Abstract: Systems and methods for attaching particulate additives to a population of cellulose fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution are described. The cellulose fibers are treated with an activator that forms complexes with them. The particulate additive is attached to a tether that is capable of interacting with the activator, thereby forming a tether-bearing particulate additive. The tether-bearing particulate additive can be added to the activated suspension of cellulose fibers. The resulting interaction between the tether and the activator forms durable complexes that attach the particulate additive to the cellulose fibers. Using these systems and methods, useful additives like starches can be attached to cellulose fibers, imparting advantageous properties such as increased strength to paper products formed thereby. These systems and methods are particularly useful for papermaking involving virgin pulp fibers, recycled fibers, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems for papermaking comprising a first population of fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution and complexed with an activator, and a second population of composite additive particles bearing a tethering material, wherein the addition of the second population to the first population attaches the composite additive particles to the fibers. The invention also encompasses methods for manufacturing a paper product.

Abstract: Formulations and methods for papermaking use one or more volatile debonders, where the volatile debonder forms a solution or an emulsion with water in a paper precursor, and where the volatile debonder is evaporable from the paper precursor before the paper precursor is completely dried to form a paper sheet during papermaking. Two volatile debonders having different boiling points can be used, where they are miscible in water and in each other, and where one volatile debonder has a higher molecular weight and the other volatile debonder has a lower boiling point.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for attaching particulate additives to a population of cellulose fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution. The cellulose fibers are treated with an activator that forms complexes with them. The particulate additive is attached to a tether that is capable of interacting with the activator, thereby forming a tether-bearing particulate additive. The tether-bearing particulate additive can be added to the activated suspension of cellulose fibers. The resulting interaction between the tether and the activator forms durable complexes that attach the particulate additive to the cellulose fibers. Using these systems and methods, useful additives like starches can be attached to cellulose fibers, imparting advantageous properties such as increased strength to paper products formed thereby. These systems and methods are particularly useful for papermaking involving virgin pulp fibers, recycled fibers, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations for papermaking and methods for their use. In embodiments, the formulations include a treatment agent and a fluid carrier, where the treatment agent includes a volatile debonder or a polymer composition exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. Methods for treating a paper product to increase its bulk or its stiffness are also disclosed, in addition to paper products formed from such methods.

Abstract: Debonding compositions and methods are disclosed for use in fibrous compositions such as paper-based products. In some instances, debonding agents can be combined with fibers (e.g., cellulose-based fibers) to produce a material having substantial wicking properties while decreasing fiber-fiber interactions that can require substantial energy to overcome in materials processing. In some instances, the debonding agent can act to create a paper-based product exhibiting a transition temperature in which the agent has a higher affinity for the fibers at temperatures above the transition temperature, and the product exhibiting enhaced wicking properties at temperatures below the transition temperature. As an example, a debonding agents can include polymers or other material exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. The disclosed debonding agents can provide benefits over existing debonding agent formulations such as ammonium salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for papermaking. In embodiments, the systems include a first population of fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution and complexed with an activator, and a second population of composite additive particles bearing a tethering material, wherein the addition of the second population to the first population attaches the composite additive particles to the fibers by the interaction of the activator and the tethering material. Methods for forming a fibrous web are also disclosed, in addition to paper products formed from such fibrous webs.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations and methods for coating a fibrous web, comprising an emulsion capable of deposition on the fibrous web, the emulsion comprising an aqueous continuous phase and a discontinuous internal phase comprising a surface-modifying agent. The fibrous web may comprise a population of fibers that are pretreated with a pretreatment polymer, such as a polycationic polymer. The fibrous web may contain cellulose fibers, or two populations of dissimilar fibers. The surface-modifying agent may contain a polymeric system that forms a coating polymer on fibers of the fibrous web following evaporation of the aqueous continuous phase of the emulsion.

