Abstract: Provided is a hydrogel sheet being excellent in strength and flexibility and having high water content in spite of comprising a smaller amount of polymer material; and a method for producing a hydrogel sheet which is convenient and has high productivity. More specifically, provided is a hydrogel sheet comprising (methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid) crosspolymer, low-substituted cellulose ether and water wherein the low-substituted cellulose ether has a molar substitution degree of 0.05 to 1.0 per an anhydrous glucose unit and is insoluble in water but soluble in an aqueous alkali solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing cold water-soluble polymer particles is described. The method includes subjecting a liquid containing a wetting agent or a powder of the wetting agent to dropping or spraying over or mixing with a starting water-soluble polymer particles while fluidizing the starting polymer particles without subsequent forced drying and grinding of the resulting particles. According to the invention, a powder or particulate product of a cold water-soluble polymer having excellent water wettability and capable of being quickly dissolved in water without formation of undissolved powder can be reasonably prepared and obtained from powdery or particulate water-soluble polymers without resorting to forced drying operations.

Abstract: Provided is hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose which can be dissolved at room temperature of 20 to 30° C. and has high thermoreversible gel strength during thermoreversible gelation. More specifically, provided is water-soluble hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose having a molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups of 0.05 to 0.1 and a substitution degree of methoxyl groups of 1.6 to 1.9, wherein the hydroxyalkoxyl groups are classified into substituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups having hydroxyl groups of hydroxyalkoxyl groups substituted further with methoxyl groups and unsubstituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups having hydroxyl groups of hydroxyalkoxyl groups not further substituted; and a ratio (A/B) of a molar fraction (A) of the substituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups to a molar fraction (B) of unsubstituted hydroxyalkoxyl groups is 0.4 or greater.

Abstract: A process for producing a transparent or opaque silica glass product including mixing a silica fine powder and a cellulose derivative and injection molding the mixture, followed by degreasing treatment and baking treatment, which is characterized in that the cellulose derivative is a cellulose derivative which causes reversible thermal gelation in an aqueous solution of at least one member selected from methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose; in producing a transparent silica glass product, the cellulose derivative is added in water heated at a gelation temperature thereof or higher, and after cooling, the formed aqueous solution is kneaded with the silica fine powder; and in producing an opaque silica glass product, the cellulose derivative is added in a silica slurry containing a silica powder and heated at a gelation temperature of the cellulose derivative or higher.

Abstract: Polysaccharide is wet pulverized by ejecting a liquid dispersion of polysaccharide from a pair of nozzles under a high pressure of 70 to 250 MPa to form a pair of jets so that the jets collide against each other. The nozzles are oriented to define a collision angle of 95-178° and the number of pulverizing cycles is adjusted such that the polysaccharide is pulverized to an average particle length which is equal to or less than ¼ of the initial average particle length while undergoing a reduction in degree of polymerization of less than 10%.

Abstract: In an extrusion or injection molding composition comprising water-insoluble particles, a water-soluble binder, and water, true spherical particles having an average particle size of 0.2-20 ?m are used as the water-insoluble particles. The addition of a small amount of a binder to water-insoluble particles as the substrate facilitates molding operation and enables to produce a molded part featuring a shape stability after molding.

Abstract: A water-soluble cellulose ether is separated from its suspension by passing a suspension of water-soluble cellulose ether particles in water through a filter of perforated metallic or ceramic filter medium under pressure, removing the filter cake of water-soluble cellulose ether from the filter medium, and cleaning the filter medium with steam, compressed air or water under pressure. The invention enables to separate a water-soluble cellulose ether, especially having a high dissolution temperature, avoids the filter from being clogged, and extends the operative time of the filter.

Abstract: A method for preparing cold water-soluble polymer particles is described. The method includes subjecting a liquid containing a wetting agent or a powder of the wetting agent to dropping or spraying over or mixing with a starting water-soluble polymer particles while fluidizing the starting polymer particles without subsequent forced drying and grinding of the resulting particles. According to the invention, a powder or particulate product of a cold water-soluble polymer having excellent water wettability and capable of being quickly dissolved in water without formation of undissolved powder can be reasonably prepared and obtained from powdery or particulate water-soluble polymers without resorting to forced drying operations.

