Patent Description:
The texture and hue of a fiber product made of animal fibers are important factors in determining the product value. The texture of animal fibers is expressed as "tender", "smooth", "frictional feel", or the like, and it is thought that animal fibers have the most excellent texture when these fibers are collected and no chemical treatment other than scouring is performed. Also, with regard to the hue, dyeing is performed in accordance with purposes, and when a vivid hue such as white or extremely light color to light color is required, it is necessary to bleach fibers prior to dyeing. Thus, conventionally, oxidative bleaching by hydrogen peroxide or reductive bleaching by hydrosulfite or sodium bisulfite has been performed. However, these types of bleaching require long-term heating and an alkali agent, and thus fibers are damaged, causing deterioration of unique textures such as tenderness and frictional feel of animal fibers.

In view of this, attempts have been made to develop a bleaching method by which the texture does not deteriorate and sufficient whiteness is obtained. For example, a bleaching sub-agent (Patent Literature <NUM>) containing a polycarboxylic acid-based polymer and an amine-based compound, and a treating method by means of an alkaline protease, hydroxyalkyl phosphine, and derivatives thereof (Patent Literature <NUM>) have been proposed. However, it cannot be said that they sufficiently suppress deterioration of the texture and maintain sufficient light resistance.

Also, a method applying an ultraviolet absorbing agent (Patent Literature <NUM>), a method applying a lower phosphorous acid and a lower phosphate to animal fibers (Patent Literature <NUM>), a method applying a fluorescent whitening agent to animal fibers (Patent Literature <NUM>), and the like have been proposed for improving the light resistance of animal fibers. However, their effects are not necessarily sufficient, and the textures are harmed, and their safety with regard to the human body may be also a concern.

On the other hand, conventionally, methods for providing fibers with the properties of an animal-derived protein by combining the animal-derived protein and animal fibers have been proposed (Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM>). For example, it has been reported that use of sericin together with a dichlorotriazine-based compound provides fibers with durability and shape stability (Patent Literature <NUM>); that in shape fixing, cloth made of animal protein fibers is soaked for absorption into a solution of a collagen protein derivative and a fibroin protein or a keratin solution, and thereby, the texture and touch feel are maintained (Patent Literature <NUM>); that the physical properties of a protein fiber product is improved and the color of the protein fiber product is deepened by soaking the protein fiber product in an animal hair protein aqueous solution and a bridging agent (Patent Literature <NUM>); and the like.

However, it has not previously been known that a keratin hydrolytic product has the effect of suppressing deterioration of the texture and the light resistance of animal fibers caused by bleaching and/or dyeing.

Further, the following prior art documents <CIT>,<CIT> and JPH07 300771A disclose the treatment of animal fibers with hydrolysed keratin.

The present invention relates to providing a method for manufacturing processed fibers, the processed fibers, a method for suppressing damage to animal fibers, and a method for processing animal fibers, where a unique texture and light resistance of animal fibers are kept and a desired hue is realized even if the animal fibers are bleached and/or dyed.

As a result of intensive studies in light of the above-described issues, the inventors of the present invention found that when soaking animal fibers in a hydrolyzed keratin solution both before and after bleaching and /or dyeing the animal fibers, processed fibers with a desired hue are manufactured, while damage to the processed fibers is suppressed and while the original texture and light resistance of the animal fibers are kept.

The present invention is further defined in the claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to the method for manufacturing processed fibers, the method for suppressing damage to animal fibers, and the method for processing animal fibers, in accordance with the present invention, fiber damage occurring when bleaching and/or dyeing animal fibers is suppressed or repaired, and processed fibers where strength and light resistance are kept without impairing a unique texture of the animal fibers are manufactured. Also, because a hydrolytic product obtained by hydrolyzing naturally derived keratin protein is used, the method according to the present invention is implemented substantially safely to the human body, the environment, and the like.

