Whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers and related methods

Abstract

Whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers, methods for making the fibers, and products that include the fibers.

1 . Whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers, obtained by a method comprising: 
 applying a whitening agent, crosslinking agent, and optionally a crosslinking catalyst to a web of pulp fibers to provide a web of treated fibers;    separating the web of treated fibers into individualized treated fibers; and    heating the individualized treated fibers at a temperature and for a time sufficient to provide individualized whitened crosslinked fibers.    
   
   
       2 . The fibers of  claim 1 , wherein the whitening agent comprises a blue dye.  
   
   
       3 . The fibers of  claim 2 , wherein the blue dye is an azo dye.  
   
   
       4 . The fibers of  claim 2 , wherein the blue dye is an azo metal complex dye.  
   
   
       5 . The fibers of  claim 1 , wherein the crosslinked cellulosic fibers comprise citric acid crosslinked cellulosic fibers.  
   
   
       6 . A method for making whitened crosslinked cellulosic fibers, comprising: 
 applying a whitening agent, crosslinking agent, and optionally a crosslinking catalyst to a web of pulp fibers to provide a web of treated fibers;    separating the web of treated fibers into individualized treated fibers; and    heating the individualized treated fibers at a temperature and for a time sufficient to provide individualized whitened crosslinked fibers.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the whitening agent comprises a blue dye.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blue dye is an azo dye.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blue dye is an azo metal complex dye.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the crosslinking agent comprises citric acid.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the crosslinking catalyst comprises sodium hypophosphite.  
   
   
       12 . An absorbent product, comprising the fibers of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       13 . The product of  claim 12 , wherein the product is a wipe, tissue, or towel.  
   
   
       14 . The product of  claim 12 , wherein the product is an infant diaper, adult incontinence product, or feminine hygiene product.