[0001] This invention relates to the use of fine paper sized with a sizing agent comprising
a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds in high speed precision converting on reprographic
operations.
[0002] The amount of fine paper produced under alkaline conditions has been increasing rapidly,
encouraged by cost savings, the ability to use precipitated calcium carbonate, an
increased demand for improved paper permanence and brightness, and an increased tendency
to close the wet end of the paper machine.
[0003] Current applications for fine paper require particular attention to sizing before
conversion or end-use, such as high-speed photocopies, envelopes, forms bond including
computer printer paper, and adding machine paper. The most common sizing agents for
fine paper made under alkaline conditions are alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and
alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). Both types of sizing agents have a reactive functional group
that covalently bonds to cellulose fiber and hydrophobic tails that are oriented away
from the fiber. The nature and orientation of these hydrophobic tails cause the fiber
to repel water.
[0004] Commercial AKD's, containing one β-lactone ring, are prepared by the dimerization
of the alkyl ketenes made from two saturated, straight-chain fatty acid chlorides;
the most widely used being prepared from palmitic and/or stearic acid. Other ketene
dimers, such as the alkenyl-based ketene dimer (Aquapel® 421, available from Hercules
Incorporated, Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.), have also been used commercially. ASA-based
sizing agents can be prepared by the reaction of maleic anhydride with a 14 to 18
carbon olefin.
[0005] Although ASA and AKD sizing agents are commercially successful, they have disadvantages.
Both types of sizing agents, particularly the AKD type, have been associated with
handling problems in the typical high-speed conversion operations required for the
current uses of fine paper made under alkaline conditions (referred to as alkaline
fine paper). The problems include reduced operating speed in forms presses and other
converting machines, double feeds or jams in high-speed copiers, and registration
errors on printing and envelope-folding equipment that operate at high speeds.
[0006] These problems are not normally associated with fine paper produced under acid conditions
(acid fine paper). The types of filler and filler addition levels used to make alkaline
fine paper differ significantly from those used to make acid fine paper, and can cause
differences in paper properties such as stiffness and coefficient of friction, which
affect paper handling. Alum addition levels in alkaline fine paper, which contribute
to sheet conductivity and dissipation of static charge, also differ significantly
from those used in acid fine paper. This is important because the electrical properties
of paper affect its handling performance. Sodium chloride is often added to the surface
of alkaline fine paper to improve its end-use performance.
[0007] The typical problems encountered with the conversion and end-use handling of alkaline
fine paper involve:
1. Paper properties related to the composition of the furnish;
2. Paper properties developed during paper formation; and
3. Problems related to sizing.
[0008] The paper properties affected by papermaking under alkaline conditions that can affect
converting and end-use performance include:
- Curl
- Variation in coefficient of friction
- Moisture content
- Moisture profile
- Stiffness
- Dimensional stability
- MD/CD strength ratios
[0009] One such problem has been identified and measured as described in "Improving the
Performance of Alkaline Fine Paper on the IBM 3800 Laser Printer,"
TAPPI Paper Makers Conference Proceedings (1991). The problem occurs when using an IBM 3800 high speed continuous forms laser
printer that does not have special modifications intended to facilitate handling of
alkaline fine paper. This commercially-significant laser printer therefore can serve
as an effective testing device for defining the convertibility of various types of
sized paper on state-of-the-art converting equipment and its subsequent end-use performance.
In particular, the phenomenon of "billowing" gives a measurable indication of the
extent of slippage on the IBM 3800 printer between the undriven roll beyond the fuser
and the driven roll above the stacker.
[0010] Such billowing involves a divergence of the paper path from the straight line between
the rolls, which is two inches (5 cm) above the base plate, causing registration errors
and dropped folds in the stacker. The rate of billowing during steady-state running
time is measured as the billowing height in inches (1 inch = 0.025m) above the straight
paper path after 600 seconds of running time and multiplied by 10,000.
[0011] Typical alkaline AKD sized fine paper using a size furnish of 2.2 lbs. per ton (1
kg per 0.9 metric ton) of paper shows an unacceptable rate-of-billowing, typically
of the order of 20 to 80. Paper handling rates on other high-speed converting machinery,
such as the Hamilton-Stevens continuous forms press, or the Winkler & Dunnebier CH
envelope folder also provide numerical measures of convertibility.
[0012] Ketene multimers containing more than one beta-lactone ring have also been disclosed
as sizing agents for paper in Japanese Kokai 168991/89 and 168992/89. The ketene multimers
are said to show improved sizing compared to the ketene dimers previously used. The
multimers are prepared from a mixture of mono- and dicarboxylic acids. The advantage
of a combination of good sizing and good performance on high speed converting or reprographic
equipment is not disclosed. These references also do not disclose the specific multimers
claimed in the present invention.
[0013] There is a need for alkaline fine paper that provides improved handling performance
in typical converting and reprographic operations. At the same time, the levels of
sizing development must be comparable to that obtained with the current furnish levels
of AKD or ASA for alkaline fine paper.
