FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
“A FABRIC COMPRISING BORON NITRIDE AND METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
3rd Floor, Maker Chamber-IV, 222, Nariman Point,
Mumbai - 400 021, Maharashtra, India
NATIONALITY: IN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a fabric possessing properties selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, thermal cooling, anti-odour, ultraviolet (UV) protection and combinations thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fabric comprising boron nitride, thereby the fabric exhibits properties selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, thermal cooling, anti-odour, ultraviolet (UV) protection and combinations thereof. The present disclosure further relates to a method of preparing said fabric and use of boron nitride ink for treating a fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Fabrics (synthetic, natural and their blends) such as polyester are widely used as garment materials, sports wears, apparels in hospitals, medical devices, air purifiers and auto motive textile applications due to its high tenacity and durability. However, virgin fabrics have tendency to absorb moisture and grow microorganism such as bacteria and fungi on their surface and don’t have any inherent ability to hamper the growth of microorganisms. Such microorganism causes adverse effects to the textiles and the consumers. Many anti-microbial agents and their use in preparing anti-microbial textiles are known. For instance, silver nanoparticles are known to be effective and is a widely studied anti-microbial agent for textile applications. However, cost and the release of the metallic nanoparticle to the environment remain to be a challenge. Further, 3-timethoxy silyl propyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride is known to prepare antimicrobial textile. However, it causes yellowing of the fabric and has durability issue because of its cationic nature.
The organic component of apocrine perspiration gets decomposed into small molecules once it comes out of the gland. The decomposed product includes long chain fatty acids such as butyric or formic acid and hormones such as testosterone, which causes undesired malodor. In this context, the synthetic fibres such as polyester or polyamide are particularly susceptible to bacterial sweat degradation and generates unpleasant odour.
Development of fabric that provides contact cooling sensation when worn and touched, is a widely grown area in textile industry. Porous inorganic powder particles containing water absorbing polymer are used in fiber for generating contact cooling effect. However, the touch and texture of the textile are highly effected as it requires a huge amount of inorganic particle in order to establish the cool touch effect. Fiber made of polyacetal copolymer containing
3
oxyalkylene group in the surface is used to make contact cooling fabric. However, in many cases the final fabric does not manifest significant cool touch effect when it is actually subjected to a sensory test by human. The contact cooling effect also gets diminished after few washes.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes adverse effect in the human skin which includes tanning, sunburn, melanomatous danger. It paved the development of textiles with ultraviolet (UV) blocking property. There are two types of UV screening agent. One is the mineral type which mainly reflects and scatters UV to stop to enter into human body. Another is organic UV absorber which mostly contains hydroxyl group and absorbs UV energy. The mineral type of agent includes zinc oxide, titanium oxide and the organic agent includes benzophenone, benzotriazole, triazole compounds, benzoic acid compounds. Mineral type UV screening agent suffers from poor stability and lower efficacy to prevent UV rays, whereas the organic absorbent has certain toxicity.
There is a significant demand for technical fabrics, specifically in sportswear and other applications, where moisture needs to be transported through the fabric and spread in a wide surface area to maximize the cooling effect due to evaporation. A layer of polyester or other hydrophobic fibre is laid over a layer of air-laid lyocell cellulosic fibre and finally the two layers are needle punched together to prepare fabric with property. Knitted fabric has been formed from filamentary yarns and hydrophilic spun yarns and they are knitted in such a way that the courses alternate between filamentary yarn and a spun yarn in order to provide a highly effective pathway for the movement of moisture. But all these techniques require extra processing steps and higher costs for preparing technical wicking fabric.
Thus, there is a need for improved functional component that can impart properties, such as antimicrobial, antiodor, thermal cooling, UV protection and to the fabric without compromising the colour and shade of the fabric.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
Addressing the limitations in the art, the present disclosure provides a fabric comprising boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, where the boron nitride is infused into the fabric. The fabric exhibits properties including but not limited to
4
antimicrobial, anti-odour, thermal cooling, ultraviolet (UV) protection and combinations thereof.
The fabric of the present disclosure maintains the properties including but not limited to antimicrobial, anti-odour, thermal cooling, ultraviolet (UV) protection and combinations thereof, for up to at least 50 washes.
