The present invention discloses a method of imparting water repellency and optionally stain release to fibrous substrates by contacting a fibrous substrate with a non-fluorinated laundry treatment composition inside a laundry machine. The laundry treatment composition contains a hydrophobic organic urethane compound having a urethane linkage and the residue of a substituted cyclic or acyclic sugar alcohol. Laundry additive compositions containing a first laundry treatment composition, having a hydrophobic organic urethane compound, and a second laundry treatment composition are also included.

Provided are a papermaking device having an excellent strength in which the unevenness in strength between its parts is suppressed, and a method for producing the papermaking device. Also provided is a papermaking device for use in papermaking machine, the papermaking device comprising at least one resin layer comprising a polyurethane resin, wherein the polyurethane resin comprises as a component a polyether polycarbonate diol comprising one or more unit(s) A expressed by the following formula (1). ##STR00001##

Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a polyurethane bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres, and at least one reflective layer. The polyurethane bead bond layer is the reaction product of a reaction mixture of at least one aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and the reaction mixture is free of polyols containing unsaturated groups. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.

A high-recoverability resin particles having a mean particle size of 1 to 100 m containing a cross-linked (meth)acrylic acid ester-based resin, wherein the high-recoverability resin particles have a recovery rate of 22% or greater, and a 30% compression strength of 1.5 to 5.0 kgf/mm.sup.2.

Provided is a novel liquid crystalline elastomer that can reversibly undergo phase transition between a liquid crystalline phase and an isotropic phase thereof in a relatively low temperature region. A liquid crystalline elastomer precursor comprising a mesogenic group to which an oxide compound is attached, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond and at least two active hydrogen groups. A liquid crystalline elastomer comprising the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor cross-linked by a trifunctional or higher-functional isocyanate compound and/or polyol compound, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond, and the liquid crystalline elastomer reversibly changes a state thereof between a liquid crystalline phase and isotropic phase thereof in response to a change in temperature thereof.

Disclose herein are aqueous polymer dispersions for pressure-sensitive adhesives, as well as processes for the preparation of the aqueous polymer dispersions, and use of the aqueous polymer dispersions.

Disclosed is a polyurethane foam and a method of preparing the same which utilizes only bio-renewable polyols and no petroleum derived polyols. The polyol is derived from a bio-renewable source and has a bio-renewable content of at least 70% by weight. The produced foams have mechanical and performance properties that are equal to or exceed those of similar polyurethane foams produced using petroleum derived polyols. The foams are preferably formed into sponges and other cleaning products for use by consumers and in industrial settings.

A compound for imparting water repellency and optionally stain release to substrates wherein the compound is prepared by (i) reacting (a) at least one isocyanate group-containing compound selected from isocyanate, diisocyanate, polyisocyanate, or mixture thereof, and (b) at least one isocyanate-reactive compound selected from formula (Ia), (Ib), or (Ic): ##STR00001##

A compound for imparting water repellency and optionally stain release to substrates wherein the compound is prepared by reacting (a) at least one isocyanate group-containing compound, (b) at least one isocyanate-reactive compound and (c) at least one fluorinated isocyanate-reactive compound.

Coatings comprising an uncured branched polyester-urethane resin prepared by free radical polymerization of an unsaturated polyester prepolymer having a polyol segment, an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid and/or an anhydride and/or ester thereof, and a urethane segment, wherein the polymerization occurs primarily by reaction of the unsaturation are disclosed.