Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing nondusting free-flowing pigment concentrates with removal of the water from pigment suspensions comprising polymers and dispersants in a fluidized bed drier. The resulting bead-form pigment concentrates are nondusting and readily free-flowing. The invention further embraces the use of pigment concentrates prepared in this way for coloring plastics and polymers.

Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifiers can be recovered from an aqueous phase containing small amounts of fluoropolymer particles by treating the aqueous phase with a small amount of a nonionic surface-active agent, bringing the aqueous phase adjusted in this way into contact with an anionic exchanger resin, and liberating the adsorbed emulsifier from the exchanger resin. The finely divided fluoropolymer can be precipitated quantitatively in the untreated aqueous phase or the eluate using flocculating agents.

Abstract: A process for making pigmented PVDF-based powder coatings by coagulation and powder based coatings made by the process. The process involves blending a PVDF latex and a water reducible acrylic polymer and pigment dispersion, adding coagulant to precipitate solid PVDF and pigment associated by ionic interaction with acrylic polymer binder, separating solids and drying the precipitate. Also, methods for coating substrates with the powder coating and coated substrates.

Abstract: Porous films for medical use are provided comprising linear block polymers of polyurethane and urea containing hydrolyzable ester groups which are spaced along the carbon chain backbone of the film predetermined distances, so that upon hydrolysis of the ester groups fragments of the polymer are formed which have a size which can be secreted from the body of a mammal, the porous film including pores having an average pore size of up to 600 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a coating and excipient agent for oral or dermal dosage forms, consisting of (a) 35-98% by weight of a copolymer consisting of radically polymerized C1-C4 esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid and additional (meth)acrylate monomers having functional tertiary ammonium groups and (b) 1-50% by weight of a softener and 1-15% by weight of an emulgator with an HLB value of less than 14, wherein constituents (a), (b) and (c) are mixed with or without adding water and optionally adding a pharmaceutical active substance and other conventional additives and the coating and excipient agent is produced by melting, casting, spreading or spraying. The invention is characterized in that the copolymer (a) is applied in powder form with a mean particle size of 1-40 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifier acids can be isolated from wastewater by firstly removing fine solids and/or material which can be converted into fine solids from the wastewater, preferably by precipitation, subsequently bringing the wastewater into contact with an anion-exchange resin and eluting the adsorbed emulsifier acids from the latter.

Abstract: A process for making pigmented PVDF-based powder coatings by coagulation and powder based coatings made by the process. The process involves blending a PVDF latex and a water reducible acrylic polymer and pigment dispersion, adding coagulant to precipitate solid PVDF and pigment associated by ionic interaction with acrylic polymer binder, separating solids and drying the precipitate. Also, methods for coating substrates with the powder coating and coated substrates.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a blend of a neat oxygen scavenging polymer and a second polymer. The blend can be prepared by extrusion of a neat formulation of the oxygen scavenging polymer and the second polymer. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the neat formulation of the oxygen scavenging polymer, and packaging articles prepared from the blend. In addition, compositions comprising a branched oxygen scavenging polymer and a second polymer are disclosed, as well as packaging articles prepared from such compositions.

Abstract: A poly(ethylene oxide) polymer having low and high molecular weight fractions is fractionated by dissolving the polymer in a solvent for the low molecular weight fraction. A good separation of the low and high molecular weight fractions can be obtained. When the poly(ethylene oxide) polymer contains a metal cyanide catalyst, this process also provides a good separation of the catalyst from the low molecular weight fraction. In this instance, the catalyst remains active and the high molecular weight fraction containing the catalyst can be recycled into subsequent polymerization processes.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The continuous product allows operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating slurry. The concentration of ethylene in the circulating slurry is at least 3.67 weight percent and the average concentration of solid olefin polymer particles is greater than 40 weight percent.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a blend of a neat oxygen scavenging polymer and a second polymer. The blend can be prepared by extrusion of a neat formulation of the oxygen scavenging polymer and the second polymer. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the neat formulation of the oxygen scavenging polymer, and packaging articles prepared from the blend. In addition, compositions comprising a branched oxygen scavenging polymer and a second polymer are disclosed, as well as packaging articles prepared from such compositions.

Abstract: The allergens and extractable protein content of a latex device can be reduced by subjecting the un-cured latex device to a pre-cure leaching treatment with a solution containing a protease, followed by curing and a post-cure leaching treatment.

