Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Abstract: Use, for thickening oily media, of silicone waxes which have aliphatic fatty alcohol or acid ester functional groups of formula —(CH2)n—A-R, in which formula n is equal to at least 2, A an —OCO— or —COO—group and R a C21-C30 aliphatic group, more particularly those which have behenate functional groups —(CH2)3—O—CO—(CH2)20—CH3, bonded directly to silicon atoms of the polyorganosiloxane chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable, high solids, aqueous emulsions of high viscosity masked (poly)isocyanates, water, surface active agents, and, optionally, thickening water-soluble polymers. The emulsions of the present invention are formulated in as little as 20 parts by weight water or less. The present invention further provides processes for forming such emulsions.

Abstract: A method for preparing aqueous emulsions of oils, gums or preferably masked (poly)isocyanate resins by kneading a mixture consisting of (1) a preferably masked (poly)isocyanate phase (A) with a viscosity of at least 3 Pa.s or a consistency of at least 200, and (2) an aqueous phase consisting of water, at least one surfactant (B) and optionally at least one water-soluble thickening polymer (C), the relative amounts water, (B) and optionally (C) being such that said aqueous phase has a viscosity or consistency preferably no lower than that of the preferably masked (poly)isocyante phase (A), and said kneading being performed for a sufficient time and with sufficient shear to give an oil-in-water emulsion with a particle size of 0.1-5 &mgr;m, and optionally by diluting the medium with water.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making alkoxylates of organic compounds. The process requires a) providing an active hydrogen organic compound having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and b) alkoxylating the organic compound with an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a rare earth triflimide of the following formula: R1R2R3X wherein X is a lanthanide; R1, R2, and R3 each being independently a triflimide group of the following formula: N(SO2Z)2 wherein Z is CnF2n+1; C being a carbon atom; F being a fluorine atom; and n being an integer from 1 to 15.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising a conventional surfactant, a cationic or amphoteric gemini surfactant and a polymeric soil release agent. The conventional surfactant comprises a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group. The gemini surfactant comprises two surfactant moieties attached to each other by a spacer moiety. Each surfactant moiety having at least one hydrophilic group and at least one hydrophobic group. Novel trimeric and tetrameric cationic gemini surfactants are also disclosed along with their use in combination with soil release polymer compositions that exhibit superior cleaning efficacies when incorporated in laundry and other cleaning detergent systems. Novel surfactant/soil release polymer compositions are also disclosed employing known cationic gemini surfactants. The polymeric soil release agent can be any conventional polymeric soil release agent, but preferably comprising PET—POET copolymer.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Abstract: Stable, pumpable aqueous surfactant compositions of water and alkyl phosphate ester salts having a molar ratio of mono- to di- alkyl phosphate esters equal to or greater than 80:20, with the surfactant composition being essentially free of water-soluble alcohol or co-solvent. The pumpable aqueous surfactant compositions have a solids content of about 40% by weight or more and exhibit one or more pumpable regions over a range of pH values for the aqueous surfactant composition.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Abstract: An improved soil release polymer composition comprising a soil release polymer and a long chain nonionic alkoxylate surfactant and/or amphoteric that is able to generate very low critical micelle concentration values in water. Preferably, the soil release composition is incorporated in a detergent system such as a commercial laundry detergent which comprises a second anionic, nonionic or cationic surfactant and mixtures thereof. By lowering the cmc values of the detergent wash water to very low levels, the surfactant greatly enhances the performance of the soil release polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delayed-release pharmaceutical composition which is in the form of tablets prepared by direct tableting and consisting of at least one active principle and a matrix which gives the said composition its delayed-release effect, characterized in that the said matrix consists at least in part of pregranulated polysaccharides of high molecular weight and of synthetic or natural origin.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of organopolysiloxanes selected from the group consisting of silicone oils, gums, resins and mixtures therein which is prepared in a single kneading step which is sufficient to produce an emulsion having a particle size of 0.1 to 5 micrometers is provided.

Abstract: Contaminated aqueous systems can be cleaned using an ultra-filtration process that allows for the recovery of high yields of the surfactant employed therein for recycle and reuse. The system employs a specific class of sugar-derived nonionic surfactants which remain polar and solvated at the higher operating temperatures of the system. Specifically, these are sugar-derived nonionic surfactants more definitively known as the alkyl polyglycosides and the alkyl glucomides. The surfactant/contaminant-containing aqueous system is ultra-filtered resulting in the surfactant passing through with the permeate at extremely high yields for recovery and reuse.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the stability of thickening agent solutions, especially guar solutions, by sterilizing the solution with UV light and/or adding a surfactant to the solution are disclosed. Thickening agent solutions and powders, including guar solutions and powders, as well as products made from these solutions and powders, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing oil-in-water emulsions of oils, gums or silicone resins by kneading a mixture of (1) a silicone phase (A) with a viscosity of at least 3 Pas or a consistency of at least 200, and (2) an aqueous phase comprising water, at least one surfactant (B) and optionally at least one water-soluble thickening polymer (C), wherein the relative amounts of water, (B) and optionally (C) are such that the aqueous phase preferably has at least as much viscosity or consistency as the silicone phase (A), said kneading being performed for a sufficient time and with sufficient shear to give an oil-in-water emulsion having a particle size of 0.1-5 .mu.m; and optionally by diluting the medium in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel derivatives of terpene origin which consist of cycloalkenyls or cycloalkyls having at least seven carbon atoms and possessing surfactant and/or fragrant properties. According to one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which p and q are integers or decimal numbers and are not equal to zero, O<P<20, preferably, O<P<5, and O<q<100, preferably 1<q<20. The invention further relates to the surfactant and/or fragrant compositions based on the above-mentioned compounds. The invention has particular applicability in detergent and perfume formulations.

Abstract: Storage-stable, pseudoplastic free-flowing cosmetic compositions/formulations, for example shampoos, shower and exfoliating gels and hair lotions, comprise a stable and homogeneous suspension, in water, of water-insoluble particulates, and which further comprise at least one anionic surfactant, at least one nonionic or amphoteric cosurfactant and at least one electrolyte, these surfactants being present in such amounts as to impart pseudoplasticity thereto with a yield point of at least 0.2 Pa and constituting spherulites suspended within a lamellar phase.

Abstract: Stable and flowable aqueous dispersions of at least one water-insoluble material are formulated by dispersing such water-insoluble material, e.g., solid particulates of a plant protection compound, into a homogeneous, stable and flowable aqueous composition that includes (1) at least one water-soluble derivative of a plant protection active agent bearing at least one ionizable functional group and at least one hydrophilic functional group, (2) at least one nonionic surface-active agent and/or at least one aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or arylaliphatic alcohol having from 4 to 15 carbon atoms, and (3) water, this composition exhibiting optical birefringence and a yield point of at least 0.1 pascal.

Abstract: Stable pyrethroid microemulsion compositions having from 0.1% to 95% by weight/weight of at least one pyrethroid in liquid form; from 2% to 90% by weight/weight of a three-component surfactant system having at least one anionic surfactant, at least one nonionic surfactant and at least one co-surfactant chosen from aliphatic alcohols, cycloaliphatic alcohols, arylaliphatic alcohols, ether-alcohols and aliphatic carboxylic acids; and water.The ratio by weight of anionic surfactant/nonionic surfactant is from 10/90 to 90/10, and the ratio by weight of co-surfactant/anionic and nonionic surfactants is from 0.1 to 1.5.The microemulsion compositions are applied directly or after dilution with water to plants (crops) or wood for controlling insects.