Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydrolytically stabilized maleimide-functionalized water soluble polymers and to methods for making and utilizing such polymers and their precursors.

Abstract: A polyvinylacetal resin powder with a low metal content, being excellent in transparency, moisture resistance and electrical insulating properties and having a large specific surface area, and a process for its production, are presented. A polyvinylacetal resin powder obtained by reacting polyvinyl alcohol and an aldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst, which has an acetalization degree of at least 60 mol %, a specific surface area of from 1.50 to 3.50 m2/g, a bulk density of from 0.12 to 0.19 g/cm3, an average particle diameter of from 0.5 to 2, 5 ?m and a metal content of at most 80 ppm.

Abstract: A lid with a detachable sealing joint, the lid having a crown-type shell having an inner surface and an external surface, a sealing joint upon the inner surface of the shell; a detachable hydrophilic coating; and a coating compatible with the sealing joint upon the detachable hydrophilic coating; such that the detachable hydrophilic coating and the compatible coating form an adhesive interface between the crown and the sealing joint. The detachable hydrophilic coating having at least a water solid polymer, for example polyvinyl pyrrolidone; at least a cross-linking agent, for example, butanediol; and at least a solvent, for example, water. It also describes a method for manufacturing a lid with a detachable sealing joint and a method for bottling beverages using lids with a detachable sealing joint of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to high-molecular, crosslinked polyvinyl butyrals, obtainable by (self-) crosslinking polyvinyl butyrals that contain coacetalated, acid-functionalized aldehydes. The invention also relates to a method for producing the same and to the use thereof.

Abstract: Polyvinyl acetals are obtained in a cost-effective and environmentally advantageous manner by employing as at least a portion of the aqueous acetalization medium, the mother liquor from a previous acetalization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a hydroxyl-containing polymer including: protecting a hydroxyl group of a hydroxyl-containing monomer with a protecting group to make the monomer a protected monomer with decreased hydrophilicity; adding the protected monomer alone or together with a hydrophobic monomer to a water-based medium containing a salt and a dispersion stabilizer; adding a polymerization initiator to the mixture to carry out suspension polymerization; and de-protecting the obtained polymer having the protecting group to recover the hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cross-linked polyvinyl acetal which is characterized in that it can be obtained from at least one polyvinylacetal (1) which is obtained by reacting at least one polymer (A), which contains a) 1,0 to 99.9 wt. % structural units of formula (1), b.) 0 to 99.0 wt. % structural units of formula (2), c.) 0 to 70.0 wt. % structural formula (3), d.) 0.0001 to 30.0 wt. % structural units of formula (4) respectively in relation to the overall weight of the polymer (A), with at least one compound (B) of formula (5). Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for the production of the polyvinyl acetal according to the invention as well as its use.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a modified ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) comprising an oxygen scavenging functional group. Preferably, the modified EVOH comprises structures IV, V, and VI: wherein x is an integer greater than or equal to 1, y is an integer greater than or equal to 1, z is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and R comprises a cycloalkenyl group. The modified EVOH is useful in oxygen barrier applications, such as a forming an oxygen barrier layer of a packaging article. Also disclosed are methods of modifying ethylene vinyl alcohol polymers, and using the modified EVOH to make packaging articles with a superior barrier to entry by atmospheric oxygen.

Abstract: An improved aqueous slurry composition for the plasticizing of polyvinyl acetal resins whereby salts, acids and/or bases are used to enhance absorption rates of the plasticizer into the resin, and a process therewith for the production of plasticized polyvinyl acetal resins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a phytoprotein synthetic fiber and the method for the manufacture thereof. This synthetic fiber is composed of phytoprotein and polyvinyl alcohol, the phytoprotein comprising A parts of the two components, where A is equal to or greater than 5 parts and less than 23 parts, and the polyvinyl alcohol comprising B parts, where B is greater than 77 parts and equal to or less than 95 parts. The methods of manufacturing the synthetic fiber comprise a semi-finished product manufacturing process and a semi-finished product acetalization and finishing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition having an oxygen scavenging function. The resin composition comprises 70 to 99.9 wt % of a polyvinyl alcohol resin (A) and 0.1 to 30 wt % of a thermoplastic resin (B) other than the polyvinyl alcohol resin (A), wherein the thermoplastic resin (B) has a carbon-carbon double bond and a functional group including a hetero atom, and an oxygen absorption rate of the resin composition is 0.001 ml/m2·day or more.