Abstract: The present invention is to solve the problems caused by a conventional method for producing a zinc chloride-loaded support wherein zinc chloride is adsorbed on a solid support in an aqueous solution of zinc chloride. The problems include environmental destruction caused by the treatment of a used aqueous solution of zinc chloride, corrosion to a reactor, a threat to health for workers, deterioration of zinc chloride due to deliquescence thereof, and reduction of specific surface area.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers is provided, which method comprises suspending and dispersing in water under shear force a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges from 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting dispersion and a crosslinking agent or an aqueous resin emulsion to fibers, and thermally treating the applied fibers.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers comprises steps of adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting solution to fibers, neutralizing the applied solution with an acid for coagulation, and thermally treating the fibers. Alternatively, the method comprises adding a crosslinking agent and/or an aqueous resin emulsion to an alkali aqueous solution dissolving therein a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydroxyalkyl group ranges 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting solution to fibers, thermally treating the thus applied fibers, and applying an acid to the fibers to neutralize the alkali left on the fibers.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers is provided, which method comprises dispersing in water or a dilute alkali aqueous solution under shear a cellulose ether having such a low degree of substitution that a molar degree of substitution with an alkyl group and/or a hydoxyalkyl group ranges from 0.05 to 1.3, applying the resulting dispersion to fibers, and drying the applied fibers.

Abstract: A freeze-dried food product comprising a water-soluble cellulose ether and agar maintains its shape both when rehydrated and when cooled thereafter and offers a mouth feel comparable to the original.

Abstract: A water-soluble cellulose ether is selected by judging whether the number of undissolved fibers having a size of 16–200 ?m is up to 350 fibers/2 ml in a 0.1 wt % aqueous solution of the cellulose ether at 25° C. This water-soluble cellulose ether forms an aqueous solution which can be filtered without clogging and can form a very thin film without defectives.

Abstract: Polysaccharide is wet pulverized by ejecting a liquid dispersion of polysaccharide from a pair of nozzles under a high pressure of 70 to 250 MPa to form a pair of jets so that the jets collide against each other. The nozzles are oriented to define a collision angle of 95-178° and the number of pulverizing cycles is adjusted such that the polysaccharide is pulverized to an average particle length which is equal to or less than ¼ of the initial average particle length while undergoing a reduction in degree of polymerization of less than 10%.

Abstract: In a paper/film composite structure, the film is made of a low substituted cellulose ether having a molar degree of substitution with alkyl and/or hydroxyalkyl groups in the range of 0.05 to 1.3. The paper/film composite structure can be delivered to the waste paper recycling process without previously removing the film portion. The strength of film is increased without adding to the manufacturing cost. The paper/film composite structure is inexpensive and eliminates the risk of film rupture during the working, transporting and use stages.

Abstract: A release sustaining composition comprising a polyalkylene polyol derivative comprising repeating units U-1 derived from a water-soluble polyalkylene polyol and a polyisocyanate and repeating units U-2 derived from a dihydroxy compound and a polyisocyanate in a molar ratio of U-1/U-2 between 0.5/0.5 and 0.99/0.01 and optionally a water-soluble cellulose ether is combined with an active ingredient to make a sustained release preparation.

Abstract: A capsule with good disintegration properties that can quickly display its content's efficacy as well as a method for preparing the same are provided. More specifically, provided is a capsule comprising a shell comprising low-substituted cellulose ether. Also, provided is a method for preparing a hard capsule comprising the low-substituted cellulose ether comprising a step of covering a pin for forming the hard capsule with the low-substituted cellulose ether by immersing the pin in an alkaline solution of the low-substituted cellulose ether; a step of forming the low-substituted cellulose on a surface of the pin into a gel by further immersing the covered pin in an aqueous acid solution; a step of washing by immersing the pin whose surface has been covered with the gel in water; and a step of drying.

Abstract: Provided are a gel sheet comprising a polymer, having a high water content, having high strength and being harmless to the body; a cosmetic moisturizing sheet providing comfortable touch feeling to the skin and exhibits good adhesion to the skin; and a preparation method of these sheets. More specifically, provided is a gel sheet comprising low-substituted cellulose ether having a molar substitution degree of from 0.05 to 1.0, water-soluble cellulose ether having a molar substitution degree of from 1.1 to 1.4 and water. Also provided is a method for preparing a gel sheet, comprising steps of casting an aqueous alkaline solution comprising low-substituted cellulose ether having a molar substitution degree of from 0.05 to 1.0 and water-soluble cellulose ether having a molar substitution degree of from 1.1 to 1.4 on a plate, coagulating the cast solution, and washing the cast coagulated solution.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the absolute molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose by using the light scattering method. More specifically, provided is a method for determining the absolute molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose comprising steps of carbanilating a portion or all of the hydroxyl groups of the low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, dissolving the carbanilated cellulose in a solvent to prepare a sample solution, and analyzing the resulting sample solution by subjecting it to gel permeation chromatography coupled with light scattering with a solvent identical or similar in kind to the solvent as a mobile phase.