Abstract: Adsorbent retentive pulp is described which is capable of retaining good adsorbency even after having been highly compressed. The pulp is produced by subjecting a microfibrillated pulp slurry to pore generation with pore generating particles and to cross-linking with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified cellulosic fibers comprising the reaction product of linear, water-wettable polysaccharides with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and methods of making same. The materials are useful in the preparation of products characterized by their increased bulk and absorbency.

Abstract: Individualized, stiffened, twisted cellulosic fibers and absorbent structures made from such fibers. The fibers have an average dry fiber twist count of at least about 4.5 twist nodes per millimeter, an average wet fiber twist count of at least about 0.5 twist nodes per millimeter less than the dry fiber twist count, and a water retention value of between about 28% and about 50%. Preferably the fibers have an average wet fiber twist count of at least about 3.0 twist nodes per millimeter and an isopropyl alcohol retention value of less than about 30%.

Abstract: A process for making wet-laid structures containing individualized, stiffened fibers. The wet-laid structures are obtained by: providing a slurry containing individualized, crosslinked fibers; depositing the slurry of fibers on a foraminous forming wire; directing at least one stream of fluid upon the fibers such that the fluid disperses flocculations of fibers and also inhibits the formation of additional flocculations of the fibers; and setting the fibers into a sheeted form while the fibers are in a substantially unflocculated condition. The step of setting the fibers into sheeted form may be performed by pressing the fibers against the forming wire with a screened roll, such as a cylindrical Dandy Roll. Preferably, a plurality of streams of fluid having sequentially decreasing volumetric flow rates are directed upon the fibers. The individualized, stiffened fibers may also be mixed with conventional, stiffened fibers or highly refined, stiffened fibers while in slurry form.

Abstract: A process for making individualized, crosslinked fibers having low levels of residual crosslinking agent. The fibers are made by contacting the fibers with a crosslinking agent; reacting the crosslinking agent with the fibers to form intrafiber crosslink bonds in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds; and washing the fibers with an alkaline solution.

Abstract: Individualized, crosslinked fibers made by (a) defibrating moistened, cellulosic fibers and at least partially drying the fibers under substantially unrestrained conditions, i.e., in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds (b) contacting the fibers with a crosslinking agent, (c) reacting the crosslinking agent with the fibers in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds, to form intrafiber crosslink bonds, (d) subjecting the fibers, while in a moistened condition, to a second defibration step, and then at least partially drying the fibers under substantially unrestrained conditions.

Abstract: Individualized, crosslinked fiber, and process for making such fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers have between about 0.5 mole % and about 3.5 mole % crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehyde acid analogues having at least one aldehyde functionality, and oligomers of such C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, and dialdehyde acid analogues. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is glutaraldehyde, and between about 0.75 mole % and about 2.5 mole % crosslinking agent react to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized crosslinked fibers are useful in a variety of absorbent structure applications.

Abstract: A process and composition for use in the deacidification of cellulosic materials, such as books and printed papers, which comprises treating the materials under vacuum condition with a gaseous mixture of ammonia, and an organo epoxide reagent selected from the group consisting of alkyl compounds or mixtures thereof, and which produce in situ primary, secondary and tertiary amino compounds upon reaction with the ammonia.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a resilient hydrophilic cellulosic pulp particularly suitable for conversion into an absorbent fluff for products such as disposable diapers. The process involves treating a wet or partially dried cellulosic fiber web with an aqueous solution of a glycol and dialdehyde. Glyoxal and propylene glycol are preferred materials. These are desirable sprayed on a wet or only partially dried sheet at some convenient location on a conventional paper machine. This location is not critical, but a point about midway through the press section has given excellent results. The treated sheet is then dried conventionally. There is no need for the use of any catalysts or for a prolonged curing step at elevated temperatures. The products of the invention are characterized by a much increased absorbency rate and by a somewhat higher water holding capacity. The sheets also require less power for milling into a fibrous fluff.

Abstract: Absorbent structures containing individualized, crosslinked fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers preferably have between about 0.5 mole % and about 3.5 mole % crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with the fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehyde acid analogues having at least one aldehyde functionality, and oligomers of such C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes and dialdehyde acid analogues. More preferably, the crosslinking agent is glutaraldehyde, and between about 0.75 mole % and about 2.5 mole % crosslinking agent react to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Also preferably, the absorbent structures have actual dry densities greater than their corresponding equilibrium wet densities, and expand upon wetting. The absorbent structures may also contain hydrogel-forming material.

