Patent ID: 6159548
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: D06M

Abstract:
A method for restoring or providing the waterproofing of a fully manufactured article comprising fabric, said method comprising the steps of:A. applying to the fabric of said article a diluted aqueous dispersion containing, dispersed therein as essentially the sole waterproofing component, a particulate fluoropolymer component comprising a fluoroacrylate copolymer having repeating units of the formulas I and II ##STR4## wherein R.sub.f represents the fluorinated alkyl radicals, the major amount of which have 8 carbon atoms;R is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl radical;R.sup.1 is the same as or different from R but is also hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl radical; andR.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl radical which is unsubstituted or substituted;said fluoroacrylate copolymer having a melting or softening point in the range of about 20 to about 100.degree. C. and being essentially free of --SO.sub.2 -- and urethane groups,said aqueous dispersion containing a minor amount of surfactant component, for dispersing said fluoropolymer and maintaining said fluoropolymer in a dispersed state and for assisting the fluoropolymer in depositing on the fabric, and a minor amount of polar organic liquid dissolved therein,B. drying the thus-treated fabric at a temperature in the range of 20 to 100.degree. C., until the waterproofing of said fabric has been restored, enhanced, or provided, without further drying at any temperature higher than 100.degree. C.