The invention relates to multifunctional fabrics used in the textile industry. The invention particularly relates to a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric having at least two functionalities applied to the fabric subsequent to the application of finishing processes such as flame-retardant, antibacterial and water-soil-oil repellent properties, and to the production method thereof.

State of the Art

There exist(s) many conventional method(s) that can be employed for providing a fabric with a single functionality in the related industrial field. However, none of these methods can meet customer needs and today's requirements by itself in a sufficient manner and with safe results in terms of efficiency and durability when it comes to providing a fabric with more than one functionality at the same time, i.e. providing the fabric with multifunctionality. Customer and industrial requirements now make it necessary that a fabric is multifunctional in accordance with the intended use, in fact, that the inner surface of the fabric have a functionality while the outer surface thereof exhibit another functionality, rather than providing a single functionality. For example, it is expected, in military uniforms or fireman clothes, that the inner structure is hydrophilic and absorbs the water and sweat formed due to moving. Moreover, since the inner structure of these clothes will be in contact with the body for a long period of time, the inner portion of the fabric is desired to be antibacterial, while the outer surface thereof being desired to exhibit water-repellent characteristic.

If the entire fabric has water-repellent characteristic, then the absorption of the sweat and water formed in the inner side will be prevented. If, on the other hand, the entire fabric is antibacterial, then the fabric surface may exhibit hydrophilic properties (despite at varying degrees depending on the chemical which is used), as well as increasing the cost of the process as the amount of chemicals to be used will unnecessarily increase. Therefore, while it is not among the customer requirements providing antibacterial property on the upper surface of the fabric, both sides of the fabric is treated with the same chemical since the commonly used application methods today do not permit transferring different chemicals to different surfaces; as a result, not only the expected requirements cannot be fulfilled properly, but also the costs increase because of unnecessary material transfer. For this reason, some functionalities must be applied only to a single surface of the fabric. However, it is neither significant nor effective enough to treat only one surface in the fields in which flame retardancy is a desired property (e.g. military, flame-fighting, hospitals, and public living spaces). Hence, this functionality should be provided to the entire fabric. And yet, including all these functionalities in a single recipe and providing the same to the fabric by means of an apparatus has many disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is as follows: all of the primary and auxiliary chemicals to be used must be compatible so as to be able to mix all the chemicals regarding different functionalities in a single bath, but the compatibility cannot be achieved when it comes to the chemicals used for textile finishing. Since the functionalities of the mixed chemicals will differ in terms of functionality mechanism of the chemicals, their chemical structure will also be different, thus it is faced with a problem to provide a homogeneous mixture. Another one of these disadvantages is that the desired efficiency cannot be achieved to the desired extent because the functionalities will be provided in an irregular order regardless of the back/front surface, or the inner/outer area, of the fabric such that the suitability for the intended area of use cannot be controlled due to mixing together all of the chemicals, in which case the inner side of the fabric may be water-repellent (while it is otherwise expected to absorb water and sweat) while the upper surface may be antibacterial, or none of the functionalities can be achieved adequately. Therefore, it is required to transfer the functionalities to the fabric in an efficient and permanent manner according to the intended area of use.

Nowadays, the fact that water and energy resources are being running out day by day has utmost importance. For this reason, great effort is made to develop technologies that will reduce or prevent water and energy consumption while providing these functionalities. The existing methods alone cannot fulfill customer needs and industrial requirements, taking also into account of the environmental factors, while providing a fabric with functionality. Again, with these methods it cannot be obtained a multifunctional product suited for industrial use which is made of a single layer, providing high level of efficiency and durability, and performing the applications in a homogeneous and controlled manner, by making use of water- and energy-saving methods. The methods used in the textile industry and the disadvantages thereof are explained below.

The most frequently used method in the textile industry is the conventional padding method owing to it ease of use. Due to the low affinities of the chemicals used in finishing processes, to the fabric, the conventional padding method is generally used in the industry. However, it has some disadvantages including application to the entire fabric, inability to apply different processes to the front and back surface of the fabric, water consumption, etc. Apart from these, there also exist transferring and coating methods. Transferring methods such as roller transferring and transfer with doctor blade, and coating methods such as blade coating, calender coating, printing technique, and transfer coating are not convenient for chemicals with low viscosity. High viscosity chemicals also have the problem of transferring. The utilized method changes according to the surface of the fabric. Transferring and coating methods in general cannot provide flexibility due to the chemicals and materials used therein. These methods are also problematic in terms of speed. As a consequence, in coating and transferring methods, either the problems resulting from viscosity are experienced, or a flexible process cannot be achieved, and also obtaining different results with differing surface structures. Other conventional finishing processes do not allow performing different functionality applications on the back and front surfaces and cause considerable water consumption. The spraying method, one of the application techniques with low wet pick-up ratio, has limitations in terms of chemical use. Moreover, the chemicals that may block the nozzles cannot be used in processes. Apart from these, various lamination techniques for obtaining multifunctionality exist. Yet, as the lamination process is based on the principle that the fabric layers or the fabric and material are combined to form a composite material, any factor preventing adhesion may cause the following challenging situations in lamination technique: the fabric or material having a low heat resistance, lack of bond strength between the fabric and material, and also low resistance against moisture and water. There exists, besides these methods, an environmentally friendly plasma method, which is used in textile sector as well as pilot studies, and which applies functionality onto the fabric by means of using gas and monomers only, without requiring the use of water. Nevertheless, the vacuum plasma treatment applied in this method is a discontinuous method which is not industrialized since it allows a relatively small fabric size in terms of fabric length and width. The atmospheric plasma treatment, on the other hand, is suitable for industrial use in terms of work sizes, but it has problems to provide a homogeneous application; in fact, it is not as effective as the vacuum plasma treatment in porous textile surfaces. Microencapsulation, which is a newly developed method, is a method in which the microcapsules are produced first, which is a time-consuming chemical formation process, followed by one of the conventional methods for transferring the microcapsules to the fabric. Therefore, water or energy consumption cannot be reduced thereby. It is also possible to apply functionality by using nanotechnology, which aroused great interest in the field of fiber technology, but the use of nanotechnology is still controversial since it has negative effects on human health and environment, as well as having toxicological effects. Another alternative method for providing textile materials with functionalities is the so-called sol-gel technology, wherein macromolecules are obtained making use of polymer growth in a solvent. However, the necessity of using heat, although at low levels, and the need for an organic solvent increase input costs and causes environmental threats subsequent to technical use thereof.

As a result, the existing methods fail to save on energy, water and chemicals when environmental factors alone are taken into account, they cause problems of durability of the functionalities after washing and drying processes, and they are not flexible enough for multifunctionality, i.e. applying different functionalities to different surfaces of the fabric according to the intended area of use, and finally, they fail to optimize application. The known developments in the state of the art regarding the subject matter are referred below.

The Patent No. EP1364088 (B1 ) relates to a textile surface. The invention aims to produce a textile surface (1 ), one side of which exhibits hydrophilic properties and the other side hydrophobic properties, whose overall cross-section is hydrophilic. To achieve this, a paste (1 1 ) consisting of a viscous emulsion or dispersion of paraffin, polysiloxane and/or fluorine compounds is applied to one side. The layer that has been formed by the first paste (1 1 ) is then stabilized by means of a drying process (4). And a second paste (12), consisting of a hydrophilic polymer is subsequently applied to the other side of the textile surface (1 ), said paste being stabilized by an additional drying process (5). Said steps provide a textile surface (1 ), which can be produced simply and cost-effectively, is extremely comfortable to wear and which ensures that moisture is immediately absorbed on the hydrophilic side, dispersed over a large area and rapidly removed, whereas the hydrophobic side of said textile surface (1 ) repels water.