Abstract: Continuous elimination of at least part of the liquid contained in a layer formed by depositing a liquid compound having a low solid matter content on a mobile, continuous, liquid-porous support, is effected by dripping, pressing and evaporation while the layer is maintained on the formation support without transfer. Evaporation means include means for passing a heated, gaseous flux through the layers.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method of making paper or non-woven articles, comprising treating a substrate to render said substrate durably hydrophilic; and forming said durably hydrophilic fiber into a paper or non-woven article.

Abstract: According to this invention there is provided a method for producing glass mat using glass having a relatively high alkali content which comprises chopping the glass fibers while wet and thereafter freezing the wet fiber glass in order to prevent leaching of the alkali constituents. The frozen glass fiber can then be crushed and used to prepare a glass fiber mat in a wet process.

Abstract: An oxonated poly (alkylene oxide) substantially devoid of hydrocarbon chains of 5 or more carbon atoms is used to treat substances bearing negative electrostatic charges, so as to reduce such charges without rendering the substance hyrophobic. In this manner static electricity can be reduced in textiles, paper or plastic film; glass or glass fibers can be lubricated; wood pulp can be debonded; anti-self sizing or water-dispersible paper can be made; clays, pigments and other minerals can be hydrophilized; bitumen can be recovered from oil or tar sands; and petroleum can be recovered from underground wells by secondary or tertiary recovery techniques.

Abstract: Absorbent, retentive pulp is described which is capable of retaining good absorbency even after having been highly compressed. The pump is produced by subjecting a microfibrillated pulp slurry to pore generation by means of freezing and solvent exchange and to cross-linking with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Treated glass fibers are provided that are more dispersible in aqueous media. The glass fibers are treated with a composition having a nonionic surfactant and a cationic quaternary ammonium salt surfactant. The composition may be added simultaneously or sequentially with the chopped glass fibers to the aqueous media in which the glass fibers are to be dispersed. Also, glass fibers can be treated with an aqueous treating composition having the composition and produced into wet or dry chopped glass fibers having a length of about 1/16 of an inch to about 3 inches. The treated glass fibers have good dispersibility in aqueous media with or without the addition of dispersing agents.

Abstract: An absorbent web structure composed of a mixture of 5 to 50% by weight of short fibers of a thermoplastic resin rendered hydrophilic with a surface-active agent and 95 to 50% by weight of cellulosic fibers, said thermoplastic short fibers being melt-bonded to impart self-supporting property to the web structure; characterized in that(i) said thermoplastic short fibers are rendered hydrophilic by forming an aqueous slurry of the fibers containing a nonionic surface-active agent and then dehydrating the slurry, and(ii) said nonionic surface-active agent has (a) an HLB value of from 2 to 20 and (b) a melting point equal to, or higher than, the temperature of the slurry at the time of the dehydrating treatment described in (i) above.

Abstract: The invention is a fibrous, cationic cellulose pulp product and the method for preparing it. A water suspension of cellulosic fiber is treated under alkaline conditions with a condensate of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine. Up to 30 molar percent of the DMA may be replaced by a crosslinking agent such as ammonia or a lower aliphatic diamine. The process may be carried out at room or elevated temperatures. It is practical to add the condensate at one of the later alkaline stages of a bleaching process; e.g., an alkaline extraction or peroxide stage. This is most preferably done later than any chlorination or hypochlorite stages. The product shows greatly improved retention of acid and other anionic dyes. It also shows superior retention of some pigments and latices without the need for other cationic aids. In some cases a small amount of alum appears to have a synergistic retention effect with the cationic pulp product when used with titanium dioxide and certain anionic latices.

Abstract: A paper material has been invented that contains cellulose substituted by means of N-methylol compounds. As N-methylol compounds may be used, e.g., reaction products of urea, glyoxal, and formaldehyde, methylolated melamines, and N-methylol-acrylamide copolymers. The paper is manufactured best by impregnating paper with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a N-methylol compound and by drying it at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. in order to produce condensation. Papers in accordance with the invention have good properties of strength against decomposition and wet strength, which properties can be adjusted readily by varying the degree of substitution or cross-linking of the cellulose. The papers are particularly well suitable, e.g., for the manufacture of plant-growing pots and corrugated fibreboard.