The present disclosure further relates to a method of preparing the fabric, said method comprising- dispersing boron nitride into onto a substrate, followed by washing; reduction cleaning the washed substrate, followed by neutralizing; and drying the neutralized substrate to obtain the fabric.
The present disclosure further relates to use of boron nitride ink for treating a fabric to impart properties selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, anti-odour, thermal cooling, ultraviolet protection, and combinations thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
In view of the limitations discussed above, and to remedy the need in the art the present disclosure aims to provide a fabric comprising boron nitride at specific concentration. The disclosure also provides a corresponding process for preparing such fabric and corresponding beneficial properties obtained thereof.
However, before describing the invention in greater detail, it is important to take note of the common terms and phrases that are employed throughout the present disclosure for better understanding of the technology provided herein.
Throughout the present disclosure, the terms ‘fabric’, ‘fibre’, ‘yarn’, ‘textile’, ‘cloth’ or the likes are intended to convey the ordinary conventional meaning of the terms known to a person skilled in the art and intends to cover natural fabric, synthetic fabric and blends of natural and/or synthetic fabric. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the term ‘fabric’ also encompasses ‘fibres’ or ‘yarn’ forming said fabric.
The term ‘anti-microbial’ and obvious variants thereof as used in the present disclosure, refers to the characteristic of the fabric comprising boron nitride of the present disclosure that exerts
5
destructive or inhibitory effect on the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
As used herein, the term ‘anti-bacterial’ refers to bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the fabric comprising boron nitride, wherein ‘bacteriostatic’ typically means that the agent prevents the growth of bacteria (i.e., it keeps them in the stationary phase of growth), and ‘bactericidal’ means that it kills bacteria. In reality, there are not 2 pure categories of antimicrobial agents (one that exclusively kills bacteria and another that only inhibits growth). Most anti-bacterials are better described as potentially being both bactericidal and bacteriostatic.
The term ‘thermal cooling’ and obvious variants thereof refer to the characteristic of the fabric comprising boron nitride that allows thermal regulation due to the thermal conductivity of the fabric. Said feature allows body heat to pass through the fabric by conduction/convection to the ambient environment.
The term ‘UV protection’ and obvious variants thereof refer to the protective effect exerted by the fabric comprising boron nitride against sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Unless otherwise mentioned, Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is used as a measuring parameter of the ‘UV protection’ characteristic of the fabric.
‘Washing fastness’ refers to the ability of the boron nitride to maintain improved adhesion on the fabric under the washing and rubbing condition.
The present disclosure relates to a fabric comprising boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%. In an embodiment, the boron nitride is infused into the fabric.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric comprises boron nitride at a concentration of about 0.001 wt.%, about 0.002 wt.%, about 0.003 wt.%, about 0.004 wt.%, about 0.005 wt.%, about 0.006 wt.%, 0.007 wt.% and so on and so forth, including all the values in the range 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, up until 0.1 wt.%, and including subranges of the range 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
6
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric, such as polyester comprises boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance, about 0.001 wt.%, about 0.002 wt.%, about 0.003 wt.%, about 0.004 wt.%, and so on and so forth, up until 0.1 wt.%, and including subranges of the range 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric, such as cotton comprises boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance, about 0.001 wt.%, about 0.002 wt.%, about 0.003 wt.%, about 0.004 wt.%, and so on and so forth, up until 0.1 wt.%, and including subranges of the range 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric, such as nylon comprises boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance, about 0.001 wt.%, about 0.002 wt.%, about 0.003 wt.%, about 0.004 wt.%, and so on and so forth, up until 0.1 wt.%, and including subranges of the range 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric, such as polyester, cotton and nylon, comprising boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% exhibits feature selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, antiodour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a Fabric having any combination of features selected from the combinations indicated in Table 1. In Table 1, X represents presence of the feature as part of the combination encompassed in each row. Accordingly, every single combination provided in Table 1 represents a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure also envisages a merger or mixture of these embodiments to provide for further possible combinations. Thus, for the purposes of the present disclosure, each of the combinations that are derivable from Table 1 below are envisaged to exist individually, all together or in different combinations within the ambit of the present disclosure.
