Surface structure and use thereof when washing a textile material

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric, a method for washing a textile material and the use of the fabric in washing a textile material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of wipes (or similar sheet-like products) in the washing of textile materials, such as garments, is well known in the art. Such wipes are used to achieve various positive effects during the washing process.

[0003] For example, wipes with detergent-active substances applied to their surfaces are known from the prior art. Such wipes can be used as a replacement for powder or liquid ash cleaners or to support them.

[0004] In addition, washcloths are known to contain optical brighteners. These optical brighteners are suitable for adsorption on textiles, thus resulting in a brilliant white or vibrant color.

[0005] Wipes designed to counteract the graying of white laundry are also known in the art. For this purpose, wipes with a cationized surface, such as a cationic compound, are used. Due to this surface modification, such wipes are able to trap dyes and dirt released during the washing process, preventing them from redepositing on the laundry.

[0006] Conversely, there is also the problem that black or dark laundry items slowly become lighter after repeated washing. State-of-the-art detergents are known that are intended to counteract this lightening, for example, by refreshing the dark color. However, the effect achieved with the state-of-the-art technology is often insufficient, and the lightening of the laundry cannot be stopped permanently or sufficiently.

[0007] Further problems with conventional laundry washing methods arise from the mechanical stress during the washing process. Particularly when the laundry to be washed contains cotton fibers, the mechanical stress during the washing process leads to fiber fibrils (finest fibers), which can then agglomerate, resulting in what is known as "pilling" (i.e., the formation of balls or fuzz in fabrics). These protruding fibers and balls impair the external appearance of the laundry. Furthermore, these balls and protruding fibers cause the color of the textile to lose its vibrancy due to light refraction, resulting in a washed-out appearance.

[0008] GB 2 524 319 A discloses a laundry article comprising: (i) a water-insoluble substrate; and (ii) a dried water-soluble coating on the substrate. The dried water-soluble coating comprises: (a) about 60 to about 95 wt% of at least one surfactant; (b) about 0.5 to about 5 wt% of at least one enzyme; (c) about 1 to about 35 wt% of at least one binder; and (d) about 0 to about 15 wt% residual water; the wt% is the wt% of the total dried water-soluble coating.

[0009] DE 10 2015 119 949 A1 discloses a color-releasing product, in particular for dyeing or refreshing colorations in textile materials, preferably in a washing machine, comprising a flat carrier material, as well as a coating composition for a flat carrier material, a method for dyeing or refreshing colorations in textile materials and the use of the product.

[0010] DE 10 2014 008 586 A1 discloses a process for producing a detergent, characterized by the following steps: (a) incorporating oxygen donors and their activators into a wax matrix surrounded by an ionic polymer layer in order to obtain a capsule system, (b) incorporating the capsule system into a liquid detergent.

[0011] GB 2 258 655 A discloses aqueous, stable preparations containing both cellulase and protease and their use for the post-treatment of mixed fabrics.

[0012] It is therefore, based on the prior art, the object underlying the present invention to provide a cloth for a washing process which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, is particularly suitable for efficiently preventing a (preferably dark) item of laundry from becoming lighter even after a large number of washing processes and at the same time preventing the occurrence of pilling during the individual washing processes. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This object is achieved according to the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments emerge from the subclaims and the following description.

[0014] This object is achieved by a sheet-like structure comprising: a sheet-like carrier material; and at least one coating on at least one side of the sheet-like carrier material; wherein the coating comprises at least one cellulase and at least one dye; and the dye is black.

[0015] Surprisingly, the fabric according to the invention, when added to the washing solution / clothing during washing of a dark item of clothing in a washing machine, makes it possible to approximately maintain the dark color of a piece of laundry washed in this way even after a large number of washing processes and at the same time to prevent pilling.

[0016] The sheet-like carrier material may be a nonwoven, a woven, a scrim, a braid, a warp-knitted, a knitted fabric, or a mixture thereof, preferably a nonwoven or a woven fabric. Most preferably, the carrier material is a nonwoven. The sheet-like carrier material may preferably be white or light-colored. In this context, the sheet-like carrier material may preferably be made of fibers that are not directly colored by the one or more dyes contained in the coating.

