Patent ID: 6165545
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: D06M

Abstract:
A method for restoring or enhancing the waterproofing of a previously waterproofed fabric, comprising the steps of:A. preparing a fabric-treating aqueous medium by adding to a major amount of wash water a minor amount of an aqueous dispersion containing, dispersed therein, essentially a single particulate fluoroacrylate copolymer having repeating units of the formula I ##STR4## and the formula II ##STR5## wherein R.sup.f is a fluorinated alkyl radical having 4 to 16 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 aqueous dispersion further containinga minor amount of surfactant component for dispersing said polymer and maintaining said polymer in a dispersed state and for assisting the polymer in depositing on the fabric, said surfactant component containing at least one amphoteric surfactant, anda minor amount of polar organic liquid dissolved in the aqueous medium,B. immersing a previously waterproofed fabric in said fabric-treating aqueous medium for a time sufficient to deposit said aqueous dispersion on said fabric, andC. drying the thus-treated fabric at a temperature below 55.degree. C., until the waterproofing of the fabric is restored or enhanced, without further drying at any temperature higher than 55.degree. C.