RU2449070C1 - Paper bases with increased sizing of surface and low linen sizing with high dimensional stability - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: textiles, paper.

SUBSTANCE: paper base is intended for internal and external sizing, which has high dimensional stability, and can be used in pulp and paper industry. Paper base contains cellulose fibers, at least one filler, and sizing agent. At that the paper base has a coefficient of hygroextension from 0.6 to 1.5%. The Scott internal constraint in the transverse direction is not greater than 300 J/m², and/or Scott internal constraint in the longitudinal direction is not greater than 300 J/m². Also a method of manufacturing the paper base and versions of paper base are proposed.

EFFECT: increased dimensional stability and durability of the surface of the paper base.

26 cl, 24 dwg, 15 tbl, 5 ex

Description

This application claims priority, according to 35 USC §119 (e), of provisional US patent application No. 60/759,629 entitled "PAPER BASES WITH AN INCREASED SURFACE PANEL AND LOW PAPER ADHESIVE HAVING A HIGH STABILITY OF SIZES 2006", filed January 17, 2006. which is incorporated herein in full by reference. This application claims priority, according to 35 USC §119 (e), of provisional US patent application No. 60 / 853,882 titled "PAPER BASES WITH AN INCREASED SURFACE ADHESIVE AND LOW ADHESIVE CANVAS HAVING A HIGH STABILITY OF SIZES", filed October 24, 2006 which is incorporated herein in full by reference. This application claims priority, according to 35 USC §119 (e), of provisional US patent application No. 60/759,630 entitled "PAPER BASES WITH AN INCREASED SURFACE PANEL AND LOW PAPER SEALING, CONTAINING A FILLER PREPARING HIGH JANUARY 17 d., which is incorporated herein in full by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a paper base with increased surface sizing and low sizing of the canvas having high dimensional stability, as well as to methods for the manufacture and use of this composition.

State of the art

The variable performance characteristics of paper substrates vary widely depending on the wide range of end uses of such substrates. However, most variable performance characteristics can be programmed on paper more easily with increased dimensional stability of the substrate. Therefore, for a very long time on the market, it was desirable to supply a dynamic paper base having excellent dimensional stability, but capable of having high surface strength.

Lipponen et al. (2003), in a paper entitled “Surface sizing with high solids starch solutions” presented at the TAPPI Dosing Press Press Forum, discussed the use of high solids in starch solutions for sizing presses, which can be used to obtain surface strength in some specific cases, but could not achieve and / or appreciate the importance of a paper base with stable dimensions. In addition, the paper mentioned in the report of Lipponen et al. Has what the authors characterize as undesirably low web strength (not lower than about 140 J / m ² ).

In addition, in a subsequent report by Lipponen et al. (2005), “The Effect of Tractive Force of the Press and Base Mass on the Properties of Wood-Free Paper during Surface Sizing,” presented at the TAPPI Spring Technical Conference and Trade Fair, authors discuss methodologies for increasing undesirable low strength canvas base paper coated with a starch solution with a high solids content in the size press. Unfortunately, these reports present the results of failed attempts to obtain a paper base with both high dimensional stability and high surface strength.

Accordingly, there is still a need for a cheap and effective solution to improve dimensional stability and surface strength of the paper base.

Detailed description

The authors of the present invention have found an inexpensive and effective solution to improve the dimensional stability and surface strength of the paper base.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a paper base.

The paper base of the present invention contains a cellulose fiber web. The base paper of the present invention may contain secondary fibers and / or primary fibers. One typical difference between secondary and primary fibers is that the secondary fibers undergo a drying process at least once.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 1 to 99 wt.%, Preferably from 5 to 95 wt.% Of cellulose fibers, based on the total weight of the base, including 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 , 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 99 wt.% And including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

Preferably, the sources of cellulosic fibers are softwood and / or hardwood.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 1 to 100 wt.%, Preferably from 10 to 60 wt.%, Cellulose fibers obtained from coniferous wood, from the total amount of cellulose fibers in the paper base. This range includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.%, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges, from the total amount of paper-based cellulosic fibers.

The paper base may alternatively or advantageously contain from 0.01 to 99% by weight of coniferous fibers, most preferably from 10 to 60% by weight of the total weight of the paper base. The paper base contains not more than 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 99 wt.% Coniferous wood of the total mass of the paper base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base may contain softwood fibers that have a Canadian standard degree of grinding (csf) of 300 to 750, more preferably 400 to 550. This range includes 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 csf, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. Canadian standard milling is measured with a TAPPI T-227 standard test.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 1 to 100 wt.%, Preferably from 30 to 90 wt.%, Cellulose fibers of hardwood from the total amount of cellulose fibers in the paper base. This range includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.%, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges, from the total amount of paper-based cellulosic fibers.

The paper base may alternatively or advantageously contain from 0.01 to 99% by weight of softwood fibers, preferably from 60 to 90% by weight, of the total weight of the paper base. The paper base contains not more than 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 99 wt.% Fibers from the total mass of the paper base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The base paper may contain hardwood fibers that have a Canadian standard degree of grinding (csf) of from 300 to 750, more preferably from 400 to 550 csf. This range includes 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530 , 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 csf, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. Canadian standard milling is measured with a TAPPI T-227 standard test.

In one embodiment, the paper base contains softwood and / or hardwood fibers that are less ennobled. The paper base contains these fibers, which are enriched by at least 2% less compared to known paper substrates, preferably at least 5% less, more preferably 10% less, most preferably at least 15% less than fibers used in well-known paper substrates. For example, if a known paper contains coniferous and / or hardwood fibers having a Canadian standard degree of grinding (CSF) 350, then the paper base of the present invention more preferably contains fibers having a CSF of 385 (i.e., 10% less ennobled than known) , and yet has performance similar to, if not better, to such well-known paper. Some typical working qualities of the basics of the present invention are discussed below. A certain reduction in the refinement of coniferous or deciduous fibers, typical of the present invention, includes without limitation: 1) from 350 to at least 385 CSF; 2) from 350 to at least 400 CSF; 3) from 400 to at least 450 CSF; and 4) from 450 to at least 500 CSF. The reduction in the degree of fiber refinement may be at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 25% compared with the fibers contained in known paper substrates, but the base of the present invention is capable of having performance equal to or superior to the performance of known paper substrates.

If the paper base contains both deciduous and coniferous fibers, it is preferable that the ratio of deciduous / coniferous fibers is from 0.001 to 1000, preferably from 90/10 to 30/60. This range may include 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits, as well as any ranges and sub-ranges within these limits in the inverse values of such relations.

In addition, coniferous and / or deciduous fibers contained in the paper base of the present invention can be modified by physical and / or chemical means. Examples of physical means include, without limitation, electromagnetic and mechanical means. Means of electrical modification include, without limitation, means for contacting the fibers with a source of electromagnetic energy, such as light and / or electric current. Means of mechanical modification include, without limitation, means providing contact of an inanimate object with fibers. Examples of such inanimate objects include objects with sharp and / or blunt edges.

Such means also include, for example, means for cutting, mixing, grinding, piercing, etc.

Examples of chemical agents include, without limitation, known chemical agents for modifying fibers, including crosslinking and precipitation of complexes on them. Examples of such fiber modifications include, but are not limited to, the examples contained in the following patents: 6,592,717, 6,592,712, 6,582,557, 6,579,415, 6,579,414, 6,506,282, 6,471,824, 6,361,651, 6,146,494, H1,704, 5,731,680, 5,698,688, 5,698,6,679, 5,698,469, 5,666,669, 5,698,469, 5,698,400, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498, 5,698,498 , 5,360,420, 5,266,250, 5,209,953, 5,160,789, 5,049,235, 4,986,882, 4,496,427, 4,431,481, 4,174,417, 4,166,894, 4,075,136 and 4,022,965, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Examples of fiber modifications are also contained in U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 654,712, filed February 19, 2005, and U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 358,543, filed February 21, 2006, and may include the addition of optical brighteners, which are incorporated herein by reference. full by reference.

Sources of "little things" can be found in SaveAll fibers, reverse flows, scrap flows, fiber waste streams. The amount of fines present in the paper base can be changed by changing the flow rate at which such flows are added during the paper making process.

The paper base may contain a combination of hardwood fibers, coniferous fibers and fines. The fines are, as mentioned above, negotiable and usually have an average length of not more than 100 microns, preferably not more than 90 microns, more preferably not more than 80 microns and most preferably not more than 75 microns. The length of the fines fibers is preferably not more than 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 μm, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base contains from 0.01 to 100 wt.% Fines, preferably from 0.01 to 50 wt.%, Most preferably from 0.01 to 15 wt.% Of the total weight of the base. The paper base contains not more than 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.% Of fines from the total mass of paper, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges in these limits.

The paper base may alternatively or advantageously contain from 0.01 to 100 wt.% Fines, preferably from 0.01 to 50 wt.%, Most preferably from 0.01 to 15 wt.% Of the total weight of the fibers contained in the paper base. The paper base contains not more than 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.% Fines from the total mass of fibers contained in the paper base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base contains at least one sizing agent. A sizing agent is a substance added to paper in order to give it moisture or water resistance to varying degrees. Examples of such sizing agents can be found in the publication "Guide for Pulp and Paper Technology" by G. A. Smook (1992), Angus Wilde Publications, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the sizing agent is a surface sizing agent. Preferred examples of sizing agents are starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), as well as polyvinylamine, alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc. However, any sizing agent may be used.

When starch is used as a sizing agent, starch can be modified or unmodified. Examples of starch are contained in the aforementioned publication "Guide for Pulp and Paper Technology" by J. A. Smook (1992), Angus Wilde Publications. Preferred examples of modified starches include, for example, oxidized, cationic, ethylated, hydroethoxylated, etc. In addition, starch can be obtained from any source, preferably potatoes and / or corn. Most preferably, the source of starch is corn.

