Abstract: An article for receiving an image by thermal transfer printing includes an image-receiving surface of plastics material coated with a layer of dye-receptive material capable of accepting an image by means of a dye thermal transfer process, wherein the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dye receptive material is at least 50° C. lower than the softening point of the plastics material of the image-receiving surface. By having a difference between the softening point of the plastics material article surface and the Tg of the material coated thereon of at least 50° C. it is possible to achieve printing in a single step transfer process of high density images without distortion of the plastics material. The invention can be used with three-dimensional articles possibly having compound curves, including casings for mobile telephones made of polymers such as polycarbonate.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide having a mean length of the primary particles in the range from 50 to 90 nm, the mean width of the primary particles in the range from 5 to 20 nm, and the median volume particle diameter of the secondary particles is less than 45 nm. The metal oxide can be used in a sunscreen product that exhibits both effective UV protection and improved transparency.

Abstract: A polyesteramide copolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than or equal to 0° C., contains at least one hard segment containing at least one amide bond, and at least one soft segment containing at least one ester bond. The soft segment is formed from at least one dimer fatty acid and/or dimer fatty diol and/or equivalent thereof. The copolymer is particularly suitable for use as a hot melt adhesive on low energy surfaces.

Abstract: Detergent or micelle free cleaning media based on detergent free and/or micelle free liquid CO2 and including from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the formulation of a cleaning additive which is at least one multi-ester having a molecular weight of not more than 750 can be used in dry cleaning of textiles. Desirable cleaning additives are of the formula (1): R1(XR2)n where X, R1, R2, and n have defined meanings, particularly to be esters of multi-carboxylic acids and mono-hydroxy alcohols or esters of mono-carboxylic acids and multi-hydroxy alcohols.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing zinc glycerolate comprising reacting a zinc compound with glycerine wherein the zinc compound is selected from the group consisting of hydrozincite and zinc oxide prepared by calcining hydrozincite.

Abstract: A well drilling method comprises removing the drilling cuttings using an aqueous drilling fluid such as a foam including a foaming agent which includes at least one mono-(aliphatic hydrocarbyl) phosphate ester. More specifically, the drilling fluid takes the form of a potassium and/or alkanolamine and/or alkylalkanolamine salt, the foam also comprising a foam stabiliser.

Abstract: Fatty branched polyalkoxylates, particularly of the formula: R1O(AO)mR2 (I) where R1 is C8 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl; AO is predominantly branched alkyleneoxy, particularly propyleneoxy; m is from 2 to 50; and R2 is H or a is C1 to C4 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl, are used as fabric conditioners in CO2 based dry cleaning systems. The cleaning medium may include detergent surfactant and/or non surfactant cleaning additive or may be free from such additives in which case the treatment can be provided in a rinse cycle in a cleaning process.

Abstract: A composition capable of phase separation contains an epoxy resin and an impact modifier formed from at least one dimer fatty acid and/or dimer fatty diol. The composition is suitable for use as an adhesive, particularly in microelectronics.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium for use in mass transfer printing comprises a substrate bearing on at least part of one surface thereof a coating of an overlay material comprising polyester having a glass transition greater than 50° C. (preferably at least 75° C.) and a molecular weight in the range 6,000 to 10,000. The overlay material combines good transfer characteristics, barrier properties and durability and is highly transparent.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the catalytic oxidation of an alkane, which comprises contacting the alkane with a source of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound of the formula (2) where R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, or R1 and R2 may together form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group; m denotes an integer of 0 to 4; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 3. Compounds in accordance with formula (2) possess good catalytic properties, such that when they are employed in a process in accordance with the present invention, they are capable of activating a source of oxygen and promoting the oxidation of an alkane at mild reaction temperatures.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide having the mean length of the primary particles in the range from 50 to 90 nm, the mean width of the primary particles in the range from 5 to 20 nm, and the median volume particle diameter of the secondary particles is less than 45 nm. The metal oxide can be used in a sunscreen product that exhibits both effective UV protection and improved transparency.

