Abstract: This invention provides a composition and method for maintaining the appearance of stone floor surfaces such as marble that avoids the need for use of oxalic acid. This is provided by a stone floor surface crystallizer composition comprising from about 12% to 25% of a silicofluoride crystallizing agent such as magnesium silicofluoride; from about 15% to 25% of at least one fatty acid containing from about 16 to 22 carbon atoms such as stearic acid or mixtures of palhitic, stearic and oleic acids; from about 25% to 45% of at least one particulate abrasive, more preferably, an aluminum oxide abrasive; from about 80% to 140%, based upon the stoichiometric amount of carboxyl groups present in the fatty acid of the composition, of at least one alkaline neutralizing agent for the fatty acid such as a volatile amine such as triethanolamine; from about 0.1% to 2%, of a silicone fluid such as polydimethylsiloxane fluid having a viscosity of from about 100 to 2000 centistokes (0.01 to 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device (10) for preventing back flow of possibly-contaminated water into a potable water system. The device (10) includes first, second and third nozzles (33, 35, 37) in series flow relationship, and an air gap (49) between the first and second nozzles (33, 35). In the improvement, the air gap (49) is a primary air gap and the device (10) includes a secondary air gap (19) fixed with respect to the second nozzle (35). In a more specific aspect of the new device (10), the second and third nozzles (35, 37) are in a tubular housing (41) and the device (10) includes a containment bowl (21) around the housing (41). The secondary air gap (19) includes an aperture (53) in the housing wall (55) and such aperture (53) opens to the containment bowl (21). Other aspects of the new device (10 involve particular nozzle configurations and relationships and a restrictor (103) inhibiting back flow.

Abstract: A guidance system for a self-advancing vehicle such as a floor washing machine is provided in an arrangement which does not spoil the beauty of, for example, a floor surface, which can be reused multiple times, which is low in cost and which more reliably follows a guidance line. A guidance line is drawn with a luminous material or with a coating material mainly consisting thereof along a predetermined traveling path on a floor surface. The guidance line is drawn on the floor surface with a mixture in which the luminous material is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. Alternatively, a mixture in which the luminous material is mixed with a coating agent such as floor polish or wax is applied to the floor surface to draw the guidance line. The luminous material is, for example, an ultraviolet-absorbing material, an infrared-absorbing material or a visible light-absorbing material.

Abstract: A water-based or solvent-based, or combinations thereof, aerosol insecticide is provided. Dimethylether (DME) is used both as a solvent and a propellant. The DME holds the ingredients of the aerosol in a homogenous liquid solution while it is in an aerosol bomb. Upon release of the aerosol, the DME flashes off and the remaining ingredients separate into two phases: a liquid phase, and a solid or oil phase having the active insecticidal ingredients.

Abstract: A novel aqueous polymeric formulation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymeric formulation, and of using the polymeric formulation to produce a crosslinked polymeric surface coating on a substrate. One embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises an aqueous carrier; at least one polymeric ingredient; a non-polymeric polyfunctional amine; and base. The one polymeric ingredient has both acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The non-polymeric polyfunctional amine has at least two amine-functional moieties. The amount of base contained within the formulation is effective for inhibiting gellation, which would otherwise occur as a result of crosslinking between the acetoacetoxy-type functional and amine-functional moieties. Another embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises at least two polymeric ingredients, one of which has acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties and the other of which has acid-functional pendant moieties.

Abstract: A novel aqueous polymeric formulation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymeric formulation, and of using the polymeric formulation to produce a crosslinked polymeric surface coating on a substrate. One embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises an aqueous carrier; at least one polymeric-ingredient; a non-polymeric polyfunctional amine; and base. The one polymeric ingredient has both acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The non-polymeric polyfunctional amine has at least two amine-functional moieties. The amount of base contained within the formulation is effective for inhibiting gellation, which would otherwise occur as a result of crosslinking between the acetoacetoxy-type functional and amine-functional moieties. Another embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises at least two polymeric ingredients, one of which has acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties and the other of which has acid-functional pendant moieties.

Abstract: A novel aqueous polymeric formulation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymeric formulation, and of using the polymeric formulation to produce a crosslinked polymeric surface coating on a substrate. One embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises an aqueous carrier; at least one polymeric-ingredient; a non-polymeric polyfunctional amine; and base. The one polymeric ingredient has both acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The non-polymeric polyfunctional amine has at least two amine-functional moieties. The amount of base contained within the formulation is effective for inhibiting gellation, which would otherwise occur as a result of crosslinking between the acetoacetoxy-type functional and amine-functional moieties. Another embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises at least two polymeric ingredients, one of which has acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties and the other of which has acid-functional pendant moieties.

Abstract: A novel aqueous polymeric formulation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymeric formulation, and of using the polymeric formulation to produce a crosslinked polymeric surface coating on a substrate. One embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises an aqueous carrier; at least one polymeric ingredient; a non-polymeric polyfunctional amine; and base. The one polymeric ingredient has both acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The non-polymeric polyfunctional amine has at least two amine-functional moieties. The amount of base contained within the formulation is effective for inhibiting gellation, which would otherwise occur as a result of crosslinking between the acetoacetoxy-type functional and amine-functional moieties. Another embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises at least two polymeric ingredients, one of which has acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties and the other of which has acid-functional pendant moieties.

