Cellulose gel for 3d-objects

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of three-dimensional cellulose-based objects, for example cellulose base packaging materials. In particular, the present invention relates to molded cellulose-based objects with a functionalized surface, for example a surface that reduces water absorption. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a molded cellulose-based object comprising a cellulose gel layer. For example, the cellulose gel layer may be obtained by sulfurization.

1 . Moulded cellulose-based object comprising a dried cellulose gel layer. 
     
     
         2 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the moulded cellulose-based object is packaging selected from the group consisting of primary packaging, secondary packaging and tertiary packaging. 
     
     
         3 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the packaging is selected from the group consisting of cups, bottles, trays, capsules, straws, spoon, tips and lids. 
     
     
         4 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the packaging is food packaging. 
     
     
         5 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises cellulose pulp selected from the group consisting of mechanical pulp, recycled paper pulp, bagasse pulp, annual plant pulp, virgin cellulose pulp, refined cellulose pulp, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the dried cellulose gel on the moulded cellulose-based object is a pre-treatment of the surface coated with at least one further coating. 
     
     
         7 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the object further comprises alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). 
     
     
         8 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the dried cellulose gel layer has a thickness in the range of about 2- to 80 μm. 
     
     
         9 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the moulded cellulose-based object has an oil resistance in the range of 10 to 12 in a kit test an air permeability in the range of 1 to 0.001 cm 3 /(m 2 ·Pa·s), and/or water absorbance in a 60 min Cobb test of below 100 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         10 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the moulded cellulose-based object comprises highly refined kraft bleached cellulose. 
     
     
         11 . A process for making a moulded cellulose-based object comprising the steps of
 a. dipping a moulded cellulose-based object into a H 2 SO 4  solution,   b. washing the moulded cellulose-based object after dipping it into a H 2 SO 4  solution, and   c. drying the moulded cellulose-based object after dipping it into a H 2 SO 4  solution and washing it.   
     
     
         12 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the H 2 SO 4  solution is an about 60-80 weight-% H 2 SO 4  solution at a temperature at about 3 to 30° C. for about 1 to 60 seconds. 
     
     
         13 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the moulded cellulose-based object after dipping it into a H 2 SO 4  solution is washed in a water bath, optionally assisted by scrubbing. 
     
     
         14 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the washed moulded cellulose-based object is further washed in a second washing bath. 
     
     
         15 . Moulded cellulose-based object in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the washed moulded cellulose-based object is dried in an oven at a temperature in the range of about 50-180° C.