Method of treating papermaking fibers for making tissue
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsMichael A. Hermans, Robert J. Makolin, Kristin A. Goerg, Fung-Jou Chen
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Abstract
The throughdryability of dewatered, but wet, sheets made from papermaking fibers can be significantly increased by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the fibers at high consistency to elevated temperatures with sufficient working of the fibers. Such a treatment is particularly effective for improving the efficiency of throughdrying processes used in the manufacture of certain products, such as tissues and paper towels, made from furnishes having a significant amount of secondary or recycled fibers.
Claims18
A method for making tissue comprising (a) forming an aqueous suspension comprising papermaking fibers having a consistency of from about 30 to about 50 percent;
- (b) passing the aqueous suspension through a shaft disperger having a rotating shaft with a multiplicity of arms which work the fibers substantially by fiber-to-fiber contact, wherein the temperature of the aqueous suspension is about 150.degree. F. or greater and the power input is about 1 horsepower-day per ton of dry fiber or greater, wherein the TD Index of the fibers is increased about 25 percent or greater;
- (c) feeding the fibers through a tissue making headbox to form a wet web;
- and (d) drying the web to form a dried tissue.
A method for making throughdried tissue comprising (a) forming an aqueous suspension comprising secondary fibers having a consistency of from about 30 to about 50 percent;
- (b) passing the aqueous suspension through a shaft disperger having a rotating shaft with a multiplicity of arms which work the fibers substantially by fiber-to-fiber contact, wherein the temperature of the aqueous suspension is about 150.degree. F. or greater and the power input is about 1 horsepower-day per ton of dry fiber, wherein the TD Index of the fibers is increased to about 0.15 or greater;
- (c) feeding the fibers through a tissue making headbox to form a wet web;
- and (d) throughdrying the web to form a throughdried tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.