[0014] The paper used in this invention is sized with a sizing agent comprising a mixture
of 2-oxetanone compounds under alkaline conditions and the 2-oxetanone compounds have
the formula

in which n is 0 or an integer; R and R", which can be the same or different, are
saturated, linear straight chain alkyl groups having 8-24 carbon atoms, preferably
14 or 16 carbon atoms; R' is a saturated, linear alkylene group having 4-40 carbon
atoms, preferably 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and in at least 50% by weight of the 2-oxetanone
compounds, preferably 60%, n = at least 1, said mixture being the reaction product
of a reaction mixture comprising at least one 10-26 carbon linear saturated alkyl
monocarboxylic acid and at least one 8-44 carbon linear saturated alkylene dicarboxylic
acid wherein the ratio of mono- to di-carboxylic acid is 1.0 to 3.5 and is used in
a high speed precision converting or reprographic operation comprising converting
continuous forms bond paper to perforated continuous forms paper at a press speed
of at least 390 metres per minute, or converting a roll of envelope paper into envelopes
at a rate of at least 900 envelopes per minute, or a printer or copier operation at
a speed of at least 66.7 metres per minute or at least 58 sheets per minute. The used
paper is capable of performing without encountering significant machine-feed problems
on high speed converting machines or in reprographic operations.
[0015] According to the invention, the mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds to be used is the
reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising at least one 10-26 carbon linear,
saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and at least one 8-44 carbon linear, saturated
alkyl dicarboxylic acid, wherein the mole ratio of mono- to dicarboxylic acids is
1.0 to 3.5, at least 50% by weight of the 2-oxetanone compounds in the mixture having
at least two 2-oxetanone rings.
[0016] Preferably, the paper used according to the invention is capable of being formed
into a roll of continuous forms bond paper having a basis weight of 30 to 60 lb/3000
ft
2 (13.6 to 27.2 kg per 279 m
2) and is capable of running on the IBM Model 3800 high speed, continuous-forms laser
printer without causing a rate of billowing in inches (1 inch = 0.025 m) of increase
per second x 10,000 greater than 5.
[0017] The paper used in this invention can be made into sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 inch (21.6
x 28 cm) reprographic cut paper having a basis weight of 15-24 lb/1300 ft
2 (6.8 to 10.9 kg/121 m
2) and is capable of running on a high speed laser printer or copier without causing
misfeeds or jams at a rate of 5 or less in 10,000.
[0018] The paper used in this invention having a basis weight of 20-24 lb/3000 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/279 m
2) can be converted to a standard perforated continuous form on a continuous forms
press at a press speed of 1300 to 2000 feet (390 m to 600 m) per minute. The preferred
paper used according to the invention having a basis weight of 20-24 lb/3000 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/279 m
2) is sized at an addition rate of at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg/0.9 metric ton) and can
be converted to a standard perforated continuous form on the Hamilton-Stevens continuous
forms press at a press speed of at least 1775 feet (541 m) per minute, preferably
1900 feet (579 m) per minute.
[0019] Also according to the invention, the paper to be used having a basis weight of 20-24
lb/1300 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/121 m
2) can be converted into at least 900 envelopes per minute, preferably at least 1000
per minute, on a Winkler & Dunnebier CH envelope folder.
[0020] Machine-feed problems on high speed converting machines or during reprographic operations
are defined as significant in any specific conversion or reprographic application
if they cause misfeeds, poor registration, or jams to a commercially unacceptable
degree as will be discussed below, or cause machine speed to be reduced.
[0021] The use according to this invention for making paper under alkaline conditions exhibits
levels of sizing comparable to those obtained with current AKD and ASA sizing technology,
and gives improved handling performance in typical end-use and converting operations.
[0022] The used 2-oxetanone sizing agents of this invention are a mixture of saturated,
linear alkyl ketene dimers and 2-oxetanone multimers of varying molecular weights,
at least 50 mole %, preferably 60 mole %, of the compounds in the mixture having at
least two 2-oxetanone rings. The sizing agent therefore has more reactive sites for
covalently bonding with cellulose fibers than conventional AKD and ASA alkaline sizes.
The mole % of compounds having two or more 2-oxetanone rings increases as the mole
ratio of mono- to dicarboxylic acids decreases.
[0023] These reactive sizing agents can be prepared using methods disclosed in Japanese
Kokai 168992/89 and US-A-4,317,756. In the first step, acid chlorides are formed from
a mixture of at least one linear, saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and at least
one linear, saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid, using phosphorous trichloride or
another conventional chlorinating agent. The mole ratio of mono- to dicarboxylic acids
is 1.0 to 3.5, preferably 2.5, and more preferably 2.0. The acid chlorides are then
dehydrochlorinated in the presence of triethylamine or another suitable base, in propylene
dichloride or another anhydrous, aprotic solvent, to form the mixture of 2-oxetanone
compounds. The monocarboxylic acid can be a mixture of C
16 and C
18 linear, saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acids, for example, Emery 135 fatty acids,
available from Henkel-Emery, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. Stable emulsions of these sizing
agents can be prepared in the same way as standard AKD emulsions.