A method for manufacturing processed fibers of the present invention is one of the methods for manufacturing processed fibers with bleaching and dyeing animal fibers and has the step for soaking the fibers in a hydrolyzed keratin solution.

In the present invention, animal fibers are those animal fibers used in spinning, and the form thereof may be short fibers, long fibers, spun yarn, knitted fabric, woven fabric, felt, or the like, and may be apparel products such as clothes, bedding, cushions, and stuffed toys.

The animal fibers include anyone of sheep wool, cashmere, mohair, camel hair, llama, alpaca, vicuna, angora, mink, and silk. These animal fibers may be used alone or in combination.

The processed fibers of the present invention are obtained with bleaching and/or dyeing the above-described animal fibers, and thus, the processed fibers encompass bleached fibers, dyed fibers, and bleached and dyed fibers.

In the present invention, bleaching is performed in order to increase the whiteness of animal fibers and is performed with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and a surface active agent, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and sodium silicate, or the like. Also, dyeing is performed without particular limitation with a liquid flow method, a jigger method, a beam method, a cold pad-batch method, a pad steam method, a pad roll method, a continuous method, or the like, and a suitable dye and a suitable dyeing method may be selected in accordance with the type of animal fibers.

In the present invention, the hydrolyzed keratins may be a hydrolytic product obtained by decomposing a keratin-containing raw material or a keratin extracted from the raw material under a reduction condition or the like by acid, alkali, peroxide, an enzyme, or the like, and the methods are all known (for example, see <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>). Among them, hydrolytic products with an alkali or a peroxide are preferable.

Considering the sorption and permeability of the hydrolyzed keratin to fibers, the number average molecular weight of this hydrolyzed keratin, measured through gel filtration analysis, is <NUM>,<NUM> or less, and more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> or less, and is <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, and more preferably <NUM> or more. Also, the number average molecular weight thereof is preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>.

In hydrolysis by an alkali or peroxide, the keratin-containing raw material may be directly decomposed.

In alkaline hydrolysis, an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as calcium hydroxide, or an alkaline compound such as ammonia is used, and in general, it is preferable to process the keratin-containing raw material at a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM> mol/L, preferably at a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM> mol/L, in general, at <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably for <NUM> to <NUM> hours.

Also, hydrolysis by a peroxide (oxidative hydrolysis) is performed by a peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide, performic acid, and peracetic acid, and in general, it is preferable to process the keratin-containing raw material at a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably at a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM>%, in general, at room temperature to <NUM>, and preferably for <NUM> minutes to <NUM> hours.

Also, this hydrolytic product may be cationized, silylated, acylated, or alkyl cationized so as to form derivatives of the hydrolyzed keratin, and these derivatives may also be used as long as the effects of the present invention are obtained.

Examples of the keratin-containing raw materials include hairs of animals such as birds, sheep, horses, pigs, alpacas, mohair, angora, and cashmere, and among these, feathers obtained from birds or sheep wool is preferable, and it is particularly preferable to use feathers. Although it is possible to use any feathers such as down, feathers, and small feathers obtained from land birds such as chickens, quails, and turkeys, and water birds such as geese, call ducks, domestic ducks, European ducks, Peking ducks, and eider ducks, in particular, feathers of water birds are preferable.

In the present invention, examples of preferred hydrolyzed keratins include hydrolyzed keratins derived from sheep wool or feathers, hydrolyzed keratins derived from feathers are more preferable, and alkaline hydrolyzed keratins or oxidatively hydrolyzed keratins derived from feathers are even more preferable.

Examples of hydrolyzed keratin solutions include aqueous and ethanol solutions, and aqueous solutions are preferable.

It is possible to blend, as appropriate, into this hydrolyzed keratin solution, lipid components such as a chelating agent, a metal salt, ceramide, and fatty acid esters, an organic acid such as citric acid or ascorbic acid, a nonionic surface active agent, a cationic surface active agent, an amphoteric surface active agent, higher alcohols, lower alcohols, animal and vegetable oils, silicone oils, natural polysaccharides, an animal or plant extract, a hydrolytic product derived from animals or plants and derivatives thereof, a pH regulator, an antiseptic agent, and the like, in a range of not impairing the effects of the keratin.

