Hosiery and dancewear with antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties

Abstract

A method for producing pantyhose and other nylon or spandex hosiery having long lasting antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties. The method includes placing the pantyhose in a tub, adding a hydrophilic agent to the tub, adding an antimicrobial agent to the tub, adding dye mix and ammonia sulfate to the tub, heating contents of the tub until pores in the pantyhose expand to allow entry of hydrophilic agent molecules, antimicrobial agent molecules, and dye molecules, adding a color fixing agent to the tub, lowering a pH of the contents of the tub, and adding a softening mix to the tub.

1 . A method for producing pantyhose having long lasting antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties, the method comprising:
 a) placing the pantyhose in a tub;   b) adding a hydrophilic agent to the tub;   c) adding an antimicrobial agent to the tub;   d) adding dye mix and ammonia sulfate to the tub;   e) heating contents of the tub until pores in the pantyhose expand to allow entry of hydrophilic agent molecules, antimicrobial agent molecules, and dye molecules;   f) adding a color fixing agent to the tub;   g) lowering a pH of the contents of the tub; and   h) adding a softening mix to the tub.   
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising pre-scouring and rinsing the pantyhose to remove oil. 
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising adding an acid leveling agent to the tub after adding the hydrophilic agent to the tub. 
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein lowering the pH of the contents of the tub comprises adding an acid substitute to the contents of the tub. 
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein adding an acid substitute to the contents of the tub comprises adding a diluted acid base containing Tanacid NA to the contents of the tub. 
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein lowering the pH of the contents of the tub comprises lowering the pH of the contents of the tub to a pH in a range between 4.5 and 5. 
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding a softening mix to the tub comprises adding a 4% cationic nylon softener and a 1% diluted silicone softener to the tub. 
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding a softening mix to the tub comprises adding a softening mix to the tub at a temperature in a range of 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of heating the contents of the tub comprises heating the contents of the tub to a temperature in a range of 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising heating the contents of the dye tub to a temperature in a range of 150-170 degrees Fahrenheit after the step of adding the color fixing agent to the contents of the tub. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding the hydrophilic agent to the tub comprises adding a quantity of 4%-6% OWG of translucent emulsified copolymer to the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding the antimicrobial agent to the tub comprises adding a quantity of 1-3 grams/liter of triclosan to the tub. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing pantyhose having long lasting antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties, the method comprising:
 a) placing the pantyhose in a tub;   b) prescouring and rinsing the pantyhose to remove oil;   c) adding dye mix and ammonia sulfate to the tub;   d) heating contents of the tub to a temperature in a range of 200-212 degrees Fahrenheit;   e) cold rinsing the contents of the tub;   f) adding a color fix to the contents of the tub;   g) lowering a pH of the contents of the tub;   h) heating the contents of the tub to a temperature in a range of 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit;   i) adding a softening mix to the tub at a temperature in a range of 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit; and   
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein lowering the pH of the contents of the tub comprises adding an acid substitute to the contents of the tub. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein adding an acid substitute to the contents of the tub comprises adding a diluted acid base containing Tanacid NA to the contents of the tub. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein lowering the pH of the contents of the tub comprises lowering the pH of the contents of the dye tub to a pH in a range between 4.5 and 5. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising adding an acid leveling agent to the tub after adding the hydrophilic agent to the tub. 
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the step of adding the hydrophilic agent to the tub comprises adding a quantity of 4%-6% OWG of translucent emulsified copolymer to the tub. 
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the step of adding the antimicrobial agent to the tub comprises adding a quantity of 1-3 grams/liter of triclosan to the tub.