Provisional Application Serial No. 60/312,623, filed August 15, : 2001 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US01/25555, filed August 15,2001, which in turn claims priority to U. S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/225,265, filed August 15,2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coating formulation for application inline on a paper machine. The formulation does not contain silicone, and yet, provides release properties for the paper as it is delivered from the paper machine. The base sheet does not require a glassine type pore structure. Rather, the surface of the base paper is altered via the addition of a film forming component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Silicone release papers are widely used in the manufacture of layered pressure sensitive adhesive materials or"sandwiches. "The release paper is adhered to an adhesive which has been applied to a face sheet of the subject sandwich. When the sandwich is ready for use, the release paper is stripped from the face paper exposing the adhesive. The adhesive can then be used to secure the face paper. This type of technology has found a wide application in, for example, self-adhering envelopes, labels, postage stamps, stickers and the like.

Typically, the silicone required to impart easy and clean release to paper is applied on a gravure coater off line to a typical fourdrinier wet laid paper machine.

The resulting process requires additional handling, process losses and costs, even after the paper has been manufactured. The release paper produced in this manner is also rendered unpulpable for future recycle or reuse. Also, the base paper used for silicone treatment requires a high level of cellulose fiber refining and calendaring in order to achieve a very tight sheet pore structure (as measured by air porosity). The subject base paper is typically a supercalendared kraft paper or glassine type product.

For some time papers coated with release agents have been known as release papers. The most common material is silicone, which can be applied using either a solvent-based or water-based process. According to Asia Pulp and Paper, there are at least six categories of base materials that can be used with silicone: polyethylene laminated paper; glassine paper; supercalendared-kraft paper; clay coated paper; water resin coated paper; or even a plastic film instead of paper (Asia Pulp and Paper, Volume 30, Number 3, pages 72-77). These papers are then coated with silicone with an aqueous or an organic solvent-based system. At present the solventless approach has largely been driven by legislation on airborne emissions, but nevertheless, the difficulty of recycling the standard silicone treated release papers will continue to remain a challenge. See, e. g. , D. Jones in"Silicone Coated Release Liners" (2000 Recycling Symposium, Washington, D. C. , USA, March 5-8,2000, Volume 1, pages 207-208 Atlanta, GA, USA: TAPPI Press, 2000).

U. S. Patent No. 5,962, 098 discloses the use of a release liner having a flat base substrate which is coated on both sides with thermoplastic polyolefin. On one side, the base substrate has a release coating which forms a release force to adhesives.

On the other side, the base substrate has a polymer-bound mineral particle layer. This method includes coating a polyolefin onto the paper substrate, which makes it non- repulpable. U. S. Patent No. 6,210, 767 discloses a release liner carrier web including a paper layer, a release layer including a polypropylene layer coated onto the substrate and a silicone release agent coated onto the polypropylene coating layer. The liner further includes a second coating layer made up of an acrylic resin type material for sealing the paper--, substrate and preventing curling and contamination of a label or printed film adhesively laminated thereon. Again, this patent discloses a plastic film laminated onto the base paper prior to silicone coating. Not only does this make the release paper non-repulpable, it also involves two post-machine processes: laminating and coating. This adds significantly to the cost of the process as well as non-repulpable waste.

U. S. Patent No. 6,001, 473 discloses a release agent made from a starch ester and a plasticizer:"Now it has been found that release coating compositions made from selected starch esters provide good release properties as well as being biodegradable and environmentally friendly making them particularly useful in paper

applications where repulpability and recyclability are desired. "Therefore, a repulpable release paper can be produced with the right coating.

Commercial release coatings usually provide two functions to the paper to which they are applied: release and solvent resistance. Since many pressure-sensitive adhesives contain solvents such as toluene, a release coating must have solvent resistant functionality. Without this resistance, the adhesive will migrate into the release paper, inhibiting release. Polymers such as vinyl acetate, vinyl acrylic, acrylic and acrylonitrile exhibit such solvent resistance. The other part of a release coating would be the release component, which may be a silicone or non-silicone organic polymer. Silicone release agents include silicone homopolymers, silicone copolymers, and a blend of the first two. Non-silicone release agents can be either an olefin, a polymer with a long-chain alkyl group, or a fluorine based polymer (Asia Pulp and Paper, Volume 30, number 3, pages 72-77). Usually, both silicone and non- silicone coatings require application after the paper machine with a coater using gravure, blade, rod or air knife technology. Coatings usually need to be high solids, with a high web temperature following to set the release coating. In other cases, some release agents need ultraviolet (IJV) or electron-beam (EB) curing after the web dries.

