US5232851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for treating non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric with cellulase to improve appearance and feel characteristics
Assignee: GRESCO MANUFACTURING Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-16
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2010-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric is contacted with a cellulase solution with agitation under conditions so as to produce a cascading effect of the solution over the cotton woven fabric. When so conducted, the treated cotton woven fabric has improved feel and appearance characteristics as compared to the fabric prior to treatment. Additionally, such methods result in the removal of dead and immature cotton from the fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Cox
- 👤 Patrick E. Hawks
- 👤 Suanne A. Klahorst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:54
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06M; D06M16/00; D06M16/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of improving the physical smoothness to touch and the physical appearance to the eye characteristics of cotton woven fabric prior to the dyeing and finishing of said fabric which comprises contacting a non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric with an aqueous cellulase solution containing a concentration of cellulase effective in improving said physical smoothness and said physical appearance characteristics of said non-dyed and non-finished fabric while maintaining the cellulase solution at a pH within the range where the cellulase exhibits activity and wherein said contacting is conducted with agitation under conditions so as to produce a cascading effect of the cellulase solution over the non-dyed and non-finished fabric and further wherein said contacting is conducted at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient in improving said physical smoothness and said physical appearance characteristics of said non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric by removing fuzz and loose surface fibers from said non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of improving the physical smoothness to touch and the physical appearance to the eye characteristics of cotton woven fabric prior to the dyeing and finishing of said fabric which comprises contacting a non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric with an aqueous cellulase solution containing a concentration of cellulase effective in improving said physical smoothness and said physical appearance characteristics of said non-dyed and non-finished fabric while maintaining the cellulase solution at a pH within the range where the cellulase exhibits activity and wherein said contacting is conducted with agitation under conditions so as to produce a cascading effect of the cellulase solution over the non-dyed and non-finished fabric and further wherein said contacting is conducted at a temperature and for a duration of time sufficient in improving said physical smoothness and said physical appearance characteristics of said non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric by removing fuzz and loose surface fibers from said non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said method also results in the removal of immature cotton fibers from the non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein the non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric is contacted with the aqueous cellulase solution for a period of time of from about 0.25 hours to about 3 hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 3 wherein the concentration of cellulase in said cellulase solution is from about 0.065 gram/liter to about 1 gram/liter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 4 wherein the concentration of cellulase in said cellulase solution is from about 0.2 gram/liter to about 0.4 gram/liter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said cellulase solution contains a sufficient concentration of buffer so as to maintain the pH of the solution within the range where the cellulase exhibits activity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 6 wherein the concentration of buffer in said cellulase solution is at least 0.01N.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the temperature of said aqueous cellulase solution is from about 30° C. to about 60° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 8 wherein the temperature of said aqueous cellulase solution is maintained from about 35° C. to about 50° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the aqueous cellulase composition comprises water and cellulase at a ratio of about 5:1 or greater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said agitation is either continuous agitation or intermittent agitation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein said agitation is continuous.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as described in claim 11 wherein said agitation is intermittent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein after treatment of the non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric with said cellulase solution, said non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric retains at least 50% of its original warp tensile strength and at least 50% of its original filling tensile strength.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |