Abstract: Cellulosic fibers intrafiber crosslinked with a polymeric polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymeric polycarboxylic acid is polyacrylic acid and, in another embodiment, the polycarboxylic acid is polymaleic acid. Methods for forming cellulosic fibers having stable intrafiber crosslinks and for forming crosslinked cellulosic fibers having low knot level are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers intrafiber crosslinked with a polymeric polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymeric polycarboxylic acid is polyacrylic acid and, in another embodiment, the polycarboxylic acid is polymaleic acid. Methods for forming cellulosic fibers having stable intrafiber crosslinks and for forming crosslinked cellulosic fibers having low knot level are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-ply paperboard comprising at least one ply of conventional cellulose fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent; and at least one ply containing up to 20% of chemically intra-fiber crosslinked cellulosic high-bulk fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent may be a starch, a modified starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a polyamine, guar gum, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer or polyacrylonitrile. A method for making the paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and media are provided for producing bacterial cellulose under agitated culture conditions resulting in sustained production over an average of 70 hours of at least 0.1 g/liter per hour are achieved. A unique reticulated cellulose product is produced using the methods and conditions claimed, and may be in the form of a sheet characterized by substantial resistance to densification and great tensile strength when produced by sheet forming means. Strains of Acetobacter that are stable under agitated culture conditions and that exhibit substantially reduced gluconic and keto-gluconic acids production are described.

Abstract: A fiber/binding agent composition comprising: individualized chemically crosslinked high-bulk fibers comprising individualized fibers chemically intra-fiber crosslinked with a crosslinking agent that is a polycarboxylic acid or is selected from the group of urea derivatives consisting of methylated urea, methylated cyclic ureas, methylated lower alkyl substituted ureas, dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and methylated dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and mixtures thereof; and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent is selected from the group consisting of starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate latex, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer and polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: A method and media for producing bacterial cellulose under agitated culture conditions resulting in sustained production over an average of 70 hours of at least 0.1 g/liter per hour are achieved. A unique reticulated cellulose II product is produced using the methods and conditions claimed, and may be in the form of a sheet characterized by resistance to densification and great tensile strength when produced by sheet forming means. Also strains of Acetobacter that are stable under agitated culture conditions and that exhibit substantially reduced gluconic and keto-gluconic acids production are described.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are coated with a binder material with the binder material adhering the fibers to super absorbent particles. Fibers in the product are substantially unbonded except to the super absorbent particles. The binder may be present at an amount which is sufficient to substantially continuously coat the fibers. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be used. The binder material may be heat fusible or heat curable and the treated fibers mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: A fiber product comprises dry discontinuous fibers having a starch binder on at least a portion of the fiber surfaces, at least about seventy percent of the starch binder coated fibers being unbonded to one another, solid particles are adhered to the fibers by the binder without the binder entirely coating the particles. The fibers may be air laid into a web or formed into an absorbent structure. Superabsorbent particles are a specific example of the particles which may be adhered to the fibers.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are coated with a binder material with the binder material adhering the fibers to super absorbent particles. Fibers in the product are substantially unbonded except to the super absorbent particles. The binder may be present at an amount which is sufficient to substantially continuously coat the fibers. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be used. The binder material may be heat fusible or heat curable and the treated fibers mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: Materials are disclosed which are used to produce traces on a circuit board by means of extrusion. The materials are polymer thick films (PTF) which are thixotropic. Conductive traces are composed of conductive particles, a resin and hardener, and two solvents, one having a relatively high volatility and one having a relatively low volatility. Thus when a newly deposited trace is subjected to a stream of hot air, the fast solvent will substantially evaporate leaving a firm paste behind over which another layer of PTF can be written without causing interference between the layers. The slow solvent then permits the various layers of traces to be polymerized together at the same time in a one step operation. The insulative material is similar to the conductive material in that it includes a resin and hardener and two solvents of differening volatility. In addition, in the preferred mode, it includes a gelling agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for preparing electrically conductive traces on a circuit board using an additive technology. The traces are directly written in a serial process with each trace being able to be individually insulated. The apparatus includes an extrusion element for extruding a first material and a stage. The stage is for holding the extrusion element and the circuit board in relative proximity and for producing relative motion between the extrusion element and the circuit board in order to extrude the first material onto the surface of the circuit board along preselected paths to produce the electrically conductive traces. According to the method of invention, a first polymerizable material is extruded onto a circuit substrate support along preselected paths to form traces, and the first polymerizable material is polymerized, the first polymerizable material being conductive after polymerization.

