but are not limited to: Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue 26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, Basic Brown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Orange 31, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12, Basic Red 22, Basic Red 51, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14, Basic Yellow 57, and Basic Yellow 87, and mixtures thereof. Basic Red 51, Basic Orange 31, Basic Yellow 87, and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred.

[0178] Examples of anionic dyes include: Acid Black 1, Acid Blue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue 74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 4, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, Acid Red 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 33, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, Acid Red 180, Acid Violet 2, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1, Acid Yellow 10, Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, and Food Yellow No. 8. D&C Brown No. 1, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 33, D&C Purple No. 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, Food Black No. 1, Food Black No. 2, and their alkali metal salts (sodium salts, potassium salts, etc.) and mixtures thereof, but not limited to these.

[0179] Among these, preferred anionic dyes are Acid Black 1, Acid Red 52, Acid Violet 2, Acid Violet 43, Acid Red 33, Acid Orange 4, Acid Orange 7, Acid Red 27, Acid Yellow 3, and Acid Yellow 10, as well as their salts. More preferred anionic dyes are Acid Red 52, Acid Violet 2, Acid Red 33, Acid Orange 4, and Acid Yellow 10, as well as their salts and mixtures thereof.

[0180] Examples of nitro dyes include: HC Blue No. 2, HC Blue No. 4, HC Blue No. 5, HC Blue No. 6, HC Blue No. 7, HC Blue No. 8, HC Blue No. 9, HC Blue No. 10, HC Blue No. 11, HC Blue No. 12, HC Blue No. 13, HC Brown No. 1, HC Brown No. 2, HC Green No. 1, HC Orange No. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HC Orange No. 5, HC Red BN, HC Red No. 1, HC Red No. 3, HC Red No. 7, HC Red No. 8, HC Red No. 9, HC Red No. 10, HC Red No. 11, HC Red No. 13, HC Red No. 54. HC Red No. 14, HC Purple BS, HC Purple No. 1, HC Purple No. 2, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 5, HC Yellow No. 6, HC Yellow No. 7, HC Yellow No. 8, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Yellow No. 10, HC Yellow No. 11, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Yellow No. 13, HC Yellow No. 14, HC Yellow No. 15, 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picric acid, 1,2-diamino-4-nitrobenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-nitrobenzene, 3-nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzene, 2-hydroxyethylpicric acid, and mixtures thereof, but not limited to these.

[0181] Examples of disperse dyes include, but are not limited to, Disperse Blue 1, Disperse Black 9, and Disperse Violet 1, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0182] These direct dyes can be used alone, or in combination of two or more, or in combination of direct dyes with different ionic properties.

[0183] Regarding the content of direct dye in the dyeing composition, from the viewpoint of obtaining sufficient dyeability, it is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of compatibility, it is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 7.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 5.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 3.0% by mass or less.

[0184] When the dyeing composition contains only a direct dye as the dye, an oxidizing agent is not required to dye fibers from natural sources. However, if the goal is to brighten the color of fibers from natural sources, an oxidizing agent may be included in the composition.

[0185] When the dyeing composition contains oxidative dyes, it is usually formulated as a two-component mixture. The first component contains an oxidative dye intermediate (precursor and coupling agent) and an alkali, while the second component contains an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. The two components are usually stored separately and mixed before impregnating natural fibers.

[0186] As an intermediate for oxidative dyes, there are no particular restrictions, and any known precursors and coupling agents commonly used in dyeing products can be appropriately used.

[0187] Examples of precursors include: p-phenylenediamine, toluene-2,5-diamine, 2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine, N-methoxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylamine, 1,3-bis(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(4-aminophenyl)amino)-2-propanol, PEG-3,3,2'-p-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, p-methylaminophenol, and 3-methyl-4-aminophenylenediamine. Phenols, 2-aminomethyl-4-aminophenol, 2-(2-hydroxyethylaminomethyl)-4-aminophenol, o-aminophenol, 2-amino-5-methylphenol, 2-amino-6-methylphenol, 2-amino-5-acetamidephenol, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 5-aminosalicylic acid, 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine, 2,5,6-triamino-4-hydroxypyrimidine, 4,5-diamino-1-(4'-chlorobenzyl)pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-hydroxyethylpyrazole, and salts of these substances, as well as mixtures thereof, but not limited to these.

[0188] Examples of coupling agents include: m-phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol, 2-amino-4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)anisole, 2,4-diamino-5-methylphenethyl ether, 2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxyethoxy)toluene, 2,4-dimethoxy-1,3-diaminobenzene, 2,6-bis(2-hydroxyethylamino)toluene, 2,4-diamino-5-fluorotoluene, and 1,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenyl)ethylamino(2,4-diamino)toluene. (-Diaminophenoxy)propane, m-aminophenol, 2-methyl-5-aminophenol, 2-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)phenol, 2,4-dichloro-3-aminophenol, 2-chloro-3-amino-6-methylphenol, 2-methyl-4-chloro-5-aminophenol, N-cyclopentyl-m-aminophenol, 2-methyl-4-methoxy-5-(2-hydroxyethylamino)phenol, 2-methyl-4-fluoro-5-aminophenol, p- Amino-o-cresol, resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, 1-naphthol, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, 4-hydroxyindole, 5-hydroxyindole, 6-hydroxyindole, 7-hydroxyindole, 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, 2-bromo-4,5-methylenedioxyphenol, 3,4-methylenedioxy The substances include, but are not limited to, phenylene, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine, 2,6-dimethoxy-3,5-diaminopyridine, 2,3-diamino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-methylamino-3-amino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, 2,6-diaminopyridine, and salts of these substances, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0189] The content of the precursor and coupling agent in the dyeing composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 7.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5% by mass or less.

[0190] In the case where the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye, it also contains an alkali agent. Preferred alkali agents include, for example: ammonia and its salts; alkanolamines (monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminobutanol, etc.) and their salts; alkyldiamines (1,3-propanediamine, etc.) and their salts; and carbonates (guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc.); and mixtures thereof, but are not limited to these.

[0191] The content of alkali in the dyeing composition is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 1% by mass or more, and preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 7.5% by mass or less.

[0192] When the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye, the composition containing the oxidizing agent (second agent) is stored separately from the composition containing the oxidizing dye (first agent) and mixed before impregnation of natural fibers. Preferred oxidizing agents include, for example, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, melamine peroxide, and sodium bromate, but are not limited to these. Among these oxidizing agents, hydrogen peroxide is preferred.

[0193] The content of oxidant in the dyeing composition is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 2% by mass or more, and preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 12% by mass or less, and even more preferably 9% by mass or less.

[0194] When the first and second agents are stored separately, the pH of the second agent at 25°C is preferably 2 or higher, more preferably 2.5 or higher, and preferably 6 or lower, more preferably 4 or lower. This pH can be adjusted using a suitable buffer. The pH of the dye composition formed by mixing the first and second agents at 25°C is preferably 6 or higher, more preferably 6.5 or higher, further preferably 6.8 or higher, and preferably 11 or lower, more preferably 10.5 or lower, and even more preferably 10 or lower.

[0195] In the case where the dyeing composition contains an oxidizing dye, it may also contain the direct dyes exemplified above.

[0196] The dye composition may also contain surfactants, conditioning ingredients, etc., as shown below, and is preferably formulated as a solution, emulsion, cream, paste, or mousse.

[0197] From the viewpoint of enabling the dye composition to efficiently penetrate and diffuse into the interior of the natural fibers and further improve the dyeing effect, the temperature of the dye composition is preferably 0°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, even more preferably 20°C or higher, and preferably 90°C or lower, more preferably 80°C or lower.

