Abstract: Urea-hydrogen peroxide-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the form of a free-flowing powder is stable against decomposition in water and alcohol solvents. The product is obtained by spraying an aqueous solution of urea-hydrogen peroxide onto a fluidized bed of PVP and drying; it contains about 5%-20% by weight H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and less than about 5% water. The urea-hydrogen peroxide solution is applied onto the fluidized PVP bed at a predetermined rate, suitably about 0.5-30 g of solution/minute/kg PVP in the bed, and, preferably, about 1-3 g/min/kg PVP.

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: What is provided herein are conditioning hair care compositions comprising (a) a stabilized silicone product obtained by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, in the presence of discrete microdroplets of a silicone oil in water, (b) a surfactant, and the balance being (c) water.

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: The invention relates to cosmetic compositions containing quaternized compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n and n' are each independently integers having a value of from 1 to 25; p is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4; Y and Y' are each independently H or CH.sub.3 ; R is linear alkyl, alkenyl, or amidoalkyl having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; Z is linear alkylene having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with lower alkyl and A.sup.- is an anion.

Abstract: A solution of stearamidopropyl dimethyl pyrrolidonyl methyl ammonium chloride in a polyhydric alcohol, suitably at a concentration of about 1-30% by weight, preferably 2-20%, and, optimally, about 5-15%, wherein said polyhydric alcohol is a di-, tri-, or tetra hydric alcohol, preferably glycerol, is prepared by(a) slurrying said compound into excess acetone,(b) filtering the slurry to provide a filter cake of said compound,(c) forming a solution of said filter cake in a polyhydric alcohol, and(d) dropping said solution into an evacuated reaction vessel at a suitable rate to minimize excessive foaming while residual acetone is removed therefrom, the solution remaining under substantial full vacuum until substantially all the solution has been added and substantially of the acetone has been removed.

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 are cosmetic compositions for the care of hair and skin containing about 0.2 to 10% by wt. of a strongly swellable, moderately crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers in the form of fine, white powders characterized by (a) an aqueous swelling parameter defined by its gel volume of about 15 to 150 ml/g, (b) a Brookfield viscosity in 5% aqueous solution of at least about 10,000 cps, and (c) being prepared directly by a precipitation polymerization process in an organic solvent, in the presence of about 0.2 to 1% by weight of vinylpyrrolidone of a multifunctional crosslinking agent, preferably about 0.25 to 0.6%, and optimally, about 0.35 to 0.6%.

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 invention relates primarily to quaternized polycyclic compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein m is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4; R is alkylene having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; R.sub.2 together with the quaternary nitrogen, forms a 5 to 14 membered heterocyclic ring, said ring containing at least 2 hetero atoms selected from the group of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; R.sub.1 forms a double bond in the heterocyclic ring of the quaternized nitrogen or is alkyl, alkyleneoxyalkyl, alkylhydroxy, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, alkylamidoalkyl and X.sup.- is an anion. The invention also relates to the preparation and use of said quaternized polycyclic compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to properties and uses of N-hydrocarbon substituted lactams, particularly N-alkyl substituted lactams having the formula ##STR1## wherein R' is a hydrophobic radical such as linear or branched chain alkyl group containing from 8 to 27 carbon atoms, most preferably micelle forming pyrrolidones having 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the R' group. The invention particularly relates to the uses of the N-hydrocarbon substituted lactams which involve surfactant properties, such as solubility, wetting, viscosity building, emulsifying and/or complexing properties.

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: What is provided herein is a semi-anhydrous, suspension process for preparing substantially anhydrous complexes of PVP and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 containing about 18% to about 22% by weight H.sub.2 O.sub.2. The process comprises suspending substantially anhydrous PVP and an aqueous solution of 70 to 85% H.sub.2 O.sub.2 in an anhydrous ethyl acetate medium to precipitate a free-flowing, fine white powders of the complex, and filtering and drying under vacuum at about 40.degree.-50.degree. C. to form the desired product.

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: 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.