Abstract: Methods and apparati have been developed for producing a suspension of predominately amorphous polymer particles, wherein the method includes thermally treating a suspension that includes crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer particles. The thermal treatment includes (a) heating a suspension of polymer particles of an appropriate size to a temperature effective to cause the polymer to become amorphous, and then (b) cooling the suspension of amorphous polymer particles below the melting point of the polymer at a rate effective to prevent substantial coalescence of the polymer particles. The method and apparati are effective for use with a variety of polymers having suitable crystallization parameters, although polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers are preferred, particularly in an aqueous suspension medium. For PHA polymers, the polymer particles subjected to treatment preferably are of a size of less than 5 &mgr;m, or more preferably less than 1.5 &mgr;m in diameter.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the system is compliant, in that it is capable of conforming to the three dimensional structure of a tissue surface as the tissue bends and deforms during healing processes. The barrier or drug delivery systems is formed as a polymeric coating on tissue surfaces by applied a polymerizable monomer to the surface, and then polymerizing the monomer. The polymerized compliant coating preferably is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Readily filterable and deodorizable aqueous dispersions of pressure-sensitive adhesive, especially for self-adhesive labels, having solids contents of more than 65%, can be prepared with readily reproducible properties by copolymerizing esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid in the presence of less than 50 ppm of inhibitor and, preferably, in the presence of from 0.01 to 5% by weight of reducing agent by a special emulsion technique. The highly concentrated pressure-sensitive adhesive dispersion, subsequently deodorized with steam, is free from coagulum and seediness.

Abstract: An aqueous formulation of a high solid content fully functional thermosettable wet strength resin designed for use in the manufacture of paper products is disclosed. The wet strength resin is the product of reaction of an epihalohydrin and an end-capped polyaminamide polymer. The thermosetting wet strength resins are useful in the manufacture of improved absorbent paper products such as bathroom tissues, facial tissues, napkins, towels, and paperboard products such as dairy cartons and bag paper.

Abstract: An adhesive for applying to a creping surface in the process for dry creping tissue paper is disclosed. The adhesive comprises cationic starch and optionally a polyvinyl alcohol and a water-soluble, thermosetting, cationic polyamide-epihalohydrin resin. The adhesive provides high adhesion and doctorability for dry creping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane-polyacrylate hybrid dispersions comprising A) 20 to 99% by weight, based on resin solids, of a polyurethane wherein i) the polyurethane is rendered hydrophilic by ionic and/or nonionic hydrophilic groups and ii) the polyisocyanate component used to prepare the polyurethane contains an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate containing allophanate groups, and B) 1 to 80% by weight, based on resin solids) of a polyacrylate polymer, wherein the sum of components A and B is 100%, based on the total weight of A) and B). The present invention also relates to the use of these hybrid dispersions for coating substrates, in particular wood.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention provides a diol latex composition comprising: (a) latex polymer particles comprising a residue of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the latex polymer particles have a size below 1000 mn; (b) a surfactant; and (c) a continuous liquid phase comprising a diol component, wherein the diol component comprises from 60 to 100% by weight of the continuous phase, wherein the latex polymer particles are dispersed in the continuous phase.

Abstract: A method is provided to hydrogenate a polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation comprising the steps of: providing a solution or suspension of the polymer containing ethylenice unsaturation with an amount of Group VIII metal alkoxide or carboxylate and metal alkyl hydrogenation catalyst effective to permit hydrogenation of the ethylenic unsaturation upon exposure to hydrogen; exposing the polymer solution or suspension to a hydrogen partial pressure for a time period sufficient to hydrogenate greater than about 90 percent of the ethylenic unsaturation; adding additional Group VIII metal alkoxide or carboxylate and metal alkyl hydrogenation catalyst to the polymer solution or suspension after greater than about 90 percent of the ethylenic unsaturation has been hydrogenated; mixing the hydrogenated polymer solution or suspension with the additional Group VIII metal alkoxide or carboxylate and metal alkyl hydrogenation catalyst with an aqueous solution of an acid; and separating a hydrogenated polymer solution o

