Patent ID: 7566381
Filing Date: 2009-07-28
Classification: C08G,C08L

Abstract:
1. A method of increasing the strength of a fibrous web comprising: (a) adding alkali to an aqueous emulsion of a water-soluble epoxy-functional polymer, whereby the pH of the emulsion is raised to about 11 or greater; (b) mixing the emulsion of the water-soluble epoxy-functional polymer with an epoxy-reactive polymer to form an aqueous binder composition, wherein the amount of the epoxy-functional polymer relative to the amount of the epoxy-reactive polymer is from about 0.5 to about 25 weight percent on a solids basis; (c) topically applying the aqueous binder composition to one or both outer surfaces of the web, wherein the elapsed time between mixing the epoxy-functional polymer with the epoxy-reactive polymer and applying the resulting binder composition to the web is about a day or less; and (d) curing the aqueous binder composition on the web.