Abstract: A tampon pledget includes crosslinked cellulose fibers having microstructures treated to provide improved absorbency and higher wet strength. The fibers are treated with a crosslinking agent to provide at least one of a molecular weight between crosslinks of from about 10 to 200 and a degree of crystallinity of from about 25% to 75%. The crosslinking agent includes citric acid in 1% by weight. The crosslinking agent may further include sodium hypophosphite in 1% by weight. In another embodiment, the crosslinking agent may be a difunctional agent including a glyoxal or a glyoxal-derived resin. In still another embodiment, the crosslinking agent is a multifunctional agent including a cyclic urea, glyoxal, polyol condensate. The crosslinking agent is added in an amount from about 0.001% to 20% by weight based on a total weight of cellulose fibers to be treated and, preferably, in an amount of about 5% by weight.

Abstract: Methods for making the carboxyalkyl cellulose.

Abstract: A method for dissolving cellulose in which the cellulose based raw material is admixed with a mixture of a protic intercrystalline swelling agent and an ionic liquid at a temperature of 25° C. to 180° C. for a time sufficient to dissolve the cellulose based raw material. The molar ratio of protic intercyrstalline swelling agent to ionic liquid may be 0.05 to 1.5 moles of protic intercrystalline swelling agent to 1 mole of ionic liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to bleached mechanical paper pulps, based on fibrillated fibres of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, containing calcium carbonate, in which calcium carbonate is crystallised and at least partly covers the fibrillated fibres of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin to which the calcium carbonate is mechanically bonded, papers made from these pulps and their preparation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing stabilized and/or activated urease inhibitors, as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The method is for pre-treatment of chips that are fed to a sulphate cooking process. Through acidification of the chips in an acidic treatment fluid with a subsequent draining of free treatment fluid before subsequent steaming or wet-steaming, a high concentration of free hydrogen ions is established within the chip pieces. When the chips are subsequently formed into slurry with preferably a sulphide-rich alkali cooking fluid, H2S is formed locally in the chip pieces which gives a yield-increasing effect in the subsequent cooking step of 1-3%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the absorption of water and water vapor and for increasing the dimensional stability of paper and paper products by treatment with an aqueous solution and/or dispersion of at least one reactive material which reacts with itself and/or cellulose fibers with crosslinking, cellulose fibers or a paper product obtained therefrom by drainage on a wire being compressed, the compressed paper product then being brought into contact with an aqueous solution and/or dispersion of the reactive material, the compression being eliminated with further action of the aqueous solution and/or dispersion and the paper product being dried and crosslinked, and to the use of the coated paper products thus obtainable and/or of the coated cellulose fibers which can be produced therefrom by defibrating as an additive to thermoplastics and as an additive to heat-curable plastics.

Abstract: A method of treating a fibre pulp mixture comprises: (a) separating the fibre pulp mixture into at least two fractions to form a coarse fraction and a fine fraction; (b) bleaching the coarse fraction from (a); and (c) precipitating an alkaline earth metal carbonate in the fine fraction from (a). The products from steps (b) and (c) may combined in an integrated paper making process.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the surface fatty acid content in a wood pulp or whitewater sample. The methods comprise reacting free fatty acids which are present on the surface of the wood pulp fibers in the sample or in the whitewater with one or more reagents to form a measurable species, and determining the fatty acid content from the quantitative measurement of the measurable species. The method is useful as a quick, portable, accurate and low cost assay for assessing the fatty acid content present at various sample points in pulp and paper mills. The method for determining the free fatty acid content can be conducted in a batch process (e.g., where samples are collected periodically and the test is conducted offline). Alternatively, the method for determining the free fatty acid content can be conducted in a continuous or semi-continuous process (e.g., online sampling/analysis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to cross-linked cellulosic fiber having improved absorbency characteristics when compared to conventional cross-linked fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fiber is obtainable by reacting pulp in the sheet or fluff form with one or more reagents selected from organic molecule having acid and aldehyde functional groups “acid aldehydes.” The invention also relates to a method of producing the cross-linked fiber. The method includes heating the treated cellulosic fibers to promote intrafiber cross-linking. The cross-linked fibers are characterized by having an improved centrifuge retention capacity, fluid acquisition rate, resiliency, absorbent capacity, absorbency under load, and other absorbent properties. The inventive cross-linked fibers are useful in forming absorbent composites, and in particular absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A process of treating a lignocellulosic material includes a pre-extraction step in which hemicellulose is extracted from the lignocellulosic material. Then, in a solvent pulping step, the lignocellulosic material is separated into pulp by contacting the lignocellulosic material with a cooking liquor comprising a solvent. In one embodiment, the solvent has a boiling point of at least about 150° C. In another embodiment, the cooking liquor comprises a mixture of solvent and water.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the thermolysis of lignocellulosic materials, such as wood, cellulose, lignin, and lignocellulose. In specific embodiments, the methods comprise combining the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid and subjecting the mixture of the lignocellulosic material and the ionic media to pyrolytic conditions to form a recoverable product, such as a commodity chemical.

