Abstract: An apparatus for loading fibers in a fiber suspension with calcium carbonate has a housing with an inlet and an accept outlet. A rotatable distribution member is positioned within the housing. A rotor and stator assembly is positioned within the housing radially outside of the distribution member. A toothed ring is interposed between the distribution rotor and the rotor and stator assembly. The toothed ring and the rotor and stator assembly define a gas ring therebetween. A reactant gas supply is fluidly coupled with the gas ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cross-linked cellulosic fiber having improved absorbency characteristics when compared to conventional cross-linked fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fiber is obtainable by reacting pulp in the sheet or fluff form with one or more reagents selected from organic molecule having acid and aldehyde functional groups “acid aldehydes.” The invention also relates to a method of producing the cross-linked fiber. The method includes heating the treated cellulosic fibers to promote intrafiber cross-linking. The cross-linked fibers are characterized by having an improved centrifuge retention capacity, fluid acquisition rate, resiliency, absorbent capacity, absorbency under load, and other absorbent properties. The inventive cross-linked fibers are useful in forming absorbent composites, and in particular absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method for removing wax from a pulp furnish is disclosed. The method is effective for removing wax from a pulp furnish containing waxed old corrugated containers (OCC). In the method, the pulp furnish containing waxed OCC is treated with an agglomeration chemical which separates wax from the fibers and agglomerates the wax for removal by screening. In a preferred embodiment, the pulp furnish is treated with a caustic material to enhance wax removal.

Abstract: A multi-ply paperboard comprising at least one ply of conventional cellulose fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent; and at least one ply of chemically intrafiber crosslinked cellulosic high-bulk fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent may be a starch, a modified starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a polyamine, guar gum, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/ butadiene/styrene copolymer or polyacrylonitrile. A method for making the paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: Tissue and towel products that include crosslinked cellulosic fibers. Methods for making tissue and towel products that include crosslinked cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: Papermaking fibers are treated with certain hydrolytic enzymes, specifically including cellulases, such as truncated endo-glucanases, which have been freed of their cellulose binding domain, to generate aldehyde groups at or near the surface of the fibers. Paper sheets made from the resulting fibers exhibit improved strength characteristics relative to paper sheets made from untreated fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention's modifying method for wood elements includes a step for soaking wood elements in one or a mixture of acetic anhydride, acetic acid, or chloroacetic acid; and a step for acetylating the impregnated wood elements in a gaseous phase. This method makes it possible to reduce the time required for the step of acetylating the wood elements, simplifies the process, reduces fabrication costs, and enables fabrication of a wood fiberboard having high dimensional stability.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: A process for bleaching high bulk cellulosic fiber and producing a durable elevated curl index includes: (a) concurrently bleaching, heat treating and convolving cellulosic fiber pulp at elevated temperature and pressure at high consistency generally under conditions selected so as to preclude substantial fibrillation and attendant paper strength and fiber bonding development; and (b) recovering the pulp wherein the length weighted curl index of the treated fiber is at least about 20% higher than the length weighted curl index of the fiber prior to the heat treatment and convolving thereof. Preferably, the curl imparted to the fiber persists upon treatment for 30 minutes in a laboratory disintegrator at 3000 rpm at 1% consistency at a temperature of 125° F. Moreover, the curl may be imparted to the fiber in a disk refiner at very short residence times, on the order of several seconds or less.

Abstract: A papermaking process wherein calcium carbonate is included in a pulp suspension. The dissolution of the calcium carbonate in the papermaking system is substantially retarded by the introduction of carbon dioxide to said pulp suspension. The invention also provides processes for the production of paper or board in papermaking systems wherein solid calcium carbonate is present as a filler and/or pigment.

Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.

