Anti-microbial fabric treatment

Abstract

The invention provides a method of modifying a polymer having epoxy-reactive groups, which comprises contacting it with an aqueous solution of a quaternary amino-2,3-epoxypropane and a polymer modified by the incorporation into the molecule thereof of quaternary amino-2-hydroxypropyl-3 groups.

1 . A polymer modified by the incorporation into the molecule thereof of quaternary amino-2-hydroxypropyl-3 groups.  
     
     
         2 . A modified polymer according to  claim 1 , wherein said quaternary groups have the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       (where R, R′ and R″ are organic groups, which may be the same or different).  
     
     
         3 . A modified polymer according to  claim 2  wherein R is a linear or branched chain aliphatic group having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, R′ and R″ are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups with less than five carbon atoms.  
     
     
         4 . A modified polymer according to  claim 1 , in the form of a natural or synthetic fibre, or a woven or unwoven fabric manufactured therefrom, or of a collagenous and/or keratinous animal integument.  
     
     
         5 . A modified polymer according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises cellulose, a protein or a polyamide.  
     
     
         6 . A method of preparing a modified polymer according to  claim 1 , which comprises reacting a polymer having epoxy-reactive groups, by contacting it with an aqueous solution of a quaternary amino-2,3-epoxypropane.  
     
     
         7 . A method of preparing a modified polymer according to  claim 1 , which comprises reacting a polymer having free carboxy and/or amino groups, by contacting it with an aqueous solution of a quaternary amino-2-hydroxy-3-chloropropane.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the aqueous solution is maintained at a pH below 7.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the amino-2,3-epoxypropane is prepared in situ by basifying an aqueous solution of an amino-2-hydroxy-3-chloro propane.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the aqueous solution is basified to a pH greater than 10.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the quaternary amino reagent is applied at a loading of 0.5 to 10%, by weight based on the weight of polymer.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the reagent is applied to cloth at the mercerising stage.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the polymer is treated for from 1 to 20 minutes at elevated temperatures above 50° C.  
     
     
         14 . A method, according to  claim 6 , of dyeing in which the substrate comprises a polymer having epoxy-reactive groups, which is contacted with a quaternary amino-2,3-epoxypropane, and subsequently with an anionic dyebath.  
     
     
         15 . A method, according to  claim 6 , for the treatment of leather wherein the quaternary amino reagent is applied as, or as part of, the tannage.  
     
     
         16 . Hospital uniforms, surgical masks, gowns or drapes, sutures, bandages, dressings, carpeting, upholstery, bed linen, underwear, socks, air filters or wet wipes comprising a modified polymer according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the quaternary amino reagent is applied at a loading of 0.5 to 10%, by weight based on the weight of polymer.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the reagent is applied to cloth at the mercerising stage.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymer is treated for from 1 to 20 minutes at elevated temperatures above 50° C.  
     
     
         20 . A method, according to  claim 7 , for the treatment of leather wherein the quaternary amino reagent is applied as, or as part of, the tannage.  
     
     
         21 . A fabric comprising fibers formed from: 
 a fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose, a protein and a polyamide; and    a material from which quaternary amino-2-hydroxypropyl-3 groups may be derived, selected from the group consisting of quaternary amino-2,3-epoxypropane and quaternary amino-2-hydroxy-3-chloropropane;    wherein said fabric contains an effective microbial inhibiting amount of quaternary amino-2-hydroxypropyl-3 groups.