Abstract: After cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers are co-refined, they are fed to a blend tank continuously feeds a wet laid process. The composition in the blend tank includes co-refined cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and one or more additives, and the cellulose ester fibers have a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, a cut length of less than 6 mm, crimped, or non-round with a DPF of less than 3.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which include the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester film comprising a polymer prepared by polymerizing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer selected from vinyl esters, vinyl esters having a functional group, acrylic esters, and acrylic esters having a functional group, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of not more than 5,000.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continually producing an extrusion solution for producing cellulosed shaped bodies, such as fibres and films, according to the lyocell method. According to the inventive method, (a) a cellulose suspension is produced from cellulose and an aqueous phase in a mass ratio ranging from 1:3 to 1:40, whereby shearing is maintained for between 5 to 200 minutes. (b) The cellulose suspension is dewatered to form a material having a cellulose content ranging from 20 to 80 mass % and the aqueous phase produced thereby is at least partially returned to step (a). (c) The humid cellulose material being homogenised is transported through a first shearing zone in the absence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide.

Abstract: Fibers are produced from an acetone solution of cellulose acetate by pulling or extruding such material through a spinneret in a dry spinning process. A vacuum is applied to the thus formed fibers after a certain degree of drying. A dried outer skin is formed, and the vacuum causes the solvent inside the skin to explode or pop and exit the fiber along micro-porous paths thereby producing high surface area fibers with micro-porous cavities and internal void volume. Such micro-cavities are particularly useful for retaining solid and/or liquid reagents in a cigarette filter for selective filtration of various smoke components.

Abstract: A calendered film or sheet of a polyester resin composition has a haze value of less than 5 percent. The polyester resin composition comprises a polyester having a crystallization half-time from a molten state of at least 5 minutes and an additive comprising (i) a fatty acid or a salt of a fatty acid containing more than 18 carbon atoms and (ii) an ester wax comprising a fatty acid containing more than 18 carbon atoms with an alcohol containing from 2 to 28 carbon atoms, wherein the ratio of the fatty acid or salt of the fatty acid to the ester wax is 1:1 or greater. Also, the present invention is a process for producing such calendered film or sheet having a haze value of less than 5 percent.

Abstract: A calendered film or sheet of a polyester resin composition has a haze value of less than 5 percent. The polyester resin composition comprises a polyester having a crystallization half-time from a molten state of at least 5 minutes and an additive comprising (i) a fatty acid or a salt of a fatty acid containing more than 18 carbon atoms and (ii) an ester wax comprising a fatty acid containing more than 18 carbon atoms with an alcohol containing from 2 to 28 carbon atoms, wherein the ratio of the fatty acid or salt of the fatty acid to the ester wax is 1:1 or greater. Also, the present invention is a process for producing such calendered film or sheet having a haze value of less than 5 percent.

Abstract: A selectively permeable hollow fiber membrane for blood dialysis consisting substantially of a cellulose derivative, which has at least a dense layer on the innermost side and a porous layer of greater void percentage on the outside, and a process for producing the selectively permeable hollow fiber membrane consisting substantially of a cellulose derivative, which comprises extruding a spinning solution containing a polymer consisting substantially of a cellulose derivative dissolved in an organic solvent, from an annular slit into a filamentous form, while simultaneously introducing a core material solution with a water content of at least 50 wt % into the extruded filamentous body, and then immersing the filamentous body into a coagulating solution after passing it through a gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microporous or macroporous affinity filtration membrane wherein the matrix is composed of chitosan or chitin and the pores are made by dissolution of porogen during the preparation of the membrane. The invention also relates to a method of preparation of the membrane comprising preparing an acidic chitosan solution containing porogen, shaping the suspension into a membrane, and dissolving the porogen by immersing the membrane in an alkaline solution. To prepare chitin membranes, the chitosan membranes are acetylated. The special feature of the membrane is that the pore size can be controlled by varying the size of the porogen. The membranes are suitable for affinity purification of macromolecules.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood purifying membrane which is a hollow fiber membrane substantially composed of cellulose acetate, has a substantially non-oriented distribution of cellulose acetate polymer particles on the inner surface of the hollow fibers, has a dense layer with a thickness in the range of 30-1000 nm on both the inner and outer surface of the hollow fibers and a porous structure which is substantially uniform at the membrane wall between the two dense layers, and has an in vitro ultrafiltration rate (UFR) of 10 to 50 ml/m.sup.2 .multidot.mmHg.multidot.hr and a (in vivo UFR)/(in vitro UFR) ratio of at least 0.3, a blood plasma albumin permeation blockage of at least 90%, and an in vivo .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin (.beta..sub.2 -MG) sieving coefficient of at least 0.4, as well as a process for its production.

