Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles. The fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 5%. Also disclosed are multi-strata absorbent structures, such as disposable absorbent articles, including the treated fibers and SAP particles. Further disclosed are methods for preparing absorbent structures including the treated fibers; structures including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and methods for treating or coating SAP particles with polyvalent cation-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber-reinforced cement based or cementitious material, and process for making, where the reinforcing fiber is a chemically treated cellulose or non-cellulose fiber. The fiber reinforced cementitious material includes (i) cement, (ii) optionally, sand, aggregate, or sand and aggregate, and (iii) chemically treated fibers having a polyvalent cation content of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent based on the dry weight of the treated fibers. The present invention further provides for a fiber reinforced cementitious material having a weak acid content of from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the dry weight of the treated fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles. The fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 5%. Also disclosed are multi-strata absorbent structures, such as disposable absorbent articles, including the treated fibers and SAP particles. Further disclosed are methods for preparing absorbent structures including the treated fibers; structures including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and methods for treating or coating SAP particles with polyvalent cation-containing compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles. The fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 5%. Also disclosed are multi-strata absorbent structures, such as disposable absorbent articles, including the treated fibers and SAP particles. Further disclosed are methods for preparing absorbent structures including the treated fibers; structures including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and methods for treating or coating SAP particles with polyvalent cation-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose fibers having low median desorption pressures and low water retention values (WRV), which exhibit improved drainage and fluid flow properties. These fibers are particularly well suited for use in acquisition, distribution, and acquisition-distribution layers, or in absorbent core structures. One embodiment of the invention is a method for preparing cellulose fibers by refining cellulose fibers to a freeness ranging from about 300 to about 700 ml CSF and crosslinking the refined fibers. Another embodiment of the invention is fibers crosslinked with at least one saturated dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, cycloalkyl discarboxylic acid, bifunctional monocarboxylic acid, or amine carboxylic acid. A crosslinking facilitator, such as oxalic acid, may be present during the crosslinking reaction to improve the efficacy of the crosslinking agent. Yet another embodiment of the invention is an absorbent core comprising SAP particles and reversible crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: Paper products having high initial wet strengths are disclosed. The paper products comprise cellulosic fibers having free aldehyde groups, which fibers are combined with a water-soluble polymer having functional groups that are reacted with the aldehyde groups to form bonds joining the fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the cellulosic fibers contain a polysaccharide in which the hydroxyl groups of at least a portion of the repeating units of the polysaccharide are cis-hydroxyl groups, preferred repeating units being mannose and/or galactose. Similarly, the water-soluble polymer is preferably a polysaccharide in which the hydroxyl groups of at least a portion of the repeating units of the polysaccharide are cis-hydroxyl groups. Preferred polysaccharides are derived from one or more sugars selected from mannose, galactose, allose, altrose, gulose, talose and lyxose.

Abstract: Compounds comprising the oxidation product of a polysaccharide in which the hydroxyl groups in at least a portion of the repeating units of the polysaccharide are cis-hydroxyl groups, the oxidation product comprising aldehyde groups, are disclosed. The compounds are useful for imparting temporary wet strength to paper products. Preferred polysaccharides for use in the invention include guar gum and locust bean gum.

Abstract: Modified cellulosic fibers are formed by (1) esterifying cellulosic fibers with a 1,2-disubstituted alkene that has at least one carboxylic acid group reactive with cellulosic hydroxyl groups and (2) oxidizing the esterified fibers to form aldehyde groups. The modified fibers are useful in paper products, which tend to have temporary wet strength. Strength additives may be included in the paper product to impart a higher level of temporary wet strength or permanent wet strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to paper products having temporary wet strength. The paper products contain cellulosic fibers that are treated with a polyaldehyde polymer having free aldehyde groups and a water soluble polyhydroxy polymer. The initial wet strength obtained with the combined use of these materials is significantly greater than that obtained by use of either the polyaldehyde or pelyhydroxy polymer alone. At the same time, the wet strength decays at a rate that is rapid enough to enable the paper product to be flushed under conditions of normal use.

Abstract: A temporary wet strength polymer and compositions for paper products, e.g., toilet tissue, is disclosed. The temporary wet strength polymer is the oxidation product of an esterified polyhydroxy polymer, more preferably of an esterified polysaccharide. The esterified polymer compound is formed by reacting the polyhydroxy polymer with a 1,2-disubstituted alkene compound that has at least one carboxylic acid group. The temporary wet strength polymer provides paper products having an initial wet strength that enables use of the product in the moistened condition, along with a suitable wet strength decay rate.