Pulp fiber containing little ash is effectively recovered from a used sanitary product containing the pulp fiber and a polymer absorbent. The method according to the present invention comprises: a step for treating the used sanitary product with an ozone-containing gas and thus decomposing and removing at least a portion of the polymer absorbent in the used sanitary product; and a step for stirring the used sanitary product, that has been treated with the ozone-containing gas, in water or an aqueous solution containing an antiseptic and thus decomposing the used sanitary product into constituents. If required, the method may further comprise a step for separating the pulp fiber from the decomposition product obtained by the decomposition step.

Pulp fiber containing little ash is effectively recovered from a used sanitary product containing the pulp fiber and a polymer absorbent. The method according to the present invention comprises: a step for treating the used sanitary product with an ozone-containing gas and thus decomposing and removing at least a portion of the polymer absorbent in the used sanitary product; and a step for stirring the used sanitary product, that has been treated with the ozone-containing gas, in water or an aqueous solution containing an antiseptic and thus decomposing the used sanitary product into constituents. If required, the method may further comprise a step for separating the pulp fiber from the decomposition product obtained by the decomposition step.

The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture, including fibers and films, and methods of making thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the article includes a binder impregnated with or encapsulating a filler. The binder is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), cellulose nanofibrils, or a combination of the PVOH and cellulose nanofibrils. The filler is deinking waste solids comprising ash and cellulose fines.

The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture, including fibers and films, and methods of making thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the article includes a binder impregnated with or encapsulating a filler. The binder is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), cellulose nanofibrils, or a combination of the PVOH and cellulose nanofibrils. The filler is deinking waste solids comprising ash and cellulose fines.

A disperser apparatus includes: a first disperser assembly configured to rotate around an axis; and a second disperser assembly facing the first disperser assembly. The first and second disperser assemblies each have a plurality of disperser-refiner plate segments annularly arranged. Each of the disperser-refiner plate segments includes a substrate having teeth extending from the substrate and arranged in rows disposed at radial intervals defining a dispersion section. Each tooth has a tooth height; and walls; and edges at junctions of adjacent walls. Each of the disperser-refiner plate segments further includes a refining section of refiner bars extending from the substrate, wherein adjacent refiner bars and the substrate define a groove between the adjacent refiner bars; and a plurality transition bars disposed between radially outermost teeth and the refining section.

A disperser apparatus includes: a first disperser assembly configured to rotate around an axis; and a second disperser assembly facing the first disperser assembly. The first and second disperser assemblies each have a plurality of disperser-refiner plate segments annularly arranged. Each of the disperser-refiner plate segments includes a substrate having teeth extending from the substrate and arranged in rows disposed at radial intervals defining a dispersion section. Each tooth has a tooth height; and walls; and edges at junctions of adjacent walls. Each of the disperser-refiner plate segments further includes a refining section of refiner bars extending from the substrate, wherein adjacent refiner bars and the substrate define a groove between the adjacent refiner bars; and a plurality transition bars disposed between radially outermost teeth and the refining section.

A tissue digester system includes a container for housing a digestion chamber having an exterior vessel for holding digestor fluid and an interior vessel, the container extending from a first end to a second end, the interior vessel having perforations and having baffles extending from an interior surface of the interior vessel; a lid secured to the exterior vessel and to provide access to the digestion chamber; one or more heating elements positioned to apply heat to the digestion chamber; a motor engaged with the interior vessel and to create rotational movement of the interior vessel; a control system, having a temperature controller; and a movement controller; the control system is to rotate the interior vessel and heat the digestion chamber based on user commands; and the digestion chamber is to break down remains through application of the digestor fluid to the tissue remains.

A plate segment includes a substrate having a front side and a back side, wherein the back side is configured to be mounted to a support disc of a disperser; rows of teeth protruding from the front side of the substrate, wherein each of the rows are arranged along an arc extending from one side of the plate segment to an opposite side of the plate segment. In at least one of the rows of teeth, adjacent teeth are joined by a bridge spanning a gap between the adjacent teeth. The bridge is elevated above the front side of the substrate such that the bridge is separated from the front side by an open space in the gap.

The invention relates to the use of polyesters for increasing the surface tension and improving the hydrophilic behavior of hydrophobic surfaces, wherein said polyesters are obtainable by polymerization of a) one or more unsulfonated aromatic dicarboxylic acids and/or salts thereof and/or anhydrides thereof and/or esters thereof, and b) ethylene glycol, c) 1,2-propylene glycol, and d) one or more polyalkylene glycols, and e) one or more compounds of formula (1)
R.sup.1O(CHR.sup.2CHR.sup.3O).sub.nH  (1) where R.sup.1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably hydrogen and/or methyl, and n is from 1 to 50, f) in the presence or absence of one or more crosslinking compounds having 3 to 6 functions capable of polycondensation, especially acid, alcohol or ester functions,
with the proviso that said components d) are used in weight quantities <80%, based on the weight quantity of the polyesters obtained by the polymerization.

A method for separating fibers using a container, a vacuum pump which is connected to the container volume via a vacuum valve, and a ventilation line with a cross-sectional opening and a valve. The valve can be switched between a closed and open state in a time domain of 19-41 ms and from the open state into the closed state in a time domain of 20 to 45 ms. The method has the steps of filling the container with water and fiber composite, closing the container, mixing the water and the fiber composite using mechanical energy, by stirring, generating kinetic energy in the fiber composite by lowering the container internal pressure to a value between −700 to −950 hPa, and equalizing the pressure in the container to generate cavitation in the fiber composite. The pressure equalization taking place within at least onetime domain of 0.001-1 s.