Abstract: A durable launderable towel has a thermobonded core of thermoplastic and other fibers. The towel has at least one cover sheet which is preferably formed with apertures and has a limited stretchability. Limited stretchability may be achieved by prestretching and heat setting the cover sheet prior to assembly into a towel. The towel is also densified in a field pattern and is typically densified at the peripheral edge. Embossing is preferably used to form these densified areas. The combination of thermobonding the core, embossing and the use of apertured cover sheets results in a towel having the softness, drape and feel approaching that of cloth. By controlling the embossing on the wiping surface of the towel, a towel with surfaces having different wipe dry characteristics and textures can be produced.

Abstract: A method and media for producing bacterial cellulose under agitated culture conditions resulting in sustained production over an average of 70 hours of at least 0.1 g/liter per hour are achieved. A unique reticulated cellulose product is produced using the methods and conditions claimed, and may be in the form of a sheet characterized by substantial resistance to densification and great tensile strength when produced by sheet forming means.Strains of Acetobacter that are stable under agitated culture conditions and that exhibit substantially reduced gluconic and keto-gluconic acids production are described.

Abstract: Cellulose fibers are entrained in a gaseous medium and sized while entrained with a sizing material. The sizing material may comprise a nonaqueous solution of alkyl ketene dimer or other sizing material. Also, immersions of fibers in such a nonaqueous sizing solution is another approach for sizing fibers.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are entrained in a gaseous medium and coated while entrained with a substantially continuous coating of a binder material. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be applied to the entrained fibers. Also, one or more solid particulate materials may be adhered to the fibers by the binder material as the binder material dries. The binder material may be heat bondable and mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: Discontinuous fibers are entrained in a gaseous medium and coated while entrained with a substantially continuous coating of a binder material. Plural coatings of various binder materials may be applied to the entrained fibers. Also, one or more solid particulate materials may be adhered to the fibers by the binder material as the binder material dries. The binder material may be heat bondable and mixed with other fibers for use in producing a wide variety of products.

Abstract: A durable launderable towel has a thermobonded core of thermoplastic and other fibers. The towel has at least one cover sheet which is preferably formed with apertures. The towel is also densified in a field pattern and is typically densified at the peripheral edge. Embossing is preferably used to form these densified areas. The combination of thermobonding the core, embossing and the use of apertured cover sheets results in a towel having the softness, drape and feed approaching that of cloth. By controlling the embossing on the wiping surfaces of the towel, a towel with surfaces having different wipe dry characteristics and textures can be produced.

Abstract: The invention is a method of binding a portion of the cholesterol present in an aqueous suspension, such as the digestive system of a mammal. It involves the use of a purified bacterial cellulose in a sufficient amount to absorb or bind at least a portion of the cholesterol present in the system. The bacterial cellulose provides a dietary fiber component and is preferably one produced by a bacterium of the genus Acetobacter cultured under agitated aerobic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of bonding a fibrous wet laid nonwoven fabric-like product using bacterial cellulose as a binder. The bacterial cellulose most useful for the invention is the type formed in an agitated culture. Microorganisms of the genus Acetobacter which are genetically adapted to be good cellulose producers under agitated conditions are preferred cellulose producers. From 1-30% of the bacterial cellulose may be added to a water slurry of other sheet forming fibers as a binder. Preferably 20% or less bacterial cellulose is used since higher amounts retard drainage rates significantly. Bacterial cellulose conveys many desirable properties such as excellent hydrophilicity with low air porosity and high tensile index. It may be used in many cases as a total replacement for the latex binders now used for manufacture of nonwoven fabrics. Bacterial cellulose is especially well adapted for the manufacture of pattern bonded sheets.

Abstract: Articles are formed of materials which have at least one layer comprising a mixture of thermoplastic and other fibers. This latter layer may be thermobonded together and then densified along at least a section of the eventual peripheral edge margin of an article to be formed from the material. Thermoplastic material containing cover sheets may also be secured to the core and densified in this manner. The entire eventual peripheral edge margin of the article is typically densified. The material is cut within the densified region or slightly outside the densified region to provide a soft peripheral edge. Absorbent materials may be thermobonded within the layer and surrounded by a densified edge to fix them within the article. The composite materials are used in manufacturing infant car seat liners and other articles. In addition, sections of the material may be densified and provided with weakened areas, such as perforations, to enable users to selectively separate the articles along the perforations.