Abstract: A non-aqueous—organic-solvent-free coating composition having increased block resistance comprising an acrylic modified ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer blend, wherein the acrylic polymer is prepared by emulsion polymerizing at least one ethylenically unsaturated non-carboxy functional monomer, from 0.01 to 2 pphm of a sterically hindered alkoxylated silane monomer, and at least one anionic surfactant, and the ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer is prepared by emulsion polymerizing ethylene and vinyl acetate.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a titanium compound, a complexing agent, hypophosphorous acid or its metal salt, water and optionally a solvent. The complexing agent can be hydroxycarboxylic acid, alkanolamines, aminocarboxylic acids, or combinations of two or more thereof. The solvent can be water, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, isopropylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1-methyl propylene glycol, pentylene glycol, or combinations of two or more thereof. The titanium compound can be combined with a zirconium compound. Also disclosed is a process for using the composition for producing an ester or a polyester. The process comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of the composition, with an alcohol under a condition suitable for esterification, transesterification, polymerization, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: A method of suspension polymerization of a monomeric composition to produce a polymer or a polymer composition is disclosed which method comprises the steps of retaining a disperse phase component composed of the monomeric composition and a continuous phase component composed of a medium in independent vessels, supplying the disperse phase component and the continuous phase component from their respective vessels into a disperser simultaneously and continuously through associated independent passageways, applying shear force in the disperser to form a dispersion having droplets of a desired size, subsequently introducing the dispersion into a polymerization vessel, and completing a polymerizating reaction to produce a polymer or a polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispersing agent for pigments or extenders which is obtainable by salt formation from an amine-functional compound by means of an acid,wherein a polyamine which contains at least three amino groups and which is from the group comprising aliphatic linear polyamines and/or aliphatic branched polyamines and/or modified polyamines, with the proviso that after modification three amino groups which can be converted into salts are still present per molecule, or a mixture of polyamines such as these, is used as the amine-functional compound, andwherein a substance from the group comprising phosphoric acid esters of general formula: (HO).sub.3-n PO(OR.sup.1).sub.n where n=1 or 2, sulphonic acids of general formula HOSO.sub.2 R.sup.2 and acidic sulphuric acid esters of general formula HOSO.sub.3 R.sup.2 is used as the acid, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions containinga) bis(1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-ones) corresponding to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R represents a single bond or a divalent aliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms andb) organic polyamines or polyamine blends having an average of more than 2 NH-- and/or NH.sub.2 -- groups.The present invention also relates to coatings, adhesives or sealants prepared from these aqueous compositions, in particular automotive clear coats.

Abstract: Composite latex whose average particle size is between 30 and 150 nm, as these particles result from polymerization of a mixture hydrophobic monomers composed of styrene and (meth)acrylic esters to produce an emulsion in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble or water-dispersible amphiphilic copolymer having a molecular weight of between 500 and 5,000 and whose acid number of less than 500, said latex being composed of a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers incorporating carboxylic acid functions in the presence of a radical-producing initiator, wherein said aqueous water-soluble amphiphilic polymer is free of any other surfactant or protective colloid and wherein the mass percentage of amphiphilic copolymer in relation to the dry extract of the latex between 10 and 50%.

Abstract: Described is a method of producing an aqueous polymer dispersion, the method calling for further polymerization of the dispersion using a radical mechanism redox initiator system including as the reducing agent the addition compound obtained between a lower ketone and hydrogen sulphite.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of water-absorbent agent powders of the present invention is a method of a reducing an amount of a residue of an epoxy crosslinking agent remaining therein by adding a nucleophilic reagent in a form of powder to surface region crosslinked water-absorbent resin powders having a carboxyl group under an applied heat in which the residue of the crosslinking agent remains. Since the method permits an amount of the residue of the crosslinking agent to be reduced by adding a nucleophilic reagent to the heated water-absorbent resin powders, the water-absorbent agent powders exhibiting well-balanced properties which are mutually negatively correlated from one another, i.e., high absorbency under pressure, a reduced amount of a residue of the epoxy crosslinking agent and a high absorbing rate compared with the conventional surface region crosslinked water-absorbent resin powders can be achieved.

Abstract: Provided is an erasable ink comprising an emulsion liquid prepared by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer containing a conjugate diene compound in a solvent containing water in the presence of a dye and a surfactant, wherein the polymerizable monomer may contain a vinyl compound as well as a conjugate diene compound, and used are 0.01 to 100 parts by weight of the dye and 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of the surfactant each per 100 parts by weight of the polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive prepared from an aqueous emulsion polymer. The polymer is prepared by reacting at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymerizable surfactant having a terminal allyl amine moiety. The pressure sensitive adhesives may be used in all types of tapes, labels, decals, packaging, electrical insulation, and surgical bandaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyesters formed by reacting components comprising: (a) from about 20 to about 45 mol% of a diol; (b) from about 4 to about 25 mol% of a polyol; (c) from about 5 to about 25 mol% of a diacid; (d) up to 6 mol% of an ethylenically unsaturated anhydride; and (e) from about 35 to about 45 mol% of a monofunctional fatty acid, where all mole percentages are based on the total mols of (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). Further, the present invention is directed to liquid enamel compositions comprising: (1) from about 50 to about 90 wt. % of a polyester of the present invention; (2) about 10 to about 50 wt. % of a crosslinking agent; and (3) less than about 20 wt. % of a suitable organic solvent; where all weight percentages are based on the total weight of (1), (2) and (3). The liquid enamel compositions of the present invention have a viscosity of 50 to 1,000 mPa s (cP) at room temperature.