[0024] The linear, saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acids used to prepare the 2-oxetanone
compounds of this invention have 10-26 carbon atoms, preferably 14-22 carbon atoms,
and most preferably 16-18 carbon atoms. These acids include, for example, stearic,
myristic, palmitic, margaric, pentadecanoic, decanoic (capric), undecanoic, dodecanoic
(lauric), tridecanoic, nonadecanoic, arachidic, and behenic acids. One or more of
these monocarboxylic acids can be used.
[0025] The linear, saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acids used to alkylene prepare the 2-oxetanone
multimers of this invention have 8-44 carbon atoms, preferably 9-10, 22 or 36 carbon
atoms. Dicarboxylic acids with 9-10 carbon atoms are most preferred. Such dicarboxylic
acids include, for example, sebacic, azelaic, dodecanedioic, suberic, brazylic, and
docosanedioic acids, and EMPOL 1008 dimer acids (C
36), available from Henkel-Emery, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. One or more of these dicarboxylic
acids can be used.
[0026] Preferably, the alkaline fine paper used according to the invention contains a water
soluble inorganic salt of an alkali metal, preferably sodium chloride (NaCl), as well
as alum and precipitated calcium carbonate. However, the paper used in this invention
will often be made without NaCl.
[0027] The sizing agents used in this invention can be applied as internal sizing agents
or surface sizing agents. Internal sizing involves adding the size to the paper pulp
slurry before sheet formation, while surface sizing involves immersion of the paper
in the sizing agent or spraying the sizing agent on the paper, followed by drying
at elevated temperatures using know drying techniques.
[0028] The paper used in this invention is generally sized at a size addition rate of at
least 0.5 lb (0.23 kg), preferably at least 1.5 lb (0.68 kg), and more preferably
at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg/0.9 metric tons) or higher. It may be, for example, in the
form of continuous forms bond paper, perforated continuous forms paper, adding machine
paper, or envelope-making paper, as well as converted products, such as copy paper
and enyelopes.
[0029] The paper used in this invention is capable of performing effectively in tests that
measure its convertibility on state-of-the-art converting equipment and its performance
on high speed end-use machinery. In particular, the paper used in the invention that
can be made into a roll of continuous forms bond paper having a basis weight of 30
to 60 lb/3000 ft
2 (13.6 to 27.2 kg/279 m
2), preferably 40 to 50 lb/3000 ft
2 (18 to 22.6 kg/279 m
2), is capable of running on a high speed, continuous forms laser printer. When this
paper is sized at an addition rate of at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg/0.9 metric ton), it
is capable of running on the IBM Model 3800 high speed, continuous-forms laser printer
without causing a rate of billowing in inches (1 inch = 0.025 m) of increase per second
x 10,000 greater than 5 after ten minutes running time, preferably 3 or less.
[0030] Further, the preferred paper used according to the invention, that can be made into
sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 inch (21.6 cm x 28 cm) reprographic cut paper having a basis
weight of 15-24 lb/1300 ft
2 (6.8 to 10.9 kg/121 m
2) is capable of running on a high speed laser printer or copier. When the paper is
sized at an addition rate of at least 1.5 lb/ton (0.68 kg/0.9 metric ton, preferably
at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg/0.9 metric ton), it is capable of running on the IBM model
3825 high-speed copier without causing misfeeds or jams at a rate of 5 or less in
10,000, preferably at a rate of 1 or less in 10,000. By comparison, paper sized with
standard AKD has a much higher rate of double feeds on the IBM 3825 high speed copier
(14 double feeds in 14,250 sheets). In conventional copy-machine operation, 10 double
feeds in 10,000 is unacceptable. A machine manufacturer considers 1 double feed in
10,000 sheets to be unacceptable.
[0031] The paper used in this invention in the form of a roll of continuous forms bond paper
having a basis weight of 20-24 lb/3000 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/279 m
2) can be converted to a standard perforated continuous form on a continuous forms
press at a press speed of 1300 to 2000 feet (390 m to 600 m) per minute. The preferred
paper used according to the invention, in the form of a roll of continuous forms bond
paper having a basis weight of 20-24 lb/3000 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/279 m
2), and that is sized at an addition rate of at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg per 0.9 metric
ton) can be converted to a standard perforated continuous form on the Hamilton-Stevens
continuous forms press at a press speed of at least 1775 feet (541 m) per minute,
preferably at least 1900 feet (579 m) per minute.
[0032] The paper used in this invention can also be made into a roll of envelope paper having
a basis weight of 20-24 lb/1300 ft
2 (9.1 to 10.9 kg/121 m
2) that is sized at an addition rate of at least 2.2 lb/ton (1 kg/0.9 metric ton).
The paper can be converted into at least 900 envelopes per minute, preferably at least
1000 per minute on a Winkler & Dunnebier CH envelope folder.
[0033] The paper used in this invention can be run at a speed of at least 58 sheets per
minute on a high speed IBM 3825 sheet-fed copier with less than 1 in 10,000 double
feeds or jams.