Abstract: The tearing strength of paper is improved by providing a furnish in which the fiber content is predominantly refined fiber with a minor amount, preferably 2 to 10 wt. %, of added unrefined fiber having incorporated therein a heat activatable bonding agent, particularly starch. The bonding agent adheres to and coats the added fiber without chemically reacting with the fiber. A cationic material, particularly polyethyleneimine, is premixed with the raw starch to cause it to adhere to the added fiber. During heat drying of the formed paper the starch is gelatinized to effect enhanced bonding of the added fiber.

Abstract: Cationic polygalactomannan gums and water soluble wet strength resins containing an amic acid and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, are useful in the preparation of products having improved, off-machine dry strength and wet strength properties.

Abstract: The problem of resin precure encountered in fiberboard, especially medium-density fiberboard, produced by blow-line blending is overcome by adding an alkaline material to the wood fibers prior to blow-line blending in order to raise the pH of the wood preferably into the range of 4 to 7, and optimally around 5.5. Only the fiber used to form the surface layers of the mat which is hot pressed to form the fiberboard need have the alkaline material added thereto; alternatively, especially in the core layer of the mat, the action of the alkaline material may be reversed by adding an acid catalyst. The fiberboards formed have a glossy, hard surface which reduces the need for sanding.

Abstract: Paper of improved properties is produced from pulp in which filler is selectively loaded within the fiber lumens by agitating a suspension of pulp and filler until the fiber lumens become loaded with filler, separating the residual suspended filler from the loaded fibers and vigorously washing the pulp until substantially all of the filler on the external surfaces of the fibers is removed.

Abstract: An aromatic polyamide paper-like sheet having excellent heat- and chemical- resistances and electric insulating properties, comprises an artificial pulp ingredient comprising a number of amorphous pulp particles consisting of an aromatic polyamide material, and a fiber ingredient consisting of a number of short fibers bonded to each other with the amorphous pulp particles, the ratio in weight of the artificial pulp ingredient to the fiber ingredient being in a range of from 1:9 to 9:1 and the aromatic polyamide molecules contained at least in the amorphous pulp particles being cross-linked with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Redispersible microfibrillated cellulose is prepared by the addition to a liquid dispersion of the microfibrillated cellulose, an additive compound capable of substantially inhibiting hydrogen bonding between the cellulose fibrils. The microfibrillated cellulose, upon drying, is characterized by having a viscosity when redispersed in water of at least 50% of the viscosity of an equivalent concentration of the original dispersion.

Abstract: A process of preparing microfibrillated cellulose comprising adding to never-dried cellulosic pulp an additive compound capable of substantially inhibiting hydrogen bonding of the fibrils in the cellulose and then drying the pulp and additive. Microfibrillation of a suspension of the cellulosic pulp is carried out at considerably increased efficiency if the additive compound is present prior to drying the pulp. The resulting MFC product can be dried and redispersed without substantial loss of viscosity.

Abstract: The invention relates to new surface-active quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrocarbon groups having from about twelve to about forty carbon atoms;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and hydroxyethyl;A is an oxyalkylene group derived from both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, having a ratio of oxyethylene units to the total number of oxyalkylene groups within the range from about 1:6 to about 5:6;m is a number corresponding to the valence of X;n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 represent the average number of oxyalkylene units and are within the range from about 6 to about 30; andX is an anion.The compounds impart to the treated textiles and cellulosic materials a reduced tendency to retain an electrostatic charge and/or improved softness and/or reduced mechanical strength due to a reduction in interfiber bonding, and at the same time preserve good hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is absorbent material composed of a consolidated blend of spurted polyolefin pulp, treated with an anionic or nonionic wetting agent substance having a molecular weight less than about 8000, and wood fluff pulp. The absorbent material exhibits a desirable combination of strength, rate of absorbency and total absorbency.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers, characterized by a lack of swellability and incapable of natural fiber-to-fiber bonding, are produced by a process which comprises treating an aqueous slurry of the fibers with a formaldehyde-free polymeric compound, heating the treated fibers to cause the polymeric compound to react with the fibers, and refiberizing to separate individual, treated fibers. The fibers are useful in the preparation of improved cellulosic webs characterized primarily by their increased bulk and improved softness.

