Abstract: A polymer comprising styrene or substituted-styrene and carboxylated monomer is prepared by a solution polymerization process, comprising first a polymerization step, followed by a neutralization step, and then a distillation step. The polymers have relatively low molecular weights, generally below about 10,000, and can have higher styrene content than has hither been possible. The polymers are found to have good soil release properties and so to be particularly useful in cleaning compositions for fabric or hard surface cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric treatment compositions that contain an aqueous solution of a poly-functional molecule comprising at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, anhydride and amine; and a poly(hydroxy) crosslinking agent, and to methods of treating fabric which comprise applying to the fabric an amount of the fabric treatment composition which is effective to impart temporary crease resistance and stain resistance thereto.

Abstract: The water-treatment processes of this invention utilize maleate copolymers to sequester water hardness ions, modify crystal formation in water and inhibit scale formation (e.g., in circulating water systems and oil field production systems), which polymers contain from about 40 to 70 mole percent of dicarboxylic functionality provided by a maleate monomer upon polymerization, from about 1 to about 15 mole percent of the polymerized residue of a non-ionic monomer, and from about 20 to about 50 mole percent of monocarboxylic functionality.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carpet coating compositions which utilize an emulsion binder which is prepared by emulsion polymerization of ethylene, a vinyl ester monomer having a Tg of between about 20.degree. C. and about 45.degree. C., and an essentially non-reactive monomer having a Tg of less than 10.degree. C., and to carpet products prepared with the carpet coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions having pH of less than or equal to about 11 and which contain a thickening amount of an acrylate-based rheology modifier, which modifier contains an emulsion which is prepared by single-stage emulsion polymerization of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and/or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, a monomer chosen from a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylate, a mono or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and optionally cross-linking monomers and/or associative monomers, in the presence of water, a first surfactant, a free-radical initiator and an alcohol selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Mono(hydroxyalkyl)urea and 2-oxazolidone crosslinking agents and compositions which utilize such crosslinking agents are disclosed. The mono(hydroxyalkyl)urea crosslinking agents contain a single urea group, a single hydroxyl group, and have at least two carbon atoms disposed between the urea group and the hydroxyl group. The compositions contain a poly-functional molecule which contains at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and anhydride.

Abstract: Methods of preparing granules which contain a water soluble or water dispersable polymer suitable for use in detergents are disclosed, in which a solution of the polymer in a liquid or a dispersion of the polymer in a liquid is formed into granules, in a single drying and granulation stage, wherein the polymer solution or dispersion is introduced into a substantially horizontal drum containing a multiplicity or rotating arms proximate its internal surface, which internal surface has an elevated temperature, and a gas is introduced into the drum at an elevated temperature via a gas inlet. Granules prepared by such methods may be used in detergent compositions, water treatment compositions, agrochemical compositions, adhesive compositions and cosmetic compositions, and may be used as pigment dispersants, mineral dispersants, cement additives, oil field additives, textile additives and paper additives.

Abstract: A polymer comprising styrene or substituted-styrene and carboxylated monomer is prepared by a solution polymerization process, comprising first a polymerization step, followed by a neutralization step, and then a distillation step. The polymers have relatively low molecular weights, generally below about 10,000, and can have higher styrene content than has hither been possible. The polymers are found to have good soil release properties and so to be particularly useful in cleaning compositions for fabric or hard surface cleaning.

Abstract: The detergent compositions of the present invention utilize cold-water-soluble starch, either chemically modified or not, as multifunctional detergent adjuncts, in amounts effective to impart simultaneously anti-redeposition properties and soil release properties to the detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step process for preparing amido-carboxylic acid esters having the amide nitrogen positioned between two carbonyl carbons by reacting a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester with a monohydric alcohol and either a lactam, amino-carboxylic acid or a polymeric amino-carboxylic acid. In this process, amidation, esterification, alcoholysis, and hydrolysis reactions occur simultaneously.

Abstract: This invention relates to linear, water-dispersible sulfopolyesters prepared using high molecular weight polyethylene glycol blocks and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol. The high molecular weight polyethylene glycol has the formula H--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH where n is 20 to 500, and the low molecular weight polyethylene glycol has the structure H--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n' --OH where n' is 2 to 6. The sulfopolyesters are useful as textile fiber sizes that possess improved adhesion, flexibility, and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing an aromatic polyamide. More specifically, the process involves reacting an aromatic chloride having at least two chlorine atoms covalently bonded to an aromatic ring in non-ortho positions or an aromatic chloroamine having at least one chlorine atom covalently bonded to an aromatic ring and at least one amino group covalently bonded an aromatic ring, carbon monoxide, and a diamine, in the presence of an iodide salt, a catalyst, and a base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing an aromatic amide. More specifically, the process involves reacting carbon monoxide, an amine and an aromatic chloride in the presence of an iodide or bromide salt, a catalyst, and a base.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pump hair spray formulation containing 0.5 to 15 weight percent of a water-dispersible or water-dissipatible, linear sulfopolyester having a Tg of 40.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. and an inherent viscosity of 0.24 to 0.60 dl/g which contains repeat units from 20 to 26 mole percent dimethyl-5-sodiosulfoisophthalate and 74 to 80 mole percent isophthalic acid, based on 100 mole percent dicarboxylic acid; 10 to 30 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and 70 to 90 mole percent diethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent diol; and up to 60 weight percent of an alcohol. The pump hair spray formulations are clear, have improved dry time and curl retention, and exhibit less than 20 NTU's, which is a measure of turbidity, even at alcohol concentrations of 60 weight percent.

Abstract: A clear hair spray formulation which exhibits less than 30 NTU's and contains a linear sulfopolyester and a water-soluble polymer wherein the formulation is in water or a water/alcohol mixture. The sulfopolyester has a glass transition temperature of 40.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. and contains repeat units from the reaction product of a dicarboxylic acid, a diol and a difunctional sulfomonomer. The difunctional sulfomonomer is present in an amount from 18.5 to 22.5 mole percent based on 100 mole percent dicarboxylic acid and 100 mole percent diol. The hair spray formulation may optionally contain a propellant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing amido ester compounds. The process involves (I) forming a mixture in a reactor of a phenol derivative and an amido-carboxylic acid at a temperature which ensures at least partial solubility of the phenol derivative and the amido-carboxylic acid, and (II) adding a carboxylic anhydride incrementally to the mixture formed in Step (I) while distilling a by-product carboxylic acid from the reactor. The amido esters are useful as bleach activators.

Abstract: This invention relates to linear, water-dispersible sulfopolyesters that incorporate higher order polyalkylene glycol units. The sulfopolyesters provide improved abrasion and blocking resistances in polyester fiber sizing applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous coating compositions containing water soluble cellulose esters which are cross-linked with a resin system in the presence of an organic sulfonic acid catalyst for the formation of a film. The cellulose esters contain a low degree of substitution performed by solvolysis of cellulose esters of higher degree of substitution in the presence of a carboxylic acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin treating composition containing vitamin E; a blend comprising acetylated monoglyceride and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester; a blend comprising distilled monoglyceride, distilled propylene glycol monoester, and sodium or calcium stearoyl lactylate; water; and oxidized cellulose. The skin treating composition reduces inflammation, swelling, and itching, and reduces formation of scars in the tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyester/plasticizer blends which are useful as heat-shrinkable films or sheet in low temperature shrink packaging applications. The plasticizer is injected into the melt of the polyester. The plasticizer lowers the glass transition temperature, on-set temperature and shrink rate of the polyester. Film or sheet produced by the polyester/plasticizer blends is clear.