As stated above, the base sheet for the release coating is critical for the release property. Methods involving lamination of a plastic film onto the base paper would render the release paper non-repulpable. Glassine and supercalendared kraft papers are widely used as a release base. Both types of sheets involve high levels of refining on wood pulp fibers prior to papermaking. Refining of wood pulp fibers cuts and collapses the structure of the fibers, causing the fibers to form into a strong, dense structure. The porosity of the resulting sheets is minimal with good sheet smoothness. However, a significant amount of energy is consumed in the process of refining these fibers. The resultant paper web is also difficult to dry in a standard Fourdrinier paper machine due to the density of the sheet. This leads to slower machine speeds and increased production costs.

In addition, heavy refining affects the dimensional stability of the release sheet, which could affect runnability of the release sheet. A recent article disclosed that" [t] he impact of runnability on production performance at the customer end

dictates the necessity of having a release paper that consistently performs without curling or welting, regardless of the demands of the production environment. Low- density liner (LDL) products combine the surface holdout feature of conventional super-calendared kraft with lower internal-fiber density. The resulting product is lower in basis weight at a standard caliper and is also much less subject to curl after laminating to film or paper facestocks. While there is not a wide array of LDL products currently available, the market seems to hold promise from a growth standpoint. The less-demanding die-cutting requirements for the electronic data processing market hold the most promise for LDL products."Release Papers : New Trends Are Driving the Market, Tardiff, Bob: Plainwell Paper Inc., Paper Film Foil Converter 74, no. 6: 2 PP, June 2000. Therefore, highly refined, high-density release sheets can be susceptible to curl and runnability problems. A lower density release sheet with holdout properties would be preferred in some release applications.

Therefore, the need exists for a moderately dense release sheet with holdout properties that can be coated with a repulpable release coating to provide better release than commercial non-silicone release coatings. In particular, the need exists for a wet end chemistry that maximizes holdout of a low solids release coating that incorporates both a solvent resistant agent and an organic release agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a formulation, and a process for making same, which is useful as a coating or treatment for release properties to an underlying substrate without the use of silicone. In addition, the present invention relates to the process for making the underlying substrate ideal for holdout of the release coating without excessive fiber refining, as in glassine papers. The formulation is a low solids coating that can be applied on the size press of a paper machine, eliminating the need for a post-machine coating process. The formulation does not include silicone, thereby allowing the release paper to be re-pulped. The wet end additive that provides sheet holdout combines with the release formulation to provide a release paper for pressure sensitive adhesives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.

The present invention relates to a novel formulation that, in combination with a wet end additive, provides release properties to a moderately refined paper sheet without the use of silicone. Further, the formulation of the present invention allows production of the release paper without a post-machine coating process. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the formulation, to products which are made from or which otherwise include the formulation, and to processes for preparing such products.

The formulation has a wide variety of uses and applications. It can be applied as a treatment or coating to a substrate, such as paper and paperboard, to provide release properties. The formulation of the present invention also has positive effects on other properties such as wet tensile, burst, dry tensile strength, porosity, gloss, density, stiffness and surface strength. At the same time, the wet end additive along with the coating provides water, oil and solvent resistance. The addition of the formulation and the accompanying wet end additive does not affect the recyclability of the paper or paperboard being treated.

As has been described above, in one embodiment the present invention involves sheets which may be defined as"paper"sheets. The sheets can be made using standard papermaking techniques and chemistry. The term"paper"refers to a web structure which contains cellulose and optionally other additives and is produced on continuous conventional papermaking apparatus. Examples of sheets which are beyond the meaning of"paper, "but are included within the broad scope of the invention, may include for example, such things as extruded film, thermoset laminates, woven substrates, injection molded substrates and the like. The present invention includes paper derived from any of the common pulping processes,

including mechanical, thermomechanical, hybrid and chemical. Paper made by one of the variations of the kraft process is most commonly used in paperboard. Paper which contains fibers other than cellulose is also within the scope of the present invention.

For example, it is well known that a combination of a minor amount of cellulose acetate fibers and a major amount of natural cellulose can be used to prepare paper products. Fibers such as fiber glass, polyester, kevlar, rayon and cotton can be used in the present invention.