Abstract: A wet-felted mat of wood fibers is acetylated by coating the mat with a quantity of acetic anhydride ranging from 5 to 70% by volume of the mat and heating the mat at a temperature of from 150.degree. to 300.degree. F. while confining substantially all of the acetic anhydride within the mat for about 20 to 120 minutes. The acetylated mat is pressed into hardboard which may be bent into a variety of loops, spirals, helices, and other curvilinear shapes to make articles of furniture, protective packaging products and the like.

Abstract: A wet-felted mat of wood fibers is acetylated by coating the mat with a quantity of acetic anhydride ranging from 5 to 70% by volume of the mat and heating the mat at a temperature of from 150.degree. to 300.degree. F. while confining substantially all of the acetic anhydride within the mat for about 20 to 120 minutes. The acetylated mat is pressed into hardboard which may be bent into a variety of loops, spirals, helices, and other curvilinear shapes to make articles of furniture, protective packaging products and the like.

Abstract: A battery separator having a low electrical resistance after extended use is made by thermal consolidation and thermal embossing of a paper web formed from a furnish containing a synthetic pulp the fibrils of which are filled with an inorganic filler, the web incorporating a wetting agent which is preferably an organic sulphonate, and organic succinate, or a phenol ethoxylate.

Abstract: A silver halides photographic material with improved keeping quality, said material having a substrate formed by coating a base web with a film-forming resin, preferably a polyolefin resin, said base web being composed principally of natural pulp or a mixture of two or more different types of natural pulp having a post color number of 2 or below, said post color number being defined by the following formula: ##EQU1## [wherein Ro is brightness (%).times.(1)/(100) before fading treatment, R is brightness (%).times.(1)/(100) after 18-hour fading treatment at 85.degree. C. and 95% RH, and P is post color (PC) number which indicates the degree (nondimensional number) of fading].

Abstract: Paper having improved properties, particularly tear strength, is prepared from a furnish containing at least 90 weight % of cellulose fibers and up to 10 weight % of olefin polymer fibrils. The fibrils are prepared by a differential temperature process of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,751, are refined in isopropanol, and are treated with an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol to sorb at least 1.0 weight % of polyvinyl alcohol on the fibrils. The fibrils are prepared from an olefin polymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least one (1) million.

