Abstract:
A drainage tester evaluates the reaction pattern of one or more reactions in a paper pulp furnish to predict behavior of the pulp on a paper line. The tester includes a mixing container in which an additive is mixed with the slurry under conditions that prolong the reactions in the container such that they take longer than the same reactions on a paper line. The mixer can also mimic the kinetic conditions (such as mixing by turbulence or passive diffusion) under which the additive is mixed with the furnish on the paper line. A test container has a screen bottom that separates furnish solid from slurry water by developing a pressure differential across the screen. An intermediate container is positioned between the mixing container and test container to provide a constant hydrostatic head on furnish transferred to the test container. A sensor above the screen in the test container monitors changes in the optical characteristics of a sheet formed on the screen to automatically determine the drainage time of the formed sheet. Sequential equal volume aliquots of furnish are withdrawn from the mixing container and sent to the test container at preselected time intervals after chemical additives are mixed with the furnish in the mixing container. Physical characteristics of the sheet, such as fines retention, drainage time and visual appearance, are recorded as a function of time from addition of additive to the mixing container. Behavior of the sheet on the paper line can be predicted in this manner to help an operator efficiently operate a paper machine system.
Abstract:
An improved package is described for use in packaging a wide variety of products, and in particular perishable food and horticultural products. The products are placed within a container (10) of the type which establishes a modified atmosphere environment therein and is cooled, as by placing the container (10) in contact with a cooling element (14) partially surrounding the container. The cooling element (14) may hold liquid which is evaporated to enhance the cooling. The container (10) and cooling collar (14) may be subjected to vacuum cooling. The container may include a mechanism to enhance the bulk gas transfer rate during the application of the vacuum while still maintaining the desired atmosphere within the container. The container atmosphere may be precharged with gas of a desired composition. In addition, fumigants may also be included therein. The package is suitable for field packing applications in which the product, such as strawberries (12), is picked directly into the container (10) surrounded by the cooling collar (14) with the container and cooling collar being placed in an outer box (16) or other receptacle. The modified atmosphere package may be sealed and palletized prior to vacuum cooling.
Abstract:
A corrugated paperboard strength enhancing process includes at least one resin application station located within the confines of the corrugator at a position where it is operable to apply a preselected amount of strength enhancing resin to at least one side of the medium after it has been fluted and most preferably before adhesive has been applied to the medium for securing liner paper thereto. At least one liner is adhered to the set of opposed flute tips. Thereafter the combined board with the resin compound on selected transverse portions of the fluted medium is allowed to cure, under selected temperature and moisture conditions and without the application of pressure that would crush the fluted medium. A suitable resin for the intended purpose is an isocyanate compound. The strength-enhanced corrugated paperboard can be efficiently repulped.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for producing a polyurea-cellulose composite material from substantially delignified cellulosic material and an isocyanate resin. The isocyanate resin comprises a polyisocyanate, preferably PMDI, and a miscible organic solvent, preferably one such as propylene carbonate having a high boiling point and low flammability and toxicity. The composite surprisingly exhibits values of physical parameters that are at least as good as, and sometimes far superior to, corresponding parameters of similar composites made using neat (undiluted) polyisocyanate. Single- and multiple-ply composites can be made, employing only a single curing step.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for preparing a quantity of individual treated fibers from one or more fiber mats. The apparatus comprises a fiber treatment zone, a conveyor for conveying each mat through the fiber treatment zone, wherein each mat is impregnated by an applicator with a treatment material, such as a crosslinking substance, and directly to an attrition device. The attrition device fiberizes the mats to form a fiber output having a low nit level, such as no more than about three, and a dryer for both drying the fiber output and curing the crosslinking substance. The fiberizer is configured to minimize the accumulation of fiber at locations therein. An optional component of the fiberizer is a novel fluff generator comprised of multiple rotors each having plural longitudinally extended rows of radially extending rotor pins that rotate past groups of shorter pins mounted on the inside surface of the fluff generator housing.
Abstract:
A fiber fluff generator includes a housing having three substantially cylindrical portions, each of which mounts and contains a rotor having a rotor shaft and a plurality of rotor pins extending radially therefrom. The rotor pins are arranged in rows spaced incrementally along the length of the shaft with gaps therebetween, each row including plural rotor pins arranged in spoke-like fashion. The rotor shafts preferably are mounted parallel to one another and lie in a common vertical plane. The rotor pins on one rotor shaft are axially offset from and overlap with the rotor pins on the adjacent rotor shaft(s) so that the rotor pins collectively are interleaved to provide a cross-combing effect. Stator pins fastened to the housing extend radially inwardly into the gaps between the rows of rotor pins to provide further cross-combing interaction. As the rotors rotate, fiber introduced into an inlet at the top of the housing flows downwardly toward an outlet located at the bottom of the housing while it is fluffed and combed by the three-state rotor arrangement.
Abstract:
A fiberizer is described having a rotor to which plural hammers are mounted for fiberizing a sheet of fibers delivered to the rotor as the rotor is rotated. A feed mechanism utilizing a pair of seal rollers, at least one of which is driven, is configured for effective delivery of both wet or dry sheets to the fiberizer. The hammers are configured to minimize dead spaces within the fiberizer. In addition, air flow is directed through the fiberizer to minimize accumulations of fibers therein. Furthermore, an optional liquid flushing mechanism is provided for periodically cleaning the fiberizer during use.
Abstract:
A disposable absorbent garment illustrated as a disposable diaper, includes a backsheet (26), an absorbent panel (28) positioned on top of the backsheet, and a composite, three-component topsheet assembly (30) positioned on top of the absorbent panel. The topsheet assembly includes a central portion (32) generally overlying the absorbent panel, and a pair of side marginal portions (34) joined to opposite side edges of the central portion. Each side marginal portion includes a plurality of segments (36, 38, 40), including an elasticized, standing gather segment (40) for enchanced containment. The containment characteristics of the garment are further enhanced by joining the central portion of the topsheet assembly to each side marginal portion in spaced relationship to the associated backsheet of the garment at (52).
Abstract:
An improved method is described for use in packaging a wide variety of products, and in particular perishable food and horticultural products. The products (12) are placed within a container (10) of the type which establishes a modified atmosphere environment therein and is cooled, as by heat transfer to a cooling element (14), which may involve the evaporation of liquid from a cooling collar partially surrounding the container. The container (10) and cooling collar (14) may be subjected to vacuum cooling. The container may include a mechanism to enhance the bulk gas transfer rate during the application of the vacuum while still maintaining the desired atmosphere within the container. The container atmosphere may be precharged with gas of a desired composition. In addition, fumigants may also be included therein. The package is suitable for field packing applications in which the product, such as strawberries, is picked directly into the container surrounded by the cooling collar with the container and cooling collars being placed in an outer box or other receptacle. The modified atmosphere package may be sealed and palletized prior to vacuum cooling.
Abstract:
This invention teaches a low cost, breathable, light weight, soft, disposable elastic structure with surface properties that are characterized by a controlled irregularity of the pleats or shirrs that make up the broad surfaces of the structure. The structure is a layered structure with outer layers of low basis weight breathable material, a central elastic layer, and an adhesive layer that serves to join all the layers together to form a unitary elastic structure.