Antimicrobial finish on fabrics

Abstract

A formulation is provided which comprises at least one phenolic compound in an amount of about 0.5 to about 1.2% of the mass of the formulation; at least one fragrance in an amount of about 0.3 to about 1.0% of the mass of the formulation; and at least one alcohol in an amount of about 90 to about 99% of the mass of the formulation. Said formulation is surfactant free and being capable of rendering anti-microbial finish to fabrics. And also, a process for preparing a fabric with anti-microbial finish is provided.

1 . A formulation comprising:
 at least one phenolic compound in an amount of about 0.5 to about 1.2% of the mass of the formulation ;   at least one fragrance in an amount of about 0.3 to about1.0% of the mass of the formulation; and   at least one alcohol in an amount of about 90 to about 99% of the mass of the formulation,   
       said formulation being surfactant free and being capable of rendering anti-microbial finish to fabrics. 
     
     
         2 . The formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the phenolic compound is selected from the group consisting of 2-chloro-5-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylbenzene; 2-chloro-5-hydroxy-m-xylene; 4-chloro-3,5-xylenol; 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol; 4-chloro-5,3-dimethylphenol; 4-chloro-m-xylenol; p-chloro-3,5-xylenol and p-chloro-m-xylenol. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the phenolic compound is chloroxylenol. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fragrance is 2-(4-Methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl) propan-2-ol (Terpineol). 
     
     
         5 . The formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is isopropanol. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, linen, hemp, ramie, jute, rayon, nylon, polyester, aramid, acrylic, spandex, olefin fibre, polyester viscose, polyester wool, modacrylic olefin acrylic polyester, PTFE, PP, PPE, carbon fiber, vinyon, saran, vinalon, modal, sulfar, polybenzimidazole fibre, PLA, lyocell, orlon, vectran, zylonacrylonitrile and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A process for preparing a fabric with anti-microbial finish; said process comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing a fabric selecting from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, linen, hemp, ramie, jute, rayon, nylon, polyester, aramid, acrylic, spandex, olefin fibre, polyester viscose, polyester wool, modacrylic olefin acrylic polyester, PTFE, PP, PPE, carbon fiber, vinyon, saran, vinalon, modal, sulfar, polybenzimidazole fibre, PLA, lyocell, orlon, vectran, zylonacrylonitrile and combinations thereof;   (b) subjecting the fabric to pre-treatment;   (c) providing an anti-microbial finish formulation comprising i) at least one phenolic compound in an amount of about 0.5 to about 1.2% of the mass of the formulation, ii) at least one fragrance in an amount of about 0.3 to about 1.0% of the mass of the formulation, and iii) at least one alcohol alcohol in an amount of about 90 to about 99% of the mass of the formulation;   (d) applying said formulation onto the pre-treated fabric at a temperature of about 25 to 50° C.; and   (e) subjecting the fabric to post-treatment to obtain a fabric with anti-microbial finish.   
     
     
         8 . The process as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the pre-treatment comprises at least operation selected from the group consisting of scouring at a temperature of about 55-60° C., drying at a temperature of about 90-160° C., heat setting on stenter at a temperature of about 170-210° C., dyeing, singeing, crabbing and shearing. 
     
     
         9 . The process as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the post-treatment comprises at least one operation selected from the group consisting of drying at a temperature of about 90-160° C., pressing and kier decasting at a temperature of about 100-115° C. 
     
     
         10 . The process as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a step of incorporating at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of acrylic co-polymer and micro amino silicone into the fabric before the post-treatment step.