FIELD

The present disclosure relates to polymeric fibers. BACKGROUND

Fragrance emitting polymeric fibers find use in the field of garments, beddings, curtains, paper articles, and the like. Fragrance emitting polymeric fibers also find use in the area of construction reinforcements used for inner walls and ceilings emitting pleasant fragrance within rooms, thus, providing value addition.

However, till date, imparting fragrance to polymeric fibers has been restricted to only low melting point thermoplastic fibers like polyolefins due to challenges in the stability of the perfume oils while processing at high temperatures. Most perfume oils (with a boiling point close to about 150° C) are not stable at high temperatures, and therefore, such perfume oils are not suitable for dosing in thermoplastic polymers having a relatively high melting point. Another drawback of these fragrance emitting polymeric fibers is that the perfume oil in these fragrance emitting polymeric fibers do not last long and do not survive multiple washing cycles. Further, the perfume oil in these fragrance emitting polymeric fibers do not survive dyeing.

High melting point polymeric fibers are fibers made from polymers having a melting point of 200 °C or above. Attempts to impart fragrance to such high melting point polymeric fibers have met with limited success. The major drawback is that the fragrance drastically reduces with washing.

Hence, there is felt a need to provide fragrance emitting polymeric fibers having a lasting fragrance.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative. An object of the present disclosure is to provide fragrance emitting polymeric fibers.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide fragrance emitting polymeric fibers that have a lasting fragrance.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides fragrance emitting polymeric fibers. The fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure comprise at least one high melting point thermoplastic polymer and at least one high boiling point perfume oil adapted to be dosed into at least one thermoplastic polymer. The boiling point of the perfume oil is in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C, and the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in which the perfume oil is dosed is less than the boiling point of the perfume oil. The perfume oil comprises at least one [ R 1 J oil selected from the group consisting of lemon oil, bergamot oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, cedar wood oil and jasmine oil. The thermoplastic polymer can be selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof and other fiber-grade polymers. The melting point of the thermoplastic polymer is in the range of 150 °C to 290 °C.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides fragrance emitting polymeric fibers in the form of core-sheath composites. The core-sheath fiber composite comprises at least one first thermoplastic polymer and at least one second thermoplastic polymer, and at least one high boiling point perfume oil dosed into the first thermoplastic polymer, and optionally, into the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer dosed with the perfume oil forms the core, and the second thermoplastic polymer, optionally dosed with the perfume oil, forms the sheath.

The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer are independently selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof and fiber-grade polymers. The melting point of the first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer is in the range of 150 °C to 290 °C. The amount of the perfume oil in the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers is in the range of 0.1 weight to 15 weight of the amount of the thermoplastic polymer.

The fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure can further comprise at least one additive selected from the group consisting of colorants, plasticizers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, fillers, fire retardants, and antimicrobial agents.

In the second aspect the present disclosure provides a process for preparation of the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers. The process comprises the following steps.

The thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil are introduced in an extruder. The thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil are melt blended to obtain an extrudate. The extrudate is spun in a spin pack to obtain a plurality of the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing the core- sheath fiber composites. The first thermoplastic polymer is introduced into a first extruder, and a second thermoplastic polymer is introduced into the second extruder. The perfume oil is mixed with the first thermoplastic polymer, and optionally with the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer is extruded with the perfume oil to form a first extrudate. The second thermoplastic polymer is extruded, optionally with the perfume oil, to form a second extrudate. The first extrudate and the second extrudate are spun in a spin pack to obtain a plurality of fragrance emitting polymeric fibers. The first thermoplastic polymer dosed with the perfume oil forms the core, and the second thermoplastic polymer, optionally with the perfume oil, forms the sheath.

A fully drawn yarn (FDY), partially oriented yarn (POY) and staples fibers are prepared from the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure. The denier per filament of fully drawn yarn (FDY) is in the range of 0.3 to 10 per fiber. The denier per filament of partially oriented yarn (POY) is in the range of 0.5 to 15 per fiber. The denier per filament of staples fibers is in the range of 0.3 to 22 per fiber. The fragrance of the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure lasts for at least 30 washing cycles.