Abstract: Fine particulate thermoplastic polymers [e.g., hydrophobically modified polyether-polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol, polyether-polyols, polyacrylamide, aminoplast-polyethers and poly(acetal- or ketal-polyethers] having reduced bulk density, process of making same by dissolving the polymer and rapidly insolubilizing the polymer from the solution and process of using aqueous suspensions of such polymers as thickeners for aqueous systems.

Abstract: Fine particulate thermoplastic polymers [e.g., hydrophobically modified polyether-polyurethanes polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol, polyether-polyols, polyacrylamide, aminoplast-polyethers and poly (acetal- or ketal-polyethers] having reduced bulk density, process of making same by dissolving the polymer and rapidly insolubilizing the polymer from the solution and process of using aqueous suspensions of such polymers as thickeners for aqueous systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are a deproteinizing agent comprising a proteolytic enzyme and one or more cationic surfactants selected from the group consisting of an alkylamine salt, an alkylamine derivative and quaternized compounds thereof; and a method of preparing a cationic deproteinized natural rubber latex, which comprises adding said deproteinizing agent to a field latex or an ammonia-treated latex thereby subjecting the latex to a deproteinization treatment and purifying the rubber particles in the latex.

Abstract: A method for extracting and separating extractive components from fluids is provided. A first fluid and an extraction fluid are added to a vessel, thereby creating a two-phase two-layer system, wherein the first fluid and the extraction fluid are discrete and the two-phase system has a first fluid/extraction fluid interface. The two-phase system is then agitated, wherein the first fluid phase and the extraction fluid phase remain as substantially discrete layers. A means for communication between the first fluid and the extraction fluid is provided. The communication of the phases results in the extractive components being extracted from the first fluid into the extraction fluid. Agitation is stopped and the first fluid is recovered having reduced extractive components.

Abstract: The molecular weight distribution of polytetrahydrofuran and copolymers of tetrahydrofuran with alkylene oxides is narrowed down by blending the polymers with a mixture of an alicyclic compound, methanol and water at a temperature ranging from 0-40° C. The two phases formed are separated at 40-80° C., and polymers with low molecular weight distributions are isolated therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of an initially living polymer from a cement produced in a polymerization process. The living polymer cement is shortstopped, washed, stabilised, coagulated and dried. The recovery process comprises adding a short stop to the polymer in the cement, washing catalyst residue from the polymer with water, adding an antioxidant Irganox 1520 to the cement to stabilise the polymer, adding epoxidised soya bean oil to the polymer to stabilise the polymer against colour degradation, and coagulating and drying the polymer. The pH of the cement is regulated in the range of from about 3 to about 7, and preferably from about 6 to about 7, during the catalyst wash and the coagulation steps of the recovery process. A product of the process is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides for a process for preparing pulverulent polymers by drying aqueous polymer dispersions in the presence of copolymers based on ethylenically unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carboxylic acids and their hydroxyalkyl esters as assistants;polymer powders obtainable by this process;aqueous polymer dispersions obtainable by free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the novel copolymers, and the powders obtainable therefrom, anda polymeric binder as well as and mineral building materials which comprise the novel polymer powders.

Abstract: A method for lowering the extractable protein content in a natural rubber latex to below 30 parts per million (ppm) comprises the steps of treating by washing a rubber article, such as a rubber glove, with an aqueous solution containing a soluble silicate and, optionally, a protease. The methods claimed effectively reduce the allergenicity of the articles so treated.

Abstract: Rubbery polymers in hydrocarbon solutions are emulsified in aqueous liquids and converted to latices by partitioning the emulsion through a membrane of selective permeability to the hydrocarbon solvent relative to both water and the polymer, thereby removing the hydrocarbon solvent from the emulsion. The foaming that is often associated with removing hydrocarbon solvent from aqueous emulsions by conventional means is thus avoided. Membrane partitioning mechanisms that are useful for this application include those involving both nonporous and microporous membranes, those passing the solvent both as a liquid and as a gas, those drawing off the permeate as both a liquid and a gas, and various combinations of these methods.

Abstract: A method for treating plastics, which is feasible on plastics containing films mixed therein, which is capable of performing dehydrochlorination simultaneously, and which provides processed plastics capable of being easily size-reduced. The method includes mixing the plastics with an organic solvent at a temperature not lower than 150.degree. C.; allowing the plastics to dissolve and/or swell; removing the organic solvent or both the organic solvent and low-boiling point components from the treated solution thereafter; and solidifying the resulting product. The method can produce solid fuels and reducing agents for ores.