Abstract: Hot melt polymer/fatty acid compositions are described that render fibrous products such as paper, paperboard and corrugated paper containers water-resistant at room temperature, but enable such articles to be repulped and recycled when the coated articles are repulped in a heated nearly neutral to alkaline pH aqueous medium.

Abstract: A fluid-mixing device and a fluid-dispensing system are disclosed. The fluid-mixing device comprises a nozzle (200) having an outlet (210), an inlet (208) adapted for receiving a high-pressure liquid diluent, a nozzle mixing chamber (226), an orificed fluid passageway (236) communicating with the mixing chamber (226), and an orificed fluid-metering element (180) in fluid communication with the fluid passageway (236). A vacuum effect is created in the mixing chamber (226) when high-pressure liquid is passed from the nozzle inlet (208) to the nozzle outlet (210).

Abstract: An improved aspirator device for the accurate blending of an additive liquid such as a liquid concentrate with a pressurized stream of a main liquid such as water. The improvement involves the use of a metering means composed of at least two plastic injection molded restrictors in serial communication. Each restrictor has, as its smallest diameter fluid passage, a hollow bore of from about 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches in diameter and from about 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches in length wherein the dimensions of each hollow bore are such to provide a volume:volume dilution ratio of the additive liquid to the main liquid of from about 1:500 to 1:2,500.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous production, with reduced gel formation, of free radical addition polymers from ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing at least one free hydroxyl group such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, from about 0 to about 5% by weight of an alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and the remainder of the monomers used are free radical addition copolymerizable compounds such as styrene, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate. The free radical addition polymerization is conducted at from about 150.degree. C. to about 310.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure in the presence of one or more solvents. The solvent or the volume average of the solvent mixture has an overall calculated root mean square value of the hydrogen bonding and polar contributions of each solvent's solubility parameters in the range of from about 6 to about 15.

Abstract: An overcap for a self-pressurized aerosol container is disclosed that dispenses the contents of the container as an aerosol spray in either an intermittent or continuous manner. The overcap is particularly useful in conjunction with the delivery of a fine particle size insecticide spray or fog and is economical to manufacture because it has few moving parts. The overcap comprises a shell containing an aerosol actuator button that further contains a mutually cooperable, releasably locking engagement. Intermittent aerosol dispensing is achieved without interference by the engagement. Continuous aerosol dispensing is achieved by having the user position a movable engagement so that it engages the other engagement while the actuator button is held by the user in its dispensing position. The user then releases the actuator button and the engagement retains the actuator button in the atomization position for continuous spraying.

Abstract: A novel aqueous polymeric formulation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymeric formulation, and of using the polymeric formulation to produce a crosslinked polymeric surface coating on a substrate. One embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises an aqueous carrier; at least one polymeric ingredient; a non-polymeric polyfunctional amine; and base. The one polymeric ingredient has both acid-functional and acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties. The non-polymeric polyfunctional amine has at least two amine-functional moieties. The amount of base contained within the formulation is effective for inhibiting gellation, which would otherwise occur as a result of crosslinking between the acetoacetoxy-type functional and amine-functional moieties. Another embodiment of the novel polymeric formulation comprises at least two polymeric ingredients, one of which has acetoacetoxy-type functional pendant moieties and the other of which has acid-functional pendant moieties.

Abstract: Hot melt polymer/fatty acid compositions are described that render fibrous products such as paper, paperboard and corrugated paper containers water-resistant at room temperature, but enable such articles to be repulped and recycled when the coated articles are repulped in a heated nearly neutral to alkaline pH aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method of improving the stability and broadening the range of pH stability of an aqueous solution of from about 0.001% to 5% by weight of a water soluble organosilane containing hydrolyzable groups such as methyltrimethoxysilane, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethyldi(decyl) ammonium chloride by the use of 0.05% to 10% by weight of a water soluble organic quaternary ammonium compound having at least one nitrogen-bonded hydrocarbon group of at least 8 carbon atoms and being free of silicon atoms, such as benzalkonium chloride, along with from about 0.5% to 30% by weight of at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic, amphoteric sarcosine anionic, and cationic surfactants other than the water soluble quaternary ammonium compounds. The pH of the solution can be adjusted to from about 1 to about 13.5 with a suitable acid or base.

Abstract: Novel polymeric compositions are disclosed. The polymeric compositions, in particular, are either soluble or readily dispersible in water. Such polymeric compositions can be characterized as polymeric blends containing at least one acid-functional vinyl polymer and at least one amino-functional siloxane polymer. The novel polymeric blends further include volatile aqueous media comprising water and base in an amount that is effective for preventing the acid-functional moieties of the vinyl polymer from chemically reacting with the amino-functional moieties of the siloxane polymer. Such compositions or "blends", in general, comprise 60-99.9 parts-by-weight of the acid-functional vinyl polymer and 0.1-40 parts-by-weight of the amino-functional siloxane polymer, based upon total weight of the blended polymeric composition. Also disclosed are methods of producing the blended polymeric composition.