Polymer fabric
Boron nitride at an amount ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%
Anti-microbial
Anti-odour
Thermal cooling
Ultraviolet protection
7
Fabric A
X
X
X
Fabric B
X
X
Fabric C
X
X
X
Fabric D
X
X
X
Fabric E
X
X
X
Fabric F
X
X
X
X
Fabric G
X
X
X
X
Fabric H
X
X
X
Fabric I
X
X
X
Fabric J
X
X
X
X
Fabric K
X
X
X
Fabric L
X
X
X
X
Fabric M
X
X
X
X
Fabric N
X
X
X
Fabric O
X
X
X
Fabric P
X
X
X
X
Fabric Q
X
X
X
X
Fabric R
X
X
X
X
X
Fabric S
X
X
X
X
Fabric T
X
X
X
X
Fabric U
X
X
X
Fabric V
X
X
X
Fabric W
X
X
X
X
Fabric X
X
X
X
X
Fabric Y
X
X
X
X
Fabric Z
X
X
X
X
Fabric A׀
X
X
X
X
X
Fabric B׀
X
X
X
X
Fabric C׀
X
X
X
X
X
Fabric D׀
X
X
X
X
Fabric E׀
X
X
X
X
X
8
Fabric F׀
X
X
Fabric G׀
X
Fabric H׀
X
X
Fabric I׀
X
Fabric J׀
X
X
Fabric K׀
X
X
Fabric L׀
X
X
Fabric M׀
X
X
X
Fabric N׀
X
X
Fabric O׀
X
X
X
Fabric P׀
X
X
X
Fabric Q׀
X
X
Fabric R׀
X
Fabric S׀
X
X
Fabric T׀
X
X
Fabric U׀
X
X
Fabric V׀
X
X
X
Fabric W׀
X
X
X
Fabric X׀
X
X
Fabric Y׀
X
X
Table 1:
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the feature of the fabric, such as antimicrobial, anti-odour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling, and combinations thereof, is maintained for up to at least 50 washes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the feature of the fabric, such as antimicrobial, anti-odour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling, and combinations thereof, is maintained for about 20 washes to 50 washes, including all the values in the range, for instance, 21 washes, 22 washes, 23 washes, 24 washes, and so on and so forth, up until 50 washes.
9
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric comprises the anti-microbial activity, such as bactericidal or antibacterial effect, bacteriostatic effect, antiviral effect, antifungal effect and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has anti-bacterial activity ranging from about 90% to 99.99%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 90.1%, 90.11%, 90.12%, 90.13%, 90.14% and so on and so forth, up until 99.99%, and including subranges of the range 90% to 99.99%, against bacteria including but not limited to Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has bacteriostatic effect comprising log reduction of bacterial value ranging from about 2 to 5, against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has bacteriostatic effect comprising log reduction of bacterial value of about 2, about 3, about 4 or about 5, against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has anti-viral activity ranging from about 90% to 99.99%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 90.1%, 90.11%, 90.12%, 90.13%, 90.14% and so on and so forth, up until 99.99%, against M2 bacteriophage.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has antiviral effect comprising log reduction of viral value ranging from about 2 to 5, against M2 bacteriophage.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has antiviral effect comprising log reduction of viral value of about 2, about 3, about 4 or about 5, against M2 bacteriophage.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has antifungal activity ranging from about 90% to 99.99%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 90.1%, 90.11%, 90.12%, 90.13%, 90.14% and so on and so forth, up until 99.99%, against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
10
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has anti-odour effect ranging from about 90% to 99.99%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 90.1%, 90.11%, 90.12%, 90.13%, 90.14% and so on and so forth, up until 99.99%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has very good to excellent washing fastness, perspiration fastness, sublimation fastness and light fastness.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric has washing fastness, perspiration fastness, sublimation fastness and light fastness of about 4 to 5 as measured on a standard rating scale wherein 1-is very poor, 2-3 is good, 3-4 is very good and 4- 5 is excellent.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric exhibits thermal cooling (Qmax cool) ranging from about 0.1 Watt/cm2 to 0.7 Watt/cm2.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric exhibits thermal cooling (Qmax cool) of about 0.1 Watt/cm2, about 0.2 Watt/cm2, about 0.3 Watt/cm2, about 0.4 Watt/cm2, about 0.5 Watt/cm2, about 0.6 Watt/cm2, or about 0.7 Watt/cm2.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric exhibits ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ranging from about 30 to 70, including all the values in the range, for instance, 31, 32, 33, 34 and so on and so forth, up until 70.
