IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,516,472
Granted Patent B2
US 12,516,472 · App. 17/469,262 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Pulping methods, methods for manufacturing paperboard, and paperboard structures

Inventors: Fritz G. Paulsen (Summerville, SC); John D. Dejarnette (Henrico, VA); Peter W. Hart (Atlanta, GA)
Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
D21C3/022D21D1/30D21H11/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,516,472
App. No.
17/469,262
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pulping method includes chemical cooking of softwood chips to retain a high lignin content of about 18% to about 28% by weight and fiberization of the cooked softwood chips to a low residual wood shive content of at most 15% by weight.

Claims (22)

1 . A pulping method comprising:

chemical cooking of softwood chips, whereby after the chemical cooking, a content of original lignin in the cooked softwood chips is in a range from about 18% to about 28% by weight, wherein the chemical cooking comprises at least one of a kraft chemical cooking process, a sulfite chemical cooking process, and a neutral sulfite semi-chemical (NSSC) chemical cooking process, and wherein the softwood chips are treated with mechanical delamination to enhance liquor penetration during the chemical cooking; and

fiberization of the cooked softwood chips to a low residual wood shive content of at most 15% by weight.

2 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 10% by weight softwood fibers.

3 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 20% by weight softwood fibers.

4 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 30% by weight softwood fibers.

5 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 40% by weight softwood fibers.

6 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 50% by weight softwood fibers.

7 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 60% by weight softwood fibers.

8 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 70% by weight softwood fibers.

9 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 80% by weight softwood fibers.

10 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 90% by weight softwood fibers.

11 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 95% by weight softwood fibers.

12 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 98% by weight softwood fibers.

13 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises at least about 99% by weight softwood fibers.

14 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method comprises about 100% by weight softwood fibers.

15 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method has a low residual wood shive content of at most 10% by weight.

16 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method has a low residual wood shive content of at most 5% by weight.

17 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method has a low residual wood shive content of at most 4% by weight.

18 . The pulping method of claim 1 wherein a resulting pulp of the pulping method has a low residual wood shive content of at most 3% by weight.

19 . The pulping method of claim 1 , further comprising mixing the high lignin content and low residual wood shive content pulp with another pulp to form a blend.

20 . The pulping method of claim 19 , wherein mixed pulp contains at least about 30% by weight of the high lignin content and low residual wood shive content pulp.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2025
From: PAULSEN, FRITZ G.; DEJARNETTE, JOHN D.; HART, PETER W.
To: WESTROCK MWV, LLC
Reel/Frame 073172/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2025
From: PAULSEN, FRITZ G.; DEJARNETTE, JOHN D.; HART, PETER W.
To: WESTROCK MWV, LLC
Reel/Frame 072327/0198 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63076264 · Sep 9, 2020
Related Publication 20220074139A1 · Mar 10, 2022
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