Abstract: Polymer-bonded functional agents are each obtained by reacting a functional agent containing reactive groups with a polymer containing groups reactive with the reactive groups of the functional agent. The functional agent comprises at least one functional agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, light stabilizers, infrared absorbers and antistatic agents. Use of these polymer-bonded functional agents can provide articles with improved functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives cross-linked with another polymer, in particular multiple e.g. double cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivatives. The invention also provides novel cross-linked derivatives, products containing them and their uses in cosmetic, medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: A medical device with a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer deposited on the medical device and cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C?C, C?N or C?O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol.

Abstract: A resist pattern thickening material has resin, a crosslinking agent and a compound having a cyclic structure, or resin having a cyclic structure at a part. A resist pattern has a surface layer on a resist pattern to be thickened with etching rate (nm/s) ratio of the resist pattern to be thickened the surface layer of 1.1 or more, under the same condition, or a surface layer to a resist pattern to be thickened. A process for forming a resist pattern includes applying the thickening material after forming a resist pattern to be thickened on its surface. A semiconductor device has a pattern formed by the resist pattern. A process for manufacturing the semiconductor device has applying, after forming a resist pattern to be thickened, the thickening material to the surface of the resist pattern to be thickened, and patterning the underlying layer by etching, the pattern as a mask.

Abstract: The invention is a film of a vinyl alcohol polymer that contains from 0.01 to 20 mol % of cationic group-containing units and contains from 0.5 to 24 mol % of ?-olefin units having at most 4 carbon atoms. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films and polarizer which are resistant to water and have good polarizing properties and which are free from a problem of irregular coloration.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of the present invention to provide a polyvinyl acetal resin for heat-developable photosensitive materials as well as a heat-developable photosensitive material while solving such problems as coating solution pot life, coloration of heat-developable photosensitive material, fog, poor gradation, insufficient sensitivity and poor undeveloped film storability and making it possible for the materials to acquire good image characteristics. The present invention is constituted of a polyvinyl acetal resin for heat-developable photosensitive materials which is a polyvinyl acetal resin synthesized by the acetalization reaction between a polyvinyl alcohol and an aldehyde and which comprises having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 3,000, a residual acetyl group content of 0 to 25 mole percent and a residual hydroxyl group content of 17 to 35 mole percent, as calculated while regarding one acetal group as two acetalized hydroxyl groups, a water content of not more than 2.

Abstract: A polymeric membrane suitable for use in electrophoresis formed from a pre-polymer having a plurality of crosslinkable moieties and the crosslinkable moieties being crosslinked with a polyfunctional crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process wherein the use of a degradation-enhancing reactant or a precursor thereof, e.g., an oxidizing agent, can effectively increase the rate of reaction for the degradation of polymers in an aqueous environment and thereby facilitate the disposal of same. For example, in one aspect, the process comprises contacting a solubilized polymer and a degradation-enhancing reactant, within an aqueous environment, and subsequently reacting the polymer under conditions that are effective to provide at least one environmentally benign degradation product from the polymer.

Abstract: A composition forms an overcoat layer for an organic photoreceptor by combining an organic silane compound, an acrylic polymer, polyvinyl butyral and a solvent. The organic photoreceptor has increased electrical and mechanical properties, leading to improved life characteristics. Also, unlike when a single material of either acrylic polymer or silsesquioxane is used in forming an overcoat layer, when the composition of the present invention is used, it is not necessary to coat a primer or an adhesive layer, thereby simplifying a coating process and reducing the cost required in forming additive layers.

Abstract: A water-soluble, antimicrobial active polymer and an ink composition are prepared by coupling an antimicrobial active compound to a branch of polyvinylalcohol. An excellent antimicrobial effect is provided without affecting the properties of the ink composition that includes the polymer. The polymer is added to the ink composition in an amount of 1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ink composition. The ink composition provides extended storage stability due to no coagulation, effective antimicrobial effect even in a printed picture, and no irritation to human skin.