In view of increasing the animal fiber's protective function and recovering function, and suppressing deterioration of the texture caused by an increase in the sorption amount of the hydrolyzed keratin into fibers, the concentration of the hydrolyzed keratin in the hydrolyzed keratin solution is preferably <NUM> mass% or more, more preferably <NUM> mass% or more, more preferably <NUM> mass% or more, and more preferably <NUM> mass% or more, and preferably <NUM> mass% or less, more preferably <NUM> mass% or less, and more preferably <NUM> mass% or less. Also, the concentration thereof is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass% or more, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mass%.

From the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the protective function and the recovering function for animal fibers caused by denaturation by heat or a decrease in the osmotic force, the animal fibers are preferably soaked in the hydrolyzed keratin solution, in general, at <NUM> to <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, and are more preferably soaked at <NUM> to <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> minutes.

The animal fibers are soaked in the hydrolyzed keratin solution in a pretreatment process before a bleaching process and/or a dyeing process, and in a post-treatment process after a bleaching process and/or a dyeing process, and it is the invention to implement both the pretreatment process and the post-treatment process. For example, when dyeing is performed subsequent to bleaching, it is preferable to perform the soaking process twice, before the bleaching and after the dyeing, or three times before the bleaching after the bleachings (before the dyeing), and after the dyeing.

In the processed fibers of the present invention obtained thus, fiber damage due to bleaching and/or dyeing is suppressed or repaired. Namely, in the processed fibers of the present invention, the unique texture (for example, the touch feel) of animal fibers is kept in spite of the bleaching and/or dyeing, and the strength and the light resistance are kept without being reduced.

Therefore, when bleaching and/or dyeing animal fibers, the method including the step for soaking these fibers in the hydrolyzed keratin solution serves as a method for suppressing damage to the fibers in bleaching and/or dyeing. Also, the method, including the step for soaking the animal fibers in the hydrolyzed keratin solution, before and after the fibers are bleached and/or dyed, serves as a processing method for suppressing the damage to the fibers.

The present method for suppressing damage to animal fibers and the present method for processing animal fibers are useful for protecting the animal fibers from bleaching and/or dyeing and for keeping the texture of the fibers, or for keeping the light resistance.

Note that in the present invention, "texture" refers to the material feel felt when a human touches the material, such as the touch feel, skin feel, or comfortability of feel, and the unique texture of the animal fibers refers to the "tenderness", "smoothness", "frictional feel", "suppleness", "softness", "sturdiness", "bulkiness", or the like.

Also, "light resistance" refers to resistance against deterioration caused by light (yellowing or decoloring of fibers).

Hereinafter, the present invention will be more specifically described according to embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

The dyeing (light resistant) fastness of fibers was measured in conformity with JIS L <NUM>, the third exposure method. The higher the grade obtained through this test is, the higher the fastness is.

The alkaline solubility of fibers was measured in conformity with JIS L <NUM>, alkaline solubility method. The smaller the value obtained in this test is, the less damaged the fibers are.

Fiber damage testing method: Coloring method (methylene blue method).

The fiber damage was determined in conformity with JIS L <NUM>, coloring (methylene blue method). The damage level is determined by means of a color concentration because undamaged fibers turn light blue and damaged fibers turn deep blue.

ATR-FTIR spectra of fibers were recorded with a PerkinElmer Spectrum One FTIR spectrophotometer, manufactured by PerkinElmer, Inc. , provided in Universal ATR Sampling Accessory. The measurements were performed under the condition that the accumulation number was <NUM> and the resolution was <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. In the obtained spectra, a peak for sulfonic acid was obtained at <NUM>-<NUM>. This sulfonic acid was derived from cystine in the fibers, and the cystine underwent cleavage due to excessive oxidation of cystine and changed into sulfonic acid. Thus, the lower the peak at <NUM>-<NUM> is, the lower the content of sulfonic acid is; indicating that excessive oxidation of fibers in the bleaching process has been suppressed.

