Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of discretely encapsulating a suspension in an aqueous medium of finely divided water-insoluble solid particles with a water-insoluble polymeric envelope which comprises the steps of: suspending in an aqueous medium finely divided solid particles substantially free of ionic charges and a substantially water-insoluble monomer capable of addition polymerization to form a substantially water-insoluble polymer substantially free of ionically charged groups, in the presence of a water-soluble, non-ionic, surface-active stabilizing agent having a HLB number of at least 13, the stabilizing agent being present in an amount substantially sufficient to produce a generally stable suspension of the ultimately formed polymer encapsulated particles; and introducing an addition polymerization initiating agent which is free of strong anionic groups and does not decompose to form strong anionic groups, in an amount sufficient to effect addition polymerization of the monomer present. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said monomers and solid particles are present in a ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said nonionic stabilizing agent is present in an amount with the range of about 0.5 - 20% by total weight of the monomer and solid particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein about 1 - 5% by weight of a protective colloid, based on the total weight of all non-volatile matter, is added to enhance the stabilizing action of said stabilizing agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymerization is carried out in plural stages, including an initial stage in which a fraction of the monomer is present and polymerization of that fraction is effected with a corresponding amount of initiating agent, and the remnants of the monomers is introduced in at least one subsequent stage and reacted by a corresponding amount of initiating agent therefor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said nonionic stabilizing agent is a polyethoxylated derivation of a hydrophobic compound having at least 10 ethylene oxide groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said stabilizing igent has at least about 40 ethylene oxide groups. !
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid particles are sized within the range of about 0.01 to about 500 mi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 including the preliminary steps of contacting said suspended solid particles, with a water-soluble addition monomer polymerizable to form a water soluble polymer and initiating polymerization of the same prior to the .ntroduction of said water-insoluble monomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A stable aqueous suspension of discrete solid particles encapsulated within an envelope of a water-insoluble addition polymer which is free of substantial ionically charged groups with said encapsulated particles being stabilized in said suspension by a nonionic, surface active, stabilizing agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A stable aqueous suspension of discrete solid particles encapsulated within an envelope of a water-insoluble addition polymer which is free of substantial ionically charged groups with said encapsulated particles being stabilized in said suspension by a nonionic, surface active, stabilizing agent.