The fragrance of the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure lasts even after dyeing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 depicts Scheme I for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers;

Figure 2 depicts Scheme II for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers in the form of core-sheath composites;

Figure 3 depicts Scheme III for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers;

Figure 4 depicts Scheme IV for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers in the form of core-sheath composites;

Figure 5 depicts Scheme V for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fiber in the form of core-sheath composites;

Figure 6 depicts Scheme for preparing a partially oriented yarn (POY);

Figure 7 depicts Scheme for preparing a fully drawn yarn (FDY);

Figure 8 depicts Scheme for preparing a staple fiber (SF);

Figure 9 depicts few non-limiting examples of the various cross-sections of fragrance emitting polymeric fibers that can be prepared by the present disclosure;

Figure 10 depicts thermogravimetric analysis of the perfume oil;

Figure 11 depicts thermogravimetric analysis of the fragrance emitting polymeric fabric prepared in Example 1 ; and

Figure 12 depicts thermogravimetric analysis of the fragrance emitting polymeric fabric prepared in Example 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fragrance emitting polymeric fibers can be prepared with polymers having low melting points. However, the fragrance of the perfume oils incorporated into low melting point polymers do not last long and does not survive multiple washing cycles and dyeing.

The present disclosure envisages fragrance emitting polymeric fibers, the fragrance of which survives washing and dyeing. They are able to emit fragrance even after multiple washing cycles. In the first aspect, the present disclosure provides fragrance emitting polymeric fibers comprising at least one high melting point thermoplastic polymer and at least one high boiling point perfume oil adapted to be dosed into at least one of the thermoplastic polymer. The boiling point of the perfume oil is in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C, and the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in which the perfume oil is being dosed is less than the boiling point of the perfume oil. The thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof, and other fiber-grade polymers. The melting point of the thermoplastic polymer is in the range of 150 °C to 290 °C.

The fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure can be single component polymeric fibers or bicomponent polymeric fiber composites. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bicomponent polymeric fiber composites comprise core-sheath type of fibers.

The core-sheath fiber composites comprise at least one first thermoplastic polymer, and at least one second thermoplastic polymer, and at least one high boiling point perfume oil dosed into the first thermoplastic polymer, and optionally, into the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer dosed with the perfume oil forms the core and the second thermoplastic polymer, optionally dosed with the perfume oil, forms the sheath.

The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer are independently selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof and fiber-grade polymers. The melting point of the first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer is in the range of 150 °C to 290 °C.

The first thermoplastic polymer and second thermoplastic polymer of the fragrance emitting core-sheath fiber composites of the present disclosure can be the same thermoplastic polymer or two different thermoplastic polymers. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure are single component polymeric fibers, and the thermoplastic polymer is polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT).

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure are two component polymeric fibers, wherein the core is made of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and contains the perfume oil, and the sheath is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymer of the second fibers may be of a high melting point or a low melting point.

The perfume oil comprises at least one oil selected from the group consisting of lemon oil, bergamot oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, cedar wood oil and jasmine oil. Perfume oil is a mixture of oils having different boiling point. Since, it is a mixture of oils, boiling point of this oil mixture is higher than oil having lowest boiling point.

The amount of the perfume oil in the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers is in the range of 0.1 weight to 15 weight of the amount of the thermoplastic polymer.

The composition of the perfume oil used in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in Table 1. The boiling point of the perfume oil of composition of Table 1 is 250° C.

Table 1: Composition of perfume oil

Benzyl Salicylate 300 4 3-4

Benzyl Benzoate 324 2 2-3

Amyl Salicylate 277 2 1-3

Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde 285 3 2-4

Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde 305 4 3-5

100

The polymeric fibers further comprise at least one additive selected from the group consisting of colorants, plasticizers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, fillers, fire retardants and antimicrobial agents. In the second aspect, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers. The process comprising the following steps:

At least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one perfume oil are introduced in an extruder. The boiling point of the perfume oil is in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C, and the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer is less than the boiling point of the perfume oil. The thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil are melt blended in the extruder to form an extrudates. The extrudate is spun in a spin pack to obtain a plurality of fragrance emitting polymeric fibers.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing fragrance emitting core-sheath type fiber composites. The first thermoplastic polymer is introduced into a first extruder and the second thermoplastic polymer is introduced into a second extruder. At least one perfume oil is mixed with the first thermoplastic polymer, and optionally, with the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer is extruded with the perfume oil to form the first extrudate. The second thermoplastic polymer is extruded, optionally with the perfume oil, to form a second extrudate. The extrudates are introduced into a spin pack where they are spun together to result in a plurality of fragrance emitting high melting point fiber composites. The first thermoplastic polymer dosed with the perfume oil forms the core, whereas the second thermoplastic polymer, which optionally, contains the perfume oil, forms the sheath.

