Abstract: What is provided herein are hair and skin care compositions containing discrete microdroplets of an oil in water stabilized by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer and a water-soluble acryl comonomer. The stabilized microdroplets are prepared by dispersing the oil in water, adding the water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, with the comonomer, and copolymerizing the monomer and comonomer in situ such that the oil is stabilized in the resulting copolymer solution as discrete microdroplets.

Abstract: Free radical polymerization of monomers in the presence of t-amylperoxy pivalate as the free radical initiator is described. Copolymers of maleic anhydride and a vinyl monomer, e.g. a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether, and water soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone, are representative polymers prepared in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: A process is described for carrying out aqueous and non-aqueous polymerization of polymerizable monomers, particularly vinyl monomers, and, preferably, vinylpyrrolidone, in the presence of a mixture of a stable, high purity, free-flowing, fine white powder of a substantially anhydrous 1:1 molar ratio complex of polyvinylpyrrolidone-hydrogen peroxide (PVP--H.sub.2 O.sub.2), respectively, and a transition metallic ion, as a free radical initiator, is described herein. Preferred polymerizations are the homopolymerization of vinylpyrrolidone and the copolymerization of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether.

Abstract: What is described herein is a cationic polymerization process for the production of methyl vinyl ether homopolymers which have a relatively high molecular weight and a rather narrow molecular weight distribution. Polymerization is carried out under pressure of an added inert gas so the methyl vinyl ether vapor is effectively absorbed into the liquid phase during the polymerization.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a denture adhesive which is a mixed partial salt of a copolymer of maleic anhydride and acrylic acid (or methacrylic acid), optionally including a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether, having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 to 400,000, preferably about 50,000 to 350,000. The copolymer comprises about 10 to 70 mole percent, preferably 20 to 60 mole percent, of maleic anhydride, about 30 to 90 mole percent, preferably 40 to 80 percent, of acrylic acid (or methacrylic acid), and 0 to 25 mole percent of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether.

Abstract: What is provided herein is a sunscreen composition consisting essentially of a crosslinked, neutralized terpolymer of maleic anhydride, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether and a C.sub.12 -C.sub.14 alpha-olefin monomer as a thickener; water; an ultraviolet sunscreening agent; and an emulsifier. In the preferred form of the invention, the monomers are present in a molar ratio of about 1:0.90-0.99:0.01-0.10, respectively, and are crosslinked with about 2-8 wt. % of a crosslinking agent based on the total weight of the monomers. Suitably, the crosslinked terpolymer is neutralized to increase water solubility.

Abstract: What is provided herein are skin care compositions containing discrete microdroplets of an oil in water stabilized by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer. The discrete microdroplets are prepared by dispersing the oil, preferably a silicone, in water, adding the water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, and polymerizing the monomer in situ such that the oil is stabilized in the resulting polymer solution as discrete microdroplets.

Abstract: A hair spray resin compositon is provided herein which is capable of delivering a fine finishing mist at a high resin solids level. The composition is substantially moisture resistant, provides a stiff resin film having excellent hair holding power, and has a relatively low concentration of volatile organic compounds therein. The composition of the invention attains its unique attributes by including a predetermined blend of at least two hair spray resins, one being a relatively high molecular weight resin, and the other resin having a relatively low molecular weight. The latter resin is present in the composition in a substantially greater proportion than the higher molecular weight resin.

Abstract: The hair setting shampoo composition of the invention comprises a resin provided by about 1-15% by weight of about a 20-50% resin active alcoholic solution of the alkyl half-ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer having a molecular weight of at least one million, which is about 5-90% neutralized, preferably with about 0.01-1% by weight of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, about 5-60% by weight of a surfactant, optionally 0-10% by weight of added ethanol, and about 30-90% by weight of water. The composition provides a subtle temporary set on hair of the user without the use of auxiliary fixatives in the composition.

Abstract: Free radical polymerization of monomers in the presence of t-amylperoxy pivalate as the free radical initiator is described. Copolymers of maleic anhydride and a vinyl monomer, e.g. a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether, and water soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone, are representative polymers prepared in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: Terpolymers of maleic anhydride, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether and isobutylene, and crosslinked products thereof, are provided herein. The hydrophilic terpolymer compositions of the invention are particularly useful as denture adhesives while the hydrophobic terpolymer compositions find application as waterproofing materials.

