Method for making crosslinked fibers having high wet bulk

• US 6,752,944 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyerhauser)
• Original Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyerhauser)
• Inventors: Westland, John A., Jewell, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tentoni, Leo B.
• Application Number:
  US10/228,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20030008580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 264/137, 264/160, 264/236, 162/9, 162/157.6, 162/182
• US Class Current: 264/137
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 13/123 Polyaldehydes; Polyketones
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 13/207 Substituted carboxylic acids, e.g. by hydroxy or keto groups; Anhydrides, halides or salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 15/423 Amino-aldehyde resins
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 2101/06 cellulosic
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 2200/00 Functionality of the treatment composition and/or properties imparted to the textile material
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 11/20 Chemically or biochemically modified fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 17/06 Alcohols; Phenols; Ethers; Aldehydes; Ketones; Acetals; Ketals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249924 Noninterengaged fiber-containing paper-free web or sheet which is not of specified porosity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2913 Rod, strand, filament or fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2915 including textile, cloth or fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2933 Coated or with bond, impregnation or core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2965 Cellulosic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2484 Coating or impregnation is water absorbency-increasing or hydrophilicity-increasing or hydrophilicity-imparting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/277 Coated or impregnated cellulosic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/696 Including strand or fiber material which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous compositions, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention provides cellulosic fibers having high wet bulk and methods for their preparation. In one embodiment, the invention provides cellulosic fibers catalytically crosslinked with glyoxal and, optionally, a glycol. In another embodiment, cellulosic fibers are crosslinked with a combination of glyoxal and a glyoxal-derived resin selected from the group consisting of a glyoxal/polyol condensate, a cyclic urea/glyoxal/polyol condensate, a cyclic urea/glyoxal condensate, and mixtures thereof.

Claims

1. A method for preparing individualized, crosslinked cellulosic having high wet bulk, comprising:

applying a glyoxal crosslinking combination to a cellulosic fibrous sheet, wherein the crosslinking combination comprises glyoxal, a glycol, and a crosslinking catalyst;

separating the fibrous sheet into individual fibers;

drying and then curing the individual fibers for sufficient time and at sufficient temperature to provide individualized, crosslinked cellulosic fibers having a wet bulk greater about 20 cc/g at 0.6 kPa.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the glyoxal crosslinking combination comprises spraying an aqueous solution of the combination onto the fibrous sheet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein separating the fibrous sheet into individual fibers comprises fiberizing in a hammermill.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature is about 150°

C.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the time is about 15 minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the time is about 20 minutes.

7. A method for preparing individualized, crosslinked cellulosic having high wet bulk, comprising:

applying a glyoxal crosslinking combination to a cellulosic fibrous sheet, the crosslinking combination consisting essentially of glyoxal and a crosslinking catalyst;

separating the fibrous sheet into individual fibers;

drying and then curing the individual fibers for sufficient time and at sufficient temperature to provide individualized, crosslinked cellulosic fibers having a wet bulk greater about 20 cc/g at 0.6 kPa.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the glyoxal crosslinking combination comprises spraying an aqueous solution of the combination onto the fibrous sheet.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein separating the fibrous sheet into individual fibers comprises fiberizing in a hammermill.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the temperature is about 150°

C.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the time is about 15 minutes.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the time is about 20 minutes.