In the process of the present disclosure, the thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil are introduced in the extruder in various methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the perfume oil is introduced through the hopper.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil are dry blended before introducing in the hopper of the extruder. In accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the perfume oil is introduced through vents on the extruder during melt extrusion step.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the perfume oil is introduced in molten polymer transfer lines situated before the spinning premixer.

An extrudate is obtained after the step of melt blending of the thermoplastic polymer and the perfume oil. The extrudate can be further processed before the step of spinning.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the extrudate is passed into a melt line and a premixer before passing into the spin pack.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the two extrudates are passed into two separate melt lines and two separate premixers before passing into the spin pack.

The fragrance emitting polymeric fibers are used for weaving or knitting. A fully drawn yarn (FDY), partially oriented yarn (POY), and staples fibers are prepared from the fragrance emitting polymeric fibers of the present disclosure.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fully drawn yarn (FDY) is prepared from the polymeric fiber of the present disclosure. The denier per filament of the fully drawn yarn (FDY) is in the range of 0.3 to 10 per fiber. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a partially oriented yarn (POY) is prepared from the polymeric fibers of the present disclosure. The denier per filament of the partially oriented yarn (POY) is in the range of 0.5 to 15 per fiber. In yet another embodiment, the fibers of the present disclosure is cut in the form of staple fibers. The denier per filament of the staple fibers is in the range of 0.3 to 22 per fiber. In a still another embodiment, the fibers of the present disclosure are used to prepare a fabric. The fabric thus prepared has a fragrance that lasts multiple washing cycles and emits fragrance even after dyeing. The fragrance of the fibers of the present disclosure lasts for at least 30 washing cycles.

The process of preparing the polymeric fibers of the present disclosure is further explained with the help of figures.

Figure 1 depicts Scheme-I for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers. A thermoplastic polymer is fed to a hopper 52 along with the perfume oil having a boiling point in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C, which is introduced via an inlet 54. The melting point of the thermoplastic polymer is less than the boiling point of the perfume oil. The hopper feeds the thermoplastic polymer and perfume oil to the feed zone of the extruder. The thermoplastic polymer compounded with the perfume oil is extruded using an extruder 56. The extrudate obtained from the extruder is carried over to a spin pack 150 using a transfer line. Spinning is carried out at a temperature equal to or above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer under high pressure. Through the spin pack 150, a plurality of the polymeric fibers containing the perfume oil are drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) under a draw ratio in the range of 2 to 5. Figure 2 depicts Scheme-II for preparing fragrance emitting polymer fibers in the form of core-sheath composites. A first thermoplastic polymer is fed to a first hopper 102 and a second thermoplastic polymer is fed to a second hopper 122, with the perfume oil having a boiling point in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C introduced via an inlet 104. The hoppers feed the thermoplastic polymer and/or perfume oil to the feed zones of respective extruders. The first thermoplastic polymer is extruded with the perfume oil through a first extruder 106 and the second thermoplastic polymer is extruded through a second extruder 126. The extruded materials are brought to a spin pack 150 through transfer lines. Spinning is carried out at a temperature equal to or above the melting temperatures of both the thermoplastic polymers, under pressure. Through the spin pack 150, a plurality of the polymeric fiber composite in the form of core-sheath composites are drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) under a draw ratio in the range of 2 to 5.

Figure 3 depicts Scheme-Ill for preparing fragrance emitting polymer fibers. A high melting point thermoplastic polymer is fed to hopper 52 along with the perfume oil which is introduced via an inlet 54. The hopper feeds the thermoplastic polymer and perfume oil to the feed zone of the extruder. The thermoplastic polymer compounded with the perfume oil is extruded using an extruder 56 and fed to a melt line 58 followed by a premixer 60. The premixed material is then carried over to a spin pack 150 using a transfer line. Spinning is carried out at a temperature equal to or above the melting temperature of the polymer under high pressure. Through the spin pack 150, a plurality of the polymeric fibers are drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) under a draw ratio in the range of 2 to 5.

Figure 4 depicts Scheme-IV for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers in the form of core-sheath composites. A first thermoplastic polymer is fed to a first hopper 102 and a second thermoplastic polymer is fed to a second hopper 122, with the perfume oil introduced via an inlet 104. The hoppers feed the thermoplastic polymer and/or perfume oil to the feed zone of respective extruders. The first thermoplastic polymer is extruded with the perfume oil having a boiling point in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C through a first extruder 106 and transferred to a first melt line 108. The material obtained from 108 is fed into a first premixer 110. The second thermoplastic polymer is extruded with the help of a second extruder 126. The materials from the first premixer 110 and the second extruder 126 are brought to a spin pack 150 through transfer lines. Spinning is carried out at a temperature equal to or above the melting temperatures of both the polymers, under pressure. Through the spin pack 150, a plurality of the polymeric fiber composite in the form of core-sheath are drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) under a draw ratio in the range of 2 to 5.