Abstract: A cellulose acetate membrane composed of a mixture comprising a cellulose triacetate and a cellulose diacetate and having an improved heat stability, which does not substantially show a melting peak of cellulose diacetate but substantially shows a melting peak of cellulose triacetate, in a differential thermal analysis. By mixing a cellulose triacetate and a cellulose diacetate at an appropriate ratio, crystallization or orientational crystallization of each component due to a high pressure stream sterilization can be avoided and a cellulose acetate membrane with improved water permeability and sieving coefficient of myoglobin after a high pressure steam sterilization can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a fibrillated cellulose acetate fiber comprising contacting cellulose acetate fiber with a strong base solution at conditions sufficient to remove greater than about 5% of bulk acetyl groups from said cellulose acetate fiber. Modified cellulose acetate staple fiber comprising an outer layer of regenerated cellulose in which at least about 5% of the acetyl groups are removed on an overall fiber basis are also disclosed. Paper products incorporating said fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminar flow process for preparing cellulose diacetate fibers is disclosed. In the process, a precipitation-acid stream and an acid-dope stream are contacted in a zone having substantially laminar flow. The acid-dope stream is annularly disposed within and flows in the same direction as the precipitation-acid stream. The precipitation-acid stream has a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. F. and comprises 25 to 35 percent by weight acetic acid and 75 to 65 percent by weight water. The acid-dope stream has a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 200.degree. F. and comprised of 5 to 22 weight percent of cellulose diacetate having an inherent viscosity of at least 1.0, and 95 to 78 percent by weight of a mixture comprising 65 to 90 weight percent acetic acid and 35 to 10 weight percent water. The precipitation-acid stream has a linear flow greater than or equal to the linear flow of the acid-dope stream. The weight ratio of the precipitation-acid stream to the acid-dope stream is at least 9:1.

Abstract: A process for the production of shaped structures of cellulose, in particular fibers of cellulose, by shaping and subsequent regeneration of water-soluble cellulose derivatives is described. The process employs water-soluble alcohols, water-soluble ketones or, in particular, water or mixtures thereof as solvents for the shaping and carrying out the shaping by a dry shaping process.

Abstract: A cellulose solution having excellent fluidity and formability is prepared by dissolving a cellulose composition containing a component (I) of cellulose having a polymerization degree of 500 to 1000, and a component (II) of at least one member selected from celluloses having a polymerization degree corresponding to 90% of that of the component (I) cellulose and being in the range of from 350 to 900, cellulose derivatives and polysaccharides, the mixing ratio of the component (I) to the component (II) being 95:5 to 50:50, in a mixed solvent comprising N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and another solvent material compatible with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide but not capable of dissolving cellulose therein, and the resultant cellulose solution being useful for producing shaped articles, for example, fibers and films.

Abstract: A method for spinning a cellulose acetate fiber having a low degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (DS/AGU) of the cellulose acetate is provided. The addition of 5 to 40 weight percent water to cellulose acetate(CA)/acetone spinning solutions (dopes) will produce dopes that will allow fibers to be solvent spun using CA with a DS/AGU from 1.9 to 2.2.

Abstract: A dialysis membrane in the form of a hollow fiber with a continuous internal cavity is made of cellulose acetate or a cellulose acetate derivative. The membrane has a maximum screen coefficient of 0.04 for albumin with a molecular weight of 68,000. A dialysis membrane in the form of a hollow fiber with a continuous internal cavity may be made in a process using a spinning solution containing an organic carboxylic acid and a cavity-forming liquid. Modification agents and/or water are optionally added and the solution is extruded through a spinneret suitable for the manufacture of hollow fibers. The precipitation of the resultant dialysis membrane and the usual further aftertreatment take place in a precipitation bath. The organic carboxylic acid preferably is acetic acid and the precipitation bath preferably is a dilute acetic acid.

