Polymerization method utilizing a three-phase emulsion system

Claim 1

A method of polymerization utilizing a water/oil/water system, comprising the steps of (a) adding to the innermost water phase the monomer material to be polymerized; (b) adding, with mechanical agitation, the product of Step (a) to the middle oil phase, said oil phase containing from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight, based on the weight of said oil phase, of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, whereby a water-in-oil emulsion of the innermost and middle phases is formed; and (c) adding, with mechanical agitation, the emulsion product of Step (b) to the outermost water phase, said water phase containing from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of said water phase, of at least one member selected from the group consisting of surfactants having an HLB of at least 8 and protective colloids, wherein polymerization proceeds in the innermost water phase until complete.

Claim 2

A method of polymerization utilizing a water/oil/water system, comprising the steps of (a) adding to the innermost water phase the monomer material to be polymerized; (b) adding, with mechanical agitation, the product of Step (a) to the middle oil phase, said oil phase containing from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight, based on the weight of said oil phase, of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, whereby a water-in-oil emulsion of the innermost and middle phases is formed; and (c) adding, with mechanical agitation, the emulsion product of Step (b) to the outermost water phase, said water phase containing from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of said water phase, of at least one member selected from the group consisting of surfactants having an HLB of at least 8 and protective colloids, wherein polymerization proceeds in the innermost water phase until complete.

Claim 9

A method of polymerization utilizing an oil/water/oil system, comprising the steps of

Claim 10

A method of polymerization utilizing an oil/water/oil system, comprising the steps of

Claim 19

A method of polymerization utilizing a three-phase water-in-oil-in-water or oil-in-water-in-oil system comprising the steps of (a) adding the monomer material to be polymerized to the innermost water or oil phase; (b) adding, with mechanical agitation, the product of Step (a) to the middle water or oil phase, said phases containing, respectively, from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of at least 8, or from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, said percentages based on the weight of the respective phases, whereby an emulsion is formed; (c) adding, with mechanical agitation, the emulsion product of Step (b) to the outermost oil or water phase, said phases containing, respectively, from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, or from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of at least 8, said percentages based on the weight of the respective phases; and (d) providing to the innermost water or oil phase one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polymerization initiators and catalysts; chain transfer and blocking agents; reactants for a polymer formed or being formed in the innermost phase; one or more comonomers for a polymer being formed in the innermost phase; and any agents which will influence or aid in determining the composition, length and configuration of a polymer formed, or being formed, in the innermost phase, by means of a phase transfer carrier added, together with the material selected above, to the outermost phase, whereby the phase transfer carrier and material are bound together and migrate to the innermost phase, where the material is released.

Claim 20

A method of polymerization utilizing a three-phase water-in-oil-in-water or oil-in-water-in-oil system comprising the steps of (a) adding the monomer material to be polymerized to the innermost water or oil phase; (b) adding, with mechanical agitation, the product of Step (a) to the middle water or oil phase, said phases containing, respectively, from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of at least 8, or from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, said percentages based on the weight of the respective phases, whereby an emulsion is formed; (c) adding, with mechanical agitation, the emulsion product of Step (b) to the outermost oil or water phase, said phases containing, respectively, from 0.01 to 40 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of from 2 to 5, or from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a surfactant having an HLB of at least 8, said percentages based on the weight of the respective phases; and (d) providing to the innermost water or oil phase one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polymerization initiators and catalysts; chain transfer and blocking agents; reactants for a polymer formed or being formed in the innermost phase; one or more comonomers for a polymer being formed in the innermost phase; and any agents which will influence or aid in determining the composition, length and configuration of a polymer formed, or being formed, in the innermost phase, by means of a phase transfer carrier added, together with the material selected above, to the outermost phase, whereby the phase transfer carrier and material are bound together and migrate to the innermost phase, where the material is released.