Accordingly, the fabric comprising boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% has following features–
about 1 fold to about 10 fold increase in anti-microbial activity;
about 1 fold to about 10 increase in anti-odour activity; or
about 1 fold to about 10 increase in thermal cooling;
when compared to a fabric lacking boron nitride in an amount ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric comprising boron nitride in an amount ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% is characterized by an increase of about 1 fold, about 2 fold, about 3 fold, about 4 fold, about 5 fold, about 6 fold, about 7 fold, about 8 fold, about 9 fold or about 10 fold in the feature selected from a group comprising anti-
11
microbial, anti-odour, thermal cooling, ultraviolet protection and combination thereof when compared to a fabric lacking boron nitride in an amount ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fabric is selected from a group comprising natural fabric, synthetic fabric, blend of natural fabric and synthetic fabric, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the natural fabric is selected from a group comprising fabric derived from Alpaca, Angora wool, Azlon, Byssus, Camel hair, Cashmere wool, Chiengora, Lambswool, Llama, Mohair wool, Qiviut, Rabbit, Silk, Vicuña, Wool, Yak, Abacá, Acetate, Bamboo, Banana, Kapok, Coir, Cotton, Flax, Hemp, Jute, Kenaf, Lyocell, Modal, Piña, Raffia, Ramie, Rayon, Sisal, Soy protein, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the synthetic fabric is selected from a group comprising Acetate, Acrylic, Lyocell, Modacrylic, Microfibre, Nomex, Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride, Rayon/Viscose, Spandex, Kevlar and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the blended fabric is a fabric derived from any combination of materials selected from a group comprising Alpaca, Angora wool, Azlon, Byssus, Camel hair, Cashmere wool, Chiengora, Lambswool, Llama, Mohair wool, Qiviut, Rabbit, Silk, Vicuña, Wool, Yak, Abacá, Acetate, Bamboo, Banana, Kapok, Coir, Cotton, Flax, Hemp, Jute, Kenaf, Lyocell, Modal, Piña, Raffia, Ramie, Rayon, Sisal, Soy protein, Acetate, Acrylic, Lyocell, Modacrylic, Microfibre, Nomex, Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride, Rayon/Viscose, Spandex and Kevlar.
The present disclosure further relates to a method of preparing the fabric described above.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method of preparing the fabric comprises-
-
dispersing boron nitride ink onto a substrate, followed by washing;
-
reduction cleaning the washed substrate, followed by neutralizing; and
-
drying the neutralized substrate to obtain the fabric.
12
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, dispersing the boron nitride ink on to a substrate is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 120ºC to 140 ºC, including all the values in the range for instance, 121 °C, 122 °C, 123 °C, 124 °C and so on and so forth, up until 140 °C, and including subranges of the range 120 °C to 140 °C. .
