# Patent

## Title
Semi-continuous process for the preparation of polyurethane-urea aqueous

## Abstract

Although the above discussion is directed primarily to the use of (meth)acrylamide-based polymers which, before functionalization, are substantially linear, it is also possible to use lightly to moderately cross-linked (meth)acrylamide-based polymers which can be prepared by adding small amounts of cross-linking monomers such as methylenebisacrylamide etc. to the aqueous acrylamide monomer solutions of either of the processes described above prior to polymerization.

## Background
## Claims

1. A process for the preparation of a water-soluble polymer-based polymer having functional groups which continually self cross-link said polymer at ambient conditions said polymer being in a form where substantially all of the polymer is present as discrete particles having diameters of between about 200 and about 4000 .ANG. which comprises: water-soluble polymer and, optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated comonomer; form an inverse emulsion or microemulsion; conditions to produce an emulsion of a water-soluble polymer particle diameters ranging from about 200 to about 4000 .ANG.; obtained in step (b); and

2. A process for the preparation of a water-soluble polymer-based polymer having functional groups which continually self cross-link said polymer at ambient conditions said polymer being in the form where substantially all of the polymer is present as discrete particles having diameters of between about 200 and about 4000 .ANG. which comprises: water-soluble polymer, and (2) at least one functionalizing agent and, optionally, (3) at least one ethylenically unsaturated comonomer; form an inverse emulsion or microemulsion; and functionalization conditions to produce an emulsion of a water-soluble polymer-based polymer having particle diameters from about 200 to about 4000 .ANG..

3. A process as defined in claim 1 including the step of (e) inverting the functionalized polymeric material microemulsion.

4. A process as defined in claim 2 including the step of (c) inverting the functionalized polymeric material microemulsion.

5. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said monomer comprises an acrylamide; an hydroxy alkyl(alk)acrylate; an N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(alk)acrylate or an allyl amine.

6. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said monomer comprises acrylamide.

7. A process as defined in claim 2 wherein said monomer comprises acrylamide.

8. A process as defined in claim 2 wherein said monomer comprises an acrylamide, an hydroxyalkyl(alk)acrylate; an N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(alk)acrylate or an allyl amine.

9. A process for the preparation of a water-soluble polymer-based polymer having functional groups which continually self cross-link said polymer at ambient conditions said polymer being in a form where substantially all of the polymer is present as discrete particles having diameters of between about 200 and about 4000 .ANG. which comprises: water-soluble polymer and containing a functional group and, optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated comonomer; from an inverse emulsion or microemulsion; and conditions to produce an emulsion of a water-soluble polymer based polymer having a particle diameter ranging from about 200 to about 4000 .ANG. in diameter.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein said monomer comprises acrylamide.

11. A process according to claim 9 wherein said monomer comprises an acrylamide; a hydroxyalkyl(alk)acrylate; an N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(alk) acrylate or an allyl amine.

12. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said functionalizing agent is selected from amide; aldehyde; amine; epoxy; chlorohydrin; methylol or N-haloamide group containing compounds.

13. A process as defined in claim 2 wherein said functionalizing agent is selected from aldehyde; amine; epoxy; chlorohydrin; amide; methylol or N-haloamide group containing compounds.

14. A process as defined in claim 9 wherein said functional group is an amide; aldehydes; amine; epoxy; chlorohydrin; methylol or N-haloamide group.

15. A process according to claim 14 wherein said group is an aldehyde group.

16. A process for the preparation of a water-soluble polymer-based polymer having functional groups which continually self cross-link said polymer at ambient conditions said polymer being in a form where substantially all of the polymer is present as discrete particles having diameters of between about 200 and about 4000 .ANG. which comprises: of being transformed into a functional group, said monomer being capable of forming a water-soluble polymer, 1) alone or in conjunction with another monomer or 2) after said group has been transformed into a functional group, form an inverse emulsion or microemulsion and, transformation conditions to produce an emulsion of a water-soluble polymer based polymer having particle diameters ranging from about 200 to about 4000 .ANG..

17. A process as defined in claim 16 wherein said monomer comprises an acrylamide; a hydroxyalkyl(alk)acrylate; an N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(alk)acrylate or an allyl amine.

18. A process according to claim 16 wherein said monomer comprises acrylamide.

19. A process according to claim 9 including the step of c) inverting the functionalized polymeric material microemulsion.

20. A process according to claim 16 including the step c) inverting the functionalized polymeric material microemulsion.