Consequently, due to the aforementioned drawbacks and insufficiency of the current solutions regarding the subject matter, a development has deemed necessary in the related technical field.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric and to the production method thereof, in a way to meet the needs mentioned above, eliminate all the disadvantages, and to provide some other advantages.

The primary object of the invention is to achieve multifunctional in single-layer cotton fabrics. The invention aims to produce an industrial single-layer cotton fabric having multifunctionality and resistant against repeated washing and drying processes to be used in the field of military and medicine, in hotels, vehicles, and in all areas/places where people are together and safety is required. An object of the invention is to permit producing the single-layer cotton fabric having multifunctionality and resistant against repeated washing and drying processes by applying different processes to the front and back surfaces thereof, or to the entire fabric, according to the intended use, using suitable chemical recipes, and optimizing the amounts of chemicals used. The invention also aims to reduce water consumption while producing the single- layer multifunctional cotton fabrics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric having at least two of the functionalities including flame-retardant, antibacterial and water-soil-oil repellent properties.

Another object of the invention is to provide at least two of the flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-soil-oil repellent properties by integrating foam application and padding methods in suitable combinations in the single-layer cotton fabric.

Another object of the invention is to combine the functionalities of flame-retardant and water-repellent properties, the mechanisms of which are incompatible with one another (while water absorption - exhibiting hydrophilic property - of the used material has a positive effect on flame retarding, water repellency - exhibiting hydrophobic property - of the material has a negative effect on flame retarding), in a single layer with a view to fulfill customer needs and industrial requirements.

Yet another object of the invention is to allow obtaining single-layer cotton fabrics having multifunctional properties and resistance against repeated washing and drying processes.

And another object of the invention is to provide single-layer multifunctional cotton fabrics the front and back surfaces of which have the same and/or different property.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the invention is;

The production method of a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric, which is characterized by comprising the process steps of:

• determining the functionality according to the usage area of the cotton fabric, · determining the surface of the fabric onto which the functionalities will be applied according to the usage area of the cotton fabric and the desired efficiency ratio on the fabric,

• determining the order in which the functionalities will be applied to the cotton fabric, o applying the functionality of repeated post-washing process as a first step during application to the cotton fabric,

o for the functionalities that do not comprise post-washing process, applying first the functionality not having a negative effect on, or even increasing, the hydrophilicity of the cotton fabric to the cotton fabric sequentially according to the level of hydrophilicity-increasing rate,

• determining the method for transferring the functionalities, the application order of which is previously determined, to the cotton fabric out of padding and foam application methods, and

· transferring/applying said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric by means of padding and/or foam application method.

In order to achieve objects of the invention, in method mentioned above comprises the process steps of:

• determining, the method for transferring the functionalities, the application order of which is previously determined, to the cotton fabric, as well as the priority of performing said methods, out of padding and foam application; integrating, in accordance with the functionality to be applied, these two methods in a suitable priority order (successive use of the apparatuses in a suitable order); forming the combinations of integration in accordance with the functionalities to be applied; and according to the thus formed combinations, performing application on the cotton fabric, or continuing the application for providing the functionalities individually in several steps by means of foam application alone, and performing application on the cotton fabric;

• identifying the chemicals for forming the recipes regarding said functionalities, and thus forming the recipes;

• optimizing the amounts of chemicals according to the application methods for forming the recipes regarding said functionalities;

• determining operational parameters of the apparatus(es) to be used while transferring said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric by means of padding and/or foam application method; and

• in line with the determined recipes and apparatus parameters, transferring said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric to achieve the same in the fabric. In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, said functionalities are transferred to the entire cotton fabric, or to the front and/or back surfaces thereof.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, said functionalities are transferred to the entire cotton fabric by means of padding method, while to the front and/or back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application method. Said functionalities are transferred to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric by means of foam application method, or to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric in two separate process steps again by means of foam application method.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said functionalities consist of the binary or ternary combinations selected from flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-oil-soil-repellent properties. In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary or ternary combinations comprising flame-retardant property, first, flame-retardant functionality is transferred to the entire cotton fabric by means of padding method; or to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the ternary combinations comprising flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-repellent properties, subsequent to the flame-retardant functionality, the antibacterial functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the ternary combinations comprising flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-oil-soil-repellent properties, subsequent to the flame-retardant and antibacterial functionalities, water-oil-soil repellent functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application. In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary combinations comprising antibacterial and water-oil-soil-repellent properties, the antibacterial functionality is transferred to the entire fabric by means of padding method; or to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary combinations comprising antibacterial and water-oil-soil-repellent properties, subsequent to transferring the antibacterial functionality, the water-oil-soil-repellent functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application. In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary combinations in which flame-retardant and water-oil-soil-repellent properties are desired, the flame- retardant functionality is transferred to the entire fabric by means of padding method; or to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary combinations in which flame-retardant and water-oil-soil-repellent properties are desired, subsequent to transferring the flame-retardant functionality, the water-oil-soil-repellent functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, in the binary combinations comprising flame-retardant and antibacterial properties, subsequent to the flame- retardant functionality, the antibacterial functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the flame-retardant functionality is transferred to the entire cotton fabric by means of padding method because a possible burning will occur in the entire fabric, including the front and back surfaces thereof. Transferring/applying said flame-retardant functionality to the cotton fabric comprises the process steps of:

• preparing a solution of dialkylphosphonocarboxylic acid amide (L1 ), melamine formaldehyde based crosslinker (L2), phosphoric acid (L3) %85, and polyalkylene emulsion (L4); and

· applying the resulting solution to the cotton fabric by a padding apparatus (E1 ). Polyalkylene emulsion (L4) is used in an amount no more than 6.25% of the dialkylphosphonocarboxylic acid amide (L1 ). After the process of applying the flame-retardant functionality to the cotton fabric by a padding apparatus, the cotton fabric is subject to drying, curing, post-washing and drying processes, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the flame-retardant functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application. The process of applying said flame- retardant functionality to the cotton fabric by means of foam application comprises the process steps of:

• preparing a solution of dialkylphosphonocarboxylic acid amide (L1 ), melamine formaldehyde based crosslinker (L2), phosphoric acid (L3) %85, and polyalkylene emulsion (L4), and nonionic surfactant (L5); and

• applying the resulting solution to the front and/or back surface of the cotton fabric by a foam application apparatus (C1 ). Polyalkylene emulsion (L4) is used in an amount no more than 6.25% of the dialkylphosphonocarboxylic acid amide (L1 ). After the process of transferring the flame-retardant functionality to the cotton fabric by foam application, the cotton fabric is subject to drying, curing, post-washing and drying processes, respectively. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, subsequent to transferring the flame- retardant process to the entire fabric or to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application, followed by drying, curing, post-washing and drying processes, the antibacterial functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, applying the antibacterial functionality to the cotton fabric by means of the foam application apparatus (C1 ) comprises the process steps of:

