Kimberly-clark Corporation

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Ramakant T Shet

Sandra M Yarbrough

Palani Raj Wallajapet

Ronald S Harland

Disclosed is a modified cellulose fiber having improved curl characteristics. Specifically, the present invention relates to oxidized or sulfonated cellulose fibers being highly curled, wherein such curl is highly stable. The oxidized or sulfonated curled cellulose fiber may be prepared by a process comprising treating the fibers in a high energy refiner effective to provide the desired curl properties to the fiber. The modified cellulose having improved curl characteristics may be used in disposable absorbent products.

Modified cellulose fiber having improved curl

Disclosed is a water-swellable, water-insoluble sulfonated cellulose having improved absorption properties. One embodiment of the present invention concerns a water-swellable, water-insoluble sulfonated cellulose having an average degree of sulfonic group substitution from about 0.2 to about 0.5 that exhibits an initial Absorbency Under Load value of at least about 8 grams per gram. The sulfonated cellulose may be used in disposable absorbent products.

Sulfonated cellulose having improved absorbent properties

Disclosed is a method for the surface modification of cellulose fiber and the resulting product, sulfonated cellulose. Cellulose is first oxidized, preferably with sodium metaperiodate (NaIO.sub.4), to form dialdehyde oxycellulose, which is then reacted with sodium bisulfite (NaHSO.sub.3) to produce sulfonated cellulose. Sulfonation of the cellulose fiber significantly increases the dry and wet tensile strength as well as the wet strength:dry strength ratio, making this modified cellulose fiber extremely useful in a wide variety of paper products requiring a combination of good strength in both wet and dry applications.

Sulfonated cellulose and method of preparation

A polymeric composition specifically adapted to absorb blood and other proteinaceous fluids and having repeating units, said polymeric composition comprising pendant neutralized carboxyl groups (salts) and pendant carboxyl groups. The polymeric composition is characterized in that the ratio of pendant neutralized carboxyl groups to pendant carboxyl groups is within the range of from about 1:9 to about 9:11, at least about 20 mole percent of the repeating units comprise a pendant neutralized carboxyl group or a pendant carboxyl group, and at least about 50 percent of the pendant neutralized carboxyl groups have been neutralized with a potassium or lithium base.

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Ramakant T Shet