Delayed-Cure Durable Press Cotton Finishing for Storage Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cotton fabrics treated with delayed-cure durable press finishing technology face issues of low storage stability due to partial cross-linking reactions with resin, leading to wrinkles and reduced whiteness, which existing methods fail to adequately address by optimizing resin finishing agents and catalytic systems without considering process sequence.

Innovation Solution

A sequential process involving singeing, desizing, liquid ammonia finishing, mercerizing, and post-cure finishing, including specific temperature and duration settings for padding and curing, enhances the storage stability of cotton fabrics by optimizing the sequence of pretreatment technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If delayed-cure durable press finishing is applied to cotton fabrics, then wrinkle resistance and setting effect are improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to partial cross-linking reactions during storage and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle resistanceVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing liquid ammonia finishing before mercerizing to modify the cotton fabric surface and control the subsequent cross-linking reaction. This preliminary treatment prevents premature cross-linking during storage while enabling durable press effects after curing, thus resolving the contradiction between improving wrinkle resistance and maintaining storage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the sequence and conditions of finishing processes (liquid ammonia treatment, mercerizing, post-cure finishing) to regulate the cross-linking reaction timing. By adjusting process parameters such as treatment concentration, temperature, and sequence, the patent achieves both high wrinkle resistance after curing and high storage stability during storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If delayed-cure durable press finishing is applied to cotton fabrics, then wrinkle recovery angle is improved, but whiteness deteriorates due to partial cross-linking reactions during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle recovery angleVSAvoidwhiteness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing liquid ammonia finishing before mercerizing to prepare the fabric surface. This preliminary treatment ensures that cross-linking reactions occur primarily during controlled post-cure finishing rather than during storage, thereby maintaining both high wrinkle recovery angle and whiteness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing the sequence of treatments and controlling process conditions to delay cross-linking until the post-cure stage. This parameter control prevents whiteness loss during storage while achieving excellent wrinkle recovery after curing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional finishing methods are used to improve storage stability, then storage stability is improved, but the sequence of processes is not optimized and overall performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidprocess sequence complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the finishing process into distinct sequential stages: liquid ammonia finishing, mercerizing, and post-cure finishing. Each stage performs a specific function to control the cross-linking reaction timing, achieving both storage stability and high durable press performance through optimized process segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing the sequence and conditions of each finishing stage. By changing the order and parameters of treatments (liquid ammonia, mercerizing, post-cure), the patent achieves improved storage stability without excessive complexity, as the optimized sequence naturally controls cross-linking timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed process significantly improves storage stability, maintaining wrinkle recovery angle and breaking strength while maintaining high whiteness, with a 32.5% increase in wrinkle recovery angle and 87.8% breaking strength retention rate, making it suitable for industrial-scale production.

Implementation Method 1

liquid ammonia finishing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

liquid ammonia treatment, steaming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 3

immersing a fabric in an alkaline solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlkaline treatment:

Implementation Method 4

merc erizing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

curing temperature is 140-160°C, and the curing duration is 3-6 min

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 6

pre-cure, storage and cure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal curing: Heating

Implementation Method 7

singeing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 8

desizing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 9

desizing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11718942B2Delayed-cure durable press finishing technology for cotton fabrics
Publication Date: 2023.08.08 JIANGNAN UNIV

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of after-finishing of textile products, and in particular relates to a delayed-cure durable press finishing technology for cotton fabrics, including the following steps: singeing, desizing, liquid ammonia finishing, mercerizing, liquid ammonia finishing and post-cure finishing. The disclosure significantly improves the stability of a delayed-cure sensitized fabric during delayed-curing, relieves the problems caused by a slow reaction in the storage process of the delayed-cure sensitized fabric, and is favorable for improving the product quality.