Abstract: The invention is directed to latex compositions comprising sequentially designed polymer having a first stage, a second stage and a third stage corresponding to a seed, a core and a shell. The latex polymer is suitable for aqueous low volatile organic compounds (“VOC”) paint (less than 50 g/L) with good block resistance, improved open time and increased water softening resistance. To attain good block resistance, the seed and the core contain monomers that form polymers with relatively harder characteristics and higher glass transition temperature (“Tg”) while the shell contains monomers that form polymers with softer characteristics and lower Tg. To gain improved open time, the latex polymer contains suitable level of hydrophilic monomers necessary to hold water. To achieve water softening resistance, hydrophobic monomers are grafted on hydrophilic portions of the shell or the core layers. The invention is also directed to the process of making the latex by a sequential emulsion polymerization.

Abstract: A grip element having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer supported by an underlying support structure sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel of the grip element in an open configuration. The support structure facilitates manipulation of the grip element and assembly of the grip element onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer collapse on itself as would occur without the support structure as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer. The grip element may be formed separately from the hand-held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon such that the hand-held article is sold with the grip element pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure facilitating insertion of the outer layer over at least a portion of a hand-held article.

Abstract: A grip element having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer supported by an underlying support structure sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel of the grip element in an open configuration. The support structure facilitates manipulation of the grip element and assembly of the grip element onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer collapse on itself as would occur without the support structure as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer. The grip element may be formed separately from the hand-held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon such that the hand-held article is sold with the grip element pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure facilitating insertion of the outer layer over at least a portion of a hand-held article.

Abstract: A grip element having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer supported by an underlying support structure sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel of the grip element in an open configuration. The support structure facilitates manipulation of the grip element and assembly of the grip element onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer collapse on itself as would occur without the support structure as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer. The grip element may be formed separately from the hand-held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon such that the hand-held article is sold with the grip element pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure facilitating insertion of the outer layer over at least a portion of a hand-held article.

Abstract: An erasable ink composition comprising a waterborne polyurethane-urea containing dye moiety covalently bonded thereto. The ink is intended for use in any of a variety of marking instruments, in particular, a ball-point pen.