Abstract: A steerable sheath catheter for providing access into body vasculature, the catheter including a sheath handle with an actuator and a control mechanism operative to selectively deflect a tip section of the catheter, and a feedback mechanism that provides, for example, tactile feedback that is felt by the user as the control mechanism passes a neutral position while deflecting the tip section.

Abstract: A steerable sheath catheter for providing access into body vasculature, the catheter including a sheath handle with an actuator and a control mechanism operative to selectively deflect a tip section of the catheter, and a feedback mechanism that provides, for example, tactile feedback that is felt by the user as the control mechanism passes a neutral position while deflecting the tip section.

Abstract: An integrated spa water heating assembly comprising a solar water heater panel, having a water inlet and outlet, an electrical motor/pump unit attached to the panel and having ducting for drawing water from the spa interior for passage to the panel inlet, the panel operating to discharge heated water flowing from the panel back into the spa water, and a solar power panel operatively attached to the heater panel, and electrically connected with the motor to power motor operation.

Abstract: An alkene copolymer latex composition comprising, (i) an inner particulate material; (ii) an outer copolymer copolymerized from an alkene, a lower vinyl ester and optionally additional monomers, said outer copolymer at least partially encapsulating said inner particulate material; wherein the inner particulate material is effective to enhance the incorporation of the alkene into the copolymer composition; and (iii) water.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions in which plating and/or grit formation is reduced in said processes. This invention also relates to methods for reducing plating and/or grit formation in processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions. This invention further relates to polymers which are soluble in, or swelled by, an aqueous alkaline medium to provide thickeners for use in aqueous coating compositions, especially latex paints.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions in which plating and/or grit formation is reduced in said processes. This invention also relates to methods for reducing plating and/or grit formation in processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions. This invention further relates to polymers which are soluble in, or swelled by, an aqueous alkaline medium to provide thickeners for use in aqueous coating compositions, especially latex paints.

Abstract: This invention relates to complex hydrophobe compounds and to alkoxylation products, i.e., condensation reaction products of alkylene oxides and complex hydrophobe compounds having at least one active hydrogen. This invention also relates to alkoxylation products that have beneficial, narrow molecular weight ranges.

Abstract: An aqueous emulsion copolymer of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers which includes from about 0.1 weight % or less to about 10 weight % or greater of a monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomer. These monomers can improve the brush drag of paints made with the emulsion copolymers, and in some instances the leveling is simultaneously improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of coating a substrate by applying thereon an aqueous coating composition containing an alkali-swellable complex hydrophobe associative thickener. When a blade coater is utilized to apply said composition, lower blade pressures are obtained allowing increased line speeds to be used without scratching the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions in which plating and/or grit formation is reduced in said processes. This invention also relates to methods for reducing plating and/or grit formation in processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions. This invention further relates to polymers which are soluble in, or swelled by, an aqueous alkaline medium to provide thickeners for use in aqueous coating compositions, especially latex paints.

Abstract: An anti-icing fluid suitable for ground treatment of aircraft, being a glycol-based solution containing a macromonomer-containing polymer thickener in an amount of less than about 5 weight %. The macromonomer-containing polymer thickener is present in the glycol-based solution in an amount sufficient to thicken the fluid to promote its adherence to aircraft surfaces when applied to a stationary aircraft. Use of this thickened deicing fluid does not adversely affect airfoil lift characteristics during takeoff, because the fluid exhibits shear thinning and readily flows off the aircraft surfaces when exposed to wind shear during the aircraft's takeoff run.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions in which plating and/or grit formation is reduced in said processes. This invention also relates to methods for reducing plating and/or grit formation in processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions. This invention further relates to polymers which are soluble in, or swelled by, an aqueous alkaline medium to provide thickeners for use in aqueous coating compositions, especially latex paints.

Abstract: Polysaccharides, including hydroxyethyl cellulose, having complex hydrophobic group substitution, provide latex compositions, such as paints, with improved rheology and stability. Improved processes for producing such polysaccharides are also provided.

Abstract: Polymers are disclosed which comprise:(A) about 1-99.9 weight percent of one or more alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, typically methacrylic acids;(B) about 0-98.9 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, typically ethyl acrylate;(C) about 0.1-99 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomers, and(D) about 0-20 weight percent or greater of one or more polyethylenically unsaturated monomers. These polymers can be solubilized in water with the aid of an alkali, like ammonium hydroxide. When the polymers are added to latex paints and neutralized, the viscosity of the paint is increased, brush drag is increased, and the paint rheology is otherwise improved.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers are disclosed which comprise hydrophobic segments, each segment containing at least one hydrophobic group or comlex hydrophobic group covalently bonded to the polymer, wherein the polymer has an amount of complex hydrophobic groups sufficient to provide for enhanced thickening of aqueous solutions containing the polymer. These polymers provide superior thickening and leveling in aqueous systems through hydrophobic associations, and aid suspension of particulate materials in non-aqueous systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions in which plating and/or grit formation is reduced in said processes. This invention also relates to methods for reducing plating and/or grit formation in processes for preparing aqueous polymer emulsions useful as thickening agents in aqueous compositions. This invention further relates to polymers which are soluble in, or swelled by, an aqueous alkaline medium to provide thickeners for use in aqueous coating compositions, especially latex paints.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers are disclosed which comprise hydrophobic segments, each segment containing at least one hydrophobic group or comlex hydrophobic group covalently bonded to the polymer, wherein the polymer has an amount of complex hydrophobic groups sufficient to provide for enhanced thickening of aqueous solutions containing the polymer. These polymers provide superior thickening and leveling in aqueous systems through hydrophobic associations, and aid suspension of particulate materials in non-aqueous systems.

Abstract: Polymers are disclosed which comprise:(A) about 1-99.9 weight percent of one or more alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, typically methacrylic acids;(B) about 0-98.9 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, typically ethyl acrylate;(C) about 0.1-99 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomers, and(D) about 0-20 weight percent or greater of one or more polyethylenically unsaturated monomers. These polymers can be solubilized in water with the aid of an alkali, like ammonium hydroxide. When the polymers are added to latex paints and neutralized, the viscosity of the paint is increased, brush drag is increased, and the paint rheology is otherwise improved.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers are disclosed which comprise hydrophobic segments, each segment containing at least one hydrophobic group or comlex hydrophobic group covalently bonded to the polymer, wherein the polymer has an amount of complex hydrophobic groups sufficient to provide for enhanced thickening of aqueous solutions containing the polymer. These polymers provide superior thickening and leveling in aqueous systems through hydrophobic associations, and aid suspension of particulate materials in non-aqueous systems.

Abstract: Polymers are disclosed which comprise:(A) about 1-99.9 weight percent of one or more alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, typically methacrylic acids;(B) about 0-98.9 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, typically ethyl acrylate;(C) about 0.1-99 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated macromonomers, and(D) about 0-20 weight percent or greater of one or more polyethylenically unsaturated monomers. These polymers can be solubilized in water with the aid of an alkali, like ammonium hydroxide. When the polymers are added to latex paints and neutralized, the viscosity of the paint is increased, brush drag is increased, and the paint rheology is otherwise improved.