Composites containing cellulose-based compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to methods for making compositions comprising polymers and a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose. This invention also relates to methods for forming articles from the disclosed compositions and compositions and articles made from a disclosed process. This is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

1 . A composition comprising:
 (a) a polymer in an amount of from about 30 wt % to about 90 wt % of the composition;   (b) a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose, and wherein the cellulose composition is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the composition; and   (c) a reinforcing filler in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 80 wt % of the composition.   
     
     
         2 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing filler is selected from a glass fiber, a mineral filler, and a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         15 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises clay. 
     
     
         20 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for making a masterbatch composition, the method comprising the step of combining:
 (a) a thermoplastic polymer in an amount of from about 60 wt % to about 95 wt % of the masterbatch composition; and   (b) a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose, and wherein the cellulose composition is present in an amount of from about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % of the masterbatch composition,   thereby forming the masterbatch composition.   
     
     
         26 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the cellulose composition is dried prior to the combining step. 
     
     
         39 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising combining a clay. 
     
     
         46 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A masterbatch composition prepared by the method of  claim 25 . 
     
     
         53 . A method for making a composition, the method comprising the step of combining:
 (a) a polymer in an amount of from about 60 wt % to about 90 wt % of the composition;   (b) a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose, and wherein the cellulose is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the composition; and   (c) a reinforcing filler in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of the composition.   
     
     
         54 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the cellulose composition is a dried cellulose composition. 
     
     
         65 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the reinforcing filler is selected from a glass fiber, a mineral filler, and a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         69 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprises the step of combining a clay. 
     
     
         74 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising forming the composition into an article. 
     
     
         79 - 81 . (canceled) 
     
     
         82 . An article prepared by the method of  claim 78 . 
     
     
         83 - 88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . A composition prepared by the method of  claim 53 . 
     
     
         90 . A method for making a composition, the method comprising the step of combining:
 (a) a polymer in an amount of from about 30 wt % to about 60 wt % of the composition;   (b) a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose, and wherein the cellulose is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the composition; and   (c) a reinforcing filler in an amount of from about 40 wt % to about 80 wt % of the composition.   
     
     
         91 . A method for making a composition, the method comprising the step of combining:
 (a) a masterbatch composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose; and   (b) a reinforcing filler,   thereby forming the composition.   
     
     
         92 - 119 . (canceled) 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the reinforcing filler is selected from a glass fiber, a mineral filler, and a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         121 - 125 . (canceled) 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the masterbatch composition further comprises a clay. 
     
     
         127 - 132 . (canceled) 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising forming the composition into an article. 
     
     
         134 - 136 . (canceled) 
     
     
         137 . An article prepared by the method of  claim 133 . 
     
     
         138 - 143 . (canceled) 
     
     
         144 . A composition prepared by the method of  claim 91 . 
     
     
         145 . A method for drying a particle, the method comprising:
 (a) mixing the particle with a resuspending agent, wherein the resuspending agent is adsorbed or bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the particles, thereby forming a composition; and   (b) drying the composition.   
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 145 , wherein the particle comprises cellulose. 
     
     
         147 . (canceled) 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 145 , wherein the resuspending agent is a clay.