Abstract: A pigment dispersion that includes a pigment, an aqueous carrier, and a pigment dispersant. The pigment dispersant is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization initiated and has the polymer chain structure: &phgr;—(G)p—(E)a—T where G is a residue of at least One ethylenically unsaturated monomer; E is a hydrophilic residue of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; &phgr; is a hydrophobic residue of or derived from an initiator; T is or is derived from a radically transferable group from the initiator, p and s represent average numbers of residues occurring in a block of residues; p and s are each individually selected such that said pigment dispersant has a number average molecular weight of at least 250.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a copolymer and a copolymer product of the method. The copolymer is prepared by a controlled radical polymerization process, typically an atom transfer radical polymerization process, in which polymerizable alkene monomers are polymerized in the presence of a halogenated polyolefin macroinitiator. The copolymer product of this process is useful in a film-forming composition that adheres strongly to polyolefinic substrates and to which non-polyolefinic film-forming compositions strongly adhere. The copolymer can be applied to a substrate in an adhesion-promoting layer or can be incorporated into a film-forming composition, such as a primer, that contains additional resinous compounds.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, of a radically polymerizable monomer in the presence of a polymeric initiator having at least one radically transferable group. The polymeric initiator forms the polymeric backbone segment of the pigment dispersant, and the monomer forms polymeric segments that are pendent to the polymeric backbone segment. The pigment dispersant has comb-like architecture in which the polymeric backbone segment is hydrophilic, and at least a portion of each pendent polymeric segment is hydrophobic.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for controlling the type and brand of a product dispensed therefrom, so that only authorized products are dispensed from the apparatus. A container inserted into a housing case stores the product, the container having an exit port. A chute directs the flow of the discharged product. A drive assembly causes the product to move from the container through the chute to be dispensed therefrom. A magnetic sensor is attached to a support surface of the housing case, and a wafer is attached to the container. The wafer has a magnet embedded therein, and the container is inserted into the housing case so that the wafer is received by and mates with the housing case to align the magnet with the magnetic sensor. A location of the magnet embedded in the wafer of the container is detected by the magnetic sensor of the housing case so that the container is identified. The drive means is only activated when the container is identified as an authorized container based on the location of the magnet.

Abstract: Described are articles having an aminoplast resin photochromic coating prepared from an aminoplast resin, component(s) having at least two different functional groups and photochromic substances. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 45 to 180 Newtons per mm2 and desirable photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also described are photochromic aminoplast resin articles.

Abstract: A handwash monitoring system and method for providing an alert when a person must wash their hands. A badge worn by a person is activated to register at least one of a visual, audible or tactile alarm by a beacon placed where contamination may occur when the badge enters the range of the beacon. The person must wash their hands according to visual and audible prompts issued by a base unit in a wash area to clear the badge alarm.

Abstract: A cover latch is used to secure a cover of a dispenser apparatus by engaging catches in the dispenser apparatus while being held in place by attached springs. The cover latch consists of a handle connected to a latch assembly through a rod. Pulling on the handle compresses the springs connected to the latch assembly and frees the latch assembly from catches in the dispenser apparatus. An O-ring on the rod seals the dispenser apparatus from contaminants.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, and (b) epoxide functional crosslinking agent having at least two epoxide groups, e.g., triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.0. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) beta-hydroxyalkylamide crosslinking agent, e.g., bis(N,N-di-2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and (b) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) beta-hydroxyalkylamide crosslinking agent, e.g., bis(N,N-di-2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and (b) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant is prepared by polymerizing (i) at least one prepolymer having a radically polymerizable group, and (ii) at least one second monomer. The prepolymer is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, of at least one radically polymerizable first monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric backbone segment of the pigment dispersant, and the prepolymer forms polymeric segments that are pendent to the backbone. The backbone segment of the pigment dispersant in hydrophobic, while at least a portion of each pendent polymeric segment is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition that includes:

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus and dispensing method for dispensing a product stored in a container by pressing a dispensing tube connected to the container. A motor rotates a cam that extends a press plate to press the dispensing tube against a back plate. A check valve permits unidirectional dispensing of the product from the container. A pinch-off unit pinches the dispensing tube or a second check valve is used to prevent the product from returning to the container while the press plate presses against the dispensing tube.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) capped polyisocyanate crosslinking agent, e.g., a trimer of 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane capped with e-caprolactam or 1H-2,5-dimethyl pyrazole, and (b) hydroxy functional polymer, is described. The hydroxy functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) epoxy functional polymer, and (b) co-reactant having functional groups reactive with the epoxy groups of (a), e.g., dodecanedioic acid, is described. The epoxy functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) beta-hydroxyalkylamide crosslinking agent, e.g., bis(N,N-di-2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and (b) polycarboxylic acid functional polymer, is described. The polycarboxylic acid functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion comprising pigment, an aqueous carrier selected from water and a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, and a pigment dispersant is described. The pigment dispersant has core and arm star-type architecture, and is prepared by controlled radical polymerization, e.g., atom transfer radical polymerization, using (i) arm-core, (ii) arm-core-arm, (iii) core-arm, or (iv) concurrent core and arm methods. The arms of the pigment dispersant each have hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymeric chain segments.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion which includes a pigment, an aqueous carrier and a pigment dispersant. The pigment dispersant is prepared by controlled radical polymerization initiated in the presence of a monomeric initiator having at least two radically transferable groups. The pigment dispersant has at least one of the following polymer chain structures: &phgr;-[(G)p—(E)s—T]z and &phgr;-[(E)3—(G)p—T]z where G is a hydrophobic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; E is a hydrophilic residue of at least one radically polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; &phgr; is a residue of or derived from the initiator, and is free of the radically transferable group; T is or is derived from the radically transferable group of the initiator; z is 2 to 10; p and s are at least one and are selected such that the pigment dispersant has a number average molecular weight of at least 500.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition is provided comprising: (a) a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with epoxides; and (b) a non-gelled, epoxy functional polymer prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, in the presence of an initiator having at least one radically transferable group.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition comprising a co-reactable solid, particulate mixture of (a) capped polyisocyanate crosslinking agent, e.g., a trimer of 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane capped with e-caprolactam or 1H-2,5-dimethyl pyrazole, and (b) hydroxy functional polymer, is described. The hydroxy functional polymer is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and has well defined polymer chain architecture and polydispersity index of less than 2.5. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention have utility as powder coatings compositions.