[0198] (Used for surface finishing that imparts hydrophobicity and low friction)

[0199] For surface finishing that imparts hydrophobicity and low friction, the process is carried out after the aforementioned steps (i) to (iii) by impregnating natural fibers in the surface finishing agent shown below.

[0200] The surface finishing agent contains the following components (F) and water.

[0201] (F) is an epoxy aminosilane copolymer that is the reaction product of the following compounds (a) to (d).

[0202] (a) A polysiloxane having at least two oxyalkyl or oxetanyl groups;

[0203] (b) A polyether having at least two ethylene oxide or oxobutyl groups;

[0204] (c) Aminopropyltrialkoxysilane;

[0205] (d) Compounds selected from the following primary and secondary amines;

[0206] Primary amines: methylamine, ethylamine, acrylamine, ethanolamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, isobutylamine, hexylamine, dodecylamine, oleylamine, aniline, aminopropyltrimethylsilane, aminopropyltriethylsilane, aminomorpholine, aminopropyldiethylamine, benzylamine, naphthylamine, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 1-aminoheptafluorohexane, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecylfluoro-1-octylamine;

[0207] Secondary amines: methyl ethylamine, methyl octadecylamine, diethanolamine, dibenzylamine, dihexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, phthalimide, polymeric amines.

[0208] [Component (F): Epoxy amino silane copolymer]

[0209] The epoxy aminosilane copolymer of component (F) is the reaction product of compounds (a) to (d) shown below.

[0210] <Compounds (a) and (b)>

[0211] Compound (a) is a polysiloxane containing at least two oxyalkyl or oxetanyl groups, for example, compounds represented by the following general formula (5) can be listed.

[0212]

[0213] [In the formula, R represents a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms that has an ethylene oxide or oxobutyl group at the end and may have heteroatoms, and x represents a number from 1 to 1000.]

[0214] Compound (b) is a polyether containing at least two ethylene oxide or oxobutyl groups, for example, compounds represented by the following general formula (6) can be listed.

[0215]

[0216] [In the formula, R represents the same meaning as above, y is 1 to 100, z is 0 to 100, and y+z represents a number from 1 to 200.]

[0217] In general formulas (5) and (6), oxygen atoms are preferred as heteroatoms that R may contain. Examples of R include: glycidyl oxyethylene (glycidyl), glycidyl methoxy (glycidyloxy), glycidyl methoxypropyl (glycidyloxypropyl), oxetylmethyl, oxetyl methoxy, oxetyl methoxypropyl, 3-ethyloxetylmethyl, etc., wherein a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and having a ethylene oxide group and containing heterooxy atoms is preferred, and at least one selected from glycidyl oxyethylene (glycidyl), glycidyl methoxy (glycidyloxy), and glycidyl methoxypropyl (glycidyloxypropyl) is even more preferred.

[0218] <Compound (c)>

[0219] Compound (c) is aminopropyltrialkoxysilane. Examples of alkoxy groups in compound (c) include alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably alkoxy groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably alkoxy groups having 3 carbon atoms, and isopropoxy groups are preferred. Examples of compounds (c) include aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, aminopropyltriethoxysilane, aminopropyltripropoxysilane, aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane, aminopropyltributoxysilane, and aminopropyltritert-butoxysilane, with aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane being preferred. Compound (c) can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0220] <Compound(d)>

[0221] Compound (d) is a compound selected from the primary and secondary amines below.

[0222] Primary amines: methylamine, ethylamine, acrylamine, ethanolamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, isobutylamine, hexylamine, dodecylamine, oleylamine, aniline, aminopropyltrimethylsilane, aminopropyltriethylsilane, aminomorpholine, aminoethyldimethylamine, aminoethyldiethylamine, aminoethyldibutylamine, aminopropyldimethylamine, aminopropyldiethylamine, aminopropyldibutylamine, benzylamine, naphthylamine, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 1-aminoheptafluorohexane, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecano-1-octylamine;

[0223] Secondary amines: methyl ethylamine, methyl octadecylamine, diethanolamine, dibenzylamine, dihexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, phthalimide, polymeric amines.

[0224] Of these, primary amines are preferred, and one selected from aminopropyl diethylamine, aminopropyl dimethylamine, and aminopropyl dibutylamine is even more preferred. Compound (d) can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0225] The reaction of compounds (a) to (d) is carried out, for example, by reflux in a solvent such as isopropanol for a certain period of time. The molar ratio of the ethylene oxide or oxetyl group of compounds (a) and (b) to the amino group of compound (c) is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1.1 or more, even more preferably 1.2 or more, and preferably 4 or less, more preferably 3.9 or less, even more preferably 3.8 or less.

[0226] As an ingredient (F), substances with the INCI name of polysiloxane-29 can be listed. As an example of its commercially available products, Silsoft CLX-E from Momentive Performance Materials (15% by mass of active ingredient, containing dipropylene glycol and water) can be listed.

[0227] Regarding the content of component (F) in the surface treatment agent, from the viewpoint of imparting sufficient hydrophobicity to the natural fibers, it is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.10% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.20% by mass or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of not imparting a sticky feel, it is preferably 15.00% by mass or less, more preferably 10.00% by mass or less, even more preferably 8.00% by mass or less, and even more preferably 6.00% by mass or less.

[0228] From the viewpoint of increasing the reaction rate of the trialkoxysilane portion of component (F) in acidic or alkaline regions, the pH of the surface treatment agent at 25°C is preferably in the range below. When the surface treatment agent is in an acidic region, a pH of 1.0 or higher is preferred, more preferably 1.5 or higher, further preferably 2.0 or higher, and also preferably 5.0 or lower, more preferably 4.0 or lower, and even more preferably 3.5 or lower. Similarly, when the surface treatment agent is in an alkaline region, a pH of 7.0 or higher is preferred, more preferably 7.5 or higher, further preferably 8.0 or higher, and also preferably 11.0 or lower, more preferably 10.5 or lower, and even more preferably 10.0 or lower. To adjust the pH of the surface treatment agent to the above range, a pH adjusting agent may be appropriately contained in the surface treatment agent. As pH adjusters and alkalis, the following can be used: alkyl alcoholamines such as monoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, and 2-aminobutanol, or their salts; alkyl diamines such as 1,3-propanediamine, or their salts; carbonates such as guanidine carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate; and hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Additionally, as acidifiers, the following can be used: inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid; hydrochloride salts such as monoethanolamine hydrochloride; phosphates such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium hydrogen phosphate; and organic acids such as lactic acid and malic acid.

[0229] Regarding the amount of surface treatment agent impregnated from natural fibers, it is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 5 or more, further preferably 10 or more, and preferably 100 or less, more preferably 50 or less, and further preferably 20 or less, based on the bath ratio (mass of surface treatment agent / mass of natural fibers) relative to the mass of natural fibers.

[0230] (Post-heating: a heat treatment used to further improve the fiber's elasticity (flexibility))

[0231] From the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of natural fibers, they can be stretched while being heated. When the amount of natural fibers is small, a hair curler is preferred; when the amount is large, the same result can be achieved by applying tension using a curling machine while simultaneously heating with warm air.

[0232] From the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fiber, the fiber elongation rate during heating is preferably 0.1% or more, more preferably 0.2% or more, and even more preferably 0.5% or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fiber, it is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 2% or less.

[0233] Regarding the heating temperature, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fibers, it is preferably 120°C or higher, more preferably 140°C or higher, and even more preferably 160°C or higher. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers, it is preferably 240°C or lower, more preferably 220°C or lower, and even more preferably 200°C or lower.

[0234] From the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of fibers, the heating time is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 3 seconds or more, and even more preferably 5 seconds or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to fibers, the heating time is preferably 60 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less, and even more preferably 20 seconds or less.

[0235] After heating, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fibers, they can be stretched while being left to stand in water under tension.

[0236] Regarding the elongation rate at this time, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fiber, it is preferably 0.1% or more, more preferably 0.2% or more, and even more preferably 0.5% or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fiber, it is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 2% or less.

[0237] Regarding the water temperature, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fibers, it is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 20°C or higher, and even more preferably 30°C or higher. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers, it is preferably 80°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, and even more preferably 50°C or lower.

[0238] Regarding the settling time in water, from the viewpoint of more effectively improving the elasticity of the fibers, it is preferably 1 minute or more, more preferably 5 minutes or more, and even more preferably 30 minutes or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing damage to the fibers, it is preferably 48 hours or less, more preferably 24 hours or less, and even more preferably 3 hours or less.

[0239] Through this operation, based on the polymerization conditions of steps (i) to (iii), the fibers can achieve elasticity equivalent to that of human hair during drying.

[0240] (Suppression or removal of coloring)

[0241] Furthermore, in order to suppress or remove the staining of natural fibers after treatment with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, treatment can be performed using a composition containing the aforementioned component (E). The preferred component (E) is the same as described above. The above composition is preferably an aqueous solution of component (E). Additionally, from the viewpoint of not reducing the strength of natural fibers, the pH of this composition is preferably 2.0 or higher, more preferably 3.0 or higher, even more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 9.0 or lower, more preferably 7.0 or lower, and even more preferably 6.0 or lower.

[0242] Regarding the content of component (E) in the above composition, from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of inhibiting or removing the coloring from natural fibers, it is preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more, and even more preferably 2.0% by mass or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of not reducing the strength of natural fibers due to the reduction reaction, it is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5.0% by mass or less.

[0243] Regarding the processing temperature of the composition containing component (E), from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of suppressing or removing coloring from natural fibers, it is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, and even more preferably 20°C or higher. In addition, from the viewpoint of avoiding the re-occurrence of yellow coloring, it is preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, and even more preferably 40°C or lower.

[0244] Regarding the processing time of the composition containing component (E), from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of inhibiting or removing coloring from natural fibers, it is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 30 seconds or more, and even more preferably 1 minute or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of avoiding the recurrence of yellow coloring, it is preferably 60 minutes or less, more preferably 30 minutes or less, and even more preferably 15 minutes or less.

[0245] In addition, similar to the treatment using a composition containing component (E), in order to suppress or remove staining in natural fibers after treatment with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, the natural fibers can be treated with a composition containing component (G).

[0246] Component (G): A compound with chelating properties.

[0247] [Component (G): A compound with chelating properties]

[0248] As component (G), compounds having a total of two or more hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phosphate groups can be listed. Specifically, examples preferably include hydroxyethyl phosphate, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, disodium catechol-3,5-disulfonic acid monohydrate, and phytic acid.

[0249] The composition containing the above-mentioned component (G) is preferably an aqueous solution. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of not reducing the strength of the natural fibers, the pH of the composition is preferably 2.0 or higher, more preferably 3.0 or higher, even more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 9.0 or lower, more preferably 7.0 or lower, and even more preferably 6.0 or lower.

[0250] Component (G) can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Regarding the content of component (G) in the composition containing component (G), from the viewpoint of exhibiting an effect of inhibiting or removing coloration from natural fibers, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 2.0% by mass or more; and from the viewpoint of inhibiting a decrease in fiber strength, it is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5.0% by mass or less.

[0251] Regarding the processing temperature of the composition containing component (G), from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of suppressing or removing the coloring from natural fibers, it is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 10°C or higher, and even more preferably 20°C or higher. In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in fiber strength, it is preferably 100°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, and even more preferably 40°C or lower.

[0252] Regarding the treatment time of the composition containing component (G), from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of inhibiting or removing the coloring from natural fibers, it is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 30 seconds or more, and even more preferably 1 minute or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of inhibiting the decrease in fiber strength, it is preferably 72 hours or less, more preferably 48 hours or less, and even more preferably 24 hours or less.

[0253] As a treatment to suppress or remove staining from natural fibers, it is preferable to use both treatments using a composition containing component (E) and treatments using a composition containing component (G). It is believed that fiber staining resulting from treatment with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is either brownish-red oxidative staining (which can be addressed by treatment using a sulfur-containing reducing agent containing component (E)) or yellowish-red catechin metal coordination compound staining (which can be addressed by treatment using a chelating agent containing component (G)). By implementing the corresponding decolorization treatments, it is believed that fiber staining can be better suppressed.

[0254] In the case of treating with a composition containing component (E) and treating with a composition containing component (G), the treatment with both compositions can be performed sequentially (the order of treatment is not limited), or a single composition containing components (E) and (G) can be used for a single treatment. In this case, the content of each component in the above composition, the treatment temperature, and the treatment time are the same as in the case of using separate compositions. In addition, regarding the treatment time, the upper limit for the treatment time of the composition containing component (G) is a longer time compared to the composition containing component (E). In the case of treating with a single composition containing both components, from the viewpoint of avoiding the recurrence of yellow discoloration, it is sufficient to set the treatment time within the range of the treatment time of the composition containing component (E).

[0255] By processing natural fibers using the above fiber treatment methods and including a condensate formed by components (A) and (B) within the fibers, it is possible to manufacture a fiber for headwear products that has excellent shape retention and tensile modulus, and significantly improves the elasticity (flexibility) of natural fibers. This fiber can then be used to manufacture headwear products.

[0256] In addition, in this invention, examples of headwear products include hair wigs, wigs, weaving, hair extensions, braids, hair accessories, doll hair, etc.

[0257] Regarding the embodiments described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention are further described below.

[0258] <1> A fiber treatment agent, which is a single-agent fiber treatment agent composed of a single composition or a multi-agent fiber treatment agent composed of multiple compositions, containing the following components (A) to (C) in its entire composition (wherein, part or all of component (A) and component (B) may be in the state of a condensate formed by the two).

[0259] (A): A compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are bonded to two nitrogen atoms within the molecule;

[0260] (B): A phenolic compound having an electron-donating group at least one meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one of the ortho and para positions (wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position may form a benzene ring with the adjacent carbon atom, the benzene ring being substituted with a hydroxyl group).

[0261] (C): Water.

[0262] <2> The fiber treatment agent as described in <1>, wherein component (A) is preferably a compound (A1) to (A4) as shown below, more preferably one or more selected from compound (A3) and compound (A4), and even more preferably compound (A3).

[0263]

[0264] <3> The fiber treatment agent as described in <1> or <2>, wherein the content of the constituent element from component (A) in the fiber treatment agent is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 2.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 5% by mass or more, even more preferably 10% by mass or more, and preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, even more preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

[0265] <4> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <3>, wherein preferably component (B) is one or more selected from components (B1), (B2) and (B3).

[0266] (B1) Resorcinol or its derivatives represented by general formula (1).

[0267]

[0268] In the formula,

[0269] A 1 ~A 4 These can be the same or different, representing hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, halogen atoms, carboxyl groups or their salts, sulfonic acid groups or their salts, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyl groups with 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0270] (B2) Naphthol derivatives represented by general formula (2) or (3);

[0271]

[0272] In the formula,

[0273] R 1 Indicates a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0274] A 5 This refers to a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or arylalyl group having 7 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents, a straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or -CO-R. 2(R 2 It can be a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or arylalyl group with 7 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group with 6 to 12 carbon atoms that may have substituents.

[0275] D represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methyl group, or a straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0276] E represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight-chain or branched alkoxy or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0277] G represents a hydroxyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 0 to 2.

[0278] (B3) Flavan-3-ol derivatives represented by general formula (4),

[0279]

[0280] In the formula,

[0281] R 3 Indicates a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0282] X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a methoxy group.

[0283] R 4 This indicates an aromatic hydrocarbon group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups and can form a fused ring with a 1,3-dioxolane ring.