Single yarn tensile strength and elongation ratio were measured in conformity with JIS L <NUM>, spun yarn testing method.

Panelist evaluation was performed on specimens. <NUM> panelists who had many opportunities to evaluate cashmere fibers in business touched specimens freely and evaluated the touch feel with the following criteria, and average values were obtained.

SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was observed using a ready-made gel (e-PAGEL manufactured by ATTO CORPORATION). Dyeing was performed with Coomassie brilliant blue, and decoloring was performed with <NUM>% acetic acid.

Column for gel filtration: AsahipakGF-510HQ and AsahipakGF-310HQ manufactured by SHOWA DENKO K.

<NUM> of an <NUM> urea solution (pH: <NUM>) containing <NUM> tris and <NUM> dithiothreitol was added to <NUM> of sheep wool and stirred at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. Thereafter, <NUM> of sodium sulfite and <NUM> of sodium tetrathionate dihydrate were added and stirred at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. After undissolved substances were removed by centrifugal separation, the pH of the mixture was adjusted to <NUM> with hydrochloric acid, and sheep wool-derived solubilized, but not hydrolyzed, keratin was produced.

The sheep wool was changed to feathers, and feather-derived solubilized keratin, not hydrolyzed, was produced similarly to Production Example <NUM>.

Soaking <NUM> of sheep wool in hydrogen peroxide water for three hours in order to oxidize it. Thereafter, the sheep wool was hydrolyzed by adding ammonia. Unreacted hydrogen peroxide and undecomposed substances were removed, and sheep wool-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was produced.

The sheep wool was changed to feathers, and feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was produced similarly to Production Example <NUM>.

<NUM> of <NUM>% sodium hydroxide solution was added to <NUM> of sheep wool and reacted at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. After cooling to room temperature, the pH was lowered to by hydrochloric acid, and the product was left for one night. After undecomposed substances were removed by centrifugal separation, the pH of the mixture was adjusted to <NUM> with sodium hydroxide, and sheep wool-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin was produced.

The sheep wool was changed to feathers, and feather-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin was produced similarly to Production Example <NUM>,
<FIG> shows the results of molecular weight analysis with SDS-PAGE for keratins produced in Production Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. With the feather and sheep wool-derived solubilized keratins, bands with a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or more were confirmed, whereas with the feather and sheep wool-derived hydrolyzed keratins, only bands with a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or less were confirmed. Based on this, the feather and sheep wool-derived solubilized keratins are found to contain keratin molecules with molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or more, and the feather and sheep wool-derived hydrolyzed keratins contain only keratin molecules with a molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or less.

Also, the results of molecular weight measurement through gel filtration molecular weight analysis for the keratins produced in Production Examples <NUM> to <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. Those keratins are found to contain keratin molecules with number average molecular weight of about <NUM>, regardless of whether the keratin-containing raw material is derived from and the hydrolysis method.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking cashmere hairs in an aqueous solution containing <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin produced in Production Example <NUM> at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water with the concentration of <NUM> cc/L at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, the hairs were soaked in a <NUM>% hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM> at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced.

Feather-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, where the feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was changed to the feather-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin produced in Production Example <NUM>.

Sheep wool-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was changed to the sheep wool-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin produced in Production Example <NUM>.

Sheep wool-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was changed to the sheep wool-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin produced in Production Example <NUM>.

Sheep wool-derived solubilized keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was changed to the sheep wool-derived solubilized keratin produced in Production Example <NUM>.

Feather-derived solubilized keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin was changed to the feather-derived solubilized keratin produced in Production Example <NUM>.