Abstract: A method for extracting and separating extractive components from fluids is provided. A first fluid and an extraction fluid are added to a vessel, thereby creating a two-phase two-layer system, wherein the first fluid and the extraction fluid are discrete and the two-phase system has a first fluid/extraction fluid interface. The two-phase system is then agitated, wherein the first fluid phase and the extraction fluid phase remain as substantially discrete layers. A means for communication between the first fluid and the extraction fluid is provided. The communication of the phases results in the extractive components being extracted from the first fluid into the extraction fluid. Agitation is stopped and the first fluid is recovered having reduced extractive components.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermosetting powder coating material comprising: dispersing and mixing a base resin and a crosslinking agent in a dispersing and/or mixing machine equipped with a decompression device at a temperature in the range of 40 to 200.degree. C., to form a dispersed mixture, the dispersed mixture optionally containing a solvent and a pigment; optionally eliminating at least a portion of the solvent under reduced pressure; adding water to the dispersed mixture; reducing the pressure and lowering the temperature of the dispersed mixture to a temperature equal to or less than the softening point of the dispersed mixture; and bringing the dispersed mixture into a powder state or a granule state by dispersion force of the dispersing and/or mixing machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for heat stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber. A heat source is applied to the polymer coating causing the polymer coating to be heated rapidly to a break temperature, thereby causing the polymer coating to dehydrate, expand and burst outward detaching itself completely from the underneath optical fiber. The heat source is subsequently applied along the optical fiber cable causing the corresponding polymer coating to curl off and expose the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber using hydration and dehydration techniques. A section of optical fiber cable is first immersed in a hydrating agent, thereby hydrating the corresponding section of polymer coating and causing it to swell. The hydrated polymer coating is then rapidly heated to a fragmentation temperature causing the polymer coating to dehydrate and fragment. Subsequently, the dehydrated polymer coating is re-hydrated using the hydrating agent to separate the polymer coating from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of microfine suspended particles from a suspension medium, characterized by subjecting a polymeric monomer suspended in a suspension medium to suspension polymerization thereby forming microfine globular particles in the suspension solution, adding microfine water-insoluble particles to said suspension solution of microfine globular particles thereby inducing cohesion of said microfine globular particles, and separating said microfine globular particles in the form of an aggregate from said suspension solution filtration.

Abstract: Processes for spray drying water-soluble and water-swellable vinyl-addition polymer-containing dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions to obtain substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, compositions of substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, methods of agglomerating spray-dried polymer particles, and methods of using spray-dried polymer particles and agglomerates in water-treating, mining, paper, food processing, soil conditioning, solution thickening, biotechnological, and oil recovery applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making hot melt adhesive compositions comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving hot melt adhesive components into a room temperature or higher solution of a water soluble substituted (e.g. NMP) to form a water soluble substituted lactam (e.g. NMP)/hot melt adhesive component solution;(b) adding said solution formed in step (a) into water to form a solid;(c) extracting out the water soluble substituted lactam (e.g. NMP) from said solid formed in step (b);(d) drying of said solid wherein water soluble substituted lactam e.g. NMP, is leached out as in step (c) to form the hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A method for dispersing solid forms of additives in polymers involves adding dispersions or solutions of additive(s) to a solution of polymer in a tubular mixer (preferably in the presence of a stationary mixer). The mixer leads to a steam precipitation step wherein all fluid ingredients in the mixture are volatilized leaving the solid additive and resin in the desired ratio. This results in a uniform dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. As a result of the high dispersion, physical properties of a thermoplastic resin, to which the polymer matrix has been added are preserved. In one illustration, PTFE as a drip inhibitor additive, is added to polycarbonate to obtain a highly dispersed PTFE concentrate of improved drip-inhibition without loss of mechanical properties when added to a thermoplastic molding resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously separating polymer from a plastic, and the resulting separated polymer. The plastic is made flowable into a stream through melting or solubilizing. A critical fluid, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, is added to the plastic stream to promote mechanical or thermodynamic separation of the polymer from contaminants and other components of the plastic.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of toner compositions, or particles comprised ofi) flushing a pigment into a sulfonated polyester resin, and which resin has a degree of sulfonation of from between about 2.5 and 20 mol percent;ii) dispersing the resulting sulfonated pigmented polyester resin into water, which water is at a temperature of from about 40 to about 95.degree. C., by a high speed shearing polytron device operating at speeds of from about 100 to about 5,000 revolutions per minute thereby enabling the formation of stable toner sized submicron particles, and which particles are of a volume average diameter of from about 5 to about 200 nanometers;iii) allowing the resulting dispersion to cool to from about 5 to about 10.degree. C. below the glass transition temperature of said pigmented sulfonated polyester resin;iv) adding an alkali metal halide solution, which solution contains from about 0.