According to G. A. Smook,"Handbook for Pulp and Paper Technologists," 2nd ed. , p. 297, paperboard can be loosely defined as"stiff and thick paper, "but the ISO has set the specification for paperboard at 224 g/m2 or more, while lighter stock is referred to as"paper. "Various categories of paperboard which are applicable to this invention include, for example, linerboard, foodboard and folding boxboard (carton board).

The formulation of the present invention along with the wet end additive provides release properties similar to that of commercially-available silicone and non- silicone release compounds. The absence of silicone in the formulation of the present invention makes it an excellent substitute for such commercial coatings that are not re-pulpable. The wet end additive also allows a lower density paper substrate without diminishing the release capability, giving a release sheet that is more dimensionally stable and less likely to curl. The present invention can be utilized in a variety of applications, such as, for example, pressure sensitive tapes, self-adhering envelopes, stamp backing, sticker backing and label stock. The formulation of the present invention may also be used in connection with other applications and in other environments, including but not limited to textiles, non-woven materials and leather.

Any suitable process may be used for applying the formulation to the product to be treated, and will vary depending upon the nature of the product being treated and the desired result.

The following discussion describes the present invention in the context of a release coating for paper and paperboard. It should be understood that this merely sets forth one embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to be limiting

in any way. Obviously, the present invention can be modified and used in a variety of different ways, and in a variety of different applications.

In one embodiment, a paper composition is provided which comprises a web and a solution. In a preferred embodiment, the web comprises cellulose fibers, although the web may also comprise synthetic fibers, or a mixture of cellulose and synthetic fibers. A wet end additive that provides water holdout is added along with the fibers to make a web with holdout properties. A solution, comprising the formulation of the present invention, is then applied to the web, resulting in a paper composition which possesses release properties.

The wet end additive comprises an alkaline sizing agent such as alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) or alkyl succinic anhydride (ASA) in a water-based emulsion with fatty acids. An example of a commercially available AKD size is Hercon 118, available from Hercules Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware. Conversely, the wet end additive can also be an anionic water dispersible polyester polymer with an enhanced non-polar character. Such a polymer dispersion is commercially available as EvCote PWR-25 aqueous dispersion from EvCo Research, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia. The polyester polymer and alkaline sizing agent may be used separately or together in the present invention.

The coating solution includes a fatty acid melamine and paraffin wax emulsion along with a polyvinyl alcohol. The fatty acid melamine wax component employed in accordance with this invention may be any fatty acid melamine wax that is compatible with polyvinyl alcohol and that causes the formulation, when applied to a substrate, to possess improved release properties. It may be derived from any long- chain fatty acid (saturated or unsaturated). The fatty acid melamine wax is preferably derived from stearic acid, oleic acid, or palmitic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the release component is a stearylated melamine combined with paraffin wax.

An example of a commercially-available stearylated melamine combined with paraffin wax is Sequapel@ 414G, available from Omnova Solutions, Inc. of Chester, South Carolina. Sequapel@ 414G is a white, fluid, water-based emulsion that has been FDA approved for surface treatments that contact dry, fatty and aqueous foods.

As supplied, it is anionic in nature, and has a pH of around 8. 5-9.0, a specific gravity (20°C) of about 1.0, a bulk density of about 8.4 lbs./gallon, and a viscosity of less than 100 cps (#2 spindle, 100 rpm).

Similarly, any suitable polyvinyl alcohol may be used for that component of the coating solution that provides solvent resistance. Polyvinyl alcohol is a white, granular water-soluble resin manufactured by polymerizing vinyl acetate and hydrolyzing the resultant polymer to form an alcohol. Polyvinyl alcohol is a straight- chain polymer with secondary hydroxyl groups on alternate carbons in the chain.

Polyvinyl alcohol grades vary in molecular weight (degree of polymerization) and in degree of hydrolysis. The molecular weight depends on the conditions of polymerization, and the degree of hydrolysis is determined by the percent of acetate groups replaced by hydroxyl groups during the hydrolysis reaction. The specific gravity of polyvinyl alcohol solutions depends on concentration and temperature and is independent of grade. Polyvinyl alcohol reacts in a manner similar to secondary alcohols.