Abstract: A water soluble package comprises a polymeric film, the polymeric film comprising a polymeric backbone derived from a polymer which is water soluble, as defined herein, and one or more derivatising groups attached to the backbone, the derivatising group(s) being derived from a material having a ClogP of from 0.5 to 6 and/or being derived from a parent material comprising a C4 to C22 hydrocarbyl chain.

Abstract: An automatic laundry or dishwashing product in unit dose form comprising at least three distinct zones for delivering into at least three different stages in the washing cycle. The product provides improved cleaning, care and finishing benefits.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyvinyl acetal having a degree of acetalization of from 45 to 80 mol %, which is obtained through acetalization of a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of from 30 to 1000 and a degree of hydrolysis of from 80.0 to 99.99 mol % and having a specific amount of an ionic group bonded to the terminal thereof via a sulfido bond. The polyvinyl acetal of the invention is useful for binders for ceramic forming and for binders for ink or paint.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in which visible imperfections (particularly fish eyes) of the saponified copolymer is inhibited. In this invention, a mixture solution is prepared by adding water to a methanol solution after saponifying an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and insoluble materials are removed from this mixture solution. Various types of filter or centrifugal separator are used to remove insoluble materials. It is preferable that the weight ratio of methanol to water is from 5:5 to 9:1, the concentration of the saponified copolymer is from 30 to 60 wt %, and the temperature is from 55 to 80° C. This method is particularly suitable for producing a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having an ethylene content of 20 to 70 mol % and a saponification degree of at least 95 mol %.

Abstract: An adhesive which comprises aqueous and nonaqueous polymers suitable for holding an lipophilic drug, etc., and has tackiness and cohesiveness which are sufficient for the plaster of a patch; and a patch employing the adhesive. The adhesive contains a polymer which comprises one or more kinds of acrylic or methacrylic monomer units, at least one kind of the monomer units having a hydroxy group, and which has been crosslinked with a boron compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing the viscosity of C4–C7 isoolefin copolymers including halomethylstyrene derived units by mixing the copolymer with a hindered amine or phosphine of the structure R1 R2 R3 N or R1 R2 R3 P wherein R1, R2 and R3 are preferably lower and higher alkyl groups. The resulting ionically associated, amino or phosphine modified elastomers are used to prepare thermoplastic elastomer blend compositions, including dynamically vulcanized compositions, containing more finely dispersed elastomers which results in compositions having improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns alkali-stable hydrophilic sorbents for ion-exchange chromatography. The invention is characterized in that it consists in using as base material a crosslinked vinyl polymerconsisting of vinyl monomers containing diol groups and crosslinking monomers whereof the polymerizable groups are bound by carbonamide-containing chains. Monomers containing ionic groups are grafted on said base material using cerium (IV) salts.

