BEDDING AND CHEMICAL EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to bedding comprising a cover material and a filling material enclosed by the cover material, wherein the cover material and / or the filling material are provided with a chemical finish. It further relates to a method for chemically finishing such a bedding, wherein the cover material and / or the filling material are treated with an aqueous dispersion.

[0002] The number of allergy cases in the population is steadily increasing. Preventive measures are therefore important from a public health and economic perspective. Indoor allergens accumulate in bedding, mattresses, carpets, stuffed animals, upholstered furniture, and clothing. These all act as both reservoirs and allergen sources. From these reservoirs, allergens can be released into the environment, thus greatly increasing allergen exposure in the immediate vicinity of the user, especially with prolonged and repeated use, as is the case with bedding.

[0003] In the following, bedding refers to body supports and pads used for sleeping. These have an interior formed by a cover fabric filled with filling material (e.g., feather quills). The most commonly used body support is the duvet (= top bed). Body supports include pillows, side cushions, mattress pads (= underbed), and mattresses. Bedding (duvet covers and sheets), which provide a protective covering for the bedding, must be distinguished from bedding.

[0004] To substantially reduce allergen exposure, a combination of measures is necessary. This includes preventing the formation and regular removal of allergens, as well as actively keeping allergens away from the user, for example, through regular cleaning. However, despite regular cleaning, an accumulation of mite fecal allergens can still occur, particularly in bedding, to which the user is often directly and prolongedly exposed.

[0005] JP 2013 087 386 A discloses a car textile coated with a chemical finish comprising an allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance, which is an acrylic acid ester-based copolymer. While the coating is intended to bind the allergens, they are not washed out but inactivated with additional coating components, such as zinc. Regular washing is not intended for car textiles, so this concept is only partially suitable for use in bed textiles.

[0006] GB 2 058 820, on the other hand, describes a coating for textiles that is also intended to bind allergens, but is intended to be applied regularly, particularly to fabrics that can rarely or never be washed, such as a mattress. The coating is intended not only to bind allergens and dust, but also to immobilize the mites themselves. Such a coating is also only partially suitable for regular washing.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a bedding article and a method for chemically finishing a bedding article of the type mentioned at the outset, which reduce the exposure to mite excrement allergens.

[0008] With regard to the bedding, the object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

[0009] With regard to the method, the problem is solved with the features of claim 5.

[0010] Advantageous aspects of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea that reduced allergen exposure could be achieved by retaining allergens absorbed during the usage cycle in the fibers of the bedding filling. This is achieved by chemically binding the cover fabric and / or filling material to bind allergens, particularly with regard to the mite fecal allergens Der p1 and Der f1. This removes the allergens from the environment (and thus from allergy sufferers). Only during washing are the allergens bound in the fibers then specifically removed from the bedding fillings. This makes the filling an additional component in a catalog of measures to alleviate allergy symptoms or even prevent sensitization. Furthermore, however, washing should not lead to a weakening of the allergy-binding effect of the finish or even washing the finish out.Rather, the textile's binding function should be regenerated. Therefore, in addition to its allergen-binding properties, the fabric used for the treatment is also self-crosslinking. Self-crosslinking in this context means that a fabric is used whose molecular chains contain functional groups that create links between the molecular chains, e.g., through covalent bonds, and that this crosslinking occurs spontaneously during the treatment process without the addition of, for example, an additional crosslinking agent.

[0012] According to the invention, the material used for the bedding or in the process contains anionic functional groups. This ensures particularly good allergen binding. This effect is based on the finding that the allergens in mite feces (Der p1, Der f1) are generally positively charged. Allergen binding thus occurs via the physical principle of electrostatic interaction.