When using polyvinyl alcohol as a sizing agent, it can have any% hydrolysis. Preferred polyvinyl alcohols are those that have% hydrolysis in the range of 100% to 75%. % hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol can be 75, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 98 and 100%, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base of the present invention may also contain PVOH in any amount in wt.%. Preferably, when PVOH is present, it is present in an amount of from 0.001 wt.% To 100 wt.% Of the total weight of the sizing agent contained in and / or based. This range includes 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.006, 0.008, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0 , 6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 , 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 wt.% Of the total mass of the sizing agent in the base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base of the present invention may contain a sizing agent in any quantity. Preferably, the paper base of the present invention may contain from 0.01 to 20 wt.% At least one sizing agent, more preferably from 1 to 10 wt.%, Most preferably from 2 to 8 wt.% Of the total weight of the base. This range includes 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 , 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 wt.% Sizing agent of the total mass of the base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

In one best embodiment of the present invention, the sizing agent may be at least one surface sizing agent. However, the surface sizing agent may be used in combination with at least one sizing agent. Examples of materials for sizing surfaces and web can be found in the publication "Guide for pulp and paper industry technologists" by G. A. Smook (1992), Angus Wilde Publications, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some cases, the surface sizing agent and the web sizing agent may be the same.

If the paper base contains materials for sizing the web and surface, they can be present in any respect and can be the same and / or different sizing agents. Preferably, the ratio of the amount of substance for sizing the surface to the amount of substance for sizing the web is from 50/50 to 100/0, more preferably from 75/25 to 100/0. This range includes 50/50, 55/45, 60/40, 65/35, 70/30, 75/25, 80/20, 85/15, 90/10, 95/5 and 100/0, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base contains at least one sizing agent. However, at least a majority of the total amount of sizing agent is preferably located on the outer surface of the substrate. The paper base of the present invention may contain a sizing agent in a coating layer applied in a size press. The coating layer applied in the size press may or may not penetrate into the cellulosic fibers of the base. However, if the coating layer and cellulose fibers penetrate each other, this creates a paper base with a layer of interpenetration.

FIGS. 1-3 show various embodiments of a paper base 1 in a paper base of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a paper substrate 1, which has a cellulosic fiber web 3 and a sizing composition 2, where the sizing composition 2 has minimal interpenetration with the cellulose fiber web 3. Such an embodiment can be made, for example, if the sizing composition is applied as a coating on cellulose fiber web.

FIG. 2 shows a paper substrate 1, which has a cellulosic fiber web 3 and a sizing composition 2, where the sizing composition 2 has interpenetration with the cellulosic fiber web 3. The interpenetration layer 4 of the paper substrate 1 defines the area where at least the sizing solution penetrates into cellulose fibers and is distributed among them. The interpenetration layer may be from 1 to 99% of the total cross section of at least a portion of the paper base, including 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 , 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 and 99% of the paper base, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these ranges. Such an embodiment can be made, for example, if a sizing solution is added to the cellulose fibers before coating, and can be combined with subsequent coating, if necessary. Application points may be, for example, in a size press.

FIG. 3 shows a paper backing 1 which has a cellulosic fiber web 3 and a sizing solution 2, where the sizing solution 2 is approximately evenly distributed in the cellulosic fiber web 3. Such an embodiment can be made, for example, if the sizing solution is added to the cellulosic fibers before coating, and can be combined with subsequent coating, if necessary. Exemplary application points may be in the wet phase of the paper manufacturing process, on the material before and after pressing.

Preferably, the interpenetration layer 4 is minimized and / or the concentration of the sizing agent is preferably increased in the direction of the surface of the paper base. Therefore, the amount of sizing agent present towards the upper and / or lower outer surface of the base is preferably greater than the amount of sizing agent present in the direction of the middle of the paper base web. Alternatively, the majority of the sizing agent in a percentage may preferably be located at a certain distance from the outer surface of the substrate, which distance is equal to or less than 25%, more preferably 10%, of the total thickness of the substrate. This aspect may also be known as the Qtotal indicator, which is measured by known methods described in the Examples below, using starch as an example. If Qtotal is 0.5, then the sizing agent is approximately evenly distributed in the paper base. If Qtotal is greater than 0.5, then more sizing agent is present in the direction of the middle of the paper base web than in the direction of the surfaces of the paper base. If Qtotal is less than 0.5, then in the middle direction of the paper base web there is less sizing agent than in the direction of the surfaces of the paper base. In light of the foregoing, the paper base of the present invention preferably has a Qtotal of less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.4, more preferably less than 0.3, most preferably less than 0.25. Accordingly, the Qtotal paper base of the present invention can be from 0 to less than 0.5. This range includes 0, 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4 , 0.45 and 0.49, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

In essence, Q is a measure of the amount of starch that extends from the outer edges toward the middle of the web in cross section. It is understood that Q can be any Q, so that it represents an increased ability to have starch in the direction of the outer surfaces of the cross section of the web, and Q can be chosen so (using any test) to provide any one or more of the above and below characteristics of the paper base of this inventions (for example, intercom, hygro-expansion coefficient, pluck resistance of IGT and / or resistance to delamination of IGT VPP, etc.).

Of course, there are other methods for measuring the equivalent of Q indicated above. The idea of the present invention is that any Q measurement or a similar method of measuring the ratio of the amount of sizing agent in the direction of the middle of the substrate compared to the amount of sizing agent in the direction of the outer surfaces of the substrate is acceptable. In one best embodiment, this ratio is such that the maximum possible amount of sizing agent is located in the direction of the outer surfaces of the substrate, thereby minimizing the area of interpenetration and / or minimizing the amount of starch present in the interpenetration layer. It is also preferred that this distribution of sizing agent takes place even at a very high level of application of the sizing agent inside and / or on the basis of. So, one aim of the present invention is to tightly control the amount of sizing agent in the interpenetration layer when more and more external sizing agent is applied to its surface, either by minimizing the concentration of the sizing agent in this interpenetration layer or by reducing the thickness of the interpenetration layer itself. The following characteristics of the paper base of the present invention are those that can be achieved by such control of the sizing agent. Although such controlled application of the sizing agent can occur in any way, it is stated below that the sizing agent is preferably applied in a size press.

The paper base preferably has a high dimensional stability. Paper substrates having high dimensional stability preferably have a decreasing tendency to curl. Therefore, preferred paper substrates of the present invention have a reduced tendency to curl compared to known paper substrates.

One very good measure of dimensional stability is the physical measurement of hygro-expansion coefficient, preferably Neenah hygro-expansion using TAPPI USEFUL METHOD 549 by electronically monitoring and controlling relative humidity (RH) using an evaporator and humidifier, rather than just salt concentration. The environmental OM is changed from 50% to 15%, then to 85%, causing dimensional changes in the sample paper on which the measurements are carried out. For example, the paper base of the present invention has a hygro-expansion coefficient in the transverse direction when the OBs are changed, as indicated above, from 0.1 to 1.9%, preferably from 0.7 to 1.2%, most preferably from 0.8 to 1 , 0%. This range includes 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 , 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 and 1.9%, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base preferably has an internal bond in the longitudinal direction of from 10 to 350 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, preferably 75 to 120 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, more preferably 80 to 100 foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, most preferably from 90 to 100 foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches. This range includes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105 , 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, and 350 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. Longitudinal interconnection is the Scott Bond bond measured by the TAPPI t-569 test.

The paper base preferably has an internal transverse bond of 10 to 350 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, preferably 75 to 120 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, more preferably 80 to 100 foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, most preferably from 90 to 100 foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches. This range includes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105 , 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, and 350 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. The internal CD link is the Scott Bond link measured by the TAPPI t-569 test.

Both of the aforementioned transverse and longitudinal internal bonds measured by the Scott TAPPI t-569 test can also be measured in J / m ² . Conversion rate when converting foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches in J / m ² is equal to 2. Therefore, to convert the internal communication of 100 foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches in J / m ² need simply multiply by 2 (i.e. 100 ft-lbs × 10-3 / sq. inch X 2 J / m ^2/1 ft-lb × 10-3 / sq. inch = 200 J / m ^2. All of the above ranges in foot-pounds × 10-3 / sq. inch therefore can then include the corresponding ranges of internal bonds in J / m ² , as indicated below.

The paper base preferably has an internal bond in the longitudinal direction of from 20 to 700 J / m ² , preferably from 150 to 240 J / m ² , more preferably from 160 to 200 J / m ² , most preferably from 180 to 200 J / m ² . This range includes 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210 , 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540 , 560, 580, 600, 620, 640, 660, 680 and 700 J / m ² , including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits. The intercom in the longitudinal direction is the Scott bond measured by the TAPPI t-569 test.

The paper base preferably has an internal bond in the transverse direction from 20 to 700 J / m ² , preferably from 150 to 240 J / m ² , more preferably from 160 to 200 J / m ² , most preferably from 180 to 200 J / m ² . This range includes 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210 , 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540 , 560, 580, 600, 620, 640, 660, 680 and 700 J / m ² , including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits. The internal CD link is the Scott link measured by the TAPPI t-569 test.

The paper base preferably has a Gurley porosity of 5 to 100 seconds, preferably 7 to 100 seconds, more preferably 15 to 50 seconds, most preferably 20 to 40 seconds. This range includes 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 , 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 seconds, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges. Gurley porosity is measured by the TAPPI t-536 test.

The paper base preferably has a transverse stiffness of from 100 to 450 gf * 1000, preferably 150 to 450 gf * 1000, more preferably from 200 to 350 gf * 1000. This range includes 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330 , 340, 350, 375, 400, 425 and 450 gs * 1000, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. Gurley lateral stiffness is measured with the TAPPI t-543 test.

The paper base preferably has a longitudinal stiffness of Gurley from 40 to 250 gf * 1000, more preferably from 100 to 150 gf * 1000. This range includes 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240 and 250 gf * 1000. including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges. Gurley stiffness MD is measured by the TAPPI t-543 test.

The paper base preferably has an opacity of 85 to 105%, more preferably 90 to 97%. This range includes 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105%, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits. Opacity is measured by the TAPPI t-425 test.