Abstract: A dialysis membrane is made of a regenerated cellulose polymer in the form of a hollow fiber with a continuous internal cavity filled essentially with a gas. The hollow fiber has a porous inner and an outer surface. The outer surface of the hollow fiber is formed by a thin skin which has fine lengthwise grooves. The inner surface of the hollow fiber is positively modified by physical and/or chemical means.The invention also includes a method for manufacturing such a dialysis membrane.

Abstract: A filter tow from cellulose acetate filaments and/or staple fibers is described on the surface of which an additive from cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is present, at least the surface of the filaments and staple fibers consisting of a cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The method for the production of such a filter tow comprises spinning cellulose acetate filaments from a solution in acetone, of cellulose acetate of an acetyl number of at least 53% if necessary, cutting the filaments to staple fibers, gathering the filaments and/or staple fibers to a filter tow and applying an additive, the filaments and staple fibers being hydrolyzed and as additive one of cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is used. There are described also a tobacco smoke filter element from such a filter tow and a method for its production.

Abstract: A dialysis membrane in the form of a hollow fiber with a continuous internal cavity is made of cellulose acetate or a cellulose acetate derivative. The hollow fiber is made by using a gas to form the internal hollow cavity. A dialysis membrane in the form of a hollow fiber with a continuous hollow cavity may be made in a process using a spinning solution containing an organic carboxylic acid. Modification agents can be added to the solution and the solution extruded through a spinneret suitable for manufacturing hollow fibers, while an internal medium is introduced simultaneously into the internal cavity of the forming hollow fiber. The precipitation of the dialysis membrane thus formed and an ordinary further aftertreatment take place subsequently in a precipitation bath. The hollow fiber is made by using a gas as the internal medium to form the internal cavity.

Abstract: A process for preparing subdenier fibers and structures thereof from isotropic polymer solutions is disclosed. The process comprises extruding a stream of the polymer solution into a chamber, introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber, directing the gas in the flow direction of and in surrounding contact with the stream within the chamber, passing both the gas and the stream into a zone of lower pressure at a velocity sufficient to attenuate the stream and fragment it into fibers, and contacting the fragmented stream in the zone with a coagulating fluid.

Abstract: An improved extrudable solution such as a cellulose acetate/acetone spinning solution is provided containing cellulose ester, solvent, metal oxide precursor, acid, and water. The solution is extruded such as by spinning and produces a shaped article such as a cellulose acetate fiber containing metal oxide interpenetrating networks.

Abstract: A for controlling a includes circuit a register for holding the repetition number of a program operation to be repeated, a counter receiving the content of the register and adapted to decrement in response with each execution of the program operation to be repeated, a memory for storing a sequence of instructions, and a controller for receiving an instruction read from the memory modification in a normal condition and to convert the received instruction into a no-operation instruction when the content of the counter becomes a predetermined content.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel composition useful for preparing a semi-permeable cellulose ester gas separation membrane, which composition includes a mixture of a cellulose ester, a solvent selected from the group consisting essentially of glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, and mixtures thereof, and optionally the non-solvent glycerol. This invention also relates to a process of fabricating a cellulose ester gas separation membrane from said composition.

Abstract: A process for making oriented, shaped articles of lyotropic polysaccharide/thermally-consolidatable polymer blends by orienting spinnable dopes containing fiber-forming polymers being at least about 55% and less than about 80% lyotropic polysaccharide and at least about 20 percent and less than about 45% thermally-consolidatable polymer and removing the solvent.

Abstract: Process for preparing subdenier fiber and structures thereof from lyotropic liquid crystalline polymers comprising extruding a stream of the polymer into a chamber, introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber, directing the gas in the flow direction of and in surrounding contact with the stream within the chamber, passing both the gas and the stream into a zoner of lower pressure at a velocity sufficient to attenuate the stream and fragment it into fibers, and contacting the fragmented stream in the zone with a coagulating fluid.