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, dispersing the boron nitride ink on to a substrate is carried out at a pressure ranging from about 3 bar to 4bar, including all the values in the range, for instance, 3.1 bar, 3.2 bar, 3.3 bar, 3.4 bar and so on and so forth, up until 4 bar.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, dispersing the boron nitride into on to a substrate is carried out for a duration ranging from about 30 minutes to 60minutes, including all the values in the range, for instance, 31 minutes, 32 minutes, 33 minutes, 34 minutes and so on and so forth, up until 60 minutes and including subranges of the range 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
Accordingly, in the method of the present disclosure, the dispersion of the boron nitride ink on to a substrate is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 120ºC to 140 ºC and at a pressure ranging from about 3bar to 4bar, for a duration ranging from about 30minutes to 60minutes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the washing is carried out with water at a temperature ranging from about 45to 75°C, including all the values in the range, for instance, 46 °C, 47 °C, 48 °C, 49 °C and so on and so forth, up until 75 °C, including subranges of the range 45 °C to 75 °C.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the reduction cleaning is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 70 °C to 90 °C, including all the values in the range, for instance, 71 °C, 72 °C, 73 °C, 74 °C and so on and so forth, up until 90 °C, including subranges of the range 70 °C to 90 °C.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the reduction cleaning is carried out for a duration ranging from about 10minutes to 30minutes, including all the values in the
13
range, for instance, 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 13 minutes, 14 minutes, 15 minutes and so on and so forth, up until 30 minutes, including subranges of the range 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
Accordingly, in the method of the present disclosure, the reduction cleaning is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 70 °C to 90 ºC, for a duration ranging from about 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the neutralizing is carried out in presence of acid selected from a group comprising acetic acid, citric acid and a combination thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the neutralizing is carried out for a duration ranging from about 5 minutes to 15minutes, including all the values in the range, for instance, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes and so on and so forth, up until 15 minutes, and including subranges of the range 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
Accordingly, in the method of the present disclosure, the neutralizing is carried out in presence of acid selected from a group acetic acid, citric acid and combination thereof, for a duration ranging from about 5 minutes to 15minutes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the drying is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 170 ºC to 190 ºC, including all the values in the range, for instance, 171 °C, 172 °C, 173 °C, 174 °C and so on and so forth, up until 190 °C, and including subranges of the range 170 °C to 190 °C.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the method, the drying is carried out for a duration ranging from about 0.5 minutes to 3minutes, including all the values in the range, for instance, 0.6 minutes, 0.7 minutes, 0.8 minutes, 0.9 minutes and so on and so forth, up until 3 minutes, and including subranges of the range 0.5 minutes to 3 minutes.
Accordingly, in the method of the present disclosure, the drying is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 170 ºC to 190 ºC, for a duration ranging from about 0.5 minutes to 3minutes.
14
Accordingly, the method of preparing the fabric according to present disclosure comprises-
-
dispersing the boron nitride ink on to a substrate at a temperature ranging from about 120 ºC to 140 ºC and at a pressure ranging from about 3to 4bar, for a duration ranging from about 30 minutes to 60 minutes;
-
washing the boron nitride ink dispersed substrate at a temperature ranging from about 45 °C to 75 °C;
-
reduction cleaning the washed substrate at a temperature ranging from about 70 °C to 90 ºC, for a duration ranging from about 10 to 30 minutes;
-
neutralizing the reduction cleaning substrate with acid, for a duration ranging from about 5 minutes to 15 minutes; and
-
drying the neutralized substrate at a temperature ranging from about 170 ºC to 190 ºC, for a duration ranging from about 0.5 minutes to 3minutes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the boron nitride ink comprises-
-
a dispersion comprising hydroxy ethyl cellulose and boron nitride; and
-
additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent, dispersing agent, lubricating agent, defoamer, buffer and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the boron nitride ink comprises-
-
the dispersion at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.%; and
-
the additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gpl to 1.2gpl, dispersing agent at a concentration ranging from about 1.3 gpl to 1.7 gpl, lubricating agent at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gpl to 1.2 gpl, defoamer at a concentration ranging from about 0.2 gpl to 0.3 gpl, buffer and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the boron nitride ink, the dispersion comprises hydroxyl ethyl cellulose and boron nitride in a ratio ranging from about 0.2 to 0.4, including all the values in the range, for instance, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24 and so on and so forth.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the boron nitride dispersion is stable for a duration ranging from about 350 days to 400 days, including all the values in the range, for instance, 351 days, 352 days, 353 days, 354 days, and so on and so forth, up until 400 days.
