Abstract: A decorating tool (1) suitable for creating a broken pattern in e.g. flowable paint, varnish or glazes to simulate for example ragging, sponging and rag-rolling effects. The tool (1) comprises flexible flaps (6a and 6b) attached to a roller (2) so that when the roller (2) is rolled across a coat of paint etc, the flaps (6a, 6b) strike the paint and create the broken pattern. The tool may be used to distress the coating whereupon flaps (6a, b 6b) are preferably made from sheepskin or chamois leather. Also a method for creating a broken pattern by use of the roller (2), especially use of the roller to create a broken pattern in a paint, varnish or glaze containing an additive to retard drying.

Abstract: A method of increasing the molecular weight of a poly(aryl ether) comprising providing a mixture of (1) at least one polyaryl ether comprising polymer chains having end groups selected from groups of formula--Ar--X, preferably --Y--Ar--X and --Ar--OXand (2) a reagent having nucleophilic activity selected from (a) alkaline salts of Group I or Group II metals (as hereinafter defined) and (b) reagents have radicals --X and --OZ, reactive respectively with the end groups --Ar--OZ and --Ar--X, wherein when the end group is --Ar--X the reagent is either a difunctional reagent having either both end groups in the form of reactive --OZ groups or a difunctional reagent having one reactive --OZ group and one reactive --X group and when the end group is --Ar--OZ the reagent is a difunctional reagent having reactive end groups --X, and wherein Ar represents an arylene radical, preferably a phenylene radical, X is a monovalent radical capable of nucleophilic displacement from Ar, preferably selected from halogen, nitrile

Abstract: A method of increasing the molecular weight of a poly(aryl ether) comprising providing a mixture of (1) at least one polyaryl ether comprising polymer chains having end groups selected from groups of formula--Ar--X,preferably--Y--Ar--X and --Ar--OXand (2) a reagent having nucleophilic activity selected from (a) alkaline salts of Group I or Group II metals (as hereinafter defined) and (b) reagents have radicals --X and --OZ, reactive respectively with the end groups --Ar--OZ and --Ar--X, wherein when the end group is --Ar--X the reagent is either a difunctional reagent having either both end groups in the form of reactive --OZ groups or a difunctional reagent having one reactive --OZ group and one reactive --X group and when the end group is --Ar--OZ the reagent is a difunctional reagent having reactive end groups --X, and wherein Ar represents an arylene radical, preferably a phenylene radical, X is a monovalent radical capable of nucleophilic diplacement from Ar, preferably selected from halogen, nitrile (CN