Modified cellulose fiber having improved curl

Abstract

Disclosed is a modified cellulose fiber having improved curl characteristics. Specifically, the present invention relates to oxidized or sulfonated cellulose fibers being highly curled, wherein such curl is highly stable. The oxidized or sulfonated curled cellulose fiber may be prepared by a process comprising treating the fibers in a high energy refiner effective to provide the desired curl properties to the fiber. The modified cellulose having improved curl characteristics may be used in disposable absorbent products.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An oxidized cellulose fiber exhibiting a Curl Factor value that is at least about 6. 
     
     
       2. The oxidized cellulose fiber of claim 1 wherein the oxidized cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 7. 
     
     
       3. A sulfonated cellulose fiber exhibiting a Curl Factor value that is at least about 6. 
     
     
       4. The sulfonated cellulose fiber of claim 3 wherein the sulfonated cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 7. 
     
     
       5. A process for treating an oxidized cellulose fiber, the process comprising treating an oxidized cellulose fiber in a refining means wherein the refining means is operated at a power input of greater than about 2 horsepower-day per ton of oxidized cellulose fiber, wherein the treated oxidized cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 6. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 5 wherein the treated oxidized cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 7. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 5 wherein the power input to the refining means is greater than about 6 horsepower-day per ton of oxidized cellulose fiber. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 5 wherein the oxidized cellulose fiber is treated in the refining means as a pulp comprising water and between about 20 to about 60 weight percent of the oxidized cellulose fiber. 
     
     
       9. A process for treating a sulfonated cellulose fiber, the process comprising treating an sulfonated cellulose fiber in a refining means wherein the refining means is operated at a power input of greater than about 2 horsepower-day per ton of sulfonated cellulose fiber, wherein the treated sulfonated cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 6. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 9 wherein the treated sulfonated cellulose fiber exhibits a Curl Factor value that is at least about 7. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 9 wherein the power input to the shaft disperser is greater than about 6 horsepower-day per ton of sulfonated cellulose fiber. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 9 wherein the sulfonated cellulose fiber is treated in the refining means as a pulp comprising water and between about 20 to about 60 weight percent of the sulfonated cellulose fiber.