Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of making carboxylated cellulose fibers whose fiber strength and degree of polymerization is not significantly sacrificed. The method involves the use of cyclic nitroxide free radical compounds as a primary oxidant and a hypohalite salt as a secondary oxidant in an aqueous environment. Preferably the oxidized cellulose is then stabilized against D.P. loss in alkaline environments and color reversion with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. Alternatively it may be treated with an oxidant such as sodium chlorite. The method results in a high percentage of carboxyl groups located at the fiber surface. The product is especially useful as a papermaking fiber where it contributes strength and has a higher attraction for cationic additives. The product is also useful as an additive to recycled fiber to increase strength. The method can be used to improve properties of either virgin or recycled fiber.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing fibrous products that incorporate the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for increasing filler retention of cellulosic fiber sheets is disclosed. In the method, cellulosic fibers with increased anionic sites are treated with either positively charged filler particles and/or amphoteric filler particles or a cationic retention aid and negatively charged filler particles and/or amphoteric filler particles. Cellulosic fiber sheets with retained filler particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides molded bodies made from a treated kraft pulp, the pulp having a high hemicellulose content or at least 7% a low copper number of less than 2, and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) that has a range of 200 to 1100.

Abstract: The invention is lyocell fiber characterized by a pebbled surface as seen at high magnification and having a variable cross section and diameter along and between fibers. The fiber is produced by centrifugal spinning, melt blowing or its spunbonding variation. The fibers can be made in the microdenier range with average weights as low as one denier or less. The fibers have inherently low gloss and can be formed into tight yarns for making fabrics of very soft hand. Alternatively, the fibers can be formed into self bonded nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulosic fibers having high wet bulk and methods for their preparation. In one embodiment, the invention provides cellulosic fibers catalytically crosslinked with glyoxal and, optionally, a glycol. In another embodiment, cellulosic fibers are crosslinked with a combination of glyoxal and a glyoxal-derived resin selected from the group consisting of a glyoxal/polyol condensate, a cyclic urea/glyoxal/polyol condensate, a cyclic urea/glyoxal condensate, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, useful for making lyocell fibers, having a high hemicellulose content, a low lignin content and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.). Further, the present invention provides processes for making compositions, useful for making lyocell fibers, having a high hemicellulose content, a low lignin content and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization. The present invention also provides lyocell fibers containing a high proportion of hemicellulose. Further, the lyocell fibers of the present invention have enhanced dye-binding properties and a reduced tendency to fibrillate.

Abstract: Carboxylated cellulosic fibers having a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled thereto and a water retention value greater than or equal to the water retention value of the fibers from which the carboxylated fibers are formed; fibrous products that incorporate the carboxylated fibers; methods for making the fibers; and methods for making the fibrous products that incorporate the fibers.

Abstract: A lyocell nonwoven fabric having fibers characterized by pebbled surfaces and variable cross sections and diameters along the fibers and from fiber to fiber, is disclosed. The lyocell nonwoven fabric is produced by centrifugal spinning, melt blowing or spunbonding. The lyocell nonwoven fabric has fibers that can be made in the microdenier range with average weights as low as one denier or less. The lyocell nonwoven fabric has fibers with low gloss, a reduced tendency to fibrillate and have enhanced dye receptivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lyocell fibers having a high hemicellulose content of at least 5%, a low lignin content as measured by a kappa number less than 2.0 and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) in the range of 200 to 1100. Further, the lyocell fibers of the present invention have enhanced dye-binding properties and a reduced tendency to fibrillate.

Abstract: The present invention provides lyocell films, having a high hemicellulose content of at least 5%, a low copper number of less than 2, and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) in the range of about 200 to 1100.

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 of chemically intrafiber 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: The present invention provides molded bodies made from a treated kraft pulp, the pulp having a high hemicellulose content or at least 7% a low copper number of less than 2, and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) that has a range of 200 to 1100.

Abstract: The present invention provides lyocell films, having a high hemicellulose content of at least 5%, a low copper number of less than 2, and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) in the range of about 200 to 1100.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lyocell fibers having a high hemicellulose content of at least 5%, a low lignin content as measured by a kappa number less than 2.0 and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.) in the range of 200 to 1100. Further, the lyocell fibers of the present invention have enhanced dye-binding properties and a reduced tendency to fibrillate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making lyocell fibers. In particular, the process includes reducing the average degree of polymerization of a pulp to about 200 to 1100 without substantially reducing the hemicellulose content of the pulp, and reducing the copper number to less than 2.0.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of making carboxylated cellulose fibers whose fiber strength and degree of polymerization is not significantly sacrificed. The method involves the use of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy free radical) as a primary oxidant and a hypohalite salt as a secondary oxidant in an aqueous environment. Preferably the oxidized cellulose is then stabilized against D.P. loss in alkaline environments and color reversion with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. Alternatively it may be treated with an oxidant such as sodium chlorite. The method results in a high percentage of carboxyl groups located at the fiber surface. The product is especially useful as a papermaking fiber where it contributes strength and has a higher attraction for cationic additives. The product is also useful as an additive to recycled fiber to increase strength. The method can be used to improve properties of either virgin or recycled fiber.