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Temperature adaptable textile fibers and method of preparing same

Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
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Filing: 1987-05-29
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2007-05-29
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Abstract

Abstract Temperature adaptable textile fibers are provided in which phase-change or plastic crystalline materials are filled within hollow fibers or impregnated upon non-hollow fibers. The fibers are produced by applying solutions or melts of the phase-change or plastic crystalline materials to the fibers. Cross-linked polyethylene glycol is especially effective as the phase change material, and, in addition to providing temperature adaptability, it imparts improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tyrone L. Vigo
  • 👤 Cynthia M. Frost
  • 👤 Joseph S. Bruno
  • 👤 Gary F. Danna

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 13:16
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/02; C09K5/06; C09K5/063; D; D06; D06M; D06M13/00; D06M13/10; D06M13/165; D06M15/00; D06M15/19; D06M15/37; D06M15/53; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2904; Y10T428/2907; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2935; Y10T428/294; Y10T428/2958; Y10T428/2964; Y10T428/2965; Y10T428/2967; Y10T428/2969; Y10T428/2971; Y10T428/2973; Y10T428/2975

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 64 words
Temperature-adaptable non hollow textile fibers which store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases, said fibers impregnated with a phase-change or plastic crystalline material which is chemically and physically compatible with said fibers, said material being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 64 words
Temperature-adaptable non hollow textile fibers which store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases, said fibers impregnated with a phase-change or plastic crystalline material which is chemically and physically compatible with said fibers, said material being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The fibers of claim 1 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wool, polyamides, polyester, and polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
The fibers of claim 1 wherein said phase-change material is selected from the group consisting of congruent inorganic salt hydrates and cross-linked polyethylene glycols, and wherein said plastic crystalline material is a polyhydric alcohol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
The fibers of claim 2 wherein said phase-change material is selected from the group consisting of congruent inorganic salt hydrates and cross-linked polyethylene glycols, and wherein said plastic crystalline material is a polyhydric alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 51 words
The fibers of claim 3 wherein said phase-change material is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride hexahydrate in admixture with strontium chloride hexahydrate, lithium nitrate trihydrate, and zinc nitrate hexahydrate, and wherein said plastic crystalline material is selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and amino alcohols.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 69 words
The fibers of claims 3 or 4 wherein said phase-change material is cross-linked polyethylene glycol, wherein the degree of cross-linking is sufficient to make said material water insoluble and to maintain the ability of said material to change phases upon heating and cooling, and further wherein said impregnated fibers have improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance, and water absorbency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
The fibers of claim 4 wherein said phase-change material is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride hexahydrate in admixture with strontium chloride hexahydrate, lithium nitrate trihydrate, and zinc nitrate hexahydrate, and wherein said plastic crystalline material is selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and amino alcohols.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 12 words
The fibers of claim 4 wherein said material is a polyhydric alcohol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
The fibers of claim 4 wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of congruent inorganic salt hydrates, and cross-linked polyethylene glycols.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The fibers of claim 6 wherein said material is present in an amount of about 0.25-0.50 grams per gram of fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 56 words
Non-hollow textile fibers impregnated with at least 0.15 grams of cross-linked polyethylene glycol per gram of fiber, wherein the degree of cross-linking makes said polyethylene glycol water insoluble, said cross-linked polyethylene glycol being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 56 words
Non-hollow textile fibers impregnated with at least 0.15 grams of cross-linked polyethylene glycol per gram of fiber, wherein the degree of cross-linking makes said polyethylene glycol water insoluble, said cross-linked polyethylene glycol being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 43 words
The fibers of claim 11 wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of at least 0.25 grams per gram of fiber, and where the degree of cross-linking is sufficient to permit said polyethylene glycol to change phases upon heating and cooling.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The fibers of claim 11 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wool, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, poly acrylic, glass and blends thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 27 words
The fibers of claim 12 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wool, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, poly acrylic, glass and blends thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 29 words
The fibers of claim 11 wherein said impregnated fibers have improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 29 words
The fibers of claim 12 wherein said impregnated fibers have improved properties as to soil release, durable presss, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 17 words
The fibers of claim 11 wherein said polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of greater than 1500.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 17 words
The fibers of claim 12 wherein said polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight of greater than 1500.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 27 words
The fibers of claim 16 wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wool, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, poly acrylic, glass, and blends thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 56 words
Non-hollow cellulosic fibers impregnated with at least 0.15 grams of cross-linked polyethylene glycol per gram of fiber, wherein the degree of cross-linking makes the polyethylene glycol water insoluble, said cross-linked polyethylene glycol being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 56 words
Non-hollow cellulosic fibers impregnated with at least 0.15 grams of cross-linked polyethylene glycol per gram of fiber, wherein the degree of cross-linking makes the polyethylene glycol water insoluble, said cross-linked polyethylene glycol being present in an amount effective to cause said fibers to store heat when the temperature rises and release heat when the temperature decreases.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 40 words
The fibers of claim 20 wherein said polyethylene glycol is present in an amount of at least 0.25 grams per gram of fiber, and wherein the degree of cross-linking permits the polyethylene glycol to change phases upon heating and cooling.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 14 words
The fibers of claim 20 wherein said fibers are paper or wood pulp fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 14 words
The fibers of claim 21 wherein said fibers are paper or wood pulp fibers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 29 words
The fibers of claim 20 where said impregnated fibers have improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 29 words
The fibers of claim 21 wherein said impregnated fibers have improved properties as to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 17 words
The fibers of claim 20 wherein the molecular weight of said polyethylene glycol is greater than 1500.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 17 words
The fibers of claim 21 wherein the molecular weight of said polyethylene glycol is greater than 1500.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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GB1584559A Cited
US4268558A Cited
US4273667A Cited
US4512388A Cited
US4470917A Cited
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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) 1992-07-24 1993-01-23 1993-07-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-07-24 1997-01-23 1997-07-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-07-24 2001-01-23 2001-07-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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