[0013] The material used is an acrylic acid ester-based copolymer. Such a material can be provided with the aforementioned properties particularly easily. Furthermore, compared to other possible materials, an acrylic acid ester-based copolymer exhibits particularly good wash permanence, meaning that when the bedding is washed, the copolymer adheres particularly well to the fibers. This will be explained in more detail below using the examples. The allergen-binding effect is thus maintained over multiple washes.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the copolymer has a glass transition temperature between -25 and -5 degrees Celsius. Such copolymers are particularly well-suited for use in the treatment of fibers for bedding due to their comparatively soft, elastic properties at room temperature.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the substance has the general formula (I)

[0016] Where R 1 stands for identical or different hydrogen atoms, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl radicals, R 2 stands for identical or different hydrogen atoms or methyl radicals, and X stands for identical or different nitrile, phenyl, carbamoyl groups or a group of the general formula (II) CO-NH-CH 2 -OH (II).

[0017] Such a copolymer combines all of the desired properties mentioned above, it has a particularly high allergen-binding effect and remains attached to the fibers of the bedding despite multiple washing processes.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the finish of the bedding or the aqueous dispersion used in the treatment further comprises an amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane. In particular, an amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane can be used, as described in the international patent application WO 2002 / 088456 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxanes generally serve as softeners and are already used to treat fibers for bedding. The particular advantage here, however, lies in the realization that the chemical finish can be provided simultaneously with the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane and the allergen-binding and self-crosslinking substance described here. The aqueous dispersion used in the treatment process therefore contains both substances, enabling particularly simple treatment.

[0019] Advantageously, the finish contains the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane in essentially the same amount as the allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance. In extensive tests, such a quantity has shown optimal results in terms of allergen-binding effect, as will be explained in relation to the exemplary embodiments.

[0020] In particular, when treating a cover material, the allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance is advantageously present in the dispersion at a concentration of 30 to 160, preferably 60 to 100 g / L. When treating a filling material, however, the substance is advantageously present in the dispersion at a concentration of more than 60, preferably 120 to 200 g / L.

[0021] The filling material is advantageously sprayed with an acrylate binder before treatment with the aqueous dispersion. This serves, on the one hand, to prevent fiber migration in the final product—that is, the migration of individual fibers from the filling material through the cover fabric. On the other hand, it has been recognized that such spraying also improves the allergen-binding properties.

[0022] The advantages achieved by the invention are, in particular, that the use of an allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance to finish the fibers of bedding achieves a binding of mite fecal allergens to the fiber, reducing the user's allergen exposure. Furthermore, the self-crosslinking properties enable efficient reactivation, meaning that the mite feces are dissolved and removed by washing, while the finish remains attached to the fiber. The finish is wash-resistant and suitable for tumble drying.

[0023] Especially in fabrics with anionic functional groups, allergen adhesion is based on a physical principle. This means that the treatment creates a negative charge on the surface, which binds the positively charged mite excrement or the corresponding allergens. This means that the bedding is highly functional and does not require biocides or other harmful substances. Tests have shown that the use of a copolymer described above achieves compliance with Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Class 1. Biological compatibility (skin- and allergy-friendly) has been demonstrated through biocompatibility tests (cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation).

[0024] By using the described bedding, the so-called encasings, which were previously often necessary for allergy sufferers, are no longer required. This eliminates the limitations on sleeping comfort for allergy sufferers, which were often a complaint with the encasings used previously: The described bedding is softer and lighter than encasings, it does not cause any disturbing noises (rustling, creasing), it has high air permeability (approx. 80-100 l, encasings are only about 10 l) and is breathable across the entire surface. Furthermore, the costs of new purchases are reduced, as allergy sufferers only have to buy one bedding item, not – as was previously the case – both a bedding item and an encasing.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below.

[0026] To achieve increased allergen binding to the fiber surface during use, various finishing components were compared to achieve the greatest possible allergen binding. For this purpose, raw materials of 100% cotton upholstery fabric and 100% polyester fiberfill fleece were treated with various finishing agents at different concentrations (see examples below) in an aqueous dispersion to create a negatively charged fiber surface. The binding of positively charged allergens in mite excrement (Der p1, Der f1) occurs via the physical principle of electrostatic interaction. A total of 42 different, differently treated and untreated fibers for bedding were investigated.