Abstract: A screen plate for a cellulosic material puling vessel, the screen plate including: slots having curved inlet corner edges adjacent an inside surface of the screen plate and facing a pulp flow.

Abstract: Methods for conveying, mixing, leveling, and flaking dewatered pulp to produce pulp flakes suitable to be used in a dryer. Methods for producing a consistent flow rate of pulp, and, for producing uniform pulp flakes in terms of pulp flake size and pulp flake moisture content. A method includes introducing a dewatered pulp to a rotating shaftless screw conveyor. The pulp is deposited from the screw conveyor onto a moving belt conveyor through a chute. The pulp is leveled with a rotary doctor located above the belt conveyor to produce a substantially even rate of mass flow of pulp along a length of belt conveyor. Uniform and consistent quantities of pulp per unit time can then be fed from the belt conveyor to a pulp flaker that then translates into an even rate of pulp mass flow to the dryer.

Abstract: A method of providing papermaking fibers with durable curl comprising: a) introducing papermaking fiber into a rotatable drum adapted for operation at elevated pressure; b) rotating the drum containing the papermaking fiber while maintaining: i) the fiber in aqueous dispersion having a consistency of from about 5 to about 45 percent; ii) a temperature of above about 100° C.; the drum being configured such that the aqueous fiber dispersion contacts the rotating wall of the drum during rotation thereof and the mechanical action of the drum on the dispersion provides a durable curl to the papermaking fiber; removing the curled fiber from the rotatable drum wherein the temperature, time, consistency and energy input to the fiber are controlled such that fibers treated exhibit a curl elevation of at least 50 percent at 1 hour storage time.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved bleaching process for bleaching pulp comprising at least one bleaching stage which comprises treating a softwood pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 6.5. The invention is also relates a bleaching process for bleaching pulp having two or more bleaching stages, at least one of which and preferably two of which comprises treating a pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 4.5.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved bleaching process for bleaching pulp comprising at least one bleaching stage which comprises treating a hardwood pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 6.5. The invention is also relates a bleaching process for bleaching pulp having two or more bleaching stages, at least one of which and preferably two of which comprises treating a pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 6.5.

Abstract: Inflated fibers of regenerated cellulose and other regenerated structures are formed from ionic liquid/cellulose dope. Fibers so produced may be incorporated into absorbent sheet with other papermaking fibers to provide softness, bulk and absorbency.

Abstract: A method for producing a microfibrillated cellulose, which comprises subjecting a slurry containing a pulp having a solids concentration of 1 to 6 wt % to the treatment with a disc refiner repeatedly ten times or more, to thereby prepare a microfibrillated cellulose having a number average fiber length or 0.2 mm or less and an amount of water hold of 10 mL/g or more, the amount representing the volume of water capable of being held by a unit weight of the cellulose fiber. The method allows the production of a microfibrillated cellulose having high quality with stability and with good efficiency.

Abstract: An improved bleaching process for bleaching pulp having at least one Eop stage or Ep stage which comprises subjecting the pulp to a Q stage in which the pulp is treated with a chelating agent at a pH of from greater than 2.5 to less than 7 followed by interstage washing prior to treating the pulp in the Eop or Ep stage. Q stage washing can be at any stage in the process provided that Q stage occurs prior to Eop or Ep stage. For example, Q stage washing may occur after brownstock washing at prior to any delignification stage. Q stage washing can also occur after earlier delignification stages or an oxygen delignification stage or a Do delignification stage. Q stage washing immediately preceding the Eop or Ep stage, or can be separated from these stages by one or more other stage.