Abstract: A method for the production of microfine colored particles, characterized by subjecting a polymeric monomer suspended in a suspension medium to suspension polymerization in the presence of a coloring agent and/or a magnetic powder thereby forming microfine globular colored particles possessing an average particle diameter in the range of from 3 to 50 .mu.m, heat treating said microfine globular colored particles with water as a heating medium at a temperature in the range of from 50.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. thereby inducing fusion of said particles and giving rise to blocks of fused particles, and then disintegrating said blocks of particles to an average particle diameter substantially equal to the average particle diameter of said microfine globular colored particles existent prior to said fusion.

Abstract: A process for producing a powdered carboxyl-containing polymer comprising mixing a solution of a water-insoluble polymer containing a carboxyl group per molecule in a hydrophilic organic solvent (e.g., ethanol) and an aqueous solution of a dispersant comprising a neutralized copolymer of a carboxyl-containing unsaturated monomer and a (meth)acrylic ester to precipitate the water-insoluble polymer. Fine polymer particles free from adhesion or agglomeration are obtained efficiently. Since any residual unreacted carboxyl-containing monomers are dissolved out in water as a precipitating solvent, the resulting powdered polymer has a reduced residual content of the unreacted monomers which may be poisonous and is therefore useful as a base resin of cosmetics or a coating resin for applications involving contact with the skin.

Abstract: This invention concerns conductive materials based on an encapsulated conductive polymer. Encapsulation in a shell of polymer stabilizes the conductivity of these materials, which can be encapsulated in a shell of film-generating polymer, to give the material formed very good mechanical properties, unlike conductive polymers which existed in the prior art, which, if not encapsulated, form brittle materials that are less stable in time.

Abstract: A process for achieving a significant reduction in the volatile organic compound content (VOC) of an aqueous polymerization system includes the steps of contacting the aqueous polymerization system with an organic solvent and allowing said organic solvent to be absorbed into polymer particles of said aqueous polymerization system, contacting said aqueous polymerization system and organic solvent with a gas or vapor at temperature and pressure conditions which cause mass transfer of the volatile organic compounds from said latex into said gas or vapor phase, and separating said gas or vapor from said aqueous polymerization system. The solvent is generally absorbed into the polymer particles of the latex and serves as a stripping aid, especially with respect to higher molecular weight compounds which tend to remain trapped in the polymer particles during conventional stripping processes.

Abstract: A material based on a conductive polymer consisting of particles of conductive polymer (P.sub.0), each particle being wrapped in a shell of water-insoluble, cross-linked polymer (P.sub.1).

Abstract: This invention relates to water-based coatings for exterior surfaces which upon application quickly develop resistance to being washed out by inadvertent precipitation. These compositions comprise an aqueous anionically stabilized dispersion of water-insoluble polymer prepared by either emulsion polymerization or mechanical emulsification, inorganic pigment dispersed with anionic polymers, salts, or soaps, and the propionic acid salt of calcium.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aqueous emulsion of two or more polyvinyl alcohols (PVA) for the production of polyvinylchloride (PVC-S) in an aqueous suspension in which at least a first polyvinylacetate (PVAc) with molecular weight between 30 and 110K is utilized and, with technique of alcoholisis acid or basic, to carry out the trans-esterification of the PVAc until a saponification number between 598 and 135 is attained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of polymers dissolved in an aqueous alkaline or acid medium by precipitating the polymers with acid or alkaline precipitants, the precipitation being initiated in a strong aqueous flow and the precipitated polymers separated from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A polymeric latex composition having a hydrophobe incorporated therein can be prepared using a novel latex "loading" method. This method includes providing a loadable latex, providing a hydrophobe dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent, heating the loadable latex to about 30.degree. to about 90.degree. C. and gradually adding the hydrophobe solution to the heated loadable latex under conditions to keep the hydrophobe in solution and to "load" it into the latex particles. In preferred embodiments, the latex is surfactant-free and has particles which have outer reactive groups which are capable of reacting with free amine or sulfhydryl groups of a biological compound. Such latices can be used to prepare water-insoluble biological reagents having a biological compound attached to the particles.

