Patent ID: 8709208

Claim:
A method of papermaking comprising filler, the method comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous dispersion of filler particles, at least one dewatering aid and cellulose fiber stock, adding a first flocculating agent to an aqueous dispersion of filler particles in an amount sufficient to mix uniformly in the dispersion without causing significant flocculation of the filler particles, adding a second flocculating agent to the dispersion after adding the first flocculating agent in an amount sufficient to initiate flocculation of the filler particles in the presence of the first flocculating agent, the second flocculating agent being of opposite charge to the first flocculant, combining the filler particles with the paper fiber stock, treating the combination with at least one dewatering aid selected from the group consisting of synthetic dewatering additives, and forming a paper mat from the combination, the paper fiber stock comprises a plurality of fibers and water, and the filler pre-flocculation enhances the performance of the dewatering aid in the paper mat.