Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) composition containing a copolymer of a vinyl ester and ethylene, formed by emulsion polymerization. The ethylene level of the copolymer is from 40 to 75 weight percent. The copolymer is free of carboxyl-functional monomer units. The copolymer preferably also contains a non-carboxyl functional monomer. The PSA is useful for labels, decals, repositionable notes, and different types of tape. Labels containing the PSA adhere especially well to non-polar substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair care compositions which contain a polymer which is prepared from N-vinyl acetamide (NVAM) monomer and the use of those hair care compositions to treat hair. The polymer may be a homopolymer of NVAM or an interpolymer of NVAM and at least one vinyl monomer. The polymer is present in amounts effective to provide the hair care compositions with hair fixative properties and/or hair conditioning properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to precipitation polymerization processes for the manufacture of essentially non-crosslinked polymers prepared from N-vinyl acetamide monomer which exhibit reduced levels of residual non-polymerizable contaminants, particularly residual acetamide, the processes including the steps of contacting the N-vinyl acetamide monomer with a polymerization medium containing a diluent selected from ethyl acetate and acetone and a free-radical initiator, under conditions effective to polymerize the N-vinyl acetamide monomer, thereby forming a precipitate of the polymer in the polymerization medium; and isolating the precipitated polymer from the polymerization medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to star-branched polymers containing pendent olefinic groups which have been crosslinked using actinic radiation and the use of these polymers in adhesives and coating applications.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions for use in transdermal drug delivery systems comprising an adhesive composition which is tolerant to plasticization by cutaneous penetration enhancers contained in the transdermal drug formulation are disclosed. Specifically, the pressure sensitive adhesive composition of the present invention comprises an acrylic copolymer prepared from (i) at least 40% by weight of th total monomer composition of alkyl acrylate monomers with a Tg of -90 to 0.degree. C., (ii) 0-15% by weight of the total monomer composition of monomers with a Tg of 0 to 250.degree. C., and (iii) 10-60% by weight of the total monomer composition of substituted acrylamides or methacrylamides having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3,R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.3, andR.sub.3 is (a) CH.sub.3,(b) C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.sub.3 where n is 0 through 17, or(c) substituents of the formula: ##STR2## where m is 0 through 10, and optionally(iv) at least 0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to precipitation polymerization processes for the manufacture of polymers prepared from N-vinyl formamide monomer, the processes including the steps of contacting the N-vinyl formamide monomer with a polymerization medium containing t-butanol as diluent and a free-radical initiator, under conditions effective to polymerize the N-vinyl formamide monomer, thereby forming a precipitate of the polymer in the polymerization medium, substantially isolating the precipitated polymer from the polymerization medium, contacting the substantially isolated polymer with a wash containing a different diluent than the t-butanol used in the polymerization and isolating the washed polymer from the wash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair care compositions which contain a polymer which is prepared from N-vinyl formamide (NVF) monomer and the use of those hair care compositions to treat hair. The polymer may be a homopolymer of NVF or an interpolymer of NVF and at least one vinyl monomer. The polymer is present in amounts effective to provide the hair care compositions with hair fixative properties and/or hair conditioning properties.

Abstract: In a process for the homogeneous polymerization of water insoluble polymers containing greater than 50% by weight of monomers selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 acrylate or methacrylate esters, N-substituted acryl or methacrylamides and mixtures thereof in substantially non-aqueous organic solutions, the improvement which comprises using as the polymerization initiator a water soluble initiator dissolved in sufficient amount of water to dissolve the initiator whereby the resultant polymer is characterized by lower residual monomer levels than are obtained using equivalent amounts of water-insoluble initiators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair conditioning compositions which utilize as a hair conditioning additive a water-soluble polymer in amounts effective to impart hair conditioning properties to the hair conditioning composition, wherein the polymer contains the residue of N-vinyl formamide and the residue of at least one vinyl polymerizable moiety which contains an amine selected from the group consisting of secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines. The conditioning composition also includes one or more ingredients such as conditioning agents, emulsifiers, viscosity modifiers, gelling agents, opacifiers, stabilizers, preservatives, sequestering agents, chellating agents, pearling agents, clarifying agents, fragrances, colorants, and propellants; and water. The invention also relates to methods of conditioning hair.

Abstract: In a process for the homogeneous polymerization of water insoluble polymers containing greater than 50% by weight of monomers selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 acrylate or methacrylate esters, N-substituted acryl or methacrylamides and mixtures thereof in substantially non-aqueous organic solutions, the improvement which comprises using as the polymerization initiator a water soluble initiator dissolved in sufficient amount of water to dissolve the initiator whereby the resultant polymer is characterized by lower residual monomer levels than are obtained using equivalent amounts of water-insoluble initiators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair fixative compositions which utilize as the hair fixative resin a polymer which is prepared from N-vinyl formamide (NVF). The polymer may be a homopolymer of NVF or an interpolymer of NVF and at least one vinyl monomer(s). The polymer is present in amounts effective to provide the inventive hair fixative compositions with hair fixative properties. In preferred embodiments, the hair fixative composition is a stable, aqueous gel which forms a clear, non-tacky film upon drying. In certain embodiments, the gel has a rheology effective to allow the gel to be applied to the hair via a spray pump.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of N-alkylol amide monomers wherein a polymerizable amide is reacted with an aldehyde, the improvement which comprises adjusting the pH of the resulting N-alkylol amide monomer to pH 10-11 and adding thereto an alkali or alkali earth metal borohydride at a temperature of -10.degree. to 20.degree. C. so as to convert the residual free aldehyde in the equilibrium mixture to the corresponding alcohol.