Abstract: Methods for making high wet performance webs. A polymeric anionic reactive compound is applied heterogenously to a cellulosic fibrous web followed by curing of the compound to crosslink the cellulose fibers. The resulting tissue has high wet resiliency, high wet strength, and a high wet:dry tensile strength ratio.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing cross-linked cellulosic fibers. A sheet of mercerized cellulosic fibers with a purity of at least 95% is treated with a solution containing carboxylic acid cross-linking agents. The treated cellulosic fibrous material is dried and cured in sheet form to promote intrafiber cross-linking. Cross-linked fiber products of this method, which is economic, that possess good porosity, bulking characteristics, wet resiliency, and absorption, low fines, low nits, and low knots, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for stabilizing the pH of a pulp suspension with buffering agents and to a process for producing paper from a stabilized pulp suspension. The alkalinity of the pulp suspension is increased by a combination of an alkali metal hydroxide feed and a carbon dioxide feed. Said feeds provide a significant buffering effect which stablilizes the pH of said pulp suspension for the paper making process.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filler used in paper manufacture and mainly consisting of calcium carbonate, and to a procedure for producing the filler. The filler consists of porous aggregates formed by precipitated calcium carbonate particles. In the procedure, calcium carbonate is precipitated.

Abstract: For a process and an apparatus for loading fibers contained in a pulp suspension with calcium carbonate, a calcium oxide and/or a medium containing calcium hydroxide is fed to the pulp suspension, and the so treated pulp suspension is further charged in several reactors with pure carbon dioxide or a medium containing carbon dioxide. The reactors can be connected in series and/or in parallel. The reactor can produce different forms of calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of loaded paper or paperboard products, comprising the steps of separating at least one process stream from the papermaking process, wherein the process stream includes fines and/or filler; combining the process stream with long fibers and thickening to form a residue; treating the residue to form fiber-filler complexes; and using the fiber-filler complexes in the papermaking process to form the paper.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: For a process and an apparatus for loading fibers contained in a pulp suspension with calcium carbonate, a calcium oxide and/or a medium containing calcium hydroxide is fed to the pulp suspension, and the so treated pulp suspension is further charged in several reactors with pure carbon dioxide or a medium containing carbon dioxide. The reactors can be connected in series and/or in parallel.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers intrafiber crosslinked with a polymeric polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymeric polycarboxylic acid is polyacrylic acid and, in another embodiment, the polycarboxylic acid is polymaleic acid. Methods for forming cellulosic fibers having stable intrafiber crosslinks and for forming crosslinked cellulosic fibers having low knot level are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.

Abstract: A multi-ply paperboard comprising at least one ply of conventional cellulose fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent; and at least one ply of chemically intrafiber crosslinked cellulosic high-bulk fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent may be a starch, a modified starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a polyamine, guar gum, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer or polyacrylonitrile. A method for making the paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a never-been-dried wood pulp into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology without the aid of a chemical cross-linker. The method includes the steps of treating a never-been-dried wood pulp fiber slurry with a drying aid and thermally drying the wood pulp fiber slurry. The method may alternatively, or additionally, include the steps of spray drying a wood pulp fiber slurry and/or a slurry of a hydrophilic material, and flash drying the spray dried wood pulp fiber slurry and/or slurry of hydrophilic material.

Abstract: A new composite material which is useful as a pigment in paper making or paper coating is produced by precipitating a white insoluble pigment compound, eg calcium carbonate, in an aqueous suspension containing a mixture of fine particulate material eg titanium dioxide particles and fibers, eg cellulosic fibers. These suspended solids in the mixture are derived from separate stocks and added together to produce the composite pigment material. The new material is a bonded matrix of the fibers and the white pigment compound having particles of the fine particulate material, eg TiO2, dispersed and bonded within the matrix. The new material may exist in the form of particles in dry or wet form which may be further treated in a known way prior to use in paper making or paper coating.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: Paper comprising aldehyde modified cellulose pulp having selected aldehyde content. Another embodiment involves a method of preparing celullose aldehydes using selective oxidation with a limited amount of oxidant and a nitroxyl radical mediator and defined reaction conditions to provide oxidized cellulose material with effective aldehyde content making it particularly suitable for use in making paper with desirable wet strength, temporary wet strength and dry strength properties.

Abstract: Wet-laid absorbent pulp sheets suitable for immediate conversion into absorbent products prepared from pulp treated with a cold caustic solution to produce a cold caustic extracted pulp.

