Abstract: A cellulosic pulp, method of producing the pulp, and associated paper product produced therefrom produced by providing mercerized cellulosic fibers and depositing a hemicellulose coating upon the mercerized fibers. The hemicellulose is deposited upon the fibers by combining a hemicaustic solution with the mercerized fibers in the presence of an acidifying agent. When formed into a paper sheet, the invented fibers form a highly porous paper having improved strength and reduced dusting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wastewater treatment composition and a process of decolorizing pulp and paper mill wastewater and, more specifically, to a process for treating wastewater effluent from a pulp or paper mill with a microorganism whereby color bodies in the pulp and paper wastewater are thereby removed and the wastewater is decolorized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing reactive cellulose for use in the manufacture of cellulose acetate having superior clarity by mercerizing hardwood cellulosic material and reacting it with an hydroxyalkylating agent to a degree of molar substitution ranging from 0.04 to 0.15 per anhydroglucose unit in cellulose.

Abstract: A cellulosic pulp, method of producing the pulp, and associated paper product produced therefrom produced by providing mercerized cellulosic fibers and depositing a hemicellulose coating upon the mercerized fibers. The hemicellulose is deposited upon the fibers by combining a hemicaustic solution with the mercerized fibers in the presence of an acidifying agent. When formed into a paper sheet, the invented fibers form a highly porous paper having improved strength and reduced dusting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing reactive cellulose for use in the manufacture of cellulose acetate having superior clarity by mercerizing hardwood cellulosic material and reacting it with an hydroxyalkylating agent to a degree of molar substitution ranging from 0.04 to 0.15 per anhydroglucose unit in cellulose.

Abstract: Reinforced composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material melting above 180° C. and the cellulosic pulp fibers have an alpha-cellulose purity greater than 80% by weight. Methods of making and using the reinforced composites.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which to subject cellulosic fibers to alkaline treatment are provided. The systems and methods of the invention include equipment, such as nanofiltration units and slurry concentrators, which result in a lowered overall consumption of alkaline solution during alkaline treatment. The systems and methods of the invention further allow the components of hemicaustic streams produced by such alkaline treatments to be utilized in higher value end uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides composites prepared from melt blending compositions that generally include cellulosic pulp fibers having an alpha-cellulose purity of greater than 80% by weight, at least one water soluble binder, at least one lubricant, at least one compatibilizer, and at least one matrix polymer. The present invention further provides advantageous temperature profiles and feeding arrangements to be used in conjunction with the melt blending of such composites. The composites of the present invention exhibit reduced discoloration and improved fiber dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing water-insoluble cellulose fibers having high carboxyl content by reacting cellulose fiber in suspension with dicarboxylic acid anhydride or chloride in the presence of a basic catalyst. The fibers produced possess a unique combination of high carboxyl content in the range of 100 to 4000 meq/kg, and high average viscosity, in the range of 0.5 to 12 dl/g. The carboxylated cellulose fibers according the invention can be made with a combination of carboxyl content and average viscosity which are suitable for use in numerous applications, including absorbent products, health care products, specialty papers, adhesives, detergents, biodegradable fibers, precursors for aqueous coatings and ion exchange fibers.

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. This invention also includes a blended cellulose composition comprising a minor proportion of cellulose fibers having been similarly cross-linked with carboxylic acids and a major proportion of other cellulose fibers. This invention further provides individualized, chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers comprising mercerized individualized cellulosic fibers with a purity of at least 95%, cross-linked with carboxylic acids.

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: 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: Disclosed is a process for producing reactive cellulose for use in the manufacture of cellulose acetate having superior clarity by mercerizing hardwood cellulosic material and reacting it with an hydroxyalkylating agent to a degree of molar substitution ranging from 0.04 to 0.15 per anhydroglucose unit in cellulose.

Abstract: Reinforced composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material melting above 180° C. and the cellulosic pulp fibers have an alpha-cellulose purity greater than 80% by weight. Methods of making and using the reinforced composites.

Abstract: An absorbent material that can be used as an absorbent core in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products and incontinence devices is provided. An absorbent material of this invention contains cellulosic fibers at least a portion of which cellulosic fibers are treated with caustic at a low temperature. The absorbent material has superior absorptive, strength, and suppleness properties when compared to existing core materials. The material can be air-laid in one or more layers.

Abstract: An absorbent material that can be used as an absorbent core in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products and incontinence devices is provided. An absorbent material of this invention contains a blend of cellulosic fibers and a superabsorbent material. The absorbent material has superior wicking, strength and softness properties when compared to existing core materials. The material can be air-laid as a homogeneous blend of fiber and superabsorbent in one or more layers.

Abstract: Wood pulp sheets treated with triacetin and other compounds, or solutions or emulsions of same, having increased softness while maintaining absorbency, and methods for producing same. More particularly, the invention relates to the treatment of wood pulp useful for making a fluff pulp using a softening agent including alkyl ethers, aryl ethers and formic, ethanoic and propanoic esters of low molecular weight glycols, such as triacetin, propylene glycol diacetate and 2-phenoxyethanol.

Abstract: Saw mill apparatus and method are disclosed which provide improved cutting of logs. The saw mill apparatus supports and advances a log towards the saw mill's saw assembly and cuts the log longitudinally by a pair of parallel band saws. Blade guides are mounted to the blades of each of the band saws and are movable along the blades toward and away from the log being cut. The diameter of the log is sensed at plural longitudinal positions thereof and the blade guides are displaced along the band saw blades in response to each of the sensed diameters so that the blade guides are continuously positioned in close proximity to the log while it is being cut.

Abstract: A sampling device for a batch or continuous pulp digester for reduction of pulp sampling errors such as during a digester "blow" and for improving a pulping process based on the obtained samples.

Abstract: A sampling device for a batch or continuous pulp digester for reduction of pulp sampling errors such as during a digester "blow" and for improving a pulping process based on the obtained samples.