Abstract: A method for suspending inclusions in an acidic or alcoholic liquid composition is provided. The method includes the steps of preparing a pre-gel solution including gellan gum in water, providing a liquid composition having inclusions, and incorporating the pre-gel solution into the liquid composition. Alternatively, the liquid composition can be provided without inclusions and the inclusions may be added after the pre-gel solution is incorporated into the liquid composition. Upon standing, the pre-gel solution will cause the inclusions to suspend in the liquid composition. Acidic or alcoholic liquid compositions having suspended particulates or inclusions are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the erasability of erasable marking compositions, while maintaining the opacity of the coating and without producing burnishing, by incorporating into the compositions voided latex particles having a shell polymerized from either:(1) at least about 25% by weight, based on the weight of the shell, of a crosslinking comonomer;(2) at least about 5% by weight, based on the weight of the shell, of a crosslinking comonomer, when at least about 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate is used as a comonomer in the shell.An improved liquid marking composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the erasability of erasable marking compositions, while maintaining the opacity of the coating and without producing burnishing, by incorporating into the compositions voided latex particles having a shell polymerized from either:(1) at least about 25% by weight, based on the weight of the shell, of a crosslinking comonomer;(2) at least about 5% by weight, based on the weight of the shell, of a crosslinking comonomer, when at least about 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate is used as a comonomer in the shell.An improved liquid marking composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous, radiation-curable, functionalized latex polymer composition and its preparation are disclosed. The composition is a multistaged latex polymer formed from a first stage polymer and a second stage polymer having .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carbonyl functionalization which permits curing by UV radiation. The composition dries tack-free before curing. The final cured UV coating has excellent solvent resistance, water resistance, stain resistance, direct impact resistance and hot print resistance. The composition is useful in coatings, adhesives, inks and leather coatings, and is particularly useful as a coating on wood.

Abstract: Coatings compositions including stable composite latex-pigment particles are prepared by dispersing titanium dioxide pigment particles in a first aqueous medium and preparing a dispersion of selected polymeric latex particles, which have at least one dihydrogen phosphate functional group, in a second aqueous medium. The media are mixed and the selected polymeric latex particles adsorb on the titanium dioxide particles. Dibasic phosphate is then provided to the mixture to stop adsorption and stabilize the composite particles. The coating composition gives a coating with improved hiding.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for reversibly suppressing the viscosity of an aqueous solution containing a hydrophobically modified thickener by first complexing the hydrophobic moieties of the thickener with a methyl-.beta.-cyclodextrin and then decomplexing the methyl-.beta.-cyclodextrin from the thickener once the aqueous solution containing the thickener is added to the aqueous system which is intended to thicken.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a homogeneous solution of a powder, Particularly hard-to-wet polymer powders, which includes:(1) feeding simultaneously a powder and a liquid solvent for the powder to a high-speed in-line mixer minimizing contact between said powder and said liquid solvent before said powder and said liquid solvent enter said mixer;(2) mixing said powder and said liquid solvent in said mixer to form a dispersion of said powder in said liquid solvent; and(3) dissolving said dispersed powder in said solvent.

Abstract: A method for treating leather with a low fogging, substantive, retan fatliquor containing a dispersion of a selected amphiphilic copolymer, substantially free from organic solvents, formed from a predominant amount of at least one hydrophobic monomer and a minor amount of at least one copolymerizable hydrophilic monomer. The method produces leather having desirable strength and softness qualities and particularly reduced fogging characteristics, the leather being particularly suitable for use in vehicle upholstery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous coating composition and a method for reducing the drying time of a non-aqueous coating composition by incorporating composite polymer particles having a softer, insoluble first stage and a hard second stage without adversely affecting the viscosity and pot life of the liquid coating composition and without degrading the properties of the final dry coating, including color, flexibility, impact resistance, gasoline resistance, salt spray resistance and humidity resistance.

Abstract: A binder for use in high gloss latex paints comprises water, a copolymer, and less than about 1 weight percent surfactant. The copolymer comprises about 25 to about 60 weight percent soft monomer, about 40 to about 75 weight percent hard monomer, and about 1 to about 3 weight percent olefinic carboxylic acid monomer. In addition, the copolymer comprises about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent copolymerizable surfactant monomer and/or (i) about 0.5 to about 4 weight percent additional monomer selected from the group consisting of cyanoacetoxy-containing monomers and acetoacetoxy-containing monomers and (ii) about 0.5 to about 3 weight percent ethyleneureido-containing monomer.

Abstract: Acid-functional polymer is reacted with a transition metal compound at a temperature above the T.sub.g of the polymer to produce crosslinked polymer. The process produces a liquid polymer product that dries to a crosslinked film without the required presence of volatile ligands. Improved coating such as floor polishes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophobically-modified thickener having at least one hydrophilic portion and at least two terminal hydrophobic portions wherein at least one of the hydrophobic portions contains a stable free radical and its preparation are disclosed. The presence of the stable free radical permits analysis by spin-labelling analytical techniques, such as, for example, electron spin resonance.

Abstract: An aqueous, radiation-curable, functionalized latex polymer composition and its preparation are disclosed. The composition is a multistaged latex polymer formed from a first stage polymer and a second stage polymer having .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carbonyl functionalization which permits curing by UV radiation. The composition dries tack-free before curing. The final cured UV coating has excellent solvent resistance, water resistance, stain resistance, direct impact resistance and hot print resistance. The composition is useful in coatings, adhesives, inks and leather coatings, and is particularly useful as a coating on wood.

Abstract: A method for solidification or encapsulation of compositions containing a substantially continuous aqueous phase comprising uniformly incorporating into said compositions core-shell polymer particles and subsequently neutralizing said polymer particles by incorporating into said compositions an organic or inorganic base. The neutralized polymer particles swell and absorb substantially all of said aqueous phase.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating a wide variety of target materials, including both hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, employs condensation of two reactive compounds to form shells around core phase particles including target material dispersed in a continuous phase. One of the reactive compounds has at least two active methylene functional groups per molecule, the other being an active methylene-reactive crosslinking agent. Either type of the reactive compounds can be dispersed in the continuous phase, the other being dispersible in the core phase. Applications include controlled release microencapsulation of agriculture chemicals and biocides.

Abstract: A method of improving the scrub resistance of a paint is provided. The method involves adding to a paint containing at least one polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature greater than about 20.degree. C. and an average particle size diameter of from about 70 nanometers to about 150 nanometers when said binder is formed from at least one acrylic monomer or from about 100 nanometers to about 50 nanometers when said binder is formed from at least 50% by weight of vinyl acetate, at least one coalescent at a concentration of at least about 10% by weight based on the weight of the polymeric binder and where said coalescent is a solvent for the polymeric binder. The method is particularly useful for improving the scrub resistance of flat latex paints.