Figure 5 depicts Scheme-V for preparing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers in the form of core-sheath composites. A first thermoplastic polymer is fed to a first hopper 102 and a second thermoplastic polymer is fed to a second hopper 122, with the perfume oil introduced via a first inlet 104 and a second inlet 124. The hoppers feed the thermoplastic polymers and perfume oil to the feed zone of the extruders. One or both the thermoplastic polymers are extruded with the perfume oil having a boiling point in the range of 235 °C to 290 °C, through extruders 106 and 126 respectively and transferred to melt lines 108 and 128 respectively. The materials from the melt lines 108 and 128 are further fed into premixers 110 and 130, respectively. The materials from the premixers 110 and 130 are brought to a spin pack 150 through transfer lines. Spinning is carried out at a temperature equal to or above the melting temperatures of both the polymers under pressure. Through the spin pack 150, a plurality of the polymeric fiber in the form of core-sheath are drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) under a draw ratio in the range of 2 to 5. Figure 6 depicts a scheme for preparing fragrance emitting partially oriented yarn (POY) via spin pack 150. From spin pack 150 strands of fibers or fiber composites in the form of core- sheath composites pass through cross flow quench assembly 202 as uniform quenching is critical for providing consistent polymeric fibers with acceptable draw tension variation and denier uniformity. These POY polymeric fibers are brought to interfloor tube separation guides 210 via spin finish applicator 204, OLM guides 206 and interfloor tube assembly 208 where strands of the POY polymeric fibers are separated. Then using retainer guide 212 and pre godet separation guides 214 these POY polymeric fibers are brought to heated godet rolls 220A and 220B via interlace jet assembly 216. From heated godet rolls 220A and 220B these POY polymeric fibers are then brought to winder 230 for winding.

Figure 7 depicts a scheme for preparing fragrance emitting fully drawn yarn (FDY) via spin pack 150. From spin pack 150 a plurality of polymeric fibers are passed through cross flow quench assembly 202 as uniform quenching is critical for providing consistent FDY 218 fibers with acceptable draw tension variation and denier uniformity. These FDY 218 fibers are brought to kiss roll assembly 236 via spin finish applicator 204, OLM guides 206 and interfloor tube assembly 208 where strands of the FDY 218 fibers are separated. Then through yarn gathering 228 and interlace jets 224 and 226 these FDY 218 fibers/fiber composites are brought to a series of godet rollers 220A, 220B, 220C and 220D which are placed within godet box 222. These FDY 218 fibers/fiber composites with core-sheath are then brought to winder 230 for winding.

Figure 8 depicts a scheme for staple fiber spinning via spin pack 150. Spinnerets 302 are used in the spinning of polymeric fibers. Spinneret having fine holes through which a spinning solution is forced to form a filament. The viscous or syrupy solution, prepared by melting raw material, emerges from the spinneret as long fibers that are then solidified by cooling. From spin pack 150 strands of fibers are passed through cross flow quench assembly 202 as uniform quenching is critical for providing consistent polymeric fibers with acceptable draw tension variation and denier uniformity. Then via finish roll 304 these polymeric fibers pass to feed wheel 306 which adopts guiding rollers. The guiding rollers are driven by asynchronous motor controlled by coder through high precise gear. Further these polymeric fibers with core-sheath are brought to can traverse assembly 320 to avoid the entangling of tow layers via lower convergence 308 and upper convergence 310 using puller rolls 312. Figure 9 depicts few non-limiting examples of the various cross-sections of fibers that can be prepared by the present disclosure. The single-component fibers are spun in any of the forms, non-limiting examples of which are selected from the group consisting of circular 1, oval 2, hollow 3, C-type shape 4, multi-lobal shaped 5, dog bone shaped 6, rod shaped 7 and scalloped oval 8. The bicomponent fiber composites have the structures 9 as commonly used in all textile materials and construction applications. 9A represents one thermoplastic polymer while 9B represents another thermoplastic polymer.

The present disclosure is further described in light of the following examples which are set forth for illustration purpose only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure.

