Composition of matter in a pre-refiner blend zone
AssigneeEastman Chemical Company
InventorsCharles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composition is contained a blend zone prior to refining containing non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers or both; cellulose ester fibers, water, and one or more additives comprising fillers, internal sizing agents, biocides, process anti-foaming agents, colorants, optical modifiers, or a combination thereof. An in-line mixer can be used for adding the additives, and the consistency of the composition is lowered relative to a feed of material from a hydropulper.
Claims20
A composition for making a wet-laid product, comprising:
- a. non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers, or both, and
- b. crimped cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers that are not surface hydrolyzed and having a denier per filament (DPF) from 1.8 to less than 3 and:
- i. a cut length of 3 mm to less than 6 mm, and
- ii. a non-round cross-sectional shape,
- iii.
- c. water;
- and
- d. one or more additives comprising fillers, internal sizing agents, biocides, process anti-foaming agents, colorants, optical modifiers, or a combination thereof,
- wherein binders are not added to the composition or contained in a wet laid product made from said composition;
- wherein said CE staple fibers comprise cellulose acetate in an amount from about 4 wt % to less than 16 wt %;
- and wherein said cellulose ester staple fibers are crimped and have an average of 5 crimps per inch (CPI) or more.
A process comprising combining one or more additives with a mixture in a blend tank or an in-line mixer to make a composition for making a wet laid product, wherein the mixture comprises:
- a. non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, or waste/recycle cellulose fibers, or both, and
- b. crimped cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers that are not surface hydrolyzed and having a denier per filament (DPF) from 1.8 to less than 3 and
- a cut length of 3 mm to less than 6 mm, and
- a non-round cross-sectional shape,
- c. water,
- wherein binders are not added to the composition or contained in a wet laid product made from said composition;
- wherein said CE staple fibers comprise cellulose acetate in an amount from about 4 wt % to less than 16 wt %;
- and wherein said cellulose ester staple fibers are crimped and have an average of 5 crimps per inch (CPI) or more.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.