[0284] R 5 This refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group, or a group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups and can form a fused ring with a 1,3-dioxolane ring, or an aryl carbonyloxy group or an aralkyl carbonyloxy group that can be substituted with up to three hydroxyl or methoxy groups.

[0285] More preferably, it is selected from one or more of resorcinol, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-methylnaphth-1-phenol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-1,8-diol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and tea extract; even more preferably, it is selected from one or more of resorcinol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and tea extract.

[0286] <5> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the content of the constituent element from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 1.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 3% by mass or more, even more preferably 5% by mass or more, and preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, even more preferably 40% by mass or less, even more preferably 30% by mass or less, even more preferably 25% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or less.

[0287] <6> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the total content of the constituent element from component (A) and the content of the constituent element from component (B) in the fiber treatment agent, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, further preferably 5% by mass or more, even more preferably 10% by mass or more, even more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, and preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, even more preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less.

[0288] <7> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the molar ratio (A) / (B) of the constituent element from component (A) to the constituent element from component (B) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, even more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably less than 20, more preferably 15 or less, even more preferably 10 or less, and even more preferably 7.5 or less.

[0289] <8> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the content of component (C) in the fiber treatment agent is based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, further preferably 30% by mass or more, even more preferably 40% by mass or more, and preferably 99% by mass or less, more preferably 97% by mass or less, even more preferably 95% by mass or less, and even more preferably 90% by mass or less.

[0290] <9> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <8> is a multi-agent formulation comprising a first agent containing component (B) and component (C) and a second agent containing component (A) and component (C).

[0291] <10> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent and preferably further contains the following component (D).

[0292] (D): The SP value of Hansen's solubility parameter is 16 MPa. 1 / 2 Above 40MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds (excluding organic salts and compounds with an aldehyde group and a molecular weight of less than 150).

[0293] <11> The fiber treatment agent as described in <10>, wherein component (D) is preferably selected from at least one of monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, dihydric alcohol derivatives, polyhydric alcohols of three or more members, lactams, imidazolinones, pyrimidinones, lactones, alkylene carbonates, and common organic solvents, more preferably selected from at least one of dihydric alcohols, lactams, and imidazolinones, and even more preferably selected from at least one of diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, N-methylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolinone, and DMDM ​​hydantoin.

[0294] <12> The fiber treatment agent as described in <10> or <11>, wherein the SP value of the Hansen solubility parameter of component (D) is preferably 35.8 MPa. 1 / 2 Hereinafter, 34.7 MPa is more preferred. 1 / 2 The following is a further preferred value: 29.2 MPa 1 / 2 The preferred value is 17.8 MPa. 1 / 2The above is preferred, and more preferably is 21.1 MPa. 1 / 2 The above is further preferred to be 22.0 MPa. 1 / 2 above.

[0295] <13> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <10> to <12>, wherein the content of component (D) in the fiber treatment agent is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 25% by mass or more, and preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 45% by mass or less.

[0296] <14> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <13> preferably further contains the following component (E).

[0297] (E): Sulfur-containing reducing agent.

[0298] <15> The fiber treatment agent as described in <14>, wherein component (E) is preferably selected from one or more of sulfites and thiols, more preferably selected from one or more of sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, thioglycerol and messodium (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate), and even more preferably sodium sulfite.

[0299] <16> The fiber treatment agent as described in <14> or <15>, wherein the content of component (E) in the fiber treatment agent is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, further preferably 2.0% by mass or more, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and further preferably 5.0% by mass or less, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

[0300] <17> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <14> to <16>, wherein the molar ratio (E) / (A) of component (E) to component (A) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, even more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 3.0 or less, more preferably 1.5 or less, and even more preferably 1.0 or less.

[0301] <18> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <17> preferably further contains a cationic surfactant.

[0302] <19> The fiber treatment agent as described in <18>, wherein the cationic surfactant is preferably a single long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium salt having one alkyl group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms and three alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably at least one selected from compounds shown in the following general formula.

[0303]

[0304] In the formula, R 4 R represents saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl groups with 8 to 22 carbon atoms. 8 -CO-NH-(CH2) m -or R 8 -CO-O-(CH2) m -(where R) 8 Represents a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain or branched alkyl chain with 7 to 21 carbon atoms (m represents an integer from 1 to 4), R 5 R 6 and R 7 Independently representing alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X - This indicates chloride ions, bromide ions, methyl sulfate ions, or ethyl sulfate ions.

[0305] More preferably, it is selected from at least one of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, myristyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and stearamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0306] <20> The fiber treatment agent as described in <18> or <19>, wherein the content of the cationic surfactant is preferably 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.10% by mass or more, and preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

[0307] <21> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <20>, wherein preferably it further contains silicone, more preferably it contains one or more selected from dimethylpolysiloxane and amino-modified silicone.

[0308] <22> The fiber treatment agent as described in <21>, wherein the silicone content is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more, further preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and further preferably 5% by mass or less, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

[0309] <23> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <22> preferably further contains a cationic polymer.

[0310] <24> The fiber treatment agent as described in <23>, wherein the content of the cationic polymer, based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent, is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less.

[0311] <25> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <24>, wherein the pH is preferably 3.0 or higher, more preferably 3.5 or higher, even more preferably 4.0 or higher, and preferably 11.0 or lower, more preferably 9.0 or lower, even more preferably 7.0 or lower.

[0312] <26> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <1> to <25>, wherein, preferably, it is a treatment agent for natural fibers, more preferably, it is a treatment agent for fibers obtained from natural plants and animals, or a treatment agent for fibers artificially manufactured from keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk flakes or silk protein, further preferably, it is a treatment agent for regenerated protein fibers selected from regenerated collagen fibers made from collagen and regenerated silk fibers made from silk protein, and even more preferably, it is a treatment agent for regenerated collagen fibers.

[0313] <27> A fiber treatment method comprising the following steps (i).

[0314] (i) The process of impregnating fibers in any one of the fiber treatment agents described in <1> to <26>.

[0315] <28> The fiber treatment method described in <29>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent, and step (i) is preferably performed while maintaining the turbidity of the treatment agent at 1000 NTU or less.

[0316] <29> The fiber treatment method as described in <27> or <28>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent, and preferably the following step (0) is performed before step (i).

[0317] (0) The process of heating the fiber treatment agent.

[0318] <30> The fiber treatment method as described in <29>, wherein the treatment agent is heated immediately after the components are mixed and prepared, and the heating time until the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU is defined as T, the heating time in step (0) is preferably 0.2T or more, more preferably 0.3T or more, even more preferably 0.4T or more, and preferably 0.8T or less, more preferably 0.7T or less, and even more preferably 0.6T or less.

[0319] <31> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <30>, wherein the amount of fiber treatment agent used to impregnate the fiber in step (i) is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, further preferably 5 or more, even more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 20 or more, and preferably 500 or less, more preferably 250 or less, and even more preferably 100 or less.

[0320] <32> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <31>, wherein the temperature of the fiber treatment agent in step (i) is preferably 20°C or higher, more preferably 35°C or higher, even more preferably 45°C or higher, and preferably less than 100°C, more preferably 80°C or lower, even more preferably 70°C or lower, and even more preferably 60°C or lower.

[0321] <33> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <32>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent, and the treatment agent is heated immediately after the components are mixed and prepared, and the heating time until the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU is defined as T, the impregnation time of step (i) is preferably 0.3T or more, more preferably 0.4T or more, even more preferably 0.5T or more, and preferably 0.95T or less, more preferably 0.90T or less, and even more preferably 0.85T or less.

[0322] <34> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <33>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent, preferably the following step (ii-a) is performed after step (i), and step (i) and step (ii-a) are repeated more than twice.