Abstract: A polyester resin aqueous dispersion which provides a coating film having excellent processability, water resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, weather resistance and adhesion to various substrates, and which also has markedly excellent storage stability even at a high solids concentration. The polyester resin aqueous dispersion substantially comprises a specific polyester resin, a basic compound, an amphipathic organic solvent capable of plasticizing the polyester resin, and a compound having a protective colloid action. Furthermore, fine particles of the polyester resin are homogeneously dispersed in an aqueous medium and in a specific dispersed state.

Abstract: An emulsion of a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound dispersed in an aqueous diluent; a curable resin composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound and a curing agent; and a process for producing a laminated wood composite comprising applying said curable resin composition onto wood parts of the composite, bringing the wood parts of the composite together such that curable resin composition is positioned between adjacent wood parts, and curing the curable resin such that after curing cured resin adheres adjacent wood parts to one another.

Abstract: A process for compounding polymer dispersions, which comprises circulating the polymer dispersion from a vessel (7) having a stirring device (6) through a line (3) having a mixing device (2) by means of a pump (4) which is located in the line (3), and, before the entry of the circulated polymer dispersion into the mixing device (2), metering at least one solution or dispersion of at least one compounding material from at least one stock container (5) via a supply line (9) into the circulated polymer dispersion.

Abstract: A method wherein polyesters are prepared under mild conditions by directly condensing hydroxycarboxylic acids or mixtures of polyfunctional alcohols and carboxylic acids in hydrophobic media using heterogeneous catalysts that can form a hydrophilic phase. The systems are inverse emulsions, inverse microemulsions and solid-in-liquid dispersions.

Abstract: An anti-fogging coating composition contains (a) an inorganic alkoxide and/or a hydroxyl group-containing polymer formed therefrom by hydrolysis and polycondensation, the inorganic alkoxide being represented by the formula (I):M(OR).sub.n (X).sub.a-n (I),wherein M is an inorganic element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Ti, Zr, Ca, Fe, V, Sn, Li, Be, B and P; R is an alkyl group; X is an alkyl group with or without functional groups or a halogen atom; a is a number representing the valence of M; and n is an integer from 1 to a; (b) a polyalkylene oxide, a weight ratio of the polyalkylene oxide to the inorganic alkoxide and/or the hydroxyl group-containing polymer being 100/1-100/150; (c) 0.5 parts by weight or less of an acid catalyst per 100 parts by weight of (a); (d) 0.

Abstract: A process for forming a dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene particles in a liquid containing a dispersant by passing the mixture through a plurality of nozzles within a liquid-jet interaction chamber at a pressure of to deagglomerate and stabilize the polytetrafluoroethylene particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from a biomass comprising the PHA, the process comprising: a) treating the biomass with a PHA solvent and a marginal nonsolvent for PHA; b) removing any insoluble biomass, thereby leaving behind a solution of PHA and marginal nonsolvent for PHA; and c) removing the PHA solvent from the solution, thereby resulting in a suspension of precipitated PHA in the marginal nonsolvent for PHA. Optionally, the process further comprises removing the marginal nonsolvent for PHA, thereby leaving behind the PHA. The present invention further relates to the suspension and the PHA produced by the process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a water-soluble self-acid-doped polyaniline, and its sodium salt, which can be cast into free-standing films from their aqueous solutions. A process for preparing a water-soluble self-acid-doped polyaniline is also disclosed, which comprises reacting a polyaniline with a strong base to convert the amino nitrogen thereof to anionic nitrogen; reacting sultone with the anionic nitrogen to form a side chain alkanesulfonic acid group; doping with protonic acid to form precipitate; dissolving (undoping) the precipitate in an alkaline aqueous solution; removing excess alkali from the alkaline aqueous solution; and contacting the resulting aqueous solution with a H.sup.+ -type ion exchange resin. Moreover, an aqueous solution of the present water-soluble self-acid-doped PAn can be easily mixed with an additional water soluble polymer or polymer emulsion, which can then be cased into a polymer blend film having improved mechanical properties and coupling strength to a substrate.

