Abstract: A pigmented, aqueous coating composition comprising i) an aqueous dispersion of non-crosslinkable addition oligomer of weight average molecular weight of from 5000 to 15000 Daltons and calculated Fox Tg greater than 0° C. and less than 50° C. ii) an aqueous dispersion of addition polymer of weight average molecular weight greater than 53,000 Daltons, calculated Fox Tg greater than 10° C. and less than 40° C. and mean particle diameter of less than 150 nanometers, where the ratio of i):ii) is from 0.25:1 to 2.70:1, based on % weight dispersion solids.

Abstract: Coating compositions are provided which may be applied from aqueous systems and contain binders which are autoxidisable to produce rapid drying hard coatings, preferred binders are based on polymers derived from monomers obtained by the reaction of drying oil fatty acids and unsaturated monomers. The polymers contain microgels, have low Tg and contain residual unsaturation; preferred copolymers also contain amide groups. The drying of the coating compositions can be accelerated by the use of metal dryers and have been found to enable the use of particularly low levels of vanadium dryers.

Abstract: A mandrel (2) comprising a body portion (4) having an outer surface for receiving a stretchable closed wrapper (20), the mandrel having an end (6) adapted for mounting on a self supporting object (18) to be wrapped such that the wrapper can be slid over the mandrel and delivered therefrom onto the outer surface (22) of the object, in which the mandrel includes a portion which engages with the object to allow the mandrel to seat on an end of the object.

Abstract: A particulate dry tinter for use in tinting a coating composition including at least two coloured pigments, in which the particulate tinter has a colour hue predictive of the colour hue of the tinted coating composition and the coating when applied (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An autoxidisable architectural coating composition suitable for application to surfaces found in and around buildings at ambient temperatures and in natural daylight wherein surface autoxidation of the composition is promoted by a combination of low concentrations of metal ions (especially manganese or vanadium) and 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one as photoinitiator. The composition avoids the need to use more than trace amounts cobalt ions which are rumoured to be carcinogenic yet achieves adequately fast rates of autoxidation. Preferably the use of cobalt is avoided altogether. The use of the low concentrations of the other metal ions reduces discoloration of the compositions often to levels below what is achieved using conventional cobalt promoters. Also a modification in which surface autoxidation is promoted by a combination of 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one and trace amounts of cobalt ions in the absence of other surface autoxidation promoting metal ions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming films from liquid samples for evaluation are disclosed. The liquid samples are dispensed into a channel formed by a die and a substrate on which the films are generated whilst moving the die and the substrate relatively to one another. Once formed, the liquid films may then be further processed, for example by curing or polymerization, to generate solid films for subsequent evaluation.

Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for assessing foams generated from liquids. Existing methods are slow and labor intensive. The new methods involve generating foams from liquids and optically obtaining information to enable parameters relating to the generated foam to be measured. Although single samples of liquids may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to foams at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the foams.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaluating the fragrance characteristics of a substance comprises a cylindrical chamber (2) in which is located a block (3) for supporting a substance, e.g. a fragrance to be evaluated. A flow of air, generated by a fan (4), passes through the chamber (2), around the substance and leaves the chamber via a main outlet (7) and a plurality of sensing outlets (12) each provided with a metering valve (13) leading the air flow to a corresponding nasal mask (16). Individuals take two or three sniffs of the air flow from the mask and record their findings on a pre-prepared form.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for testing a material are described. The testing involves providing a material across a region of a support member which is arranged to define an opening which is closed by a plug means having a surface in contact with the material that is substantially coplanar with the region. The material is adhered to the region of the support member. A force applying means is moved relative to the material to apply a force to said material through the intermediary of the plug means, which does not substantially deform under the application of the force.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a first part, and a second part, in which the first part includes gypsum and/or cement dispersed in a water miscible organic solvent, and the second part includes a water soluble polymer, the first and second parts being mixable so as to form a hardened coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial throat for simulating aroma release comprising—a tube (1) having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) and having an upper portion (4), a middle portion (5) and a lower portion (6);—a sample supply system (12) debouching at the upper portion of the tube;—an inlet closure (9) for closing and opening the inlet;—an outlet closure (10) for closing and opening the outlet;—a gas ventilation system (13) debauching at the lower portion of the tube for providing a gas flow, such as an air flow, through the tube. The invention also relates to an assembly for simulating and analyzing aroma release comprising an artificial throat and an analyzing apparatus, such as a mass-spectrometer. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for simulating and analyzing aroma release by means of an artificial throat. Aroma release according to the invention means the release of volatile compounds from substances such as food and drinks, which compounds are transported by means o a gas flow.