15
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the boron nitride ink is prepared according to the steps comprising-
-
preparing the boron nitride dispersion by mixing hydroxyl ethyl cellulose in water, followed by adding boron nitride and mixing to obtain a homogenous dispersion; and
-
adding the dispersion to the additive(s), followed by mixing to obtain the boron nitride ink.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the boron nitride ink is prepared according to the steps comprising-
-
preparing the boron nitride dispersion by mixing 0.4% to 1% of the hydroxyl ethyl cellulose in water for a duration ranging from about 5 minutes to 20 minutes, followed by adding 2% to 4% of the boron nitride, followed by mixing for a duration ranging from about 3 hours to 9hours to obtain a homogenous dispersion; and
-
adding about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.% of the dispersion to the additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent, dispersing agent, lubricating agent, defoamer, buffer and combinations thereof to obtain the composition.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the boron nitride ink, the levelling agent is selected from a group comprising napthalene sulphonate, fatty alcohol sulphate, and a combination thereof; the dispersing agent is selected from a group comprising sulphonate, polyethylene glycol, rianoleic acid, and combinations thereof; the lubricating agent is selected from a group comprising quaternary ammonium group, ester of aliphatic alcohol, and a combination thereof; the defoamer is selected from a group comprising isooctyl alcohol, tributyl phosphate, polyether, and combinations thereof; and the buffer is selected from a group comprising monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate and a combination thereof.
The present disclosure further relates to use of boron nitride ink for treating a fabric for providing features selecting from a group comprising antimicrobial, anti-odour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in said use, the boron nitride ink comprises-
-
dispersion comprising hydroxyl ethyl cellulose and boron nitride in a ratio ranging from about 0.2 to 0.4; and
16
-
additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gpl to 1.2 gpl, dispersing agent at a concentration ranging from about 1.3 gpl to 1.7 gpl, lubricating agent at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gpl to 1.2 gpl, defoamer at a concentration ranging from about 0.2 gpl to 0.3gpl, buffer and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in said use, the levelling agent is selected from a group comprising napthalene sulphonate, fatty alcohol sulphate, and a combination thereof ; the dispersing agent is selected from a group comprising sulphonate, polyethylene glycol, rianoleic acid, and combinations thereof; the lubricating agent is selected from a group comprising quaternary ammonium group, ester of aliphatic alcohol, and a combination thereof; the defoamer is selected from a group comprising isooctyl alcohol, tributyl phosphate, polyether, and combinations thereof; and the buffer is selected from a group comprising monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate and a combination thereof.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in said use, the dispersion in the boron nitride ink is at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 0.6 wt.%, 0.7 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, 0.9 wt.% and so on and so forth, up until 2 wt.%.
It is to be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative not a limitation. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. Similarly, additional embodiments and features of the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in art based upon description provided herein.
Descriptions of well-known/conventional methods/steps and techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Further, the disclosure herein provides for examples illustrating the above-described embodiments, and in order to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure, certain aspects have been employed. The examples used herein for such illustration are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in
17
which the embodiments may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments. Accordingly, following examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Preparing a dispersion comprising boron nitride and hydroxyl ethyl cellulose
About 0.8 kg of hydroxyl ethyl cellulose was added to about 195.2 kg of demineralized water and mixed for about 15 minutes in high shear mixture. Thereafter, about 4 kg of boron nitride was added and stirred for about 3 hours to achieve homogenous dispersion having long term stability.
Table 2 describes stability of the dispersion with respect to amounts of hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC) and boron nitride (BN).
Amount of HEC (Kg)
Amount of BN (Kg)
Amount of water (Kg)
HEC/BN
Solid content (%)
Stirring hour
Stability
0.8
4
195.2
0.2
2.4
3 hr
1 year
1.0
5
194.0
0.2
3.0
3 hr
1 year
1.2
6
192.8
0.2
3.6
3 hr
8 months
1.6
8
190.4
0.2
4.8
3 hr
6 months
1.6
5.5
192.8
0.3
3.6
3 hr
1 year
2.0
5.1
192.8
0.4
3.6
3 hr
More than 1 year
2.4
4.7
192.8
0.5
3.6
3 hr
Very thick dispersion not appropriate for application
1.2
6
192.8
0.2
3.6
6 hr
1 year
1.2
6
192.8
0.2
3.6
9 hr
More than 1 year
Table 2:
Example 2: Preparation of boron nitride ink
About 0.3 wt.% to 3 wt.% of the dispersion prepared in Example 1 was mixed with additives selected from a group comprising levelling agent, dispersing agent, lubricating agent, defoamer and buffer to arrive at boron nitride ink.
Table 3 describes components and its concentration in the boron nitride ink.
