Abstract: Disclosed is a customizable, preformed decorative wrapper. The device includes a wrapper with a central region and a plurality of sections extending radially outward therefrom. In one embodiment, additional sections may be removably attached to one or more free ends on the central region, wherein the additional sections may be substantially equal in shape and dimensions as existing sections disposed around the central region. The wrapper and the additional sections each include a defined perimeter having an adhesive material therearound, and a removable backing thereon. The wrapper and the additional sections may be constructed from a transparent heat-shrinkable substrate, for example, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, which can easily bond with graphical or decorative ink so that the ink is prevented from separation from the substrate. In this way, the present invention is may comprise customized designs printed directly thereon by means of an inkjet or a laser printer.

Abstract: A ring and bracelet combination is formed from a plurality of segments pivotally linked together. Each segment has a digit sized opening therethrough. A decorative head is hingedly connected to the one end segment and a clasp is piviotally connected to another end segment. When the segments are end to end the combination is in a bracelet configuration, and when the segments are accordioned together with the openings aligned, the combination is in a ring configuration.

Abstract: A process for preparing aqueous polymer dispersions is described comprising the steps: (a) polymerizing at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and/or at least one ethylenically unsaturated surfactant monomer by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization to provide a first polymer; and (b) further polymerizing, in one or more successive polymerization stages, one or more monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated monomers and/or ethylenically unsaturated surfactant monomers by free-radical polymerization in aqueous dispersion of the first polymer.

Abstract: Described are polymers and copolymers containing sorbitol, citric acid, starch, aspartic acid, succinic anhydride, adipic acid mixtures thereof, methods of their synthesis and their uses.

Abstract: A wet chemical indicator for peracetic acid solutions includes an indicator for peracetic acid and an inhibitor. The inhibitor is selected to inhibit a selected peracetic acid concentration in a reproducible sample of a solution containing peracetic acid. The indicator exhibits an observable change when the selected concentration of peracetic acid is exceeded. In this manner, a rapid indication of whether the peracetic acid solution is of a required minimum strength is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of biodegradable water-soluble graff copolymers having building, anti-filming, dispersing and threshold crystal inhibiting properties comprising (a) an acid functional monomer and optionally (b) other water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with (a) grafted to a biodegradable substrate comprising polyalkylene oxides and/or polyalkoxylated materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to high temperature aqueous processes for the polymerization of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomers to produce low molecular weight, water-soluble polymer products useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors, dispersants and crystal growth modifiers. Suitable monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid. The reactions are run at temperatures ranging from about 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C., preferably from about 140.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The process can be continuous, semi-continuous, or batch.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for generating free radicals at saturated carbon atoms on the backbone of acrylate polymers or copolymers. This method is useful for combining at least two polymer chains at the free radical sites on each polymer chain to form a polymer or copolymer product with increased molecular weight and a controlled degree of branching. The polymers and copolymers produced by this process are useful as antiscalants, dispersants, incrustation inhibitors and superabsorbants. They are particularly useful in detergent and cleaning applications.

Abstract: Copolymers of aliphatic monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and unsaturated monomers have been formed by gradually and simultaneously adding monomers and initiator, in the presence of a metal salt activator, to a reaction vessel initially containing water at a temperature suitable for polymerization. These copolymers have consistent compositions and superior properties as antiscalants, dispersants and incrustation inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of biodegradable water-soluble graft copolymers having building, anti-filming, dispersing and threshold crystal inhibiting properties comprising (a) an acid functional monomer and optionally (b) other water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with (a) grafted to a biodegradable substrate comprising polyalkylene oxides and/or polyalkoxylated materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to high temperature aqueous processes for the polymerization of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomers to produce low molecular weight, water-soluble polymer products useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors, dispersants and crystal growth modifiers. Suitable monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid. The reactions are run at temperatures ranging from about 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C., preferably from about 140.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The process can be continuous, semi-continuous, or batch.

Abstract: Copolymers of aliphatic monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and unsaturated monomers have been formed by gradually and simultaneously adding monomers and initiator, in the presence of a metal salt activator, to a reaction vessel initially containing water at a temperature suitable for polymerization. These copolymers have consistent compositions and superior properties as antiscalants, dispersants and incrustation inhibitors.

Abstract: Polymers of itaconic acid are formed at high conversion by adding completely neutralized monomer solution and initiator solution to a vessel initially containing water at a temperature sufficient for polymerization. These polymers are biodegradable and are most useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors and removers, sequesterants, yarn sizers, deflocculating agents, de-inking agents, suspending agents and dispersing agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of copper and cobalt ions to control molecular weight in the aqueous polymerization of vinyl monomers. Incorporating catalytic amounts, generally from 1 to about 300 ppm of copper or cobalt ions, in aqueous polymerization reactions initiated with peroxides, preferably with partial neutralization of the monomers, provides for molecular weight control of the resulting polymers.

Abstract: A process to efficiently utilize the chain transfer agent hypophosphorous acid or salts in the preparation of low molecular weight polycarboxylate polymers comprising employing in process neutralization of the carboxylic acid monomers.A low molecular weight polycarboxylate polymer containing phosphinate and phosphonate functional groups where less than 20% of the phosphorus is present in inorganic non polymeric compounds.

Abstract: A process to prepare telomers of acrylic acid with a functional terminal group through use of selected secondary alcohol chain transfer agents.Telomers of acrylic acid containing a functional terminal group with a primary hydroxyl of a 6-12 carbon moiety.

Abstract: Functionalized polymeric compositions are prepared by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer in a solvent including a reactive compound. The functional groups of the reactive compound and the functional monomer react during or subsequent to the polymerization of the functional monomer to provide functionalized polymeric composition. The reactive compound can be a hydroxy-terminated, poly(ethleneoxy)ated hydrophobe-bearing compound and the functional monomer can be a polymerizable carboxylated monomer, the functionalization in this case being a condensation. Removal of the water of condensation by azeotropic distillation drives the reaction to completion. The resulting high solids functionalized polymeric composition is soluble or dispersible in an appropriate solvent, and can be used as is, diluted with a solvent, or isolated.

Abstract: This invention relates to copolymers containing as copolymerized monomer units aliphatic monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids such as acrylic acid and carboxyl-free monoethylenically unsaturated monomers such as alkyl esters of acrylic acid. This invention particularly relates to the use of low levels of copper ions in an aqueous polymerization process to promote copolymerization of the above-mentioned monomers at high conversion while maintaining and improving molecular weight control. These copolymers are useful primarily as antiscalants, dispersants, hard surface cleaners, detergent builders and incrustation inhibitors.

Abstract: A process to efficiently utilize the chain transfer agent hypophosphorous acid or salts in the preparation of low moelcular weight polycarboxylate polymers comprising employing in process neutralization of the carboxylic acid monomers.A low molecular weight polycarboxylate polymer containing phosphinate and phosphonate functional groups where less than 20% of the phosphorus is present in inorganic non polymeric compounds.

Abstract: A process to prepare telomers of acrylic acid with a functional terminal group through use of selected secondary alcohol chain transfer agents.Telomers of acrylic acid containing a functional terminal group with a primary hydroxyl or a 6-12 carbon moiety.