[0034] The paper used in this invention is capable of running on a high speed, continuous-forms
laser printer with a rate of billowing at least 10% less, preferably 20% less, than
that produced when running on the same printer, a roll of continuous forms bond paper
having the same basis weight and sized at the same level with an AKD size made from
a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids, after 10 minutes of running time.
[0035] The paper used in this invention is capable of running on a high speed IBM 3825 sheet-fed
copier at a speed of 58 sheets per minute with at least 50% fewer, preferably 70%
fewer, double feeds or jams than the number of double feeds or jams caused when running
on the same copier, sheets of paper having the same basis weight and sized at the
same level with an AKD size made from a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids.
[0036] The paper used in this invention is also capable of being converted to a standard
perforated continuous form on a continuous forms press at a press speed at least 3%
higher, preferably at least 5% higher, than paper having the same basis weight and
sized at the same level with an AKD size made from a mixture of stearic and palmitic
acids.
[0037] Paper for evaluation on the IBM 3800 was prepared on a pilot paper machine. To make
a typical forms bond papermaking stock, the pulp furnish (three parts Southern hardwood
kraft pulp and one part Southern softwood kraft pulp) was refined to 425 ml Canadian
Standard Freeness (C.S.F.) using a double disk refiner. Prior to the addition of the
filler to the pulp furnish (10% medium particle-size precipitated calcium carbonate),
the pH (7.8-8.0), alkalinity (150-200 p.p.m.), and hardness (100 p.p.m.) of the papermaking
stock were adjusted using the appropriate amounts of NaHCO
3, NaOH, and CaCl
2.
[0038] The mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds was prepared by methods used conventionally
to prepare commercial alkyl ketene dimers, i.e, acid chlorides from a mixture of a
linear, saturated fatty acid and a linear, saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid are
formed, using a conventional chlorination agent, and the acid chlorides are dehydrochlorinated
in the presence of a suitable base. Emulsions of the mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds
were prepared according to the disclosure of U.S. Patent 4,317,756, with particular
reference to Example 5 of the patent. Wet-end additions of the 2-oxetanone multimer
sizing agent, quaternary-amine-substituted cationic starch (0.75%), alum (0.2%), and
retention aid (0.025%) were made. Stock temperature at the headbox and white water
tray was controlled at 110°F (43.3°C).
[0039] The wet presses were set at 40 p.s.i. (2.8 kg/cm
2) gauge. A dryer profile that gave 1-2% moisture at the size press and 4-6% moisture
at the reel was used (77 feet (23.4 m) per minute). Before the size press, the sizing
level was measured on a sample of paper torn from the edge of the sheet, using the
Hercules Size Test (HST). Approximately 35 lb/ton (15.9 kg/0.9 metric ton) of an oxidized
corn starch and 1 lb/ton (0.45 kg/0.9 metric ton) of NaCl were added at the size press
(130°F (54.4°C), pH 8). Calender pressure and reel moisture were adjusted to obtain
a Sheffield smoothness of 150 flow units at the reel (Column #2, felt side up).
[0040] A 35 minute roll of paper was collected and converted on a commercial forms press
to two boxes of standard 8 1/2" x 11" (21.6 x 28 cm) forms. Samples were also collected
before and after each 35 minute roll for natural aged size testing basis weight (46
lb/3000 ft
2, 20.8 kg/279 m
2), and smoothness testing.
[0041] The converted paper was allowed to equilibrate in the printer room for at least one
day prior to evaluation. Each box of paper allowed a 10-14 minute (220 feet (66.7
m) per minute) evaluation on the IBM 3800. All samples were tested in duplicate. A
standard acid fine paper was run for at least two minutes between each evaluation
to reestablish initial machine conditions.
[0042] In order to establish whether a sizing agent contributes to difficulties in converting
operations, paper was made on a pilot paper machine, converted into forms, and then
printed on an IBM 3800 high speed printer. The runnability on the IBM 3800 was used
as a measure of converting performance. Specifically, the height to which the paper
billows between two defined rolls on the IBM 3800 was used to quantify converting
performance. The faster and higher the sheet billows, the worse the converting performance.
[0043] The Hercules Size Test (HST) is a standard test in the industry for measuring the
degree of sizing. This method employs an aqueous dye solution as the penetrant to
permit optical detection of the liquid front as it moves through the sheet. The apparatus
determines the time required for the reflectance of the sheet surface not in contact
with the penetrant to drop to a predetermined percentage of its original reflectance.
All HST testing data reported measure the seconds to 80% reflection with 1% formic
acid ink mixed with naphthol green B dye unless otherwise noted. The use of formic
acid ink is a more severe test than neutral ink and tends to give faster test times.
High HST values are better than low values. The amount of sizing desired depends upon
the kind of paper being made and the system used to make it.
Example 1
[0044] This example describes the preparation of a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds from
a blend of stearic and sebacic acids at a molar ratio of 2.5.