Abstract: The invention is a polyvinyl alcohol film having an YI value of at most 20, which is formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of from 1500 to 5000, an ethylene unit content of from 1 to 4 mol % and a 1,2-glycol bond content of at most 1.4 mol %. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films that contain no impurities and have good polarization performance, durability and hue stability.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyvinyl acetal having a degree of acetalization of from 45 to 80 mol %, which is obtained through acetalization of a polyvinyl alcohol that contains from 1 to 15 mol % of ?-olefin units and has a 1,2-glycol bond content of from 1 to 3 mol %, a degree of polymerization of from 100 to 2000 and a degree of hydrolysis of from 80.0 to 99.99 mol %. The polyvinyl acetal has good waterproofness and good compatibility with plasticizer. Having the advantages, it is favorable for interlayer films for laminated glass, binders for ceramic forming, binders for ink or paint, and coating liquids for thermally-developable photographic materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polyvinyl acetal having N-vinylamide monomer units in the molecule, and provides a binder with the novel polymer for ink or paint and for ceramic forming. Compared with conventional polyvinyl acetals, the novel polymer lowers the solution viscosity and increases the solid content (pigment content) of ink or paint in which the polymer serves as a binder. The binder with the novel polymer for ceramic molding enables production of thin and homogeneous ceramic green sheets of high strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber additive composition which contains at least one rubber additive (a), the at least one additive (a) being encased in coating material (b) accompanied by formation of microcapsules. The additive can in particular be sulphur or another vulcanization agent, a vulcanization accelerator and/or activator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-molecular-weight crosslinked polyvinyl butyrals obtainable by crosslinking a polyvinyl butyral with benzofuranone and/or with at least one derivative of the same, as crosslinking reagent, to their use, and to a process for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention is a film of a vinyl alcohol polymer that contains from 0.01 to 20 mol % of cationic group-containing units and contains from 0.5 to 24 mol % of ?-olefin units having at most 4 carbon atoms. The polyvinyl alcohol film gives polarizing films and polarizer which are resistant to water and have good polarizing properties and which are free from a problem of irregular coloration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasticized foil based on a partially acetalized polyvinyl alcohol (PVB resin) and suitable as an intermediate layer in a laminated safety glass, and comprising: a) 60–85% by weight of PVB resin, b) 14–39% by weight of a plasticizer, and c) up to 10% by weight of one or more non-ionic surfactants as an additive increasing the solubility of the plasticizer in the PVB resin wherein all weight percents are based on the total foil.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer having at least one terminal group of the general formula (1) per molecule; —OC(O)C(R)?CH2??(1) wherein R represents hydrogen or an organic group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; a curable composition containing said polymer; an aqueous emulsion containing either said polymer or said curable composition; a pressure sensitive adhesive composition and a pressure sensitive adhesive each comprising said curable composition or aqueous emulsion.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol having hydrolyzed silyl group functionalized monomer units. The polyvinyl alcohol satisfies the following formulae (I) and (II) and the pH of an aqueous 4% solution of the polyvinyl alcohol is between 4 and 8: 20<P×S<370??(I) wherein P is the viscosity-average degree of polymerization of the polyvinyl alcohol, and S is the content of the silyl group functionalized monomer units in the polyvinyl alcohol, 0.1/100?(A?B)/(B)?50/100??(II) wherein A is the silicon atom content of the polyvinyl alcohol, B is the silicon atom content of the polyvinyl alcohol that has been washed with sodium hydroxide-containing methanol and then washed through Soxhlet extraction with methanol. The polyvinyl alcohol may be readily dissolved in water in the absence of sodium hydroxide or an acid; the aqueous solution has good viscosity stability; the binding force with inorganic substances is high; and a film formed of its mixture with an inorganic substance is excellent in resistance to water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a partially cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, obtained by reacting a polyvinyl alcohol with a polycarboxylic acid, in particular a hydroxypolycarboxylic acid. The partially cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol can be used to produce foils, which have a good water-solubility or water-swelling capacity. Due to this property, such foils can be used as packing material for detergents, cosmetics and the like. According to the invention, the packing dissolves in water, releases its contents or is suitable for releasing (permeation) chemical compounds or agents.

Abstract: The oxygen absorptive resin composition of the present invention includes: a thermoplastic resin (a) having carbon-carbon double bonds; a gas barrier resin (b) having an oxygen transmission rate of 500 ml·20 ?m/m2·day·atm or less (20° C. 65% RH); and a transition metal salt (c). This resin composition and molded articles formed using the resin composition effectively absorb and scavenge oxygen when used to package products susceptible to degradation by oxygen, such as foods and drinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic, polymeric polyvinylalcohol-based carrier materials. The surface of said materials is at least partially silanised. The invention also relates to a method for silanising the surface of such materials and to the use of the magnetic, silanised carrier materials for isolating biological material, preferably nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble film which comprises a modified polyvinyl alcohol containing an N-vinylamide monomer unit in an amount of 1 to 10 mole percent, and a carboxyl group and a lactone group in a total amount of 0.020 to 4.0 mole percent in the molecule, and having a degree of polymerization of 300 to 3000, and a degree of hydrolysis of 75 to 99.5 mole percent. Further, the present invention provides a package obtained by packaging an acidic substance, a chlorine-containing compound, or the like using the water-soluble film.

