Abstract: A process for the production of a synthetically produced bentonite-type inorganic microparticle. The synthetic microparticle produced according to the process of the present invention is particularly useful in papermaking processes where retention, water drainage, sheet formation and tangible cost saving opportunities are important.

Abstract: A superb centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating feed, is provided for use in an effective separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary pipe and a rotating feed line comprising a centrifugal rotating downfeeder. The slurry is centrifugally discharged from the rotating downfeeder into the flotation chamber where the slurry is separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles for further processing.

Abstract: A hydrophobic filler material for neutral, alkaline and acidic papers is disclosed. The filler material comprises finely divided particles of an inorganic material, in admixture with a water miscible, butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile copolymer. A neutral or alkaline paper is disclosed. The neutral or alkaline paper comprises a hydrophobic filler material comprising inorganic material, in admixture with a water miscible, butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile copolymer. A method for improving sizing characteristics of neutral or alkaline paper is disclosed, comprising preparing a filler material and adding the same to cellulose fiber. The filler material is prepared by selecting particles of an inorganic material and admixing with a water miscible, butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile copolymer, forming a hydrophobic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dewatering of an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of non-ionic surfactants in dewatering aqueous slurries of an aragonitic precipitated calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate slurries dewatered using the non-ionic surfactants of the present invention have higher weight percent solids, decreased dispersant demand, and result in higher productivity.

Abstract: Novel polymers are provided having phosphonated and sulphonated substituent groups such that the polymer is multifunctional in its use. Optional amide substituent are used to reduce electrostatic charge density or for hydrogen bonding. An advantage of the polymer is the flexibility of using it for multiple purposes. A particular application is for bonding paper fillers and paper fiber together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calcium carbonate composition having both calcite and aragonite crystalline morphology. More particularly, the present invention relates to an acicular calcite and an acicular aragonite product and a method for the production of the same and the use of such as fillers, additives and modifiers of consumer and commercial products such as toothpaste, paper, plastics and sealants. The acicular calcite/aragonite composition of the present invention provides a balance of properties such as sheet bulk, strength, stiffness, and sizing, when employed as a filler for paper. As a coating pigment, the acicular calcite/aragonite product of the present invention provides gloss characteristics suitable for dull and matte grades of low gloss coated paper. Upon further processing such as milling, grinding, or other means of comminution, the resulting product provides gloss characteristics suitable for high gloss coated paper.

Abstract: A user-friendly centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating drum, is provided for use in an efficient separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary downfeeder to a centrifuge comprising a rotating flotation cell. The aerated slurry is centrifugally separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles. The froth is processed by froth flotation in a froth flotation chamber.

Abstract: A cored wire continuously formed by continuously inserting an extruded core inside a continuously roll formed sheath, the peripheral edges of the roll formed sheath joined by a continuous lock seam. Inspection of the partially formed lock seam at a designated process step serves to warn the user of malformed or defective lock seam portions in the finished cored wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calcium carbonate composition having both calcite and aragonite crystalline morphology. More particularly, the present invention relates to an acicular calcite and an acicular aragonite product and a method for the production of the same and the use of such as fillers, additives and modifiers of consumer and commercial products such as toothpaste, paper, plastics and sealants.The acicular calcite/aragonite composition of the present invention provides a balance of properties such as sheet bulk, strength, stiffness, and sizing, when employed as a filler for paper. As a coating pigment, the acicular calcite/aragonite product of the present invention provides gloss characteristics suitable for dull and matte grades of low gloss coated paper. Upon further processing such as milling, grinding, or other means of comminution, the resulting product provides gloss characteristics suitable for high gloss coated paper.

Abstract: This invention concerns a mixture of a first component selected from talcs and one or more second component(s) selected from diatomaceous earth, natural and synthetic silica, clay, ceramic spheres, volcanic ash and glass cullet wherein the ratio of the component to the second component(s) provides an enhanced abrasiveness property, an enhanced die pressure character, and a reduced melt fracture character. The invention further relates to an antiblock agent made from such mixture that significantly reduces or eliminates the need to provide polymer processing additives. This invention also relates to a masterbatch composition having an admixture such that enhanced die pressure character and/or reduced melt fracture character are obtained.

Abstract: A composition comprising the product precipitated in the admixing of a soluble metal salt and one or more compounds having a component selected from silicates, phosphates and borates; and a method for controlling drainage and/or retention in the formation of a paper matrix or for treating water comprising the use of such product.

