Nano-tex, Inc.

Alnis Biosciences, Inc.

David A Offord

David S Soane

William Ware, Jr

Matthew R Linford

Dan B Millward

Matthew L Linford

Stephen E Barry

Eric G Green

Ryan Lau

Lael Erskine

Michael G Perrott

Andrew Goodwin

The present invention is directed to the preparation of fibrous substrates, including textiles, marked with colloidal particle nanobar codes, to the fibrous substrates so prepared, and to methods for detecting the nanobar codes on the fibrous substrates for use in quality control, counterfeiting, and the like.

Methods for marking fibrous substrates

This invention is directed to a finishing method and composition for greatly increasing the tear strength and flex abrasion resistance of durable press cellulosic (including cotton) fabric, without sacrificing its durable press properties.

Durable press cellulosic fibrous substrates with improved physical properties

Synthetic polymer complements (SPCs) are provided, as well as methods for their synthesis and use. The SPCs may have surfaces that include functional groups that are complementary to surface sites of targets such as nanostructures or macromolecular targets, and may be capable of specifically interacting with such targets. The positions of the functional groups in one embodiment are stabilized by a polymer network. The SPCs are formed by contacting the target with a set of monomers which self-assemble on the target, and then are polymerized into a network to form the synthetic polymer complement. At least a portion of the surface of the resulting SPC thus may include an imprint of the target. The complex of the SPC and the target may be the desired product. Alternatively, the target is released, for example, by controllably expanding and contracting the crosslinked network. The SPC is isolated and used in many applications.

Molecular compounds having complementary surfaces to targets

The present invention relates to textile treatment compositions for imparting desirable characteristics durably to textile fibers and fabrics, including softness, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, surface lubricity, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, improved drape, and pilling resistance. More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations that comprise a carboxylate-functionalized fluorinated polymer and a catalyst that is capable of forming reactive anhydride rings between carboxyl groups on the polymer. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to preparations comprising a polymeric softener having at least one anhydride functional group or at least one reactive group capable of forming an anhydride functional group, together with a catalyst for forming anhydrides from the reactive group or groups. In either embodiment, the resulting reactive anhydride rings bind to substrates, such as textiles and other webs, having free sulfhydryl, alcohol, or amine groups. The invention is further directed to the process for treating textiles and other webs with desirable finishes durable to repeated cleanings. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms 'textiles' and 'webs') treated with the textile-reactive preparations of the invention. Such textiles and webs exhibit a greatly improved, durable characteristics, such as softness and/or hydrophobicity, even after multiple launderings.

Durable finishes for textiles

The present invention is directed to polymeric treatment preparations for textiles and other fibrous substrates that impart water and oil repellency to fibers, yarns, textiles, or other fibrous substrates. More particularly, this invention comprises an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension of (a) a fluorinated polymer that contains reactive groups that can complex with metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater, and (b) one or more metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater. The invention is further directed to the process for treating fibrous substrates with textile preparations in one step that provide water/soil repellency that is durable to repeated cleanings and to abrasion. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, webs, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms 'textiles' and 'fibrous substrates') treated with the textile-reactive water- and soil-resistant preparation of the invention. Such fibrous substrates exhibit a greatly improved, durable water and soil repellency or resistance, even after multiple launderings.

Water-repellent and soil-resistant finish for textiles

This invention is directed to methods for the treatment of cellulose-containing fibers and yarn to provide protection to the cellulose from attack by enzymes. The method comprises the steps of exposing cellulose-containing fibers and yarn to an aqueous solution of an enzyme-repelling chemical to give the fibers or yarn a protective coating, and using the protectively coated fibers and yarn to prepare cloth or fabric. In another embodiment, the method of the invention comprises the step of exposing a fabric comprising cellulose-containing yarn to an aqueous solution of an enzyme-repelling chemical to give the fabric a protective coating. The invention also encompasses cellulose-containing fibers and yarn, including cotton, having a protective enzyme-repelling coating. The invention is further directed to denim fabric comprising cotton fill yarn having a protective enzyme-repelling coating. Such denim fabric, and any garments made therefrom, will exhibit greater strength and durability following the stonewashing procedure as compared to denim made from uncoated yarn.

Method for protecting cotton from enzymatic attack by cellulase enzymes

Provided are compounds and methods for modifying a material to change properties of the material, as well as a variety of products obtained using the methods. The material which is modified may be, for example, a carbohydrate, and the modifiable functional groups on the material may be hydroxyls. Multifunctional molecules for use in modifying the surfaces of materials such as textile fibers, yarns and other fabrics made of or, including cotton, wool and nylon, are provided. The multifunctional molecules can include hydrophobic regions and/or hydrophilic regions. The multifunctional molecules also may include binding functional groups that permit either non-covalent or covalent binding to the material being modified, thus permitting the multifunctional molecule to form a non-covalent or covalent coating on the material. The methods and compounds disclosed herein may be used to modify materials to improve properties such as resistance, grease repellency, soil resistance permanent press properties, and quickness of drying.