Abstract: Formulations and methods for papermaking use one or more volatile debonders, where the volatile debonder forms a solution or an emulsion with water in a paper precursor, and where the volatile debonder is evaporable from the paper precursor before the paper precursor is completely dried to form a paper sheet during papermaking. Two volatile debonders having different boiling points can be used, where they are miscible in water and in each other, and where one volatile debonder has a higher molecular weight and the other volatile debonder has a lower boiling point.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing an optically-enhanced paper-based material are disclosed. The composition can include an optical brightening agent and an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion is associated with an optical brightening agent. The paper-based material can exhibit a higher capacity for the optical brightening agent relative to a paper-based material that lacks the additive. Techniques for increasing optical brightening agent retention in a paper-based material are also disclosed. The techniques include using an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion associates with an optical brightening agent so that the retention of the optical brightening agent is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations for papermaking and methods for their use. In embodiments, the formulations include a treatment agent and a fluid carrier, where the treatment agent includes a volatile debonder or a polymer composition exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. Methods for treating a paper product to increase its bulk or its stiffness are also disclosed, in addition to paper products formed from such methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing paper-based materials are disclosed. In general, the techniques utilize an amine-containing polymer, such as chitosan, to functionalize one or more components of a mixture used to form materials such as paper-based materials. Such components can include the fibers of a pulp and/or filler particles. In one instance, either the pulp or the filler particles are functionalized, but not both. Such functionalization can improve the qualifies of a paper-based material relative to when such functionalization is not utilized. Techniques and compositions are also described to further improve the qualities of a paper material by utilizing a complementary polymer which can couple with the amine-containing polymer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing an optically-enhanced paper-based material are disclosed. The composition can include an optical brightening agent and an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion is associated with an optical brightening agent. The paper-based material can exhibit a higher capacity for the optical brightening agent relative to a paper-based material that lacks the additive. Techniques for increasing optical brightening agent retention in a paper-based material are also disclosed. The techniques include using an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion associates with an optical brightening agent so that the retention of the optical brightening agent is improved.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for rendering a substrate more grease-resistant are disclosed. Treatments, such as aqueous-based treatments and/or emulsions, can be applied to the surface of a substrate, such as paper-based materials, which can be dried to form a treatment layer imparting grease resistant properties. In some instances, the treatment includes an acrylic-based polymer, which can impart grease-resistance, and one or more complementary components (e.g., a polymer and/or oligomer) that can make a layer less brittle (e.g., lowering the Tg of the layer relative to a layer of acrylic-based polymer). Such treatment layers can retain their grease resistance even when creased, allowing the use of such layers in applications such as food processing. Other additives, compositions, and methods are further developed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing paper-based materials are disclosed. In general, the techniques utilize an amine-containing polymer, such as chitosan, to functionalize one or more components of a mixture used to form materials such as paper-based materials. Such components can include the fibers of a pulp and/or filler particles. In one instance, either the pulp or the filler particles are functionalized, but not both. Such functionalization can improve the qualifies of a paper-based material relative to when such functionalization is not utilized. Techniques and compositions are also described to further improve the qualities of a paper material by utilizing a complementary polymer which can couple with the amine-containing polymer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing paper-based materials are disclosed. The techniques can utilize an amine-containing polymer, such as chitosan, to functionalize one or more components of a mixture used to form materials such as paper-based materials. Such components can include the fibers of a pulp and/or filler particles. Techniques and compositions are also described to further improve the qualities of a paper material by utilizing a complementary polymer which can couple with the amine-containing polymer. Other compositions and methods are directed to forming paper-based materials that are expandable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are grease-resistant compositions that can include a cellulose-based polymer and a complementary material. Such compositions can be applied to substrates, such as paper-based materials, to impart enhanced grease/oil resistance. The complementary material can act to provide the composition with enhanced fatigue resistance relative to layers that solely utilize the cellulose-based polymer, and can preferably have limited leaching from the composition. Examples of complementary materials include polymers, such as poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol), plasticizers, and combinations of these materials. Such compositions can be prepared as a treatment formulation or coating material, which can be dissolved or suspended in a solvent. The compositions may also be melted and applied without a solvent. The formulations can be a water-based system, or an emulsion. The films may be applied to paper products as part of the papermaking process, or as post treatments on a coating machine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing colored paper products and agents for making such products are disclosed. Surface-modified pigments can be manufactured to provide selected coloring in a paper product. The pigment can include filler particles that are bound to one or more dye components with a coupling agent, such as a silane coupling agent or a polymer such as a polycation. The pigment can also be formulated to produce a paper product with better particulate and/or fines retention, and/or higher strength by including components that can interact favorably with the fibers of a paper material. The surface-modified pigments can also be utilized to make coloring formulations such as inks for printers and other applications.