Chemically cross-linked cellulosic fiber and method of making same
First Claim
1. A method of making a cross-linked cellulosic fiber, comprising:
- treating cellulosic fibers with caustic;
forming a wet laid sheet of the caustic treated fibers;
supplying an acid aldehyde cross-linking agent to the sheet of fibers to form a sheet impregnated with the cross-linking agent; and
drying and curing the cross-linking agent on the impregnated sheet of cellulosic fibers to form intra-fiber cross-links,wherein the cross-linked fibers produced thereby have a centrifuge retention capacity of not more than 0.6 g saline/g fiber.
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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.
36 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of making a cross-linked cellulosic fiber, comprising:
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treating cellulosic fibers with caustic; forming a wet laid sheet of the caustic treated fibers; supplying an acid aldehyde cross-linking agent to the sheet of fibers to form a sheet impregnated with the cross-linking agent; and drying and curing the cross-linking agent on the impregnated sheet of cellulosic fibers to form intra-fiber cross-links, 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, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification