Abstract: Particles comprising a combination of a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch, wherein the particles comprise a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks. The non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks include multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.

Abstract: Cellulose filtration products comprising nonwoven meltblown lyocell fiber webs in which the fibers have a diameter of from 3 to 12 microns, the largest pore diameter of less than about 300 microns and a mean flow pore diameter of less than about 150 microns are disclosed. Multilayer nonwoven lyocell fiber webs are also disclosed which have lower mean flow pore diameters and lower pore sizes.

Abstract: A mixed polymer composite fiber including a carboxyalkyl cellulose, a starch, and a plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks. The non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks include multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.

Abstract: A method for making fibers having particles attached thereto, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a first crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked 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 a aqueous dispersion comprising cellulose fibers and a first water-miscible solvent and, optionally, a second crosslinking agent, to provide a mixture comprising swollen particles and cellulose fibers; and adding a second water-miscible solvent to the mixture to provide fibers having particles attached thereto.

Abstract: A composite fiber comprising cellulose fiber and a fiber comprising a carboxyalkyl cellulose, a starch, and a plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks. The plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks are multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.

Abstract: A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked 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 starch are blended in water to provide an aqueous gel; the aqueous gel treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; the crosslinked 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: Cellulose fibers having particles attached thereto, the particles comprising a carboxyalkyl cellulose, a starch, and a plurality of non-permanent metal crosslinks. The non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks include multi-valent metal ion crosslinks formed with one or more metal ions selected from aluminum, boron, bismuth, titanium, and zirconium ions.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a fluid dispensing pump interchangeably connected to a fluid dispensing pump manipulator that is capable of translating the fluid dispensing pump between two known positions along the Z-axis, and at least one open ended container, such as a seedcoat, disposed below the fluid dispensing pump for receiving fluid therefrom. The fluid dispensing system further includes a controller. The controller 30 sends control signals for automating the fluid dispensing process.

Abstract: A layer of containers which can be moved by a clamp lift truck. The containers are held together by a layer lift sheet which is attached to the bottoms of the containers and holds them together along their sides and ends. The layer lift sheet has perforations that align with the juxtaposed sides and ends of the containers.

Abstract: A tray has a bottom panel, side and end panels and top shoulders at opposed ends of the tray. A separate cover extends across the top and down opposed sides of the tray. The cover has attachment tabs that extend into attachment slots in the tray. The trays may be stacked with an upper tray resting on the shoulders of the lower tray. The cover is a cover for the stack of trays with the side panels of the cover sized for different numbers of trays in the stack. One embodiment has stacking tabs extending above the tray. The cover has cut-outs to accommodate the stacking tabs.

Abstract: A tray has a bottom panel, side and end panels and top shoulders at opposed ends of the tray. The tray is covered by a separate sleeve that extends across the top of the tray and down opposed sides and across the bottom of the tray. The trays may be stacked with an upper tray resting on the shoulders of the lower tray. The sleeve is a sleeve for the stack of trays with the side panels of the sleeve sized for different numbers of trays in the stack. There may be frictional tabs in the side panels of the tray or trays which have frictional engagement with the side panels of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method is described for separating pin chips from a wood furnish of wood chips, pin chips and fines mixture. In the method, the wood chips are separated from the pin chip and fines mixture and treated with a surfactant to lower the interfacial surface tension between the pin chip and the fibers. The resulting treated pin chip and fines mixture is then mechanically separated into the individual pin chip and fines fraction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.

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 present invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the present invention each include the step of continuously culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in liquid multiplication medium for a period of time sufficient for the embryogenic tissue to multiply.

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 is disclosed for classifying plant embryos according to their quality using a logistic regression model. First, sets of image or spectral data are acquired from plant embryos of known quality, respectively. Second, each of the acquired sets of image or spectral data is associated with one of multiple class labels according to the corresponding embryo's known quality. Third the sets of image or spectral data values are filtered to provide filtered image or spectral data values. Fourth, a classification algorithm, e.g., a logistic regression analysis is applied to the filtered data values and their corresponding class labels to develop a classification model. Fifth, image or spectral data are acquired from a plant embryo of unknown quality, and filtered data values are derived therefrom. Sixth, the classification model is applied to the filtered data values for the plant embryo of unknown quality to classify the same.

Abstract: Methods for determining appropriate span lengths for a given piece of lumber for use as a joist and conveying that information to a user are provided. The appropriate span length may be a function of load type, amount of load, bending stiffness, joist spacing, or the like. The span lengths may be conveyed via, for example, printing of a table onto the lumber piece itself. A user may then review the table and determine into which applications the lumber may be implemented. Accordingly, the method of the present invention enables more efficient allocation of lumber towards building needs.

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.