The polyvinyl alcohol employed in accordance with this invention may be any grade polyvinyl alcohol that is compatible with fatty acid melamine waxes and that causes the solution, when applied to a substrate, to possess improved release properties. In the preferred embodiment, the polyvinyl alcohol component comprises an intermediately hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol with a medium molecular weight. The physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol are controlled by molecular weight and the degree of hydrolysis, and a wide range of grades is offered by polyvinyl alcohol manufacturers. Hydrolysis and molecular weight can be independently controlled in the manufacturing process, so as to provide the desired property balance for different applications.

All polyvinyl alcohol manufacture involves polyvinyl acetate as the starting material. Conversion of polyvinyl acetate to polyvinyl alcohol is generally accomplished by base-catalyzed methanolysis; sodium hydroxide is the usual base. Polyvinyl acetate polymerization is done by conventional processes such as, for example, solution, bulk or emulsion polymerization. The polymerization step

controls the ultimate molecular weight of the polyvinyl alcohol. Catalyst selection, temperature and solvent control the degree of polymerization.

The degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol is controlled during the alcoholysis reaction and is independent of molecular-weight control. Fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol is obtained if methanolysis is allowed to go to completion. The reaction can be terminated by neutralizing or removing the sodium hydroxide catalyst. The addition of small amounts of water to the reactants promotes saponification of polyvinyl acetate, which consumes sodium hydroxide. The extent of hydrolysis is inversely proportional to the amount of water added.

An example of a commercially-available polyvinyl alcohol which is intermediately hydrolyzed and which possesses a medium molecular weight is Airvol 425, available from Air Products Co., of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Airvol (g) 425 possesses properties between the fully and partially hydrolyzed grades of polyvinyl alcohol. It has a strong affinity for hydrophilic surfaces such as cellulosics.

Commonly used fully and super hydrolyzed grades of polyvinyl alcohol are generally used without defoamers, whereas intermediate and partially hydrolyzed grades nearly always require a defoamer. This is due to the tendency for polyvinyl alcohol to generate foam, which is highly dependent upon the degree of hydrolysis, and, to a lesser extent, on the mechanical dynamics unique to each preparation and each end-use process.

The relative weight percentages of the alkaline sizing wet end additives can be adjusted to accommodate the particular product being treated, the particular application method, and the desired end result to be achieved by treating the product with the formulation. The alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) component of the alkaline sizing wet end additive may comprise anywhere from 0% to 100% of the total wet end alkaline sizing additive, and the anionic water dispersible polyester polymer may comprise anywhere from 0% to 95% of the total wet end alkaline sizing additive. The alkaline sizing wet end additives may comprise anywhere from about 0. 1% to 3.0% by weight of the paper composition (the remaining weight percentage being attributed to the web). hi a preferred embodiment, the alkaline sizing wet end additives

comprise from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight, and in a more preferred embodiment, from about 0. 3% to about 1. 5% by weight.

The relative weight percentages of the polyvinyl alcohol and fatty acid melamine with paraffin wax components of the formulation can be adjusted to accommodate the particular product being treated, the particular application method, and/or the desired end result to be achieved by treating the product with the formulation. The formulation is suitable using no polyvinyl alcohol, that is, 100% fatty-acid melamine was. The amount of polyvinyl alcohol preferably ranges from about 5% by weight to about 75% by weight of the formulation, more preferably from about 20% by weight to about 60% by weight, and most preferably from about 30% by weight to about 50% by weight, based upon the total weight of the formulation.

Correspondingly, the amount of the fatty acid melamine with paraffin wax component preferably ranges from about 25% by weight to about 95% by weight, more preferably from about 40% by weight to about 80% by weight, and most preferably from about 50% by weight to about 70% by weight, based upon the total weight of the formulation. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the formulation comprises from about 40% by weight polyvinyl alcohol to about 60% by weight fatty acid melamine with paraffin wax.

As with the ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to wax in the formulation, the amount of formulation which is applied to the substrate (such as a fibrous web or sheet) to form the release material (such as a paper sheet) can be adjusted to accommodate the particular product being treated, the particular application method, and/or the desired end result to be achieved by treating the product with the formulation. The formulation is applied in a sufficient amount so as to provide the level of release properties desired. Preferably, the release material comprises from about 0.5% by weight to about 10% by weight formulation, and from about 90% by weight to about 99.5% by weight web, based upon the total weight of the formulation and the substrate or other underlying material which form the sheet or paper composition.

More preferably, the release material comprises from about 1% by weight to about 8% by weight of formulation, and from about 92% to about 99% by weight substrate.

