Eastman Chemical Company

Charles Stuart Everett

Kenny Randolph Parker

Melvin Glenn Mitchell

Koushik Ghosh

Mounir Izallalen

Mark Dwight Clark

Chris Delbert Anderson

Jeremy Kenneth Steach

Ernest Phillip Smith

Keh Dema

Sungkyun Sohn

Brian Tyndall Edwards

Loren William Chambers

The present invention relates to ultrasonic welding of compositions, and wet laid articles made from the compositions, containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers, as well as wet laid processes using the compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wet laid nonwoven comprising cellulose and cellulose ester fibers. The wet laid nonwoven is bonded to itself and/or to other substrates, and this bonding is accomplished at least in part by ultrasonic welding.

Ultrasonic welding of wet laid nonwoven compositions

A recycled cellulose pulp composition is provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A wet-laid fibrous product is also provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A bailed article is also provided that comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. In embodiments, the recycled cellulosic fibers are present in an amount of 50 wt % or more, based on the total dry weight of fibers, and the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to increase the Canadian standard freeness (CSF) of the composition by 5% or more compared to a 100 wt % cellulosic fiber pulp composition processed under similar conditions.

Recycle pulp comprising cellulose acetate

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.

Composition of matter in a pre-refiner blend zone

A film is made from a wet laid product containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and a plasticizer. The film can be made by heat pressing the wet laid sheet to form a film having a continuous phase of cellulose ester resin and a discontinuous phase of cellulose fibers.

Cellulose and cellulose ester film

A composition obtained by combining virgin cellulose fibers, cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, and water, and water. The CE staple fibers can also have a short cut length of less than 6 mm and can be crimped. The compositions, when co-refined, are useful to make wet laid products such as paper, cardboard, and filters that have improved water drainage, air permeability, tensile strength, bulk, burst strength, or stiffness, or a combination of these properties.

Composition of matter in stock preparation zone of wet laid process

A wet laid process includes a method for making paper in which a composition containing co-refined cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers made into a thick stock composition in a machine chest, the thick stock is fed to a cleaning/screening zone through a device that regulates the flow rate of thick stock, the consistency of the thick stock fed to the screening/cleaning zone is reduced to form a thin stock composition; the thin stock composition is subjected to a process for cleaning the thin stock and feeding the cleaned thin stock through screens to form a cleaned and screened thin stock composition, and the cleaned and screened thin stock composition is fed to a headbox.

Composition of matter feed to a head box

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.

Composition of matter in a post-refiner blend zone

The present invention provides compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and wet laid articles made from the compositions, as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. More specifically, the present invention provided compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose acetate fibers and wet laid articles made from these compositions as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. The present invention also relates to developing a composition, process, wet laid product, or articles exhibiting any one of many desired benefits. Specifically, a wet laid process comprising a process that allows the quantity of water removed from a web passed through press rolls is increased relative to a web made from a 100% cellulose comparative composition.

Paper press process with high hydrolic pressure

A recycled cellulose pulp composition is provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. The recycled cellulose pulp containing co-refined re-cycled cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers can be added to a hydropulper and fed back through a refiner to make wet laid products.

Waste recycle composition

Contoured articles formed in a mold from a fiber slurry are provided. The articles comprise a blend of cellulose fibers and cellulose ester, such as cellulose ester staple fibers. The articles are suitable in a wide array of end uses, including as cups, lids, boxes or pouches, storage containers, trays, plates, food trays, cutlery, coffee cups, coffee cup lid, packaging, bowls, clam shells, bottle caps, straws, covers, and packaging inserts.

Molded articles from a fiber slurry

Absorbent wet laid products are made containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers that are co-refined to obtain products and articles that have improved water absorbency and tensile strength or burst strength or both. The absorbent wet laid products can now be made with a synthetic fiber in the wet laid operation since cellulose ester can be subjected to a refining operation.

Highly absorbent articles

The present invention provides compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and wet laid articles made from the compositions, as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. More specifically, the present invention provided compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose acetate fibers and wet laid articles made from these compositions as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. The present invention also relates to developing a composition, process, wet laid product, or articles exhibiting any one of many desired benefits.

Refining to a desirable freeness

Containers and lids made from cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers are provided that have enhanced air permeability, stiffness, R-heat insulation values, or thickness at equivalent grammage basis weights are provided, or alternatively, maintaining one or more of these properties while lowering the basis weight of the containers or lids. The container and lids with this synthetic fiber can be biodegradable when made with cellulose ester fibers having a degree of substitution of not more than 2.5. Examples of such containers are food packaging such as hot or cold delivery boxes.

Food packaging articles

A soft wipe article is provided comprising a wet-laid sheet which comprises cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers, wherein the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to provide the wet laid-sheet with a lower density and higher thickness at a given basis weight compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions. The cellulose ester staple fibers can also provide the wet laid-sheet with a higher softness, while maintaining or increasing tear strength, compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions.

Soft wipe comprising cellulose acetate

A tissue product is provided comprising a wet-laid sheet which comprises cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers, wherein the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to provide the wet laid-sheet with a lower density and higher thickness at a given basis weight compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions. The cellulose ester staple fibers can also provide the wet laid-sheet with a higher softness and/or higher water absorbance, compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions.

Growing community of inventors

Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Charles Stuart Everett