Methods for improving water absorbency of fabrics and fabrics with improved properties

Abstract

Methods for providing fabric with good water absorbency and durable press properties comprise treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde, catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof, and heating the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde. Methods for providing fabric with good water absorbency and shrinkage resistance properties comprise treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde, catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof, and heating the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde. Fabrics having good water absorbency in combination with additional advantageous properties are produced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing fabric with good water absorbency and durable press properties, comprising treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde, catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof, and heating the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises at least about 20% by weight of cotton fibers.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition consists essentially of formaldehyde, catalyst and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition is free of aminoplast resin.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition comprises a silicone elastomer precursor.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a water absorbency time of less than about 100 seconds as measured according to AATCC Method 79-1995 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time, a durable press value of at least about 3 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time, and/or a length shrinkage and a width shrinkage of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered one time.  
     
     
         7 . A method for providing fabric with good water absorbency and shrinkage resistance properties, comprising treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde, catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof, and heating the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the fabric comprises at least about 20% by weight of rayon fibers.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the treatment composition consists essentially of formaldehyde, catalyst and silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the treatment composition is free of aminoplast resin.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the treatment composition comprises a silicone elastomer precursor.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a water absorbency time of less than about 100 seconds as measured according to AATCC Method 79-1995 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a length shrinkage and a width shrinkage of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time, and/or a durable press value of at least about 3 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         14 . A method of providing rayon fabric with reduced shrinkage and good water absorbency, comprising crosslinking cellulose in the fabric with formaldehyde and providing the fabric with a silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the fabric comprises at least about 50% by weight of rayon fibers.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a water absorbency time of less than about 100 seconds as measured according to AATCC Method 79-1995 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a length shrinkage and a width shrinkage of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a durable press value of at least about 3 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         19 . Fabric comprising rayon fibers and exhibiting a water absorbency time of less than about 100 seconds as measured according to AATCC Method 79-1995 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         20 . Fabric according to  claim 19 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a length shrinkage and a width shrinkage of less than about 5% each after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         21 . Fabric according to  claim 20 , wherein the treated fabric exhibits a durable press value of at least about 3 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time.  
     
     
         22 . Fabric comprising cotton fibers, having a crosslinked formaldehyde durable press treatment, provided with a silicone elastomer, and exhibiting a water absorbency time of less than about 100 seconds as measured according to AATCC Method 79-1995 after the fabric has been aqueous laundered at least one time, wherein the fabric does not comprise 100% cotton.  
     
     
         23 . A method for providing fabric with good water absorbency and at least one of durable press properties and shrinkage resistance, comprising treating the fabric with a treatment composition comprising formaldehyde and catalyst for crosslinking the formaldehyde with natural fibers in the fabric, treating the fabric with silicone elastomer or a precursor thereof, and heating the treated fabric to effect crosslinking of the formaldehyde.