Abstract: This invention relates to a 1-8% crosslinked terpolymer of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride and a hydrophobic C.sub.6 to C.sub.18 alkyl vinyl ether in a critical molar ratio of from 1-3:1:0.01-0.20, which polymer has a pH of from about 4 to about 11, a Brookfield viscosity of from about 10,000 to about 150,000 cps and is characterized as having desirable salt tolerance enhanced viscosity, stability, low residual monomers and enhanced use characteristics. The invention also relates to liquid or aqueous gel compositions of the crosslinked terpolymer containing a salt and a method for the preparation of said crosslinked terpolymer gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable colorless concentrates and stock solutions of 1-5% crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers having a Brookfield viscosity of up to about 25,000 cps and to the process for their preparation.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing and neutralizing a crosslinked polymer of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether, and, optionally a hydrophobic monomer, in anhydride form substantially instantaneously in water at room temperature, which comprises reacting about 0.1-4% by weight of the crosslinked polymer in water at room temperature with ammonium hydroxide base, with stirring, to form a gel solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable colorless concentrates and stock solutions of 1-5% crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers having a Brookfield viscosity of up to about 25,000 cps and to the process for their preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 1-8% crosslinked terpolymer of alkyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride and a C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 alkyl (meth)acrylate in a critical molar ratio of from 1-3:1:0.01-0.08, which polymer has a pH of from about 4 to about 11, a Brookfield viscosity of from about 10,000 to about 150,000 cps and is characterized as having significantly improved salt tolerance and stability. The invention also relates to liquid or gel compositions of the crosslinked terpolymer containing a salt and a method for the preparation of said crosslinked terpolymer gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which significantly reduces the time for hydrolyzing a crosslinked maleic anhydride/lower alkyl vinyl ether copolymer to a clear gel which comprises suspending or dispersing fine granules of the crosslinked copolymer in deionized water and agitating the resulting dispersion or suspension for a period of between about 15 and about 130 minutes at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to about 90.degree. C. and then cooling the hydrolyzed mixture before introducing a basic neutralizing agent at a temperature of from about 15.degree. to about 85.degree. C. to produce a clear, homogeneous hydrolyzed gel having a Brookfield viscosity of from 5,000 to 250,000 cps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer hair fixative comprising vinyl caprolactam, vinyl pyrrolidone, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and acrylate acid, in the form of sodium acrylate, an aqueous-based solution process for making such polymers, and water-based hair spray compositions including such polymer fixatives which meet VOC standards.

Abstract: What is provided herein is an electrically conductive gel composition for use in establishing a low resistance contact between an electrode and a biological body, comprising a clear, aqueous solution of about 0.1 to 3% by weight of a crosslinked, neutralized copolymer of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether. In the preferred form of the invention, the composition contains about 0.1 to 3% by weight of the crosslinked, neutralized copolymer which contains about 1 to 5 mole % based on the alkyl vinyl ether of a crosslinking agent.

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: 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: 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: Terpolymers of maleic anhydride, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether and a C.sub.12 -C.sub.14 alpha-olefin, and crosslinked products thereof, are provided herein for use in thickener, adhesive, sunscreen, hair spray, and waterproofing compositions. The alpha-olefin comonomer is a hydrophobic, straight chain, unsaturated hydrocarbon such as dodecene or tetradecene, which is present in the terpolymer in predetermined amounts relative to the hydrophilic maleic anhydride component, to provide a terpolymer having a suitable HLB for these applications.

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: 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: Substantially benzene-free copolymers of maleic anhydride and alkyl vinyl ethers having benzene present in an amount of less than 1 ppm and toluene present in an amount of about 2.0 wt. % or less are provided by treating the copolymer powder with toluene at a temperature of about 115.degree. C. to about 125.degree. C.