[0027] Three 5 cm x 5 cm test pieces were cut from each sample material and placed individually in beakers. 5 mg of standardized mite excrement (with known allergen content) was then weighed into the beakers and rubbed into the material. As much of the excrement as possible was absorbed into the fabric. The treated test pieces were transferred in a dry state into sterile plastic bags and mechanically treated in a laboratory mixer for 60 seconds at 240 rpm. This step is intended to simulate the shaking of bedding. If the mite excrement does not adhere firmly to the fibers, it is shaken into the plastic bag.

[0028] The test specimens were then removed from the bag. The empty plastic bags, as well as the cover and filling materials themselves, were eluted with a surfactant-containing buffer. The p1 allergen content of the eluates was subsequently quantified using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). These determined allergen levels correspond, in the case of the empty plastic bag, to the allergen quantity that was freely available in the environment after shaking, and, in the case of the cover and filling materials, to the allergen quantity that was still bound to the fibers after shaking (and can be removed again when the bedding is washed). The latter allergen quantity is therefore an indicator of how the fiber surfaces regenerate during washing. The mite fecal allergens are said to detach from the fibers during the washing process, so that allergens can be rebound after the processed bedding is washed and dried.

[0029] In a direct comparison of different materials and finishes, as well as different concentrations, the upholstery fabrics treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the acrylic acid ester-based copolymer described above using formulas (I) and (II) at a concentration of 80 g / L and an amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane (as described in WO 2002 / 088456 A1), also at a concentration of 80 g / L (Example 1) exhibited the highest allergen binding capacity on the fiber under mechanical stress. Specifically, for different upholstery fabrics, less than 5% of the originally introduced allergen (5 mg) was released by the laboratory mixer, compared to 15% released for upholstery fabrics treated only with the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at the above-mentioned concentration.

[0030] These figures are particularly important in relation to the absorption capacity of the cover materials: The cover materials treated with the copolymer and the aminopolydiorganosiloxane were still able to retain approximately 70% of the originally introduced allergen (5 mg) even after treatment in the laboratory mixer, whereas the cover materials treated only with the aminopolydiorganosiloxane contained only approximately 30-40% of the allergens. Since only 30-40% of the allergens were still bound and 15% were released by the laboratory mixer, this means that only 55-65% of the originally introduced allergens were actually absorbed by the fiber at the beginning of the test series, compared to 75% after treatment with the copolymer. This shows that the additional treatment with the anionic copolymer described above not only increases the fibers' absorption capacity for allergens, but also strengthens their binding to the fiber.

[0031] Likewise, good results were achieved by treating the cover fabrics with an aqueous dispersion containing a terminally functionalized dicarboxysiloxane, i.e., an anionic silicone, at a concentration of 100 g / L, and the previously described amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at a concentration of 80 g / L (Example 2). Here, too, the allergen absorption capacity could be increased, although the binding to the fiber was less strong than in Example 1. Specifically, more than 70% of the originally introduced allergen was retained in the fiber after treatment with the laboratory mixer, but approximately 20% was released.

[0032] To determine an optimal concentration, the experiments also included aqueous dispersions containing the acrylic acid ester-based copolymer at a concentration of 30 g / L and the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at a concentration of 80 g / L (Example 3), as well as aqueous dispersions containing the anionic silicone at a concentration of 30 g / L and the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at a concentration of 80 g / L (Example 4). These yielded poorer results than in Examples 1 and 2, respectively.

[0033] With the filler material described above, the best results were achieved in the process described above on samples treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the anionic silicone at a concentration of 200 g / L, the amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at a concentration of 160 g / L, and a wetting agent at a concentration of 2 g / L (Example 5). Here, almost 100% of the allergens were retained, and treatment with the laboratory mixer resulted in almost no allergens being released.