The base paper of the present invention can have any CIE whiteness, but preferably has a CIE whiteness greater than 70, more preferably greater than 100, most preferably greater than 125, or even greater than 150. CIE whiteness can range from 125 to 200, preferably from 130 to 200, most preferably 150 to 200. The CIE brightness range may be greater than or equal to 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195 and 200 points of CIE whiteness, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges. Examples of measuring CIE whiteness and obtaining such whiteness in paper fibers and paper made from them can be found, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,893,473, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, examples of measuring CIE whiteness and obtaining such whiteness in paper fibers and paper made from them can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 654,712, filed February 19, 2005, entitled “Fixing Optical Brighteners to Fibers for Paper Making "and in US Patent Applications No. 11 / 358,543, filed February 21, 2006; 11/445809, filed June 2, 2006, and 11/446421, filed June 2, 2006, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The base paper of the present invention can have any ISO brightness, but preferably more than 80, more preferably more than 90, most preferably more than 95 points of ISO brightness. The ISO brightness may preferably be from 80 to 100, more preferably from 90 to 100, most preferably from 95 to 100 points of ISO brightness. This range includes values greater than or equal to 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100 ISO brightness points, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these ranges. Examples of measuring ISO brightness and obtaining such brightness in paper fibers and paper made from them can be found in US Pat. No. 6,893,473, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, examples of measuring ISO brightness and obtaining such brightness in paper fibers and paper made from them can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 654,712, filed February 19, 2005, entitled “Fixing Optical Brighteners to Fibers for Paper Making "and US Patent Application No. 11 / 358,543, filed February 21, 2006, which are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The paper base of the present invention preferably has improved printing characteristics and improved throughput (i.e., characteristics in a printing press). Printing performance can be measured by determining improved ink density, dot gain, color capture, print contrast and / or print color, etc. Colors traditionally used in such print performance checks include, but are not limited to black, cyan, red, and yellow. Printing specifications can be determined by detecting print contamination through visual inspection of printing systems, sheets, plates, ink supply systems, etc. Contamination usually consists of contamination of the fibers, contamination of the coating or sizing, contamination of the filler or binder, peeling, etc. The paper base of the present invention has improved printing and / or patency characteristics determined by each or any one or a combination of the above features.

The paper base may have any surface strength. Examples of physical tests of the strength of the surface of the base, which also seem to correlate well with the print characteristics of the base, are IGT plucking tests and wax trapping tests. In addition, it is known that both checks correlate well with the high surface strength of paper substrates. Although any of these tests may be used, IGT plucking checks are preferred. The IGT pluck test is a standard test in which performance is measured using the 575 Tappi method, which complies with the standard test ISO 3873.

The paper base may have at least one surface having a surface strength as measured by the IGT plucking test, which is at least 1, preferably at least 1.2, more preferably at least 1.4, most preferably at least about 1.8 m / s. The base has a surface strength as measured by the IGT plucking test, which is at least about 2.5, 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, 2.1, 2.0, 1.9, 1.8, 1 , 7, 1,6, 1,5, 1,4, 1,3, 1,2, 1,1 and 1,0 m / s, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits.

Another well-known test is the test in which the resistance to delamination of IGT VPP (unit of measurement N / m) is measured. The peeling resistance of the IGT VPP paper base of the present invention can be any, but preferably more than 150 N / m, more preferably more than 190 N / m, most preferably more than 210 N / m. If the backing is the backing paper base, then the peeling resistance of the IGT VPP is preferably from 150 to 175 N / m, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base according to the present invention can be made on a paper machine with a high or low base weight, including a base mass of at least 10 pounds / 3000 square meters. ft, preferably from at least 20 to 500 pounds / 3000 square meters. ft., more preferably from at least 40 to 325 pounds / 3000 square meters. ft. The base mass may be at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400 , 425, 450, 475 and 500 pounds / 3000 sq. ft., including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base according to the present invention may have any apparent density. The apparent density may be from 1 to 20, preferably from 4 to 14, most preferably from 5 to 10 pounds / 3000 square meters. feet to 0.001 inches of thickness. The density may be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 pounds / 3000 square meters. ft. per 0.001 inch of thickness, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base according to the present invention can have any thickness. The thickness may be from 2 to 35 mils, preferably from 5 to 30 mils, more preferably from 10 to 28 mils, most preferably from 12 to 24 mils. The thickness may be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 mil, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

The paper base may, if desired, have an I-beam structure or have characteristics such as if it had an I-beam structure. However, an I-beam structure is preferred. Such an I-beam structure is obtained by selective application and the tightly controlled location of the sizing agent in a paper base and / or on a paper basis. The "I-beam" and performance are described in the literature, for example, its effect is described in US published application serial number 10 / 662,699, having publication number 20040065423, which was published on April 8, 2004 and is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it is not known how to control the I-beam structure and / or performance of the I-beam structure of the base made under the conditions of a paper machine and / or experimental machine. One embodiment of the present invention may also comprise achieving improved I-beams and / or performance by tightly controlling the location of the sizing agent in the cross section of the substrate. Also within the current boundaries of the present invention, it is possible to create improved I-beam structures and / or improved I-beam performance of the substrate, while increasing the amount of sizing agent applied to and / or onto the substrate, especially controlling the application of the external sizing agent to the substrate and / or on her.

The paper base of the present invention may also contain additional substances, including retention agents, binders, fillers, thickeners and preservatives. Examples of fillers include, but are not limited to, clay, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, and calcium sulfate dihydrate. A preferred filler is calcium carbonate, with precipitated calcium carbonate being preferred. Examples of binders include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, Amres (kymen type), Bayer Parez, a polychloride emulsion, modified starch such as hydroxyethyl starch, starch, polyacrylamide, modified polyacrylamide, polyol, a product of the addition of a carbonyl group to a polyol, ethanediamide / condensate , epichlorohydrin, glyoxal, glyoxalurea, ethanedial, aliphatic polyisocyanate, isocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, diisocyanate, polyisocyanate, polyester, polyester resin, polyacrylate, polyacrylate resin, acrylate, and methacrylate. Other additional substances may include, but are not limited to, silicas, such as colloids or sols. Examples of silicas include, but are not limited to, sodium silicate and / or borosilicates. Another example of additional substances are solvents, including without limitation water.

The paper base of the present invention may contain retention agents selected from the group consisting of coagulants, flocculants and entrapping agents dispersed in the mass of cellulose fibers, as well as additives that increase porosity. Examples of retention aids can also be found in US Pat. No. 6,379,497, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 0.001 to 20 wt.% Additional substances from the total mass of the base, preferably from 0.01 to 10 wt.%, Most preferably from 0.1 to 5.0 wt.%, Each of at least one of the additional substances. This range includes 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.006, 0.008, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0 , 6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 wt.% Of the total mass of the base, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

A paper backing can be made by contacting a sizing agent with cellulosic fibers. In addition, contact can be carried out at acceptable concentration levels that allow the paper base of the present invention to contain any of the above amounts of cellulose and sizing agent.

A paper backing of the present application can be made by contacting the backing with an internal or surface sizing solution containing at least one surface material. Contact can be made at any time during the papermaking process, including without limitation the wet stage, headbox, size press, water tank and / or coating device. Add-on points may also include the machine tank, transfer case and suction side of the fan pump. Cellulose fibers, a sizing agent and / or additional components can be brought into contact sequentially and / or simultaneously in any combination with each other.

The paper backing can be passed through a size press, and any size means known in the art is acceptable. The size press can be a size press with a bath (inclined, vertical, horizontal) or a dosing press (for example, with a dosed knife or bar). In the size press, sizing agents, such as binders, can come into contact with the substrate. If desired, the same sizing agents can be added at the wet stage of the papermaking process, if necessary. After sizing, the paper base may be dried again or not dried according to the above-mentioned exemplary agents and other means known in the paper making field. The paper base can be dried so that it contains any selected amount of water. Preferably, the base is dried to a water content of less than or equal to 10%.

Preferably, the paper backing is made by contacting at least one sizing agent with fibers in a size press. Therefore, the sizing agent is part of the sizing solution. The sizing solution preferably contains at least one sizing substance with a solids percentage of at least 8 wt.%, Preferably at least greater than or equal to 10 wt.%, More preferably greater than or equal to 12 wt.%, Most preferably greater than or equal to 13 wt.% Solids sizing agent.

Further, the sizing solution contains from 8 to 35 wt.% Solids sizing agent, preferably from 10 to 25 wt.% Solids sizing agent, more preferably from 12 to 18 wt.% Solids sizing substance, most preferably from 13 to 17 wt. .% solids sizing agent. This range includes at least 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 wt.% Sizing solids and a maximum of 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 30 and 35 wt.% Sizing solids, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The amount of sizing agent applied to the paper, which is approximately or exactly equal to the amount of external sizing and, in some cases, the total sizing applied to the fibers, can be any. Preferably, the amount of sizing agent is at least 0.25 g / m ² , preferably from 0.25 to 10 g / m ² , more preferably from 3.5 to 10 g / m ² , most preferably from 4.4 to 10 g / m ² . The amount of sizing agent may preferably be at least 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3 , 8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0 , 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and preferably there may be a maximum of 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 and 10.0 g / m ² , including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The base paper may have any internal bond / sizing ratio. In one aspect of the present invention, the base contains large amounts of a sizing agent, but at the same time has a low internal bond. Accordingly, it is preferable, if possible, to provide an internal bond / sizing ratio approaching zero. Another way to express the desired phenomenon at the core of the present invention is to obtain a paper base that has an internal bond that either decreases, or remains constant, or increases slightly with increasing sizing and / or sizing. Another way to discuss this phenomenon is to express that the change in the internal bond of the paper base is 0, a negative or small positive value with an increase in the amount of sizing agent. It is desirable that such a paper base of the present invention provide such a phenomenon at various degrees of solids sizing substance in wt.%, Which is applied to the fibers in the size press, as mentioned above. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the paper base possess any one or all of the above phenomena, and also have a greater surface strength, measured by plucking IGT and / or a test for the capture of wax.

