Methods for blending dried cellulose fibers

Abstract

Methods for blending first and second fibers to provide fiber blends that include blended fiber flocs composed of a substantially homogeneous blend of first and second fibers.

1 . A method for blending a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, comprising:
 (a) introducing a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers into a blending device, wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise first fiber flocs, and wherein the second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise second fiber flocs; and   (b) blending the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers in the blending device to provide a blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, wherein the blend of first and second dried cellulose fibers comprises a plurality of blended fiber flocs, and wherein at least a portion of the blended fiber flocs comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers are crosslinked cellulose fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers are flash dried cellulose fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers are anfractuous fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second dried cellulose pulp fibers are cellulose fluff pulp fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture includes from about 75 to about 85 percent by weight first fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture includes from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight second fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blended fiber flocs comprise from about 75 to about 85 percent by weight first fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blended fiber flocs comprise from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight second fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein blending imparts stresses to the mixture sufficient to disrupt a plurality of the first and second fiber flocs. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein blending comprises mechanical blending. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein blending comprises pneumatic blending. 
     
     
         13 . A method for blending a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, comprising:
 (a) introducing a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers into a first air stream to provide a stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers in air, wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise first fiber flocs, and wherein the second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise second fiber flocs;   (b) impinging the stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers with a plurality of second air streams in a blending zone to provide a stream of blended first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers in air, wherein the plurality of second air streams impart stresses sufficient to disrupt a plurality of the first and second fiber flocs thereby mixing the first and second dried cellulose fibers from the first and second fiber flocs; and   (c) conducting the stream of blended first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers from the blending zone to a collection zone to provide a blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, wherein the blend of first and second dried cellulose fibers comprises a plurality of blended fiber flocs, and wherein at least a portion of the blended fiber flocs comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more air streams are provided by an interlaced configuration of nozzles on opposing surfaces of the blending zone. 
     
     
         15 . A method for blending a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, comprising:
 (a) introducing a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers into a first air stream to provide a stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers in air, wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise first fiber flocs, and wherein the second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise second fiber flocs;   (b) circulating the stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers into a loop blending zone and impacting the circulating stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers with one or more second air streams to provide a stream of blended first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers in air, wherein circulating and impacting the stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose fibers imparts stresses sufficient to disrupt a plurality of the first and second fiber flocs thereby blending the first and second dried cellulose fibers from the first and second fiber flocs; and   (c) conducting the stream of blended first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers from the blending zone to a collection zone to provide a blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, wherein the blend of first and second dried cellulose fibers comprises a plurality of blended fiber flocs, and wherein at least a portion of the blended fiber flocs comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the stream of mixed first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers is circulated more than once in the blending zone. 
     
     
         17 . A method for blending a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, comprising:
 (a) introducing first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers into a mechanical blending device to provide a mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, wherein the first dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise first fiber flocs, and wherein the second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprise second fiber flocs;   (b) mechanically blending the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers to provide a blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers, wherein mechanical blending imparts stresses sufficient to the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers to disrupt a plurality of the first and second fiber flocs thereby blending the first and second dried cellulose fibers from the first and second fiber flocs, wherein the blend of first and second dried cellulose fibers comprises a plurality of blended fiber flocs, and wherein at least a portion of the blended fiber flocs comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein mechanically blending the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprises blending in a pin/stud mixer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein mechanically blending the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprises blending in batch mixer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein mechanically blending the mixture of first and second dried cellulose pulp fibers comprises blending in continuous mixer.