• preparing a solution of a silver-containing antibacterial chemical (B1 ), an auxiliary chemical of polymer aqueous dispersion form (B2), and a nonionic surfactant as foaming agent (B3); and

• applying the resulting solution to the front and/or back surface of the cotton fabric by a foam application apparatus (C1 ). After the process of transferring antibacterial functionality to the cotton fabric by means of foam application method, drying and curing steps are performed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, applying the antibacterial functionality to the entire cotton fabric by means of the foam application apparatus (E1 ) comprises the process steps of:

• preparing a solution of a silver-containing antibacterial chemical (B1 ) and an auxiliary chemical of polymer aqueous dispersion form (B2); and

• applying the resulting solution to the cotton fabric by means of the padding apparatus (E1 ). After the process of transferring antibacterial functionality to the cotton fabric by means of padding method, drying and curing steps are performed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, subsequent to transferring only flame- retardant process, or flame-retardant-antibacterial processes, or only antibacterial process by means of padding apparatus and/or foam application apparatus (E1 ,C1 ), or by integrating these two apparatuses (E1 ,C1 ) together, followed by drying, curing, post-washing and drying processes, the water-oil-soil-repellent functionality is transferred to the front and back surfaces of the cotton fabric by means of foam application in separate steps, or alternatively to the front or back surface of the cotton fabric again by means of foam application. The process of applying said water-oil- soil-repellent functionality to the cotton fabric by means of foam application comprises the process steps of:

• preparing a solution of a fluorocarbon based material (S1 ), a blocked isocyanate-containing material (S2), a paraffin wax emulsion (S3), a nonionic/cationic material of polydimethylsiloxane and fatty acid amides (S4), and a nonionic surfactant (S5); and

• applying the resulting solution to the front and/or back surface of the cotton fabric by a foam application apparatus (C1 ). The nonionic/cationic material of polydimethylsiloxane and fatty acid amides (S4) is used at an amount of 17% of the fluorocarbon based material (S1 ). After the process of transferring water-repellent functionality to the cotton fabric by means of foam application, drying and curing steps are performed. The invention is a single-layer cotton fabric provided with more than one functionality by means of foam application and/or padding method. In the present invention, after the functionalities suitable for the intended use and the surface of the fabric onto which they will be applied are determined, the multifunctional single-layer cotton fabric is produced for which different chemical recipes are prepared, the chemical amounts and apparatus parameters of which are optimized, and which is provided with more than one functionality, by way of integrating the methods of padding and foam application complying with the priority order suitable for the related functionalities, or such that only foam application method will be applied in separate steps again complying with the priority order suitable for the related functionalities.

The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly by referring to the following figures and the detailed description written with reference to these figure. Therefore, while making an evaluation, these figures and the detailed description should be taken into account. Figures for a Better Understanding of the Invention

Fig. 1 : The process flow chart showing the method of producing the single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric according to the invention. The drawings do not necessarily need to be scaled and the details that are not required for understanding the invention may have been omitted. Apart from that, the elements that are at least substantially identical or have at least substantially identical functions are referred with the same reference numeral. Description of Reference Numerals

DY: The step of determining the order in which the functionalities will be transferred to the fabric and of the methods of transfer.

Ly1 : The step of determining the chemicals and their ratios for the first functionality to be applied to the fabric.

Ly2: The step of determining the chemicals and their ratios for the second functionality to be applied to the fabric.

Ly3: The step of determining the chemicals and their ratios for the third functionality to be applied to the fabric.

L1 ,L2,L3...Ln: Chemicals for the first functionality

B1 ,B2,B3...Bn: Chemicals for the second functionality

S1 ,S2,S3...Sn: Chemicals for the third functionality

M1 : Mixer

E1 : Padding apparatus

C1 : Foam application apparatus

U1 : Determining padding process parameters for the first functionality

U2: Determining foam application process parameters as a first functionality

U3: Determining foam application process parameters as a second functionality

U4: Determining foam application process parameters as a third functionality

K1 : 100% cotton, single-layer, untreated fabric

K2: The fabric to which padding and foam application processes are applied

K3: Monofunctional fabric

K4: The fabric the front and/or back surface(s) of which is provided with functionality K5: Bifunctional fabric (multifunctional fabric)

K6: Trifunctional fabric (multifunctional fabric) N1 : The fabric prepared for testing

P1 : Marking

R1 : Cutting

D1 : Sewing

V: Washing and drying

F1 : Oven drying

Y1 : Washing machine

Z1 : Drying machine

A1 : Post-washing machine

T: Fabric reversing

1 : Work flow direction for the monofunctional fabric

2: Work flow direction for the bifunctional fabric

3. Work flow direction for the trifunctional fabric Detailed description of the invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric according to the invention will only be described in order for the subject matter to be better understood, without any limitations. The invention is a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric and the production method thereof. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to obtain a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric with high efficiency and durability, the front and back surfaces of which have the same or different functionalities. Said functionalities include flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-soil-oil repellent functionalities which are applied to the fabric during finishing processes.

The multifunctional fabrics according to the invention are aimed to be produced for use in military, hospitals and other medical fields, firefighter clothing, hotels, vehicles, and generally, in all industrial areas where people are together and safety is required. The fabric with multifunctionality according to the invention is preferably a single- layer cotton fabric. The reason why a single-layer cotton fabric is chosen will be generally explained below. Typically, while producing multifunctional fabrics, a multi-layer (5-layer or 7-layer) structure is used and each layer is provided with a functionality, and then combining all the layers using various methods. Such production method for obtaining a multifunctional fabric is not only high-cost, but also unfavorable in terms of the time and labor needed for the production. Further, although a multi-layer structure may be suitable for some types of clothes or industrial design, in most of the cases requiring protective clothing or protective textile products, such high-volume structures are not convenient. For instance, a single-layer structure is inevitable when a flame-retardant and antibacterial curtain is to be produced for use in hospitals. Similarly, a single- layer structure is advantageous and preferable in every respect due to such reasons as lightness, capability of movement, and water absorption in hotels, beddings, pillow cases, military uniforms, medical gowns, and generally, in all areas where safety is required. The reasons for choosing a cotton fabric as the subject matter of the invention are given below.

Cotton fabrics are used in numerous areas owing to the advantages thereof in terms of area of use. Since cotton is a light and comfortable material which is easy to use and clean and has the ability of breathing, absorbing, and antistatic characteristics and allowing flexibility of movement for the user; cotton fabrics are used in hospitals, hotels, military uniforms and firefighter clothing, common use areas, home textile products, automotive textile products, and furnishing fabrics. For example, a textile material for use in operating rooms is expected to fulfill the following requirements.

• Exhibiting anti-dust and anti-pilling properties,

• Preventing the penetration of dust and body particles therethrough,

• Being antiseptic,

· Resistance against mechanical damage,

• Resistance against wetting,

• Liquid impermeability, although varying according to the area of use,

• Exhibiting absorbing characteristic, • Allowing repeated sterilization,

• Resistance against repeated washing and ironing,

• Preserving its properties during long-term use, and

• Being easy to wear and comfortable, allowing flexibility for the user, and not limiting capability of movement.