Abstract: Polymer-bonded functional agents are each obtained by reacting a functional agent containing reactive groups with a polymer containing groups reactive with the reactive groups of the functional agent. The functional agent comprises at least one functional agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, light stabilizers, infrared absorbers and antistatic agents. Use of these polymer-bonded functional agents can provide articles with improved functions.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a polyvinyl acetal resin for lacquer and ink, which can suppress the occurrence of coloring and foul odor of the polyvinyl acetal resin itself even when no antioxidant is used at all therein, and a lacquer and ink composition which has excellent color and the high stability of viscosity in storing it for long periods. The invention provides a polyvinyl acetal resin for lacquer and ink synthesized by acetalization reactio of polyvinyl alcohol and an aldehyde, wherein a polymerization degree is 100 to 3,000, a proportion of a residual acetyl group is 25 mol % or less and a proportion of a residual hydroxyl group is 17 to 35 mol %; a content of the residual aldehyde is 100 ppm or less, a content of residual butyric acid is 100 ppm or less, a content of residual 2-ethyl-2-hexenal is 100 ppm, and a content of a residual acid catalyst is 300 ppm or less, and no antioxidant is remained at all therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for esterifying and/or transesterifying a polymer having a polyethylenic backbone and pendant acid and/or ester moieties comprising contacting a melt of the polymer with a transesterifying compound so that the polymer undergoes esterification and/or transesterification but not alcoholysis. The esterified or transesterified polymer also has pendant ester moieties which differ in kind and/or number from the unreacted polymer. In one embodiment, the process also comprises adding an amount of a transition metal salt that is effective to promote oxygen scavenging. Also in a further embodiment, the process comprises irradiating the transesterified polymer with actinic radiation to reduce the induction period before oxygen scavenging commences. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a component which comprises an ethylenic or polyethylenic backbone and a pendant or terminal moiety comprising a benzylic, allylic, or ether-containing radical.

Abstract: A method for producing a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer which comprises saponifying an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in an alcohol-based solvent with an alkali catalyst, wherein an amount between 100 ppm and 15,000 ppm of water with respect to the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer is supplied into the alcohol-based solvent. According to this method, discoloration, etc. of a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer is inhibited, and visual characteristics of the saponified copolymer are improved.

Abstract: The present invention is a hydrolytically modified, biodegradable polymer and a method of making a hydrolytically modifiable a biodegradable polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of grafting polar groups onto biodegradable polymers and modified biodegradable polymer compositions produced by the method. The polymer compositions are useful as components in flushable and degradable articles. Water-sensitive polymer blends and method of making those polymer blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous primary dispersions and coating materials comprising dispersed and/or emulsified, solid and/or liquid polymer particles and/or dispersed solid core shell particles having a diameter?500 nm preparable by controlled free-radical microemulsion or miniemulsion polymerization of A) at least one olefinically unsaturated monomer and B) at least one olefinically unsaturated monomer which is different than the olefinically unsaturated monomer (A) and has the general formula I: R1R2C?CR3R4 (I), in which the radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another are hydrogen atoms or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkylaryl, arylalkyl or arylcycloalkyl radicals, with the proviso that at least two of the variables R1, R2, R3 and R4 are substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl or arylcycloalkyl radicals, especially substituted or unsubstituted aryl radicals; and in the presence of (C) at least one hydrophobic cross-linking agent for the

Abstract: A method for preparing a composite alkaline solid polymer electrolyte from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer, potassium hydroxide and water. The polymer electrolyte is reinforced with glass-fiber cloth to increase a mechanical strength, thermal stability and electrochemical stability. A glass fiber cloth matrix provides a stable interface between a cathode and an anode to reduce a short circuit problem when the battery discharges at high rate. The processes for polymer electrolyte are controlled by molecular weight of PVA polymer, the sequence of feeding in reactants, the weight proportions of reactants, the reaction time, the reaction temperature, and the drying conditions, i.e., under the specified conditions of relative humidity (RH), temperature and drying time. The resulting electrolyte exhibits ionic conductivity of 0.15 S/cm or better at room temperature and has high mechanical intensity and good electrochemical stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a saponified product thereof that can inhibit visible imperfections (particularly discoloration) at the time of molding by improving the process for recovering vinyl acetate. When the alcohol-based solvent to be blown in when recovering vinyl acetate is deoxidized so that its oxygen concentration becomes not more than 60 ppm, discoloration of a molded product of the above saponified product due to oxygen can be inhibited.