[0323] (ii-a) A process of removing fibers from a treatment agent before the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU.

[0324] <35> The fiber treatment method as described in <27>, <31> or <32>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a multi-agent formulation, and step (i) is preferably a step in which the fiber is impregnated in one of the first agent and the second agent described in <9> and then impregnated in the other agent, more preferably a step in which the fiber is initially impregnated in the first agent described in <9> and then impregnated in the second agent described in <9>.

[0325] <36> The fiber treatment method described in <35> includes the following steps (ii-b) after step (i).

[0326] (ii-b) The process of removing the fibers from the treatment agent.

[0327] <37> The fiber treatment method as described in <34> or <36> is preferably performed after step (ii-a) or step (ii-b) as described in step (iii).

[0328] (iii) The process of rinsing the removed fibers.

[0329] <38> The fiber treatment method as described in <37>, wherein the preferred step (iii) rinsing is performed using a cleaning composition containing component (D).

[0330] (D): The SP value of Hansen's solubility parameter is 16 MPa. 1 / 2 Above 40MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds (excluding organic salts and compounds with an aldehyde group and a molecular weight of less than 150).

[0331] <39> The fiber treatment method as described in <38>, wherein the rinsing composition contains water in addition to component (D), and the content of component (D) in the rinsing composition is preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 95% by mass or more.

[0332] <40> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <39> is preferably followed by a step of impregnating the fibers in a surface processing agent containing the following components (F) and (C) after steps (i) to (iii).

[0333] (F) is an epoxy-aminosilane copolymer that is the reaction product of the following compounds (a) to (d).

[0334] (a) A polysiloxane having at least two ethylene oxide or oxocyclic butyl groups;

[0335] (b) A polyether having at least two ethylene oxide or oxobutyl groups;

[0336] (c) Aminopropyltrialkoxysilane;

[0337] (d) Compounds selected from the following primary and secondary amines;

[0338] Primary amines: methylamine, ethylamine, acrylamine, ethanolamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, isobutylamine, hexylamine, dodecylamine, oleylamine, aniline, aminopropyltrimethylsilane, aminopropyltriethylsilane, aminomorpholine, aminopropyldiethylamine, benzylamine, naphthylamine, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 1-aminoheptafluorohexane, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecylfluoro-1-octylamine;

[0339] Secondary amines: methylethylamine, methyloctadecylamine, diethanolamine, dibenzylamine, dihexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, phthalimide, polymeric amines;

[0340] (C) Water.

[0341] <41> The fiber treatment method as described in <40>, wherein the preferred component (F) is polysiloxane-29.

[0342] <42> The fiber treatment method as described in <40> or <41>, wherein the content of component (F) in the surface treatment agent is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.10% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.20% by mass or more, and preferably 15.00% by mass or less, more preferably 10.00% by mass or less, even more preferably 8.00% by mass or less, and even more preferably 6.00% by mass or less.

[0343] <43> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <42>, wherein it is preferable to further extend the fiber while applying tension, and then heat it.

[0344] <44> The fiber treatment method as described in <43>, wherein the fiber elongation rate during heating is preferably 0.1% or more, more preferably 0.2% or more, even more preferably 0.5% or more, and preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 2% or less.

[0345] <45> The fiber treatment method as described in <43> or <44>, wherein the heating temperature is preferably 120°C or higher, more preferably 140°C or higher, even more preferably 160°C or higher, and preferably 240°C or lower, more preferably 220°C or lower, even more preferably 200°C or lower.

[0346] <46> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <43> to <45>, wherein the heating time is preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 3 seconds or more, even more preferably 5 seconds or more, and preferably 60 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less, and even more preferably 20 seconds or less.

[0347] <47> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <43> to <46>, wherein preferably, after heating, the fiber is stretched under tension while being left to stand in water.

[0348] <48> The fiber treatment method as described in <47>, wherein the elongation is preferably 0.1% or more, more preferably 0.2% or more, even more preferably 0.5% or more, and preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 2% or less.

[0349] <49> The fiber treatment method as described in <47> or <48>, wherein the water temperature is preferably 5°C or higher, more preferably 20°C or higher, even more preferably 30°C or higher, and preferably 80°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or lower, even more preferably 50°C or lower.

[0350] <50> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <47> to <49>, wherein the settling time in water is preferably 1 minute or more, more preferably 5 minutes or more, even more preferably 30 minutes or more, and preferably 48 hours or less, more preferably 24 hours or less, and even more preferably 3 hours or less.

[0351] <51> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <50>, wherein the treated fiber is further treated with a composition containing the following component (E).

[0352] (E): Sulfur-containing reducing agent.

[0353] <52> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <51>, wherein the treated fiber is further treated with a composition containing the following component (G).

[0354] (G): Compounds with chelating properties.

[0355] <53> The fiber treatment method as described in any one of <27> to <50>, wherein the treated fiber is further treated with a composition containing the following components (E) and (G).

[0356] (E): Sulfur-containing reducing agent;

[0357] (G): Compounds with chelating properties.

[0358] <54> The fiber treatment method according to any one of <27> to <53>, wherein the fiber to be treated is preferably a natural fiber, more preferably a fiber obtained from natural plants or animals, or a fiber artificially manufactured from keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk flakes or silk protein, further preferably a regenerated protein fiber selected from regenerated collagen fiber made from collagen and regenerated silk fiber made from silk protein, and even more preferably a regenerated collagen fiber.

[0359] <55> A method for manufacturing fibers for headwear products, comprising a step of treating the fibers using any one of the fiber treatment methods described in <27> to <54>.

[0360] <56> A method for manufacturing a headdress, comprising a step of treating fibers using any one of <27> to <54>.

[0361] <57> A fiber for headwear containing a condensate formed from components (A) and (B).

[0362] (A): A compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are bonded to two nitrogen atoms within the molecule;

[0363] (B): A phenolic compound having an electron-donating group at least one meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one of the ortho and para positions (wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position may form a benzene ring with the adjacent carbon atom, the benzene ring being substituted with a hydroxyl group).

[0364] <58> A headdress made of fibers containing a condensate formed from components (A) and (B).

[0365] (A): A compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are bonded to two nitrogen atoms within the molecule;

[0366] (B): A phenolic compound having an electron-donating group at least one meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one of the ortho and para positions (wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position may form a benzene ring with the adjacent carbon atom, the benzene ring being substituted with a hydroxyl group).

[0367] <59> A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) to (C).

[0368] (A) DMDM ​​hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea: 10-50% by mass;

[0369] (B) Resorcinol or catechins: 5-30% by mass;

[0370] (C) Water: Balance.

[0371] <60> The fiber treatment agent as described in <59>, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a single agent and also contains the following component (D).

[0372] (D) Selected from one or more of diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, N-methylpyrrolidone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolinone: 15 to 45 by mass.

[0373] <61> A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) to (C) and (E).

[0374] (A) DMDM ​​hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea: 10-50% by mass;

[0375] (B) Resorcinol or catechins: 5-30% by mass;

[0376] (C) Water: Balance;

[0377] (E) Selected from one or more of sodium sulfite, thioglycerol, and messodium (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate): 2 to 10% by mass.

[0378] <62> The fiber treatment agent as described in any one of <59> to <61> is preferably a treatment agent for natural fibers, more preferably a treatment agent for fibers obtained from natural plants and animals, or a treatment agent for artificially manufactured fibers made from keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk flakes or silk protein, further preferably a treatment agent for regenerated protein fibers selected from regenerated collagen fibers made from collagen and regenerated silk fibers made from silk protein, and even more preferably a treatment agent for regenerated collagen fibers.

[0379] <63> A fiber treatment agent kit comprising any one of <59> to <62> a fiber treatment agent and a surface treatment agent containing components (F) and (C).

