Abstract: A container (10) generally includes a cellulose-based sheet (22) having a corrugated medium (24) spanning between first and second linerboards (26 and 28) and a fluid-resistant barrier (36) attached to one of the first and second linerboards. The container further includes at least one cutout (30) extending through the sheet and a covering (32) spanning a periphery (34) of the at least one cutout.

Abstract: A method for adhering superabsorbent particles to cellulose fibers, comprising optionally treating cellulose treated with a hydrophilic polysaccharide polymer with a crosslinking agent in water to provide a first aqueous mixture; adding a plurality of superabsorbent particles to the first aqueous suspension to provide a second aqueous mixture; and mixing the second aqueous mixture with a water-miscible solvent to provide cellulose fibers having superabsorbent particles adhered thereto.

Abstract: A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer in water to provide an aqueous solution; treating the aqueous solution with a crosslinking agent to provide a gel; drying the gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles.

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers in which a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer are blended in water to provide an aqueous solution; the aqueous solution treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a gel; the gel is formed into get fibers using melt blowing, centrifugal spinning, wet spinning or dry-jet wet spinning; and the fibers treated with water miscible solvent to form mixed polymer composite fibers. The fiber has a diameter in the range of 50 ?m to 1000 ?m.

Abstract: A mixed polymer composite fiber including a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or glucomannan polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous composite, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer in water to provide an aqueous solution; treating the aqueous solution with a first crosslinking agent to provide a gel; drying the gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles; combining at least a portion of the plurality of particles with an aqueous suspension comprising cellulose treated with a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer, and optionally a second crosslinking agent, to provide a mixture; and mixing the mixture with a water-miscible solvent to provide a fibrous composite.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes air cell structure that allows for a container with a constant outside volume to have a variable inside volume. The air cell structure container functions to prevent telescoping of vertically stacked container and for strength and stability. The container may be partially assembled for shipping and hand set into final assembly as needed.

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers containing cellulose fibers in which cellulose fibers are dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer in water to provide an aqueous fiber dispersion; the aqueous dispersion treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a gel; the gel mixed with a water-miscible solvent to provide composite fibers; and the composite fibers treated with a second crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: A print verification system includes a print station for printing an image and a test pattern onto a selected substrate, an image capture device for capturing a digital image of the test pattern, and a computing system for controlling the printing process. The computing system includes an image analysis module for analyzing the images captured by the image capture device. Upon analysis of the captured image, the system is capable of generating an alert signal if a determination is made that the pattern is representative of an adverse operational condition.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos from pre-cotyledonary embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention include the step of (a) dispensing a plurality of pre-cotyledonary embryos onto a porous material horizontally disposed over a non-porous surface in a volume of sterile dilution medium sufficient to submerge at least the surface of the porous material, thereby uniformly dispersing the pre-cotyledonary embryos; (b) removing the sterile dilution medium from the non-absorbent porous material, thereby trapping the uniformly dispersed pre-cotyledonary embryos on the porous material; and (c) contacting the pre-cotyledonary embryos trapped on the porous material with development medium for a period of time sufficient to produce conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos.

Abstract: A fibrous composite, comprising cellulose fibers treated with a first galactomannan polymer or a first glucomannan polymer, the treated fibers having particles attached thereto, the particles comprising carboxyalkyl cellulose, a second galactomannan polymer or a second glucomannan polymer, and a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks.

Abstract: Substantially water-insoluble, water-swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers, wherein the fibers have a surface having the appearance of the surface of a cellulose fiber, and wherein the fibers include a plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks and a plurality of permanent intra-fiber crosslinks; and fiber bundles that include the fibers.

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers in which a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer are blended in water to provide an aqueous solution; the aqueous solution treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a gel; the gel mixed with a water-miscible solvent to provide fibers; and the fibers treated with a second crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked mixed polymer composite fibers.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically harvesting and screening plant embryos in multiple stages to identify those embryos that are suited for incorporation into manufactured seeds are provided. The method includes generally three steps. First, plant embryos are automatically sorted according to their trough size/shape and also singulated into discrete embryo units, for example by vibrational sieving. Second, the sorted and singulated plant embryos are classified using a first classification method. For example, each embryo may be imaged by a camera and the image is used to ascertain the embryo's more precise size/shape. Third, for those embryos that have passed the first classification method, a second classification method is applied. For example, a pre-developed classification algorithm to classify embryos according to their putative germination vigor may be applied to the same image used in the first classification method, to identify those embryos that are likely to germinate.

Abstract: Dried, singulated cellulose pulp fiber is produced by introducing wet pulp steam and air into a jet dryer. The air is heated to a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C. Steam is injected at a nozzle pressure of from 344 KPa (50 psig) to 4,137 KPa (600 psig). The pulp is removed from the jet dryer and separated from the air. The product formed has advantageous properties such as low fines count, improved kink curl and twist, and high permeability.

Abstract: A pulp flaker is disclosed which has a housing with an inlet and an outlet and two rotors in the housing which are parallel to each other. A plurality of fingers are arranged circumferentially and longitudinally on each rotor and on rotation the fingers of one rotor pass interspaced between the fingers of the second rotor in the region between the rotors.

Abstract: A transport mechanism (20) for use in a manufactured seed assembly is provided. The transport mechanism includes first and second arms (24a and 24b) attached to an actuator (22). Each of the first and second arms having an attachment end (46) coupled to the actuator and a free end (48). The first and second arms being deployable between a closed position, wherein the first and second arms are displaced towards each other for clamping onto an object (34) having a shape, and an open position. The transport mechanism also includes a gripping member (50) located on the free end of each of the first and second arms.

Abstract: Methods for improving the internal bond strength of paperboard with greater than 25 percent crosslinked fiber in at least one ply are described. In the methods, additives are added to the slurry in various combinations and order while maintaining the ionic demand of the slurry at less than zero. Paperboard with high ZDT, Scott Bond and Taber Stiffness is obtained.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting properties based on stress wave velocity measurements, such as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and/or warp potential of trees and/or logs from a timber-based raw material group (“TBRMG”). The methods provide a formula allowing compensation for growth rate differences between stands. Accordingly, the present invention prevents underestimation or overestimation of MOE and/or warp potential.

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device 20 includes a device body 22 having a pick-up tip opening 78 to which vacuum pressure is supplied. The vacuum pick-up device 20 further includes a mechanical release assisting device 36 that assists in the release of a grasped object contemporaneously with or slightly subsequent to the cessation of vacuum pressure. A manifold 38 may be included to efficiently and effectively supply vacuum pressure to the device body 22 from a vacuum pressure source.