The paper backing of the present invention may have any internal bond / sizing ratio. The internal bond / sizing ratio may be less than 100, preferably less than 80, more preferably less than 60, most preferably less than 40 J / m ² / g / m ² . The internal bond / sizing ratio may be less than 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 38, 35, 32, 30, 28, 25, 22, 20, 18, 15, 12, 10, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 J / m ² / g / m ² , including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

In one embodiment, the paper base may exhibit the phenomenon that a change in internal bond is a function of a change in the amount of sizing agent contained in the base, i.e. Δ internal connection / Δ number of sizing agent in wt.%, And / or a change in the amount of sizing substance applied to the base, i.e. ΔInternal coupling / ΔNumber of sizing agent is preferably negative. That is, when the amount of sizing agent contained in the web or on the web increases incrementally, the internal bond decreases. Preferably, the Δ internal bond / Δ amount of sizing agent in wt.% Is equal to or less than about 0, preferably less than -1, more preferably less than -5, most preferably less than -20. This range for Δ internal communication / Δ number of sizing agent in wt.% Includes values less than or equal to 0, -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18, -19 and -20, including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

In one embodiment, the paper base may exhibit such a phenomenon that a change in internal bond as a function of a change in the sizing agent contained in the base, i.e. Δ internal connection / Δ number of sizing agent in wt.%, And / or changes in the amount of sizing substance deposited on the base, i.e. ΔInternal coupling / ΔNumber of sizing agent is as small as possible with a positive value. That is, when the amount of sizing agent contained in the web increases incrementally, or when the amount of sizing agent deposited on the web increases incrementally, the internal bond increases, but increases by a very small amount. Preferably, the Δ internal communication / Δ amount of sizing agent in wt.% And / or Δ internal communication / Δ amount of sizing substance is equal to or less than about 100, preferably less than 75, more preferably less than 50, most preferably less than 25. This range is for Δ internal communication / Δ number of sizing substance in wt.% and / or Δ internal connection / Δ of the amount of sizing substance includes values less than or equal to 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 52, 50, 47, 45, 42, 40, 37 , 35, 32, 30, 28, 25, 22, 20, 18, 15, 12, 10, 7, 5, 3, and 1, including any and all ranges us and subranges therein.

In one embodiment, the Δ intercom / Δ amount of sizing agent is less than 55, preferably less than 40, more preferably less than 30, and most preferably less than 25, when the sizing agent is applied in the size press in an amount of sizing solids of 12%, 13% by weight, 14 wt.%, 16 wt.% Or even more. In yet another embodiment, the Δ intercom / Δ amount of sizing agent is less than 55, preferably less than 40, more preferably less than 30, and most preferably less than 25, when the sizing agent is applied in the size press in an amount of solids of the sizing agent of 15 wt.%, 16 wt.% , 17 wt.% Or even more. In yet another embodiment, the Δ intercom / Δ amount of sizing agent is less than 55, preferably less than 40, more preferably less than 30, and most preferably less than 25 when the sizing agent is applied in the size press in an amount of solids of the sizing agent of 18 wt.%, 19 wt.% , 20 wt.% Or even more. Each of these above ranges includes, without limitation, values less than 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 35, 32, 30, 28, 25, 23, 20, 18, 15, 12, 10, 7, 5, 2, 0, -1, -5, -10 and -20, when the sizing agent is applied in the size press in an amount of solids of the sizing agent 12 wt.%, 13 wt.%, 14 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 16 wt.%, 17 wt.%, 18 wt.%, 19 wt.%, 20 wt.% or even more, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

When the fibers are contacted with the sizing agent in a size press, it is preferable that the viscosity of the sizing solution is 100 to 500 centipoise at a Brookfield viscometer, spindle No. 2, at 100 rpm and 150 oF. Preferably, the viscosity is from 125 to 450, more preferably from 150 to 300 centipoise, measured according to the above standard. This range includes 100, 125, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425 and 450 centipoise when measured with a Brookfield viscometer, spindle No. 2, at 100 rpm and 150 oF, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

When a sizing solution containing a sizing agent is contacted with fibers in a size press in the manufacture of the paper base of the present invention, the effective pressure in the contact zone can be any, but preferably is from 80 to 300, more preferably from 90 to 275, most preferably from 100 to 250 psi The pressure in the contact zone may be at least 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280 , 290 and 300 psi, including any and all ranges and subranges within these ranges.

In addition, the size press shafts may have a P&J hardness, preferably any P&J hardness. Since there are two shafts, the first shaft may have a first hardness and the second shaft may have a second hardness. The first hardness and the second hardness may be equal and / or different from one another. For example, the P&J hardness of the first size press shaft may have a first hardness of 35 P&J, and the second shaft may have a second hardness of 35 P&J. Alternatively and by way of example only, the P&J hardness of the first size press shaft may have a first hardness of 35 P&J, and the second shaft may have a second hardness of 45 P&J. Even though the shafts can have any P&J hardness, it is preferred that the size press shafts are softer rather than harder.

The paper base can be pressed in a press section containing one or more contact areas. However, you can use any means of pressing, well known in the field of paper manufacture. Contact zones can have, without limitation, a single felt, a double felt, a shaft and an extended contact zone in the press. However, any contact zone generally known in the art of paper making can be used.

The paper base can be dried in a drying section. Any drying agent commonly known in the art of paper making can be used. The drying section may comprise a tumble dryer, a cylinder, a Condebelt device, an IR device or other drying means and mechanisms known in the art. The paper base can be dried to contain any selected amount of water. Preferably, the base is dried to a water content of less than or equal to 10%.

The paper base can be calendered by any calendaring means generally known in the art of paper making. More specifically, for example, wet calendering, non-wet calendering, calendering in steel contact zones, hot calendering in soft calenders or calendering in extended contact zones, etc. can be used.

The paper base may be microfinished by any microfinishing means known in the art of paper making. Microfinishing tools use friction processes to process the surfaces of the paper base. The paper base can be microfinished with or without calendaring applied sequentially and / or simultaneously. Examples of microfinishing agents can be found in US Published Patent Application No. 20040123966 and the references cited therein, as well as in US provisional patent application Serial No. 60 / 810,181, filed June 2, 2006, and entitled "METHOD FOR SMOOTHING FIBROUS BANDS", which are all incorporated herein in full by reference.

The paper, paperboard and / or base of the present invention may also contain at least one coating layer, including two coating layers and a number thereof. The coating layer may be applied to at least one surface of the paper, cardboard and / or base, including two surfaces. In addition, the coating layer may penetrate the paper, cardboard and / or base. The coating layer may contain a binder. In addition, the coating layer may also optionally contain pigment. Other additional ingredients of the coating layer are surfactants, dispersants, and other conventional additives for printing compositions.

The base and the coating layer are brought into contact with each other by any known means for applying a coating layer, including a means for impregnation. The preferred method for applying the coating layer is a linear process with one or more stations. Coating stations may be equipped with any known means well known in the field of paper making, including, for example, brush, shaft, air knife, spray, watering, doctor blade, transfer roller, reversible roller and / or water coating agent, and any combination of them.

The coated substrate may be dried in a drying section. You can use any means of drying, well known in the field of papermaking and / or coating. The drying section may contain infrared means, air drying devices and / or steam-heated drying drums or other means and drying mechanisms known in the field of coating.

The coated substrate may be finished by any means well known in the art of paper making. Examples of such finishing agents, including one or more finishing stations, are a gloss calender, a soft calender and / or an extended contact zone calender.

These above-mentioned methods of making the composition, particle and / or paper base of the present invention can be added to any known paper-making methods, as well as to conversion methods, including abrasion, grinding, slitting, creasing, perforation, glossing, calendering, sheet finishing , conversion, coating, lamination, printing, etc. Preferred known methods include methods for producing paper substrates that can be used to make coated or non-coated paper, paperboard and / or substrates. There are textbooks cited in the publication “Guide for Pulp and Paper Technologists” by G. A. Smook (1992), Angus Wilde Publications, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, a fiber can be prepared for use in a paper composition by any known cooking, refining and bleaching operations, such as, for example, known mechanical, thermomechanical, chemical and semi-chemical, as well as other known methods of producing pulp. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cellulose fibers can be obtained from non-woody herbaceous plants, including without limitation kenaf, hemp, jute, flax, sisal or abacus, although legal restrictions and other considerations may make the use of hemp and other fiber sources impractical or impossible . Bleached or unbleached pulp can be used in the method of the present invention.

The base may also contain other conventional additives, such as, for example, starch, mineral and polymer fillers, retention aids and reinforcing polymers. Excipients that can be used include organic and inorganic pigments, such as, for example, minerals such as calcium carbonate, kaolin and talc, and expanded and expandable microspheres. Other conventional additives include, without limitation, moisture resistant resins, internal adhesives, dry resins, alum, fillers, pigments and dyes. The base may contain bulk materials, such as expandable microspheres, cellulose fibers and / or diamide salts.

Examples of expandable microspheres having the ability to increase volume are given in US patent application No. 60/660,703, filed March 11, 2005, titled "COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING EXPANDABLE MICROSPHERES AND IONIC COMPOUND, AND ALSO WAYS TO PRODUCE THEM US Patent No. 1 11 / 374,239, filed March 13, 2006, which are also incorporated herein in full by reference. Further examples include US Pat. No. 6,379,497, issued May 19, 1999, and US Patent Application Publication Number 20060102307, filed June 1, 2004, which are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If such volume-increasing materials are added, they are added in an amount of 0.25 to 20, preferably 3 to 15 pounds (for example, expandable microspheres, and / or the composition and / or particle described below) per ton of cellulose fibers.

Examples of bulking agents include, for example, mechanical fibers, such as ground wood pulp, bleached chemical-thermomechanical pulp, and other mechanical and / or semi-mechanical wood pulps. A more specific typical example is given below. In the case of adding such wood pulp from 0.25 to 75 wt.%, Preferably less than 60 wt.% Of the total weight of the fibers used can be such fibers that increase the volume.

Examples of diamide salts are given in US patent application publication number 20040065423, filed September 15, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such salts include mono- and distearamides of animeoethylethalonalamine, which can be marketed under the names Reactopaque 100 (manufactured by Omnova Solutions Inc., Performance Chemicals, 1476 JACochran By-Pass, Chester, SC 29706, USA and sold by Ondeo Nalco Co. with headquarters at Ondeo Nalco Center, Naperville, III. 60563, USA) or their chemical equivalents. In the case of using such salts, approximately 0.025 to 0.25% by weight of the dry weight of the diamide salt can be used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the base may contain materials that increase the volume, such as materials specified in US patent application No. 60/660,703, filed March 11, 2005, with the name "COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING EXPANDABLE MICROSPHERES AND IONIC COMPOUNDS, AND ALSO WAYS OF THEIR PRODUCTION AND USE ", which is also incorporated herein in full by reference. This embodiment is described in detail below.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 0.001 to 10 wt.%, Preferably from 0.02 to 5 wt.%, More preferably from 0.025 to 2 wt.%, Most preferably from 0.125 to 0.5 wt.% Of the composition and / or particles of the present inventions from the total mass of the base. This range includes the values 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5, 0 wt.%, Including any and all ranges and subranges within these limits.

The paper base according to the present invention may contain a volume increasing agent / material in an amount of 0.25 to 50, preferably 5 to 20, pounds dry per ton of final product, if such a volume increasing agent is an additive. This range includes 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6 5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 pounds in the dry state per ton of the final product, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits.