Abstract: A polymeric latex composition having a hydrophobe incorporated therein can be prepared using a novel latex "loading" method. This method includes providing a loadable latex, providing a hydrophobe dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent, heating the loadable latex to about 30.degree. to about 90.degree. C. and gradually adding the hydrophobe solution to the heated loadable latex under conditions to keep the hydrophobe in solution and to "load" it into the latex particles. In preferred embodiments, the latex is surfactant-free and has particles which have outer reactive groups which are capable of reacting with free amine or sulfhydryl groups of a biological compound. Such latices can be used to prepare water-insoluble biological reagents having a biological compound attached to the particles.

Abstract: A method of extracting pure components from a multi-component structure by dissolving each component at an appropriate temperature and pressure in a supercritical fluid and then varying the temperature and/or pressure to extract particular components in sequence.

Abstract: The use of aluminum sulfate to neutralize alkaline solutions yields a gelatinous precipitate. When neutralization of the solution causes other materials to precipitate along with the gel, filtration of the precipitated materials is very difficult because of the gel. When the combination of magnesium sulfate and aluminum sulfate is used as the neutralizing agent for an alkaline stripper solution of a photoresin, the voluminous sludge may be filtered quickly.

Abstract: Procedure for the continuous fractionation of polymers dissolved in a solvent, which includes at least one complete cycle of the following operations:a. precipitation of a first fraction of polymer inside a first reaction vessel containing the solution;b. transferring the remaining solution into a second reaction vessel and collecting the above first fraction of polymer precipitated in the above first reaction vessel;c. precipitation of a second fraction of polymer inside the second reaction vessel; andd. recycling the remaining solution in the first reaction vessel and collecting the above second fraction of polymer precipitated in the above second reaction vessel.

Abstract: The ionomer salt of low molecular weight copolymer reaction product of a copolymer acid of an .alpha.-olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and at least one amino acid compound, and a cation containing material. The unsaturated carboxylic acid is preferably an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The present invention includes a method of preparing the ionomer. The ionomer has excellent compatibility with other polymers, particularly polyamides. The ionomer is useful in a method to flush water from pigments.

Abstract: Polymers having pendent cationic quaternary nitrogen containing groups form salts with allantoin which provide for a film forming moisture barrier in skin conditioning lotions, ointments, cosmetics conditioning treatments, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A polymeric latex composition having a hydrophobe incorporated therein can be prepared using a novel latex "loading" method. This method includes providing a loadable latex, providing a hydrophobe dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent, heating the loadable latex to about 30.degree. to about 90.degree. C. and gradually adding the hydrophobe solution to the heated loadable latex under conditions to keep the hydrophobe in solution and to "load" it into the latex particles. In preferred embodiments, the latex is surfactant-free and has particles which have outer reactive groups which are capable of reacting with free amine or sulfhydryl groups of a biological compound. Such latices can be used to prepare water-insoluble biological reagents having a biological compound attached to the particles.

Abstract: In making polyarylethersulphones or polyaryletherketones or their thioanalogues by reaction of phenols with aromatic halogen compounds, raw polycondensation product is freed of alkali halide by adjusting its composition and/or temperature so that it dissolves at least 0.5% w/w of water and holds the polymer in solution, and then contacting it in liquid form with hot water, preferably under pressure.

Abstract: A concentrate composition, that can be diluted with water to form an aqueous size for cellulosic fibres, comprises a substantially anhydrous dispersion of polyelectrolyte particles in a non-aqueous liquid comprising a reactive size, and is made by forming a dispersion in a hydrophobic liquid of the polyelectrolyte particles while they are swollen by water, azeotroping the dispersion and adding the size to the hydrophoboic liquid. If the size is a liquid size, the hydrophobic liquid may be removed from the composition. The dispersion of swollen polyelectrolyte particles in the hydrophobic liquid can be amde by dispersing a solution of polyelectrolyte in the liquid but is preferably made by reverse phase polymerization.