Abstract: A transparent, non-stratified, three dimensional resin reinforced fibrous sheet and the process for its preparation is disclosed. A fibrous sheet is impregnated or coated with one or more tri or higher functional monomers that can be polymerized in-situ to form three dimensional polymer resins, in close contact with the fibrous material of the sheet. A transparentized fibrous sheet results which is resistant to water and alcohols, highly and evenly translucent and useful as tracing media vellum as well as a translucent base for sensitizing with reprographic coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fibrous structure containing metallic fibers, said fibrous structure being characterized in that the fibers which constitute said fibrous structure have been deposited by wet process, and in that the metallic fibers which said fibrous structure contains possess at their surface traces of a hydrosoluble binder, which has served initially for coating said metallic fibers.This invention relates also to the method of preparing said fibrous structure and also to its application, notably in the production of security papers, metallic filtering elements and elements for protection against electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided herein improved glass fiber dispersions for making uniform glass fiber mats by the wet-laid process. The well dispersed glass fiber compositions of this invention usually are prepared by mixing chopped glass fibers in water with a small amount of a select group of cationic quaternary ammonium compounds which have at least two long chain groups as part of the molecule. As features of the invention, the dispersions may be formed at relatively high glass fiber consistencies, in neutral or slightly alkaline solutions, and without generation of a high degree of foams. The resultant dispersions then are used to make very high quality glass fiber mats at high rates of production.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided herein a method of increasing the strength of wet glass fiber mats prepared by the wet-laid process. The wet-strength of such freshly prepared glass fiber mats are improved in this invention by treating the wet mat with a dilute solution of an anionic polyelectrolyte. As a feature of the invention, the wet-strength of such mats are increased substantially so that they may be conveniently handled and transferred, even manually, for further processing, e.g. for applying binders and drying, into the finished glass fiber mat product.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided herein a method of increasing the strength of wet glass fiber mats prepared by the wet-laid process. The wet-strength of such freshly prepared glass fiber mats are improved in this invention by treating the wet mat with a dilute solution of an anionic surfactant. As a feature of the invention, the wet-strength of such mats are increased substantially so that they may be conveniently handled and transferred, even manually, for further processing, e.g. for applying binders and drying, into the finished glass fiber mat product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a strong, soft, fibrous sheet material having substantial stretch in all directions in its own plane, by formimg a web of cellulosic fibers having a basis weight of from about 5 to about 55 pounds per ream of 2,880 square feet, adhering one surface of the web to a creping surface in a fine pattern arrangement by a bonding material adhered to one surface of the web and to the creping surface in the fine pattern arrangement, and creping the web from the creping surface to form the sheet material. Sheet materials formed by the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrophilic fibers may be prepared by discharging a heated and pressurized dispersion of a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer into a zone of reduced temperature and pressure, and then modifying the fibers so produced by treatment with an aqueous admixture of selected cationic and anionic water-soluble, nitrogen-containing polymers. Blends of the hydrophilic fibers with wood pulp provide paper products having improved physical properties.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polyolefin fibers may be prepared, for example, by discharging a heated and pressurized solution of an anionic polyolefin composition containing carboxylic functionality into a zone of reduced temperature and pressure, and then modifying the fibers so produced by treatment with an aqueous admixture of selected cationic and anionic water-soluble, nitrogen-containing polymers. Blends of the hydrophilic fibers with wood pulp provide paper products having improved physical properties.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polyolefin fibers may be prepared, for example, by discharging a heated and pressurized solution of an anionic polyolefin composition containing carboxylic functionality into a zone of reduced temperature and pressure, and then modifying the fibers so produced by treatment with an aqueous admixture of selected cationic and anionic water-soluble, nitrogen-containing polymers. Blends of the hydrophilic fibers with wood pulp provide paper products having improved physical properties.

Abstract: Hydrophilic fibers may be prepared by discharging a heated and pressurized dispersion of a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer into a zone of reduced temperature and pressure, and then modifying the fibers so produced by treatment with an aqueous admixture of selected cationic and anionic water-soluble, nitrogen-containing polymers. Blends of the hydrophilic fibers with wood pulp provide paper products having improved physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the water wettability of polyolefins, especially under the form of fibers, fibrils or powders.The thus treated polyolefins have an improved wettability, which in the treatment conducted in aqueous suspension facilitates their dispersion in water. This is among others the case in the production of at least partially synthetic papers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating high molecular weight olefin polymer fibrils in the presence of an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol while subjecting the solution to ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: Paper having adequate mechanical strength and stiffness for use in xerographic equipment at a very low weight is prepared from a stock containing untreated cellulose fibers as well as cellulose fibers stiffened by impregnation with melamine-formaldehyde precondensate or methylolurea, curing of the initially water-soluble resin, and reaction of the cured resin with polyvinyl alcohol or starch ether.

Abstract: Synthetic wood pulp characterized by the presence of polyolefin fibrids having both film and fiber morphology is disclosed as being useful for the production of paper-like films. Further disclosed is a technique whereby this morphology may be preserved by transferring such fibrids from the refining dispersant into a preservative medium. After again being refined in the preservative medium, the fibrids can be formed directly into paper-like substrate products. More usually, however, they are first dispersed in water to facilitate this casting.

Abstract: Synthetic wood pulp characterized by the presence of polyolefin fibrids having both film and fiber morphology is disclosed as being useful for the production of paper-like films. Further disclosed is a technique whereby this morphology may be preserved by transferring such fibrids from the refining dispersant into a preservative medium. After again being refined in the preservative medium, the fibrids can be formed directly into paper-like substrate products. More usually, however, they are first dispersed in water to facilitate this casting.

Abstract: Beta Glass fibers are dispersed in a solution containing hydrochloric acid nd a hydrophobic fumed silicon dioxide treated with a silane thereby forming a slurry which is subjected to a sonic probe whereafter other glass fibers are mixed into said slurry and the mixture is formed into a glass fiber filter.