Abstract: High strength, high modulus cellulose triacetate fibers are produced by spinning a 30-50% by weight solution of cellulose triacetate having an acetyl content of at least 42.5% and an inherent viscosity of at least 5 from a solvent mixture comprising nitric acid and another solvent having a molecular weight of less than 160 in a mol ratio of 1-3 through an air gap into a coagulating bath.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane of a cellulose ester for dialysis of body liquids, such as blood, and a method are described. The membrane, which has a membrane thickness of less than 20.mu., and a yield strength S.sub.b (g/filament) after heat-treatment at 80.degree. C. for 20 hours satisfies the following formula (I):0.90.ltoreq.S.sub.b /S.sub.a .ltoreq.1.10 (I)wherein S.sub.a represents the yield strength (g/filament) of the hollow fiber membrane which is measured before heat treatment. The membrane has excellent dialysis performance while keeping excellent storage stability and excellent UFR retention during storage and during hemodialysis. A spinning solution of a cellulose ester is extruded through cyclic slits around an inner tube of a spinneret while a core solution is simultaneously extruded through the inner tube of the spinneret.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing film without melt fracturing in which a flow of a polymer solution having a high viscosity extruded from a die slit onto a running and spreading plane is extruded through the die slit together with a low viscosity solution with the polymer solution is covered by the low viscosity solution. In a first preferred embodiment, the low viscosity solution is passed through a confluence tube so as to surround the high viscosity solution in the form of a coaxial cylinder after which the two solutions are passed through a slit die which maintains the covering relationship between the high and low viscosity solutions. In another preferred embodiment, a slit die is provided which has a central passage into which the high viscosity fluid is supplied and side passages of a slit-like shape similar to that of the main passage into which the low viscosity solution is supplied.

Abstract: Improved cellulose semipermeable hollow fibers useful in detoxifying blood during hemodialysis or hemofiltration treatments. The cellulose fibers are fine, capillary fibers that are made by melt extrusion of certain cellulose ester polyol melt spin compositions into self-supporting gelled fibers. The cellulose ester gelled fibers are subsequently chemically converted into cellulose fibers by deacetylation, in aqueous alkali solution. The product fibers exhibit improved wet intrinsic tensile strength and higher water permeability characteristics than heretofore known cellulose fibers made from cellulose ester spin compositions.The invention includes the method of making the improved fibers and separatory cells such as hemodialyzers or hemofilters which contain the improved fibers in a gamma ray sterilized condition.

Abstract: It has been discovered that cellulose acetate membranes, fabricated using nonaqueous solvent systems, can be used for the separation of polar solvents, especially ketone dewaxing solvents from dewaxed oil. The cellulose acetate membranes so prepared are of a reduced acetyl content and exhibit very good resistance to ketone solvents. The specific fabrication procedure avoids exposing the cellulose acetate to even transient mixtures of ketone and alcohol or ketone and water. Although the cellulose acetate polymer is insoluble in pure water, alcohol, or ketone it is soluble in mixtures of ketone-alcohol and ketone-water.The resulting membrane is an effective means for separating ketone dewaxing solvent from dewaxed oil.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose ester support is described which comprises producing said support from an organic solvent solution of a cellulose ester containing 30 ppm or less alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber includes the steps of:extruding a spinning solution of high molecular weight compound dissolved into a solvent, from an annular slit; and simultaneously extruding a liquid consisting of at least one of the solvent and swelling liquid capable of swelling the high molecular weight compound from an orifice encircled by the annular slit.

Abstract: An improved cellulose acetate semi-permeable hollow fiber suitable for use in artificial kidneys and a process for making same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a membrane filtration type hollow fiber. It is composed of a single material phase which material is a chain high polymer such as cellulose acetate and capable of forming fibers by the spinning of the high polymer. The cylindrical wall defining the hollow fiber represents a three-dimensional net-like structure of fine filtering passages. This structure occupies substantially the whole mass of the tubular wall or a closed ring band zone when seen in any cross-section of the wall, providing thus an effective and active filtering zone. The pore rate amounts to at least 55%, and active points of the filtering passages for governing minimum passable sizes of the passages for solids included in a filtering liquor to be treated upon are distributed at random throughout at least the active zone. These sizes are nearly uniform.

