Method for dispersing cellulose based fibers in water
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for dispersing cellulose based fibers in water comprising the steps of:
- combining together water, a fibrous material, and a hydrocolloid to form an initial fibrous mixture in which the fibrous material is not initially dispersed in the water and has an initial solids content in a range from about 35% to about 80% by weight of the initial fibrous mixture, wherein sufficient hydrocolloid is included so as to bind substantially all of the water;
kneading the initial fibrous mixture using strong mechanical action in order to liberate and disperse individual fibers from the fibrous material and form a final fibrous mixture in which the fibers are substantially dispersed throughout the final fibrous mixture; and
shaping the final fibrous mixture into a desired shape by a process selected from the group consisting of extrusion, injection molding, coating, pressing, rolling, and combinations thereof.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes a method for dispersion of cellulose based fibers in water. The raw material, which particularly may be recycled paper, is first wetted with water. By a combination of addition of hydrocolloid which binds water, and strong kneading at high solid content, the mixture is transformed into a modulable paste. The high viscosity of the paste effectively conveys the shear forces of the kneading machine to make the fibers flexible and tear them apart. When the kneading is terminated, the hydrocolloid prevents the fibers from reassociation into fiber bundles.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for dispersing cellulose based fibers in water comprising the steps of:
-
combining together water, a fibrous material, and a hydrocolloid to form an initial fibrous mixture in which the fibrous material is not initially dispersed in the water and has an initial solids content in a range from about 35% to about 80% by weight of the initial fibrous mixture, wherein sufficient hydrocolloid is included so as to bind substantially all of the water; kneading the initial fibrous mixture using strong mechanical action in order to liberate and disperse individual fibers from the fibrous material and form a final fibrous mixture in which the fibers are substantially dispersed throughout the final fibrous mixture; and shaping the final fibrous mixture into a desired shape by a process selected from the group consisting of extrusion, injection molding, coating, pressing, rolling, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for dispersing cellulose based fibers in water comprising the steps of:
-
combining together water, a fibrous material, and a hydrocolloid to form an initial fibrous mixture in which the fibrous material is not initially dispersed in the water and having an initial solids content in a range from about 40% to about 80% by weight of the initial fibrous mixture, wherein sufficient hydrocolloid is included so as to bind substantially all of the water; kneading the initial fibrous mixture using strong mechanical action in order to liberate and disperse individual fibers from the fibrous material and form a final fibrous mixture in which the fibers are substantially dispersed throughout the final fibrous mixture while heating the final fibrous mixture in order to evaporate a portion of the water in order to further increase the solids concentration; and shaping the final fibrous mixture into a desired shape by a process selected from the group consisting of extrusion, injection molding, coating, pressing, rolling, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for dispersing cellulose based fibers in water, comprising the steps of:
-
combining water, a fibrous material comprising agglomerated fibers, and a hydrocolloid to form an initial fibrous mixture in which the fibrous material is not initially dispersed in the water, the hydrocolloid being included at a sufficient concentration such that the water is completely bound within the initial fibrous mixture, wherein the fibrous material is included in an amount in a range from about 35% to about 80% by weight of the initial fibrous mixture; kneading the initial fibrous mixture at a temperature of less than about 200°
C. using strong mechanical action in order to liberate and disperse individual fibers from the fibrous material and form a final fibrous mixture in which the fibers are substantially dispersed throughout the final fibrous mixture while heating the fibrous mixture in order to evaporate a portion of the water in order to further increase the solids concentration; andshaping the final fibrous mixture into a desired shape by a process selected from the group consisting of extrusion, injection molding, coating, pressing, rolling, and combinations thereof.
-
Specification