In order for a cotton fabric to satisfy all these expectations, it is required to apply some functionalities thereto using suitable apparatuses, parameters, and chemical formulas, in addition to the positive properties thereof. For example, taking into account that a surgeon performing an operation works in a same cloth for a long time, the inner surface of the gown is expected to have breathing and sweat and water absorbing properties, i.e. being hydrophilic, while the outer surface is expected to be blood-, soil-, and oil-repellent for a convenient and comfortable use. Likewise, cotton fabrics are preferred in order for the bedclothes used in hotels to be comfortable, convenient, and breathing; however, it is desired that these fabrics also have high flame resistance against a potential flame, i.e. that they are flame- retardant, as well as having antibacterial and water-oil-soil-repellent properties. The former fabric properties and functionalities are also expected in firefighting clothes and military uniforms.

It is known that synthetic fabrics are used in these fields for resistance against wetting due to liquid impermeability and mechanical properties thereof. However, it is one of the solutions developed for coping with direct contact or airborne diseases in operating rooms to use a very tightly woven fabric. What is aimed here is to obtain a fabric with pores so small as not to allow penetration of squama. To that end, it is needed to perform particular finishing processes, or to obtain a fabric of micro-fine synthetic fibres. Thus, the cloth/garment will form a barrier that prevents the bacteria- carrying particles from being released. However, it is rather uncomfortable to wear the clothes made of synthetic fabric, the permeability of which is considerably decreased. Comfort is an important property for the professionals who perform long- lasting processes, as well as for the handicapped and the elderly, who are unable to perform normal movements because of their physical condition. Cotton is typically used for eliminating the possible risks due to electrostatic charges. Synthetic fibres, in contrast, tend to increase static charges, and thus forming electric sparks. The gas mixtures used for anesthetic purposes in operating rooms comprises oxygen and has the risk of flammability and explosion.

Recently, the use of single-use clothes made of polyester and polypropylene nonwoven surfaces has become widespread. That these products have to be disposed after use makes them expensive and environmentally hazardous. Due to all the reasons above (comfort, antistatic and absorbing characteristic, lightness), cotton fabric is preferred.

As known, cotton fabric is a material with low flame-retardant property, i.e. it is has a high level of flammability (LOI:18,5). It creates a suitable environment for bacterial growth. A pre-treated cotton surface can readily absorb water and other liquids therein due to the increase in its hydrophilicity. Taking the aforementioned areas where safety is required, it is quite advantageous to incorporate any two or three of these functionalities (flame-retardant, antibacterial, water-oil-soil-repellent, etc.) into the cotton surface. The experimental processes explained below are used for determining the method of producing the single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric according to the invention.

In the study according to the invention, antibacterial, flame-retardant, and water-oil- soil-repellent single-layer cotton fabric which is comfortable and light, allows capability of movement; the inner side of which absorbs water while the outer side is resistant against wetting; and which, in its entirety, is flame-retardant and allows less particle and dust penetration therethrough owing to the tightened structure obtained as a result of repeated washing and drying processes; which is also resistant against repeated washing and drying while less water and energy will be consumed; additionally, chemical recipes have been formed, the amounts of all the chemicals therein have been optimized taking their interactions into consideration, and finally achieving and making use of synergistic effects. The sizes of the thus produced cotton fabrics are not limited to laboratory scale; on the contrary, fully industrial sizes have been tried and produced successfully. The produced cotton fabrics are classified into three types of single-layer cotton fabrics: monofunctional (singlet); bifunctional (binary), and trifunctional (ternary). In general, the flame-retardant (FR), antibacterial (AM), and water-oil-soil-repellent (WR) functionalities are emphasized.

With a view to achieve said functionalities, the foam application method which considerably saves on water and allows a homogeneous application on the entire fabric has been employed. The foam is a metastable system that swelling of any liquid with a suitable gas and surface area of it has been increased roughly about 1000 times; thus, it's containing less liquid. In textile industry, aqueous liquors are used as liquid while air is used as gas in the foam system. The air is distributed inside the water in the form of water particles by the means of surfactants. The foam application method has been compared to the conventional padding method (or pad- dry-cure system) to show the advantages and the effect and efficiency of the former on functionality. Unlike the existing methods, two methods are integrated herein in order to obtain a multifunctional fabric subsequently. As a result of combining two methods, the following has been achieved:

• a high level of washing and drying resistance has been provided,

• the method and chemicals have been optimized (reducing water consumption), thereby obtaining multifunctional single-layer cotton fabrics, and

• positive synergistic effects of the functionalities on one another have been observed.

After trying the monofunctionalities and analyzing the effects on the fabric, the process was proceeded with the combinations with bifunctional effects (Flame- retardant-Antibacterial; Antibacterial-Water(oil-soil)-repellent; and Water(oil-soil)- repellent-Flame-retardant); and after analyzing the effects of the bifunctional fabrics on the performance and the optimizations in method and chemicals, it was proceeded with triple functionalities (Flame-retardant-Antibacterial-Water(oil-soil)- repellent).

Since the surface is made up of a single layer, unlike the other studies in terms of use, different functionalities are applied to the front and back surfaces in separate steps. For a military uniform, for example, it is expected that the side contacting with the body, namely the back surface, is antibacterial, the entire fabric is flame- retardant, and/or the outer surface of the fabric is water repellent. During the formation of multifunctional combinations, it was decided which surface would be treated with which chemical, how it would be treated, and in what order; and the "amount" of each chemical was optimized after long trials. At this stage, two following optimizations were relevant:

1. Method optimization: While applying functionality according to the indented use of the fabric, first, it was determined which functionality to be transferred to the fabric as a preliminary process. The subsequent functionalities were applied in the determined process order.

Once the order in which the functionalities would be applied in accordance with the process order was detected, the decision as to apply which functionality using which apparatus/method (foam application or padding) was made. In order to be able to compare the methods and analyze the effects of the functionalities on one another, only foam application was used in some applications, only padding method was used in some applications, while in other applications, unlike the existing methods, padding and foam application methods were applied sequentially and in an integrated manner. In multi and monofunctional applications where foam application method was used, by taking the effects of the functionality to be transferred next on the fabric, it was determined which chemical would be supplied to the foam application apparatus (C1 ), but the advantage of the foam application allowing "simultaneous application of two chemicals" was not made use of. Instead, the front and back surfaces were treated individually. The method optimization includes optimizing the apparatus parameters, as well. In the combinations where padding (E1 ) and foam application (C1 ) apparatuses are integrated (successive use of the apparatuses in suitable order) or in the case of monofunctional fabric production (K3), apparatus parameters are set for each application according to the functionality desired to be applied. For example, the parameters such as foam blowing rate, fabric speed, wet pick-up ratios etc. for the foam application for each surface, are detected, while wet pick-up ratio for the solution to penetrate to the entire fabric as well as fabric transition speed are set in the padding apparatus. Additionally, in the cases where the padding and foam application methods are integrated or the foam application is employed individually for the front and back surfaces such that multifunctional fabrics (K5,K6) will be produced, if the fabric has a functionality on either surface thereof applied formerly, the amount (%) of the chemical to penetrate into the fabric will differ; and so all apparatus parameters, the ratios/amounts of the used chemicals, and the wet pick-up percentage are also optimized.