[0380] (F) Polysiloxane-29: 0.1–15% by mass;

[0381] (C) Water: Balance.

[0382] Example

[0383] Examples 1-9, Comparative Examples 1 and 2

[0384] Using the compositions formulated in Table 1, regenerated collagen fibers were treated according to the following methods, and various evaluations were performed. Specifically, the pH of each prepared composition was measured directly at room temperature (25°C) using a pH meter (HORIBA F-52). Additionally, the turbidity of the composition was measured at room temperature (25°C) by directly placing the fiber treatment agent into the measurement cell (φ25×60mm borosilicate glass) of a digital turbidimeter (AS ONE TB700 / Measurement Method: ISO7027 Turbidimetric Method (90°) / Light Source: Infrared LED (850nm) / Detector: Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Module).

[0385] <Processing Method (If the number of processing attempts is more than 2, the following cycle will be repeated a specified number of times)>

[0386] 1. Immerse 0.5g of a 22cm long bundle of regenerated collagen fiber (※) in a container containing 40g of fiber treatment agent. Seal the container and immerse the container together in a 50°C water bath (manufacturer: Toyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. / model: TBS221FA) for the specified time. The heating time is uniformly approximately 0.6T (T as described above) for all examples except Example 7. For Example 7, after performing step (0) with heating for 0.3T, the fiber is immersed, and then heated again for 0.3T; this operation is repeated twice.

[0387] ※: Regenerated collagen fibers manufactured by Kaneka Co., Ltd. were purchased in the form of commercially available hair extension products. The fibers were cut and subdivided into hair bundles for evaluation. In this evaluation, among the hair extension products, the fiber type used was a brown product with the Ultima 100% usage mark and color number 3, and a straight shape.

[0388] 2. Remove the container containing the wool from the water bath and allow it to cool to room temperature.

[0389] 3. Remove the hair strands from the container, soak them in 50g of triethylene glycol for 30 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, lather with the evaluation shampoo for 60 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, gently pat dry with a towel, and then comb and blow-dry the hair strands using a warm air hairdryer (TESCOM, Nobby white NB3000). At this point, the hair strands will still be straight.

[0390] <Increase in average breaking elongation during fiber stretching>

[0391] As an indicator of fiber elasticity (flexibility) during stretching, the average breaking elongation (i.e., the percentage of the fiber length that breaks after stretching relative to its original length) is the average value obtained by evaluating multiple (10) fibers. The evaluation was conducted using a tuft of fibers freshly treated using the above-described <treatment method>, following the steps outlined below.

[0392] 1. Cut 10 fibers from the root of the hair bundle. Select 3cm fiber pieces from the middle of the root and tip of each fiber, resulting in 10 3cm hair pieces.

[0393] 2. Place the fiber sheet in the "MTT690 Automatic Fiber Tensile Testing Machine" manufactured by DIA-STRON Limited, and start the automatic measurement to determine the average breaking elongation of the fiber in a wet state. The higher the value, the higher the elasticity, the better the flexibility, and the better the durability.

[0394] The average breaking elongation (A%) of fibers in their original (untreated) state, cut from commercially available products, is used as a baseline. The extent to which the average breaking elongation (B%) of the treated fiber bundles increases compared to the untreated state (C%) is defined as the "increase rate [%) of the average breaking elongation [%] of the fibers during stretching," and this is recorded in a table.

[0395] C(%) = B(%) - A(%)

[0396] <Increase in average breaking load during fiber tension>

[0397] The evaluation of the average breaking load under fiber tension was performed using a fiber bundle that had just been treated using the aforementioned <treatment method>. Furthermore, the numerical value was the average value obtained from evaluating multiple fibers (10 fibers). The evaluation was conducted according to the following steps.

[0398] 1. Cut 10 fibers from the root of the hair bundle. Select 3cm fiber pieces from the middle of the root and tip of each fiber, resulting in 10 3cm hair pieces.

[0399] 2. Place the fiber sheet in the "MTT690 Automatic Fiber Tensile Testing Machine" manufactured by DIA-STRON Limited, and start the automatic measurement to determine the breaking load of the fiber when stretched in a wet state. The higher the value, the more elastic it is, the stronger the elongation produced by external force, and the better its durability.

[0400] According to the following formula, the average breaking load (W0(gf)) of the fiber in its original state (untreated) cut from the commercial product is used as the benchmark. The amount by which the average breaking load of the treated tuft is increased (Y(gf)) of the untreated state is used as the "increase in average breaking load [gf] of fiber stretching", and it is recorded in the table.

[0401] Y(gf) = W1(gf) - W0(gf)

[0402] <Shrinkage inhibition during high-temperature perming and styling>

[0403] Shrinkage inhibition during high-temperature perming and styling was assessed using hair bundles treated with the aforementioned <treatment method>. Furthermore, the average value was used when evaluating multiple fibers (10 fibers). The evaluation was conducted according to the following steps.

[0404] 1. Cut 10 fibers from the root of the hair bundle, record the average length of each fiber (set as length L1), and bundle them together with 0.5g of untreated regenerated collagen fibers. Apply the mixture to the entire bundle 10 times at a speed of 5cm / sec using a hair straightener (manufactured by Miki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. / model: AHI-938) set to 180°C.

[0405] 2. After the perming process, take out 10 fibers and record the average length of each fiber (set as length L2).

[0406] 3. Define the shrinkage rate S during high-temperature perming and styling as {1-(L2 / L1)}×100 [%). The closer S is to 0%, the less likely it is to shrink due to heat, and the better the heat resistance.

[0407] <Thermal Shape Memory>

[0408] The thermal shape memory capability was evaluated using hair tufts that had just been treated using the above-described processing method. If the result value for "I: Shape Assignment (Curling)" was below 5%, it was considered ineffective, and no further processing or evaluation was performed.

[0409] • I: Shape given to (curly hair)

[0410] 1. Wet a 22cm long bundle of 0.5g of regenerated collagen fiber with tap water at 30℃ for 30 seconds, then wrap the wetted bundle around a plastic rod with a diameter of 14mm and fix it with a clip.

[0411] 2. Immerse the entire bundle of hair wrapped around the stick in a 60°C water bath (manufacturer: Toyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. / model: TBS221FA) for 1 minute.

[0412] 3. Remove the hair bundles from the water bath, immerse them in 25°C water for 1 minute, and then allow them to cool to room temperature.

[0413] 4. Remove the tuft of hair from the stick, comb it three times, hang it up, and take a photo from the front and side.

[0414] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0415] Let the length of the untreated hair bundle be L0 (22cm), and the length of the treated hair bundle be L. The curl rate obtained by the following formula = hair bundle length reduction rate (I) (%) is defined as the curl intensity of the hair.

[0416] I = [(L0-L) / L0] × 100

[0417] • II: Reshaping (Straightening)

[0418] 1. After evaluating the hair strands in I, comb them into sections and then slide them 6 times at a speed of 5cm / sec using a hair straightener (manufactured by Miki Denki Sangyo Co., Ltd. / model: AHI-938) with a measured temperature of 140℃.

[0419] 2. Rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, then lather with the shampoo for 60 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, and dry with a towel.

[0420] 3. While applying vibration to allow the hair to form its natural shape, let it air dry (without using a hairdryer). After combing, hang it up and visually inspect it from the front and side.

[0421] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0422] Let the length of the untreated hair tuft be L0 (22cm), and the length of the treated hair tuft be L. The straightening rate (ST) (%) calculated according to the following formula is defined as the degree of straightening. When ST = 100%, the hair tuft is completely straightened.

[0423] ST = [1 - (L0 - L) / L0] × 100

[0424] • III: Shape is restored (with curls)

[0425] 1. After evaluating the hair tufts in II, wet them with tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, then wrap the wetted hair tufts around a plastic rod with a diameter of 14mm and secure them with clips.

