US5744201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for treating carpet using PH adjustment
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1997-04-15
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2017-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for imparting soil resistance to unscoured carpets, and a carpet treated in accordance with the method, are provided. In accordance with the method, a substrate comprising unscoured carpet fibers is treated with the ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, such as an ammonium salt of a hydrolyzed styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The treated substrate is found to have enhanced water and oil repellency in both heat cured and room temperature drying conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Chang
- 👤 Shou-Lu G. Wang
- 👤 Irvin F. Dunsmore
- 👤 Robert F. Kamrath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:15
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06M; D06M15/00; D06M15/19; D06M15/21; D06M15/263; D06M13/00; D06M13/10; D06M13/224; D06M13/236; D06M15/227; D06M15/233; D06M2200/00; D06M2200/10; D06M2200/11; D06M2200/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH, a solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a salt of a methacrylic acid containing polymer; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH at which the solution imparts water or oil repellency to the fibrous substrate; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate; wherein the solution is stable at the first pH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH, a solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a salt of a methacrylic acid containing polymer; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH at which the solution imparts water or oil repellency to the fibrous substrate; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate; wherein the solution is stable at the first pH.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorochemical agent is a fluorochemical adipate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the second pH is at least about 7.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the second pH is within the range of about 7 to about 9.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the first pH is within the range of about 5 to about 6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorochemical agent and the salt of the methacrylic acid containing polymer are miscible at the first pH.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the fluorochemical agent and the salt of the methacrylic acid containing polymer are immiscible at the second pH.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises unscoured carpet fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted by the addition of ammonium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pH is adjusted after the solution is applied to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pH is adjusted before the solution is applied to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the salt of the methacrylic acid containing polymer is selected from the group consisting of sodium and ammonium salts of methacrylic acid containing polymers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for treating carpet fibers, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH within the range of about 5 to about 6, a solution comprising a fluorochemical adipate ester and a salt of a methacrylic acid containing polymer; providing a substrate comprising carpet fibers; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH of at least about 7; and applying the solution to the substrate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for treating carpet fibers, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH within the range of about 5 to about 6, a solution comprising a fluorochemical adipate ester and a salt of a methacrylic acid containing polymer; providing a substrate comprising carpet fibers; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH of at least about 7; and applying the solution to the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the solution is applied to the substrate shortly after the pH of the solution is adjusted to the second pH.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the carpet fibers are unscoured.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH, a stable solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a salt of a polycarboxylic acid; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH at which the solution imparts water or oil repellency to the fibrous substrate; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing, at a first pH, a stable solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a salt of a polycarboxylic acid; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH at which the solution imparts water or oil repellency to the fibrous substrate; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the solution is not stable at the second pH.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the difference between the first pH and the second pH is at least about 1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium or ammonium salts of polycarboxylic acids.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a polycarboxylate salt derived from methacrylic acid, wherein the solution has a first pH of less than about 6; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH of at least about 7; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for treating a fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a solution comprising a fluorochemical agent and a polycarboxylate salt derived from methacrylic acid, wherein the solution has a first pH of less than about 6; providing a fibrous substrate; adjusting the pH of the solution to a second pH of at least about 7; and applying the solution to the fibrous substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the fluorochemical agent is an adipate ester.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the first pH is within the range of about 5 to about 6, and wherein the second pH is within the range of about 7 to about 9.
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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) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |