Patent ID: 7052540

Claim:
A process for producing an aqueous dispersion of a carboxylated cellulose ester, comprising: i) preparing a liquid mixture comprising: a) a carboxylated cellulose ester, b) a volatile hydrophilic organic solvent, having a relative evaporation rate of at least about 1.0, and a solubility in water of at least about 5 weight percent, c) a coupling solvent, having a relative evaporation rate of less than about 0.5, and a solubility in water of at least about 3 weight percent, d) a neutralizer, present in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the carboxyl groups present on the carboxylated cellulose ester, and e) water; and ii) applying heat or vacuum, or both, in an amount sufficient to volatilize the volatile hydrophilic organic solvent, to obtain the aqueous dispersion of the carboxylated cellulose ester.