Abstract: This invention provides polyether polycarboxylate compositions selected from the group consisting of polyether polycarboxylates which may be prepared by oxidizing copolymers of furan and maleic anhydride, and other polyether polycarboxylate compositions prepared by oxidizing novel, intermediate polymers of furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, selected from the group consisting of furan, alkenyl alkyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, alkenyl carboxyalkyl ethers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and esters, and olefins. This invention also provides novel, unoxidized terpolymer intermediates comprising furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, other than furan and maleic anhydride, selected from the above group, as well as a process for oxidizing these polymers and the furan and maleic anhydride copolymers.

Abstract: Formaldehyde free crosslinking emulsion polymers are prepared by the addition of N-(2,2-dialkoxy-1-hydroxy)ethyl acrylamide to a vinyl ester based polymer. The resultant emulsions can be used as binders for nonwovens or fiberfill or as woodworking adhesives.

Abstract: Various novel acetal- and aldehyde-containing monomers are prepared. They can be polymerized and copolymerized by conventional polymerization techniques. The polymers contain repeating units derived from one or more ethylenically or allylically unsaturated monomers containing an acetal group or aldehyde group and optionally one or more repeating units derived from ethylenically or allylically unsaturated monomers other than the acetal-containing or aldehyde-containing monomer such as ethylene, vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate or acrylic acid. Aqueous emulsions of polymers containing the acetal-containing monomers and a hydroxy-containing monomer are useful as binders for nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: Formaldehyde free crosslinking emulsion polymers are prepared by the addition of N-(2,2-dialkoxy-1-hydroxy)ethyl acrylamide to a vinyl ester based polymer. The resultant emulsions can be used as binders for nonwovens or fiberfill or as woodworking adhesives.

Abstract: This invention provides polyether polycarboxylate compositions selected from the group consisting of polyether polycarboxylates which may be prepared by oxidizing copolymers of furan and maleic anhydride, and other polyether polycarboxylate compositions prepared by oxidizing novel, intermediate polymers of furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, selected from the group consisting of furan, alkenyl alkyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, alkenyl carboxyalkyl ethers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and esters, and olefins. This invention also provides novel, unoxidized terpolymer intermediates comprising furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, other than furan and maleic anhydride, selected from the above group, as well as a process for oxidizing these polymers and the furan and maleic anhydride copolymers.

Abstract: This invention provides polyether polycarboxylate compositions selected from the group consisting of polyether polycarboxylates which may be prepared by oxidizing copolymers of furan and maleic anhydride, and other polyether polycarboxylate compositions prepared by oxidizing novel, intermediate polymers of furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, selected from the group consisting of furan, alkenyl alkyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, alkenyl carboxyalkyl ethers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and esters, and olefins. This invention also provides novel, unoxidized terpolymer intermediates comprising furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer, other than furan and maleic anhydride, selected from the above group, as well as a process for oxidizing these polymers and the furan and maleic anhydride copolymers.

Abstract: This invention provides detergent compositions, particularly liquid compositions, utilizing builders selected from the group consisting of a) polyether polycarboxylate compositions derived from polymers of furan/maleic anhydride copolymers; or b) polyether polycarboxylate compositions derived from polymers comprising furan, maleic anhydride and at least one copolymerized comonomer, selected from the group consisting of alkenyl alkyl ethers, alkyl acrylates, alkenyl carboxyalkyl ethers, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and esters, olefins and furan; c) polymers comprising furan, maleic anhydride, and at least one copolymerizable comonomer other than furan and maleic anhydride, which polymers may be intermediates in the production of the polyether polycarboxylate compositions by oxidation of the intermediate polymers; and d) combinations thereof.

Abstract: A derivatized graft polymer of a polysaccharide, a crosslinked graft polymer of a polysaccharide, and a derivatized and crosslinked graft polymer of a polysaccharide are prepared. The derivatized polymer has the structure Sacch-g-[(M--CH.dbd.N--Y).sub.x -g-[(M).sub.q ]; the crosslinked polymer has the structure Sacch-g-[(M--CH.dbd.N).sub.z -P].sub.w -g-[(M).sub.q ] or Sacch-g-[(M--CH.dbd.C).sub.z -P].sub.w -g-[(M).sub.q ]; the derivatized and crosslinked polymer has the structure Sacch-g-[(M--CH.dbd.N--Y).sub.x ]-g-[(M--CH.dbd.N)-P]-g-[(M).sub.q ] or Sacch-g-[(M--CH.dbd.N--Y).sub.x ]-g-[(M--CH.dbd.C).sub.z -P].sub.w -g-[(M).sub.q ]. Sacch represents a polysaccharide such as starch, gum, or cellulose; g-represents a graft; M represents one or more ethylenically or allylically unsaturated monomers, at least one of which contains an acetal or aldehyde; P represents a multivalen residue from a reagent containing more than one primary amine group or ketone group; --N.dbd.