Abstract: A method of making absorbent cellulosic sheet with increased wet/dry CD tensile ratio includes treating the fiber at high consistency with debonder in a pulper, for example. The process enables the use of large amounts of debonder in a wet-press process in order to achieve wet/dry CD tensile ratios of greater than 30%.

Abstract: A method for adhering superabsorbent particles to cellulose fibers, comprising optionally treating cellulose treated with a hydrophilic polysaccharide polymer with a crosslinking agent in water to provide a first aqueous mixture; adding a plurality of superabsorbent particles to the first aqueous suspension to provide a second aqueous mixture; and mixing the second aqueous mixture with a water-miscible solvent to provide cellulose fibers having superabsorbent particles adhered thereto.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous composite, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer in water to provide an aqueous solution; treating the aqueous solution with a first crosslinking agent to provide a gel; drying the gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles; combining at least a portion of the plurality of particles with an aqueous suspension comprising cellulose treated with a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer, and optionally a second crosslinking agent, to provide a mixture; and mixing the mixture with a water-miscible solvent to provide a fibrous composite.

Abstract: A process for making nanofibers includes preparing a fluid suspension of fibers, shear refining the fibers to create fibrillated fibers, and subsequently closed channel refining or homogenizing the fibrillated fibers to detach nanofibers from the fibrillated fibers. The shear refining of the fibers in the fluid suspension generates fiber cores having attached nanofibers. The closed channel refining or homogenizing of the fibrillated fibers is initially at a first shear rate and, subsequently, at a second, higher shear rate, to detach nanofibers from fiber cores and to create additional nanofibers from the fiber cores. The fiber suspension may flow continuously from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing, and include controlling the rate of flow of the fiber suspension from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cross-linked cellulosic fiber having improved absorbency characteristics when compared to conventional cross-linked fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fiber is obtainable by reacting pulp in the sheet or fluff form with one or more reagents selected from organic molecule having acid and aldehyde functional groups “acid aldehydes.” The invention also relates to a method of producing the cross-linked fiber. The method includes heating the treated cellulosic fibers to promote intrafiber cross-linking. The cross-linked fibers are characterized by having an improved centrifuge retention capacity, fluid acquisition rate, resiliency, absorbent capacity, absorbency under load, and other absorbent properties. The inventive cross-linked fibers are useful in forming absorbent composites, and in particular absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles.

Abstract: Methods are provided for creating covalent bonding of webs by combining cellulosic fibers having a carboxyl content approximately greater than 7 meq/100 g with one or more crosslinking agents. In a first step, a carboxyl group is placed onto a fiber. In an embodiment, the fiber is then reacted with an oxazoline-functional polymer which has been combined with a polycarboxylate compound. Heat is applied to the treated web, and this enables formation of a cross-linked bridge in the form of a covalent bond. In an embodiment, the covalent bonding of the carboxylated cellulose pulp webs utilizes oxazoline-functional polymers and polyacrylic acid. The oxazoline polymer in combination with polyacrylic acid should form a network polymer with covalent bonds to the cellulose carboxyl groups. The non-woven web may be strengthhened by covalent bonding, thereby improving overall wet/dry strength of the final product.

Abstract: A method of treating solid containing material derived from effluent or sludge from a plant for deinking paper, the material containing calcium in the form of one or more insoluble calcium compounds, the method including the steps of treating the material with an acid to cause dissolution of the calcium thereby forming a calcium ion-containing solution in which insoluble solids are suspended, separating the solution from the insoluble solids and incinerating the separated solids. The solution containing calcium ions may be treated by adding one or more reagents to form a calcium compound precipitate, eg calcium carbonate. The particulate solids produced following the incineration step and following the precipitate formation may be employed as pigments or fillers in paper making or paper coating.

Abstract: A system for treating pulp comprises a dewatering device (2) for dewatering the pulp to a fiber concentration of at least 20%, a closed pulp-shredding vessel (16) for shredding the dewatered pulp, and an outlet pipe (22) from the pulp-shredding vessel. A transport screw (18) is arranged in the outlet pipe for transporting the shredded pulp from the pulp-shredding vessel through the outlet pipe through a reactor vessel (6) for bleaching the shredded pulp through reaction with ozone gas. The outlet pipe (22) is designed with a heightened roof portion (27), so that an upper gas space (29) free from pulp is formed in the outlet pipe between the roof portion and the transport screw. A flow-restraining member in the form of a partition wall (31) is arranged in the upper gas space in the outlet pipe for restraining the gas flow through the gas space, whereby the pumping action of the transport screw in the outlet pipe is decreased.

