Functionalization of paper components

• US 8,123,906 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Soane Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: NanoPaper, LLC
• Inventors: Soane, David S., Berg, Michael C., Mowers, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hug, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/184,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20090165975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 162/164.1, 162/164.3, 162/164.6, 162/168.1, 162/168.2, 162/169, 162/183, 162/175, 162/178, 1621811-1819, 162/182
• US Class Current: 162/175
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 17/24 Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 17/45 Nitrogen-containing groups
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 21/18 Reinforcing agents

Abstract

Compositions and methods of producing paper-based materials are disclosed. In general, the techniques utilize an amine-containing polymer, such as chitosan, to functionalize one or more components of a mixture used to form materials such as paper-based materials. Such components can include the fibers of a pulp and/or filler particles. In one instance, either the pulp or the filler particles are functionalized, but not both. Such functionalization can improve the qualifies of a paper-based material relative to when such functionalization is not utilized. Techniques and compositions are also described to further improve the qualities of a paper material by utilizing a complementary polymer which can couple with the amine-containing polymer.

Claims

1. A mixture for producing a paper-based material, comprising:

an aqueous medium;

pulp comprising fibers having a negative charge;

filler particles having an inorganic surface; and

a cationic amine-containing polymer for enhancing properties of at least one of the mixture and the paper-based material, the cationic amine-containing polymer being substantially functionalized to only one of the pulp and the filler particles, wherein the cationic amine-containing polymer is chitosan and wherein said chitosan is substantially functionalized by precipitation to only one of the pulp and the filler particles.

2. The mixture of claim 1, wherein the pulp is substantially free of synthetic polymer-based fibers.

3. The mixture of claim 1, further comprising:

a complementary polymer for enhancing the properties of at least one of the mixture and the paper-based material, the complementary polymer capable of coupling with the amine-containing polymer, the coupling comprising at least one of reacting and interacting non-reactively with the amine-containing polymer.

4. The mixture of claim 3, wherein the complementary polymer is polyanionic.

5. The mixture of claim 4, wherein the complementary polymer includes carboxylic acid groups.

6. The mixture of claim 5, wherein the complementary polymer includes at least one segment comprising at least one of pectin, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid, and polymethacrylic acid.

7. The mixture of claim 3, wherein the complementary polymer comprises at least one group from epoxides, anhydrides, carboxylic acids, and isocyanates.

8. The mixture of claim 3, wherein the complementary polymer includes a component that increases water resistance of the paper-based material.

9. The mixture of claim 3, wherein the amine-containing polymer emulsifies the complementary polymer.

11. The mixture of claim 1, wherein the cationic amine-containing polymer is substantially functionalized to the pulp.

12. The mixture of claim 1, wherein the cationic amine-containing polymer is substantially functionalized to the filler particles.

10. A paper-based material, comprising:

pulp comprising fibers having a negative charge;

filler particles having an inorganic surface; and

a cationic amine-containing polymer for enhancing properties of the paper-based material, the cationic amine-containing polymer being substantially functionalized to only one of the pulp and the filler particles, wherein the cationic amine-containing polymer is chitosan and wherein said chitosan is substantially functionalized by precipitation to only one of the pulp and the filler particles.