[0034] An aqueous dispersion containing the acrylic acid ester-based copolymer at a concentration of 160 g / L, the amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane at a concentration of 160 g / L, and the wetting agent at a concentration of 2 g / L (Example 6) also showed very good allergen binding to the filling. More than 70% of the allergens were retained, and only 10% were released in the laboratory mixer.

[0035] Comparative tests in which the concentration of the anionic silicone was reduced to 60 g / L (Example 7) compared to Example 5, or the concentration of the copolymer was reduced to 60 g / L (Example 8) compared to Example 6, showed poorer results. In the above-mentioned examples, the filler material was sprayed with an acrylate binder before finishing. Comparative tests showed that the finishing was more effective on the filler material. This can be explained by a slight adhesive effect of the resin.

[0036] In further tests, the wash permanence of the bedding finish was tested according to the above-mentioned examples 1-8. For this purpose, the cover fabric and filling materials were washed ten times at 60°C using a standard household washing process according to examples 1, 2, 5, and 6. The allergen binding capacity was then tested again and compared with the results of the new test.

[0037] The washing tests were conducted in a household washing machine set to "cotton 60°C" with 67.5 g of heavy-duty detergent. Approximately 3.8 kg of bundled laundry was used as a co-load. Initially, the laundry was washed without soil addition. Two SBL (soil ballast) cloths were added as needed (after foam development). After each wash, the textiles were dried in a household dryer set to "cotton, cupboard dry." After the ten washes, the samples were again exposed to standardized mite feces as described above, shaken out, and eluted. The allergen content of the eluates was quantified using the Der p1 ELISA.

[0038] The upholstery fabrics according to Example 1 (copolymer) demonstrated very high wash permanence, and their allergen binding capacity was not affected by washing. The filling cotton according to Example 5 (silicone finish) showed significantly poorer allergen binding results after ten household washes. This suggests that the finish is not washfast.

[0039] In contrast, the filling cotton according to Example 6 (copolymer) showed the same high allergen binding capacity after ten wash / dry cycles as when new. For this reason, despite the results described above, the filling cotton according to Example 6 is preferable.

[0040] Finally, the results obtained in this way were tested under realistic conditions. A realistic condition was to be recreated using small-scale samples of the series-produced bedding and a mite population. Allergen binding was to be tested by subjecting the bedding to real-life exposure to mite excrement and simulating its use in the finished bedding.

[0041] Two variants of the samples were produced in a size of 5x5 cm: First, a combination of a first cover fabric (50-weight batch) treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the described acrylic acid ester-based copolymer in a concentration of 80 g / L and the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane in a concentration of 80 g / L, and a filling cotton sprayed with an acrylate binder and treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the described acrylic acid ester-based copolymer in a concentration of 160 g / L (Example 9) was produced.

[0042] Secondly, a combination of a second cover fabric (100g fill) treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the described acrylic acid ester-based copolymer in a concentration of 80g / L and the amido-functional aminopolydiorganosiloxane in a concentration of 80g / L, and a filling cotton sprayed with an acrylate binder and treated with an aqueous dispersion containing the described acrylic acid ester-based copolymer in a concentration of 160g / L (Example 10) was produced.

[0043] Three utility models per design example were tested in new condition and a further three samples per design example were tested after ten normal household washes at 60°C (see above). Fifty house dust mites ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and, after adding a food substrate, incubated for 6 weeks at room temperature. The mite population (which had since grown to approximately 800-1000 specimens) was then killed by freezing the contaminated bedding. The finished samples were then transferred, in a dry state, into sterile plastic bags and mechanically treated in a laboratory mixer for 2 x 60 seconds at 240 rpm. This step is intended to simulate vigorous shaking of the bedding. If the mite excrement does not adhere firmly to the fabric, it is shaken into the plastic bag.