[0017] It can be provided that the sheet-like carrier material predominantly comprises synthetic fibers. In this context, "predominantly" means that the sheet-like carrier material comprises the synthetic fibers in an amount of at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, further preferably at least 80 wt.%, further preferably at least 90 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 95 wt.%, most preferably consisting of the synthetic fibers.

[0018] It can preferably be provided that the synthetic fibers comprise or consist of polyethersulfone fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, fibers of degradable polymers, viscose fibers, polylactic acid fibers or mixtures thereof, preferably consist of polyethersulfone fibers.

[0019] The fiber diameter can, in principle, range from approximately 1 µm to approximately 0.5 mm. The fibers can be produced using any known method, for example, a wet spinning process.

[0020] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the sheet-like carrier material has a basis weight of 10 to 500 g / m 2< , preferably 30 to 100 g / m 2< , preferably 40 to 80 g / m 2< , preferably 50 to 70 g / m 2< , particularly preferably 55 to 65 g / m 2< .

[0021] It can be provided that the coating is applied to both sides of the sheet-like carrier material or only to one side of the carrier material (in each case completely or partially). It can be provided that the coating is present in the sheet-like structure in an amount of 10 g / m 2 to 200 g / m 2 , preferably 20 g / m 2 to 100 g / m 2 , particularly preferably 30 g / m 2 to 50 g / m 2 , based on the area of ​​the carrier material.

[0022] In one embodiment, the coating may further comprise at least one binder. The binder may be selected from the group consisting of natural resins, synthetic resins, and mixtures thereof.

[0023] Suitable natural resins in this context include gum arabic, guar gum, gelatin, dextrins, agar agar, alginic acid, alginates, carrageenan, egg white, gellan, locust bean gum, pectin, modified cellulose, starch, modified starch, xanthan gum or mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0024] Suitable synthetic resins in this context include polyesters, polyvinyl acetates, polyacrylates, polyglycols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones or mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0025] It can be provided that the binder is present in an amount of 1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the coating.

[0026] It can be provided that the binder is suitable for releasing the dye and the enzyme into an aqueous solution starting at a temperature of 20°C, preferably higher. It can also be provided that the binder is suitable for releasing the dye and the enzyme into an aqueous solution in a pH range of 3.5 to 10, preferably 6 to 10, particularly preferably 6 to 8.

[0027] In a preferred form of expression, the binder is starch and / or modified starch.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cellulase can have a pH optimum in a range from 6 to 10, preferably from 6 to 8. The cellulase to be used in the agents according to the invention can be an enzyme obtainable from bacteria or fungi, which has a pH optimum preferably in the almost neutral to alkaline range of 6 to 10, in particular from 6 to 8 (1% by weight solution in distilled water). Mixtures of two or more cellulases, and in particular cellulases from different organisms, can also be used in the agents according to the invention. For example, a cellulase can be provided which has a molecular weight of approximately 20 kDa and exhibits at least 80% of its maximum activity at 50°C in the pH range from 4 to 9, with almost 50% of the maximum activity still being retained at pH 10.

[0029] Cellulase is preferably present in the coating in amounts such that it has a cellulolytic activity of 3 CMC-U to 40 CMC-U, in particular 5 CMC-U to 25 CMC-U, and particularly preferably 6 CMC-U to 20 CMC-U, each based on 100 g of the coating. The determination of the cellulolytic activity (CMCase activity) is based on the method described by M. Lever in Anal. Biochem. 47 (1972), 273-279 and Anal. Biochem. 81 (1977), 21-27. 1 CMC-U corresponds to the amount of enzyme that produces 1 µmol of glucose per minute under these conditions.

[0030] A suitable cellulase according to the invention is the commercially available Rucolase EPE 3120.

[0031] Preferably, the cellulase is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the coating.

