Abstract: N-(4-alkylphenyl)acrylamides, N-(4-alkylphenyl)methacrylamides and N-(4-alkylphenyl)maleimides, when co-polymerized into conventional polymer systems promote adhesion of such systems to low energy polyolefin surfaces. These compounds are effective in increasing the adhesive coating properties of both solution polymer and emulsion polymer systems.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising (1) an N-methylol monomer of the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4), isopropenyl, or phenyl and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, and (2) a polyalkoxylate substance having at least a portion of its structure represented by (alkylene oxide).sub.x, wherein x is an integer, the composition containing about x molecules of the N-methylol monomer per molecule of polyalkoxylated substance. Such N-methylol monomer/polyalkoxylated complexes are polymerized to yield ungelled cross-linkable N-methylol polymers. The N-methylol polymers are cross-linked in a controlled manner with polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising (1) an N-methylol monomer of the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4), isopropenyl, or phenyl and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, and (2) a polyalkoxylate substance having at least a portion of its structure represented by (alkylene oxide).sub.x, wherein x is an integer, the composition containing about x molecules of the N-methylol monomer per molecule of polyalkoxylated substance. Such N-methylol monomer/polyalkoxylated complexes are polymerized to yield ungelled cross-linkable N-methylol polymers. The N-methylol polymers are cross-linked in a controlled manner with polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous sheets impregnated with latices of polyvinyl acetate or its copolymers containing polyvinyl alcohol, intended for use in pre-moistened condition as skin cleansing tissues, are folded and packaged in closed containers or in individual sealed water impervious envelopes; said packaged sheets being maintained in contact with a dilute aqueous solution of a precipitating or gelling agent for polyvinyl alcohol, such as boric acid. The agent imparts improved wet tensile strength to the sheet during storage and use by the consumer but permits the sheet to be safely disposed of, after use, by flushing in plain water without danger of clogging the plumbing system.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous sheets impregnated with latices of polyvinyl acetate or its copolymers containing polyvinyl alcohol, intended for use in pre-moistened condition as skin cleansing tissues, are folded and packaged in closed containers or in individual sealed water impervious envelopes; said packaged sheets being maintained in contact with a dilute aqueous solution of a precipitating or gelling agent for polyvinyl alcohol, such as boric acid. The agent imparts improved wet tensile strength to the sheet during storage and use by the consumer but permits the sheet to be safely disposed of, after use, by flushing in plain water without danger of clogging the plumbing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to latex compositions for use as a paint vehicle particularly for the manufacture of interior semi-gloss and flat exterior paint compositions. The latex composition comprises from about 40-70% by weight of resin particles, the resin particles having at least 25% vinyl acetate polymerized therein, and from about 0.5-10% of a copolymerizable allylic amine having at least one allylic group attached directly to an amino nitrogen and at least one hydrogen atom attached directly to an amino nitrogen atom. In a preferred instance, the resin particles comprise vinyl acetate, a lower alkyl acrylate or ethylene, optionally vinyl chloride and the allylic amine.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous sheets impregnated with latices of polyvinyl acetate or its copolymers containing polyvinyl alcohol, intended for use in pre-moistened condition as skin cleansing tissues, are folded and packaged in closed containers or in individual sealed water impervious envelopes; said packaged sheets being maintained in contact with a dilute aqueous solution of a precipitating or gelling agent for polyvinyl alcohol, such as boric acid. The agent imparts improved wet tensile strength to the sheet during storage and use by the consumer but permits the sheet to be safely disposed of, after use, by flushing in plain water without danger of clogging the plumbing system.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions comprising latices containing a copolymer of vinyl acetate in the range of about 95-99.9% by weight and maleic anhydride in the range of about 0.1-5% by weight have been found to have improved starch binder compatibility. Vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride are polymerized in an aqueous medium in the presence of a free radical initiator and a surfactant which prevents the vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer from dissolving in the aqueous medium. The resulting latex coating compositions have a high solids content (greater than about 50% by weight) and a copolymer particle size of under 0.5 microns in addition to the excellent starch compatibility.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latex composition particularly suited as a paint vehicle for the manufacture of semi-gloss and flat interior paint compositions. The latex composition comprises from about 40 to 70% by weight of copolymer resin particles having at least 50% vinyl acetate polymerized therein, the particles being substantially spherical and characterized in that not more than 5% of the particles have a size greater than 0.65 microns and not more than 5% have a particle size less than 0.33 microns. In the preferred instance, the resin particles comprise vinyl acetate, a lower alkyl acrylate and a conventional wet adhesion monomer, the combination consisting of from about 80 to 90% vinyl acetate, 10 to 20% of lower alkyl acrylate, e.g., butyl acrylate and 0.2 to 1.5% of the wet adhesion monomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved continuous process for producing vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions. The improvement for continuous polymerization of vinyl acetate and ethylene comprises continuously charging a reaction mixture containing vinyl acetate and ethylene to a polymerization vessel, conducting an initial polymerization of the vinyl acetate and ethylene in the presence of a seed latex under ethylene pressure and continuously removing the thus formed latex from the initial polymerization vessel at an unreacted vinyl acetate monomer content from 5-20% by weight of the latex and then effecting a post polymerization of the unreacted vinyl acetate at an ethylene pressure of not more than about 300 psia until the unreacted vinyl acetate in the latex is less than 1% by weight.