[0045] A blend of stearic acid (227.2 g, 0.8 mole) and sebacic acid (64.64 g, 0.32 mole)
with a molar ratio of 2.5 was heated to melt at a temperature in the range of 110
to 116°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The molten acid blend was then poured into a
pyrex jacketed vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer, condenser, nitrogen purge,
and thermocouple and preheated to 95°C. When the molten acids in the vessel cooled
down to a temperature of 75° to 85°C, PCl
3 (130.5 g) was dropped into the reactor all at one time. After 3 hours of chlorination
and settling, phosphorous acid was separated from the acid chloride blend. The excess
PCl
3 was stripped off under a vacuum to recover the acid chloride blend (307.5 g, 1.12
moles) in an almost theoretical yield. The blend of stearic and sebacic chlorides
was then added by drops to a reactor containing propylene dichloride as the reaction
solvent (650 ml) and triethylamine (160 g, 1.584 moles, 10% molar excess) as the base
catalyst at 40 to 45°C. After 2 hours, the triethylamine hydrochloride salt was separated
by suction filtration and a stearic/sebacic 2-oxetanone multimer mixture was recovered
as a pale-yellow solid (232.78 g). Solvent and excess triethylamine were evaporated
to give an overall yield of 90% multimer. The mixture contained 54.7% multimers having
2 or more oxetanone rings.
Example 2
[0046] This example describes the preparation of a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds from
a blend of palmitic/azelaic acids at a molar ratio of 2.5.
[0047] A blend of palmitic acid (204.8 g, 0.8 mole) and azelaic acid (60.16 g, 0.32 mole)
with a molar ratio of 2.5 was heated to melt at a temperature of 80° to 85°C under
a nitrogen atmosphere. The molten acid blend was then poured into a pyrex glass jacketed
vessel equipped with a mechanical stirrer, condenser, nitrogen purge and thermocouple,
and preheated to the chlorination temperature (70±2°C). The chlorinating agent, PCl
3 (97.9 g) was added to the vessel all at one time. The vessel temperature dropped
2° to 5°C initially, but eventually stabilized at 70±2°C. After 3 hours of chlorination
and settling, phosphorous acids were separated from the acid chloride blend. The excess
PCl
3 was stripped off under a vacuum to recover 290.0 g of the acid chloride blend in
an almost theoretical yield. The blend of palmitic and azelaic chlorides was then
added by drops to a reactor containing propylene dichloride (600 ml) as the reaction
solvent and triethylamine (160 g, 10% excess) as the base catalyst at 40 to 45°C.
After two hours, the triethylamine hydrochloride salts were separated by suction filtration
and the 2-oxetanone multimer mixture was recovered as a pale-yellow solid by evaporation
of solvent and excess triethylamine. The an overall yield was 96% (240.53 g). The
mixture contained 58.2% multimers having 2 or more oxetanone rings.
Example 3
[0048] In this example a number of sizing agents were tested for their effects on the IBM
3800 runnability of a difficult-to-convert grade of alkaline fine paper. The control
was a standard AKD sizing agent made from a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids
using the method described in Examples 1 and 2. The mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds
used in samples 2-6 was prepared using the method described in Examples 1 and 2, using
the following mixtures of mono- and dicarboxylic acids at the mole ratio indicated
in the table: Sample 2 - palmitic acid/dodecanedioic acid; Sample 3 - palmitic acid/sebacic
acid; Sample 4 - palmitic acid/azelaic acid; Sample 5 - stearic acid/sebacic acid;
Sample 6 - stearic acid/EMPOL 1008 C
36 dimer acids, available from Henkel-Emery, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. The percentage
of 2-oxetanone compounds containing two or more rings is: Sample 2, 58.2%; Sample
3, 64.7%; Sample 4, 58.2%; Sample 5, 54.7%, and Sample 6, 63.1%.
[0049] The results of the sizing and converting tests are given in Table 1.

[0050] The data show that the 2-oxetanone sizing agents of this invention gave a better
balance of sizing and converting performance (less billowing at the same level of
sizing) than the commercial alkene dimer size used as the control. The best balance
of sizing and handling performance was obtained with Sample 3. This sizing agent gave
a level of sizing comparable to that obtained with the AKD control and gave paper
with better runnability on the IBM 3800 than the paper sized with the AKD control.
1. Use of fine paper having been sized under alkaline conditions with a sizing agent
comprising a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds, wherein the 2-oxetanone compounds have
the formula

in which n is 0 or an integer, R and R" can be the same or different and are saturated,
linear alkyl groups having 8-24 carbon atoms; R' is a saturated, linear alkylene group
having 4-40 carbon atoms, and n = at least one in at least 50% by weight of the compounds
in the mixture, said mixture being the reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising
at least one 10-26 carbon linear saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and at least
one 8-44 carbon linear saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid wherein the ratio of mono-
to di-carboxylic acid is 1.0 to 3.5, and characterised in that the paper is used in
a high speed precision converting or reprographic operation comprising converting
continuous forms bond paper to perforated continuous forms paper at a press speed
of at least 390 metres per minute, or converting a roll of envelope paper into envelopes
at a rate of at least 900 envelopes per minute, or a printer or copier operation at
a speed of at least 66.7 metres per minute or at least 58 sheets per minute.
