Abstract: The invention provides an antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral polymeric material, comprising rayon fibers and a single antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral component consisting essentially of microscopic water insoluble particles of copper oxide incorporated in said fibers wherein a portion of said particles in said fibers are exposed and protruding from the surface of the fibers and wherein said particles release Cu++ when exposed to water or water vapor.

Abstract: A filling material for use with pillows, comforters and other products includes a blend of down and Lyocell fiber. Various preparation, washing, drying, dedusting, and blending steps achieve the blended product. The filling material has various advantageous characteristics such as improved moisture management, improved support while maintaining softness and comfort, and all-natural and enhanced hypoallergenic performance.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns a process to permit the manufacture of a cellulose fibre from hydrate cellulose with an extremely large surface area which may be used for the preparation of a fabric characterized by a high absorptive power, good liquid-retention properties, high grease-solvent properties as well as particle-absorbing properties, which is suitable for making products that are themselves easy to clean, which can be used for cleaning and decontamination as well as to reduce the surface tension of water and which can be disposed of without damage to the environment.

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 relates to an improved method for producing tubular sausage casings of regenerated cellulose wherein viscose is extruded through an annular extrusion die submerged in an aquarium to form a tubular product and coagulation and regeneration of the tubular product is initiated in said aquarium, continued by spray application of an intermediate regenerating solution in an intermediate regeneration zone after the tubular product has exited the aquarium, and completed in one or more coagulation/regeneration baths which includes the step of heating the tubular product to a temperature above the boiling point of carbon bisulphide in the intermediate reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for regenerating cellulosic sausage casings which includes the steps of extruding viscose through an annular extrusion die submerged in an aquarium to form a tubular product and partially gelling and coagulating the gel tubing in the aquarium, supporting the partially gelled and coagulated tubing on at least two upwardly moving inclined belt such that different sides of the casing are disposed in an upward facing orientation on the different belts and applying an intermediate regenerating solution to the tubing supported by the belts until it is partially cured, and conveying the partially cured tubing into at least one coagulation/regeneration bath which completes regeneration of the tubing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing tubular sausage casings wherein regeneration of the interior portion of the viscose casing is initiated prior to regeneration of the exterior portion of the casing.

Abstract: An adjustable reaction tub for making tubular cellulosic casings from viscose, the tub having upper rollers mounted to a frame and lower rollers on a roll support mounted to the same frame for adjustable positioning of the lower rollers at any of a range of depths within the tub.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cellulosic article of cellulose or a cellulose derivative that has incorporated a polyethylene oxide composition having a molecular weight of at least 70,000.

Abstract: The absorbency of regenerated viscose filaments is improved by overfeeding a continuous tow of partially regenerated filaments onto a moving foraminous support so that regeneration occurs prior to and after the filament tow is overfed onto the moving support.

Abstract: This invention provides reinforced composite structures consisting essentially of a matrix and a dispersed phase, where the matrix is a hydrogel containing water and a solubilized vinyl alcohol homopolymer, the dispersed phase contains a plurality of uniformly distributed acicular regions consisting of fibrils formed from a highly oriented crystalline vinyl alcohol polymer, where the diameter of the said fibrils is less than 1 millimeter, the aspect ratio of the fibrils is from 2:1 to 1000:1, and where the composite is characterized by a gradual transition in the degree of crystallinity at the interfaces between the matrix and the fibrils.

Abstract: A hollow fiber of amorphous, hydroxy-ethylated poly-(2,6-dimethyl-p-oxyphenylene) (PPO-OH) with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 180.degree. to 200.degree. C. is disclosed, which is formed by a high-density, microporous layer on a macroporous backing, and having an outer diameter comprised within the range of from 450 to 550 .mu.m and an inner diameter comprised within the range of from 250 to 400 .mu.m.The process for preparing the hollow fibre and the use of said fibre in the processes of separation of gas mixtures are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Method for increasing the absorbency of cellulosic fibers by a high temperature wet treatment comprising heating the fibers in a water bath at temperatures within the range of about 95.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for periods ranging from about one to sixty minutes. Absorbency of the treated fibers is thus increased by more than 2% of the corresponding untreated fibers as measured by the Syngyna Test Method. By employing such materials in catamenial tampons, sanitary napkins or the like, the amount of absorbent material may be decreased by 10% or more relative to the corresponding, untreated absorbent material, without adversely affecting the absorbent characteristics thereof.

Abstract: Process for the continuous production of viscose rayon yarns having a high egree of whiteness, comprising extruding a viscose solution into a coagulating bath, drawing and coagulating the extruded filaments, advancing said filaments in a substantially helical path while they undergo all the treatments required for the production of the finished yarn, which process is characterized by, after the exit of the filaments from the spinning bath, completion of the coagulation to a coagulation index not higher than 1 and a treatment with water having a non-alkaline pH.

