US 7,320,740 B2
Chemically cross-linked cellulosic fiber and method of making same
Othman A. Hamed, Jesup, Ga. (US); Harry J. Chmielewski, Brunswick, Ga. (US); and Dana B. McBee, Jesup, Ga. (US)
Assigned to Rayonier TRS Holdings Inc., Jesup, Ga. (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/156,703.
Application 11/156703 is a division of application No. 10/694348, filed on Oct. 28, 2003, granted, now 7,094,318.
Application 10/694348 is a division of application No. 10/166254, filed on Jun. 11, 2002, granted, now 7,074,301.
Prior Publication US 2005/0263258 A1, Dec. 01, 2005
Int. Cl. D21H 17/14 (2006.01); D21H 17/15 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 162—9  [162/78; 162/157.6; 162/158; 162/168.1; 162/182; 162/183; 162/184] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.