Abstract: The present invention provides personal care compositions, as well as methods for stabilizing a degradable of reactive hydrophobic, cosmetically acceptable, component in an aqueous composition.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions comprising hydrophilic actives and block copolymers comprising at least one block of copolymerized ethylene oxide and at least one block of a polymerized alkylene oxide, the alkylene comprising at least 4 carbon atoms, are described, along with methods of stabilizing hydrophilic actives and methods of increasing compatibility among hydrophilic actives.

Abstract: This invention is a composition comprising (a) an oligomer or polymer dispersible in an organic solvent, having a low dielectric constant, or being curable to form a material having a low dielectric constant, (b) at least one organic solvent and (c) less than 1000 parts by weight of a polymeric coating additive per million parts by weight of total composition (ppm). The polymeric additive is characterized in that it is miscible with component (a) and the solvent system but becomes incompatible with the mixture of component (a) and solvent during the coating process.

Abstract: This invention is a composition comprising (a) an oligomer or polymer dispersible in an organic solvent, having a low dielectric constant, or being curable to form a material having a low dielectric constant, (b) at least one organic solvent and (c) less than 1000 parts by weight of a polymeric coating additive per million parts by weight of total composition (ppm). The polymeric additive is characterized in that it is miscible with component (a) and the solvent system but becomes incompatible with the mixture of component (a) and solvent during the coating process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick set composition and a method for preparing the composition. The composition comprises an aqueous sol of a polymer having a backbone that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups. The sol is prepared by forming a solution of a polymer that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups in an aqueous-based solvent that contains water and a suitable organic solvent and removing a sufficient amount of the organic solvent from the solution to form a composition characterized by being reversibly dissolvable and reconstitutable by addition and removal of a suitable organic solvent. The composition of the present invention provides quick-set films that can be prepared in the absence additional surface active agents and with a substantial absence of organic solvents.

Abstract: A shelf-stable water-borne dispersion or solution that cures rapidly and at low temperatures when coated onto a substrate can be prepared with an aqueous-based solution or stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer having a backbone containing pendant silanol groups which are sufficiently neutralized to inhibit silanol condensation.

Abstract: High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), porous polymeric materials made therefrom, and methods for making and using the same. Specific embodiments of the invention include water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions having at least 70 volume percent of an internal aqueous phase and less than 30 volume percent of an external oil phase wherein the oil phase comprises a vinyl polymerizable monomer and a surfactant effective to stabilize the emulsion. The subject surfactants are oil soluble and preferably include an oxyalkylene component.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid such as a fracturing fluid or drilling fluid which comprises a water-in-oil emulsion containing an amine or amine oxide surfactant of the following formula: or a protonated form thereof wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl having from about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl having up to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A fast-setting coating material can be prepared by contacting a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer that contains strong cationic groups and weak acid groups onto a substrate that is basic or rendered to be basic. Alternatively, the coating material can be prepared by contacting in either order or concurrently the surface of a substrate with two separate polymers, one of which contains strong cationic groups, and the other of which contains weak acid groups. In this case, the substrate need not be basic for the coating to quickly set.

Abstract: A shelf-stable water-borne dispersion or solution that cures rapidly and at low temperatures when coated onto a substrate can be prepared with an aqueous-based solution or stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer having a backbone containing pendant silanol groups which are sufficiently neutralized to inhibit silanol condensation.

Abstract: A process for preparation of ceramic objects which comprises: (a) applying a layer of a high-solids photocurable ceramic composition, to a substrate, the composition comprising: (1) at least 10 percent by volume of water; (2) at least 0.05 percent by weight of photocurable compounds which are soluble or dispersible in water; and (3) at least 45 volume percent dispersed ceramic particles; and (b) subjecting the composition to sufficient ultraviolet radiation to react the compounds or polymers sufficiently to form a layer of the photocurable compounds or polymers, which is water-insoluble and non-dispersible in water, having the ceramic particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick set composition and a method for preparing the composition. The composition comprises an aqueous sol of a polymer having a backbone that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups. The sol is prepared by forming a solution of a polymer that contains pendant cationic groups and pendant acid groups in an aqueous-based solvent that contains water and a suitable organic solvent and removing a sufficient amount of the organic solvent from the solution to form a composition characterized by being reversibly dissolvable and reconstitutable by addition and removal of a suitable organic solvent. The composition of the present invention provides quick-set films that can be prepared in the absence additional surface active agents and with a substantial absence of organic solvents.

Abstract: High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), porous polymeric materials made therefrom, and methods for making and using the same. Specific embodiments of the invention include water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions having at least 70 volume percent of an internal aqueous phase and less than 30 volume percent of an external oil phase wherein the oil phase comprises a vinyl polymerizable monomer and a surfactant effective to stabilize the emulsion. The subject surfactants are oil soluble and preferably include an oxyalkylene component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent, extruded, open cell thermoplastic foam. The foam has an open cell content of about 50 percent or more and an average cell size of up to about 1.5 millimeters. The foam is capable of absorbing a liquid at about 50 percent or more of its theoretical volume capacity when absorbing a liquid. The foam preferably has an average equivalent pore size of about 5 micrometers or more. The foam preferably has a structure substantially of cell walls and cell struts. Further disclosed is a method for absorbing a liquid employing the foam by elongation of the extrudate of the extrusion die. Further disclosed is a method of enhancing absorbency of an open cell foam by applying a surfactant to an exposed surface of the foam such that it remains at the surface and does not infiltrate a substantial distance into the foam. Further disclosed is a meat tray and a diaper containing the foam.

Abstract: Rapid set cellular articles can be prepared from a latex by the steps of: a) frothing a latex that contains a dispersed polymer having pendant cationic groups or adsorbing cationic molecules or both, and pendant acid groups; and b) rendering the frothed latex sufficiently basic to make the cellular article. The cellular articles of the present invention are advantageously prepared at ambient temperatures and pressures, and in the absence of organic solvents or CFCs.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fast-setting coating material on a substrate which comprises contacting a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer that contains strong cationic groups and weak acid groups onto a substrate that is basic or treated to be basic.

Abstract: High internal phase emulsions having an internal aqueous phase of greater than 70 percent by volume and an external oil phase comprising a vinyl polymerizable monomer contain a surfactant capable of chemically binding to the polymerizable monomer. Polymeric foams having a high internal phase emulsion stabilizing surfactant chemically bound to the polymeric material and a liquid capacity of from about 70 to 99 percent of its saturated volume can be prepared from such emulsions.

Abstract: The subject invention provides water-swellable polymer compositions having reduced caking tendencies. Such polymer compositions can be produced by employing quaternary ammonium salts. In addition to having reduced caking tendencies such polymers have reduced dust and substantially maintain or increase the surface tension of an aqueous fluid in equilibrium with the polymer and air.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous-based solvent and a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer that is characterized by having a backbone with at least one pendant weak acid group and at least one pendant strong cationic group associated with a bicarbonate counterion is described. A water-resistant, fast dry-to-the-touch coating that does not release noxious gases can be prepared by applying the composition to a substrate. The coating can be designed to be either permanent, or removable by the addition of mild acids such as aqueous solutions of vinegar or citric acid.

Abstract: Novel reverse osmosis membranes and a method for preparing such membranes are described. A substrate can be coated with a first compound bearing a plurality of onium groups and a second compound bearing a plurality of nucleophilic groups. The resulting coating cures readily upon exposure to actinic radiation.