[0044] Subsequently, as described above, the utility models were removed from the bags. The empty plastic bags and the utility models themselves were eluted with a surfactant-containing buffer. The p1 allergen content of the eluates was then quantified using an ELISA immunoassay. As described above, these determined allergen levels correspond, in the case of the empty plastic bag, to the amount of allergen that was freely available in the environment after shaking, and, in the case of the cover and filling materials, to the amount of allergen that was still bound to the fibers after shaking and thus could not come into contact with the allergy sufferer (but can be removed again when washing the bedding).

[0045] As a result, both bedding samples 9 and 10 demonstrated very strong binding of the mite fecal allergen Der p1. Even under severe mechanical stress (simulation of double shaking), more than 99.5% of the allergen remained bound in the fabric in all samples. Subsequent elution (simulation of washing) reliably removed the house dust mite allergens from the fabric in all cases. The allergen binding capacity remained undiminished even after 10 wash-dry cycles.

[0046] Further tests were conducted to assess the biocompatibility of the finishing substances used. For this purpose, the 5x5 cm utility models (Examples 9 and 10) were subjected to biocompatibility tests, which are used for medical devices, after washing (one wash at 60°C, cotton program) to exclude cell-damaging, sensitizing, or irritating substances in the finished bedding. The results were subsequently verified by testing bedding as it would be sold from production (namely, with washed-in cover fabric and unwashed filling).

[0047] The test samples were extracted in acidic sweat solution for 24 hours at 37°C. The extract was tested for cytotoxicity using L929 cells according to DIN EN ISO 10993-5 and for chemical irritation in the HET-CAM (chicken egg test on the chorio-allantoic membrane) according to INVITTOX Protocol No. 96. Furthermore, the sensitization potential of the textile extract was investigated in the mMUSST (modified Myeloid U937 Skin Sensitization Test).

[0048] None of the three biocompatibility tests conducted revealed any biological activity in the treated bedding. No cytotoxic or irritating substances were released from the tested samples. No sensitization potential was detected.

Claims

1. A bed textile which is provided with a chemical treatment, wherein the treatment comprises an allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance, wherein the substance is an acrylate-based copolymer, characterised in that the substance for binding mite faces allergens via the physical principle of electrostatic interaction comprises anionic functional groups.

2. The bed textile according to claim 1, in which the substance has the general formula (I) wherein R1 stands for like or different hydrogen atoms, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl groups, wherein R2 stands for like or different hydrogen atoms or methyl groups, and wherein X stands for like or different nitrile, phenyl, carbamoyl groups or a group of general formula (II)         CO-NH-CH2-OH     (II).

3. The bed textile according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the treatment further comprises a amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane.

4. The bed textile according to claim 3, in which the treatment comprises the amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane in substantially the same amount as the allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance.

5. A method for the chemical treatment of a bed textile which is treated with an aqueous dispersion, wherein the aqueous dispersion comprises an allergen-binding, self-crosslinking substance, wherein the substance is an acrylate-based copolymer, characterised in that the substance for binding mite faeces allergens via the physical principle of electrostatic interaction comprises anionic functional groups.

6. The method according to claim 5, in which the substance has the general formula (I) wherein R1 stands for like or different hydrogen atoms, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl groups, wherein R2 stands for like or different hydrogen atoms or methyl groups, and wherein X stands for like or different nitrile, phenyl, carbamoyl groups or a group of general formula (II)         CO-NH-CH2-OH     (II).

7. The method according to any one of claims 5 or 6, in which the bed textile is an upholstery fabric and the substance is contained in the dispersion in a concentration of more than 30, preferably 60 to 100 g / L.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the bed textile is an item of bedding, a filler material of the item of bedding is treated, and the substance is contained in the dispersion in a concentration of more than 60, preferably 120 to 200 g / L.

9. The method according to claim 8, in which the filler material is sprayed with an acrylate binder prior to the treatment with the aqueous dispersion.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the aqueous dispersion further comprises an amidofunctional aminopolydiorganosiloxane.