Abstract: A process for bleaching high bulk cellulosic fiber and producing a durable elevated curl index includes: (a) concurrently bleaching, heat treating and convolving cellulosic fiber pulp at elevated temperature and pressure at high consistency generally under conditions selected so as to preclude substantial fibrillation and attendant paper strength and fiber bonding development; and (b) recovering the pulp wherein the length weighted curl index of the treated fiber is at least about 20% higher than the length weighted curl index of the fiber prior to the heat treatment and convolving thereof. Preferably, the curl imparted to the fiber persists upon treatment for 30 minutes in a laboratory disintegrator at 3000 rpm at 1% consistency at a temperature of 125° F. Moreover, the curl may be imparted to the fiber in a disk refiner at very short residence times, on the order of several seconds or less.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl, and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: A method of continuously loading fibers in a fiber suspension with calcium carbonate. The fibers include a fiber wall surrounding a lumen. A reactant solid in the form of calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide is mixed into the fiber suspension with a resultant initial process pH of between 11 and 12. The fiber suspension is transported at a consistency of between approximately 15 and 30% into an inner chamber of a closed reactor. A reactant gas is injected into the reactor, whereby the reactor is pressurized to a pressure between 5 and 150 psi. A temperature of the fiber suspension within the reactor is controlled at a range between ?10° C. and 80° C. The fibers within the fiber suspension are loaded with calcium carbonate as a result of a chemical reaction between the reactant solid and the reactant gas in the reactor over a predetermined reaction time.

Abstract: A catalyzer for clean pulping includes sodium salicylate, anion silicate softener, cooking aids, liquid(gaseous) chlorine and water. A process for using the catalyzer for clean pulping includes the following steps: 1, cutting and impurities removing for the raw material, 2, feed preparation and impurities removing, 3, dividing into fibers by refining, 4, catalysis copolymerization, 5, refining, 6, concentration and separation, 7, pulp bleaching, 8, pulp washing and 9, finished pulp. The present invention realizes the clean production; it does not need to digest and does not produce black liquor; the process is simple and is performed at normal temperature; the resource of crops is fully used; the effect of water conservation is remarkable; it is very easy to control each stage separately and/or simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the modification of cellulose fiber with the object of increasing the strength properties of the pulp. Cellulose derivative, preferably in the form of CMC, is added in association with alkali cooking and/or delignification of cellulose chips in a suspension with treatment fluid, in an amount exceeding 2 kg, preferably at least 5–7 kg, per ton of cellulose fibers. The addition of cellulose derivative to the suspension takes place when the suspension has a concentration of calcium released from the cellulose exceeding 20 mg/l. The conditions required for an efficient deposit of cellulose derivative onto the cellulose fibers can be established in this way, where the natural content of calcium in the wood raw material has been released and contributes to a high ionic strength, while an advantageous high temperature is established. No additional process stages are required and operating costs can be kept low.

Abstract: Discrete particles of cellulosic material are flowable and meterable. They are easily dispersible in an aqueous or a dry medium. The particles comprise singulated cellulose fibers that have been densified. The particles have a density of at least 0.3 g/cc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reinforcing and/or process fibres based on vegetable fibres whose elementary fibres are fibrillated and to a process for their production. The reinforcing and/or process fibres are characterized in that the elementary fibres have a fibril content greater than 3 area percent and less than 50 area percent. The process is characterized in that the fibre material is ground in an eddied air grinder.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of fiber stock for the production of paper or cardboard, including the steps of: a) Supplying fibers in the form of a suspension that has a predetermined solids content, b) Loading of the fibers with a precipitation product, without refining the stock, c) Refining of the fibers after completion of the loading process, in order to improve the freeness value and/or to alter the fiber characteristics, and d) Transporting of the fiber stock suspension in direction of the paper machine.