Abstract: Cored wire is spirally wound on a storage reel with fixed space between each spiral in a given layer. Alternate layers are wound across the preceding layer in the same manner until the reel is full.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nozzle and a nozzle mix gunning system incorporating the nozzle for pneumatically propelling dry or wetted particulate gunning material toward a substrate a distance removed from the nozzle and at an angle to the line of sight of the operator. The nozzle comprises a plurality of substantially straight tubular sections. Each section is lined with an abrasion resistant material, and joined to the other sections in a manner that produces a curvature in the nozzle. The cross-section of the jacket sections and the bore of the abrasion resistant liner may be independently circular or polygonal, where a jacket or liner having a polygonal cross-section has at least three substantially flat sides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper coated with a coating pigment for rotogravure printing, and to a method for preparing such a paper. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of an aragonitic calcium carbonate pigment for coating paper that is useful in rotogravure printing. The present invention also relates to precipitated calcium carbonate particles having an aspect ratio of from about 3:1 to about 15:1, preferably from about 4:1 to about 7:1, and a multimodal particle size distribution, which is preferably bimodal or trimodal. Preferably, the aragonitic precipitated calcium carbonate is present in an amount from about 20 percent to about 100 percent by weight. Typically, the aragonitic precipitated calcium carbonate has a specific surface area of from about 4 m.sup.2 /g to about 15 m.sup.2 /g, preferably from about 5 m.sup.2 /g to about 7 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Filled paper is made by adding a cationising amount of cationic polymer to a slurry of precipitated calcium carbonate, mixing this slurry into a cellulosic suspension and forming a thin stock, adding anionic particulate material to the suspension before or after the slurry, mixing a polymeric retention aid into the thin stock which includes the precipitated calcium carbonate and the anionic particulate material, draining the thin stock on a screen to form a sheet and drying the sheet. A suitable slurry for this purpose is a slurry of 5 to 70% by weight precipitated calcium carbonate and cationic polymer selected from 0.1 to 1% cationic starch and 0.01 to 0.3% of a high charge density, relatively low molecular weight, cationic polymer.

Abstract: An improved thermal ink jet recording paper, incorporating heat aged precipitated calcium carbonate ("PCC") and a binder, is disclosed. Heat aging the PCC in the presence of an organophosphonate produces discrete particles of PCC with a surface morphology and chemistry that enhances the ability of the PCC to bind to ink jet ink without binding so strongly that the color of the ink is changed. Ink jet recording papers incorporating the PCC and binders of the present invention have reduced feathering, spreading, and penetration or backside showthrough, as well as improved optical density, dry time, and water fastness.

Abstract: A method of recycling mineral pigments contained in the waste produced from the deinking of wastepaper. The deink residue is heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to a temperature sufficient to completely oxidize all the organic hydrocarbons present. Heat, water, and carbon dioxide also are generated and may be captured and reused in the process. Combustion causes a chemical reaction to occur, so that the original pigments contained in the deink residue are converted to new, stable mineral forms. The ash from the combustion is primarily a mixture of gehlenite (Ca.sub.2 Al.sub.2,SiO.sub.7), anorthite (CaAl.sub.2 Si.sub.2 O.sub.8) and perovskite (CaTiO.sub.3). The ash containing the mixed mineral phases is added to a reactor in which carbon dioxide gas is bubbled through an aqueous slurry of calcium hydroxide so that precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is produced.

Abstract: Filled paper is made by adding a cationising amount of cationic polymer to precipitated calcium carbonate or other filler either as a slurry or in a thick stock component, producing a thin stock containing the cationised filler and then treating the thin stock with a formaldehyde resin and polyethylene oxide as a retention system prior to drainage and drying.

Abstract: A process for the precipitation of discrete prismatic calcium carbonate particles by carbonation of aqueous calcium hydroxide containing a saccharide or polysaccharide or a saccaride or polysaccharide and a metal ion at temperatures of from about 8.degree. C. to about 64.degree. C. is disclosed. The resulting product has specific surface areas between about 10 m.sup.2 /g and about 120 m.sup.2 /g and is useful in paints, plastics, paper coating, paper filling, and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: Novel precipitated calcium carbonate particles in clustered form, which when used as fillers impart improved strength, opacity and other advantages to paper, are prepared by a process involving adding lime and carbon dioxide to a reaction mixture containing seed material having a scalenohedral morphology, the lime and carbon dioxide being added simultaneously. The flow rates of the lime and carbon dioxide are adjusted to control the solution conductivity of the reaction minute to between about 2.0 and about 4.0 mS to form the clusters of calcite particles, the clusters having an average equivalent spherical diameter of between about 1.5 and 3.5 microns and a specific surface area of between about 2.0 and 9.0 m.sup.2 /g. At least about 25% of the particles of said clusters have a prismatic form.