Method of producing substantially wrinkle-free textile surfaces

Abstract

A method of applying a fabric relaxant to a textile surface provides a substantially wrinkle-free textile surface. The method includes moistening the textile surface, applying the fabric relaxant onto the moistened textile surface, and drying the moistened textile surface using steam. The fabric relaxant includes a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane polymer having at least one positively-charged functional group.

1 . A method of applying fabric relaxant to a textile surface for providing a substantially wrinkle-free textile surface, the method comprising:
 (a) moistening the textile surface;   (b) applying the fabric relaxant onto the moistened textile surface, wherein the fabric relaxant comprises a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane polymer having at least one positively-charged functional group; and   (c) drying the moistened textile surface using steam.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the fabric relaxant comprises applying the fabric relaxant in the form of an aqueous-based carrier or a solvent-based carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric relaxant further comprises at least one alkoxy group. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the positively-charged functional groups is an ammonium group. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the positively-charged functional groups is a quaternary ammonium group. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polydimethylsiloxane polymer comprises at least one positively-charged functional group at an end of the polydimethylsiloxane polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one positively-charged functional group is a part of a backbone of the polydimethylsiloxane polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one positively-charged functional group is a part of a side chain of the polydimethylsiloxane polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged functional group is at least one of the groups consisting of: polyfunctional polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane diquaternary ammonium, and polyquaternary polydimethylsiloxane copolyol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 (d) adding a souring agent to the textile surface to lower a pH of the textile surface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the souring agent is selected from at least one of the groups consisting of: formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluorosilicic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 (e) adding a fabric softener to the textile surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 (f) conditioning the textile surface prior to drying the moistened textile surface using steam.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein drying the textile surface comprises drying the textile surface at a temperature of between about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein drying the textile surface comprises drying the textile surface at a temperature of between about 260 degrees Fahrenheit and about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the fabric relaxant to the textile surface comprises exposing the textile surface to the fabric relaxant for at least about 4 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the textile surface exhibits substantially no wrinkles after drying when tested pursuant to AATCC method No. 124-1973. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is carried out during a finishing cycle of a washing process. 
     
     
         19 . A method of laundering a textile to produce a substantially wrinkle-free textile, the method comprising:
 (a) applying a hydrophobic, functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged functional group to the textile; and   (b) drying the textile by steam drying;   (c) wherein the textile exhibits substantially no wrinkles after drying when tested pursuant to AATCC method No. 124-1973.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying a hydrophobic, functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged functional group to the textile comprises applying the hydrophobic, functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a positively-charged functional group in the form of an aqueous-based carrier or a solvent-based carrier. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the functionalized polydimethylsiloxane polymer comprises at least one positively-charged functional group at an end of the polydimethylsiloxane polymer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein positively-charged functional group comprises an ammonium. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein positively-charged functional group comprises quaternary ammonium. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 (d) moistening the textile.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 (e) applying a souring agent to the textile.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the souring agent is selected from at least one of the groups consisting of: formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluorosilicic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 (f) applying a fabric softener to the textile.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein drying the textile surface comprises drying at a temperature of between about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 (g) conditioning the textile in a dryer prior to drying the textile by steam drying.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying the polydimethylsiloxane polymer to the textile surface comprises exposing the textile to the fabric relaxant for at least about 4 minutes. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying the polydimethylsiloxane polymer to the textile surface comprises spraying the polydimethylsiloxane polymer onto the textile. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method is carried out in a washing machine. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the method is carried out during a finishing cycle of the washing machine.