Patent GB-1109895-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the method of and apparatus for treating suspensions of fibres for the formation of aggregates
Inventor: JACQUELIN GUY
IPC: D21B1/12
Filed: 1965-05-10
Abstract: Mouldable compositions comprise fibres formed into aggregates by gently agitating a suspension of the fibres in a tank so that the fibres cling to one another and are roughly grouped or sized to form aggregates of regular shape.  The fibres may be natural, regenerated, or synthetic fibres, with pulp fibres of beech, sprue or straw being specifically mentioned.  The fibres may be chemically or physically modified, if necessary, to assist aggregate formation.  The aggregates may be filtered from the impurities and the remaining fibres in the suspension before being hot air dried.  Alternatively, the aggregates which are generally of spherical shape and vary from 0-2 to 15 mm. in diameter may be bonded together to form a porous or rigid conglomerate or a moulded or laminated product-for example the aggregates may be put into a water/alcohol solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde and after agitation, drainage, drying, and a thermal treatment a rigid agglomerate is obtained.ALSO:Fibres are formed into aggregates by gently agitating a suspension of the fibres in a tank so that the fibres cling to one another and are roughly grouped or sized to form aggregates of regular shape.  The apparatus for agitating the fibrous suspension may comprise a cylindrical tank which is rotated about its axis which may be horizontal or inclined, a tank containing agitating means - for example a spiral member, or gas-injecting means, or a continuously operated apparatus comprising a cylindrical tank and an Archimedean screw, with the tank and/or the screw being rotated.ALSO:Fibres are formed into aggregates by gently agitating a suspension of the fibres in a tank so that the fibres cling to one another and are roughly grouped or sized to form aggregates of regular shape.  The fibres may be natural, regenerated, or synthetic fibres, with pulp fibres of beech, spruce or straw being specifically mentioned.  The fibres may be chemically or physically modified, if necessary, to assist aggregate formation. The aggregates may be filtered from the impurities and the remaining fibres in the suspension before either being put back into suspension to form a pulp sheet, or being hot air dried. Alternatively, the aggregates which are generally of spherical shape and vary from .2 to 15mm in diameter may be bonded together to form a porous or rigid conglomerate or a moulded or laminated product-for example the suspension of aggregates may be poured on to a sieve to form a cake with the non-aggregated fibres and fines serving to bond the aggregates together, or the aggregates may be put into a water/alcohol solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde and after agitation, drainage, drying, and a thermal treatment a rigid agglomerate is obtained.  The apparatus for agitating the fibrous suspension may comprise a cylindrical tank which is rotated about its axis which may be horizontal or inclined, a tank containing agitating means-for example a spiral member, or gas-injecting means, or a continuously operated apparatus comprising a cylindrical tank and an Archimedean screw, with the tank and/or the screw being rotated.