Abstract: A viscose rayon filament yarn excellent in resistance to deterioration with time and uniform in boiling water shrinkage factor in the longitudinal direction of yarn which has been produced by a continuous spinning process characterized by spinning a viscose having a sulfur content of sulfur oxides and polysulfides of 0.55% by weight or less based on the weight of cellulose, then allowing the yarn to stand for a time period defined by the following equation and then washing it with water and drying it:7.5D.sub.M +15.ltoreq.T.sub.s .ltoreq.10D.sub.M +25wherein D.sub.M is denier of the monofilament constituting the rayon filament yarn to be spun and T.sub.s, expressed in second, is the standing time of the viscose filament spun.

Abstract: A process is described for the continuous spinning of viscose rayon. Said ocess is characterized by the fact that after the coagulation and drawing of the yarn, a two-stage setting is carried out, the first stage being at higher temperature and acidity than the second stage. The two-stage setting permits one to obtain a yarn which is not only perfectly set but is also substantially desulphurated and the classic desulphuration operation is thus eliminated. The setting is followed by at least one washing and by the other conventional treatments, with the exception of the desulphuration. The viscose rayon continuous spinning process is carried out while the yarn travels in a substantially helical path.

Abstract: A process is provided herein for continuously spinning viscose yarns by euding viscose into a coagulating bath to form filaments and partially coagulating these filaments to a coagulation index of between 15 and 18, while concurrently stretching said filaments to the desired stretch ratio and then subjecting the filaments to a 2-stage coagulation treatment in which (1) the filaments are advanced without further chemical treatment onto e.g. a first advancing roller where partial spontaneous coagulation occurs such that the coagulation index is between 5 and 8 and (2) a second stage coagulation which comprises contacting the filaments with an acid bath at a temperature between 50.degree. and 100.degree. C. until complete coagulation occurs such that the coagulation index is between 0 and 1.The aforementioned process permits the spinning operation to occur at a much greater speed than was hitherto possible without increasing dimensions of the treatment zones or apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of regenerated cellulose shaped bodies from inning dopes comprising solutions of methylol derivatives of cellulose in organic solvent selected from dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulphoxide and N-methyl-pyrrolidone is described. The cellulose derivative is coagulated from the spinning dope in a coagulating bath, the main component of which is a high-boiling alcohol capable of reacting with the free (para)formaldehyde and with the bound (para)formaldehyde of the methylol derivative to a degree varying with the temperature. It is possible to prepare filaments and yarns having excellent characteristics by starting from solutions having high CH.sub.2 O and cellulose concentrations and high MS ratios.

Abstract: A device for the continuous spinning of viscose rayon includes a main or cessing roller and a plurality of secondary or advancing rollers set askew with respect to the processing roller. The processing and advancing rollers are carried bracket-like by a support arm in which they are rotatively supported. The actuating structures are located in the vicinity of the supports of the respective rollers. The support arm is hollow and contains the roller supports and the actuating structures, and is located at the end of the unit at which the yarns leave the same after being processed. A plurality of spinning units are arranged in rows and the rows are born by a frame carrying all the necessary accessory devices. Means are provided for preventing the escape of fumes from the treatment liquors into the surrounding room.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing viscose yarn including feeding a viscose solution through spinneret dies into a spinning bath to spin viscose yarn, and finally regenerating and concurrently cooling the spun yarn, now carrying entrapped carbon bisulfide in the form of an emulsion, from said spinning bath at a temperature below the boiling point of the carbon bisulfide. Thereafter, while maintaining the finally regenerated yarn in a cooled condition, washing the yarn with water whereby some water, in addition to the carbon bisulfide, becomes entrapped in the yarn, subjecting the washed yarn to avivage treatment, and finally drying the resulting yarn at an elevated temperature sufficient to concurrently remove both the entrapped water and the carbon bisulfide from the yarn. Thereafter, the resulting dried and carbon bisulfide-free yarn is wound into a package.

Abstract: Cellulosic solutions are filtered by a process enabling virtual complete recovery and recycling of the undissolved cellulosic components of the solutions. The process comprises filtering the solution through a bed of particulate material until the build-up of undissolved material impedes the further flow of solution through the bed, mixing the undissolved material and particulate bed with a solvent to partially dissolve the undissolved material, which is highly concentrated relative to its original concentration before filtration, adding a solubilizing reactant to said concentrated partial solution of undissolved material to complete the solution of the cellulosic residues, and separating and recycling the resulting solution.