Abstract: Hydrophilic films, fibers and spongy articles of a water-insoluble polymer selected from the group consisting of regenerated cellulose, cellulose ether, cellulose ester and polyalkylene, and capable of forming fibers and films, are produced by distributing in a mass of the polymer up to 50% of pulverulent or granular amorphous particles of an originally water-soluble cellulose ether prepared from natural cellulose and rendered by chemical modification at least partly water-insoluble while remaining water-absorbent. The resulting mixture is then processed by conventional methods into the desired article.

Abstract: A non-woven cellulose ester fibrous filter sheet material comprising cellulose ester staple fibers and cellulose ester fibrets which exhibits improved filtration properties and the method of its preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing fibrous materials by wet method. Fibrous materials with excellent properties can be obtained by feeding the starting solution to the interface area of two phases of the coagulation bath.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new thermal stabilizer system for cellulose esters and their commercially useful formulated compositions which can be molded, shaped and otherwise processed in a thermoplastic condition at elevated temperatures to provide products having (1) better molecular weight retention and (2) less discoloration after thermal processing when compared to similar cellulose ester compositions containing prior art stabilizers.

Abstract: The evolution of formaldehyde from shaped cellulose acetayte articles containing methylolated melamine or guanamine polymers is reduced by adding to the solutions from which the cellulose acetate article is regenerated, from 1 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the methylolated polymer of a cyclic urea compound.

Abstract: Low-density microcellular foam having a cell size of not greater than 2 .mu.m and method of making by dissolving cellulose acetate in an acetone-based solvent, gelling the solution in a water bath maintained at 0-10.degree. C for a selected period of time to allow impurities to diffuse out, freezing the gel, and then freeze-drying wherein water and solvents sublime and the gel structure solidifies into low-density microcellular foam. The foam has a density of 0.065 to 0.6.times.10.sup.3 kg/m.sup.3 and cell size of about 0.3 to 2 .mu.m. The small cell size foam is particularly adaptable for encapsulation of laser targets.

Abstract: The tendency of cellulose acetate solutions, containing methylolated polymers of melamine or guanamine, to prepolymerize or gel is reduced by the addition to the solutions of an amine oxide. The amine oxide also acts to reduce the viscosity of the cellulose acetate solutions.

Abstract: Foam-encapsulated laser fusion targets are fabricated by suspending fusion fuel filled shells in a solution of cellulose acetate, extruding the suspension through a small orifice into a bath of ice water, soaking the thus formed shell containing cellulose acetate gel in the water to extract impurities, freezing the gel, and thereafter freeze-drying wherein water and solvents sublime and the gel structure solidifies into a low-density microcellular foam containing one or more encapsulated fuel-filled shells. The thus formed material is thereafter cut and mounted on a support to provide laser fusion targets containing a fuel-filled shell surrounded by foam having a thickness of 10 to 60 .mu.m, a cell size of less than 2 .mu.m, and density of 0.08 to 0.6.times.10.sup.3 kg/m.sup.3. Various configured foam-encapsulated targets capable of being made by the encapsulation method are illustrated.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose acetate resembling asbestos in fibrous structure and liquid filtering properties which is useful for filtering potable liquids such as fruit juices, vegetable juices and wine is made continuously by introducing a stream of a 2-4% by weight solution of cellulose acetate of 25-45 secs. viscosity in acetone and a stream of water into a mixing T at velocities which create substantial turbulence and at a water:solution volume ratio of 4:1 to 20:1, continuously withdrawing the resulting cellulose acetate slurry from the mixing T and passing it through a mechanical shearer which shears the precipitate to a surface area in the range of 35.55 m.sup.2 /g and thereafter depositing the slurry on a porous support to drain unabsorbed water/acetone from the precipitate and washing the precipitate with water until it is substantially acetone-free.