Abstract: The present invention provides novel biolatex conjugate compositions and methods of production and use thereof. The novel biolatex conjugate compositions comprise a biopolymer-additive complex (prepared by co-extruding a biopolymer feedstock, at least one performance-enhancing additive, and at least one plasticizer under shear forces) reacted with a crosslinking agent under shear forces. The biolatex conjugate compositions exhibit enhanced performance properties for coated paper, paperboard, and other applications using extremely low levels of performance-enhancing additives.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biolatex conjugate compositions and methods of production and use thereof. The novel biolatex conjugate compositions comprise a biopolymer-additive complex (prepared by co-extruding a biopolymer feedstock, at least one performance-enhancing additive, and at least one plasticizer under shear forces) reacted with a crosslinking agent under shear forces. The biolatex conjugate compositions exhibit enhanced performance properties for coated paper, paperboard, and other applications using extremely low levels of performance-enhancing additives.

Abstract: The adhesive of the present invention includes latexes with an adhesion promoter which is preferably polyamidoamine. The addition of the polyamidoamine improves the adhesive strength between substrates such as between two plastic films or between a plastic film and paperboard. The present invention also provides for an adhesive prepared from a latex which is neutralized with a particular base and a hydrophobic polyamidoamine having particular amine values and viscosity whereby the strength of the adhesive bond is increased in humid conditions. The present invention also provides for adhesives primarily for use in laminate structures which are exposed to highly humid conditions. The adhesive is a polymeric latex based system to which a polymeric adhesion promoter like polyamidoamine and an epoxy emulsion are added. The adhesive retains bond strength when exposed to humidity.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer particles that are acid-free in the swellable polymer core and to hollow polymer particles derived therefrom, and to a process for the production of these particles. The acid-free core advantageously decreases the polymer particle's affinity to water. Applicants have discovered that non-carboxylated latexes having a variety of Tg's will swell at temperatures higher than the Tg of the polymer. These latex particles are useful as opacifying plastic pigments for various coatings and particularly as gloss-enhancing plastic pigments for paper and paperboard coatings. Preparation of the hollow polymer particle comprises the use of (meth)acrylate ester monomers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids or a mixture thereof which are hydrolyzable and swellable at higher temperatures in alkaline environments. The particles may be encapsulated with a hard shell.

Abstract: An in-situ tackified structured latex the particles of which have at least two polymeric phases, a first phase (adhesive phase) comprising a polymer having a Tg of from about -70.degree. C. to about -5.degree. C. and a second polymeric phase comprising a polymer compatable with the first polymeric phase, having a molecular weight less than 5,000 and a Tg from about -15.degree. C. to about +50.degree. C. The latex is particularly suited for use as a single component adhesive.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making hollow polymer latex particles without the use of acid in the swellable polymer core; the latexes are useful as opacifying plastic pigments for various coatings and particularly as gloss-enhancing plastic pigments for paper and paperboard coatings. Known methods for preparing hollow latexes require cores containing acid or acidic monomers to enable swelling to core at room temperature. The existence of acid in the polymer disadvantageously increases the polymer's affinity to water. Applicants have discovered that non-carboxylated latexes having a variety of T.sub.g 's will also swell at higher temperatures. The mechanism entails the use of acrylate and methacrylate ester monomers which are hydrolyzable and swellable at higher temperatures in alkaline environments. Such mechanisms for making swollen latexes provide for a wide variety of potential end-uses as well as a wide variety of potential latexes.

Abstract: A latex based adhesive comprising a first component (adhesive component) comprising an interpolymer of at least one hard monomer, at least one soft monomer, and optionally a copolymerizable carboxylic acid comonomer having a Tg of from about -70.degree. C. to about -5.degree. C. and a second polymeric component (tackifier component) that is compatible with the adhesive component having a molecular weight less than 5,000 and a Tg from about -10.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., both the adhesive component and tackifier component having been separately prepared by emulsion polymerization techniques.

Abstract: The improvement in the production of low sheet gloss coated papers which comprises using as the synthetic polymer latex binder for the aqueous coating composition employed to coat the papers, a carboxylated latex which substantially swells during the preparation of the aqueous coating composition and subsequently shrinks during the drying of the coated paper, whereby a microscopic surface roughness is obtained to yield a low sheet gloss coated paper while retaining high ink gloss.

