The invention relates to a finely divided, starch-containing aqueous polymer dispersion which is obtainable by free radical emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of at least one redox initiator and starch, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprise (a) from 30 to 65% by weight of acrylonitrile and/or methacrylonitrile, (b) from 35 to 60% by weight of at least one C.sub.1-C.sub.12-alkyl acrylate and/or at least one C.sub.1-C.sub.12-alkyl methacrylate, (c) from 0 to 35% by weight of at least one other ethylenically unsaturated copolymerisable monomer, in which the sum of (a), (b) and (c) totals 100%, and in which the aqueous polymer dispersion comprises, (d) from 10 to 55% by weight of an ionic tapioca starch, in which the weight of (d) is based on the total solids of components (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the aqueous polymer dispersion. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the finely divided, starch containing aqueous polymer dispersions and also to the use of said finely divided starch containing aqueous polymer dispersions as a size for paper, board and cardboard.

Methods for improving one or more surface properties of a sheet of paper or paperboard, which method comprises (a) coating at least one side of the sheet of paper or paperboard with a dispersion having a cationic zeta potential formed by combining (1) a mixture containing one or more anionic pigments with (2) one or more polyamine-epihalohydrin cationic wet strength resins at a coating weight of from about 0.1 g/m.sup.2 to about 20 g/m.sup.2; (b) drying the coated sheet of paper or paperboard; (c) applying a functional barrier top coating that resists one or more of the following: liquid water, water vapor, gas permeability, oil and grease, slip, and static or an anionic latex based pigment coating that imparts improved opacity, brightness, or printability. The invention also includes the dispersions as well as paper or paperboard coated with the dispersion.

Methods for improving one or more surface properties of a sheet of paper or paperboard, which method comprises (a) coating at least one side of the sheet of paper or paperboard with a dispersion having a cationic zeta potential formed by combining (1) a mixture containing one or more anionic pigments with (2) one or more polyamine-epihalohydrin cationic wet strength resins at a coating weight of from about 0.1 g/m.sup.2 to about 20 g/m.sup.2; (b) drying the coated sheet of paper or paperboard; (c) applying a functional barrier top coating that resists one or more of the following: liquid water, water vapor, gas permeability, oil and grease, slip, and static or an anionic latex based pigment coating that imparts improved opacity, brightness, or printability. The invention also includes the dispersions as well as paper or paperboard coated with the dispersion.

Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Y-Connected Area parameter greater than 20 and a Surface Channel Spacing of less than 2.5 mm. The absorbent product has high strength and low machine direction stretch.

Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Y-Connected Area parameter greater than 20 and a Surface Channel Spacing of less than 2.5 mm. The absorbent product has high strength and low machine direction stretch.