Topical carpet treatment

US5908663A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company · US

Inventors

• Shou-Lu G. Wang · Woodbury, US
• Lori P. Engle · Little Canada, US
• Steven J. Hamrock · Saint Paul, US
• Dong-Wei Zhu · North Oaks, US
• Thomas E. Wood · Windom, US
• Steven J. Martin · Shoreview, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 1, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 1, 1999
• Expiry date: Feb 1, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/23986
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.