Abstract: A process in which carbon is used to catalyze production of alkylene glycols from alkylene oxides and water. Using this process, carbon may be employed to selectively catalyze the hydrolysis of alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, to monoalkylene gylcols, such as monoethylene glycol. Typically, activated carbon is employed. Suitable forms of activated carbon or other carbon material include powders, granulates, extruded shapes, or mixtures thereof. The process may be carried out as a continuous or batch reaction process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a dispersion of high grade polyester copolymer resin in water comprising 1) combining a crude polyester copolymer resin, having particles of various sizes, with water; 2) heating and agitating the resin/water mixture; 3) cooling the mixture; 4) allowing the mixture to stand undisturbed so that the largest, undispersed particles settle out as a sediment; 5) removing the sediment; and 6) continuously filtering the mixture, using progressively finer filters, leaving only the finest size particles. By using a plurality of filters and sequentially finer filter mesh sizes, a high grade product is attained.

Abstract: An antimicrobial adhesive composition for dental use comprising the following polymerizable monomers: an antimicrobial monomer, an monomer containing at least one acidic group, and a monomer containing at least one alcoholic hydroxy group, in combination with water and a polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step process for making an epichlorohydrin resin involving reacting the epichlorohydrin with a polyamine in a mixture first at a temperature of 25.degree.-40.degree. C. and then heating the mixture at 25.degree.-85.degree. C.

Abstract: There are described water-soluble condensation products of amino-containing compounds and crosslinkers, obtainable by reacting(a) polyalkylenepolyamines, polyamidoamines, ethylene-imine-grafted polyamidoamines, polyetheramines and mixtures thereof, with(b) monethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, salts, esters, amides or nitriles of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, chlorocarboxylic acids and/or glycidyl compounds such as glycidic acid, glycidamide or glycidyl esters, and(c) at least bifunctional crosslinkers having a halo-hydrin, glycidyl, aziridine or isocyanate unit or a halogen atom as functional group,to form water-soluble condensation products having a viscosity of at least 100 mPas in a 20% strength by weight aqueous solution at 20.degree. C., processes for preparing the water-soluble condensation products by reacting the abovementioned compounds of groups (a), (b) and (c), and the use of the condensation products as drainage, flocculation and retention aids in papermaking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric peroxycarbonates, a process for making the polymeric peroxycarbonates and initiator compositions comprising these polymeric peroxycarbonates. The polymeric peroxycarbonates of the present invention provide significant advantages in the polymerization of vinyl monomers.

Abstract: Stable aqueous coemulsions of oxidized polyethylene with amino functional silicone fluids which includes at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of; ethoxylated aliphatic amines, ethoxylated nonylphenols, ethoxylated primary alcohols, ethoxylated secondary alcohols or other nonionic emulsifiers are taught, as well as processes for making the same. The coemulsions may also comprise further constituents, including but not limited to fatty acids, ammonium hydroxide, salts and water. The coemulsions find use in conjunction with textile processing and paper processing.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particles of at least 1.0 micrometer which comprises forming at atmospheric conditions droplets of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer the monomer being liquid at standard conditions of 0.degree. C. and one atmosphere pressure, together with from about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the monomer, of a nonreactive compound in an aqueous medium, the nonreactive compound having a solubility in water less than that of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the aqueous medium containing a surfactant or organic hydrophilic colloid, the monomer droplets being formed by using only sufficient energy to achieve a size of 1.0 micrometer or larger, and polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: Method of preparing a wet-strength resin of the polyamine-epichlorohydrin type in which the E/N ratio is from about 1.0 to about 1.20 and the reaction temperature is no higher than 50.degree. C., and wet-strength resins having high wet-strength and low amounts of chlorinated compounds produced by said method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pigment containing polymer particles comprises the steps of dissolving a surface active agent in a water at concentration higher than the CMC, dispersing a pigment, diluting the suspension at the concentration not higher than the CMC, and adding a monomer and a polymerization initiator for forming the pigment-containing polymer particles.

