Abstract: A process for the continuous coagulation and drying of rubber latex includes feeding the latex onto an endless conveyor belt which feeds the latex through a coagulator. A combination of microwave energy and hot air raises the temperature of the latex causing it to coagulate in a coagulation time of less than five minutes. The coagulated rubber from the coagulator is fed into a conveyor belt of a stretch unit which stretches the rubber by increasing its speed of travel. The stretched rubber is then conveyed onto the upper belt of a drying unit. The drying rubber is passed from the upper belt onto an intermediate belt and then on to a lower belt before leaving the drying unit. A combination of microwave energy and hot air in the drying unit is used to dry the rubber to a moisture content of less than 1.5%.

Abstract: This invention is of a hybrid organoclay that consists of an organic chemical/phyllosilicate clay intercalate that has been ion-exchanged with quaternary ammonium compounds. Since this hybrid organoclay is hydrophobic, it can be washed in water to remove reaction salts and excess water soluble or water dispersible polymers to give a clean product via inexpensive means such as filtration. This allows a better dispersing composition to be prepared without the difficulties of isolation presented by prior art which uses energy intensive means to remove the bulk of the water from the final product and cannot be easily washed. In one aspect, the present invention provides a solid clay/chemical composition that comprises: (a) one or more smectite clays, (b) a quaternary ammonium compound which reacts via an ion exchange mechanism with the smectite clay, and (c) one or more non-anionic organic materials that intercalate with the clay.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of pigment granules includes mixing at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of iron oxide and chromium oxides with 1-25 wt. % water to form a damp powder. The damp powder is then pressure extruded through at least one die to form granules. The granules are then dried so that the final water content of the granules is less than about 1%, crumble and sieved to form the final product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymer compositions with flame retardant properties that are made from a polymer blended using a defined process with a smectite clay that has been reacted with a specified mixture of organic materials. The inventive compositions have the property that when the organically modified clay is added to the polymer, a composite results which has flame-retardant properties and is based on the finding that degree of dispersion of a smectite organoclay in a polymer matrix will give the compositions flame-retardant properties. Further, it has been found that it is very important to proper functioning of the flame retardant polymer compositions that they have the organoclay dispersed in the polymer such that it is not completely exfoliated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of pigment granules that are readily dispersible, robust, and have a reduced liability to dusting, preferably without the use of substantial quantities of binder, if any at all. The method comprises mixing at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of iron oxides, chromium oxides, cobalt blues, mixed metal oxides, carbon blacks and titanium oxides, with water to form a mixture having a dough-like consistency. The mixture is then extruded through at least one die to form extruded granules, thereby also compacting the mixture, which increases the strength of the granules. The extruded granules are then dried so that the final water content of the granules is less than substantially 5%.

Abstract: This invention is of a composition comprised of a smectite clay modified with an organic chemical composition and a polymer. The composition consists of an organic chemical/smectite clay intercalate that has been ion-exchanged and reacted and intercalated with one or more quarternary ammonium compounds and an anionic material and further blended into a polymer resin to make a nanocomposite composition. This material can be blended into a wide variety of polymers. This kind of system gives improved dispersion over conventional organoclays, intercalates or hybrid clays described in the literature, especially in non-polar resins. The defined organoclay has been found to be highly dispersible in a variety of polymers, whether polar or non-polar.

Abstract: Conventional organophilic clays, when used as rheological additives in oil based invert muds, display marked viscosity loses in the mud when these muds are heated much above 350° F., whereas muds prepared according to the present invention are dramatically more viscosity stable at temperatures through 500° F. The present invention relates to the discovery of oil based invert emulsion drilling fluids that provides more stable drilling fluid viscosity and anti-settling performance over varying temperatures when compared to conventional fluids containing organoclays. As a result, the inventive fluids of this invention are ideal candidates for high temperature applications. This invention in another aspect of this invention is a process for improving the rheological properties of oil well drilling fluids particularly useful for oil-based invert emulsion types of drilling fluids.

Abstract: An improved thickening composition for organic systems, including paints and coatings, is described. The additive provides paints and coatings more than adequate viscosity improvement without affecting intercoat adhesion characteristics.

Abstract: An anti-abrasion additive for ink formulations includes sintered polytetrafluoroethylene in a reduced amount; a petrolatum; and a high melting point microcrystalline wax. The additive, when dispersed in an ink, provides the ink with good slip, abrasion resistance, low misting, and mar resistance.

Abstract: This invention is of a hybrid organoclay that consists of an organic chemical/phyllosilicate clay intercalate that has been ion-exchanged with quaternary ammonium compounds. Since this hybrid organoclay is hydrophobic, it can be washed in water to remove reaction salts and excess water soluble or water dispersible polymers to give a clean product via inexpensive means such as filtration. This allows a better dispersing composition to be prepared without the difficulties of isolation presented by prior art which uses energy intensive means to remove the bulk of the water from the final product and cannot be easily washed. In one aspect, the present invention provides a solid clay/chemical composition that comprises: (a) one or more smectite clays, (b) a quaternary ammonium compound which reacts via an ion exchange mechanism with the smectite clay, and (c) one or more non-anionic organic materials that intercalate with the clay.