The results of the fiber damage test and average values of panelist evaluations (touch feels) on Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM>, <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, where hydrolyzed keratin treatment was not performed, in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, where the hydrolyzed keratin treatment was performed, the fiber damage caused by bleaching was suppressed and deterioration of the unique texture of cashmere fibers was suppressed.

<FIG> shows photographs of cotton-like fibers of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, Comparative Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, and unprocessed cashmere fibers, before and after the methylene blue dyeing. The fiber damage is evaluated on color concentrations because undamaged fibers turn light blue and damaged fibers turn deep blue. As shown in <FIG>, Comparative Examples <NUM>, <NUM> were more deeply colored than unprocessed fibers. Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> were more light in the color than Comparative Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, and in particular, Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM> were equivalent to the unprocessed fibers in the color. Thus, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> suppressed, also according to the methylene blue dyeing method, fiber damage caused by bleaching, as is similar to the alkaline solubility method.

According to the results of fiber damage level and touch feel, the hydrolyzed keratins with an average molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> or less are found to effectively suppress fiber damage caused by bleaching.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking cashmere hairs whose place of origin was different from those used in Embodiment <NUM> in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution obtained of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water with the concentration <NUM> cc/L, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried to produce hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the hairs were soaked in a feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at <NUM>.

Feather-derived alkaline hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the hairs were soaked in a feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at <NUM>.

Cashmere hairs similar to those used in Embodiment <NUM> were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water in the concentration of <NUM> cc/L of, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried; thus keratin untreated hairs were produced.

<NUM>) The results of fiber damage test on unprocessed hairs, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, and Comparative Example <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, the fiber damage was smaller, revealing the suppression of the fiber damage caused by bleaching.

<NUM>) <FIG> shows ATR-FTIR spectra of unprocessed hairs, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, and Comparative Example <NUM>. The unprocessed hairs showed no peaks for sulfonic acid at <NUM>-<NUM>, whereas Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM> showed peaks for sulfonic acid at <NUM>-<NUM>, and thus, it was suggested that excessive oxidation caused by bleaching occurred. However, compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> had weaker peak intensities at <NUM>-<NUM>, and thus, it was suggested that excessive oxidation caused by bleaching was suppressed.

Bleached cashmere hairs were soaked in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. After the hairs were sufficiently washed with water, they were dried, and hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced.

The fiber damages and light resistant fastnesses of Embodiment <NUM> and the bleached cashmere hairs are listed in Table <NUM>. In Embodiment <NUM>, the fiber damage was smaller than the bleached cashmere hairs, suggesting the recovery from the fiber damage. Also, the light resistant fastness increased, suggesting the increased light resistance.

Bleached and dyed cashmere hairs were soaked in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus, hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced.

The light resistant fastness of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> and the bleached and dyed cashmere hairs are listed in Table <NUM>. Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> showed increased light resistant fastness.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking cashmere hairs used in Embodiment <NUM>, in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water having a concentration of <NUM> cc/L, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, the post-treatment was performed by soaking the hairs in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus hydrolyzed keratin pre/post-treated hairs. were produced.

<NUM>) The results of fiber damage test and average values of panelist evaluations are listed in Table <NUM> regarding unprocessed hairs, Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, and Comparative Example <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, the fiber damage was smaller. Also, the light resistant fastness increased. The touch feel evaluation through panelist evaluation revealed suppression of the deterioration of touch feel in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, animal fiber spun yarn with an excellent hue and keeping the unique texture and light resistance of the fibers was obtained.

<NUM>) <FIG> shows ATR-FTIR spectra of unprocessed hairs, Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, and Comparative Example <NUM>. The unprocessed hairs showed no peaks for sulfonic acid at <NUM>-<NUM>, whereas with Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM> showed peaks for sulfonic acid at <NUM>-<NUM>, and thus, excessive oxidation seems caused by bleaching. However, compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> had weaker peak intensities at <NUM>-<NUM>, and thus, excessive oxidation caused by bleaching seems suppressed.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking cashmere hairs used in Embodiment <NUM>, in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water with the concentration of <NUM> cc/L, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, dyeing was performed by a <NUM>% acidic dye. post-treatment was performed on the bleached and dyed cashmere hairs by soaking the hairs in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus hydrolyzed keratin pre/post-treated hairs were produced.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the hairs were soaked in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution.