2. Chemicals optimization: Basic and auxiliary chemicals have been selected for each functionality in accordance with the usage of the fabric. Suitable auxiliary chemicals have been detected such that durability and compatibility with the basic chemical will be provided. The optimal amount of each chemical to be used for the related combination has been calculated. The wet pick-up ratios have been determined for the entire fabric, back or front side thereof individually in accordance with the functionalities to be used. Once said ratios have been detected, the process was proceeded with triple/ternary functionalities (FR; flame-retardant - AM; antibacterial - WR; water-oil-soil-repellent). The multifunctional fabric (K6) was produced by using the foam application apparatus (C1 ) alone, or by integrating the padding (E1 ) and foam application (C1 ) apparatuses, such that the front and back surfaces will vary in many combinations of the three functionalities. Washing and drying resistance of the multifunctional fabrics (K6) has been tested and their efficiency was analyzed using many performance and characterization tests.

Monofunctionality: Monofunctional fabrics (K3) were produced using only foam application or only padding process. Their washing and drying resistances were tested. Each functionality was subject to performance and characterization tests in itself, the optimization for each functionality (AM, FR, WR) in terms of the used chemical was checked, and 2 methods (foam application and padding) were compared. Fig. 1 shows the production of the monofunctional fabric (K3) using the work flow No. 1 .

Bifunctionality: Only foam application was used (two steps: such that the back and front surfaces will be treated individually) or foam application and padding methods were integrated. By optimizing the method and chemicals (process order, wet pick-up ratio detection, preparation of chemical recipes, percentage, ratios, apparatus parameters, etc.), suitable combinations (AM-FR, FR-WR, WR-AM) for the intended use were obtained. Numerous combinations were formed by changing the order of the methods. Said combinations were subject to performance and characterization tests and they were compared to monofunctional cotton fabrics (K3), as well as analyzing the effects of the methods and chemicals on one another. Fig. 1 shows the production of the bifunctional fabric (K5) using the work flow No. 1 -2.

Triple functionality: Numerous multifunctional (three functionalities (AM-FR-WR) combined in a single-layer cotton fabric) combinations were produced by using only foam application (two steps: such that the back and front surfaces will be treated individually) or by integrating foam application and padding methods. Said multifunctional combinations were subject to performance and characterization tests and their results were compared to both monofunctional (K3) and bifunctional (K5) fabrics, as well as analyzing the effects of the methods and chemicals on one another. Fig. 1 shows the production of the trifunctional fabric (K6) using the work flow No. 1 -2-3.

As a consequence of the aforementioned studies, the advantages provided by the method according to the invention, in addition to its distinctiveness from the existing methods, are explained below.

- Considerable decrease in wet pick-up ratios,

- Significant decrease in water consumption,

- Shortening the duration of drying processes and reducing the amount of energy consumption due to the decrease in the water amount that needs to be removed,

- Flexibility in chemical applications and efficient multifunctionality,

- Homogeneous and controlled chemical transfer,

- Optimal use of the amounts of chemicals,

- Achieving lower costs, at the same time higher efficiency and yield as a result of reducing wet pick-up ratios of the solution impregnated by the fabric in the functionalities transferred by foam application method.

- Resistance against repeated washing processes (durable effect up to 50 times of washing-50 times of drying) especially in multifunctional fabrics to an extent that cannot be achieved by other conventional methods,

- Ability to apply all these functionalities with an environmentally friendly approach, - Providing sensitive functionalities that cannot be applied otherwise to the fabric using padding method or other conventional methods alone, by way of integrating foam application and padding methods,

- Combining the functionalities of flame-retardant and water-repellent properties, the mechanisms of which are partially incompatible with one another, in a single layer with a view to fulfill customer needs and industrial requirements, and

- Making use of positive synergistic effects (the synergistic effects of the functionalities with one another owing to the method and way of application, as well as the positive synergistic effects of the repeated washing processes to some performances of the fabric) obtained as a result of optimization of the amounts of chemicals, proper optimization, and integrating the methods properly, and reflecting these effects to other performance characteristics of the fabrics.

The production method of the single-layer cotton fabric with multifunctional property according to the invention is described herein below.

The production method of a single-layer multifunctional cotton fabric, which is characterized by comprising the process steps of:

· determining the functionality according to the usage area of the cotton fabric,

• determining the surface of the fabric onto which the functionalities will be applied according to the usage area of the cotton fabric and the desired efficiency ratio on the fabric,

• determining the order in which the functionalities will be applied to the cotton fabric,

o applying the functionality of repeated post-washing process as a first step during application to the cotton fabric,

o for the functionalities that do not comprise post-washing process, applying first the functionality not having a negative effect on, or even increasing, the hydrophilicity of the cotton fabric to the cotton fabric sequentially according to the level of hydrophilicity-increasing rate,

• determining the method for transferring the functionalities, the application order of which is previously determined, to the cotton fabric out of padding and foam application methods, and • transferring/applying said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric by means of padding and/or foam application method.

In order to achieve objects of the invention, in method mentioned above comprises the process steps of:

• determining, the method for transferring the functionalities, the application order of which is previously determined, to the cotton fabric, as well as the priority of performing said methods, out of padding and foam application; integrating, in accordance with the functionality to be applied, these two methods in a suitable priority order; forming the combinations of integration in accordance with the functionalities to be applied; and according to the thus formed combinations, performing application on the cotton fabric, or continuing the application for providing the functionalities individually in several steps by means of foam application alone, and performing application on the cotton fabric;

• identifying the chemicals for forming the recipes regarding said functionalities, and thus forming the recipes;

• optimizing the amounts of chemicals according to the application methods for forming the recipes regarding said functionalities;

· determining operational parameters of the apparatus(es) to be used while transferring said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric by means of padding and/or foam application method; and

• in line with the determined recipes and apparatus parameters, transferring said functionalities to the single-layer cotton fabric to achieve the same in the fabric.

First of all, the required and/or desired functionalities for the area in which the single- layer cotton fabric is to be used (military, medicine, tourism, automotive industry, the areas where many people are together and safety is required, etc.) are determined. Said functionalities include flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-soil-oil repellent functionalities which are applied to the fabric. It is possible to transfer said functionalities to the entire cotton fabric, or to the front and/or back surfaces thereof. Hence, it is of utmost importance that the functionalities are determined in accordance with the usage area, and which surface will be provided with the related functionality with respect to the desired effect on the fabric. For instance, it is possible to apply the flame-retardant functionality to the entire fabric, or to the front and/or back surfaces thereof. However, it is desired, in a fabric to be used in a military uniform, or in curtains or similar areas, that the flame-retardant property is efficient, i.e. effective at a high level. Thus, this functionality is required to be applied to the entire fabric by padding method. In a military uniform, however, it will be sufficient to make only the inner side of the cloth antibacterial. In such a case, only the inner (back) surface of the fabric will be provided with antibacterial functionality by means of foam application method. That the functionality is applied to the entire fabric is permitted by padding, to the fabric, the functionality chemicals that will apply the related effect. It should be determined in what order the functionalities will be applied to the fabric due to the fact that the hydrophilicity effects of the functionalities on the fabric are different and that some functionalities include repeated post- washing processes using chemicals such as caustic, carbonated water, water, and hydrogen peroxide during application. After determining the application order of the functionalities, the decision as to which one of the padding and foam application methods will be used for each functionality is made. Once the required chemical recipes suitable for the related functionalities are created, as a final step, said functionalities are transferred to the fabric in the determined order and using the determined methods, paying close attention to the optimized chemicals amounts and optimized apparatus parameters.