Abstract: A process for preparing a structure reinforced latex particle whose film has improved tensile and elongation properties prepared by an emulsion polymerization comprising a three-stage monomer feed addition. The second monomer feed is an amount form about 5 to about 30 parts per hundred parts monomer in said latex particle and is a polymer of which would have a T.sub.g greater than either the first or third monomer feed. The subject structure reinforced latex particle provides A film having improved tensile properties without a corresponding reduction in elongation. A pressure sensitive adhesive formulated with the structure reinforced latex particle is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing a structure reinforced latex particle whose film has improved tensile and elongation properties prepared by an emulsion polymerization comprising a three-stage monomer feed addition. The second monomer feed is an amount from about 5 to about 30 parts per hundred parts monomer in said latex particle and is a polymer of which would have a T.sub.g greater than either the first or third monomer feed. The subject structure reinforced latex particle provides a film having improved tensile properties without a corresponding reduction in elongation. A pressure sensitive adhesive formulated with the structure reinforced latex particle is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing a sheet with improved stiffness by mixing a fiber, a latex having minimum film forming conditions greater than the conditions the sheet reaches during drying and a fugitive coalescing agent. The mixture is collected and dried under conditions less than the minimum film forming conditions of the latex. The process enables hard latexes to be employed which do not form films under the drying conditions of the sheet whereby the hard latexes can contribute to the stiffness of the final sheet. A sheet prepared by the process is also provided.

Abstract: A structured latex polymer particle suitable for use in the preparation of a wet-laid composite sheet having good wet-end and end-use properties. The structured latex particle has a core region comprising from about 10 to about 40 percent of the total polymer particle volume and a shell region comprising from about 60 to about 90 percent of the total polymer particle volume and comprising a vinyl acid. The core region is prepared to have good end-use properties as measured by tensile and elongation and the shell region is prepared to have good wet-end properties as measured by deposition and drainage time. The subject structured latex polymer particles are thus advantageously employed in the preparation of composite sheets of all types to thus form an economical and high quality composite sheet.

Abstract: Multi-modal emulsions comprise a continuous oil phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase having two or more droplet size distributions and comprising a water-soluble polymer. Such emulsions are prepared by subjecting portions of the emulsion to varying rates of shear during emulsion formation. The multi-modal emulsions can have high polymer solids, reduced oil content, low bulk viscosity and high stability.

Abstract: Paper having improved printability in rotogravure printing is provided by coating a paper substrate with an aqueous coating formulation containing a pigment such as kaolin clay, a binder such as a styrene/butadiene/itaconic acid terpolymer and a polyamidoamine such as the reaction product derived from ethylene diamine and methylacrylate.

Abstract: Structural latexes exhibit good heat and light stability and good physical properties. For example, a styrene/butadiene polymer network is polymerized in a continuous network comprising an essentially hydrophilic polymer. The microdomains of each polymer network within the latex particle are described as an interpenetrating polymer network.

Abstract: Bimodal latexes having two separate and distinct particle size distributions have high solids content, good high shear rheology and good low shear viscosity. The large size polymer particles of the bimodal latex have a heterogeneous character. These bimodal latexes, e.g., styrene/butadiene/acrylic acid/itaconic acid latexes are employed in coating paper in conjunction with a mineral filler using a coating device such as a blade coater to yield high quality, glossy coatings which can be easily applied.

Abstract: Multi-modal emulsions comprise a continuous oil phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase having two or more droplet size distributions and comprising a water-soluble polymer. Such emulsions are prepared by subjecting portions of the emulsion to varying rates of shear during emulsion formation. The multi-modal emulsions can have high polymer solids, reduced oil content, low bulk viscosity and high stability.

Abstract: Highly coalescence-capable and deformable latexes have a controlled crosslinking density. For example, a styrene/butadiene core is prepared using conventional emulsion polymerization techniques and at a point at which much of the butadiene is converted to polymer a second stage monomer mixture comprising monovinyl monomers is contacted with the initial mixture to yield a latex having a shell region comprising essentially linear polymers which are partially covalently bonded to said core region.

Abstract: Latexes containing particles having pendant coreactive groups and oxazoline groups are disclosed. Said latexes are self-curing yielding films and other articles having excellent tensile strength and resistance to water and other solvents. In addition, a process for making such latexes is disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous latexes of heterogeneous polymer particles comprising (1) a minor portion of a soft interpolymer domain having a glass transition temperature of less than 25.degree. C. and comprising a monovinylidene aromatic monomer such as styrene and an open chain aliphatic conjugated diene such as 1,3-butadiene and (2) a major portion of a relatively hard interpolymer domain having a glass transition temperature greater than 25.degree. C. and comprising a monovinylidene aromatic monomer such as styrene; an open chain aliphatic conjugated diene monomer such as 1,3-butadiene and a functional monomer such as acrylic acid are useful as binders for pigmented paper coating compositions. The coated papers of the invention exhibit an excellent combination of binding strength and stiffness.