Abstract: An article suitable for delivering or absorbing liquid includes a substrate carrying a pressure-sensitive porous polymeric material which is capable of retaining at least 10 times its own weight of water or corresponding amounts of other liquids. The porous polymeric material is advantageously a crosslinked homogeneous block material having a dry density of less than 0.1 g/cc and a pore volume of more than 9 cc/g, and may be produced by polymerization of a high internal phase emulsion. In the article of the invention, the polymer may either be dry or contain an included liquid; the dry form is highly absorbent and is useful for mopping up slippages, while the liquid-containing form is useful for delivering treatment liquids, for example, cleaning compositions, to surfaces. The article may take the form of a single- or multi-compartment sachet of paper or nonwoven fabric containing the porous polymeric material.

Abstract: Cross-linked homogenous porous polymeric materials are prepared by polymerization of monomers as the continuous phase in a high internal phase emulsion having above a critical limit of surfactant to ensure adequate absorbtivity. The porous materials may be dried and refilled with selected liquids and act as a high capacity reservoir.

Abstract: An article is disclosed which is suitable for wiping hard surfaces such as glass to give a streak-free finish. The article comprises a substrate (preferably paper or non-woven fabric) carrying a homogeneous aqueous composition having a surface tension below 45 mNm.sup.-1 and which on drying does not form discrete droplets or particles larger than 0.25 .mu.m. The liquid composition advantageously includes a (preferably nonionic) surface-active agent and a partially esterified resin such as a partially esterified styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer. The article may be wet (for example, coated or impregnated with the liquid composition) or dry up to the point of use (for example, the liquid may be within pressure-rupturable microcapsules). Preferably the article is produced by a process which includes prewashing the substrate to remove any potentially streak-forming impurities.

Abstract: A multistage precipitation and flocculation production process is disclosed in which primary silica particles are prepared and flocculated useing an alkali metal salt solution and further silica precipitated in the presence of the salt, the pH of the mixture reduced and the silica isolated, purified carefully dried and optionally milled.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new form of wet precipitated silica which is characterised in terms of energy required to breakdown particles and a defined thickening effect. A multistage precipitation and flocculation production process is also disclosed in which primary silica particles are prepared and flocculated using an alkali metal salt solution and further silica precipitated in the presence of the salt, the pH of the mixture reduced and the silica isolated, purified carefully dried and optionally milled.