Abrasion-and wrinkle-resistant finish for textiles

Abstract

This invention is directed to treatment preparations useful for the permanent or substantially permanent treatment of textiles and other webs to provide tear and abrasion strength and softness to durable-press garments. The preparations comprise a softener (a “resin-reactive modifier”) durable to repeated laundering used in conjunction with a durable-press resin, to increase the comfort and lifetime of durable-press garments. The resulting durable-press/softener preparation is substantially permanently attached to the web and provides improved softness and tear/abrasion strength retention within and/or on the textile or web fiber structure while retaining the durable-press properties of the resin. 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 durable-press/softener preparation. Such textiles and webs exhibit a greatly improved, durable softness and tear/abrasion strength.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A textile-reactive preparation comprising: 
 a durable-press resin capable of forming a covalent bond with a textile and capable of imparting wrinkle-resistance to said textile, and    a resin-reactive modifier capable of imparting a soft hand and tear/abrasion resistance to said textile, said resin-reactive modifier comprising reactive groups capable of forming a covalent bond with said durable-press resin.    
     
     
         2 . A textile-reactive preparation according to  claim 1  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises reactive building blocks and rubbery building blocks.  
     
     
         3 . A textile-reactive preparation according to  claim 2  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         4 . A textile-reactive preparation according to  claim 2  wherein said resin-reactive modifier is selected from the group consisting of butadiene polymer and hydrogenated butadiene polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         5 . A textile-reactive preparation according to  claim 2  wherein said durable-press resin is DMDHEU.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a textile comprising: 
 exposing a textile to an aqueous solution or suspension of a textile-reactive preparation comprising i) a durable-press resin capable of forming a covalent bond with said textile and capable of imparting wrinkle-resistance to said textile, ii) a resin-reactive modifier capable of imparting a soft hand and tear/abrasion resistance to said textile, said resin-reactive modifier comprising reactive groups capable of forming a covalent bond with said durable-press resin, and optionally, iii) a catalyst;    removing said treated textile from the aqueous solution;    drying said treated textile; and    curing said treated textile;    to give a treated textile that exhibits durable wrinkle resistance, soft hand, and tear/abrasion resistance.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises reactive building blocks and rubbery building blocks.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said resin-reactive modifier is selected from the group consisting of butadiene polymer and hydrogenated butadiene polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said durable-press resin is DMDHEU.  
     
     
         11 . A treated textile prepared by the method comprising: 
 exposing a textile to an aqueous solution or suspension of a textile-reactive preparation comprising i) a durable-press resin capable of forming a covalent bond with said textile and capable of imparting wrinkle-resistance to said textile, ii) a resin-reactive modifier capable of imparting a soft hand and tear/abrasion resistance to said textile, said resin-reactive modifier comprising reactive groups capable of forming a covalent bond with said durable-press resin, and optionally, iii) a catalyst;    removing said treated textile from the aqueous solution;    drying said treated textile; and    curing said treated textile;    said treated textile having the characteristic of exhibiting durable wrinkle resistance, soft hand, and tear/abrasion resistance.    
     
     
         12 . A treated textile according to  claim 11  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises reactive building blocks and rubbery building blocks.  
     
     
         13 . A treated textile according to  claim 12  wherein said resin-reactive modifier comprises at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         14 . A treated textile according to  claim 12  wherein said resin-reactive modifier is selected from the group consisting of butadiene polymer and hydrogenated butadiene polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         15 . A treated textile according to  claim 12  wherein said durable-press resin is DMDHEU.  
     
     
         16 . A resin-reactive modifier which comprises reactive groups capable of forming a covalent bond with a durable-press resin and which is capable of imparting a soft hand and tear/abrasion resistance to a textile.  
     
     
         17 . A resin-reactive modifier according to  claim 16  which comprises reactive building blocks and rubbery building blocks.  
     
     
         18 . A resin-reactive modifier according to  claim 17  which comprises at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.  
     
     
         19 . A resin-reactive modifier according to  claim 17  which is selected from the group consisting of butadiene polymer and hydrogenated butadiene polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl reactive group per molecule.