If the paper base contains a material that increases the volume, it is preferably an expandable microsphere, composition and / or particle for paper products or bases. However, in this particular embodiment, any volume-increasing material can be used, although expandable microsphere, composition, particle and / or paper backing from what is indicated below are preferred means of increasing volume. Examples of other alternative means of increasing volume include, without limitation, surfactants, Reactopaque, pre-expanded spheres, bleached chemical-thermomechanical cellulose, microfinishing and a multilayer structure to create an I-beam effect in paper or paperboard. Such means of increasing the volume, when they are introduced or applied on a paper base, provide adequate print quality, thickness, base weight, etc. in the absence of stringent calendering conditions (i.e. pressure in a single contact zone and / or fewer contact zones in a calendering tool), but give a paper base having a single, part or combination of physical specifications and performance mentioned in this document.

If the paper base of the present invention contains a volume-increasing material, a preferred volume-increasing material is as follows.

The paper base of the present invention may contain from 0.001 to 10 wt.%, Preferably from 0.02 to 5 wt.%, More preferably from 0.025 to 2 wt.%, Most preferably from 0.125 to 0.5 wt.%, Expandable microspheres from the total mass the basics.

Expandable microspheres may contain an expandable shell forming a void within it. The expandable shell may contain a compound containing carbon and / or heteroatoms. An example of a compound containing carbon and / or heteroatom can be an organic polymer and / or copolymer. The polymer and / or copolymer may be branched and / or crosslinked.

Expandable microspheres are preferably heat expandable thermoplastic polymeric hollow spheres containing a thermally activated expandable substance. Examples of compositions of expandable microspheres, their content, methods of production and use can be found in US patents No. 3,615,972; 3,864,181; 4,006,273; 4,044,176 and 6,617,364, which are incorporated herein in full by reference. You can also link to published US patent applications: 20010044477; 20030008931; 20030008932 and 20040157057, which are incorporated herein in full by reference. The microspheres can be prepared from polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkyl methacrylates, polystyrene or vinyl chloride.

The microspheres may contain a polymer and / or copolymer that has a Tg of from -150 to + 180 ° C, preferably from 50 to 150 ° C, most preferably from 75 to 125 ° C.

The microspheres can also contain at least one pore-forming substance, which, after applying a certain amount of thermal energy, provides internal pressure on the inner wall of the microsphere so that this pressure expands the microsphere. Pore-forming substances may be liquid and / or gaseous. In addition, examples of pore-forming substances can be selected from molecules with a low boiling point and their compositions. Such pore-forming substances can be selected from lower alkanes, such as neopentane, neohexane, hexane, propane, noane, pentane and their isomers. Isonoan is the preferred pore-forming substance for polyvinylidene chloride microspheres. Suitable unexpanded and expanded coated microspheres are indicated in US Pat. Nos. 4,722,943 and 4,829,094, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Expandable microspheres can have an average diameter of from about 0.5 to 200 microns, preferably from 2 to 100 microns, most preferably from 5 to 40 microns in the unexpanded state and have a maximum expansion of from about 1.5 to 10 times, preferably from 2 to 10 times, most preferably 2 to 5 times the average diameter.

Expandable microspheres can have a negative or positive charge. In addition, expandable microspheres can have a neutral charge. In addition, expandable microspheres can be incorporated into a composition and / or particle of the present invention, which has a pure zeta potential greater than or equal to zero at a pH of about 9.0 or less with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M.

In the composition and / or particle of the present invention, expandable microspheres can have a neutral, negative or positive charge, preferably a negative charge.

In addition, the composition and / or particle of the present invention may contain expandable microspheres with physical characteristics similar to those described above and below, and can be introduced into the paper base according to the present invention in the same manner in the same amounts as above and below for expandable microspheres .

In addition, the composition and / or particle of the present invention may contain expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound. If the composition and / or particle of the present invention contains expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound, the composition and / or particle of the present invention has a pure zeta potential that is greater than or equal to zero mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M. Preferably, the pure zeta potential is greater than or equal to zero to +500, preferably greater than or equal to zero to +200, more preferably from greater than or equal to zero to +150, most preferably from +20 to +130 mV at a pH of approximately 9.0 or less when the ionic strength is from 10-6 M to 0.1 M, when it is measured by standard and traditional methods of measuring the zeta potential, known in analytics and physics, preferably methods using microelectrophoresis at room temperature.

The ionic compound may be anionic and / or cationic, preferably cationic, if the expandable microspheres are anionic. In addition, the ionic compound may be an organic, inorganic and / or mixture thereof. In addition, the ionic compound may be in the form of a slurry and / or colloid. In conclusion, the ionic compound may have particles ranging in size from 1 nm to 1 μm, preferably from 2 nm to 400 nm.

The ionic compound may be any of the additional substances and conventional additives mentioned below and / or generally known in the field of paper making. More preferably, the ionic compound may be any one or a combination of retention aids mentioned below.

The mass ratio of the ionic compound with expandable microspheres in the composition and / or particle of the present invention can be from 1: 500 to 500: 1, preferably from 1:50 to 50: 1, more preferably from 1:10 to 10: 1, while the composition and / or the particle has a pure zeta potential that is greater than or equal to 0 mV at a pH of approximately 9.0 or less at an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M.

The ionic compound may be inorganic. Examples of inorganic ionic compounds include, but are not limited to, silica, alumina, tin oxide, zirconium, antimony oxide, iron oxide, and rare earth oxides. The inorganic compound may preferably be in the form of slurry and / or colloid and / or sol in contact with expandable microspheres and have a particle size of from 1 nm to 1 μm, preferably from 2 nm to 400 μm. If the inorganic ionic compound is in the form of a colloid and / or sol, the preferred compound contains silica and / or alumina.

The ionic compound may be organic. Examples of ionic organic compounds include carbon-containing compounds. In addition, the ionic organic compound may contain heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen and / or halogen. In addition, the ionic organic compound may contain a functional group containing a heteroatom, such as hydroxyl, amine, amide, carbonyl, carboxyl, etc. In addition, the ionic organic compound may contain more than one positive charge, negative charge, or a mixture thereof. The ionic organic compound may be polymeric and / or copolymer, which may also be cyclic, branched and / or crosslinked. If the ionic organic compound is polymeric and / or copolymer, such a compound preferably has an average molecular weight of from 600 to 5,000,000, more preferably from 1,000 to 2,000,000, most preferably from 20,000 to 800,000. Preferably, the ionic organic compound may be an amine-containing compound. More preferably, the ionic organic compound may be a polyamine. Most preferably, the ionic organic compound may be poly (DADMAC), polyvinylamine and / or polyethyleneimine.

The composition and / or particle of the present invention may comprise at least one expandable microsphere and at least one ionic compound, wherein the ionic compound is in contact with the outer surface of the expandable microsphere. Such contact may include a system in which the expandable microsphere is coated with an ionic compound and / or impregnated with an ionic compound. Preferably, although without reference to theory, the ionic compound is bonded to the outer surface of the expandable microsphere by non-covalent intermolecular forces to form a particle having an internal expandable microsphere and an external ionic compound laminated to it. However, portions of the outer surface of the expandable microsphere layer may not be completely coated with the outer layer of the ionic compound, although portions of the outer surface of the expandable microsphere layer may actually be completely coated with the layer of the outer ionic compound. This may cause some parts of the outer surface of the expandable microsphere layer to remain exposed.

The composition and / or particle of the present invention can be made by contacting, mixing, absorption, adsorption, etc. expandable ionosphere microspheres. The relative amounts of expandable microspheres and ionic compounds can be determined by conventional means as long as the resulting composition and / or particle has a pure zeta potential greater than or equal to 0 mV at a pH of approximately 9.0 or less with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M Preferably, the mass ratio of the ionic compound in contact with the expandable microsphere in the composition and / or particle of the present invention can be from 1: 100 to 100: 1, preferably from 1:80 to 80: 1, more preferably from 1: 1 to 1: 60, most preferably from 1: 2 to 1:50, while the composition and / or particle has a pure zeta potential greater than or equal to 0 mV at a pH of approximately 9.0 or less with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M.

The contact time between the ionic compound and the expandable microsphere can vary from milliseconds to years, while the resulting composition and / or particle has a pure zeta potential greater than or equal to 0 mV at a pH of approximately 9.0 or less with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0 , 1 M. Preferably, contact occurs within 0.01 second to 1 year, preferably 0.1 second to 6 months, more preferably 0.2 second to 3 weeks, most preferably 0.5 second to 1 week .

Before the expandable microsphere contacts the ionic compound, the expandable microsphere and / or ionic compound can be in the form of slurry, wet cake, solid, liquid, dispersion, colloid, gel, respectively. In addition, both the expandable microsphere and / or ionic compound can be diluted.

The composition and / or particle of the present invention may have an average diameter of from about 0.5 to 200 microns, preferably from 2 to 100 microns, most preferably from 5 to 40 microns in the unexpanded state and have a maximum expansion of from about 1.5 to 10 times, preferably 2 to 10 times, most preferably 2 to 5 times the average diameter.

The composition and / or particle of the present invention can be made by the aforementioned contact before and / or during the papermaking process. Preferably, the expandable microsphere and the ionic compound are contacted to form the composition and / or particles of the present invention and then the resulting composition and / or particle of the present invention is sequentially and / or simultaneously contacted with the fibers, as described below.

The paper base can be made by contacting a material that increases the volume (for example, expandable microspheres, and / or the above composition, and / or particles), with cellulose fibers sequentially and / or simultaneously. In addition, contact can occur at acceptable concentration levels that provide the paper based content of the present invention with any of the above amounts of cellulose and bulk material (e.g. expandable microspheres, and / or the above composition, and / or particles), separately, any combination of them. More specifically, the paper base of the present invention can be made by adding from 0.25 to 20, preferably from 5 to 15, most preferably from 7 to 12 pounds of volume-increasing material (e.g., expandable microspheres, and / or the above composition, and / or particles), per ton of cellulose fibers. This range includes 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6 5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 pounds in the dry state per ton of the final product, including any and all ranges and sub-ranges within these limits.

Contact can occur at any time during the papermaking process, including without limitation before pressing, after pressing, in the headbox and in the coating apparatus, with the preferred point of addition being after pressing. In addition, add points can be in the machine tank, headbox and on the suction side of the fan pump.

