Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for fishing are described. In particular, compositions which include one or more fish attractants and which combine several advantageous properties, including moldability at ambient temperatures, sustained release of attractant(s), and ability to resist casting forces due to increased wet strength, are described. These advantages are achieved by combining a polymer such as a cellulose ester, a plasticizer, one or more fish attractant food sources, and optionally one or more fillers. The compositions may include up to 50% attractants, rendering them an effective bait material for attracting fish, crustaceans, other aquatic creatures such as marine mammals, mink, beaver, nuisance pests such as insects, rodents, and coyotes or game species such as deer and bear.

Abstract: A process for treating a cellulosic material comprising pretreating the cellulosic material and then extracting the cellulosic material with an extractant to selectively extract hemicellulose therefrom and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulosic material. The extractant comprises a cellulose solvent and a co-solvent. The cellulosic product advantageously retains its cellulosic fiber morphology. The processes involve separating and recovering the hemicellulose and separating and recycling various process streams employed in the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a composition having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; where the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a drilling fluid having a base fluid and a viscosifier having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that comprises an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine; where the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: Cellulose acetates and processes for producing same. The process involves esterifying a cellulose containing material in the presence of a densified gas such as supercritical carbon dioxide to form a cellulose acetate product having a degree of substitution less than 3. The cellulose acetate preferably is sulfate-free.

Abstract: Dissolving-grade pulp compositions are prepared by treating a cellulosic material with an extractant comprising a cellulose solvent and co-solvent. The dissolving-grade pulp compositions comprise at least 90 wt. % glucan, from 0.6 to 5 wt. % xylan, and have distinct molecular weights, and elemental metal ions from known and commercially available dissolving-grade pulp compositions.

Abstract: Hemicellulose compositions are prepared by treating a cellulosic material with an extractant comprising a cellulose solvent and co-solvent. The hemicellulose compositions preferably comprise from 55 to 99 wt. % xylan and have distinct molecular weights, elemental metal ions, and intrinsic viscosities when compared to known hemicellulose compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: A process for treating a cellulosic material comprising extracting hemicellulose from the cellulosic material with an extractant comprising a cellulose solvent and a co-solvent to selectively extract hemicellulose therefrom and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulosic material. The extractant comprises a cellulose solvent and a co-solvent. The cellulose solvent is selected from the group consisting of an ionic liquid, an amine oxide and combinations thereof, and the co-solvent may preferably have a boiling point less than 120° C., or less than 100° C. The cellulosic product advantageously retains its cellulosic fiber morphology. The processes involve separating and recovering the hemicellulose and separating and recycling various process streams employed in the process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cellulose acetate table tennis balls and to processes for forming the cellulose acetate table tennis balls. Cellulose acetate may be provided as a flake or powder and then may be melt extruded to a sheet or pellet. The sheet may be soaked and a plurality of coupons may then be cut from the sheet. The coupons may be melt extruded to form hemispheres and then two hemispheres may be adhered to each other to form a sphere. The pellets may be injection molded to form hemispheres and then two hemispheres may be adhered to each other to form a sphere. The cellulose acetate table tennis balls are free of celluloid but meet the International Table Tennis Federation standards for table tennis balls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: A process for treating a cellulosic material comprising extracting the cellulosic material with an extractant to selectively extract hemicellulose therefrom and separating the extracted hemicellulose to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the cellulosic material. The extractant comprises a cellulose solvent and a co-solvent. The cellulosic product advantageously retains its cellulosic fiber morphology. The processes involve separating and recovering the hemicellulose and separating and recycling various process streams employed in the process.

Abstract: A process for converting a starting material to a purified pulp material, comprising removing lignin from a starting material to form a wet pulp comprising at least 5 wt. % water, extracting hemicellulose from the wet pulp with an extractant, and separating the extracted hemicellulose from the extraction mixture to form a cellulosic product comprising less hemicellulose than the wet pulp. The extractant comprises a cellulose solvent and a co-solvent. The cellulosic product advantageously retains its cellulosic fiber morphology. The process involves separating and recovering hemicellulose and separating and recycling various process streams employed in the process.

Abstract: A method for producing a polysaccharide ester microsphere may include forming a polysaccharide ester product from a polysaccharide synthesis, wherein the polysaccharide ester product comprises a polysaccharide ester and a solvent; diluting the polysaccharide ester product, thereby yielding a polysaccharide ester dope; and forming a plurality of polysaccharide ester microspheres from the polysaccharide ester dope. Suitable polysaccharides may include, but are not limited to, starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, algenates, chitosan, and any combination thereof. Esters thereof may be organic esters (e.g., acetate and the like), inorganic esters (e.g., sulfonates and the like), or combinations thereof. Further, the solids conent of the polysaccharide ester dope, in some instances, may be greater than about 16 wt %.

Abstract: A method for producing a polysaccharide ester microsphere may include forming a polysaccharide ester product from a polysaccharide synthesis, wherein the polysaccharide ester product comprises a polysaccharide ester and a solvent; diluting the polysaccharide ester product, thereby yielding a polysaccharide ester dope; and forming a plurality of polysaccharide ester microspheres from the polysaccharide ester dope. Suitable polysaccharides may include, but are not limited to, starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, algenates, chitosan, and any combination thereof. Esters thereof may be organic esters (e.g., acetate and the like), inorganic esters (e.g., sulfonates and the like), or combinations thereof. Further, the solids conent of the polysaccharide ester dope, in some instances, may be greater than about 16 wt %.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of determining the nitrogen content in nitrocellulose by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It is within the scope of the invention for the sample of nitrocellulose to be unstable nitrocellulose, unrefined nitrocellulose, or refined nitrocellulose. The sample of nitrocellulose can wet or dry. A sample of nitrocellulose that is wet can be in acid or in water. Before HPLC, the sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The nitrogen content of the sample is determined by comparing the retention time of the sample to a graph of retention time to amount of nitrogen due to the linear correlation of retention time and percent nitrogen substitution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a cigarette filter material having a filter having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a composition having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; where the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a diaper having an inner layer having an absorbent core having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate; and an outer layer.