Laundry process temperature indicators/markers and fabrics incorporating same

Abstract

The invention is a fabric-based article, or linen, including a temperature-sensing indicator to report whether the article been subjected to laundering/processing temperatures in excess of a threshold recommended temperature. The temperature-sensing indicator visually reports whether the fabric-based article has exceeded the threshold temperature by changing color upon application of heat in excess of the threshold temperature. The temperature-sensing indicator may be incorporated into the body of the linen itself as part of the fabric or may be affixed to a linen as a tag or label.

1 . A laundered textile comprising fabric and a nonreversible thermochromic indicator, wherein the nonreversible thermochromic indicator indicates that a threshold temperature has been exceeded during the drying of said laundered textile by changing from a first color to a second color. 
     
     
         2 . A textile of  claim 1 , wherein said fabric is formed as a sheet, towel, blanket, or pillowcase. 
     
     
         3 . A textile of  claim 2 , wherein said thermochromic indicator is incorporated into fibers present in the fabric. 
     
     
         4 . A textile of  claim 2 , wherein said thermochromic indicator is incorporated into a label affixed to the fabric 
     
     
         5 . A textile of  claim 2 , wherein said threshold temperature is between about 220 degrees Fahrenheit and about 320 degrees Fahrenheit 
     
     
         6 . A textile of  claim 5 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 260 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         7 . A textile of  claim 5 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         8 . A textile of  claim 5 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         9 . A laundered textile comprising fabric and a nonreversible thermochromic indicator, wherein the nonreversible thermochromic indicator indicates that a threshold temperature has been exceeded during the drying of said laundered textile, wherein said thermochromic indicator comprises (a) a first portion that changes from a first color to a second color upon exceeding a first temperature, (b) a second portion that changes from a third color to a fourth color upon exceeding a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and (c) a third portion that changes from a fifth color to a sixth color upon exceeding a third temperature higher than the second temperature. 
     
     
         10 . A textile of  claim 9 , wherein said fabric is formed as a sheet, towel, blanket, or pillowcase. 
     
     
         11 . A textile of  claim 10 , wherein said first temperature is about 240 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein said second temperature is about 270 degrees Fahrenheit, and wherein said third temperature is about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         12 . A laundered textile comprising fabric and a nonreversible thermochromic indicator, wherein the nonreversible thermochromic indicator indicates that a threshold temperature has been exceeded during the drying of said laundered textile by changing from invisible to visible. 
     
     
         13 . A textile of  claim 12 , wherein said fabric is formed as a sheet, towel, blanket, or pillowcase. 
     
     
         14 . A textile of  claim 13 , wherein said threshold temperature is between about 220 degrees Fahrenheit and about 320 degrees Fahrenheit 
     
     
         15 . A textile of  claim 14 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 260 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . A textile of  claim 14 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . textile of  claim 14 , wherein said threshold temperature is about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.