Process for the control of the physical and chemical characteristics of cellulose fiber containing molded articles

Abstract

A process is disclosed for engineering the architectural arrangement and inter-fiber bonding of fibers within an article being molded form a pulp. This allows for optimal structural characteristics and additive disposition within the article. Complex forms can be fabricated, articles so made having regional variations in chemical and physical parameters as well as those defined by the gross structural form of the article. The addition of osmotic gradients as well as electrical and hydrostatic potentials applied during molding control the migration of additives and solvents through the body of the article in preset directions, thereby controlling the spatial arrangements and bonding of fiber material

I claim:  
     
         1 ) the engineering of the architectural and spatial arrangement of fibers and additives within the body of an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         2 ) the use of chemical osmotic gradients applied through a mold or form to control the localized internal arrangement and bonding of fibers within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         3 ) the use of ion concentrations gradients applied through a mold or form to control the internal arrangement and bonding of fibers within an article being molded from pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         4 ) the use of osmotic gradients applied through a mold or form to control the internal arrangement, disposition and bonding of additives within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         5 ) the use of ion concentration gradients applied through a mold or form to control the internal arrangement, disposition and bonding of additives within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         6 ) the use of an electric field or current applied through a mold surface to control the internal arrangement and bonding of fibers within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         7 ) the use of an electrical field or current applied through a mold surface to control the local concentration of ions within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         8 ) the use of an electrical field or current applied through a mold surface to control the local concentration of additives within an article being molded from a pulp containing cellulose.  
     
     
         9 ) the use of a mold having a matrix of porous or semi-permeable surfaces through which a pulp can be exposed to varying ion, osmotic, chemical, electrical or hydrostatic pressure to effect the structural, chemical and physical nature of a cellulose containing pulp forming an article.