Abstract: The invention relates to papermaking processes wherein calcium carbonate is included in a pulp suspension. The dissolution of the calcium carbonate in the papermaking system is prevented or substantially retarded by the introduction of carbon dioxide to said pulp suspension in connection with subjecting said calcium carbonate in said papermaking system to pH conditions of about 8 or lower. The invention also provides processes for the production of paper or board in papermaking systems wherein solid calcium carbonate is present as a filler and/or pigment.

Abstract: During the chemical process of loading with calcium carbonate fibers contained in a pulp suspension, a medium containing calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide is added to the pulp suspension. This treated pulp suspension is charged in at least one reactor with pure carbon dioxide (or a medium containing carbon dioxide), which, during the progression of the reaction, converts at least a significant portion of the starting materials (calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide) into the reaction products, calcium carbonate and water. This reaction is accomplished by properly controlling the pulp suspension's pH.

Abstract: A multi-ply paperboard comprising at least one ply of conventional cellulose fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent; and at least one ply of chemically intrafiber crosslinked cellulosic high-bulk fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent may be a starch, a modified starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a polyamine, guar gum, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer or polyacrylonitrile. A method for making the paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of making a heat and light stable carboxylated cellulose fiber whose fiber strength and degree of polymerization is not significantly sacrificed. The method involves the use of a catalytic amount of a hindered cyclic oxammonium salt as a primary oxidant and a peracid and halide salt as a secondary oxidant in an aqueous environment. The oxammonium compounds may be formed in situ from their corresponding amine, hydroxylamine, and nitroxyl compounds. The oxidized cellulose is then stabilized against D.P. loss and color reversion by further treatment with an oxidant such as sodium chlorite, a chlorine dioxide/hydrogen peroxide mixture, or a peracid under acidic conditions. Alternatively it may be treated with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. The method results in a high percentage of carboxyl groups located at the fiber surface. The product is especially useful as a papermaking fiber where it contributes strength and has a higher attraction for cationic additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for softening cellulose pulp using chemical softening agents or debonders, which include compositions comprising lower alkyl acid esters or cyclic esters of polyhydroxy compounds, without adversely affecting the absorbency of the cellulose fiber products thereof, and products thereof. The process of the invention may also be used in combination with plasticizing agents for cellulose such as glycerol, mono- and di-saccharides, glycols, and oligomers thereof. The process of the invention provides cellulosic fiber which is easier to fluff (refiberize) and to subsequently densify airlaid pads formed from the resulting individualized fibers, without adversely affecting absorbency.

Abstract: A fiber loading apparatus continuously loads fibers in a fiber suspension with a chemical compound. A pulper has an inner chamber, a shear imparting device within the inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The pulper inlet receives a fiber suspension at a consistency of between 20 and 30%. The shear imparting device, which may be configured as a rotor, imparts high shear forces to the fiber suspension. A fluffer includes an inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The fluffer inlet is connected with the pulper outlet. A reactor includes an inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The reactor inlet is connected with the fluffer outlet. A gas supply is connected with the fluffer inner chamber and/or reactor inner chamber. The gas supply supplies and pressurizes the fluffer inner chamber and/or reactor inner chamber with a gas, such as carbon dioxide or ozone, acting as a reactant for the chemical compound to be loaded into fibers of the fiber suspension.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical additives can be adsorbed on cellulosic papermaking fibers at high levels with a minimal amount of unadsorbed chemical additives present in the papermaking process water. A method includes treating a fiber slurry with an excess of the chemical additive, allowing sufficient residence time for adsorption to occur, filtering the slurry to remove unadsorbed chemical additives, and redispersing the filtered pulp with fresh water. Filtrate from the thickening process contains unadsorbed chemical additive and it is not sent forward in the process with the chemically treated fibers. The method can be employed to make improved paper products.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of making carboxylated cellulose fibers whose fiber strength and degree of polymerization is not significantly sacrificed. The method involves the use of cyclic nitroxide free radical compounds as a primary oxidant and a hypohalite salt as a secondary oxidant in an aqueous environment. Preferably the oxidized cellulose is then stabilized against D.P. loss in alkaline environments and color reversion with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. Alternatively it may be treated with an oxidant such as sodium chlorite. The method results in a high percentage of carboxyl groups located at the fiber surface. The product is especially useful as a papermaking fiber where it contributes strength and has a higher attraction for cationic additives. The product is also useful as an additive to recycled fiber to increase strength. The method can be used to improve properties of either virgin or recycled fiber.