Abstract: A film-forming binder polymer for a coating composition such as a paint, varnish or woodstain where the polymer is modified by the presence of bonded moieties derived from plant gum, particularly plant fibre gum obtainable from plant fibre, especially corn fibre gum and more particularly moieties derived from proteo-xylans and/or furanose. The modified binder polymer minimises the need to use coalescing solvents without producing poor dried paint coatings which fail the scrub resistance tests also improves the opacity of the dried coating composition.

Abstract: A method, combination or apparatus for compensating for or predicting the shift in the human perception of color which occurs when the color is seen on a small surface area as compared with when it is seen extending over of large surface area. The compensation or prediction is performed by increasing (compensation) or decreasing (prediction) the lightness and chroma of the color in a specified way. The invention allows choosers of color to take account of the shifts when making their choice of colors and is useful in choosing colors for paints, plastics, textiles or illuminated surfaces.

Abstract: A solid filler composition suitable for applying directly to a substrate comprising i) binder polymer ii) fatty acid salt of linear chain length of from 12 to 26 carbon atoms iii) pigment said composition capable of being formed into a self-supporting, dimensionally stable filler body.

Abstract: A method of producing a coating composition in an in-store tinting machine comprising the steps of selecting a base paint, adding at least one additive to the base paint, adding at least one colourant to the base paint, the at least one colourant being selected from a range of colourants in the in-store tinting machine, mixing the base paint, the at least one colourant, and the at least one additive so as to produce a coating composition, in which the additive is not a base paint or a colourant from the range of colourants in the in-store tinting machine.

Abstract: A retransfer intermediate sheet for receiving an image to be printed onto an article by thermal retrasfer comprises a substrate which is preferably heat-deformable; and an image-receiving coating on one side of the substrate, comprising an image-receiving layer for receiving an image by printing, preferably inkjet printing, of dye-containing ink, the image-receiving layer comprising amorphous porous silica, a first, non-dye absorbing polymeric binder and a second, flexible polymeric binder. The sheet is particularly useful for printing on three dimensional articles, e.g. being heated and vacuum formed to conform to an article. The invention also coven a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.

Abstract: A mandrel (2) comprising a body portion (4) having an outer surface for receiving a stretchable closed wrapper (20), the mandrel having an end (6) adapted for mounting on a self supporting object (18) to be wrapped such that the wrapper can be slid over the mandrel and delivered therefrom onto the outer surface (22) of the object, in which the mandrel includes a portion which engages with the object to allow the mandrel to seat on an end of the object.

Abstract: An automotive lubricant composition comprising a base fluid and an ashless polymeric dispersant is claimed. The ashless polymeric dispersant has a number average molecular weight of between 500 and 10,000 and comprises a polar tall group which itself comprises a polymeric backbone of 2 to 30 monomeric repeat units, each repeat unit comprising a hydrocarbon chain functionalised by the presence of at least one electronegative element or moiety, the tail group being linked to a polar head group which comprises a polar moiety selected from at least one of acid, ester, amide or alcohol moieties. The dispersant has good dispersancy properties, when used as a sole dispersant or in combination with other dispersants. It provides enhanced seal resistance and has good oxidative stability in automotive applications as compared to current commercial products.

Abstract: A method of providing location dependent content to an end station using a base station. The base station receives from an end station and via a communications network, a content request, and an identifier indicative of an identity of the end station. The base station then authenticates the user or the end station using the identifier. In response to a successful authentication, the base station determines the location of the end station and determines content using the location or the content request, which is then transferred to the end station.

Abstract: A surfactant composition contains at least one sorbitan ester and at least one sorbitol ester wherein the mean number of carbon atoms of the hydrophobe of the sorbitan ester is greater than that of the sorbitol ester. The surfactant composition is particularly suitable for use in stabilising emulsions, especially personal care or cosmetic products.