Methods for use of aqueous polyurethane dispersions and articles made thereby

Abstract

Methods for improving localized shaping and/or support functionalities, shape retention, comfort and/or stay of apparel and other fabric articles by applying an aqueous polyurethane dispersion at a selected intensity and/or at one or more selected locations of the apparel or other fabric article are provided. Apparel and other fabric articles with improved localized shaping and/or support functionalities, shape retention comfort and/or stay prepared in accordance with these methods are also provided.

1 . A method for improving localized shaping and/or support functionalities, shape retention, comfort and/or stay of apparel and other fabric articles, said method comprising:
 applying an aqueous polyurethane dispersion at a selected intensity and/or at one or more selected locations of the apparel or other fabric article; and   curing aqueous polyurethane dispersion to the apparel or other fabric article following application of the aqueous polyurethane dispersion at the selected intensity and/or at one or more selected locations so that shaping and/or support, shape retention, comfort and/or stay of apparel and other fabric article is improved.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion comprises:
 a prepolymer comprising a glycol, an isocyanate and a diol compound; and 
 water, a neutralizer, a surfactant, a defoamer, an antioxidant or a thickener. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the prepolymer further comprising 1-hexonal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the isocyanate is dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the prepolymer contains at least 70% glycol, at least 20% isocyanate and at least 2% diol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the prepolymer contains less than 1% 1-hexanol. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion comprises:
 the prepolymer; and 
 water, a neutralizer, a surfactant, a defoamer, an antioxidant and a thickener water. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion contains at least 30% glycol, at 10% isocyanate and at least 1% diol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion further contains at least 50% water, at least 1% surfactant and/or thickener and/or less than 1% neutralizer, antioxidant or defoamer. 
     
     
         10 . A fabric article exhibiting improved localized shaping and/or support functionalities, shape retention, comfort and/or stay produced in accordance with the methods of  claim 1 .