Abstract: A composition and method whereby the same group that is attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the group that is attached to or within the backbone is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this group is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened. The thickeners may be prepared from monomers by an all-aqueous solution polymerization.

Abstract: New ethylenically unsaturated monomers are provided that can be (co)polymerized to provide a composition and method whereby the same group that is attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the group that is attached to or within the backbone is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this group is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened. The thickeners are prepared from the novel monomers by an aqueous solution polymerization.

Abstract: A composition and method whereby the same group that is attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. The group comprises a tertiary amine, or tertiary phosphine and has a hydrocarbon radical bonded to the amine nitrogen atom or phosphine phosphorus atom, which hydrocarbon radical is pendant to the backbone and contains fewer than 10 carbon atoms. When the group that is attached to or within the backbone is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this group is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened.

Abstract: A composition and method whereby the same group that is attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the group that is attached to or within the backbone is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this group is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of preserving polymer emulsions against biodeteriogenic microbe attack and spoilage by combining with the polymer emulsions selected cationic compounds and an ethylenediamine acid compound. The polymer emulsions contain surfactants and/or anionic constituents. It is also directed to polymer emulsion compositions, that are resistant to spoilage by biodeteriogenic microbes, containing surfactants and/or anionic constituents, an ethylenediamine acid compound, and cationic compounds.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improvement in nonwoven products comprised of a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with polymeric binder comprised of emulsion polymerized units of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer. The polymer is stabilized with a surfactant having a critical micelle concentration of about 0.5 to 3% by weight. The surfactant is employed in the polymerization in an amount less than 1% by weight, based upon the total weight of polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for providing water repellency and stain resistance to a masonry surface wherein an aqueous based water repellant polymeric coating is applied thereto and the water removed leaving a water repellent polymeric film adhered to the masonry surface. The improvement in the process resides in the use of an aqueous emulsion of a semi-crystalline ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer formed by emulsion polymerization wherein the polymer has: (a) a crystalline melting point ranging from 35 to 110° C. measured at a heat rate of 20° C. per minute; and, (b) a tensile storage modulus of at least 1×105 dynes/cm2 at a temperature of 115° C. and measured at 6.28 rad/sec.

Abstract: A composition and method whereby the same group that is attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the group that is attached to or within the backbone is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this group is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened.

Abstract: A cellulosic product such as paper coating composition is disclosed comprising aqueous-based semi-crystalline vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer emulsions, containing crystalline ethylene segments, which are useful for imparting oil, grease, solvent, water, and moisture vapor resistance. The polymer emulsions are prepared via the direct aqueous-based free radical emulsion polymerization of ethylene with various other comonomers. The semi-crystalline aqueous-based polymer emulsions of this invention have a crystalline melting point and a crystalline heat of fusion ranging from 5 to 100 J/g. The semi-crystalline aqueous-based emulsion polymers of this invention can be used directly as a paper or paperboard coating for imparting oil, grease, solvent, water, and moisture vapor resistance. Further, the present invention provides a repulpable paper and paperboard.

Abstract: A process for forming sound absorbing laminates and the resulting laminate which comprises at least one layer of nonwoven fibers bonded to a substrate by a thermoplastic adhesive. The laminate is formed by placing a layer of bonded nonwoven fibers into contact with a substrate and bonding the layer of nonwoven fibers to the substrate. The improvement comprises: utilizing at least one layer of nonwoven fibers coated with an aqueous emulsion of a vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) adhesive and then dried. The VAE adhesive is prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization, contains crystalline ethylene segments and has: (a) a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 110° C., preferably 50 to 100° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute; and, (b) a tensile storage modulus of at least 1×104 dynes/cm2 at 115° C. measured at a test frequency of 6.28 rad/sec.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removal of radon from indoor air. The process having the step of contacting indoor air with an adsorbent, that is a silver-exchanged zeolite. The apparatus for the removal of radon from indoor air comprises a silver exchanged zeolite.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improvement in nonwoven products comprised of a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with polymeric binder comprised of emulsion polymerized units of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer. The polymer is stabilized with a surfactant having a critical micelle concentration of about 0.5 to 3% by weight. The surfactant is employed in the polymerization in an amount less than 1% by weight, based upon the total weight of polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in spill resistant carpets wherein a spill resistant coating is applied to the underside of the carpet. The improvement for enhancing the spill resistance of the carpet comprises use of the following polymer as the spill resistant coating: an ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer comprised of crystalline ethylene segments prepared by the aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate in the presence of a stabilizing system, said ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer having a crystalline melting point ranging from 35 to 110° C. measured at a heat rate of 20° C. per minute; and, a tensile storage modulus of at least 1×105 dynes/cm2 at a temperature of 115° C. and measured at 6.28 rad/sec.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved nonwoven product comprising a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with a sufficient amount of binder comprised of a polymer comprised of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer to form a self-sustaining web. The improvement in the nonwoven product resides in the use of a polymer having a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 90° C., preferably 50 to 80° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute. The polymer should have a crystalline heat of fusion (Hf), which typically range from about 2 to about 50 joules per gram and a low glass transition temperature (Tg), e.g., from 10 to ?40° C., typically ?15 to ?35° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for forming a carton from paperboard stock comprising the steps: applying an aqueous based adhesive to select parts of a paperboard carton blank obtained from a paperboard feedstock; drying the aqueous based adhesive; folding the select parts of the adhesive coated carton blank onto cooperating parts of the paperboard blank; and, heat sealing the select and cooperating parts thereby forming the carton; wherein the aqueous based adhesive is comprised of a vinyl acetate/ethylene polymer formed by emulsion polymerization and having (a) a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 110° C., preferably 50 to 90° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute and, (b) a tensile storage modulus of at least 1×104 dynes/cm2 at 115° C. measured at 6.28 rad/sec.

Abstract: This invention is directed to aqueous-based ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer emulsions suited for use in heat seal applications. The EVA polymers of this invention are produced by a relatively low-pressure process, i.e., less than 2000 psig, preferably from about 1000 to about 2000 psig. The aqueous-based EVA based polymer emulsions contain crystalline segments resulting from ethylene linkages and are prepared by emulsion polymerizing ethylene and vinyl acetate, preferably with a carboxylic monomer, in the presence of a stabilizing system containing surfactant or a cellulosic protective colloid in combination with surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a process for imparting barrier properties to porous substrates, such as, concrete, masonry products, and wood products. The process comprises the steps of: applying an aqueous based sealing composition comprising a polymeric resin to said porous substrate, evaporating the water and forming a water repellent coating of said polymeric resin on said porous substrate. The improvement comprises: deriving the polymeric resin from an aqueous based polymer emulsion comprising a polymer comprised of emulsion polymerized units of vinyl acetate and ethylene, preferably with a carboxylic acid monomer, the polymer containing amorphous and crystalline ethylene segments and having: (a) a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 110° C., preferably 50 to 100° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute; and, (b) a tensile storage modulus of at least 1×105 dynes/cm2 at 115° C. measured at 6.28 rad/sec.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of preserving colloid-stabilized polymer emulsions against microbial attack and spoilage using selected cationic compounds. It is also directed to compositions containing colloid-stabilized polymer emulsions and cationic compounds that are resistant to contamination with biodeteriogenic microbes. It has been discovered that specific cationic compounds are particularly effective against biodeteriogenic microbes in preserving polymer emulsions that have been stabilized with protective colloids, such as poly(vinyl alcohol). Examples of suitable microbicidal cationic compounds are: substituted pyridinium salts, substituted guanidine salts, tetrasubstituted ammonium salts, and polymeric cationic compounds.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved nonwoven product comprising a nonwoven web of fibers bonded together with a sufficient amount of binder comprised of a polymer comprised of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a crosslinking monomer to form a self-sustaining web. The improvement in the nonwoven product resides in the use of a polymer having a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35 to 90° C., preferably 50 to 80° C.; measured at a heat rate of 20° C./minute. The polymer should have a crystalline heat of fusion (Hf), which typically range from about 2 to about 50 joules per gram and a low glass transition temperature (Tg), e.g., from 10 to −40° C., typically −15 to −35° C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of preserving polymer emulsions against biodeteriogenic microbe attack and spoilage by combining with the polymer emulsions selected cationic compounds and an ethylenediamine acid compound. The polymer emulsions contain surfactants and/or anionic constituents. It is also directed to polymer emulsion compositions, that are resistant to spoilage by biodeteriogenic microbes, containing surfactants and/or anionic constituents, an ethylenediamine acid compound, and cationic compounds.