Abstract: Slurries of water soluble cellulose ethers are disclosed. The slurries comprise particulate cellulose ethers in an oxygenated, organic carrier which is substantially a non-solvent for the cellulose ethers, a thickening agent and optionally surfactants and other ingredients. The ingredients contained in the slurries are compatible with the ingredients used in the manufacture of latex compositions, e.g., latex paints.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for enhancing the toughness, e.g., resistance to cracking upon flexation, of coatings made from cycloaliphatic epoxide derivatives wherein the cycloaliphatic epoxide derivative is a cycloaliphatic epoxide ester of a hydroxy-functional compound containing at least one branched, 1,2-alkylene oxide unit. Processes for making the cycloaliphatic epoxide derivatives and coating formulations comprising the cycloaliphatic epoxide derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the conversion of propylene to an acrolein derivative by converting propylene to acrolein and converting acrolein to the acrolein derivative. The processes utilize oxygen and recycle propane to the acrolein reactor. Process feeds can comprise, propane, propylene or mixtures thereof. The presence of propane in the propylene-to-acrolein reaction can enhance the efficiency of the processes.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the conversion of propylene to acrolein in the presence of propane. The processes utilize oxygen and recycle propane to the acrolein reactor. Process feeds can comprise, propane, propylene or mixtures thereof. The presence of propane in the propylene-to-acrolein reaction can enhance the efficiency of the processes.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the conversion of propylene to methylmercaptopropanal by converting propylene to acrolein and converting acrolein to methylmercaptopropanal. The processes utilize oxygen and recycle propane to the acrolein reactor. Process feeds can comprise, propane, propylene or mixtures thereof. The presence of propane in the propylene-to-acrolein reaction can enhance the efficiency of the processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to delivery systems comprising a cationic polymer, optionally in conjunction with an anionic polymer, to deliver cationic therapeutic agents and their application to a mucosal surface. In particular, these delivery systems are well suited for the treatment of intraocular pressure and glaucoma by way of a sustained delivery system.

Abstract: Coating compositions which provide coatings having enhanced properties, e.g., gloss, are disclosed. The coating compositions may be water-borne compositions, or may be water-reducible or water-dispersible compositions including a thermoplastic resin component. Such compositions include a gloss enhancing amount of a nitrogen-containing component selected from compounds having the formula ##STR1## and mixtures thereof, wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and divalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to about 2 carbon atoms,R'OH wherein R' is a divalent hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, provided that the compound includes at least one hydroxyl group and if one R is a divalent radical then another R is a bond in the divalent radical or is another divalent radical.

Abstract: Improved low pressure molding compositions are disclosed which comprise an unsaturated thermosetting resin, an olefinically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the thermosetting resin, a viscosity reducing additive, a thermoplastic additive and a thickener comprising one or more alkaline earth metal oxides or hydroxides which can provide the molding compositions with viscosities of less than 25 MMcps after aging.

Abstract: Hydroxylated milk glycerides having low levels of ethylenic unsaturation are disclosed. The hydroxylated milk glycerides can have enhanced resistance to rancidification and as such, are suitable for use in personal care compositions e.g., lotions, skin creams, lipsticks, eye shadow, and makeup. Personal care compositions comprising the hydroxylated milk glycerides can have enhanced properties as compared to personal care compositions which do not comprise the hydroxylated milk glycerides or alternatively comprise milk fat.

Abstract: Molding compositions comprising certain epoxy compounds, at least one antioxidant, an unsaturated thermosetting resin and an olefinically unsaturated monomer are disclosed. The disclosed compositions can provide enhanced yellowing resistance to articles molded from the compositions, particularly when the molding compositions contain white pigment. Processes from molding articles having enhanced yellowing resistance are also disclosed.

