Abstract: An aqueous polymer blend composition including a predominant amount of soft polymer particles and a minor amount of hard polymer particles is provided. The soft polymer particles contain, as copolymerized units, 70 to 99.7% by weight monoethylenically unsaturated (meth)acrylic monomer and from 0.3 to 10% by weight monoethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, based on weight of soft polymer particles. The soft polymer particles are made by a select process including redox polymerization or polymerization in the presence of excess unreacted monomer. The aqueous polymer blend composition is useful for preparing dry coatings having improved dirt pickup resistance and acceptable scrub resistance. A method is provided for preparing a dry coating from the aqueous polymer blend composition.

Abstract: Sets of fluid premixes useful for adhesives and caulks are provided. Also provided are methods of providing adhesive lines and a caulk lines using the sets of premixes. Further provided are ranges of adhesives and caulks based on the adhesive and caulk lines. Utilizing these methods the manufacturer, seller, or user can to adjust the adhesive or caulk at the point of manufacture, sale, or use to suit the processing and end-use conditions, in addition to the other benefits offered by delayed product differentiation.

Abstract: A paint manufacturing method includes receiving each of a group of fluid prepaints at different inputs of a fluid component mixing system, determining at a computer system a first fluid prepaint ratio, and mixing the fluid prepaints in accordance with the first ratio to form a base paint at an output of the mixing system. A paint manufacturing system includes a computer-controlled prepaint mixing system. The prepaint mixing system includes multiple fluid inputs providing for computer-controllable flow of prepaints into the mixing system. The computer system includes a memory storing software instructions that configured the computer system to receive user input selecting a base paint to be produced, determine a ratio of fluid prepaints needed to produce the base paint, and regulate each fluid flow control to establish, in the determined ratio, a flow of fluid prepaints entering the fluid mixing system.

Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: A number of stable mixtures are disclosed containing specific combinations and levels of extender pigments and thickeners. These stable mixtures may be employed, inter alia, as a mixture in a method of making paints using prepaints or as a conventional component in a coating, such as a paint, or other end-use where opacifying pigments are employed.

Abstract: The preparation of a paint line using sets of prepaints containing a latex polymer binder. At least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder, is also is described. The paints may be applied to architectural coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coating suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat.

Abstract: Methods of providing a paint line containing a latex polymeric binder are described. A range of paints can be formulated using sets of prepaints, at least one of which contains a latex polymeric binder. The paints may be applied as architectural coatings, industrial coatings, graphic arts coating, elastomeric coatings, and non-cementitious, aggregate finish coatings suitable for application on a wall directly or as a topcoat in exterior insulation finishing systems.

Abstract: A number of stable opacifying mixtures are disclosed which contain specific combinations and levels of titanium dioxide, thickeners, and dispersants. These stable mixtures may be employed in a method of making paints using prepaints or as a conventional component in a coating such as a paint, or in other end-uses where opacifying pigments are employed.

Abstract: Sets of fluid premixes useful for adhesives and caulks are provided. Also provided are methods of providing adhesive lines and a caulk lines using the sets of premixes. Further provided are ranges of adhesives and caulks based on the adhesive and caulk lines. Utilizing these methods the manufacturer, seller, or user can to adjust the adhesive or caulk at the point of manufacture, sale, or use to suit the processing and end-use conditions, in addition to the other benefits offered by delayed product differentiation.

Abstract: Sets of prepaints useful for forming a road-marking paint line are provided. Also provided are methods which permit the person applying the road-marking paint to vary the properties of the road-marking paint at the application point to suit the ambient conditions, including temperature, humidity, traffic flow and the like.

Abstract: Polymer-pigment composites, aqueous dispersions of polymer-pigment composites and coating compositions containing the polymer-pigment composites are disclosed, wherein the polymer is formed from terminally-unsaturated oligomers containing acid functionality.

Abstract: A ball has a wall of elastomeric material defining a cavity. The cavity contains a filling which comprises a plurality of substantially closed cells. The pressure in the cavity is substantially atmospheric pressure. The substantially closed cells fill a peripheral part of the cavity adjoining the inner side of the wall, or the cavity is substantially filled with the substantially closed cells. The substantially closed cells have elastomeric walls. At least some of the substantially closed cells are separate hollow bodies. The hollow bodies are microspheres.

Abstract: A polymer blend useful as a binder in an aqueous coating composition containing no coalescent is provided. The polymer blend comprises from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of a hard emulsion polymer, having a glass transition temperature greater than about room temperature, and from about 80 to about 40 weight percent of a soft emulsion polymer, having a glass transition temperature less than about 15 degrees Centigrade.