2. Use of fine paper according to claim 1, wherein the 2-oxetanone compounds have the
formula

in which n is 0 or an integer, R and R" can be the same or different and are saturated,
linear alkyl groups having 14 or 16 carbon atoms; R' is a saturated, linear alkylene
group having 5-6 carbon atoms, and n = at least one in at least 50% by weight of the
compounds in the mixture, said mixture being the reaction product of a reaction mixture
comprising a 16 or 18 carbon linear saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and a 9 or
10 carbon linear saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid wherein the ratio of mono- to
di-carboxylic acid is 1.0 to 3.5.
3. Use of fine paper as claimed in claim 2 in making perforated continuous paper, adding
machine paper or envelopes.
4. Use of fine paper as claimed in claim 2 in making photocopies using reprographic cut
paper or continuous forms bond paper.
5. Use of a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds wherein the 2-oxetanone compounds have the
formula

in which n is 0 or an integer, R and R" can be the same or different and are saturated,
linear alkyl groups having 8-24 carbon atoms; R' is a saturated, linear alkylene group
having 4-40 carbon atoms, and n = at least one in at least 50% by weight of the compounds
in the mixture, said mixture being the reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising
at least one 10-26 carbon linear saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and at least
one 8-44 carbon linear saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid wherein the ratio of mono-
to di-carboxylic acid is 1.0 to 3.5, in the treatment of fine paper to prevent handling
problems in a high speed precision converting or reprographic operation comprising
converting continuous forms bond paper to perforated continuous forms paper at a press
speed of at least 390 metres per minute, or converting a roll of envelope paper into
envelopes at a rate of at least 900 envelopes per minute, or a printer or copier operation
at a speed of at least 66.7 metres per minute or at least 58 sheets per minute.
6. Use of a mixture of 2-oxeranone compounds according to claim 5, wherein the 2-oxetanone
compounds have the formula

in which n is 0 or an integer, R and R" can be the same or different and are saturated,
linear alkyl groups having 14 or 16 carbon atoms; R' is a saturated, linear alkylene
group having 5-6 carbon atoms, and n = at least one in at least 50% by weight of the
compounds in the mixture, said mixture being the reaction product of a reaction mixture
comprising a 16 or 18 carbon linear saturated alkyl monocarboxylic acid and a 9 or
10 carbon linear saturated alkylene dicarboxylic acid wherein the ratio of mono- to
di-carboxylic acid is 1.0 to 3.5.
7. A use accoding to any preceding claims wherein the high speed precision converting
a reprographic operation comprises converting continuous forms bond paper to perforated
continuous forms paper at a press speed of at least 390 metres per minute.
8. A use according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the high speed precision converting
or reprographic operation comprises converting a roll of envelope paper into envelopes
at a rate of at least 900 envelopes per minute.
9. A use according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the high speed precision converting
or reprographic operation comprises a printer or copier operation at a speed of at
least 66.7 metres per minute or at least 58 sheets per minute.
1. Verwendung von Feinpapier, das unter alkalischen Bedingungen mit einem Leimungsmittel
geleimt wurde, das eine Mischung aus 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen umfaßt, worin die 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen
die Formel

aufweisen, worin n 0 oder eine ganze Zahl ist, R und R" gleich oder verschieden sein
können und gesättigte lineare Alkyl-Gruppen mit 8 bis 24 Kohlenstoffatomen sind; R'
eine gesättigte lineare Alkylen-Gruppe mit 4 bis 40 Kohlenstoffatomen ist und n wenigstens
eins wenigstens 50 Gew.-% der Verbindungen in der Mischung ist, wobei die Mischung
das Reaktionsprodukt einer Reaktionsmischung ist, die wenigstens eine lineare gesättigte
C
10-26-Alkylmonocarbonsäure und wenigstens eine lineare gesättigte C
8-44-Alkylendicarbonsäure umfaßt, worin das Verhältnis von Mono- zu Dicarbonsäure 1,0
bis 3,5 ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
das Papier in einem Hochgeschwindigkeits-Präzisionsumarbeitungs- oder einem -Reprographieverfahren
verwendet wird, umfassend die Umarbeitung von Endlosschreibmaschinenpapier zu perforiertem
Endlosformularpapier mit einer Pressengeschwindigkeit von wenigstens 390 m/min oder
die Umarbeitung einer Rolle Umschlagpapier zu Umschlägen mit einer Geschwindigkeit
von wenigstens 900 Umschlägen pro Minute oder einen Drucker- oder Kopierer-Betrieb
mit einer Geschwindigkeit von wenigstens 66,7 m/min oder wenigstens 58 Blättern pro
Minute.