18
Components
Concentration
Unit
Dispersion (prepared in Example 1)
1.00
Wt.%
LEVOCOL CPES (levelling agent)
1.00
gpl
LEVOCOL CDFT (Dispersing agent)
1.50
gpl
DEPSULUBE ACA (lubricating agent)
1.00
gpl
DF300 (defoamer)
0.25
gpl
Acetic acid (to maintain pH)
1.50
gpl
LEVOL P4398 (acid buffer)
1.50
gpl
Table 3:
Example 3: Preparing a fabric comprising boron nitride
A substrate is loaded in the high temperature high pressure (HTHP) dyeing machine. The tank attached to the machine was filled with the boron nitride ink prepared in Example 2. The temperature and pressure of the machine was increased to 130 °C and 4 bar, respectively and maintained at that condition for about 45 minutes whereby boron nitride ink was dispersed onto the substrate. Thereafter, the temperature was decreased to 60 °C and the substrate was washed with water. Subsequently, reduction cleaning was performed at about 80 °C for about 20 minutes, followed by acid neutralization for about 10 minutes. Further, the neutralized substrate was dried in an oven at about 180 °C, for about 1 minute to obtain the fabric.
Table 4 describes antimicrobial, thermal cooling and UV protection properties of the fabric.
Dispersion of boron nitride and hydroxyl ethyl cellulose Antimicrobial activity (%) (AATCC 100) Peak heat flux (Qmax) (KES-F7) Mean UV protection factor (AATCC 183-2014/ ASTM D 6603-11)
S. Aureas K.Pneumoniae Dry Wet
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
0.3%
99.75
99.68
0.120
0.171
99.5
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
0.5%
99.01
99.11
0.124
0.210
89.47
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
1%
99.78
99.76
0.131
0.598
100.11
19
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
2%
99.75
99.66
0.114
0.339
137.56
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
2.5%
99.72
99.64
0.114
0.319
126.98
Fabric (100% polyester) comprising boron nitride
3%
99.24
99.14
0.111
0.326
127
Control fabric (100% polyester)
0%
Nil
Nil
0.029
0.135
30
Boron nitride treated fabric (100% cotton)
1%
99.98
99.98
0.148
0.666
64.4
Control sample (100% Cotton)
0%
Nil
Nil
0.073
0.135
16.09
Boron nitride treated fabric (70% polyester 30% cotton)
1%
99.9
99.84
0.167
0.415
50
Boron nitride treated fabric (70% polyester 30% cotton)
0%
Nil
Nil
0.101
0.135
27.44
Table 4:
The data in Table 4 demonstrates that the Fabric comprising boron nitride according to the present disclosure has improved properties when compared to control fabric.
Peak heat flux (Qmax) described in the Table 4 demonstrates cooling effect exhibited by the fabric comprising boron nitride under dry and wet condition.
Qmax is a value to assess the warm or cool sensation of the surface of the fabric. When fabric comes in contact with the surface of the skin, Qmax value indicates the warm or cool sensation. A high Qmax value would mean there is constant transfer of heat from the body to the surface
20
of the fabric, which ensures a cooler feeling fabric. It basically measures the rate of heat transfer through the fabric in dry and wet condition.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments in this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification, the term ‘combinations thereof’ or ‘any combination thereof’ or ‘any combinations thereof’ are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning, as regularly known in the field of patents disclosures.
As regards the embodiments characterized in this specification, it is intended that each embodiment be read independently as well as in combination with another embodiment. For example, in case of an embodiment 1 reciting 3 alternatives A, B and C, an embodiment 2 reciting 3 alternatives D, E and F and an embodiment 3 reciting 3 alternatives G, H and I, it is to be understood that the specification unambiguously discloses embodiments corresponding to combinations A, D, G; A, D, H; A, D, I; A, E, G; A, E, H; A, E, I; A, F, G; A, F, H; A, F, I; B, D, G; B, D, H; B, D, I; B, E, G; B, E, H; B, E, I; B, F, G; B, F, H; B, F, I; C, D, G; C, D, H; C, D, I; C, E, G; C, E, H; C, E, I; C, F, G; C, F, H; C, F, I, unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
WE CLAIM:
1. A fabric comprising boron nitride at a concentration ranging from about 0.001 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%.
2. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric is infused with the boron nitride.
3. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric is selected from a group comprising polyester, cotton, nylon and a combination thereof.
4. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric exhibits feature selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, antiodour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling, and combinations thereof, and wherein the said feature is maintained by the fabric up to at least 50 washes.
5. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric has antimicrobial activity ranging
from about 90% to 99.99%.
6. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric has antiodour effect ranging from about 90% to 99.99%.
7. The fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric exhibits thermal cooling (Qmax cool) ranging from about 0.1 Watt/cm2 to 0.7 Watt/cm2.
8. A method of preparing the fabric as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising¬- dispersing boron nitride ink onto a substrate, followed by washing;

- reduction cleaning the washed substrate, followed by neutralizing; and
- drying the neutralized substrate to obtain the fabric.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dispersing is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 120 °C to 140 °C and at a pressure ranging from about 3 bar to 4bar, for a duration ranging from about 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the washing is carried out with water at a temperature ranging from about 45 °C to 75 °C.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reduction cleaning is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 70 °C to 90 °C, for a duration ranging from about 10minutes to 30 minutes.
12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the neutralizing is carried out in presence of acid selected from a group comprising acetic acid, citric acid and a combination thereof, for a duration ranging from about 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drying is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 170 °C to 190°C, for a duration ranging from about 0.5 minutes to 3 minutes.

14. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the substrate is selected from a group comprising polyester, nylon, cotton, cotton-polyester blend, polyester-spandex blend and combinations thereof.
15. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the boron nitride ink comprises- a dispersion comprising hydroxyl ethyl cellulose and boron nitride and additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent, dispersing agent, lubricating agent, defoamer, buffer and combinations thereof.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the levelling agent is selected from a group comprising napthalene sulphonate, fatty alcohol sulphate, and a combination thereof; the dispersing agent is selected from a group comprising sulphonate, polyethylene glycol, rianoleic acid, and combinations thereof; the lubricating agent is selected from a group comprising quaternary ammonium group, ester of aliphatic alcohol, and a combination thereof; the defoamer is selected from a group comprising isooctyl alcohol, tributyl phosphate, polyether, and combinations thereof; and the buffer is selected from a group comprising monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate and a combination thereof.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dispersion comprises hydroxyl ethyl cellulose and boron nitride in a ratio ranging from about 0.2 to 0.4.
18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dispersion is at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.%; the levelling agent is at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gpl to 1.2 gpl; dispersing agent is at a concentration ranging from about 1.3 gplto 1.7 gpl; lubricating agent is at a concentration ranging from about 0.8 gplto 1.2 gpl; and defoamer is at a concentration ranging from about 0.2 gpl to 0.3gpl.
19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the boron nitride ink is prepared according to steps comprising¬- preparing the boron nitride dispersion by mixing about 0.4% to 1% of hydroxyl
ethyl cellulose in water, followed by adding about 2% to 4% of boron nitride and mixing to obtain a homogenous dispersion; and - adding about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.% of the dispersion to the additive, followed by mixing to obtain the boron nitride ink.
20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dispersion is stable for a duration
ranging from about 350 days to 400 days.

21. Use of boron nitride ink for treating a fabric for providing feature selected from a group comprising antimicrobial, antiodour, ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermal cooling, and combinations thereof.
22. The use as claimed in claim 21, wherein the boron nitride ink comprises¬- dispersion comprising hydroxyl ethyl cellulose and boron nitride in a ratio ranging
from about 0.2 to 0.4; and - additive selected from a group comprising levelling agent, dispersing agent, lubricating agent, defoamer, buffer and combinations thereof.
23. The use as claimed in claim 22, wherein the dispersion is at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.%.
24. The use as claimed in claim 22, wherein the levelling agent is selected from a group comprising napthalene sulphonate, fatty alcohol sulphate and a combination thereof; the dispersing agent is selected from a group comprising sulphonate, polyethylene glycol, rianoleic acid, and combination thereof; the lubricating agent is selected from a group comprising quaternary ammonium group, ester of aliphatic alcohol, and a combination thereof; the defoamer is selected from a group comprising isooctyl alcohol, tributyl phosphate, polyether and combinations thereof; and the buffer is selected from a group comprising monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, and a combination thereof.