[0426] 2. Immerse the entire bundle of hair wrapped around the stick in a 60°C water bath (manufacturer: Toyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. / model: TBS221FA) for 1 minute.

[0427] 3. Remove the hair bundles from the water bath, immerse them in water at 25°C for 1 minute, and then allow them to cool to room temperature.

[0428] 4. Remove the tuft of hair from the stick, comb it three times, hang it up, and take a photo from the front and side.

[0429] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0430] Let the length of the untreated hair bundle be L0 (22cm), and the length of the treated hair bundle be L. The curl rate obtained by the following formula = hair bundle length reduction rate (I) (%) is defined as the curl intensity of the hair.

[0431] I = [(L0-L) / L0] × 100

[0432] <Evaluating the formulation of shampoo>

[0433]

[0434]

[0435] <Excellent surface feel>

[0436] The tactile evaluation used the hair tufts immediately after the <shape persistence> evaluation. Regarding the smoothness of the tactile feel when touched by hand, five professional team members evaluated it based on the following criteria, and the sum of the five scores was taken as the evaluation result.

[0437] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0438] 5: It has a very smooth feel compared to untreated fibers.

[0439] 4: It has a smooth feel compared to untreated fibers.

[0440] 3: It has a slightly smoother feel compared to untreated fibers.

[0441] 2: It feels no different from untreated fibers.

[0442] 1. Compared to untreated fibers, it has a rough and astringent feel, and a poor hand feel.

[0443]

[0444] Example 10 (Surface Finishing)

[0445] The regenerated collagen fibers processed in Example 1 were treated with the surface processing agents shown in Table 2, and various evaluations were performed.

[0446] <Handling Method>

[0447] 1. Immerse the wool bundles in a container with 40g of surface treatment agent and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

[0448] 2. Remove the hair bundles from the container and dehydrate them for 5 minutes using a household centrifugal dehydrator (Powerful Spin Dry APD-6.0 / ALUMIS).

[0449] 3. Remove the wool tufts from the dehydrator and heat them for 3 hours in an oven set to 60°C (forced convection dryer with stainless steel window; AS ONE, SOFW-450) (spin coating method).

[0450] 4. Remove the wool bundles from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature.

[0451] 5. Rinse the hair strands with 30°C running water for 30 seconds, gently pat dry with a towel, and then comb and dry the hair strands using a warm air hair dryer (TESCOM Nobby White NB3000).

[0452] Table 2

[0453]

[0454] Examples 11-13

[0455] The regenerated collagen fiber bundles processed in Examples 7-8 were evaluated by sliding a hair straightener (Made by Miki Denki Sangyo Co., Ltd. / Model: AHI-938) at a speed of 5 cm / sec 6 times using a hair straightener with a measured temperature of 180°C. (Examples 11, 13)

[0456] In addition, for the hair bundles after the above-mentioned perming treatment (Example 11), in order to apply tension to the extent that each fiber constituting the hair bundle extends within an average range of 0.1 to 0.5%, the two ends of the hair bundle were clamped with hairpins and stretched. While the hairpins were fixed to the wall of the water bath with tape, the hair bundles were left to stand in water at 40°C for 1 hour and then dried with a hair dryer. Various evaluations were also performed on the dried hair bundles (Example 12).

[0457] The results are shown in Table 3.

[0458] Table 3

[0459]

[0460] Examples 14-17

[0461] Using the first and second agents shown in Table 4, regenerated collagen fibers were treated according to the following method, and various evaluations were performed. The pH of each prepared composition was determined directly at room temperature (25°C) using a pH meter (HORIBA, F-52).

[0462] The concentrations of each component recorded in the table are the concentrations in the first agent and the second agent, respectively. As described below, since the first agent and the second agent are used in equal amounts (40g), the value of the aforementioned "total composition of fiber treatment agent" is half of the value in the table.

[0463] <Handling Method>

[0464] 1. Immerse 0.5g of regenerated collagen fiber (※) in a 22cm long tuft in a container containing 40g of the first agent. Seal the container and immerse the container together in a 50°C water bath (manufacturer: Toyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. / model: TBS221FA) for the time shown in the table.

[0465] ※: Regenerated collagen fibers manufactured by Kaneka Co., Ltd. were purchased in the form of commercially available hair extension products. The fibers were cut and subdivided into hair bundles for evaluation. In this evaluation, the hair extension products used as the fiber type were brown products with the Ultima 100% usage mark and color number 3, and straight shape.

[0466] 2. Remove the container containing the wool from the water bath and allow it to cool to room temperature.

[0467] 3. Remove the hair strands from the container, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, lather with the shampoo for 60 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, gently pat dry with a towel, and then comb and dry the hair strands with a warm air hairdryer (TESCOM Nobby White NB3000).

[0468] 4. Immerse the hair bundles in a container containing 40g of the second agent, seal the container, and immerse the container together in a 50°C water bath (manufacturer: Toyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. / model: TBS221FA) for the time shown in the heating table.

[0469] 5. Remove the container containing the wool from the water bath and allow it to cool to room temperature.

[0470] 6. Remove the hair strands from the container, soak them in 50g of triethylene glycol for 30 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, lather with the evaluation shampoo for 60 seconds, rinse with running tap water at 30°C for 30 seconds, gently pat dry with a towel, and then comb and blow-dry the hair strands using a warm air hairdryer (TESCOM Nobby White NB3000). At this point, the hair strands will still be straight.

[0471] Table 4

[0472]

[0473] *1: The total effective amount of catechins in the tea extract (analyzed by HPLC according to Mizukami et al. (2007) J. Agric. Food Chem. 55: 4957-4964).

[0474] *2: pH adjustment amount.

[0475] In the above embodiments, the processed hair bundles are fixed to the hair using hairpins or similar means, and can be used directly as hair extensions, thus performing their full potential even on a person's head.

Claims

1. A fiber treatment agent, wherein which is a single-dose fiber treatment agent composed of a single composition or a multi-dose fiber treatment agent composed of a plurality of compositions, contains the following components (A) to (C) in all of its components, and in the case of a single dose, a part or all of the component (A) and the component (B) can be in a state of a condensate generated from both of them, (A): a compound having a structure in which hydroxymethyl groups are respectively bonded to 2 nitrogen atoms within a molecule, containing one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds (Al) to (A4) shown below, (B): a phenol compound having an electron-donating group at at least one position of meta and at least one of ortho and para being a hydrogen atom, wherein the electron-donating group at meta can form a benzene ring together with the adjoining carbon atom, and the benzene ring can be substituted with a hydroxyl group; (C): water.

2. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein the component (A) is one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds (Al) to (A4) shown below, 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the component from the component (A) in the fiber treatment agent is 0.1 mass% or more and 80 mass% or less based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

4. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component (B) is one or more selected from the group consisting of components (Bl), (B2) and (B3) shown below: (B1) a resorcinol or a derivative thereof represented by general formula (1), in the formula, A 1 ~A 4 identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkoxy or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; (B2) a naphthol derivative represented by general formula (2) or (3), in the formula, R 1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, A 5 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or aralkenyl group having or not having a substituent, having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkoxy or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or -CO-R 2 wherein R 2 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or aralkenyl group having or not having a substituent, having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having or not having a substituent, having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, D represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methyl group or a linear or branched alkoxy group or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, E represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkoxy group or alkenyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, G represents a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer of 0 to 2; (B3) a flavan-3-ol derivative represented by general formula (4), in the formula, R 3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, R 4 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted with at most 3 hydroxy groups or methoxy groups or unsubstituted and which can form a condensed ring with 1,3-dioxolane, R 5 represents a hydroxy group, a methoxy group, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted with up to 3 hydroxy groups or methoxy groups and which can form a fused ring with 1,3-dioxolane, or an arylcarbonyloxy group or an aralkylcarbonyloxy group substituted or unsubstituted with up to 3 hydroxy groups or methoxy groups.

5. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the component from the component (B) in the fiber treatment agent is 0.1 mass% or more and 80 mass% or less based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

6. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the total of the content of the component from the component (A) and the content of the component from the component (B) in the fiber treatment agent is 0.1 mass% or more and 80 mass% or less based on the total composition of the fiber treatment agent.

7. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the molar ratio (A) / (B) of the component from the component (A) to the component from the component (B) is 0.1 or more and less than 20.

8. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein It is a multiple agent type comprising a first agent and a second agent, wherein the first agent contains component (B) and component (C), and the second agent contains component (A) and component (C).

9. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a single agent type, and further contains the following component (D), (D): SP value of Hansen solubility parameter is 16 MPa 1 / 2 The above 40 MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds, excluding organic salts and compounds having an aldehyde group with a molecular weight of 150 or less.

10. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 9, wherein Component (D) is at least one selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohol, dihydric alcohol, dihydric alcohol derivative, trihydric or more polyhydric alcohol, lactam, imidazolone, pyrimidinone, lactone, alkylene carbonate, and general-purpose organic solvent.

11. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Further contains the following component (E), (E): sulfur-containing reducing agent.

12. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 11, wherein Component (E) is one or more selected from the group consisting of sulfite and thiol compound.

13. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The pH of the fiber treatment agent is 3.0 or more and 11.0 or less.

14. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a treatment agent for fibers obtained from natural plants and animals, or a treatment agent for fibers artificially manufactured using keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silkworm chrysalis, or silk protein as a raw material.

15. A fiber treatment method, wherein It comprises the following process (i), (i) a process of dipping a fiber in the fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a single agent type, Process (i) is performed in a state where the turbidity of the treatment agent is maintained at 1000 NTU or less.

17. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a single agent type, Process (0) is performed before process (i), (0) a process of heating the fiber treatment agent.

18. The fiber treatment method according to claim 17, wherein Immediately after the components are mixed to prepare the treatment agent, the heating is performed, and the heating time until the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU is defined as T, The heating time in process (0) is 0.2T or more and 0.8T or less.

19. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a single agent type, The combination of process (i) and the following process (ii-a) is performed one or more times, (ii-a) a process of taking out the fiber from the treatment agent before the turbidity of the treatment agent exceeds 1000 NTU.

20. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15, wherein The fiber treatment agent is a multiple agent type, Process (i) is a process of dipping the fiber in one of the first agent and the second agent according to claim 8, and then dipping in the other.

21. The fiber treatment method according to claim 20, wherein Process (ii-b) is performed after process (i), (ii-b) a process of taking out the fiber from the treatment agent.

22. The fiber treatment method according to claim 19 or 21, wherein after the process (ii-a) or the process (ii-b), optionally, the following process (iii) is performed, (iii) a process of rinsing the extracted fiber.

23. The fiber treatment method according to claim 22, wherein the rinsing of the process (iii) is performed using a composition containing component (D), (D): SP value of Hansen solubility parameter is 16 MPa 1 / 2 The above 40 MPa 1 / 2 The following organic compounds, excluding organic salts and compounds having an aldehyde group with a molecular weight of 150 or less.

24. The fiber treatment method according to claim 22, wherein before or after the processes (i) to (iii), or between the processes (i) to (iii), further treatment selected from one or more of decoloration and dyeing is performed.

25. The fiber treatment method according to claim 22, wherein after the processes (i) to (iii), further performing a process of impregnating the fiber in a surface-treatment agent containing component (F) and component (C), (F) an epoxy aminosilane copolymer as a reaction product of the following compounds (a) to (d), (a) a polysiloxane having at least two oxiranyl groups or oxetanyl groups, (b) a polyether having at least two oxiranyl groups or oxetanyl groups, (c) an aminopropyltrialkoxysilane, (d) a compound selected from primary amines and secondary amines, • primary amines: methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, ethanolamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, isobutylamine, hexylamine, dodecylamine, oleylamine, aniline, aminopropyltrimethylsilane, aminopropyltriethylsilane, aminomorpholine, aminopropyl diethylamine, benzylamine, naphthylamine, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 1-aminopentafluoroheptane, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecafluoro-l-octylamine, • secondary amines: methylethylamine, methyloctadecylamine, diethanolamine, dibenzylamine, dihexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, phthalimide, polymeric amine; (C) water.

26. The fiber treatment method according to claim 17, wherein Further, the fiber is extended while applying tension to the fiber.

27. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein Further, the treated fiber is treated with one of a composition containing component (E) and a composition containing component (G), or the treated fiber is treated sequentially with these two compositions in any order of treatment, (E): a sulfur-containing reducing agent; (G): a compound having a chelating action.

28. The fiber treatment method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein The fiber to be treated is a fiber obtained from natural plants and animals, or a fiber artificially manufactured using keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silkworm chrysalis, or silk protein as a raw material.

29. A method for manufacturing a fiber for a headwear product, wherein the process includes a process of treating a fiber using the fiber treatment method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

30. A method for manufacturing a headwear product, wherein the process includes a process of treating a fiber using the fiber treatment method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

31. A fiber for a headwear product, wherein a condensate formed from a component (A) and a component (B), (A): a compound having a structure in which a hydroxymethyl group is bonded to each of two nitrogen atoms in a molecule, including one or more of compounds (Al) to (A4) shown below, (B): a phenol compound having an electron-donating group at at least one position of the meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one position of the ortho and para positions, wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position can form a benzene ring together with the adjoining carbon atom, and the benzene ring can be substituted with a hydroxyl group.

32. The fiber for a headwear product according to claim 31, wherein the fiber is a fiber obtained from a natural plant or animal, or a fiber artificially produced using keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk dust, or silk protein as a raw material.

33. A headwear product, wherein a fiber containing a condensate formed from a component (A) and a component (B) is used as a constituent element, (A): a compound having a structure in which a hydroxymethyl group is bonded to each of two nitrogen atoms in a molecule, including one or more of compounds (Al) to (A4) shown below, (B): a phenol compound having an electron-donating group at at least one position of the meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one position of the ortho and para positions, wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position can form a benzene ring together with the adjoining carbon atom, and the benzene ring can be substituted with a hydroxyl group.

34. The headwear product according to claim 33, wherein the fiber is a fiber obtained from a natural plant or animal, or a fiber artificially produced using keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk dust, or silk protein as a raw material.

35. The headwear product according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the headwear product is selected from the group consisting of a wig, a hairpiece, a hair extension piece, a hair braid, a hair accessory, and a doll hair.

36. Use of a composition as a fiber treatment agent, wherein the composition contains components (A) to (C) below, and a part or all of the component (A) and the component (B) can be in a state of a condensate formed from both, (A): a compound having a structure in which a hydroxymethyl group is bonded to each of two nitrogen atoms in a molecule, including one or more of compounds (Al) to (A4) shown below, (B): a phenol compound having an electron-donating group at at least one position of the meta position and a hydrogen atom at at least one position of the ortho and para positions, wherein the electron-donating group at the meta position can form a benzene ring together with the adjoining carbon atom, and the benzene ring can be substituted with a hydroxyl group; (C): water.

37. A fiber treatment agent, wherein components (A) to (C) below are contained, (A) DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea: 10 to 50 mass%; (B) resorcinol or catechins: 5 to 30 mass%; (C) water: the balance.

38. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 37, wherein the fiber treatment agent is a treatment agent for a fiber obtained from a natural plant or animal, or a treatment agent for a fiber artificially produced using keratin, collagen, casein, soybean, peanut, corn, silk dust, or silk protein as a raw material.

Images