2. Verwendung von Feinpapier gemäß Anspruch 1, worin die 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen die
Formel:

aufweisen, worin n 0 oder eine ganze Zahl ist, R und R" gleich oder verschieden sein
können und gesättigte lineare Alkyl-Gruppen mit 14 oder 16 Kohlenstoffatomen sind;
R' eine gesättigte lineare Alkylen-Gruppe mit 5 bis 6 Kohlenstoffatomen ist und n
wenigstens eins in wenigstens 50 Gew.-% der Verbindungen in der Mischung ist, wobei
die Mischung das Reaktionsprodukt eine Reaktionsmischung ist, die eine lineare gesättigte
C16- oder C
18-Alkylmonocarbonsäure und eine lineare gesättigte C
9- oder C
10-Alkylendicarbonsäure umfaßt, worin das Verhältnis von Mono- zu Dicarbonsäure 1,0
bis 3,5 beträgt.
3. Verwendung von Feinpapier gemäß Anspruch 2 in der Herstellung von perforiertem Endlospapier,
Rollendruckwerkpapier oder Umschlägen.
4. Verwendung von Feinpapier gemäß Anspruch 2 in der Herstellung von Photokopien unter
Verwendung von Reprographieschnittpapier oder Endlosschreibmaschinenpapier.
5. Verwendung einer Mischung aus 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen, worin die 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen
die Formel

haben, worin n 0 oder eine ganze Zahl ist; R und R" gleich oder verschieden sein
können und gesättigte lineare Alkyl-Gruppen mit 8 bis 24 Kohlenstoffatomen sind; R'
eine gesättigte lineare Alkylen-Gruppe mit 4 bis 40 Kohlenstoffatomen ist und n wenigstens
eins in wenigstens 50 Gew.-% der Verbindungen in der Mischung ist, wobei die Mischung
das Reaktionsprodukt einer Reaktionsmischung ist, die wenigstens eine lineare gesättigte
C
10-26-Alkylmonocarbonsäure und wenigstens eine lineare gesättigte C
8-44-Alkylendicarbonsäure umfaßt, worin das Verhältnis von Mono- zu Dicarbonsäure 1,0
bis 3,5 beträgt, in der Behandlung von Feinpapier zur Verhinderung von Handhabungsproblemen
in einem Hochgeschwindigkeits-Präzisionsumarbeitungs- oder einem -Reprographieverfahren,
umfassend die Umarbeitung von Endlosschreibmaschinenpapier zu perforiertem Endlosformularpapier
mit einer Pressengeschwindigkeit von wenigstens 390 m/min oder die Umarbeitung einer
Rolle Umschlagpapier zu Umschlägen mit einer Geschwindigkeit von wenigstens 900 Umschlägen
pro Minute oder einen Drucker- oder Kopierer-Betrieb mit einer Geschwindigkeit von
wenigstens 66,7 m/min oder wenigstens 58 Blättern pro Minute.
6. Verwendung einer Mischung aus 2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen gemäß Anspruch 5, worin die
2-Oxetanon-Verbindungen die Formel:

aufweisen, worin n 0 oder eine ganze Zahl ist, R und R" gleich oder verschieden sein
können und gesättigte lineare Alkyl-Gruppen mit 14 oder 16 Kohlenstoffatomen sind;
R' eine gesättigte lineare Alkylen-Gruppe mit 5 bis 6 Kohlenstoffatomen ist und n
wenigstens eins in wenigstens 50 Gew.-% der Verbindungen in der Mischung ist, wobei
die Mischung das Reaktionsprodukt einer Reaktionsmischung ist, die eine lineare gesättigte
C
16- oder C
18- Alkylmonocarbonsäure und eine lineare gesättigte C
9- oder C
10-Dicarbonsäure umfaßt, worin das Verhältnis von Mono- zu Dicarbonsäure 1,0 bis 3,5
beträgt.
7. Verwendung gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das Hochgeschwindigkeits-Präzisionsumarbeitungs-
oder -Reprographieverfahren das Umarbeiten von Endlosschreibmaschinenpapier zu perforiertem
Endlosformularpapier mit einer Pressengeschwindigkeit von wenigstens 390 m/min umfaßt.
8. Verwendung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, worin das Hochgeschwindigkeits-Präzisionsumarbeitungs-
oder -Reprographieverfahren das Umarbeiten einer Rolle Umschlagpapier zu Umschlägen
mit einer Geschwindigkeit von wenigstens 900 Umschlägen pro Minute umfaßt.
9. Verwendung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, worin das Hochgeschwindigkeits-Präzisionsumarbeitungs-
oder -Reprographieverfahren einen Drucker- oder Kopierer-Betrieb mit einer Geschwindigkeit
von wenigstens 66,7 m/min oder wenigstens 58 Blättern/min umfaßt.
