Method of softening pulp and pulp products produced by same
AssigneeRayonier Inc.
InventorsKarl D. Sears, Peter R. Abitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wood pulp sheets treated with triacetin and other compounds, or solutions or emulsions of same, having increased softness while maintaining absorbency, and methods for producing same. More particularly, the invention relates to the treatment of wood pulp useful for making a fluff pulp using a softening agent including alkyl ethers, aryl ethers and formic, ethanoic and propanoic esters of low molecular weight glycols, such as triacetin, propylene glycol diacetate and 2-phenoxyethanol.
Claims20
A method of softening a wood pulp useful for making fluff pulp comprising the step of applying to the pulp a softening agent selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, aryl ethers, and formic, ethanoic and propanoic esters of low molecular weight glycols, and mixtures thereof, having solubility in water at 25.degree. C. of less than 50 g per 100 g aqueous solution, wherein the Mullen strength of the pulp is decreased by at least 5%, the Kamas energy of the pulp is decreased by at least 5%, and the liquid absorption rate of the wood pulp is not decreased by more than 5%.
A composition of matter comprising treated wood pulp useful for making fluff pulp produced by a method comprising the step of applying to wood pulp not more than 5% by weight of a softening agent selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, aryl ethers, and formic, ethanoic and propanoic esters of low molecular weight glycols, and mixtures thereof, said softening agent having solubility in water at 25.degree. C. of no more than 50 g per 100 g aqueous solution.
A wood pulp sheet useful for making fluff pulp produced by a method comprising applying to a sheet of wood pulp not more than 5% by weight of a softening agent selected from the group consisting of alkyl ethers, aryl ethers, and formic, ethanoic and propanoic esters of low molecular weight glycols, and mixtures thereof, said softening agent having solubility in water at 25.degree. C. of no more than 50 g per 100 g aqueous solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.