Abstract: A modified cellulosic fiber having superabsorbent properties is described. The modified fiber of the invention has a fibrous structure substantially identical to the cellulosic fiber from which it is derived. The modified fiber is a water-swellable, water-insoluble fiber that substantially retains its fibrous structure in its expanded, water-swelled state. The modified fiber is a sulfated and crosslinked cellulosic fiber having a liquid absorption capacity of at least about 4 g/g. In one embodiment, the modified fiber is an individual, crosslinked, sulfated cellulosic fiber. In another aspects, the invention provides a rollgood that includes the modified fiber, absorbent composites and articles that include the modified fiber, and methods for making the modified cellulosic fiber.

Abstract: A modified cellulosic fiber having superabsorbent properties is described. The modified fiber of the invention has a fibrous structure substantially identical to the cellulosic fiber from which it is derived. The modified fiber is a water-swellable. water-insoluble fiber that substantially retains its fibrous structure in its expanded, water-swelled state. The modified fiber is a sulfated and crosslinked cellulosic fiber having a liquid absorption capacity of at least about 4 g/g. In one embodiment, the modified fiber is an individual, crosslinked, sulfated cellulosic fiber. In another aspects, the invention provides a rollgood that includes the modified fiber, absorbent composites and articles that include the modified fiber, and methods for making the modified cellulosic fiber.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly process for the selective oxidation of carbohydrates. The process comprises the addition of a hydroperoxide, including hydrogen peroxide, to a carbohydrate having primary alcohol groups, particularly including polysaccharides, wherein said carbohydrate is contact with a nitroxyl radical mediator and the process is catalyzed by a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of halide ions.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified cellulosic fiber having superabsorbent properties is described The modified fiber of the invention has a fibrous structure substantially identical to the cellulosic fiber from which it is derived. The modified fiber is a water-swellable, water-insoluble fiber that substantially retains its fibrous structure in its expanded, water-swelled state. The modified fiber is a sulfated and crosslinked cellulosic fiber having a liquid absorption capacity of at least about 4 g/g. In one embodiment, the modified fiber is an individual, crosslinked, sulfated cellulosic fiber. In another aspects, the invention provides a rollgood that includes the modified fiber, absorbent composites and articles that include the modified fiber, and methods for making the modified cellulosic fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing modified fluff pulp comprising treating cellulose pulp with a nitroxide-mediated oxidation method and fluffing the treated cellulose pulp. The invention further relates to the modified fluff pulp prepared therefrom and absorbent articles comprising the modified fluff pulp.

Abstract: A cationic cellulosic fibre containing between 1 and 30 cationic groups and between 0.1 and 20 aldehyde groups per 100 anhydroglucose units is a suitable basis for producing paper and tissue products without the necessity of using non-biodegradable cationic polymers as wet strength additives. The cationic cellulosic fibre can be obtained by oxidation of the fibre to introduce aldehyde groups, followed by reaction of part of the aldehyde groups with a nitrogen-containing reagent such as betaine hydrazide hydrochloride. The fibre is advantageously combined with an anionic polymer such as monoaldehyde carboxyl-starch or with anionic cyclodextrin.

Abstract: A method for increasing filler retention of cellulosic fiber sheets is disclosed. In the method, cellulosic fibers with increased anionic sites are treated with either positively charged filler particles and/or amphoteric filler particles or a cationic retention aid and negatively charged filler particles and/or amphoteric filler particles. Cellulosic fiber sheets with retained filler particles are also disclosed.