1. Utilisation d'un papier fin ayant été collé dans des conditions alcalines avec un
agent de collage comprenant un mélange de dérivés de 2-oxétannone, dans laquelle les
dérivés de 2-oxétannone répondent à la formule

dans laquelle n est égal à 0 ou à un nombre entier, R et R" peuvent être identiques
ou différents et représentent des groupes alkyle linéaires saturés ayant 8 à 24 atomes
de carbone ; R' représente un groupe alkylène linéaire saturé ayant 4 à 40 atomes
de carbone, et n est au moins égal à un dans au moins 50 % en poids des composés présents
dans le mélange, ledit mélange étant le produit de réaction d'un mélange réactionnel
comprenant au moins un acide alkyl-monocarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 10 à 26
atomes de carbone et au moins un acide alkylène-dicarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant
8 à 44 atomes de carbone, le rapport de l'acide monocarboxylique à l'acide dicarboxylique
étant de 1,0 à 3,5, et caractérisée en ce que le papier est utilisé dans une opération
de conversion ou opération reprographique de précision à grande vitesse, comprenant
la conversion de papier à écriture coquille pour formulaires continus en papier pour
formulaires continus perforés à une vitesse de presse d'au moins 390 mètres par minute,
ou la conversion d'un rouleau de papier pour enveloppes en enveloppes à une vitesse
d'au moins 900 enveloppes par minute, ou une opération d'imprimante ou de copieur
à une vitesse d'au moins 66,7 mètres par minute ou d'au moins 58 feuilles par minute.
2. Utilisation d'un papier fin suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les dérivés
de 2-oxétannone répondent à la formule

dans laquelle n est égal à 0 ou à un nombre entier, R et R" peuvent être identiques
ou différents et représentent des groupes alkyle linéaires saturés ayant 14 ou 16
atomes de carbone ; R' représente un groupe alkylène linéaire saturé ayant 5 ou 6
atomes de carbone ; et n est égal à au moins un dans au moins 50 % en poids des composés
présents dans le mélange, ledit mélange étant le produit de réaction d'un mélange
réactionnel comprenant un acide alkyl-mono-carboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 16 ou
18 atomes de carbone et un acide alkylène-dicarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 9 ou
10 atomes de carbone, le rapport de l'acide monocarboxylique à l'acide dicarboxylique
étant un rapport de 1,0 à 3,5.
3. Utilisation d'un papier fin suivant la revendication 2, dans la production d'un papier
continu perforé, d'un papier pour machine à calculer ou d'enveloppes.
4. Utilisation d'un papier fin suivant la revendication 2, dans la production de photocopies
en utilisant du papier coupé reprographique ou du papier à écriture coquille pour
formulaires continus.
5. Utilisation d'un mélange de dérivés de 2-oxétannone, dans laquelle les dérivés de
2-oxétannone répondent à la formule
dans laquelle n est égal à 0 ou à un nombre entier, R et R" peuvent être identiques
ou différents et représentent des groupes alkyle linéaires saturés ayant 8 à 24 atomes
de carbone ; R' représente un groupe alkylène linéaire saturé ayant 4 à 40 atomes
de carbone et n est égal à au moins un dans au moins 50 % en poids des composés présents
dans le mélange, ledit mélange étant le produit de réaction d'un mélange réactionnel
comprenant au moins un acide alkyl-monocarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 10 à 26
atomes de carbone et au moins un acide alkylène-dicarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant
8 à 44 atomes de carbone, le rapport de l'acide monocarboxylique à l'acide dicarboxylique
étant un rapport de 1,0 à 3,5,
dans le traitement d'un papier fin pour éviter les problèmes de manipulation dans
une opération de conversion ou opération reprographique de précision à grande vitesse.
6. Utilisation d'un mélange de dérivés de 2-oxétannone suivant la revendication 5, dans
laquelle les dérivés de 2-oxétannone répondent à la formule

dans laquelle n est égal à 0 ou à un nombre entier, R et R" peuvent être identiques
ou différents et représentent des groupes alkyle linéaires saturés ayant 14 ou 16
atomes de carbone ; R' représente un groupe alkylène linéaire saturé ayant 5 ou 6
atomes de carbone ; et n est égal à au moins un dans au moins 50 % en poids des composés
présents dans le mélange, ledit mélange étant le produit de réaction d'un mélange
réactionnel comprenant un acide alkyl-mono-carboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 16 ou
18 atomes de carbone et un acide alkylène-dicarboxylique saturé linéaire ayant 9 ou
10 atomes de carbone, le rapport de l'acide monocarboxylique à l'acide dicarboxylique
étant un rapport de 1,0 à 3,5.
7. Utilisation suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
l'opération de conversion ou opération reprographique de précision à grande vitesse
comprend la conversion de papier à écriture coquille pour formulaires continus en
papier pour formulaires continus perforés à une vitesse de presse d'au moins 390 mètres
par minute.
8. Utilisation suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle l'opération
de conversion ou opération reprographique de précision à grande vitesse comprend la
conversion d'un rouleau de papier pour enveloppes en enveloppes à une vitesse d'au
moins 900 enveloppes par minute.
9. Utilisation suivant l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle l'opération
de conversion ou opération reprographique de précision à grande vitesse comprend une
opération d'imprimante ou de copieur à une vitesse d'au moins 66,7 mètres par minute
ou d'au moins 58 feuilles par minute.