[0032] In principle, a wide variety of dyes can be used in the coating according to the invention. Azo dyes are particularly preferred. Azo dyes have one or more azo bridges as a chromophore. The dye is black. Examples of black dyes are Celasol Direkt Black OB 150% and Celasol Direkt Black VSF 600%. The two aforementioned black dyes are azo-direct dyes. However, other black azo dyes can also be used with preference in the coloring product according to the invention. Black azo dyes are used in particular to prevent graying of dark-colored textiles, especially black textiles, or to refresh their colors.

[0033] Preferably, the at least one dye is present in the coating in an amount ranging from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, preferably 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, more preferably 5 wt% to about 15 wt%, based on the total weight of the coating.

[0034] It can be provided that the coating comprises at least one further additive selected from the group consisting of an odor absorber; preferably activated carbon or zinc ricinoleate; a fragrance; a dye fixative; an optical brightener, preferably a cationic resin; another enzyme, preferably an amylase, a protease, a lipase, a laccase, a pectinase or a mixture of two or more thereof; a complexing agent; a biocidal active ingredient; a natural substance extract; a washing-active substance, preferably a surfactant; a substance that supports a washing process, preferably carboxymethylcellulose; a substance that prevents re-soiling of textiles, a base, preferably Na 2 CO 3 ; a leveling agent, such as the commercially available Sarabid DLC; and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0035] Furthermore, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a method for washing a textile material, comprising: providing the textile material together with a fabric according to the invention in water or (preferably) an aqueous solution; washing the textile material together with the fabric in the water or the aqueous solution at a temperature of at least 20°C for at least 10 minutes.

[0036] The process according to the invention is preferably carried out in a washing machine, preferably at a temperature in a range from about 20°C to about 95°C, even more preferably at a temperature in a range from about 30°C to about 65°C, for a period of at least 10 minutes, preferably for a period of about 15 minutes to about 300 minutes, even more preferably for a period of about 30 minutes to about 90 minutes. Preferably, the aqueous solution additionally comprises a detergent, in particular a color detergent. The pH of the aqueous solution is particularly preferably in a range from about 9 to about 13.

[0037] Preferably, the textile material is a piece of clothing, such as a shirt, T-shirt, trousers, a jacket, a sweater, a stocking, a sock, etc. It is also preferably provided that the textile material is made of cotton, natural fibers, polyester, polyamide or mixtures thereof.

[0038] Preferred embodiments described in connection with the sheet material according to the invention are also preferred embodiments with regard to the method according to the invention.

[0039] Finally, the object is achieved by the use of the fabric according to the invention when washing a textile material, in particular for dyeing the textile material, for refreshing a dyeing of the textile material or for preserving a dyeing of the textile material as far as possible.

[0040] Preferred embodiments described in connection with the sheet material according to the invention are also preferred embodiments with regard to the use according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. This description primarily serves to illustrate the invention. Those skilled in the art will be aware that not all of the features mentioned in the exemplary embodiments are necessarily required to implement the invention. Rather, those skilled in the art will be aware that individual features mentioned in the exemplary embodiments, together with features listed in the general description of the invention, may also contribute to implementing the invention. 1. Production of a sheet according to the invention

[0042] A needle-punched nonwoven (60 g / m 2< ) made of polyethersulfone (sheet-like carrier material) was first printed with a pigment paste of the composition mentioned below using a rotary printing process to cover 1 - 100% of the nonwoven surface (consumption at 1% of the surface 0.6 g / m 2< ), followed by drying and fixing.

[0043] Pigment paste composition (based on 1 kg paste): Bezaprint Black DW 27 g / kg Olimprint Navy RSV 13 g / kg Print thickening for pigment 0.960 kg

[0044] Subsequently, a coating according to the invention was applied by applying a color-released coating composition of the following composition to the previously printed sheet-like carrier material using a roller doctor system.