Abstract: The mousse hair composition of the invention comprises a resin provided by about 3-15% by weight of about a 20-50% alcoholic solution of the half-alkyl ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer having a molecular weight of at least one million, which is about 5-90% neutralized, preferably with about 0.15-1.0% by weight of ammonium hydroxide, about 60-95% by weight of water, about 0.3-2.0% by weight of a surfactant, and about 0-30% by weight of added ethanol.

Abstract: What is described herein is a process for making ethanol solutions of alkyl half-esters of copolymers of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether which are benzene and acetone-free. The invention is characterized by (a) precharging a reactor with excess C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether as both monomer reactant and solvent, and a free radical polymerization initiator, at a reaction temperature; (b) feeding the alkyl half-ester of maleic anhydride formed by reaction of substantially one mole of maleic anhydride and substantially one mole of alkanol into the precharged reactor to form the desired alkyl half-ester of the alternating copolymer of maleic anhydride and the C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether in excess alkyl vinyl ether as solvent; (c) cooling the reactor to room temperature; and (d) introducing ethanol solvent into the reactor and removing excess alkyl vinyl ether to form the desired half-ester copolymer in ethanol solution.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a denture adhesive which is a mixed partial salt of a terpolymer of maleic anhydride, (MA) a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether (AVE) and isobutylene (IB) vinyl ether, having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 to 400,000, preferably about 50,000 to 350,000. The terpolymer has its components in the molar ratio of MA:AVE:IB of about 1:0.4-0.9:0.1-0.6, preferably about 1:0.5-0.8-0.2-0.5.

Abstract: A polymerization process is described herein for making crosslinked copolymers of maleic anhydride and an alkyl vinyl ether characterized in that polymerization is carried out in a solvent system which is a mixture of a carboxylic acid ester and a saturated hydrocarbon, preferably a mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane in the weight ratio of about 35% to 55% ethyl acetate and 45% to 65% cyclohexane.

Abstract: A non-aerosol shaving gel of the invention consists essentially of a major amount of a resin gel-former which is a crosslinked, neutralized copolymer of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether, a water-soluble soap and water.

Abstract: What is described herein is a process for making a copolymer of high specific viscosity by polymerization of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether monomer. The invention involves polymerizing said monomers to form a slurry of said copolymer in excess alkyl vinyl ether and toluene and is characterized by the steps of: (a) precharging a reactor with C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether as solvent at a reaction temperature, (b) feeding a mixture of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether in substantially stoichiometric amounts, preferably with a slight excess of the alkyl vinyl there, and at a selected rate, into said precharged reactor, and (c) simultaneously feeding a predetermined mixture of toluene and a polymerization initiator continuously over substantially the entire period of polymerization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hair styling gel containing a neutralized, crosslinked maleic anhydride C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl vinyl ether copolymer. The formulation is a clear gel of suitable viscosity and pH. This composition provides effective hair styling at low copolymer levels. The favorable characteristics of the composition includes no drag on comb-out and a clean feel on the hair after use.

Abstract: What is disclosed herein is a nail polish remover composition having a cream-like consistency, and, in use, leaves a thin, bufferable coating on the nail which does not yellow, peel or crack, is non-toxic, and which can be removed easily with soap and water. The active components are (a) about 50 to 95% by weight of a solvent to remove nail polish from the nail; and (b) about 0.25-3.0% by weight of a hydrolyzed and neutralized crosslinked maleic anhydride-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether copolymer, which is neutralized with about 0.2 to 2.4% by weight of a neutralizing agent.

Abstract: Slurry copolymerization of maleic anhydride with (meth)acrylic acid and, optionally, with C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether in a cosolvent system of cyclohexane and ethyl acetate yields a pumpable slurry, from which uniform, fine, white powders having a predetermined weight average molecular weight of about 10,000 to one million, preferably about 30,000 to 400,000, are obtained.