Cashmere hairs similar to Embodiment <NUM> were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water with the concentration of <NUM> cc/L, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, dyeing was performed by a <NUM>% acidic dye. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus, keratin untreated hairs were produced.

The fiber damage and light resistant fastness of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, the fiber damages were small, revealing the suppression of the fiber damage. Also, the light resistant fastness increased, revealing the increase in the light resistance.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking spun sheep wool yarn in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>. for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water (<NUM> cc/L solution), at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, post-treatment was performed by soaking the hairs in a <NUM>% feather-derived oxidatively hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus, hydrolyzed keratin treated spun yarn was produced.

The spun sheep wool yarn was soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water (<NUM> cc/L solution), at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and was bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The yarn was sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus bleached sheep wool spun yarn was produced.

The yarn strength and yarn elongation are listed in Table <NUM> regarding the raw yarn, Embodiment <NUM>, and Comparative Example <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Example <NUM>, Embodiment <NUM> showed nearly equivalent values to the raw yarn before bleaching, and thus, yarn properties in the embodiment less changed in spite of the bleaching.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated cashmere spun yarn was produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the sheep wool yarn was changed to cashmere yarn.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated silk spun yarn was produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the sheep wool yarn was changed to silk yarn.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated alpaca spun yarn was produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the sheep wool yarn was changed to alpaca yarn.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated mixed spun yarn was produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the sheep wool yarn was changed to mixed yarn of <NUM>% mohair and <NUM>% sheep wool.

Hydrolyzed keratin treated angora spun yarn was produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the sheep wool yarn was changed to angora yarn.

Animal hairs similar to Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water(<NUM> cc/L solution), at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus keratin untreated spun yarn was produced.

The yarn strength and yarn elongation of the raw yarn of animal hairs, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. By bleaching, the yarn strength and the yarn elongation tend to decrease. However, the keratin treatment is found to suppress a decrease in the yarn strength and also the yarn elongation.

Pretreatment was performed by soaking cashmere hairs in a <NUM>% aqueous solution containing commercially available hydrolyzed keratin (average molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>), at a temperature of <NUM>, for <NUM> minutes. Thereafter, the hairs were soaked in a diluted solution of <NUM>% hydrogen peroxide water (<NUM> cc/L solution) at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, and were bleached at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. After bleaching, the hairs were soaked in a <NUM>% hydrolyzed keratin solution, at a liquid ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. The hairs were sufficiently washed with water and then dried, and thus hydrolyzed keratin treated hairs were produced.

Hydrolyzed collagen treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the hydrolyzed keratin was changed to a commercially available hydrolyzed collagen (average molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>).

Hydrolyzed silk treated hairs were produced similarly to Embodiment <NUM>, while the hydrolyzed keratin was changed to commercially available hydrolyzed silk (average molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM>).

The results of fiber damage test (alkaline solubility method) and the light resistant fastness of Embodiments <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> are listed in Table <NUM>. Compared with Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> treated with hydrolyzed collagen and hydrolyzed silk, Embodiment <NUM> treated with hydrolyzed keratin had the least fiber damage and the highest light resistant fastness.

Claim 1:
A method for manufacturing processed fibers with bleaching and/or dyeing animal fibers,
performing a soaking step for soaking said animal fibers in a solution of hydrolyzed keratin having a number average molecular weight of <NUM> to <NUM>, as measured by gel filtration molecular weight analysis, wherein the soaking step is performed both before and after bleaching and/or dyeing, and wherein the animal fibers are one or more selected from the group of sheep wool, cashmere, mohair, camel hair, llama, alpaca, vicuna, angora, mink, and silk.