Fig. 1 presents an alternative process flow chart for the production method of the multifunctional single-layer cotton fabric (K5, K6). As it is clear from the process flow chart, the process steps are initiated by optimizing the functionalities (AM-FR-WR, etc.) and forming the combinations suited for use (DY: the step of determining the order in which the functionalities are to be transferred to de fabric and the application/transfer methods). By taking the functions or functionalities to be given to the fabric into account, the first, second, and third functionalities to be applied in respective order to the untreated fabric (K1 ), which functionality is to be applied using which apparatus, and which side of the fabric is to be given which functionality are determined. This is the step in which the introduction to the system and the combinations are planned. It is of great importance and provides the basis for the system with a view to the fact that the other factors regarding the system will be determined in this step. The studies conducted in the scope of the present invention have shown that optimization of the combination needs to be determined according to the usage area of the fabric.

In order to be able to transfer the functionalities to a single layer by performing proper optimization in accordance with the usage area, first, each one of the functionalities is transferred individually to the fabric in itself. Subsequent to the processes of marking (P1 ), cutting (R1 ), sewing (D1 ), and repeated washing and drying (V), the monofunctional fabric (K3) is obtained. Prior to combining the functionalities in step (DY), all the monofunctional fabrics (K3) are subject to hydrophilicity tests, and thus obtaining the hydrophilicity order regarding the functionalities. In line with this order, the priority of application is given to the functionality exhibiting hydrophilic properties. Nevertheless, in the functionalities including repeated post-washing processes, e.g. flame-retardant functionality, the priority of application is given to that functionality. In the functionalities that do not include post-washing processes, on the other hand, the application order is formed according to the potential effect of the functionality on the hydrophilicity of the cotton fabric. In the method according to the invention, preferably 3 different functionalities are transferred to the single-layer cotton fabric using 2 separate apparatuses (C1 -foam application apparatus; E1 -padding apparatus). The foam application apparatus (C1 ) allows transferring the chemicals to the fabric after being made into the form of foam. Padding apparatus (E1 ) is the application apparatus in which the fabric is passed through the vessel where water and chemicals are present, thereby allowing interaction with the solution, and the excess of solution is removed by passing the fabric between squeezing rollers. The same or different functionalities were transferred to the entire fabric, or back and front surfaces thereof, by changing the order of using these apparatuses (C1 , E1 ), or by integrating them. Repeated washing and drying processes up to 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying were performed. Every 5th and 10th washing-drying process, samples were taken from the fabrics and kept for testing. Many combinations were tried. Individual tests were conducted for weft and warp directions during performance tests. Characterization tests were performed for water repellency including industrial spray test, contact angle, 3M water-alcohol test; and for flame-retardant property, vertical burn test was conducted; in addition to the characterization tests for antibacterial fabric test (AATCC 100), spectrophotometer color differences, tearing strength test, and FTIR- ATR, SEM and SEM-EDX tests. Fig. 1 presents an alternative process flow chart for the production method of the multifunctional single-layer cotton fabric.

The production method of the multifunctional single-layer cotton fabric preferably having flame-retardant (FR), water-oil-soil-repellent (WR), and antibacterial (AM) properties is illustrated below.

For example, while designing a military uniform, it is important that the fabric is flame- retardant (FR), water-oil-soil-repellent (WR), and antibacterial (AM). It will be advantageous for the user if the inner surface of the fabric is antibacterial while the outer surface thereof is water-oil-soil-repellent, and the entire fabric is flame- retardant. Such a combination, unlike the existing methods, can be transferred to the fabric thanks to the present invention. Accordingly, the step (DY) includes determining which functionality (AM-FR-WR) is to be applied in what order, and to which surface(s) of the fabric using which method. The functional process exhibiting hydrophilic properties is prioritized. In cases when flame-retardant (FR), water-oil- soil-repellent (WR), and antibacterial (AM) functionalities are to be transferred to the fabric in the form of binary or ternary combinations, the order of priority of application is as follows: flame-retardant, antibacterial, and water-oil-soil-repellent property. In the combinations including flame-retardant functionality, said functionality has a priority of application since it comprises a post-washing process. It is because, if another functionality is applied prior to flame-retardant functionality, it is likely that the effect of previously applied functional properties decreases, or is removed totally, as a result of the vigorous post-washing processes performed after flame-retardant property. It is determined during the step DY, for said triple functionality sample, whether the flame-retardant functionality is to be applied to the entire fabric by means of padding method, or to both surfaces by foam application. Preferably, padding method is used. The reason for this is that said functionality is desired to have a high effect on the fabric when it comes to a military uniform. Afterwards, first, the back surface (the side contacting the user) is applied the antibacterial functionality (applied with priority due to the hydrophilic property), and then the outer surface is provided with water-oil-soil- repellent property applying the chemical by means of foam application for achieving resistance against external factors including rain, snow, etc. It is possible to apply the antibacterial and water-oil-soil-repellent functionalities to the cotton fabric after flame- retardant process, by way of padding method. However, in this case, excessive amount of water and chemical is consumed; and since the padding application does not allow performing different applications on different surfaces of the fabric, the process is continued with foam application. Therefore, it is very important to determine which functionality is to be applied onto which surface of the fabric, in what order, and using which method, according to the usage area and the desired efficiency ratio on the fabric.

Once the principles of the system regarding how the method will be applied are formed during the step DY, the process is proceeded with the step of optimizing the amount of chemicals for the first functionality (Ly1 : the step of determining the chemicals and their ratios for the first functionality to be applied to the fabric). As the first one is the flame-retardant functionality in this step, the recipe for the flame- retardant property is prepared. Said recipe consists of a flame-retardant chemical of dialkylphosphonocarboxylic acid amide (L1 ) structure, melamine formaldehyde based crosslinker (L2), phosphoric acid (L3) %85 to serve as a catalyst, and polyalkylene emulsion (L4). This recipe will suffice if padding is to be applied. However, if two- sided foam transfer will be applied on the fabric, nonionic surfactant (L5) is included in the recipe for foam application. Said chemicals (L1 -L5) are respectively added into the mixture (M1 ) at 300 rpm, water is added to the final volume, and then they are mixed. Finally, polyalkylene emulsion (L4) is added into the recipe and used at an amount such that it will not exceed 6.25% of the basic chemical (flame-retardant chemical, L1 ). Padding parameters (U1 ) are defined and the prepared mixture of chemicals is impregnated to the untreated fabric (K1 ) by means of the padding apparatus (E1 ). The wet pick-up amount is adjusted in a way not to be less than 60% (U1 ). Cylinder pressure is increased until the wet pick-up ratios is fixed. Fabric transition speed is set (U1 ). If foam application is to be used instead of padding method as the first functionality, the foam application apparatus parameters are adjusted and optimized (U2: determining foam application process parameters as a first functionality). Although varying for each combination, the foam flow rate is between 2:1 and 6:1 for the above example of flame-retardant property. The wet pick-up ratios for the back and front surfaces is preferably in the range of 25-35%, and the foam applicator speed is adjusted (U2).

The fabric (K2) having undergone padding or foam application processes is subject to oven drying (F1 ) process first at 84-92°C, and then to curing at 148-152°C. The fabric having been provided with flame-retardant functionality is washed with caustic, carbonated water, water, and hydrogen peroxide in a post-washing machine (A1 ) with a capacity of at least 5 washing chambers. The fabric having been subject to washing process is again dried in the drying oven (F1 ), and thus obtaining the monofunctional fabric (K3).

At this stage, if it is desired to compare with other combinations, or if a single functionality is needed, or a monofunctional product is to be obtained using less water by means of foam application apparatus (C1 ), the fabric (K3) does not undergo any other treatment. If a comparison is to be made with other monofunctional and multifunctional fabric properties, a sample is taken from the fabric (K3), and then it is subject to marking (P1 ), cutting (R1 ), sewing (D1 ), and repeated washing and drying (V) processes. For the comparison, the final product (N1 ) ready for performance test applications is obtained.

In case bifunctionality is the desired functionality, the obtained fabric (K3) is retreated with padding or foam application methods in order to provide it with a second functionality. According to the example given above, in order to provide the inner surface of the monofunctional fabric (K3) with antibacterial property as a second functionality, first, the amount of chemicals is optimized (Ly2: the step of determining the chemicals and their ratios for the second functionality to be applied to the fabric). As for the antibacterial functionality, the silver-containing antibacterial chemical (B1 ), auxiliary chemical of polymer aqueous dispersion form (B2), and nonionic surfactant as a foaming agent (M1 ) are used and respectively added to the mixer at 300 rpm, water is added to the final volume, and then they are all mixed. For the second functionality (antibacterial), the foam application and optimization of apparatus (C1 ) parameters are performed (U3: determining foam application process parameters as a second functionality). At this stage, the foam applicator speed is adjusted (U3) such that the wet pick-up ratio is preferably in the range of 10-25% while the foam flow rate is in the range of 5:1 to 9:1 .

During the process of transferring the antibacterial functionality to the entire cotton fabric by means of padding method, a solution of the silver-containing antibacterial chemical (B1 ) and auxiliary chemical of polymer aqueous dispersion form (B2) is prepared, followed by impregnating the resulting solution to the cotton fabric by means of the padding apparatus (E1 ).

For providing only one surface (e.g. the inner side for a military uniform) of the monofunctional fabric (K3) with the antibacterial functionality using the foam application apparatus (C1 ), the chemical mixture above is applied thereto. The fabric (K2) having been treated with the foam application apparatus (C1 ) is subject to oven drying (F1 ) process first at 93-98°C, and then to curing at 140-165°C. Thus, a bifunctional fabric with bifunctionality (K5: the fabric one surface of which is bifunctional) is obtained. If a comparison is to be made with other monofunctional and multifunctional fabric properties, a sample is taken from the fabric (K5), and then it is subject to marking (P1 ), cutting (R1 ), sewing (D1 ), and repeated washing and repeated drying (V) processes. For the comparison, the final product (N1 ) ready for performance test applications is obtained.

At this stage, if a third functionality is desired to be applied to the other surface of the fabric, the fabric having undergone curing (K4: the fabric the front and/or back surface of which is provided with a second functionality) is reversed (T: fabric reversing) and the front surface thereof (the surface with monofunctionality) is made ready for re-application.

If the other surface (surface with monofunctionality) is also to be provided with a second functionality, the process steps starting with the step Ly2 are repeated in the same manner. If a fabric with triple functionality is to be produced by transferring a different chemical to the other surface (the surface with monofunctionality) of the fabric, the chemicals are optimized for the third functionality (Ly3: the step of determining the chemicals and their ratios to be applied to the fabric for the third functionality). In line with the above example, the outer surface of the military fabric is provided with water-oil-soil-repellent property as a third functionality. For this, the fluorocarbon based material (S1 ), blocked isocyanate-containing material (S2), paraffin wax emulsion (S3), nonionic/cationic material of polydimethylsiloxane and fatty acid amides (S4), and nonionic surfactant (S5) are respectively added to the mixer (M1 ) at 300 rpm, water is added to the final volume, and then they are mixed. The nonionic/cationic material of polydimethylsiloxane and fatty acid amides is used at an amount of 17% of the basic material (i.e. fluorocarbon based material (S1 )). For the third functionality (water-oil-soil-repellent), the foam application and optimization of apparatus parameters are performed (U4: determining foam application process parameters as a third functionality). The foam applicator speed is adjusted (U4) such that the wet pick-up ratio for the front surface is preferably in the range of 10-30% while the foam flow rate is in the range of 6:1 to 10:1 . For providing only one surface (e.g. the outer side for a military uniform) of the fabric (K4) with the water-oil-soil- repellent functionality using the foam application apparatus (C1 ), the chemical mixture above is applied thereto. The fabric (K2) having been treated with the foam application apparatus (C1 ) is subject to oven drying (F1 ) process first at 90-95°C, and then to curing at 145°C. Hence, the multifunctional fabric (K6) with more than one property is obtained. Thus, the entire fabric (K6) is flame-retardant and the back surface thereof is antibacterial while the front surface is water-oil-soil-repellent. If a comparison is to be made with other monofunctional and multifunctional fabric properties, a sample is taken from the fabric (K6), and then it is subject to marking (P1 ), cutting (R1 ), sewing (D1 ), and repeated washing and repeated drying (V) processes. For the comparison, the final product (N1 ) ready for performance test applications is obtained. The aforementioned processes of marking (P1 ), cutting (R1 ), sewing (D1 ), and repeated washing and drying (V) are performed by taking samples from the obtained monofunctional (K3) or multifunctional (K5, K6) single-layer cotton fabrics to be used in test applications. Marking (C1 ) is the process during which the cutting points of the fabric in terms of width and length are determined and marked by washing-resistant fabric pens/markers. Cutting (R1 ) is the process during which the fabric is cut to the measured size after marking. Sewing (D1 ) is the process during which the ends the fabrics of all combinations (without washing, 5 times of washing, 10 times of washing, ... 50 times of washing) are sewed individually one by one in order that said fabric ends will not unravel and get damaged during repeated washing and repeated drying (5 times of drying, 10 times of drying, ... 50 times of drying) processes. Washing and drying (V) are the processes which are performed with a washing machine (Y1 ) and drying machine (Z1 ) conforming to household washing and drying standards. The following include the positive synergistic effects of the other properties and functionalities of the multifunctional fabrics (K5, K6) in terms of performance:

- The durability which cannot be achieved using the existing methods has been guaranteed as a result of integrating these methods (foam application and padding), optimizing the amount of chemicals (Ly1 , Ly2, Ly3), and optimizing the apparatus parameters (U1 ,U2,U3,U4). A multifunctional single-layer cotton fabric has been produced which is resistant against at least 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying processes in terms of water-soil-oil repellent, antibacterial, and flame- retardant properties.

- The entire material the back and front surfaces of which are coated with different chemicals, which is a property impossible to obtain by conventional methods alone, exhibits a different property in the inner side thereof.

- In vertical burn tests conducted after washing, as the number of washing and drying processes increase, the flame-retardant values are improved.

- There is significant increase in the tearing strength of the fabric undergoing flame-retardant process alone upon transferring the antibacterial, and particularly the water-oil-soil-repellent functionality, to the fabric with the method of the invention.

