Methods for Liberating Trichome Fibers from Portions of a Host Plant

Abstract

Improved processes for liberating trichome fibers from non-seed portions of a trichome-bearing host plant are provided, as well as inventive fibrous structures comprising trichome fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fibrous structure comprising:
 a fiber blend that comprises wood fibers and trichome fibers;   wherein at least some of the trichome fibers have a length that is less than 100 microns;   wherein the fiber blend comprises from about 1% to about 40% of trichome fibers;   wherein the wood fibers comprise both hardwood fibers and softwood fibers; and   wherein the trichome fibers comprise an L* color value of greater than about 70%.   
     
     
         2 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the trichome fibers comprise a b* color value of less than about 15%. 
     
     
         3 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the trichome fibers are derived from a plant in the  Stachys  genus. 
     
     
         4 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber blend comprises from about 2% to about 30% of trichome fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber blend comprises from about 5% to about 25% of trichome fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the trichome fibers are derived from a plant in the  Stachys  genus. 
     
     
         7 . A single or multi ply sanitary tissue product comprising the fibrous structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The sanitary tissue product of  claim 7 , wherein the fibrous structure comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of: wet strength additives, softening agents, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The sanitary tissue product of  claim 7 , wherein the sanitary tissue product exhibits a total dry tensile of from about 200 g/in to about 1000 g/in, as measured according to the Total Dry Tensile Test Method described herein. 
     
     
         10 . The sanitary tissue product of  claim 7 , wherein the sanitary tissue product is toilet tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the trichome fibers are derived from a plant in the  Stachys  genus.