Capsule impregnated fabric

• US RE32,713 E
• Filed: 03/03/1986
• Issued: 07/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yen-Kong Woo
• Original Assignee: Yen-Kong Woo
• Inventors: Woo, Yen-Kong
• Primary Examiner(s): Thibodeau, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US06/835,628
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 428/240, 428/241, 428/283, 428/290, 428/323, 428/325, 428/327, 428/905, 428/402.22, 424/16, 424/27, 424/31, 424/76, 401/132
• US Class Current: 442/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/025 Applications of microcapsules not provided for in other subclasses
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 13/005 Compositions containing perfumes; Compositions containing deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 23/12 Processes in which the treating agent is incorporated in microcapsules making microcapsules B01J13/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249997 Encapsulated liquid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2303 Coating or impregnation provides a fragrance or releases an odor intended to be perceptible to humans

Abstract

This invention is a fabric impregnated with micron-size bubbles in the form of fragile capsules within the interstices between the strands inside the body of the fabric by spraying the capsules in combination with a liquid binder and then putting the fabric through a set of rollers, the invention being that the micron-size bubbles are so bonded completely within the interior of the fabric that when rubbed, certain of the bubbles break and release the fragrance from the broken capsules, none of the capsules being on the outside of the fabric surface.

Claims

1. A fabric having an impregnation of .[.micro-sized.]. .Iadd.micron-sized .Iaddend.capsules .Iadd.therein.Iaddend.;

said capsules being formed by a fragrance emitting core encapsulated in a .[.micro-sized.]. .Iadd.micron-sized .Iaddend.container of sufficient strength to resist breakage under normal handling of the fabric but sufficiently fragile to rupture under suitably exerted .[.hand.]. pressure to release said fragrance;

said impregnation having the characteristic of being sprayed with said capsules in company with a liquid binder by a forceful spray to insure complete and uniform penetration of said fabric by said capsules;

.Iadd.and .Iaddend.

said fabric having the characteristic of having passed lightly between heated pressure rollers to insure absence of any capsules on its surface thus providing a .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.smooth surface on said fabric. .Iadd.

2. A device for packaging a solid, liquid or dispersion of solids, said device comprising:

a fabric having two opposed substantially smooth surfaces; and

a plurality of capsules containing said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids, said capsules completely embedded within said fabric such that said capsules are not present on either surface of said fabric,

wherein said capsules are sufficiently strong so as to contain the solid, liquid or dispersion of solids contained therein and resist rupture under normal handling of said device but are sufficiently fragile so as to rupture and release the solid, liquid or dispersion of solids contained therein when a suitable force is applied to said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said force is pressure. .Iaddend. .Iadd.4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said capsules are uniformally embedded within said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said fabric is saturated with said capsules. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said capsules are of micron size. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids comprises an odorous

3. substance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The device according to claim 1 wherein said odorous substance is a fragrance or a deodorant. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The device according to claim 1 wherein said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids comprises a disinfectant. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A method of making a device for packaging a solid, liquid or dispersion of solids, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a fabric having two opposed substantially smooth surfaces; and

embedding a plurality of capsules containing said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids completely within said fabric such that said capsules are not present on either surface of said fabric, said capsules being of sufficient strength so as to contain said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids and resist rupture under normal handling of said device but of sufficient fragility so as to rupture to release said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids contained therein when suitable force is applied to said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The method according to claim 10 said capsules are uniformally embedded within said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The method according to claim 10 wherein said embedding step includes the

4. step of saturating said fabric with said capsules. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The method according to claim 10 wherein said embedding step includes the step of forcibly spraying said capsules in the company of a liquid binder into said fabric so as to insure complete and uniform penetration of said capsules in said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The method according to claim 10 after said embedding step further including the step of passing said fabric between heated pressure rollers to insure that capsules are not present on the surfaces of said fabric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The method according to claim 10 wherein said capsules are of micron size. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The method according to claim 10 wherein said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids comprises an odorous substance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said odorous substance is a fragrance or a deodorant. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The method according to claim 10 wherein said solid, liquid or dispersion of solids comprises a disinfectant. .Iaddend.