Paper pulp composition and article formed therefrom

Abstract

A moldable paper pulp composition comprising an aqueous suspension of a base material comprising paper particles and a detergent resistant binding agent for the paper particles, in an intimate and substantially homogenous mix. Also provided are articles molded from the composition.

1 . A moldable paper pulp composition comprising an aqueous suspension of:
 (a) a base material comprising paper particles; and   (b) a detergent resistant binding agent for the paper particles, in an intimate and substantially homogenous mix.   
   
   
       2 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base material comprises a binder for binding the paper particles. 
   
   
       3 . A composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the binder comprises a natural or synthetic wax. 
   
   
       4 . A composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the binder comprises a natural wax. 
   
   
       5 . A composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the base material comprises 0-20% of binder by dry weight per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       6 . A composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the base material comprises 7-9% of binder by dry weight per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       7 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base material comprises 80-100% by dry weight of paper particles. 
   
   
       8 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detergent resistant binding agent comprises any material capable of providing sufficient water proofing and detergent resistance to an article made from the composition so that the article can maintain its shape and rigidity even when in contact with soap and detergent solutions. 
   
   
       9 . A composition as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the detergent resistant binding agent comprises a fluorocarbon. 
   
   
       10 . A composition as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the fluorocarbon is a fluorocarbon resin emulsion. 
   
   
       11 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detergent resistant binding agent is present in an amount from 10 ml to 200 ml per Kg dry weight of base material. 
   
   
       12 . A composition as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the detergent resistant binding agent is present in an amount from 10 ml to 100 ml per Kg dry weight of base material. 
   
   
       13 . A composition as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the detergent resistant binding agent is present in an amount from 30 ml to 40 ml per Kg dry weight of base material. 
   
   
       14 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a sizing agent. 
   
   
       15 . A composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sizing agent comprises an aluminum salt. 
   
   
       16 . A composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sizing agent comprises aluminum sulphate. 
   
   
       17 . A composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprises an additional 0-300 g of sizing agent by dry weight per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       18 . A composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprises an additional 200-230 g of sizing agent by dry weight per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       19 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one biocide. 
   
   
       20 . A composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of biozynol and bactolyse and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       21 . A composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises an additional 0-5 g of biocide per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       22 . A composition as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the composition comprises an additional 0.1-0.5 g of biocide per Kg of dry base material. 
   
   
       23 . An article manufactured from a composition as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       24 . An article as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the article is a receptacle. 
   
   
       25 . An article as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle is an open-topped wash bowl.