Milliken + Co

Milliken Research Corporation

David E Green

Leland G Close, Jr

Dirk L Van Hyning

Shulong Li

Robert J Goulet

Patrick D Moore

Leonard J Starks

Steven E Brown

Lacey Hillard

Daniel Y West

This invention relates to improved powder cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning textile substrates, especially carpet and upholstery fabrics. More particularly, this invention relates to powder cleaning compositions that contain absorbent particulate materials in a flowable form, which dries to a soil ladened powder, that can be removed by vacuum, brushing, and/or laundering methods. The improvement lies in the ability of the composition to remain a flowable powder, while containing a higher water content than previous powder cleaning compositions. The composition comprises an absorbent particulate material, a super absorbent polymer, and other ingredients.

Powder cleaning composition

Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property). The method of adherence to the target yarn and/or fabric may be performed any number of ways, most preferably through the utilization of a binder system or through a transfer method from a donor fabric to a target textile fabric in the presence of moisture and upon exposure to heat. The particular methods of adherence, as well as the treated textile fabrics and individual fibers are also encompassed within this invention.

Yarns and fabrics having a wash-durable non-electrically conductive topically applied metal-based finish

Durable antimicrobial treatments for textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment requires the presence of a resin binder, either as a silver-ion overcoat or as a component of a dye bath mixture admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound. Such a treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity. The particular treatment method, as well as the treated textile fabrics are also encompassed within this invention.

Textiles having a wash-durable silver-ion based antimicrobial topical treatment

Carpeted floor covering articles comprising carpet pile fibers to which a topical antimicrobial application of solid particles has been applied either during or after product manufacture (such as part of a cleaning or treatment process) are provided. Such a topical treatment includes specific inorganic antimicrobial metal ion-based solid compounds, such as silver ion-exchange compounds, silver zeolites, and/or silver glasses, which may or may not be dispersed within a liquid medium for ease in handling and application. Such treatments also optionally include compositions of stain resistant agents, anti soil-redeposition compounds and liquids, surfactants, antistatic agents, and the like, to impart other characteristics to the target carpeted products. Such carpeted products thus exhibit excellent antimicrobial characteristics at both the surface of the carpet pile, as well as within the pile itself. Furthermore, it has been found that application of such solid metal-ion based antimicrobials permits the ability to increase antimicrobial activity for the target carpet product after vacuuming.

Topical application of solid antimicrobials to carpet pile fibers during carpet manufacture

Durable antimicrobial treatments for high pressure treatments (such as package dyeing) for specific dyed yarns for further incorporation within textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver ions, particularly as constituents of inorganic metal salts or zeolites. This particular treatment requires the presence of a resin binder as a component of the dye bath formulation admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound, the formulation then forced through a target yarn spool in order to provide a finish over substantially all of the target yarn. The yarn may then be knit, woven, pressed, laid-in, etc., into a textile fabric exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Such a treatment has been found to be extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity. The particular treatment method, as well as the treated textile fabrics, are also encompassed within this invention.

Topical incorporation of solid antimicrobial compounds on yarn surfaces through high pressure

Method of manufacturing yarns and fabrics having a wash-durable non-electrically conductive topically applied metal-based finish

Method to produce a roofing membrane for use in the construction of roofs which comprises mating of at least two plys of fiberglass scrim fabric to form a substrate for the roofing membrane. At least one of the plys of the substrate is a triaxially wound scrim fabric to provide additional strength to a standard open mesh rectangular formed scrim fabric.

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Simpsonville, SC, United States of America

David E Green