Sodium sulfate treated pulp

Abstract

Cellulose pulp sheets treated with sodium sulfate can be fiberized to produce sodium sulfate treated fibers that exhibit desirable densification properties. The sodium sulfate treated fibers densify to a greater degree than fibers that have not been treated with sodium sulfate.

1 . A wet laid cellulose pulp sheet comprising: 
 cellulose fibers;    water; and    sodium sulfate applied to the wet laid pulp sheet across the sheet in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 15 weight percent based on dry fiber weight,    said wet laid sheet having a basis weight of about 200 g/m 2  to about 1000 g/m 2 ,    wherein the water content is less than about 20 weight percent based on total product weight.    
     
     
         2 . The wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the sodium sulfate is applied to the wet laid pulp sheet in an amount ranging from about 1 to 10 weight percent based on dry fiber weight.  
     
     
         3 . The wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose fibers are wood pulp fibers.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . The wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the water content is less than about 15 weight percent based on total product weight.  
     
     
         9 . A cellulose pulp sheet comprising: 
 cellulose fibers;    water;    sodium sulfate applied to the pulp sheet across the sheet in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 15 weight percent based on dry fiber weight, and    an oil having a melting point below 25° C.,    said sheet having a basis weight of about 200 g/m 2  to about 1000 g/m 2 ,    wherein the water content is less than about 20 weight percent based on total product weight.    
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a wet laid cellulose pulp sheet comprising 
 providing cellulose pulp;    forming a wet laid cellulose pulp sheet having a basis weight of about 200 g/m 2  to about 1000 g/m 2  from the cellulose pulp; and    applying a sodium sulfate densification agent to the wet laid cellulose pulp sheet across the sheet, and    wherein the wet laid cellulose pulp sheet further comprises water and the water content of the cellulose pulp sheet after application of the sodium sulfate is maintained at less than about 20 weight percent based on total product weight.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cellulose pulp is wood pulp.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sodium sulfate is applied to the cellulose pulp sheet in an amount that results in a loading of about 0.1 to 15 weight percent based on dry pulp.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sodium sulfate is applied to the cellulose pulp sheet in an amount that results in a loading of about 1.0 to 10 weight percent based on dry pulp.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sodium sulfate is applied as an aqueous solution containing from about 5 to 33 weight percent sodium sulfate solids.  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature of the cellulose pulp sheet when the sodium sulfate is applied is at least 25 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . The wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 1  wherein the sodium sulfate is applied uniformly across the sheet.  
     
     
         25 . The wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 1  wherein the sodium sulfate is applied in lines across the sheet.  
     
     
         26 . The method for producing a wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 14  wherein the sodium sulfate is applied uniformly across the sheet.  
     
     
         27 . The method for producing a wet laid cellulose pulp sheet of  claim 14  wherein the sodium sulfate is applied in lines across the sheet.