Most preferably, the release material comprises from about 5% to about 7% by weight formulation, and from about 93% by weight to about 95% by weight substrate.

A filler may be contained in or added to the web, if desired. The fillers may be any of those which are conventionally used in the papermaking industry for making a sheet of paper opaque, such as titanium dioxide, clay, calcium carbonate, aluminum oxide and aluminum trihydrate.

Although it is not necessary in the broadest embodiment of the invention, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a suitable defoaming agent can be added to the solution to control foaming of the polyvinyl alcohol component. Similarly, a minor amount of an approved antimicrobial agent could be useful to control or prevent the development of mold and/or fungus in or on certain paper products in which the solution is used. Further, other materials typically employed in papermaking can also be present, such as, for example, lubricants, sizes, other synthetic fibers, starch and various chemical modifiers, such as wet strength enhancers, dry strength enhances and coatings.

It has been surprisingly found that the components of the formulation of the present invention have a synergistic effect. That is, the combination of the polyvinyl alcohol and fatty acid melamine with paraffin wax provides enhanced released properties, in several respects, than the same properties provided by each of the individual components, standing alone. This is demonstrated in the examples below.

The formation of the web and the solution, and the application of the solution to the web to form a release paper sheet can be accomplished in accordance with any conventional papermaking techniques using conventional papermaking equipment. Each step can be accomplished by a variety of methods well known in the art, and can vary widely depending upon the particular papermaking process employed, and the particular application technique utilized. Any suitable process steps for practicing the method of the present invention may be used.

For example, in the papermaking process a diluted slurry of cellulose fibers is prepared into a paper using conventional papermaking equipment. In the next step of the process the paper is dewatered using conventional papermaking equipment. The term"dewatering"means removing the water from the paper by means of drainage or pressing operations applied to the paper by conventional papermaking methods. The

dewatering can include drainage on a Fourdrinier, cylinder machine, multi-wire former, rotoformer and pressing by various felted wet press designs. During the dewatering step the paper is formed into a sheet of consolidated fibers which, upon drying, can be processed into dry roll or sheet form.

The simplest in conception with regard to the possible papermaking processes is the conventional Fourdrinier paper forming machine. The main standard components of the Fourdrinier forming unit are the headbox and the forming table, including dewatering elements and equipment for improving formation. The function of the headbox is to provide a level and stable jet across the width of the Fourdrinier machine and to produce a well-dispersed fibrous suspension. The Fourdrinier machine disperses the components in the fibrous suspension uniformly, and then removes the water from the fibrous suspension. Therefore, a sheet of paper is simply a dispersion of components. A paper machine, in its entirety, comprises a headbox, a Fourdrinier table, a press section in which water is squeezed out, and a dryer section.

The headbox is supplied with stock from a fan pump and the duty of which is to supply an even level flow of fibrous suspension at a known velocity onto the forming screen of the Fourdrinier machine or a twin-wire former or onto a rotary former, such as a short former. The term headbox is also used for a supply box used for feeding the fibrous suspension to the vat of a cylinder mould machine.

For example, cellulose fibers may first be mixed, in slurry form, in a hydrapulper. Conventional fillers may be added to the mixture as desired. The mixture is then forwarded to a refiner chest and then to the headbox of a Fourdrinier machine. The web of wet fibers or ply, after it leaves the headbox, is then forwarded to a press section, then to a first dryer section, then to a size press, and then to a second dryer section, and then to a calendar stack, if calendaring is desired, to complete the papermaking process. As previously mentioned, these sections are conventional parts of a paper machine, and the process steps can vary depending upon the particular paper machine utilized.

According to the process of the present invention, the formulation may be added at the size press. A conventional size press operates by using rollers. A first

roller runs through a bath containing the formulation in a desired concentration, and then that roller meters it onto a separate roller, which then meters it onto the ply or fibrous web. In the present invention, the preferred method of applying the formulation is by spraying it onto the web at the size press. : Of course, the formulation may be applied to the web by other means in addition to, or in place of, the aforementioned means, such as dip coating. Further, any of the conventional size press configurations known in the art may be used.

The formulation may also be applied at various other points in the papermaking process in addition to at the size press. For example, it may be applied at the calendar water box, or by means of surface coaters such as blade, air knife and rod.

