Abstract: Methods of making a paper product can comprise forming a substrate from a first furnish that comprises a plurality of pulp fibers, at least partially dewatering the substrate, treating a second furnish that comprises a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers (SEPF) at least by adding one or more enzymes to the second furnish, and sizing the dewatered substrate at least by depositing the treated second furnish onto at least one of opposing first and second surfaces of the dewatered substrate. The SEPF can have a length weighted average fiber length that is greater than or equal to 0.20 millimeters (mm) and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area that is greater than or equal to 10 square meters per gram (m2/g).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing loaded paper pulp for use in the manufacture of paper or paper board. At least one process stream containing a plurality of unrefined pulp fibers and at least one process stream of at least one filler are combined in a refiner to form a loaded paper pulp composition having a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers that are loaded with particles of the at least one filler.

Abstract: A paper product having improved printing characteristics and a method of making the paper product. This paper product has a fibrous substrate and top layer of surface enhanced pulp fibers that is integrally coupled to the top surface of the fibrous substrate. The paper product is produced by providing an aqueous slurry formed from a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and at least partially dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form the fibrous substrate. Subsequently, a surface treatment formed from an aqueous composition of water and surface enhanced pulp fibers is applied to the top surface of the fibrous substrate and thereafter the treated fibrous substrate is dried to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics.

Abstract: This disclosure includes ice packs that comprise paper and absorbent material, and also includes various methods of making, adding liquid to, freezing, shipping, and/or using such ice packs. This disclosure also includes assemblies that include one or more such ice packs, such as, for example, a container of a plurality of such ice packs in dry, wet, and/or frozen states, or a container that includes an ice pack in a hydrated, frozen state and one or more perishable items.

Abstract: Paper products such as tissues can be made using a furnish comprising surface enhanced pulp fibers (“SEPF”). In some embodiments, SEPF have a weighted average fiber length of at least 0.3 millimeters (mm) and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area of at least 10 square meters per gram (m2/g). In some embodiments, a furnish or a paper product can comprise at least 2 % SEPF by dry weight. In some embodiments, a paper product comprising SEPF can be formed from a furnish having a freeness of 650 ml Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) or less, optionally 600 ml CSF or less.

Abstract: This disclosure includes ice packs (10) that comprise paper and absorbent material (22A, 22), and also includes various methods of adding liquid to, freezing, shipping, and/or using such ice packs (10). Some of the ice packs (10) of this disclosure have a body (14) that includes first and second layers (54, 58) of paper and one or more side panels (66A) coupled thereto such that the body (14) is expandable. The absorbent material (22A, 22) of some of the ice packs (10) of this disclosure comprises a laminate having an inner layer (70A, 70B, 70C, 70) of superabsorbent polymer disposed between first and second outer layers (78), where the first outer layer (74) comprises tissue and the second outer layer (78) comprises at least one of a tissue and a carded nonwoven.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: A nonwoven sheet can comprise a plurality of cellulosic pulp fibers and a plurality of synthetic polymeric fibers. The cellulosic pulp fibers can include a plurality of cedar pulp fibers that have a length weighted average fiber length of at least 1.0 millimeters (mm), optionally between 1.5 and 2.0 mm, and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area of at least 4.5 square meters per gram (m2/g), optionally at least 5 m2/g. The cellulosic pulp fibers can also include a plurality of softwood pulp fibers that, optionally, are NBSK pulp fibers and do not include cedar pulp fibers. The synthetic polymeric fibers can comprise polyester fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite material which finds widespread applicability in a variety of construction and related applications. The composite comprises cellulosic fibrous material in order to provide the composite with the desired performance characteristics. Notably, at least a portion of the cellulosic fibrous material comprises surfaced enhanced pulp fiber, which desirably enhances the processing characteristics of the material, as well enhancing the characteristics of the finished composite product. The method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite comprising the steps of providing a cementitious composition, and providing cellulosic fibrous material. The present method further includes blending the cementitious composition and the cellulosic fibrous material to form the cementitious composite.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having Improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a paper product having improved printing characteristics. This is achieved by forming a fibrous substrate, and applying a surface treatment which comprises an aqueous composition. Notably, the aqueous composition includes surface enhanced pulp fibers, with the placement of the surface enhanced pulp fibers optimizing their functionality, with surface placement by use of a paper machine size press desirably facilitating a reduction in the typical starch usage. The present method comprising the steps of providing a aqueous slurry comprising a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form a fibrous substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates generally to methods and systems for the manufacture of cellulose nanocrystals. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing cellulose nanocrystals comprises reacting lignocellulosic fibers with sulfuric acid in water, introducing a water-insoluble solvent to substantially terminate the reaction, separating a first stream comprising at least 70% of the unreacted sulfuric acid in the water-insoluble solvent from a second stream comprising a plurality of cellulose nanocrystals and the remainder of the unreacted sulfuric acid in water, and separating the cellulose nanocrystals from the second stream.