Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the solution rheology of cellulose ethers prepared from cellulose pulp is altered by mercerizing and recovering cellulose pulp before preparing the cellulose ethers. For example, the solution viscosity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produced from mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp is significantly greater than that produced from non-mercerized cellulose pulp. The present invention provides a method of preparing cellulose ethers comprising the steps of (a) obtaining mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp, and (b) converting the mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp into the cellulose ethers. According to one embodiment, the cellulose pulp is southern softwood kraft and the mercerized cellulose pulp has a TAPPI 230 om-89 viscosity of at most 12 cP. This method, however, may be applied to all cellulose pulps, regardless of their viscosities, including those which, when mercerized, have a viscosity greater than 12 cP.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the solution rheology of cellulose ethers prepared from cellulose pulp is altered by mercerizing and recovering cellulose pulp before preparing the cellulose ethers. For example, the solution viscosity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produced from mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp is significantly greater than that produced from non-mercerized cellulose pulp. The present invention provides a method of preparing cellulose ethers comprising the steps of (a) obtaining mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp, and (b) converting the mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp into the cellulose ethers. The mercerized cellulose pulp is typically substantially free of cellulose III. Mercerized cellulose pulp prepared by this method has a greater percentage of crystalline cellulose II and a smaller crystalline area than that of non-mercerized cellulose pulp.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the solution rheology of cellulose ethers prepared from cellulose pulp is altered by mercerizing and recovering cellulose pulp before preparing the cellulose ethers. For example, the solution viscosity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produced from mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp is significantly greater than that produced from non-mercerized cellulose pulp. The present invention provides a method of preparing cellulose ethers comprising the steps of (a) obtaining mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp, and (b) converting the mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp into the cellulose ethers. The mercerized cellulose pulp is typically substantially free of cellulose III. Mercerized cellulose pulp prepared by this method has a greater percentage of crystalline cellulose II and a smaller crystalline area than that of non-mercerized cellulose pulp.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process of manufacture of resin treated mercerized cellulose fibers and fibrous products prepared therefrom and is directed particularly to a method of improving permeability and bulking properties and reducing water retention value (WRV) of a conventional high permeability bulk pulp. The invention also includes the improved cellulose fibers, cellulosic sheet materials containing said fibers, and products therefrom (such as automotive oil and air filters).

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the solution rheology of cellulose ethers prepared from cellulose pulp is altered by mercerizing and recovering cellulose pulp before preparing the cellulose ethers. For example, the solution viscosity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produced from mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp is significantly greater than that produced from non-mercerized cellulose pulp. The present invention provides a method of preparing cellulose ethers comprising the steps of (a) obtaining mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp, and (b) converting the mercerized and recovered cellulose pulp into the cellulose ethers. According to one embodiment, the cellulose pulp is southern softwood kraft and the mercerized cellulose pulp has a TAPPI 230 om-89 viscosity of at most 12 cP. This method, however, may be applied to all cellulose pulps, regardless of their viscosities, including those which, when mercerized, have a viscosity greater than 12 cP.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process of manufacture of resin treated mercerized cellulose fibers and fibrous products prepared therefrom and is directed particularly to a method of improving permeability and bulking properties and reducing water retention value (WRV) of a conventional high permeability bulk pulp. The invention also includes the improved cellulose fibers, cellulosic sheet materials containing said fibers, and products therefrom (such as automotive oil and air filters).

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.

Abstract: A two-ply nonwoven fabric laminate comprises a first-ply of synthetic fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2 ; and a second ply of fibrous nonwoven material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness, and having a basis weight of from about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 50 g/m.sup.2. The inner surfaces of the first and second plies are adhered at their interface by a flexible, soft latex binder. The binder is adhered to substantially all fibers exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second plies. The binder is present in the first ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness, and is present in the second ply from its inner surface to a depth of from about 20% to about 80% of its thickness.