Textile Odor Control Using Liquid Dispersible Alumina Without Binders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current textile treatments for odor control are not durable and often require the use of binders or cross-linkers, which can negatively affect the material's properties, and are insufficient in preventing malodor development, especially under high activity conditions and repeated launderings.
Innovation Solution
A formulation using liquid dispersible or soluble alumina as an odor capturing agent, which does not require a binder or cross-linker, dispersing into particles of 100 nanometers or less to provide durable odor control to textile materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional odor capturing agents are used for textile finishing, then odor control is achieved, but durability to home launderings is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silane coupling agents as intermediaries to bridge the inorganic odor capturing agents (alumina, silica, zeolite) and the organic textile substrate. The silane forms covalent bonds with both the mineral particles and the textile fibers, creating a durable interface that withstands repeated launderings while maintaining odor control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials such as activated alumina, silica gel, and zeolite as odor capturing agents. These materials possess high surface area and porous structures that effectively adsorb odor molecules. The porous nature of these materials is maintained through proper formulation and curing, ensuring both high odor capture capacity and durability after repeated washings.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If binders or cross-linkers are used to improve durability of odor capturing agents, then durability is enhanced, but negative effects on textile material properties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent serves as a beneficial intermediary that eliminates the need for harmful traditional binders. It forms a molecular bridge between the odor capturing agents and textile substrate through covalent bonding, achieving durable fixation without the negative side effects associated with conventional binder systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation system by introducing silane coupling agents with specific functional groups that can react with both inorganic particles and organic textile fibers. This chemical parameter change enables covalent bonding instead of physical adhesion, dramatically improving durability while avoiding the harmful effects of traditional binders.
3Reliability
If conventional odor capturing formulations are applied, then odor control is provided, but the formulation requires binders or cross-linkers that complicate the formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a binder, a cross-linker, a surface modifier, and a durability enhancer. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, simplifying the overall formulation while achieving superior and durable odor control performance.
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 alumina formulation effectively absorbs unpleasant odors, such as isovaleric acid, and maintains odor control for at least 25 home launderings without compromising the textile's properties, demonstrating superior durability and performance compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
alumina, preferably a liquid dispersible or soluble alumina as an odor capturing agent
Data Source
AI summary
A textile formulation adapted to impart an odor-controlling property to a textile material. The textile formulation is an odor capturing formulation comprising a carrier and an odor capturing agent. The odor capturing agent is a liquid dispersible boehmite. An odor absorbing article and a method of treating the odor absorbing article is also provided.