Method for providing an anti-microbial and an anti-pilling effect and for improving dye uptake to textiles, novel co-polymers and textiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial textiles face issues with stability, as existing antimicrobial substances leach from surfaces, lose hydrolytic stability, and decrease tensile strength over time, failing to provide effective anti-pilling and dye uptake.
Innovation Solution
A method involving treatment of textiles with a co-polymer mixture of DMAEMA and HEMA, optionally quaternized, combined with aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanates to form urethane bridges, creating a stable covalent bond that enhances antimicrobial and anti-pilling properties while improving dye uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antimicrobial substances are applied to textiles, then antimicrobial effect is achieved, but stability and retention on textile surface deteriorate due to leaching and hydrolytic instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines quaternized polymeric compounds with polyurethane crosslinking agents to create a composite coating system. The quaternized polymer provides antimicrobial activity while the polyurethane crosslinks form a stable matrix that prevents leaching, achieving both antimicrobial effect and surface stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of antimicrobial substances by introducing quaternized ammonium groups into polymeric structures and crosslinking them with diisocyanates. This chemical modification transforms the physical state from soluble/leachable to insoluble/crosslinked, fundamentally changing retention and stability parameters while maintaining antimicrobial functionality.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial substances are applied to textiles, then antimicrobial effect is achieved, but tensile strength decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical bonding parameters by using covalent crosslinking between the quaternized polymer and textile fibers via diisocyanate bridges. This creates strong chemical bonds that reinforce the textile structure and prevent strength degradation, unlike physical coatings that weaken fibers over time.
3Reliability
If coating is applied to textile surface, then antimicrobial effect is achieved, but anti-pilling effect is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional coating system where the quaternized polyurethane crosslinked structure simultaneously provides antimicrobial activity, anti-pilling properties, and improved dye uptake. The crosslinked matrix prevents fiber entanglement (anti-pilling) while the quaternized groups provide antimicrobial action, achieving multiple benefits from a single treatment.
4Ease of manufacture
If weak charge interaction is used for coating adhesion, then application is simple, but coating leaches away upon use and washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces diisocyanate as a chemical intermediary that mediates between the quaternized polymer coating and the textile substrate. This intermediary forms covalent bonds with both the polymer and the textile, creating a stable bridge that prevents coating leaching while maintaining application simplicity.
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 solution results in a stable co-polymer coating that maintains antimicrobial efficacy and prevents pilling, even after multiple washings, while enhancing dye absorption for darker shades, demonstrating improved textile performance.
Implementation Method 1
the copolymer (a) and the textile are at least partially covalently linked by urethane bridges provided by the aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate (b)
Implementation Method 2
the antimicrobial effect of QAC's highly depends on length of alkyl chain and the number of cationic ammonium groups
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for providing an anti-microbial and an anti-pilling effect to textiles and for improving dye uptake to textiles. The invention also relates to novel co-polymers to be used in the method of the invention and to novel textiles.