Abstract: Process for manufacture of cellulose mouldings, such as fibres, filaments, or films, from TCF-bleached or ECF-bleached cellulose, in which the bleached cellulose is dissolved in an aqueous tertiary aminoxide to form a mouldable cellulose, the cellulose solution deforms, and the moulding comes into being by coagulation of the deformed solution, characterized in that, to reduce the cellulose decomposition in the process, TCF-bleached cellulose is used comprising carboxyl group content in the range from 1 to 35 ?mol/g or an ECF-bleached cellulose with carboxyl group content in the range from 1 to 50 ?mol/g. Cellulose mouldings having a reduced cellulose decomposition may be formed by said process.

Abstract: A device treats a fiber stock suspension with at least one additive, the fiber stock suspension being used for production of at least one of paper and cardboard. The fiber stock suspension includes a suspension medium and a fiber material. The fiber material has fiber surfaces, the fiber surfaces being moistened by the suspension medium. The device includes a fluffer having an inlet for receiving at least one of the fiber stock suspension and the at least one additive. The fluffer is coupled to the inlet, the fluffer being configured for separating the fiber material and enlarging a specific surface of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: Methods for forming an absorbent fibrous composite containing absorbent material dispersed in bands through the composite and along the composite's length are disclosed. The methods generally include depositing a fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a web and depositing or injecting absorbent material into the web across its width to provide a web having absorbent material in bands along the composite's length. Drying the web provides a fluted absorbent composite. In one embodiment, the method is a wetlaid method and in another embodiment, the method is a foam-forming method. Preferably, the methods are twin-wire forming methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continually producing a suspension of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine oxide. The method includes (a) mixing cellulose and an amine oxide-free aqueous phase to form a cellulose suspension in a mass ratio in the range of 1:3 to 1:40, (b) dehydrating the cellulose suspension, wherein the dehydrated cellulose suspension has a cellulose content in the range of 20 to 80 percent-by-mass; (c) mixing the cellulose suspension with an aqueous amine oxide while the cellulose suspension is falling through a vertical fall zone to obtain an aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension with an amine oxide content in the range of 70 to 80 percent-by-mass; and (d) conveying the aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension through a horizontal shear zone. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A filler comprising cellulose or lignocellulose fibrils on which light-scattering material particles have been deposited, and a process for the manufacture thereof. In the filler according to the invention, an alkyl derivative of cellulose, such as CMC, has been sorbed to the fibrils. Such a filler can be prepared from a source material containing cellulose or lignocellulose fibrils by first forming a fibril suspension, into which there are fed source materials forming an inorganic or organic salt that, when precipitating, forms a light-scattering pigment. The filler according to the invention has very good strength properties; in particular, good bond strength is achieved by means of it. The concentration of mineral pigment in paper can be increased and, furthermore, the grammage of paper can be lowered without the other important properties of the paper deteriorating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for treating pulp with filler. The method and apparatus according to the invention are especially well suitable for treating pulp with filler, the mixing of which to the pulp requires simultaneous treatment of the pulp with gas. The treatment of cellulose pulp suspension of the paper making industry and calcium hydroxide with carbon dioxide is presented as one preferred embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with aliving culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent mechanical pulpting results in reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.

Abstract: An apparatus for carboxylating wood pulp which utilizes the wood pulp bleach plant and the method of carboxylating the pulp which takes place in the bleach plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for stabilizing the pH of a pulp suspension with buffering agents and to a process for producing paper from a stabilized pulp suspension. The alkalinity of the pulp suspension is increased by a combination of an alkali metal hydroxide feed and a carbon dioxide feed. Said feeds provide a significant buffering effect which stablilizes the pH of said pulp suspension for the paper making process.

Abstract: A method for making bleached crosslinked cellulosic fibers having high color and brightness properties is disclosed. In the method cellulosic fibers which have been with a crosslinking agent in the presence of a polyol are treated with a bleaching agent to yield cellulosic fibers with high color and brightness.

Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified fiber product and a method of producing same. According to the method, the cellulosic raw material is formed into a fiber suspension, into which components modifying the properties of the fibers are added, subsequent to which the fibrous material is dried in connection with, for example, web forming. According to the invention, alkyl derivative of cellulose is mixed into the fiber suspension in alkaline conditions, the derivative being at least partly dissolved in water, and the derivative is allowed to be sorbed into the fibrous material prior to drying such that the sorbed cellulose derivative can not be washed off with water. The strength properties or the water retention of paper and paperboard products can be improved by using the invention.

Abstract: “Products made from a process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely affecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In general, the process includes the steps of placing a base web in between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.