Abstract: Perfume compositions are formed by hydrolyzing an aqueous mixture of an alkoxide, a silane coupling agent, and a perfume substance using an acid catalyst, then condensing the resulting hydrolysate using a base catalyst, to form a conjugated polymer matrix encapsulating and/or clathrating the perfume substance.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions and process aids useful in paper processing for quenching optical brighteners, particularly under alkaline paper production conditions. The process aids are aqueous compositions comprising (a) an acid addition salt or quartenization product of a cyclic amidine, (b) a polyethyleneimine and optionally (c) an acid. The aqueous compositions and process aids may be added to paper feedstocks in paper production apparatus or to paper production apparatus absent a paper feedstock.

Abstract: Stable aqueous coemulsions of oxidized polyethylene with amino functional silicone fluids which includes at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of; ethoxylated aliphatic amines, ethoxylated nonylphenols, ethoxylated primary alcohols, ethoxylated secondary alcohols or other nonionic emulsifiers are taught, as well as processes for making the same. The coemulsions may also comprise further constituents, including but not limited to fatty acids, ammonium hydroxide, salts and water. The coemulsions find use in conjunction with textile processing and paper processing.

Abstract: Solid form additive systems which are dispersible in aqueous media are disclosed, as are methods for preparing such additive systems and methods for dispersing such additive systems in aqueous media. Also disclosed are methods for applying additives to polymeric particles and the polymeric particles treated by such methods.

Abstract: Methods for preparing highly conductive polymers in water-in-oil microemulsions are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful for preparing conductive polyaniline in the forms of fine particles, membrane composites and coatings on electrodes. The composites and the coatings of the polyaniline have been shown to exhibit conductivities in the range of 150-400 S cm.sup.-1.

Abstract: A wet strength resin composition is comprised of an aminopolyamide-epichlorohydrin acid salt resin having a total organically bound chlorine of up to 0.7% by weight of the resin. The amount of total organically bound chlorine present is controlled by the process parameters.

Abstract: A wet strength resin composition is comprised of an aminopolyamide-epichlorohydrin acid salt resin having a total organic chlorine of up to about 0.1% by weight of the resin. The amount of total organic chlorine present is controlled by the process parameters.

Abstract: A polymer emulsion capable of becoming water swellable is provided by mixing a monomer represented by the general formula ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 indicates H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 indicate an alkyl radical represented by CnH.sub.2N+1 in which n is a positive integer, A indicates --O--CH.sub.2 -- or --NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected within the range wherein the monomer exhibits sparing solubility or insolubility in water)with a crosslinking agent and optionally with another vinyl monomer capable of copolymerization therewith, and emulsion polymerizing the so-obtained mixture in water. The so obtained a polymer can be made water swellable by reaction with an acid, a salt or a quaternizing agent.

Abstract: Stable water-in-oil emulsions of a hydrolyzed polymer of an N-vinylamide of the formula ##STR1## where R and R.sup.1 are each H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, are prepared by polymerizing a compound of the formula I, alone or as a mixture with other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion to give a water-in-oil polymer emulsion, and then hydrolyzing the polymer, hydrolysis of the polymer in the form of the water-in-oil polymer emulsion being carried out in the presence of an acid or base, and additives in the form of antioxidants, reducing agents or aldehyde acceptors being added for stabilization.

Abstract: Aqueous non-self-emulsifying polymer dispersions having small particles and a long shelf life and based on highly viscous reaction resins are prepared without the addition of solvents, by means of an intensively dispersing screw apparatus, by a continuous process in which the preparation of the polymer dispersion is carried out in an intensive shear zone of the screw apparatus, the water/reaction resin ratio in this intensive shear zone corresponding to the phase inversion point or being close to it, and the specific energy supply is 0.01-0.15 kWh/kg, the residence time is 0.1-60 sec and the shear gradient is 2,000-20,000 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: Compositions having perfume substance encapsulated or clathrated within are prepared by acid hydrolysis of an aqueous mixture of perfume substance and an alkoxide selected from metal alkoxides, phosphorus alkoxides, and tetraethoxysilane, followed by base catalyzed polycondensation using as a base catalyst N,N-dimenthylbenzylamine, tributylamine, tri-N-propylamine, tri-pentylamine, tripropargylamine, N,N,N-trimethylethylenediamine, or tri-N-hexylamine.

Abstract: Stable mixed emulsion/dispersions of a liquid polysulfide and an oxidative curative therefor are provided. The liquid polysulfide is emulsified in water using a surfactant with a hydrophile/lipophile balance of between 18 and 20. Particulates of an oxidative curative are separately dispersed with surfactants in water. The emulsions and dispersion are then blended together.