Abstract: A process for improving the flow rate of an aqueous dispersion which comprises adding a natural polymer to said aqueous system and then adding a synthetic polymer to the aqueous system.

Abstract: Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) adding a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined.

Abstract: Size press compositions and methods for producing sized paper products, including liner board, are disclosed. The size press compositions contain at least one non-reactive cationic surface sizing agent, at least one reactive sizing agent, at least one promoter resin, at least one binder, and water. The at least one non-reactive cationic surface sizing agent may be a polymer in the form of a dispersion, an emulsion or a latex with a positive zeta potential below about pH 6. The at least one reactive sizing agent may be a dispersion, an emulsion or a latex including an alkyl ketene dimer or an alkyl succinic anhydride. The at least one promoter resin may be a polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin resin or poly (dimethyldiallylammonium chloride).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the depositability of particulate contaminants present in a pulp or paper mill fluid stream and evaluating interactions of such particulate contaminants with other contaminants collects the particulate contaminants on a suitable substrate, such as a plastic film coated with an adhesive or coated with organic contaminate, placed in contact with the pulp or paper mill fluid stream for at least five minutes up to several hours. The amount of contaminants collected on the substrate is quantified and evaluated by taking one or more scanned images of the substrate with a resolution of at least 2,000 dots per inch (DPI) and analyzing the scanned images with image analysis technique.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as wood adhesives are described, which compositions comprise: (a) a polymeric component selected from the group consisting of lignins, proteins, and mixtures thereof, (b) an adhesion promoter comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) adducts of an epoxide and a resin selected from the group consisting of polyamine resins, polyamidoamine resins, polyamide resins, and combinations thereof, and (ii) combinations of a curing agent and a compound having at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group capable of reacting with at least one functional group of the polymeric component; and (c) an additive selected from the group consisting of urea, N-substituted ureas, N,N-disubstituted ureas, N,N?-disubstituted ureas, N,N,N?-trisubstituted ureas, N,N,N?,N?-tetrasubstituted ureas, urea derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polyamidoamine (PAE) resins are prepared from polyamidoamine made with excess amine, which are reacted with a specifically defined amount of difunctional crosslinker. The amount of difunctional crosslinker used is based on the polyamidoamine amine number and reduced specific viscosity (RSV). The PAE resin is prepared by first synthesizing a polyamidoamine from a polyamine and a polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid derivative, wherein the polyamine is present in a molar excess, said molar excess being from about 1.02 to 2.00, then reacting the polyamidoamine with difunctional crosslinker, wherein the weight % of difunctional crosslinker to polyamidoamine solids is no more than about 0.308(amine number/RSV)—9.18 or 385(amine number/RSV)—5.20, wherein the amine number is expressed as the milliequivalents of amine per gram of polyamidoamine solids and the RSV is the reduced specific viscosity measured at 2% concentration in 1 M NH4Cl expressed in deciliters per gram.

Abstract: Haloamine biocides are prepared via multi-step processes in an integrated apparatus comprising an electrochemical cell and a mixing chamber, wherein active halogen donor species are electrochemically generated and subsequently reacted with amine-containing compositions to form haloamine biocide. Haloamine biocides prepared according to such processes are used to treat liquids in order to inhibit, reduce, and/or control microorganism growth therein.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the depositions of organic contaminants from pulp in pulp and papermaking systems are disclosed. A combination of an enzyme and a nonionic polymeric detackifier are added to the pulp or applied to deposition-prone process equipment surfaces of a pulp and papermaking system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing polyamine-epihalohydrin resins having reduced levels of residuals. The process comprises (a) charging a membrane separation apparatus with an aqueous composition comprising at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin resin, and (b) separating the aqueous composition into a permeate and a retentate by passing the aqueous composition through the membrane of the membrane separation apparatus. The retentate comprises at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin resin having lower levels of residuals on an equal active component basis than the aqueous composition of (a). The permeate comprises residuals removed from the aqueous composition of (a) and less than 5% by weight of the active component of said at least one polyamine-epihalohydrin resin. The polyamine-epihalohydrin resins having reduced levels of residuals can be used to make wet strength agents, dry strength agents, creping adhesives for paper products, curing agents for wood product adhesives, and other products.

Abstract: Polysaccharides comprising one or more oxime linkages are provided. Methods for their preparation include the polycondensation of saccharides bearing oxime-forming substituents. In some embodiments, polymerization is conducted in the presence of galactose oxidase. The resulting oxime-linked polysaccharides have desirable properties and are useful in numerous applications including paper manufacturing and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: Inhibitor compounds containing a moiety according to this invention are used to inhibit air oxidation and thermal polymerization of furfural or furfural derivatives. A process is provided for use of the inhibitors in the solvent refining of lubricating oils where furfural is used to extract impurities including polycyclic aromatic and oxygen-containing compounds from the lubricating oils. The process provides for combination of the inhibitor with a continuously recirculating furfural stream in the extraction process.

Abstract: Method of processing pulp with a sizing agent, comprising adding to a cellulosic pulp, in a wet part of a paper making process, a sizing mixture of (a) rosin material and (b) an AKD sizing agent wherein at least a portion of the wet part of the paper making process is at a temperature of at least about 40° C.

Abstract: A slice lip control mechanism for the slice lip of a head box of a paper making machine. The control mechanism has a linear actuator, a spindle extending from the actuator and a link on the lip to attach to the spindle. Movement of the actuator is thus transmitted to the lip, through the spindle, to deform the lip locally to control a head box outlet orifice whose upper edge is defined by the slice lip. The spindle includes a pressure transducer whereby the load applied to the lip by the actuator that communications with the pressure transducer through the spindle can be assessed and the lip's position calculated.

Abstract: In a method for applying heat to a web, the web is subjected to dielectric heating in discrete segments, arranged transverse to the web, by modules containing pairs of electrodes. The heat thus generated can be used to vary the moisture and/or temperature profile. Each module has a built-in self modulating moisture leveler. Other properties of the web, which are varied by such process operations as wet pressing, drying, calendering, etc. and which themselves are influenced by the moisture/temperature of the web can thereby be also controlled by said dielectric heating in closed-loop fashion.

Abstract: A compact system for converting a rotational movement, of relatively low torque, into an accurate linear movement, of relatively high force. The system includes a low torque actuator and a backlash-free gear reducer. A linearly movable shaft, capable of exerting a high linear force in either direction, has a long axis in direct line with the long axis of the actuator. A direct linkage, essentially free of backlash, connects the actuator to the shaft through the gear reducer. A body and housing enclose the system.

Abstract: A first flexible vessel of a first cross section communicates with the rod and a second flexible vessel of a second cross section, different from the first cross section communicates with the first vessel. A substantially incompressible fluid is contained in the first and second vessels. Movement of a heated rod against the first expansible vessel moves liquid to the second expansible vessel, the differing cross section ensuring that the longitudinal movement of the second vessel is different from that of the rod.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the blow molding of oriented, hollow containers from tubular parisons in which a tubing of plastic material at a suitable orientation temperature for the material is passed by a puller assembly to a cutter assembly. The free end of the tubing is grasped by a parison transfer assembly, after which parisons are cut from the tubing by the cutter assembly and positioned by the transfer assembly for placement within blow molders. The first of two blow molders moves toward the tubing centerline from a molding position to receive a parison. The parison transfer assembly is extended vertically to place the parison within the molding cavity of the open blow molder. The upper end of the parison is grasped by a tube clamp, and as the parison transfer assembly retracts, the parison is stretched prior to molder closure. The closed blow molder returns to its molding position to complete the blow molding of a finished, oriented container.