Regarding the drying section of the paper machine, any of the different types of conventional dryers can be used. For example, standard drum dryers can be used, which may be felted or not felted. A flat dryer can be used, where the sheet runs back and forth over rollers and convention air flows through it. Infrared drying can be utilized, as well as gas fired dryers.

The release material or sheet may be formed into an infinite number of shaped articles, using any means known in the art. The variety of products with which the formulation of the present invention could be used to provide release properties is infinite. For example, and in no way intending to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, the present invention could be used to provide release properties to: stamp backing (for self-adhesive stamps with pressure sensitive adhesives that retain adhesive character after peeling from release paper); self- adhering envelope liners (the paper liner that protects the pressure sensitive adhesive on the self-sealing envelope); label backing (self-adhesive labels that easily peel off the liner as in the case of the stamp backing); and many other wrappers and liners that require release properties.

While the application of the release formulation has been discussed above in the context of a coating, it should be understood that the formulation of the present invention can be applied to a material or substrate using any known techniques,

including application by mills at a size press, spray bar, coaters (blade, rod, roll, air knife), calendar stack, gravure rollers, as an internal ("wet end") treatment or as an additive to coating materials, depending on end-use needs. It may also be applied by converters on rotogravure, flexographic, coating and corrugating equipment, and the like.

Applying a solution to a web or sheet of paper at the size press is an old and common process, as hereinbefore set forth. The particular parameters of the size press will vary depending upon the thickness of the resultant paper which is desired, as well as the amount of release properties desired. Establishing the requisite parameters is essentially done on a"trial-and-error"basis, until the desired levels of thickness and release properties are achieved.

EXAMPLES The following example sets forth one embodiment of the method by which the formulation of the present invention can be produced, and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

EXAMPLE 1 250 milliliters of Hercules Advantage Defoamer were added to 1100 gallons of water. In the make-up tank, 667 pounds of Vinol 425 were dissolved in the water and allowed sufficient time for mixing. The mixture was then heated with live steam to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and held with agitation at temperature for 45 minutes, following which 400 milliliters of a biocide (Nalco 7647 Biocide) was added. The steam was turned off and 220 gallons of Sequapelg 414G stearylated melamine with paraffin wax emulsion were added. The solution should not be heated with live steam after the fatty acid melamine and wax have been added, as the steam could potentially break down the emulsions. The solution was then diluted with water to a final volume of 2,000 gallons. It was applied at the size press inside the temperature range of 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit.

EXAMPLE 2 A sheet of paper was prepared utilizing conventional paper-making procedures. The sheet of paper had a basis weight of 37 g/m2 and contained no filler.

Polyvinyl alcohol from Air Products in combination with stearylated melamine (Sequapel 409), paraffin wax (Sequapel 417), and a stearylated melamine with paraffin wax (Sequapel 414G, 40% solids) were evaluated on paper (37 g/m2 basis weight; no filler) that had been moderately refined. The polyvinyl alcohols evaluated varied in molecular weight and degree of hydrolysis, ranging from super hydrolyzed (Airvol 165) to intermediately hydrolyzed (Airvol 425) grades. The viscosity ranged from Medium (28-32 cps) to High (62-72 cps). The various formulations set forth in Table 1 below were prepared pursuant to procedures similar to those described in Example 1, using appropriate amounts of Advantage Defoamer 1251 and Nalco 7647 biocide. Those solutions were then used to treat a base paper (Ecusta Reference RD 99016) on a Euclid coater. RD 99016 is an unfilled 37 g/rn2 moderately refined sheet without any wet end alkaline sizing additives.

Standard adhesion to backing tests were performed on each sample using an Instron Tensile tester peeling the samples from standard 3M 234 masking tape, and measuring the average peeling force in ounces per one inch width at a peel speed of 12 inches per minute. Each test sample had the 3M 234 tape rolled down onto it a constant weight at 12 inches per minute. Tests were performed on samples at TAPPI standard conditions (25 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity) and also with a heated steel bar at 250 degrees Fahrenheit placed on the 3M 234 tape/paper sandwich for two minutes. This heated test simulates the release property of a release paper in extreme conditions.

As shown in Table 1, the results suggest that the Airvol 425 with the Sequapel 414G stearylated melamine with paraffin wax gave the best results in both ambient and heated conditions. The Sequapel (g) 409 stearylated melamine gave the best result in ambient conditions but had the worst results with the heated test. The Sequapel pro 417 paraffin wax had the worst result in ambient conditions but did the best in heated conditions. The Sequapel 414G combined the best of both worlds,

providing a release property to the RD 99016 paper without an alkaline sizing additive.