Abstract: A protective coating composition in an organic liquid carrier comprising a polymeric film forming binder, the polymeric binder comprising by weight: (a) 50% to 100% of an epoxy-polyester block copolymer being the reaction product of a preformed epoxy resin and a preformed carboxyl functional, and (b) 0 to 50% of a crosslinker where the sum of (a) and (b) is 100%, characterised in that the carboxyl functional polyester prepolymer is the reaction product of one or more polyols with one or more dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides, where the dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides comprise a mixture of (i) 20% to 45% of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride, (ii) 55% to 80% of cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, and (iii) 0 to 10% other aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, where the sum of (i), (ii), and (iii) is 100% based on the weight of the dicarboxylic acid and anhydride components.

Abstract: Substrates are cleaned by contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition, particularly an aqueous composition, including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 (I) where R1, AO, n, M, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings, particularly to give alkyl benzoates. Such compounds provide useful solvency to the cleaning formulations while having a relatively benign environmental profile.

Abstract: Cleaning media based on liquid CO2 and including from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the formulation of a cleaning additive which is at least one C6 to C24 hydrocarbyl ester of a multi-carboxylic acid can be used in dry cleaning of textiles. Desirable cleaning additives are of the formula (I): R1(CO2R2)n where R1 is the residue of a C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl group from which n hydrogen atoms have been removed, R2 is a C6 to C24 hydrocarbyl, particularly alkyl or alkenyl, group; and n is from 2 to 5; particularly C12 to C18 adipate esters.

Abstract: Stable aqueous dispersions of foaming surfactants are prepared by starting with a pre-formed substantially uniform surfactant composition which contains one or more foaming surfactants, and one or more fatty amphiphiles. The dispersion contains from 5 to 50 wt % of the surfactant composition and from 50 to 95 wt % water. A hydrocolloid is also preferably included in the dispersion. Emollients are also conveniently included in the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A soap composition containing: (i) 50 to 90% by weight of alkali metal soap of C8-C24 fatty acids, (ii) 3 to 25% by weight of at least one polyol, (iii) 0.1 to 10% by weight of the potassium salt of a carboxylic acid and/or hydroxy carboxylic acid having 6 or less carbon atoms, and (iv) 5 to 25% by weight of water. The soap composition is particularly suitable for use in forming a translucent or transparent soap bar.

Abstract: Aqueous agrochemical compositions of dispersed phase agrochemicals, particularly phytoactives, such as growth regulators and/or herbicides, or pesticides, such as insecticides, fungicides, or acaricides, include as adjuvant a branched primary alcohol alkoxylate of the formula (I): [CH3.(CH2)n][CH3.(ch2)m].CH[(CH2)p.O.(AO)q.H] where n, m, p, AO and q have defined meanings are disclosed. In the compositions, the agrochemical can be present as dispersible granules or dissolved or dispersed in an oil. The compositions can be concentrates or diluted sprayable compositions. A particularly convenient form of composition is as dispersible granules.

Abstract: A lubricant composition for use in a sliding-vane rotary vane compressor has a polyalkyleneglycol base oil component and includes antiwear additives, antioxidants and metal passivators and, optionally, anticorrosion agents and vapour phase anticorrosion agents. The polyalkyleneglycol base oil component is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) having an EO:PO ratio between 3:1 and 1:3, preferably between 1.5:1 and 1:1.5, and having been initiated with a compound having five carbon atoms or less.

Abstract: A method suitable for use in small trade stores or retail shops for assisting in providing the correct color or coating compositions mixed in the store or shop in which colorants (II) are added to a base paint (2), the base paint (2) being provided in a lidded container (I). The base paint (2) is pre dispensed in a lidded container (I), thereby avoiding the need to weigh it accurately in store thus saving time. Further time is saved by adding the colorants simultaneously to the base paint (2). The actual load (usually the combined weight of the can and the contents) is compared to the correct load stored in a database and the operator is alerted if the two fail to match.

Abstract: Synthetic detergent formulations are made by spray drying an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a synthetic detergent and a hydrophobic plasticiser and optionally a filler to produce a particulate product. In particular the synthetic detergent includes mild surfactants such a fatty isethionate or sulphosuccinate surfactants. By spray drying the emulsion or dispersion, a particularly uniform product is made which can readily be formed into synthetic detergent bars which may include soap to form combination bar products (combi-bars).