The paper base can also be made by contacting additional substances with cellulose fibers. Contact can occur at any time during the papermaking process, including without limitation before pressing, after pressing, in the headbox, size press, water box and coating device. In addition, add points can be in the machine tank, headbox and on the suction side of the fan pump. Cellulosic fibers, bulk material, sizing agent and / or additional components can be contacted sequentially and / or simultaneously in any combination with each other. The cellulosic fibers and bulk material can be premixed in any combination prior to addition or during the papermaking process.

The ranges used herein are used as a short designation to indicate each value that falls within such a range, including all its sub-ranges.

In light of the above description, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein.

All references, as well as the references cited therein provided herein, are hereby incorporated by reference in relation to the relevant parts relevant to the subject of the present invention and all variants of its implementation.

The present invention is explained in more detail using the following example embodiment, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

The following is a description of the method used to quantify Q in accordance with the above description.

A new way to quantify starch penetration in the Z-direction

This example describes a new method for quantifying starch penetration, Q, using image analysis (Lappalainen, Solasaari, Lipponen (Lappalainen, Solasaari, Lipponen), 2005). With decreasing starch penetration in the Z-direction, the dimensionless exponent, Q _total , tends to zero. If the starch is completely distributed in the Z-direction, the value of Q _total is 0.5. In this study, three paper samples were studied. The values of the indicator Q _total for packaging cardboard, CIS cardboard and paper for copying were 0.2, 0.5 and 0.5, respectively, and the quantitative determination was consistent in visual perception. It should be noted that image analysis data do not give actual mass percentages of starch and penetration depths, and care must be taken to perceive the data correctly. This method provides a new tool for optimizing and fine-tuning the parameters of the starch penetration process.

Penetration of starch and its distribution in the Z-direction in paper and cardboard are of great interest when correlating process variables with paper properties. At the TARPI Coatings Conference in April 2005, a dimensionless penetration rate, Q, was presented, which is an aid in evaluating starch penetration image analysis data (Lappalainen, Lipponen, Solasaari, 2005). This approach can facilitate semi-quantitative comparison or ranking of paper samples with different levels of starch penetration. The purpose of this report is to repeat the author’s method for determining the Q _total in various starch sizing papers using a standard sophisticated microscope and free software.

Three paper and paperboard samples with different levels of starch content were selected for evaluation. Five copies of each sample were cut and applied to them.

A solution of I2 / KI (approximately 2 normal). Cross sections were photographed using an optical microscope at 10 × magnification. Micrographs of cross sections are shown in figure 1.

This study used free image analysis software, ImageJ (downloaded from http: //rsb.info.nih.qov/ii7). Images were converted to an 8-bit gray scale with increased contrast (normalized over the entire range). The saturated pixel value was set to the default value, 0.5%, and the option to automatically set the threshold was selected. The cross section was divided into four rectangular sections of equal thickness (four equal areas of interest (OI)), and these sections were defined as top, top-middle, mid-bottom and bottom. Based on the automatic threshold setting, the fraction of the iodine-labeled region in each OI was calculated. Penetration rates Q _top and Q _{bottom were} calculated using the equations below. The average penetration rate Q _{total was} then calculated as the weighted average of the penetration indicators obtained on both sides.

Q _top = Share of the _{top-mid area} / Share of the _{top-top area} + Share of the _{top-mid area}

Q _bottom = Share of _mid-bottom / Share of _bottom + + Share of _mid-bottom

Q _total = The proportion of _{the middle} area Ratio + _mid-top / _upper region Ratio + The proportion of _{the middle-upper} + The proportion of _{the middle-bottom} Ratio + _bottom region

The above equation assumes that with decreasing starch penetration, the exponent Q tends to zero. If the starch is evenly distributed in the Z-direction, the Q value is 0.5. At Q> 0.5, there is more starch in the inner parts of the sample of the cross section than on its surfaces.

The results for the three paper samples are presented in Table 1. These results are in good agreement with our visual perception of microphotographs of the samples. With reference to cardboard samples, starch remained on the surfaces and did not stick in the Z-direction. Other samples showed a higher concentration of starch on the surface along with complete penetration.

Table 1 Dimensionless penetration rate Q for various samples Sample Q Cardboard for packaging juices 0.2 (± 0.08) Cardboard C1 S 0.5 (± 0.01) Copy paper 0.5 (± 0.01)

The starch penetration index, Q, obtained by the method described here, cannot be directly interpreted as the distribution of starch content: we literally compare the percentage levels of gray thresholds and they cannot be directly correlated with the mass content of starch in percent. For example, suppose that our gray threshold corresponds to 5% by weight of starch. Any percentage of starch above 5% will exceed this threshold, and there will be no difference between 5% and higher values.

From the previous example, one can easily understand that image analysis methods are sensitive to differences in thresholds. Although not performed with statistical rigidity, repeated tests on these samples performed by other analysts using manual thresholds showed that the calculated percentage for the area was not sensitive to small changes in thresholds. What is perhaps more important, it was revealed that the automatic threshold setting does not make significant additional changes.

It is worth noting that the images of these samples were obtained in reflected light, and the contrast between the white paper and the starch-iodine complex was easily noticeable. In transmitted light, as well as with thin epoxidized cross sections, it becomes much more difficult to separate the bubbles and filler areas (light is blocked) from the iodine-starch complex: the thresholds for gray levels are similar.

When selecting images, the authors used a reference grayscale to provide repeated illumination with reflected light. They also used backlighting to enhance the contrast and reaction of the camera. These method improvements will be taken into account in future work.

This study reproduced a semi-quantitative method for assessing starch penetration by calculating the dimensionless penetration rate, Q _total . This indicator can be used to compare the penetration of starch in paper samples to determine the effect of changes in the paper manufacturing process.

Lappalainen, T, Lipponen, J, Solasaari, T. (2005) Novel method for quantitative starch penetration analysis through iodine staining and image analysis of cross-sections of uncoated paper and board (New method for quantitative analysis of starch penetration and image analysis of paper sections and cardboard without coating). Presented at the Tappi Coatings Conference, April 2005, Toronto.

Standard c: R.B. Philips (MTS), N. Marsolan (MTS), S. Arenren (MTS), D. Crawshaw (PDC), C. Campbell (PDC)

Additional with: H. Munn (Augusta Mill), C. Singh (PDC), T. Arnson (PDC), R. Williams (PDC), A. Anderson (PDC), David Reed (PDC), S. Lucia (PDC) ), B. McGaffin (MTC), M. Bovee (MTC), Dennis Reed (MTC), D. Turner (PDC), B. Schweikert (PDC), R. Rudolph (PDC), L Bednarik (PDC). J.Jackson (MTC), G. Bachman (MTC)

Example 2

The following is a description of another methodology for use in quantifying Q, as described above.

Procedure

The paper was cut to a width of 1 cm, then clamped between the processed blocks of stainless steel. Cross sections were prepared with a single-edge razor, quickly passing over the surface of a polished stainless steel clip, cutting off the protruding paper. Leaving the paper in the clip, the paper sample was labeled with a solution of potassium iodide / iodide (approximately 0.1 H). For this procedure, a drop of iodine solution was made over a cross section and then wiped. A moistened sample was allowed to react and absorb for at least three minutes before imaging. The paper was pulled out of the clamp by about 1 mm (twice the thickness of the blotter paper that served as the measuring means) and the clamp was tightened again.

Images were taken at random locations along the cross-section using a digital camera (Olympus DP-10, SHQ jpeg mode, resolution 1280 × 1024 pixels) mounted on a complex Olympus BX-40 microscope equipped for analysis in reflected and polarized light. During imaging, both polarizer slides were in place. Arbitrary images were obtained by advancing the cross-section without observing the camera screen or observing through a microscope.

The microscope was equipped with a 12 V halogen lamp. The lamp voltage was set to approximately 11 V. An external microscope photometer (Olympus EMM 7) was used on the right eyepiece to monitor reflected light. A gray dye on a piece of paper (Sherwin Williams Serious Gray, SW 6256) was used as a reflectance standard. The light was dosed to a mark of 7 out of 10 on a scale in the high (average) range of the device. Reductions in the level of illumination were performed using an aperture diaphragm in the incident light of the microscope. The equivalent exposure at 7/10 scale was an aperture of f / 3.5 at a shutter speed of 1/125 second (determined using a Nikon CoolPix 950 digital camera set to ISO 100 mounted on the right eyepiece), setting the exposure value to approximately 10.5 (ev10. 5 is 4.5 divisions slower than the photographic standard "sunny f / 16" or ev15).

The strips of the plate with SW Serious Gray dye were cut so that they fit to the stainless steel clip surfaces next to the marked cross-section of the paper. These stripes created a uniform background of a defocused mid-gray value when the cross section was exposed in focus. The camera was set to the matrix measurement mode and automatic exposure. A 20X lens was used, creating an image field length of 0.55 mm. Thirty images gave a net total analysis length of 16.5 mm in excess of the recommended minimum.

For a typical strip of paper 1 cm wide, 6-8 images were obtained. For each paper sample, images were usually obtained from four to five different cross sections. Jpeg images (the only mode available in the DP-10 camera) were re-saved in TIFF format before processing using Adobe Photoshop 5.5 with FoveaPro4 plug-ins for image analysis (Reindeer Graphics, John Russ).

The image analysis process using FoveaPro4 consisted of several steps. The first procedures included background fitting and subtraction; turning the cross section to obtain a horizontal upper surface and installing a rectangular area of interest to the maximum possible capture of the cross section, including the minimum of the background. Fitting a perfectly perpendicular portion of interest to the uneven perimeter of the paper resulted in an intermediate brightness between the labeled dark perimeter of the sample and a much brighter gray background. Typical background areas had a pixel brightness of 160 (on a gray scale of 256, 8 bits), while the brightness of the areas marked with dark was below 40, hence the edge sections of the cross sections usually had a brightness closer to 100 and decreased to complete darkness. The green plane was selected and converted to a grayscale (automatic function in PhotoShop), the average pixel darkness was calculated from the image in a raster scan (built-in command in PhotoShop / FoveaPro: Filter / IP * Measure Global / Profiles / Vertical (horizontal averaging ), which resulted in a distribution of average pixel brightness from the top to the bottom surface of the paper cross section.These cross section brightness distributions were obtained for each of the 30 images in an MS Excel spreadsheet and then averaged.

