Patent ID: 6265207
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: C12N,D06B,D06M

Abstract:
A permanently soft cotton toweling manufactured by treatment with cellulase prepared by the method comprising:(a) applying onto the surfaces of said toweling prior to application of a finish to said toweling an aqueous cellulase solution containing at least about 0.2 grams per liter cellulase wherein the weight amount of said aqueous cellulase solution applied onto the surface(s) of said toweling is between about 10 to 50 percent of the weight of said toweling and further wherein said aqueous cellulase solution is free of surfactant;(b) incubating the toweling at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to about 65.degree. C. for a period of from about 1 to about 16 hours to impart softening and/or inactivate the cellulase enzyme;(c) treating the cotton toweling in a manner to remove and/or inactivate the cellulase enzyme;wherein said cotton toweling after treatment when compared to standard cotton toweling is characterized by retaining at least: 83.47% of the total weight, 80% of the tensile strength in the warp direction, and 79.48% of the tensile strength in the fill direction.