Wood pulp fiber morphology modifications through thermal drying
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsYoung Chan Ko, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Kambiz B. Makoui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a never-been-dried wood pulp into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology without the aid of a chemical cross-linker. The method includes the steps of treating a never-been-dried wood pulp fiber slurry with a drying aid and thermally drying the wood pulp fiber slurry. The method may alternatively, or additionally, include the steps of spray drying a wood pulp fiber slurry and/or a slurry of a hydrophilic material, and flash drying the spray dried wood pulp fiber slurry and/or slurry of hydrophilic material.
Claims57
A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a never-been-dried wood pulp into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology, comprising the steps of:
- treating a wood pulp fiber slurry with a drying aid;
- and
- thermally drying the wood pulp fiber slurry at a temperature of at least 200 degrees Celsius.
A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a never-been-dried wood pulp into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology, comprising the steps of:
- spray drying a wood pulp fiber slurry;
- and
- flash drying the spray dried wood pulp fiber slurry.
A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a slurry of a hydrophilic material into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology, comprising the steps of:
- spray drying a slurry of a hydrophilic material;
- and
- flash drying the spray dried slurry of the hydrophilic material.
A cellulosic, fibrous material comprising:
- a plurality of substantially individualized, dried fibers, the fibers having an average water retention value between 0.8 and 1.5 grams water/gram dry fiber, an average dry fiber twist count of at least about 2.0 twist nodes per millimeter, an average wet fiber twist count of at least 1.5 twist nodes per millimeter, and the fibers maintain at least 70% of the dry fiber twist count after rewetting the dry fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.