Cellulase compositions and methods that introduce variations in color density into cellulosic fabrics, particularly indigo dyed denim

• US 5,122,159 A
• Filed: 04/01/1991
• Issued: 06/16/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lanxess Corporation (Lanxess AG)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Stanley, Patricia M., Olson, Lynne A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clingman, A. Lionel
• Application Number:
  US07/678,133
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 8/401
• US Class Current: 8/401
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38645 containing cellulase
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 1/228 Indigo
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 5/137 with other compounds
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 5/158 with other compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 8/918 Cellulose textile

Abstract

Aqueous processes and compositions of the invention for obtaining a "stone-washed", distressed or "used and abused" look in clothing, particularly in the panels and seams of denim jeans and jackets involve compositions that are stone-free that avoid mechanical abrasion of the fabric. In particular, the process and composition of the invention used to obtain the distressed, "stone-washed" or "acid washed look" are free of common pumice or pumice-bleach compositions, used in large institutional-size laundry machines, and rely solely on the chemical action of aqueous treatment compositions. The aqeuous treatments can be made from liquid or solid concentrates.

Claims

1. A method of introducing into the surface of indigo dyed denim localized area of variation in color density, which method comprises contacting the indigo dyed denim with an aqueous composition consisting essentially of:

(a) a major proportion of water;

(b) an effective amount of cellulase enzyme to release indigo dye from the denim to produce a stonewashed appearance; and

(c) a buffer that can maintain the pH of the aqueous solution at about the cellulase enzyme optimum pH;

wherein the indigo dyed denim is contacted with the aqueous composition at a ratio of about 2-8 milliliters of aqueous solution per gram of dyed cellulosic indigo dyed denim.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the indigo dyed denim is contacted with the aqueous solution for at least 5 minutes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulase is a fungal cellulase.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein indigo dyed denim comprises blue jeans made of indigo dyed denim.