Chemically cross-linked cellulosic fiber and method of making same
First Claim
1. A method of making chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers comprising:
- forming a wet laid sheet of caustic-treated cellulosic fibers;
applying an acid aldehyde cross-linking agent to the cellulosic fibers in the sheet form to form a sheet of impregnated fibers;
fiberizing the sheet in a hammermill to form fluffed fiber impregnated with a cross-linking agent; and
curing the cross-linking agent impregnated in the fluffed fiber to form intra-fiber cross-links, wherein curing takes place at a cure temperature within the range of from at least 320°
F. to about 435°
F.;
wherein the cross-linked fibers produced thereby have a centrifuge retention capacity of not more than 0.6 g saline/g fiber.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to cross-linked cellulosic fiber having improved absorbency characteristics when compared to conventional cross-linked fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fiber is obtainable by reacting pulp in the sheet or fluff form with one or more reagents selected from organic molecule having acid and aldehyde functional groups “acid aldehydes.” The invention also relates to a method of producing the cross-linked fiber. The method includes heating the treated cellulosic fibers to promote intrafiber cross-linking. The cross-linked fibers are characterized by having an improved centrifuge retention capacity, fluid acquisition rate, resiliency, absorbent capacity, absorbency under load, and other absorbent properties. The inventive cross-linked fibers are useful in forming absorbent composites, and in particular absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of making chemically cross-linked cellulosic fibers comprising:
-
forming a wet laid sheet of caustic-treated cellulosic fibers; applying an acid aldehyde cross-linking agent to the cellulosic fibers in the sheet form to form a sheet of impregnated fibers; fiberizing the sheet in a hammermill to form fluffed fiber impregnated with a cross-linking agent; and curing the cross-linking agent impregnated in the fluffed fiber to form intra-fiber cross-links, wherein curing takes place at a cure temperature within the range of from at least 320°
F. to about 435°
F.;wherein the cross-linked fibers produced thereby have a centrifuge retention capacity of not more than 0.6 g saline/g fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of making a cross-linked cellulosic fiber, comprising:
-
treating individualized cellulosic fibers with caustic; forming a non-woven mat or fluff of the caustic treated individualized fibers; supplying a cross-linking agent to the non-woven mat or fluff of the caustic treated individualized fibers to form an impregnated non-woven mat or fluff impregnated with the cross-linking agent; and curing the cross-linking agent on the impregnated non-woven mat or fluff to form intra-fiber cross-links; wherein the cross-linked fibers produced thereby have a centrifuge retention capacity of not more than 0.48 g saline/g fiber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification