Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. First, an aqueous polymer solution containing a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group or charge, is combined with aqueous medium. The aqueous polymer solution is then mixed under moderate agitation with an oil medium and an emulsifier to form an emulsion of droplets of the water-soluble polymer. A crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the functional groups and/or charges in the water-soluble polymer is then added to the emulsion to form crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. The invention also includes the particles formed by the process and aqueous dispersions containing the particles which are useful for administering to an individual. The particles of the invention are useful for implantation, soft tissue augmentation, and scaffolding to promote cell growth.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. First, an aqueous polymer solution containing a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group or charge, is combined with aqueous medium. The aqueous polymer solution is then mixed under moderate agitation with an oil medium and an emulsifier to form an emulsion of droplets of the water-soluble polymer. A crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the functional groups and/or charges in the water-soluble polymer is then added to the emulsion to form crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. The invention also includes the particles formed by the process and aqueous dispersions containing the particles which are useful for administering to an individual. The particles of the invention are useful for implantation, soft tissue augmentation, and scaffolding to promote cell growth.

Abstract: An aqueous unpigmented coating and printing composition useful for gravure and flexographic printing on plastic and metal substrates is provided by preparing an aqueous emulsion of a hydrophobic UV curable oligomer and a photoinitiator and adding about 1 to 10% by weight of the composition of a water soluble or reducible polymeric thickener in an amount effective to provide a viscosity of about 10 to 50 poises and specified rheology properties whereby the composition is capable of yielding clear cured films as low as about 2 microns in thickness.

Abstract: Aqueous based printing ink compositions adapted for use in gravure and flexographic printing on hydrophobic substrates are prepared by combining a low-viscosity resin emulsion having an average particle diameter of less than about 0.5 microns and comprised of hydrophobic, moisture resistant, adherent resin forming components with a pigment paste containing a water-soluble polymer. The printing inks are substantially devoid of volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: Monodisperse latexes of at least 2-30 microns particle size are prepared from an emulsion recipe comprising a monodisperse seed latex polymer on the order of 2 microns or less particle size, a polymerizable monomer, an initiator, at least one inhibitor, and a water-soluble polymeric emulsifier of 10.sup.4 -10.sup.7 molecular weight. Optional ingredients are crosslinking monomer, oil-soluble inhibitor if the mixture is to be stored before polymerization, and one or more additional emulsifiers selected from a water-soluble comonomer or polymer of 0.3.times.10.sup.3 -5.times.10.sup.3 molecular weight and a non-polymeric anionic emulsifier. Additional particle size growth and monodisperse latex yield are realized by polymerization in a microgravity environment.

Abstract: A method comprising forming a water-in-oil emulsion of an aqueous phase comprising discrete water-insoluble particles an an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymerizable monomer, polymerizing said monomer, phase-inverting the water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion, removing the oil phase from the phase-inverted emulsion to form an aqueous latex, adding to the latex an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable second monomer, and polymerizing said second monomer to produce hydrophobic resin-encapsulated water-insoluble particles; and the resulting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: Monodisperse latexes of at least 2-30 microns particle size are prepared from an emulsion recipe comprising a monodisperse seed latex polymer on the order of 2 microns or less particle size, a polymerizable monomer, an initiator, at least one inhibitor, and a water-soluble polymeric emulsifer of 10.sup.4 -10.sup.7 molecular weight. Optional ingredients are cross-linking monomer, oil-soluble inhibitor if the mixture is to be stored before polymerization, and one or more additional emulsifiers selected from a water-soluble comonomer or polymer of 0.3.times.10.sup.3 -5.times.10.sup.3 molecular weight and a non-polymeric anionic emulsifier. Additional particle size growth and monodisperse latex yield are realized by polymerization in a microgravity environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colored latex products, and especially to colored synthetic polymer emulsions, the finely divided colored polymers obtainable therefrom, and methods for making the colored polymer emulsions as well as the polymers as colored, finely divided solids.

Abstract: Monodisperse latexes having a particle size in the range of 2 to 40 microns are prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization in microgravity. A reaction mixture containing smaller monodisperse latex seed particles, predetermined amounts of monomer, emulsifier, initiator, inhibitor and water is placed in a microgravity environment, and polymerization is initiated by heating. The reaction is allowed to continue until the seed particles grow to a predetermined size, and the resulting enlarged particles are then recovered. A plurality of particle-growing steps can be used to reach larger sizes within the stated range, with enlarged particles from the previous steps being used as seed particles for the succeeding steps. Microgravity enables preparation of particles in the stated size range by avoiding gravity-related problems of creaming and settling, and flocculation induced by mechanical shear that have precluded their preparation in a normal gravity environment.

Abstract: A polymer emulsification process comprising intimately dispersing a liquified water insoluble polymer phase in an aqueous liquid medium phase containing at least one nonionic, anionic or cationic oil-in-water functioning emulsifying agent, in the presence of a compound selected from the group consisting of those hydrocarbons and hydrocarbyl alcohols, ethers, alcohol esters, amines, halides and carboxylic acid esters which are inert, non-volatile, water insoluble, liquid and contain a terminal aliphatic hydrocarbyl group of at least about 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof, and subjecting the resulting crude emulsion to the action of comminuting forces sufficient to enable the production of an aqueous emulsion containing polymer particles averaging less than about 0.5 .mu. in size.

Abstract: A method comprisingI. reacting isocyanate groups in an organic polyisocyanate by anhydrous reaction with a chemically equivalent amount of primary hydroxyl-containing material, at least about 50 mole % of which material is one or a mixture ofA. allyl alcohol, orB. at least one C.sub.2-4 hydroxyalkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, to form a water-resistant adduct of said polyisocyanate with said material, andIi. intimately dispersing said adduct, in the form of a water insoluble liquid phase, into an aqueous liquid medium containingA. an anionic or cationic oil-in-water functioning emulsifying agent, in the presence ofB. an aliphatic hydrocarbon or hydrocarbyl alcohol which is inert, non-volatile, water insoluble, liquid, and contains a terminal aliphatic hydrocarbyl group of at least about 8 carbon atoms; homogenizing the resulting crude emulsion to reduce the average size of the dispersed phase particles to below 0.5 .mu.