Water dispersible products

Abstract

Water dispersible fiber products are provided. In one embodiment, a water dispersible fiber sheet is provided and it is preferably formed from regenerated cellulose fibers, a second fiber that is adapted to provide strength to the water dispersible fiber sheet, and a water soluble binder. In use, the fiber sheet can be formed into a variety of products including, for example, for labels, packaging, medical and health care products. The fiber sheet is particularly advantageous in that it is readily dispersible upon contact with water, yet it will retain its strength when used with other fluids, such as alcohol and oils. The biodegradability of the fiber sheet will also allow the fibers to be consumed naturally by environmental bacteria, thus eliminating the need for special disposal procedures. In another embodiment, the water dispersible fiber sheet can be incorporated into a filter media.

1 . A water dispersible fiber sheet, comprising: 
 a first fiber comprising regenerated cellulose;    a second fiber adapted to provide strength to the water dispersible fiber sheet; and    a water soluble binder.    
     
     
         2 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water dispersible fiber sheet includes about 20% to 90% of the first fiber, about 10% to 80% of the second fiber, and less than about 10% of the water soluble binder.  
     
     
         3 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber includes about 10% to 80% of a natural fiber and about 0% to 50% of a synthetic fiber.  
     
     
         4 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water soluble binder is added to the water dispersible fiber sheet by applying the water soluble binder to the first and second fibers after the first and second fibers are formed into a fiber sheet.  
     
     
         5 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water soluble binder is added to the water dispersible fiber sheet by mixing the water soluble binder with the first and second fibers before the mixture is formed into a water dispersible fiber sheet.  
     
     
         6 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 6 , wherein the natural fibers are selected from the group consisting of softwood fibers, hardwood fibers, vegetation fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 6 , wherein the synthetic fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate fibers, nylon fibers, polyolefin fibers, synthetic wood pulp fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, acrylic fibers, modacrylic fibers, vinyl chloride fibers, vinylidene chloride fibers, acetate fibers, regenerated protein fibers, polylactide fibers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, metal fibers, mineral fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water soluble binder is selected from the group consisting of water soluble carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, protein, polyacrylic acid, starches, gums, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet will disperse in less than about 20 seconds when agitated in water.  
     
     
         11 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet will disperse in less than about 10 seconds.  
     
     
         12 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet will disperse in less than about 5 seconds.  
     
     
         13 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet has an MD tensile strength that is at least about 2 lb/inch.  
     
     
         14 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first fiber has a length in the range of about 1 mm to 10 mm.  
     
     
         15 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber has a length in the range of about 0.1 mm to 6 mm.  
     
     
         16 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber has a size that is in the range of about 0.1μ to 100μ.  
     
     
         17 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber has a length to diameter ratio that is less than about 1000.  
     
     
         18 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber has a length to diameter ratio that is less than about 500.  
     
     
         19 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second fiber has a length to diameter ratio that is less than about 200.  
     
     
         20 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet is not soluble in organic liquids.  
     
     
         21 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber sheet is not soluble in alcohol.  
     
     
         22 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water dispersible fiber sheet forms a first layer of a filter media, the filter media further comprising a second layer formed from a water soluble non-woven polymer fiber web.  
     
     
         23 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 22 , wherein the water soluble non-woven polymer fiber web is formed from a water soluble polyether amide.  
     
     
         24 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 22 , wherein the second layer is meltblown onto the first layer.  
     
     
         25 . The water dispersible fiber sheet of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second layers are adhered to one another with a water soluble polymer.  
     
     
         26 . A water dispersible filter media, comprising: 
 a first layer formed from regenerated cellulose fibers, a second fiber adapted to provide strength to the water dispersible fiber sheet, and a water soluble binder; and    a second layer formed from a water soluble non-woven polymer fiber web.    
     
     
         27 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , wherein the water soluble binder in the first layer is selected from the group consisting of water soluble carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, protein, polyacrylic acid, starches, gums, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , wherein the water soluble non-woven polymer fiber web is formed by extrusion of a water soluble polymer.  
     
     
         29 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , wherein the water soluble non-woven polymer fiber web is formed from a water soluble polyether amide.  
     
     
         30 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , wherein the second layer is meltblown onto the first layer.  
     
     
         31 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second layers are adhered to one another with a water soluble polymer.  
     
     
         32 . The water dispersible filter media of  claim 26 , where in the first and second layer are heat sealed to form a bag.  
     
     
         33 . A method for making a water dispersible product, comprising: 
 forming a first fiber sheet layer from regenerated cellulose fibers, a second fiber adapted to provide strength to the water dispersible fiber sheet, and a water soluble binder.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of forming a first fiber sheet layer comprises: 
 forming a fiber mixture containing the regenerated cellulose fibers, the second fiber, and water;    passing the mixture through a paper machine to form a fiber sheet; and    applying a water soluble binder to the sheet.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of forming a first fiber sheet layer comprises forming a fiber mixture containing the regenerated cellulose fibers, the second fiber, the water soluble binder, and water, and passing the mixture through a paper machine to form a fiber sheet.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of melt blowing a water soluble non-woven polymer fiber onto the first layer to form a second fiber sheet layer.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the water soluble non-woven polymer fiber is formed from a water soluble polyether amide.