Papermaking method using opacification aid, and paper product made thereby

• Main Authors: FREEMAN GARY M, BROGDON BRIAN N, ROSENCRANCE SCOTT W, FRIEL THOMAS C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.09.2006
• Subjects: GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PAPER-MAKING; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE; PULP COMPOSITIONS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TEXTILES; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G

A method for making an opacity relevant grade paper or paperboard product, such as a communication type paper used for printing and writing applications, utilizes an effective amount of quaternized alkanolamine fatty acid ester compounds as an opacification aid to control the optical properties of the paper or paperboard product as a wet-end additive to a papermaking operation. Using the quaternized alkanolamine fatty acid ester compound can improve the opacity of the paper or paperboard product, maintain the opacity of the paper while reducing the use of other opacification aids, such as inorganic fillers and/or pigments, and allow for a reduction in paper grammage without a compromise in opacity. The improvements in paper optical properties are achieved without adversely affecting other characteristics of the paper product such as bulk value, tensile strength, tear index, and the like.