Patent GB-900803-A (GB)
Title: Neomycin treated cellulosic textile materials
IPC: D06M16/00
Filed: 1959-10-30
Abstract: Cellulosic fibres, e.g. cotton, regenerated cellulose, linen, jute and hemp, or woven or felted fabrics containing at least 50% by weight of cellulosic fibres are rendered bacteriostatic by treating them with a solution containing neomycin and are treated before, after or simultaneously with the treatment with the neomycin solution with a solution containing a fluorescent brightener which is substantive to the fibres to improve their resistance to discolouration.  The neomycin may be in the form of its salts, e.g. neomycin sulphate, parahydroxy benzoate, sulphanilate, -N- tartrate, propionate, aconitate, phthalate, undecylenate, palmitate or stearate.  Suitable fluorescent brighteners are those having the formulae <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/1> <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/2> <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/3> <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/4> <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/5> <FORM:0900803/IV (b)/6> in which R, R1, R11 and R111 are hydrogen or alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halogen, nitro or nitrile groups. If the neomycin and fluorescent brightener are applied at different times the treated fibres are dried after each application, e.g. by heating to 150 DEG -350 DEG F.  The coprecipitation of the ingredients in baths comprising neomycin and a fluorescent brightener containing sulphonic acid groups may be prevented by adjusting the pH of the bath to at least 7.5 by, for example, the addition of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or ammonia.  0.001-0.05% by weight of fluorescent brightener and 0.0001-1% by weight of neomycin may be applied to the fibres.  The treating solutions may also contain lubricants, softeners and wetting agents.  Blends containing at least 50% by weight of cellulosic fibres together with wool, silk, nylon, acrylic fibres and polyester fibres may be treated.  The fabrics treated may be in the form of wearing apparel, handkerchiefs, diapers, towels, books and book covers, cloth toys, sheets, pillow cases, hospital and examination room bath robes, slippers or barbers' or beauticians' cloths.ALSO:Compositions suitable for the treatment of cellulosic fibres comprise solutions containing neomycin and a fluorescent brightener which is substantive to cellulosic fibres.  The neomycin may be in the form of its salts, e.g. neomycin sulphate, parahydroxy-benzoate, sulphanilate, -N-tartrate, propionate, aconitate, phthalate, undecylenate, palmitate or stearate. Suitable fluorescent brighteners are those having the formul <FORM:0900803/VI/1> <FORM:0900803/VI/2> <FORM:0900803/VI/3> <FORM:0900803/VI/4> <FORM:0900803/VI/5> <FORM:0900803/VI/6> in which R, R1, R11 and R111 are hydrogen or alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halogen, nitro or nitrile groups.  The coprecipitation of the ingredients in solution comprising neomycin and a fluorescent brightener containing sulphonic acid groups may be prevented by adjusting the pH of the solutions to at least 7.5 by, for example, the addition of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or ammonia.  The solutions may also contain textile lubricants or softeners and wetting agents.