Organic Acid Textile Composition to Reduce Odor Without Heavy Metals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bacterial control methods on textiles, such as the use of zinc pyrithione, pose environmental concerns and require extensive formulary efforts to achieve durability, while organic molecules like quaternary ammonium silanes and azoles can be hydrophobic and less effective.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising benzoic acid, its salts, and optional binders, specifically sodium benzoate and citric acid, is applied to textiles through methods like exhaustion or padding, providing durable odor control without imparting hydrophobicity and meeting regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zinc pyrithione is used for bacterial control on textiles, then odor reduction effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases due to heavy metal presence in effluent water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful heavy metal component (zinc) from the antimicrobial agent, replacing it with organic compounds (benzoic acid and non-benzoic acid) that provide similar odor control functionality without environmental contamination. This is achieved by formulating a composition that uses only organic acids and their salts, completely removing metallic elements from the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable organic acid compounds that break down into harmless substances after performing their antimicrobial function. These short-living organic molecules are metabolized by bacteria or decomposed in the environment, unlike persistent heavy metals, thereby providing effective odor control with minimal environmental footprint.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If organic molecules like quaternary ammonium silanes are used for bacterial control, then environmental harm is reduced, but hydrophobicity increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial composition by using small organic acid molecules (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, etc.) with specific molecular weights and functional groups that provide adequate water solubility. This parameter optimization allows the compounds to remain effective without creating excessive hydrophobicity, achieving a balance between environmental safety and performance durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite antimicrobial system combining benzoic acid with non-benzoic acids (such as sorbic acid, propionic acid, or isobutyric acid) and optional binders. This composite formulation synergistically improves durability and reduces hydrophobicity compared to single compounds, while maintaining environmental compatibility through complete organic composition.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If extensive formulary efforts are made to improve durability of zinc-based treatments, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates binders into the organic acid composition that pre-establish strong attachment to textile fibers before washing. These binders form stable complexes with the organic acids, ensuring durable retention during home laundry cycles without requiring complex multi-step formulation processes or extensive optimization efforts.
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 composition effectively reduces odor-causing bacteria on textiles, demonstrating significant log reduction even after multiple home laundry washes, with enhanced antimicrobial benefits and compatibility with textile processing temperatures and skin safety.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention provides an antimicrobial solution for textile substrates
Implementation Method 2
The method may further comprise exhausting a textile using the mixture in an exhaustion bath
Implementation Method 3
The method may further comprise padding the mixture on a textile
Data Source
AI summary
A composition and method for durable odor control on a textile are provided. The composition contains benzoic acid; a salt of benzoic acid; non-benzoic acid, a salt of non-benzoic acid, or a combination thereof. The composition may further contain an optional binder. Methods of application of the composition include padding and exhaustion.