Since there were significant thickness differences between 30 images, the scatter in intensity data increased significantly from left to right (from the upper to the lower surface of the cross section). Physically, starch was applied to the surface or surface of the canvas, and it penetrated into the fabric: the starting point on the right side (upper surface) is no less defined than on the left side (lower surface). Therefore, the data was plotted a second time, shifting the data set so that the right ends were centered at one starting point. In an Excel spreadsheet, this was accomplished by copying blank cells to the beginning of each data column by shifting the data column so that it ends in the same row as the maximum thickness sample in the data set of 30 samples. As an example, consider a data set with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.15 mm. Empty cells will be entered at the beginning of the data interval for samples of small thickness (less than 0.15) so that they are centered in the same end row of the spreadsheet as the 0.15 mm sample. For each of the obtained data sets, an average graph was calculated.

Using the initial data set, the average thickness was calculated. This was the direct average of all the curves.

For our previous example, suppose the average thickness was 0.12 mm. To combine the two middle graphs (the original graph and the graph with a shift to the right), 0.3 mm were cut off from the less defined end of each. This gave two plots consistent in thickness with average thickness and allowed us to derive a better estimate of the penetration depth to local dark minima from each surface.

A complete graph was generated by combining the best left (penetration on the upper surface) and the best right (with a shift to the right, penetration on the lower surface) ends and using the middle of the two graphs in the center. The length of this central region was determined by dividing the distance between the dark minimum by one third and averaging the central third region.

A line was drawn between the two lows. The area of interest for the calculations was limited at the top by a complete graph and below by a straight line. The slope of each segment of the curve within the region of interest was calculated using the Excel trend line function, applied between local minima and a point on the upper curve, defined as the weighted average brightness on the curve between two minima. An additional data point was calculated as the area bounded between the straight line and the upper curve. This area was calculated in Excel as the summation of areas defined as the difference in height between the curve and the straight line, multiplied by the calibrated distance between adjacent measurement points, exactly the same as the Reimann sum.

The number "Q" was calculated as the ratio of the sum of the two regions near the tails to the total area of the region of interest (tail regions plus the central region).

The above technique is illustrated by figures 5, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B.

The Thor dataset, thirty individual curves, is shown in Figures 5, 5B with the left end of the curves aligned (top) and again with the combined right end of the curves (bottom). The increased change at the uneven ends of the curves is obvious. Estimated thickness was calculated from the total data set. In figure 5, it can be seen that the thickness was in the range of about 0.11 to 0.14 mm. For this data set, the calculated average thickness was 0.118 mm.

The average graphs of the shear curves (see Figures 6A and 6B) were truncated to the average thickness at the bad end of each curve. A complete curve was formed so that at each end the most reliable data were saved. The middle part of the graph represents the average of two average graphs. The length of this middle part was defined as the central third between two lows.

Between these two minima in Figure 6C a line was drawn defining the region of interest in the central region of the graph. The weighted average intensity on the intensity curve between the minima according to the calculations was 85, 84 and is shown as a black horizontal line in the above graph. The vertical lines (not shown) from the intersection of the average brightness and the intensity curve to the baseline identified three sub-regions in the region of interest, as well as part of the intensity curve used to calculate the slope. An analysis of this isolated area yielded three values: the total area between the intensity curve and the baseline, the slope of the curve at each end, and the ratio of the areas contained in the “tails” to the total area under the curve.

As mentioned above, the slope of each end of the curve within the region of interest in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B was calculated using the Excel trend line function used between local minima and a point on the upper curve, defined as the weighted average brightness on the curve between two minima. This slope is typical of the rate at which the starch level decreases as a function of penetration in the direction of the mid-cross section of the web. Accordingly, the slope of the drawn line is the intensity expressed in units per millimeter (progresses, in mm, over the cross section of the web). For the left end (representing the slope on the upper side of the web), the present invention has a slope that is 1612.9 intensity units per millimeter, while the left end for the known paper base has a slope that is 426.1 intensity units per millimeter. Accordingly, when passing from the top surface of the web to the center of the web, the paper base of the present invention has a much greater starch extinction rate (measured by slope), and the starch is apparently mostly insulated in the direction of the top surface of the web. For the right end (representing the slope on the underside of the web), the present invention has a slope that is 1408.9 intensity units per millimeter, while the right end for the known paper base has a slope that is 663.46 intensity units per millimeter. Accordingly, when passing from the bottom surface of the web to the center of the web, the paper base of the present invention also has a much higher starch extinction rate (measured by the slope), and the starch is clearly largely isolated in the direction of the top surface of the web.

Despite these examples, it is preferable that the paper base of the present invention have at least half (upper or lower) of its cross section having a slope (measured as described above) that can provide any one or more of the above characteristics of the paper base of the present invention ( e.g. intercom, hygro-expansion coefficient, IGT plucking resistance, and IGT VPP delamination resistance). The slope may be greater than 700 intensity units per millimeter, preferably greater than 850 intensity units per millimeter, more preferably greater than 900 intensity units per millimeter, most preferably greater than 1150 intensity units per millimeter. In a more preferred embodiment, both half (upper and lower) of the cross-section of the paper base of the present invention have a slope (measured as described above) that can provide any one or more of the above characteristics of the paper base of the present invention (e.g., interconnection, hygro-expansion coefficient, pluck resistance IGT and delamination resistance IGT VPP). The slope may be greater than 700 intensity units per millimeter, preferably greater than 850 intensity units per millimeter, more preferably greater than 900 intensity units per millimeter, most preferably greater than 1150 intensity units per millimeter.

Example 3

Tables 1 and 2 show the data on 41 paper-based, manufactured under experimental conditions on a paper machine using a size press with a dosing bar for applying starch as a sizing agent. The specific parameters of each condition, such as linear speed, pressure in the contact zone of the size press, amount of starch, total solids content in the starch solution, viscosity of the size solution, size P&J shaft, etc., are indicated in the tables. The P&J hardness conditions in this study are divided into two categories: Category 1: the first shaft had a P&J 35 hardness and the second shaft had a P&J 35 hardness; Category 2: the first shaft had a hardness of P&J 35 and the second shaft had a hardness of P&J 45. In addition, the obtained performance and physical properties of paper substrates are given in the tables, for example, interconnection, Gurley porosity, hygro-expansion coefficient, stiffness, and pluck resistance TS (on top side) IGT, pluck resistance BS (bottom side) IGT, etc. Intercom data is shown in two columns, one in foot pounds × 10-3 / sq. inches (i.e., in foot pounds) and in another in J / m ² (i.e. in J). These columns are not separate measurements, but are intended to illustrate the conversion factors between the two units of internal communication, as mentioned above.

Example 4

In the examples below, the phrase “x-100” refers to the preferred volume-enhancing substance described above having a particle containing an expandable microsphere and an ionic compound, such that the particle has a zeta potential that is greater than or equal to 0 mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less, with an ionic strength of 10-6 M to 0.1 M.

Example 1

Process conditions Hard Rock / Soft Rock = 60/40 Control Researched Solid starch particles in a gluing press,% 8 16 CP viscosity fifty 200 Glue on the core 35 SP002

Physical tests Control Researched Change, % Base weight 56.25 56.38 Thickness 5.01 4.91 Longitudinal intercom 122 70 -42.6 Transverse intercom 117 88 -24.8 Porosity gurley 8.7 12,4 42.5 Gurley stiffness (gf * 1000) 287 301 4.9 Gurley stiffness (gf * 1000) 109 124 13.8 Opacity,% 92.4 93.1 0.8 Hygro-expansion coefficient from 85RH from 15RH (%) 0.951 0.916 -3.7 Ash content,% 14.5 14.8 The starch content,% 6.13 6.63

Example 2

Process conditions Hard Rock / Soft Rock = 60/40 Control Researched Solid starch particles in a gluing press,% 9,4 16.5 CP viscosity 50,4 204 Glue on the core 004 SP002

Physical tests Control Researched Change, % Base weight 56.3 56.3 Thickness 5.18 5.14 Longitudinal intercom 148 80 -45.9 Transverse intercom 147 85 -42.2 Porosity gurley 11,4 17 49.1 Gurley stiffness (gf * 1000) 309 285 -7.8 Gurley stiffness (gf * 1000) 143 167 16.8 Opacity,% 91.7 91.8 0.1 Hygro-expansion coefficient from 85RH from 15RH (%) 1,194 1.01 -15.4 Ash content,% 13.47 14.03 The starch content,% 5.53 6.13

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TESTS

The objectives of the second series of tests of the X-100 on the C35 are to verify the machine’s operability, cleanliness of the machine and the development of equipment and to confirm the operational characteristics of offset printing with a longer cycle with 18 pounds of filler than the tests of November 3, 2005. Based on the results of the first tests, a flow rate of 6.2 pounds per tonne of charged composition will be tested within 4-5 hours under the target Thor conditions on a size press. A small portion of these tests will be carried out with velen paper; most will be calendared to thickness according to the specifications of the export order. Starting consumption will be 3.1 pounds per tonne (composition, velum paper), and at this expense the observation will be carried out for 30 minutes. After that, the loading amount will be increased to a target consumption of 6.2 pounds per tonne, one batch of vellum paper will be made before calendaring to specifications. This batch will be used for broader physical tests than the original. After repeated cationization, the X-100 filler (642-SLUX-80) will be added to the input of the first grid.

The objectives of the tests are:

- determination of the effectiveness of the filler for Velen paper at a rate of 3.1 pounds per ton;

- monitoring the reaction of the machine and determining issues of paper making, including load balance, deposits on the drying section, sheet defects and steam requirements;

- repeat the first test at a rate of 6.2 pounds per ton;

- determination of the effect of thickness and stiffness on several roll samples for velum paper at a filler consumption of 6.2 pounds per ton;

- test conditions to confirm the operational characteristics of offset printing on a RIT machine with a longer cycle (target 9 rolls): control; standard condition 1 for 18 pounds of filler (for velum paper): 3.1 pounds of X-100 per ton; calendering of velum paper - a sample from the top of the first batch only for the condition: 6.2 pounds X-100 per ton; calendering of velum paper - 1 roll for condition 3: 6.2 pounds X-100 per ton; calendering to a thickness of 4.0; Estimated time loss due to test conditions is 2 hours.

