Abstract: Wood pulp is treated with an esterase formulation in combination with a metal ion or cationic polymer to increase the stability or activity or both of esterase enzymes at high temperature, or at extreme pH ranges of acidic and alkaline conditions. The treatment by esterase together with metals ion or cationic polymer can be used to treat pitch containing pulp at high temperatures prior to, during or after refining of wood chip/pulp, in order to enhance the reduction of pitch problems and facilitate in the manufacture of paper.

Abstract: A water-resistant/oil-resistant agent for paper containing (I) a fluorine-containing copolymer including repeating units derived from: (a) a fluorine-containing monomer that has a fluoroalkyl group and that is represented by general formula (1): CH2?C(—X)—C(?O)—Y—Z—Rf (where X is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-21 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, or the like; Y is —O— or —NH—; Z is an aliphatic group having 1-10 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having 6-10 carbon atoms, a cycloaliphatic group, or the like; and Rf is a linear or branched fluoroalkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms), and (b) a (meth)acrylate monomer containing no fluorine atoms; and (II) a polypropylene glycol compound. Also disclosed is a method for treating paper, a treated paper and a composition for treating paper containing the water-resistant/oil resistant agent.

Abstract: Expandable microspheres formed by suspension polymerization using a shot growth method are provided. The microspheres are formed of a continuous, gas impermeable shell surrounding a blowing agent. The shell includes a first polymer layer formed from primary monomers and a second layer that includes a chemically reactive monomer or a high Tg monomer. To form the microspheres, the primary monomers are polymerized in a reaction vessel to an approximate 90% polymerization, at which time a secondary monomer that is either a monomer having a Tg of at least 85° C. or a chemically reactive monomer, is added to the reaction vessel to drive the polymerization reaction to completion. The outer layer thus contains either a larger amount of the high Tg monomer or a chemically reactive monomer that possesses the ability to covalently bond a cationic species. The microspheres may be used in papermaking processes to increase the paper bulk.

Abstract: A water-soluble interjacent complex that includes a first water-soluble polymer and one or more water-soluble monomers polymerized to form a second water-soluble polymer in the presence of the first water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble interjacent complex forms a solution in water that is free of insoluble polymer particles. The interjacent complexes may be used to treat a waste sludge by adding an effective amount thereof to the waste sludge. The interjacent complexes may also be used in making paper by adding an effective amount thereof to a pulp or a forming sheet at a suitable location on a paper making machine. The interjacent complexes may further be used as a rheology modifier in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount thereof to an aqueous medium to effect a desired viscosity, rheology, or flow curve property.

Abstract: Selected chlorohydrin and cationic compounds containing nitroxide or hydroxylamine moieties are effective in stabilizing pulp or paper, especially pulp or paper containing lignin, against yellowing and discoloration due to the adverse effects of light. These compounds are added at various points in the paper-making process, especially at the wet ends, making the need for water soluble or water dispersible materials having high affinity for pulp or paper essential. This performance is often further enhanced by the presence of one or more coadditives selected from the group consisting of the UV absorbers, the polymeric inhibitors, the nitrones, the fluorescent whitening agents and metal chelating agents. Combinations of hydroxylamines or their salts, benzotriazole or benzophenone UV absorbers and a metal chelating agent are particularly effective.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flushable paper product comprising a fibrous substrate having (i) at least one strength region comprising a reacted cationic or a reacted nonionic strength agent and (ii) at least one dispersibility region, wherein the paper product has (a) a dispersibility of at least one tenth of a second, (b) a dry strength, and (c) a wet strength of at least about five percent of the dry strength.

Abstract: A preparation of high strength paper by incorporating a polymeric film into the paper web during the paper making process is provided. The polymeric film is either a cold water soluble film or hot water soluble film or water insoluble hydrophilic film or non soluble non hydrophilic film or a combination of cold+hot+cold water soluble film or cold+hot water soluble film or cold+non soluble hydrophilic film or cold+non soluble hydrophilic film+cold water soluble film or cold+non soluble non hydrophilic film or cold+non soluble non hydrophilic film+cold water soluble film or slit strips of one or many of these combinations woven or intertwined offline and incorporated into the paper during the paper making process. Zone coating or discreet printing or zone extrusion striping or formation of hot water soluble film on preformed cold water soluble film which is then inserted into paper during the paper making process, thus using cold water soluble film as a carrier is also provided.

Abstract: Selected chlorohydrin and cationic compounds containing nitroxide or hydroxylamine moieties are effective in stabilizing pulp or paper, especially pulp or paper containing lignin, against yellowing and discoloration due to the adverse effects of light. These compounds are added at various points in the paper-making process, especially at the wet ends, making the need for water soluble or water dispersible materials having high affinity for pulp or paper essential. This performance is often further enhanced by the presence of one or more coadditives selected from the group consisting of the UV absorbers, the polymeric inhibitors, the nitrones, the fluorescent whitening agents and metal chelating agents. Combinations of hydroxylamines or their salts, benzotriazole or benzophenone UV absorbers and a metal chelating agent are particularly effective.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving the printability and coatability of calendered paper and board. The method suggests the addition of polysaccharide and further, as hydrophobic agent, at least a dispersed polymer which contains hydrophobic monomers, to the fiber stock in the production of the paper and board.

Abstract: Selected polymeric stabilizers with pendant nitroxide, hydroxylamine or hydroxy-ammonium salt groups B are water soluble or water dispersible and have high affinity to pulp or paper. These stabilizers prevent the loss of brightness and enhance resistance to yellowing in pulp or paper, especially pulp or paper containing lignin. These compounds are added at various points in the paper-making process, especially at the wet ends, making the need for water soluble or water dispersible materials having high affinity for pulp or paper essential. This performance is often further enhanced by the presence of one or more coadditives selected from the group consisting of the UV absorbers, the polymeric inhibitors, the nitrones, the fluorescent whitening agents and metal chelating agents. Combinations of hydroxylamines or their salts, benzotriazole or benzophenone UV absorbers and a metal chelating agent are particularly effective.

Abstract: Synthetic polymers having hydrogen bonding capability and one or more polysiloxane moieties are capable of providing two distinct properties to paper products, such as tissues, which properties heretofore have been imparted through the use of at least two different molecules. The backbone of these synthetic polymers is based on modified vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamides and polyacrylic acids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the sizing of paper, to enhance the quality of images printed thereon. The novel sizing compositions contain as a sizing agent a mixture of a polyacid and a polybase. When applied to a paper substrate, such as in an internal or external sizing process, the sizing compositions result in a sized paper substrate that provides high quality printed images when printed with an ink containing a reactive dye having ionizable and/or nucleophilic groups capable of reacting with the sizing agent. Images printed on a paper substrate coated with the sizing compositions of the invention are bleed-resistant, water-resistant (e.g., water-fast), and/or are characterized by an enhanced chroma and hue.