Patent ID: 7399377
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: D21B,D21D

Abstract:
1. A process for singulating cellulose fibers from a wet pulp sheet comprising: feeding the pulp sheet to a hammermill, the pulp sheet being fed to the hammermill at a sheet feed speed of from 7.6 to 91.5 meters per minute, said hammermill having rotor tips, said rotor tip speed being from 3658 to 6706 meters per minute; feeding an air stream to the hammermill at an air feed location downstream from the pulp feed location; milling the pulp sheet in the hammermill to produce singulated fibers; conveying the singulated fibers in an air stream from the hammermill at an outlet location oriented at an angle from said air feed location to an air fiber separator, said singulated fibers conveyed from said hammermill to said air fiber separator by a fan, said fan and conduits sized sufficiently to provide an air stream velocity of from 1829 to 3048 meters per minute; and separating said singulated fibers from the air stream.