The laboratory scale experiments provided herein can be scaled up to industrial or commercial scale.

EXAMPLES:

Example 1 Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) having a melting point of 230° C, was fed to a first hopper 102, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was fed to a second hopper 122 in the setup as shown in Figure 2. 2 Weight of the perfume oil, with respect to the quantity of PTT, was introduced through inlet 104. The composition of perfume oil is given in Table 1; and it has a boiling point of 250° C. The quantities of PTT and PET were taken in the ratio 1 : 1. PTT was extruded with the perfume oil through a first extruder 106. PET as a butterscotch colored master batch was extruded through a second extruder 126. The extruded materials were brought to a spin pack 150 through transfer lines. Spinning was carried out at 275 °C under a spin pack at a pressure of 1782 psi for PET, and at 900 psi for PTT. Through the spin pack 150, strands of the polymeric fiber composite were drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) with a draw ratio of 2.32. The parameters of the godet rolls used for drawing are as shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Godets' parameters while drawing the fragrance emitting PTT/PET FDY of Example 1

Parameters Godet - 1 Godet - II Speed (metres per

1550 3600

minute / mpm)

Temperature (° C) 100 145

The winding speed was 3500 mpm. The denier of the polymeric fiber composite obtained was 150 d/72f.

The polymeric fibers did not show any fragrance immediately after spinning. Over the ageing period of 2 month, polymeric fibers were found to emit fragrance. A fabric in the form of a hose was prepared from the polymeric fibers of Example 1 and further dyed with a deep color and dried. The fabric was found to retain the fragrance.

Example 2

Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) having a melting point of 230 °C was fed to a hopper 52 in the set-up as shown in Figure 1. 10 weight of the perfume oil with respect to PTT was introduced through an inlet 54. The composition of perfume oil is given in Table 1, and it has a boiling point of 250° C. The thermoplastic polymer compounded with the perfume oil was extruded with the help of extruder 56. The extruded material was brought to a spin pack 150 through a transfer line. Spinning was carried out at 265 °C under a spin pack pressure of 1250 psi. Through the spin pack 150, strands of the polymeric fibers were drawn with the help of heated godet rolls (as shown in Figure 6 and 7) with a draw ratio of 1.9. The parameters of the godet rolls used for drawing are as shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Godets' parameters while drawing the fragrance emitting PTT fibers of Example 2

The winding speed was 2600 mpm. The denier of the polymeric fibers obtained was 100/36 and the actual denier was 98. The tenacity and elongation of the polymeric fibers were 1.9 gpd and 60%, respectively. The polymeric fibers did not show any fragrance immediately after spinning. Over the ageing period of 2 weeks, polymeric fibers were found to emit fragrance.

A fabric in the form of a hose was prepared from the polymeric fibers of Example 2 and further dyed with a deep color (by the procedure mentioned herein below) and dried. The fabric was found to retain the fragrance even after 10 wash cycles of the dyed hose fabric.

Dyeing procedure used in Examples 1 and 2

Dyeing in examples 1 and 2 was carried out with Red 167 dye (high energy Dye) in 1.0% shade at 130° C. The pH of the dye bath was maintained as 4.5 using acetic acid. The required amount of dye was added and dyeing was started at room temperature. The heating rate was maintained at 1.5° C/min. The temperature of 130 °C was maintained for 45 min. After 45 min, the temperature of the dye bath was reduced to 80° C.

The samples were given a reduction clearing (RC) treatment as per the following recipe and then neutralized with dilute acetic acid solution.

Caustic - 2 gpl

Hydro - 2 gpl

Soap - 1 gpl

Temperature - 80° C

Time - 20 min Washing Cycle procedure:

Fabric was kept immersed in a 2 gpl nonionic soap solution at 60 °C for 12 min, and then was cold washed for 6 min twice. This constituted one washing cycle.

Example 3

A PTT/PET fully drawn yarn (FDY) was prepared from the polymeric fiber composites with PTT as the core and PET as the sheath in a way similar to Example 1. However, in Example 3, 10 weight% of perfume oil with respect to the PTT was introduced through the inlet 104 (Figure 2). The composition of perfume oil is given in Table 1, it has a boiling point of 250° C. Spinning was carried out at 275 °C under a spin pack pressure of 1700 psi for PET and 860 psi for PTT. The drawing ratio kept was 2.25. The parameters of the godet rolls used for drawing are as shown in Table 4 below. Table 4: Godets' parameters while drawing the fragrance emitting PPT/PET fiber composites of Example 3

The winding speed was 3000 mpm. The denier of the polymeric fiber composite obtained was 150d/72f. The actual denier of the polymeric fiber was 162, tenacity was 1.6 gpd and elongation was 22 %.