Abstract: This invention is of a drilling fluid composition containing a liquid thixotrope, which thixotrope is free of solvents or any other diluent, and is in easily usable, liquid form, pourable at ambient temperatures, and which provides effective and efficient rheological properties when used at low levels in such compositions. In a specific aspect, the invention provides an oil or oil invert emulsion drilling fluid composition containing one or more organoclays, and in addition contains a additive which comprises the reaction product of an alkoxylated nitrogen containing compound or a diamine, and one or more polycarboxylic acids in a specified equivalent ratio.

Abstract: The compositions described include micronized zinc oxide UV blocking agents with at least one organic UV protective compound. Premix compositions are provided for imparting improved UV resistance to paints, coatings, finishes and plastic articles comprising both micronized inorganic zinc oxide and organic UV protective compounds suitable for easy later inclusion into paint, coating, finish and plastic articles formulations.

Abstract: An improved surface feed filter pump box for aquarium is provided which feeds water from the surface for filtration. The box performs this filtration inside the aquarium. Since the device does not hang on the outside of the tank there is no leaking or overflowing operation is quiet. Water circulation helps bring more nutrition to live plant and fish life and prevents waste from collecting at the bottom of the aquarium. It also helps prevent excessive overflow and the motor used from running dry. The invention in addition makes changing filters easy and convenient.

Abstract: This invention is of a resin composition including an additive of one or more organic peroxide thermal imitators to cationic photoinitiators, that are sensitized with alpha-hydroxy-ketones, which composition provides a self-propagating thermal curing reaction first activated by a short duration of surface ultraviolet radiation. The thermal reaction is non-directional, thus eliminating the line of sight limitation of current radiation curing processes. Complete curing can be achieved of the composition in a very short time; often after only a few minutes or less. The activation period can be provided by only a few seconds of ultraviolet light using a wide variety of commercial ultraviolet light sources.

Abstract: A flexible capsule formed from a modified starch free of animal based gelatin. The invention provides a novel capsule defining a closed interior chamber, the capsule being formulated from a composition which is free of animal based gelatin comprising at least one plant based starch having been modified to have gelatin like properties; and a paint ball formulation, drug, vitamin, perfume or bath product contained within the capsule.

Abstract: This invention is a process for improving the rheological properties of oil well drilling fluids particularly useful for oil-based invert emulsion types of drilling fluids. The process is particularly useful when drilling in deep water from an off-shore drilling rig. The new process uses as a rheological viscosifier, for such fluids, a composition which is a mixture of organoclays and castor wax and/or castor was type rheological additives, which when added to a drilling fluid at from about 0.5 and 5% by weight, creates an inventive drilling fluid compositions less sensitive to the variety of different and varying, very hot and very cold temperatures found in the drilling hole, and in the long stem of drilling pipe. The present invention also relates to the discovery of oil based invert emulsion drilling fluids that exhibit greater efficiency and provides more stable drilling fluid viscosity and anti-settling performance over varying temperatures when compared to conventional fluids containing organoclays.

Abstract: An improved drilling fluid with enhanced anti-settling properties useful for oil well drilling systems is described. The invention includes a process for providing anti-settling properties to oil invert (i.e., water in oil emulsion) based fluids. The drilling fluid/drilling mud invention contains at least one copolymer reaction product of which the reactants comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic compound and at least one alpha-olefin. As an alternative embodiment one or more rheologically-active clays including organoclays and smectite clays in combination with such copolymer reaction product are also added to the drilling fluid. The invention also includes an anti-settling additive comprising a rheologically active clay and the above described copolymer.

Abstract: An organophilic clay thickener for natural oil systems comprising the reaction product of a smectite-type clay and an organic cation in an amount of from about 75% to about 150% of the cation exchange capacity of the smectite-type clay. Said organophilic clay comprising at least one naturally occurring, resulting in increased efficiency as a thickener in natural oil systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cured compositions useful as adhesives and sealants formed by dispersing an amine-terminated polyamide curative into a base to form a composite and activating the composite forming the cured composition. Bases described include epoxies, polysulfides and cyanoacrylates. Curing mechanisms include heat and pressure activation. The amine-terminated polyamide curative has a ratio of equivalents of amine to acid groups of from about 1.05:1.00 equivalents NH.sub.X :COOH to no greater than about 1.95:1.00 when x is 1 or 2.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium compositions are described which are made in diluents based on vegetable oil such as soya bean oil. Such diluents remain as diluents in the final product and generally have a vapor pressure of 1 mm of Hg or less at 25.degree. C., and are liquid at ambient temperature. The liquid quaternary ammonium compound/diluent compositions have low toxicity and low volatile organic compound emission rates and high flash points, and can be tailored to particular applications. Such applications include use in fabric softeners, as cosmetics ingredients, deinking additives, surfactants, and reaction materials in the manufacture of organoclays.