Polyol Fatty Acid Ester Carrier Compositions

Abstract

The present disclosure describes methods of treating fibrous cellulosic materials with sucrose fatty acid ester containing particles (carrier systems) that allow for modifications of surfaces, including making such surfaces water resistance and/or oil/grease resistance. The methods as disclosed provide combining at least one saccharide fatty acid esters (SFAE) with a polymer (e.g., latexes) to form micellular particles and applying such particles to substrates including fibrous cellulose-based materials (e.g., pulp) to form, inter alia, molded products. Compositions comprising combinations of SFAE, a latex and optionally a mineral or other additives are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a molded cellulose-containing article comprising:
 adding an emulsion or slurry to a cellulose fiber furnish, wherein said emulsion or slurry comprises one or more sucrose fatty acid esters and one or more carrier particles;   draining the furnish through one or more meshes or screens;   thermal forming the mixture into a product in a mold; and   stripping the product from the mold, wherein said product exhibits water, oil, and/or grease resistance compared to a cellulose product not treated with said emulsion or slurry.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a bowl, plate, a bottle, a pouch, a packaging container or insert. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of a sucrose fatty acid ester, a polymer, a solid latex polymer bead, a hollow polymer shell, a resin bead, a pigment particle, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pigment particle is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin clay, silica, silicate, talc, mica, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise uncooked corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch granule, oat hull, rice hull, ground nut shell, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said particles are coated with one or more sucrose esters and dispersed into an aqueous emulsion or slurry. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said aqueous emulsion or slurry is mixed with the cellulose fiber slurry at a concentration of between about 5% to about 50% of the total dry weight, prior to wet forming. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a polymer, and wherein the polymer exhibits a low glass transition temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer is latex. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product exhibits reduced stickiness. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sucrose fatty acid ester is a mono-or diester. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sucrose fatty acid ester comprises all saturated fatty acids or is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. 
     
     
         13 . An article of manufacture produced by the method of  claim 1 .