A fabric in the form of a hose was prepared from the polymeric fibers of Example 3 and further dyed with a deep color (by the dyeing procedure mentioned herein above) and dried. The fabric was found to retain the fragrance even after 10 wash cycles of the dyed hose fabric. Examples 4-6

Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were performed on:

(i) the perfume oil,

(ii) the fabric prepared in Example 1 before dyeing, and

(iii) the fabric prepared in Example 2 before dyeing. Tables 5, 6 and 7 show the weight remaining against temperature of (i), (ii) and (iii), respectively. Figures 10, 11 and 12 depict the TGA graphs of the analyses performed.

Figure 10 shows TGA of the perfume oil having continuous weight loss till 265° C, which shows that the perfume oil is a mixture of essential oils, having different boiling points. Figure 11 shows TGA of weight loss of the fabric obtained in example 1. Figure 12 shows TGA of weight loss of the fabric obtained in example 2.

From figures 11 and 12, it can be seen that approximately 50 % of the perfume oil continues to exist in the polymer matrix.Table 5: Weight % of perfume oil retained in the fabric obtained in example 1 based on TGA of the perfume oil S. No. Temperature Weight % S. No. Temperature Weight %

1 30.6 99.972 19 210.6 52.364

2 40.6 99.922 20 220.6 43.465

3 50.6 99.844 21 230.6 33.483

4 60.6 99.729 22 240.6 23.601

5 70.6 99.523 23 250.6 16.53

6 80.6 99.165 24 260.6 12.06

7 90.6 98.59 25 270.6 7.522

8 100.6 97.652 26 280.6 4.629

9 110.6 96.23 27 290.6 4.292

10 120.6 94.201 28 300.6 4.183

11 130.6 91.541 29 310.6 4.076

12 140.6 88.218 30 320.6 3.946

13 150.6 84.483 31 330.6 3.791

14 160.6 80.493 32 340.6 3.613

15 170.6 76.091 33 350.6 3.411

16 180.6 71.189 34 360.6 3.179

17 190.6 66.028 35 370.6 2.916

18 200.6 59.86 36 380.6 2.629

37 390.6 2.318

Table 5 shows that more than 50 weight of perfume oil was present at temperatures as high as 200° C. However, only 2.318 weight of the initial perfume oil is present at 390.6 °C.

Table 6: Weight % of perfume oil retained in the fabric obtained in example 2 based on TGA of the perfume oil

3 50.49 99.939 21 230.49 95.483

4 60.49 99.879 22 240.49 95.425

5 70.49 99.845 23 250.49 95.377

6 80.49 99.816 24 260.49 95.31

7 90.49 99.777 25 270.49 95.235

8 100.49 99.689 26 280.49 95.142

9 110.49 99.525 27 290.49 95.006

10 120.49 99.246 28 300.49 94.842

11 130.49 98.874 29 310.49 94.638

12 140.49 98.402 30 320.49 94.38

13 150.49 97.866 31 330.49 94.041

14 160.49 97.359 32 340.49 93.516

15 170.49 96.944 33 350.49 92.607

16 180.49 96.636 34 360.49 90.652

17 190.49 96.375 35 370.49 86.329

18 200.49 96.101 36 380.49 77.155

37 390.49 61.126

Table 6 shows that more than 60 weight of perfume oil was present in the fabric obtained from the polymeric fiber composites of Example-1 at temperatures as high as 390.49 °C.

Table 7: Weight loss values as per TGA of the fabric prepared from the polymer fiber of Example 2

7 90.3 100.831 24 270.3 95449

8 100.3 98.777 25 280.3 95.404

9 110.3 99.033 26 290.3 95.319

10 120.3 99.274 27 300.3 95.231

11 130.3 99.533 28 310.3 95.108

12 140.3 99.399 29 320.3 94.964

13 150.3 99.124 30 330.3 94.77

14 160.3 98.68 31 340.3 94.483

15 170.3 98.096 32 350.3 93.94

16 180.3 97.431 33 360.3 92.505

17 190.3 96.762 34 370.3 88.762

35 380.3 82.126

36 390.3 71.352

TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of: - providing fragrance emitting high melting point fiber; and

- providing fragrance emitting polymeric fibers that have a lasting fragrance for a long period.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.