This test was carried out in combination with a high solids content in starch and with the capture of starch in a size press. Two levels of the X-100 were tested: 6.2 pounds per ton and 12.0 pounds per ton, where both costs were related to a ton of loadable composition (the corresponding expense based on roll production was 4.6 and 9.0 pounds per ton, respectively) . The X-100 filler used in this test was cationized at the University of Western Michigan using high molecular weight PEL.

Thickness trends in the measurement system showed a quick and reliable response. The line thickness increased from 4.0 to 4.2 at a lower flow rate and from 4.2 to 4.3 at a higher flow rate, corresponding to a 5-7% increase in volume. The stiffness values on the rollers did not show a clear and continuous improvement in stiffness (partly due to the scatter in a small amount of data), but testing roll products and analyzing the strip from a roll suggest an increase in stiffness by 6-7% CD and up to 15% MD. Gurley's porosity has not changed since the addition of X-100, mainly due to its high starch solids content and capture.

Machine cleanliness problems were far less than expected in this short test, and the only problem identified was the flaking of agglomerated X-100 onto the substrate during the test. In addition, there was a slight discoloration of the drying part No. 6, but not to the level requiring cleaning after the test. No deposits were observed on other surfaces of the machine.

In the main section, the steam pressure during the tests was increased to maximum values, and even then the humidity in the size press was higher than the target. Production cycles can well be slowed down due to problems with drying the main section.

Control and test samples were used for flexography (PDC), offset printing (RIT), and electrophotographic printing (Erie). For all print formats, both test products showed very similar print quality and cut paper characteristics with the control product (18 pounds of filler per tonne).

Test description

For this test, a filler suspension of 642-SLUX-80 was used, remaining after testing on November 3, which was previously cationized at the University of Western Michigan.

The temperatures on the dryer drum of the main section were measured before and during the test using an IR thermometer. No change in the amount of containment or RAS was planned for this test.

In the first production cycle of the Velen paper, a standard filler flow rate of 18 pounds per ton was used. After completion of this cycle, X-100 filler was added at the inlet of the first mesh at a rate of 3.1 pounds per tonne of feed composition. Before serving, a static mixer with water was used to reduce the solids content in the suspension. Samples from the headbox and recycled water were taken during the first pass and to determine the ash content after stabilization of the machine. After this batch (vellum paper) was made, the consumption of X-100 filler was increased to 6.2 pounds per tonne for Condition 2 (one stable roll at the end of the vellum paper). Then the degree of calendaring was increased to meet the technical conditions.

Suspension Description

The content of active solids in the canonized suspension was 30%. This material was metered into the CT35 mesh portion using a variable speed Moyno pump. The flow and volume requirements are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1 Calculation of doses for C35 250 gallon linkage Assumptions and dose calculations clean soluble Solids 44% 22% gurley stiffness 1,2 1,02

3400 feet per minute

roll cutting 356

Weight 18

at 4.50% moisture

4.25% starch.

16.5% filler

Bulk density approx. 13.46 without starch or filler

Approx the throughput of the composition is 31.32 tons per hour (the consumption when feeding the composition is excluded from the calculations)

1044 pounds per minute revolution of composition

0.522 tons per minute (752 tons per day) of the composition

Courtland X-100 study 12/13/05 See note X-100. Net gall / min Soluble gall / min Soluble mass rate The number of parts per solution. hinges Loading f / tone 3: 1 0.36 0.85 25.9 4.89 6: 2 0.72 1.70 48.8 2.44

NOTE. The content in pounds per ton is calculated from the throughput of the composition (as in previous tests). With 100% retention, the content in the final product will be 25.3% less.

table 2 Estimated Test Time and Slurry Consumption Download X-100 Condition Based on composition Based on TRN roll Machine Hours Gallons the control 0,0 0 N / a 0 one 3,1 2,3 0.50 26 2 6.2 4.6 4,50 460 General 5,0 486

Add point

From the previous wet part study, the best addition point for this test is the entrance to the first grid (FIG. 9). The cationized X-100 will be further diluted from a nominal value of 30% to 0.3-3.0% using recycled water and a static mixer. This approach was successfully used in Pensacola when added in the wet part at a rate of 1.4 to 9.9 pounds per ton.

Control samples: 3 strips from a roll for Condition 1 (3.1 pounds per tonne for velum paper); 3 strips per roll for Condition 2 (6.2 lb / ton for velvet paper)

6 samples of cut paper from each roll

Test conditions 11, including the condition of the control sample, must pass a complete set of tests by quality control, and the results must be entered into the Proficy system. In addition, each roll with a filler content of 18 pounds per tonne in this cycle should be checked for stiffness. Evaluation rolls will be cut out for evaluation by offset printing on a RIT machine and indicated by serial numbers.

DOWNTIME

The entire time of testing from the beginning of the transition to the control state (if the machine does not use 18 pounds per tonne consumption) until the normal production resumes, it should be considered the downtime in the PPR log (product, process and resource data) (code XXX - planned conditions, downtime conditions or market). Any downtime due to interruptions in testing or to clean the machine should also be included in the total downtime.

Body Code Test 2 The control Study Study Study Roll No. 1304 1305 1306 1307/8 X-100 no 3.2 pounds 6 pounds 6 pounds The ending parchment parchment parchment calendared Base weight 18.3 18,4 18.6 18.5 Presence of ash 16,2 15.8 16.1 16.1 The presence of starch 7.2 7.5 6.9 7.2 Thickness 4.09 4.20 4.31 4.14 Opacity, 87.8 88.3 88.1 88.3 Porosity gurley 18,4 17.6 16,2 16,0 Gurley stiffness in the transverse direction 57.0 56.2 54.8 Gurley longitudinal rigidity 146 144 137 Medium Intercom 166 153 156 156

Example 5

We received rolls of paper 40 inches wide and 50 inches in diameter. They were made from 40% wood pulp and 60% pine kraft pulp. The base weight was 17.5 pounds / 1300 sq. ft.

The paper was sent to an experimental coating press. We used a size press with a dosing bar. We applied one layer of starch coating to the paper, an average of 8%, or 160 pounds per ton. This starch was applied at a high viscosity, greater than 200 centipoise, at a temperature of 150 ° F. Used oxidized starch Cargill 235D. The size press was operated at a speed of 500 feet per minute. The resulting paper was dried to a moisture content of 5% and calendared to obtain a smoother surface. Then the paper was sent for verification by offset printing. For physical tests received samples in the form of sheets.

The results showed that we obtained good performance and Q values according to the present invention. The surface strength has improved significantly, from the delamination value of IGT VVP 64 to 190 N / m. Printing on samples of two rolls was clear using high-tack paints, which was unexpected. Paper containing wood, such as Abitibi Equal Offset, which is a well-known paper, usually requires serious washing after 2000-3000 linear feet. We used more than 20,000 linear feet without flushing.

Claims (26)

1. A paper base containing a certain amount of cellulose fibers, at least one filler and a sizing agent, the paper base having a hygro-expansion coefficient of 0.6 to 1.5%, Scott's internal bond in the transverse direction is not more than 300 J / m ² and / or Scott's internal connection in the longitudinal direction of not more than 300 J / m ² . 2. The paper base according to claim 1, where the paper base has a coefficient of hygro-expansion from 0.6 to 1.25%. 3. The paper base according to claim 1, additionally containing from 0.25 to 10 g / m ² sizing agent, and the paper base has a coefficient of hygroextension from 0.6 to 1.25%. 4. The paper base according to claim 1, additionally containing from 0.25 to 10 g / m ^{2 of a} sizing agent, the paper base has an internal bond / sizing ratio of less than 100 J / m ² / g / m ² and a hygro-expansion coefficient of 0 , 6 to 1.25%. 5. The paper base according to claim 4, in which the internal bond / sizing ratio is less than or equal to 80 J / m ² / g / m ² . 6. The paper base according to claim 4, in which the ratio of internal communication / sizing agent is less than or equal to 60 J / m ² / g / m ² . 7. The paper base according to claim 4, in which the ratio of internal communication / sizing agent is less than or equal to 40 J / m ² / g / m ² . 8. A method of manufacturing a paper base according to claim 1, comprising contacting a solution containing from 0.5 to 10 g / m ^{2 of a} sizing agent with a mixture of a certain amount of cellulose fibers and at least one filler, the solution having a solids content of at least at least 12 wt.% solids sizing agent and has a viscosity of from 100 to 500 cP on a Brookfield viscometer, spindle No. 2 at 100 rpm and 150 ° F. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the solution has a viscosity of from 150 to 300 SP. 10. A paper backing made by the method according to claim 9, wherein the backing paper has an Δ internal bond / Δ sizing ratio of less than 100 J / m ² / g / m ² and a hygro-expansion coefficient of 0.6 to 1.25%. 11. The method according to claim 9, in which the solution contains a sizing substance with a solids content of at least 15 wt.%. 12. The paper base made by the method according to claim 11, wherein the paper base has an Δ internal bond / Δ sizing ratio of less than 60 J / m ² / g / m ² and a hygro-expansion coefficient of 0.6 to 1.25%. 13. The method according to claim 11, in which the solution contains a sizing substance with a solids content of at least 15 wt.%. 14. The paper base made by the method according to claim 11, wherein the paper base has an internal bond / sizing ratio of less than 40 J / m ² / g / m ² and a hygro-expansion coefficient of 0.6 to 1.25%. 15. The paper backing of claim 14, wherein the backing has an IGT plucking index of at least 1. 16. The paper backing of claim 14, wherein the backing has an IGT plucking rate of at least 1.25. 17. The paper backing of claim 14, wherein the backing has an IGT plucking rate of at least 1.5. 18. The paper backing of claim 14, wherein the backing has an IGT plucking index greater than 1.7. 19. The paper base according to 14, where the base contains more than 4 g / m ² sizing agent. 20. The paper base according to 14, where the base contains more than 3.5 g / m ² sizing agent. 21. The paper base according to item 12, where the base contains more than 4 g / m ² sizing agent. 22. The paper base according to item 15, wherein the base contains more than 4.5 g / m ² sizing agent. 23. The paper base according to clause 15, where at least one filler is an expandable microsphere. 24. The paper base according to item 12, where at least one filler is an expandable microsphere. 25. The paper base of claim 10, where at least one filler is an expandable microsphere. 26. The paper base according to claim 1, where at least one filler is an expandable microsphere.

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