TABLE 1 Standard Adhesion to Backing Tests Using an Instron Tensile Tester Sample RD 99016 (using standard 3M 234 masking tape) Coating Composition Cold Peel Hot Bar Ball Tack Ball Tack Test Peel Cold Hot (oz/inch) (oz/inch) inches) (oz/inch) 26.4 gpL BOrated Airvol 165 19.8 175 gpL Sequapel 414G 14.2 18.3 26.4 gpL Borated Airvol 165,100 14.8 gpL Sequapel 414G 100 gpL Hercon 80 first, then 26.4 14.0 gpL Borated Airvol 165,100 gpL Sequapel 414G 100 gpL Hercon 80 16. 2 175 gpL Sequapel 409 10. 9 19. 2 1. 25 6.0 gpL Kelgin LV, acidified 21.5 26.4 gpL Airvol 165, acidified 21.7 26.4 gpL Airvol 425,175 gpL 16.4 Sequapel 414G 100 gpL Hercon 80 first, then 26.4 15.0 16.7 1.15 gpL Airvol 425,175 gpL Sequapel 414G 26.4 gpL Airvol 425,100 gpL 11. 6 21. 5 0. 79 2. 31 Sequapel 409 26.4 gpL Airvol 425, acidified 20. 5

EXAMPLE 3 A continuous web of paper was prepared using a standard fourdrinier paper machine. Critical parameters for this paper machine trial include porosity, coefficient of friction/slip and water holdout, in addition to release properties for the consumer end use. Release property will be controlled by the wet end alkaline sizing additive and the size press solution. Once again a paper suitable for use for release purposes was produced.

Various additional formulations listed in Table 2 below were prepared and used to treat base paper RD 99016. The results of testing (cold peel test, hot bar peel, ball tack-cold, and ball tack-hot) are set forth for each formulation.

TABLE 2-Standard Adhesion Testing and Ball Tack Testing Sample RD 99016 (Peel Tests using standard 3M 234 masking tape and an Instron Tensile Tester) Coating Composition Cold Peel Hot Bar Ball Tack Ball Tack Test Peel Cold Hot (oz/inch) (oz/inch) inches) (oz/inch) 40 gpL Polyvol 9525, 52.5 gpL 17.6 Sequapel 414G, 10 gpL Sunkem 301 60 gpL Suncryl CR 415 19. 3 40 gpL Polyvol 9525,50 gpL 20.2 20.9 Suncryl CR 415 40 gpL Polyvol 9525,50 gpL 19.8 Suncryl CR 425 175 gpL Sequapel 417 (7% solids) 17.2 14. 8 1. 75 26. 4 gpL Airvol 425, 110 gpL 15. 8 21.6 0.875 Sequapel 417 40 gpL Airvol 425,75 gpL Sequapel 17.9 417 26. 4 gpL Airvol 425, 110 gpL 16.6 20.7 2 2.1 Sequapel 414G 40 gpL Airvol 425,75 gpL Sequapel 16.1 21.1 2.25 1.6 414G Various physical properties of several of the formulations set forth in Table 2 are set forth in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Physical Properties of Formulation of Present Invention

Coating RID 99016 40 gpL 60 gpL 40 gpL 40 gpL Formulation (coated Polyvol 9525, Suncryl Polyvol Polyvol9525, base sheet) 52.5 gpL CR 415 9525,50 50 gpL Sequapel gpL Suncryl CR 414G, 10 gpL Suncryl CR 425 Sunkem 301 415 Properties Basis Weigth 37.5 37.8 38.7 37.7 38.8 (g/M2) Density 0.768 0.788 0.79 0.754 0.784 (g/cm3) Photosize 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 (sec) Pick Strength 18 18 20 20+ 18 felt Pick strength 18 18 18 20+ 18 wire Porosity 12 8 7 7 6 (Sheffield 3/4") Porosity 149 99 88 77 77 (Sheffield 3") Sheffield 152 137 137 154 150 Smoothness (felt) Sheffield 179 170 173 181 178 Smoothness (wire) Thickness 0.0488 0.048 0.049 0.05 0.0495 (mm)

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes, and the foregoing specification should not be construed as limiting in any way the scope of the invention. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate that various modifications, substitutions, omissions and changes may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.