Modified textile and other materials and methods for their preparation

Provided are compounds and methods for modifying a material to change properties of the material, as well as a variety of products obtained using the methods. In one embodiment, a material comprising one or more modifiable functional groups is reacted with an activated hydrophobic acyl group in the presence of a hindered base, thereby to covalently attach the hydrophobic acyl group to the modifiable functional groups on the material. The material which is modified may be, for example, a carbohydrate, and the modifiable functional groups on the material may be hydroxyls. For example, materials such as cellulose may be modified by reacting it with a acid chloride or acid anhydride including a hydrophobic acyl group, in the presence of a hindered base, such as tripentylamine, to attach the hydrophobic acyl groups to the hydroxyls on the cellulose, thereby to increase the hydrophobicity of the cellulose. The methods and compounds disclosed herein may be used to modify materials to improve properties such as resistance, grease repellency, soil resistance and permanent press properties.

Modified textiles and other materials and methods for their preparation

This invention is directed to preparations useful for the permanent or substantially permanent treatment of textiles and other webs. More particularly, the preparations of the invention comprise an agent or other payload surrounded by or contained within a polymeric encapsulator that is reactive to webs, to give textile-reactive nanoparticles. By &ldquo;textile-reactive&rdquo; is meant that the payload nanoparticle will form a chemical covalent bond with the fiber, yarn, fabric, textile, finished goods (including apparel), or other web or substrate to be treated. The polymeric encapsulator of the payload nanoparticle has a surface that includes functional groups for binding or attachment to the fibers of the textiles or other webs to be treated, to provide permanent attachment of the payload to the textiles. Alternatively, the surface of the nanoparticle includes functional groups that can bind to a linker molecule that will in turn bind or attach the nanoparticle to the fiber. This invention is further directed to the fibers, yarns, fabrics, other textiles, or finished goods treated with the textile-reactive nanoparticles. Such textiles and webs exhibit a greatly improved retention or durability of the payload agent and its activity, even after multiple washings.

Nanoparticle-based permanent treatments for textiles

Provided are compounds and methods for modifying a material to change properties of the material, as well as a variety of products obtained using the methods. In one embodiment, a material comprising one or more modifiable functional groups is reacted with an activated hydrophobic acyl group in the presence of a hindered base, thereby to covalently attach the hydrophobic acyl group to the modifiable functional groups on the material. The material which is modified may be, for example, a carbohydrate, and the modifiable functional groups on the material may be hydroxyls. For example, materials such as cellulose may be modified by reacting it with an acid chloride or acid anhydride including a hydrophobic acyl group, in the presence of a hindered base, such as tripentylamine, to attach the hydrophobic acyl groups to the hydroxyls on the cellulose, thereby to increase the hydrophobicity of the cellulose. The methods and compounds disclosed herein may be used to modify materials to improve properties such as resistance, grease repellency, soil resistance and permanent press properties.

The present invention is directed to polymeric treatment preparations for textiles and other fibrous substrates that impart water and oil repellency to fibers, yarns, textiles, or other fibrous substrates. More particularly, this invention comprises an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension of (a) a fluorinated polymer that contains reactive groups that can complex with metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater, and (b) one or more metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater. The invention is further directed to the process for treating fibrous substrates with textile preparations in one step that provide water/soil repellency that is durable to repeated cleanings and to abrasion. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, webs, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms &ldquo;textiles&rdquo; and &ldquo;fibrous substrates&rdquo;) treated with the textile-reactive water- and soil-resistant preparation of the invention. Such fibrous substrates exhibit a greatly improved, durable water and soil repellency or resistance, even after multiple launderings.

The invention is directed to a hybrid polymer material or system that combines naturally occurring building blocks with synthetic building blocks. The sets of naturally occurring and synthetic building blocks are mixed and joined on a molecular or nanoscopic level to give homogeneous or microphase-separated morphologies to the resulting mixed polymer system. These hybrid polymers combine the comfort attributes of natural materials with the robustness and design properties of synthetic materials.

Hybrid polymer materials

The present invention is directed to a water- and oil repellency-imparting preparation for fibrous and other substrates, the preparation comprising a fluorinated polymer and a tacking monomer, oligomer or polymer containing at least one anhydride functional group or a group capable of forming an anhydride functional group, optionally together with an anhydride-forming catalyst, such as sodium hypophosphite. The preparation can further optionally comprise other additives such as, for example, an extender; a softener; an antioxidant; a surfactant; and/or a plasticizer.

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Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

David A Offord