[0045] Composition per 1 kg coating composition: Lameprint CE 0,05 kg Na2CO3 0,02 kg Celasol Direkt Black OB 150% (=dye) 0,035 kg Celasol Direkt Black VSF 600% (=dye) 0,035 kg Sarabid DLC 0,01 kg Rucolase EPE 3120 (=cellulase) 0,0032 kg demineralized water 0,8468 kg

[0046] A coating paste quantity of 300 g / m² (+ / -10 wt%) was used, based on the area of ​​the flat substrate to be coated. After doctoring the coating composition onto the flat substrate, the coating was dried until a solids content of 40 g / m² (+ / -10 wt%) was achieved on the flat substrate. 2. Comparative examples

[0047] As comparative examples, two further sheet-like structures were produced according to the instructions for producing the sheet-like structure according to the invention, wherein, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to the invention, in the first case only the dye, but not the cellulase, was contained in the coating, and in the second case only the cellulase, but not the dye, was contained in the coating. 3. Test results

[0048] Black items of clothing (new starting textile) were washed in a washing machine twenty times at 40°C together with a color detergent. using only the color detergent (sample 1), using the color detergent and simultaneously using the fabrics according to the comparative examples (sample 2, dye only) and (sample 3, enzyme only) and using the color detergent and simultaneously using the fabric according to the invention (sample 4, dye + enzyme).

[0049] The brightness values ​​of the washed laundry items as well as the pilling properties (product appearance) were determined and compared with the values ​​obtained for the starting material (sample 5). 3.1 Brightness values

[0050] The brightness values ​​L*(D65) were measured. The lower the L*(D65), the sample 1* 2* 3* 4** 5*** L*(D65) 32,8 28,0 32,2 25,8 25,6 The textile appears more color-intensive (black). The following values ​​were determined. * Comparative examples ** Embodiment according to the invention *** Original textile material 3.2 Pilling properties Assessment of the product appearance (smoothness of the textile surface):

[0051] sample 1* 2* 3* 4** 5*** Evaluation of product image 2 2-3 5 5 5

[0052] Grading scale for evaluating the product appearance 5 smooth textile surface, no pilling 4 slight pilling 3 moderate pilling 2 noticeable pilling 1 dense, strong pilling

[0053] Surprisingly, for the laundry with the combination of black dye and enzyme (sample 4), a significant color deepening of the black laundry was observed, corresponding to the color depth of the original fabric (sample 5) - with a simultaneous smooth fabric appearance without pilling - which goes beyond a color deepening that would have been expected for the individual coating components.

[0054] The features disclosed in the foregoing description and the appended claims may, separately or in combination, be subject to realization of the aspects of the disclosure made in the independent claims in different forms thereof.

Claims

1. Sheet material, comprising: - a sheet-like carrier material; and - at least one coating on at least one side of the sheet-like carrier material; wherein the coating comprises at least one cellulase and at least one dye; and the dye is black.

2. Sheet material according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like carrier material is a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a laid web, a mesh, a knitting, a knitted fabric or a mixture thereof.

3. Sheet material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet-like carrier material comprises predominantly synthetic fibers.

4. Sheet material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet-like carrier material has a basis weight of 10 to 500 g / m2.

5. Sheet material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating further comprises at least one binder.

6. Sheet material according to claim 5, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of natural resins, synthetic resins and mixtures thereof.

7. Sheet material according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the binder is starch and / or modified starch.

8. Sheet material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellulase has a pH optimum in a range of 6 to 10.

9. Sheet material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dye is an azo dye.

10. Sheet material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating comprises at least one further additive selected from the group consisting of an odour absorber, a fragrance, a color fixative, an optical brightener, a further enzyme, a complexing agent, a biocidal active substance, a natural extract, a washing active substance, a substance supporting a washing process, a substance preventing re-soiling of textiles, a base, a levelling agent and mixtures of two or more thereof.

11. Method for washing a textile material, comprising - providing the textile material together with a sheet material according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in water or an aqueous solution; - washing the textile material together with the sheet material in the water or the aqueous solution at a temperature of at least 20°C for at least 10 minutes.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises at least one washing agent.

13. Use of the sheet material according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in washing a textile material.