- As a result of long-lasting preliminary tests, the optimal value for multifunctionality has been achieved, especially in terms of the usage area, with the wet pick-up percentage as determined in the front and back surfaces of the fabric (when compared to the conventional methods, the wet pick-up ratio is quite low while the performance efficiency is quite high and sufficient). The antibacterial recipe applied to the back surface of the fabric has a positive synergistic effect on the water- oil-soil-repellent value on the front surface of the fabric, thereby increasing the water- oil-soil-repellent functionality in the front fabric surface.

- There has been a distinctive increase in the water-oil-soil-repellent values of the bifunctional fabric (K5) obtained by applying the water-oil-soil-repellent chemical to the front surface by means of foam application immediately after the flame- retardant process performed by padding.

- Durable multifunctionality has been achieved in the single-layer cotton fabric by using less water, without ignoring environmental factors, and by following a different method and flow diagram than those of the existing methods, such that the fabric will be provided with functionalities exhibiting different properties.

- Monofunctional / bifunctional / trifunctional and multifunctional combinations have been produced which are easy to use in every area where protective textile is required including hospitals, military, firefighting, etc.; which are light, antibacterial, water-repellent, flame-retardant, soil- and oil-repellent; which absorb sweat; and which are resistant against 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying (tests have been performed up to 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying, and yet it is possible that the number of washing-drying increases); and which have a positive synergistic effect on one another. Although only water-oil-soil-repellent, flame-retardant, and antibacterial functions are cited in the scope of the invention, the present method is applicable to other functionalities (softness, non-crease, etc.) used in textile industry.

The test results showing the positive synergistic effects of the functionalities on one another are given.

The definitions of the fabric codes are as follows:

F: Foam application

P: Padding process

WR: Water-oil-soil-repellent

WR1 F: The wet pick-up ratio (WPU) percent (wet pick-up ratio WR1 : X%) as determined while transferring water-oil-soil-repellent functionality to one side of the fabric with foam application WR2F: Another wet pick-up ratio (WPU) percent (wet pick-up ratio WR2:Y%<X%) as determined while transferring water-oil-soil-repellent functionality to one side of the fabric with foam application

AM: Antibacterial

FR: Flame-retardant

W: Washing and drying

5,10,20,50: Number of washing and drying

5 W: the fabric washed and dried 5 times each

20 W: The fabric washed and dried 20 times each

50 W: the fabric washed and dried 50 times each

PFR: The fabric applied FR by means of padding

AMF: The fabric one surface of which is applied AM by means of foam application PFRWRF : The fabric applied FR by means of padding, followed by WR by means of foam application

PCPWR1 FAMF: The fabric applied FR by means of padding first, followed by AM to the back surface and WR to the front surface by means of foam application

PCPAMF: The fabric applied FR by means of padding first, followed by AM to the back surface by means of foam application

4N: The fabric applied FR to the back surface, followed by AM to the back surface, and then WR to the front surface by means of foam application

2N: The fabric applied flame-retardant functionality to the front surface by means of foam application method, followed by antibacterial functionality to the back surface again by means of foam application method

AMPWR1 F: The fabric entirely applied AM by means of padding method, and then applied WR to the front surface thereof by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR1 : X%)

AMPWR2F: The fabric entirely applied AM by means of padding method, and then WR by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR2: Y%<X%)

AMFWR1 F: The fabric applied AM to the front surface, followed by WR by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR1 : X%)

AMFWR2F: The fabric applied AM to the front surface thereof, followed by WR by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR2: Y%<X%) PCPAMFWR2F: The fabric entirely applied FR by means of padding first, followed by AM to the back surface, and then WR to the front surface by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR2F: Y%<X%)

PFRWR2F: The fabric entirely applied FR by means of padding first, and then WR to the front surface by means of foam application (wet pick-up ratio WR2F: Y%<X%)

Priority order is coded. For instance, in PFRAMF combination, P comes before F, and so it means that FR is applied with padding as a prior step, and then AM is applied by means of foam application.

Table 1 : Antibacterial test results (AATCC 100)

NR: No decrease in percentage, 0%, not exhibiting antibacterial property, bacterial growth is present.

Sample 1 : Untreated fabric

Sample 2: The applied antibacterial functionality to one surface only by means of foam application method (AMF)

Sample 3: The fabric applied antibacterial functionality to one surface only by means of foam application method and washed and dried 50 times each (50WAMF)

Sample 4: The fabric applied flame-retardant functionality by means of padding method, followed by antibacterial functionality to the back surface, and then water-oil- soil-repellent functionality to the front surface by means of foam application (PCPAMFWR2F) Sample 5: The fabric applied flame-retardant functionality by means of padding method, followed by antibacterial functionality to the back surface, and then water-oil- soil-repellent functionality to the front surface by means of foam application, and washed and dried 50 times each (50WPCPAMFWR2F)

Sample 6: The fabric applied flame-retardant functionality to the front surface and antibacterial functionality to the back surface by means of foam application method (2N)

Table 2: Flame-retardancy test results D6413/D6413M-12

In order to calculate the average char length of each sample, 5 samples (each) were taken in weft and warp directions, all of which were subject to burn test individually, and then the mean of the measured lengths was calculated. Flame contact time during test is 12 seconds. The untreated cotton fabric burned entirely.

The results according to Table 2 are as follows:

- Despite the fact that water-repellent and flame-retardant processes have incompatible mechanisms, FR results of the combinations which are applied FR by means of padding, and then WR by means of foam application are quite satisfying and their FR functionalities are high. In all combinations undergoing the same flame- retardant process, an efficient and durable flame-retardant property has been achieved; wherein the explanations are made with the test results of a limited number of samples.

- As the number of washing increases (performance tests, including vertical burning test, were conducted every 5th and 10th washing processes although the limited results are given here), an increase in FR results was observed, guaranteeing a high level of flame-retardant functionality. This flame-retardant effect is very resistant against washing and drying.

- It was seen that even the fabric on which 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying processes were performed do not burn with flame, and that the char length is within acceptable limits.

- Since no trial was performed after 50 times of washing and 50 times of drying, it is practically not known when, i.e. after how many times of washing and drying, these combinations with multifunctionality burn as a whole.

Table 3: Tearing strength test results (ASTMD1424)

WE: weft direction, WA: warp direction.

As seen in the Table 3 above, as WR functionality is used and the number of washing-drying is increases, the tearing strength is improved. When FR functionality is used alone, it reduces the tearing strength of the fabric. Table 4: Water repellent test results (3M method)

100W: 100% water

90/1 0: 90% water, 10% alcohol

5 20/80: %20 water, 80% alcohol

10/90: %10 water, 90% alcohol

100 A: 100% alcohol

OVER: 100% isopropyl alcohol was dripped, but not absorbed.

F: Front surface of the fabric

10 B: Back surface of the fabric

The results in line with the Table 4 are as follows:

- Because of untreated single-layer cotton fabric is water absorbing, it exhibited resistance against neither water nor alcohol and absorbed the liquid in several seconds.

- If the antibacterial functionality is applied with padding process as a primary functionality, higher water repellent values are obtained.

- When water-repellent process is applied on one surface of the fabric treated with FR, the water-repellent values of the fabric increases.

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