Abstract: Distortion control additives are disclosed which comprise a polyisocyanate, a polyol or polyol blend having a hydroxyl functionality of 2 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule and an average molecular weight of at least about 500 grams per gram mole, a diol chain extender having from about 2 to 35 carbon atoms per molecule and an acrylate or methacrylate having an acrylate functionality of from 1 to 5 acrylate groups per molecule. Ultraviolet-curable liquid compositions comprising an unsaturated polymeric resin, a monomer and the distortion control additives of the present invention are also disclosed. The distortion control additives can provide substantial reductions in distortion, e.g., shrinkage, of objects produced by ultraviolet curing, eg., stereolithography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to latex compositions having desirable wet adhesion and other rheological properties. The processes of the invention allow for preparation of a first polymer which, upon addition of a base or neutralizing agent, substantially dissolves the first polymer, thereby providing a medium for polymerization of a second polymer, stabilizing the second polymer and acting as a dispersant for other coating composition components such as pigments, coalescents, fillers and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers, especially emulsion polymers, and their use for the thickening of a variety of aqueous systems, to methods of thickening utilizing the polymers, to enhancement of such thickening by the addition of surfactants, solvents or non-solvents, and to other aspects including coating compositions and other aqueous systems thickened with the polymers. This invention also relates to new complex hydrophobe-containing oligomers and their use in producing the polymers of this invention.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of vinyl polymers are disclosed. The polymers are copolymers of a vinyl halide, a vinyl ester, e.g., vinyl acetate, and a poly(alkylene glycol)-based macromonomer, e.g., poly(ethylene glycol)-maleic anhydride. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of the aqueous dispersions which comprise forming the copolymer by solution polymerization, converting the dissolved polymer into an aqueous dispersion and removing the solvent from the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: Lubricious coatings comprising a binder polymer having a vinyl moiety and a carboxylic acid moiety and a hydrophilic polymer are disclosed. The coatings can be applied to a variety of substrates such as, for example, catheters, stents, dilatation balloons, guide wires, endotracheal tubes, instruments, implants and other biomedical devices and can provide exceptional lubricity and abrasion resistance. Processes for applying the lubricious coatings in either one or two coating steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the recovery of 1,4-dioxanone by melt crystallization from a feed containing impurities capable of initiating the polymerization of 1,4-dioxanone, e.g., diethylene glycol. The processes of the present invention utilize melt crystallization in a cyclic process involving the steps of (i) crystallizing the 1,4-dioxanone out of the feed at a temperature below its melting point and removing a liquid residue containing a higher concentration of impurities, (ii) partially melting the crystallized 1,4-dioxanone to further remove impurities and (iii) thereafter, melting the remaining crystallized 1,4-dioxanone and recovering the melted product. The crystallization process can be repeated as required to achieve the desired purity. The purity of the product obtained is typically 99.5 wt %, 1,4-dioxanone or higher. The purified 1,4-dioxanone is useful, for example, as a monomer in the production of polydioxanone.

Abstract: Articles having lubricious polymeric coatings are disclosed. The coatings are comprised of a substantially homogeneous composite of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyisocyanate applied in a single step operation as a mixture in an inert solvent. The coating is believed to form a polymeric complex through an in-situ hydrolysis of the polyisocyanate in the system without substantial crosslinking to form polyurethanes. The polymeric complexes have particular utility in providing medical devices such as catheters with a high degree of abrasion resistance and lubricity when in contact with bodily fluids.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cationic polysaccharide polymers and anionic therapeutic agents which can have enhanced substantivity to mucosal surfaces are disclosed. These compositions are well suited, for example, for the delivery of anionic ophthalmic pharmaceuticals because they can provide clear solution in addition to substantivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers which comprise the reaction product of:(A) about 1-99.8 weight percent of one or more nonionic, cationic, anionic or amphoteric monomers;(B) about 0-98.8 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers different from (A);(C) about 0.1-98.8 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomers different from (A) and (B);(D) about 0.1-98.8 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomers different from (A), (B) and (C);(E) about 0-20 weight percent or greater of one or more polyethylenically unsaturated monomers different from (A), (B), (C) and (D); and(F) about 0-25 weight percent or greater of one or more acrylates and/or methacrylates derived from a strong acid or a salt of a strong acid different from components (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). The polymers of this invention are especially useful as thickeners and dispersants for aqueous systems, especially latex paints.

Abstract: A molding composition comprises a) an unsaturated polyester resin, b) a copolymerizable olefinically unsaturated monomer, c) a pigment, d) fiber reinforcement and e) a poly(vinyl ether) polymer with a weight average molecular weight of at least 50,000 to control shrinkage and promote the uniform distribution of the pigment in the molding composition.