(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(19) World Intellectual Property Organization

International Bureau

(43) International Publication Date (10) International Publication Number

18 September 2008 (18.09.2008) PCT WO 2008/112419 A2
(51) International Patent Classification: (74) Agents: GOODRICH, David, Mitchell et al; J.M. Huber
C08L 1/26 (2006.01) Corporation, 333 Thornall Street, Edison, NI 08837 (US).
(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
(21) International Application Number: kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
PCT/US2008/054955 AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA,
CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE,
(22) International Filing Date: EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID,
26 February 2008 (26.02.2008) IL, IN, IS, IP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC,
LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN,
(25) Filing Language: English MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH,
PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, SV,
(26) Publication Language: English SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN,
ZA, ZM, ZW
(30) Priority Data:
(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
11/717,418 13 March 2007 (13 .03 .2007) US
kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): CP ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
KELCO U.S., INC. [US/US]; 1000 Parkwood Circle, European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI,
Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30339 (US). FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,MC, MT, NL,
NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG,
(72) Inventors; and CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): WIELEN,
Maarten, Van Der [NL/NL]; Constantijnstraat 8, Declarations under Rule 4.17:
NL-5671 XE Nuenen (NL). WINSTON, PhU [US/US]; — as to applicant's entitlement to apply for and be granted a
3570 Trenton Avenue, San Diego, CA 921 17 (US). patent (Rule 4.17 ( U))
SWAZEY, John [US/US]; 13183 Sunstone Pointe, — as to the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of the
San Diego, CA 92130 (US). CLARK, Ross [US/US]; earlier application (Rule 4 . 17(Hi))
11658 Scripps Creek Drive, San Diego, CA 92131 (US). Published:
LAHTINEN, Maarit [FUFl]; Kuhnamontie 2, FIN-44100 — without international search report and to be republished
Aanekoski (FI). upon receipt of that report

(54) Title: IMPROVED PAINT FORMULATIONS COMPRISING CELLULOSE ETHER/NETWORK BUILDING POLYMER
FLUID GEL THICKENERS

(57) Abstract: Paint formulations that exhibit improved performance characteristics due to the presence of a combination of a
cellulose ether (carboxymethylcellulose and/or hydroxy ethylcellulose) and a network building polymer (gellan gum, carrageenan,
etc.. as examples) as a thickening system therein are provided. Such a combination permits long-term shelf stability of the paint
formulation while simultaneously according effective Row. leveling, and other important properties to the final paint formulation.
The combination of the cellulose ether and a network building pol\ mer allows for a lower viscosity cellulosic compound fo impart the
desired.theological behavior therein while also permitting the other desirable characteristics noted above. Such paint compositions
also exhibit improved atomizatio π for spray applications with such a thickening system.
 IMPROVED PAINT FORMULATIONS COMPRISING CELLULOSE ETHER/NETWORK

BUILDING POLYMER FLUID GEL THICKENERS

Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to paint formulations that exhibit improved performance characteristics

due to the presence of a combination of a cellulose ether (carboxymethylcellulose and/or

hydroxyethylcellulose, as examples) and network building polymer (gellan gum, carrageenan, etc., as

examples) as a thickening system therein. Such a combination permits long-term shelf stability of the

paint formulation while simultaneously according effective flow, leveling, and other important properties

to the final paint formulation. The combination of the cellulose ether and a network building polymer

allows for a lower viscosity cellulosic compound to impart the desired rheological behavior therein while

also permitting the other desirable characteristics noted above. Such paint compositions also exhibit

improved atomization for spray applications with such a thickening system.

Background of the Invention

Thickeners are used in numerous products for rheological control purposes and particularly for

increasing viscosity and imparting thixotropic properties to the products. Thickeners for water-dispersed

compositions require compatibility and stability, especially in latex paints. Paints are surface coatings

applied to substrates and dried to form continuous films for decorative purposes as well as to protect the

substrate. Consumer paints are air-drying and primarily decorative architectural coatings applied to

interior or exterior surfaces, where the coatings are sufficiently fluid to flow and form a continuous paint

film and subsequently dry at ambient temperatures. Industrial maintenance coatings are similar coatings

applied to substrates in industrial environments to primarily protect the substrate. Spray paints are

applied with the use of an atomizing aperture and a propellent to apply with force, rather than by

brushing.
 A paint ordinarily comprises an organic polymeric binder, pigments, and various paint additives.

In dried paint films, the polymeric binder functions as a binder for the pigments and provides adhesion of

the dried paint film to the substrate. The pigments may be organic or inorganic and functionally

contribute to opacity and color in addition to durability and hardness of the dried paint film, although

some paints contain little or no opacifying pigments and can be described as clear or opaque coatings.

The manufacture of paints involves addition of paint additives (for example biocides, pH controllers,

surface control agents, foam control agents, pigments dispersants, wetting agents), addition of pigments

and grinding of pigments, addition of thickeners for rheology control and addition of polymeric binder.

Latex paints require effectiveness in a number of properties to permit proper utilization thereof.

For instance, a paint should exhibit a suitable flow out of the storage receptacle as well as adhesion to a

brush. Upon application to a surface, the paint should flow and level within the brush stroke or paint

roller tracks left on the surface so as to create a uniform coating without streaks therein. Furthermore, a

latex paint should exhibit quick drying times to prevent any gravitational pull to cause any applied to a

vertical surface to run down the target substrate or sag after application. Additionally, latex paints should

show a uniform coloration over the target surface, both in terms of the pigments applied, as well as

overall coating upon expectation of the user that if the same stroke is applied over the entire target

surface, the resultant appearance will be even and level. Lastly, it is also preferable that latex paints

exhibit a propensity for stability when stored after initial mixing of a desired color on-site or at a place of

purchase. Thus, phase separation is highly undesirable of the subject latex paint as, alluded to above,

non-uniformity in final applied colorations would most likely result if a phase separation has occurred

without significant mixing.

As noted above, due to the continuous aqueous phase in latex polymers, latex paints must contain

dispersants and thickeners to promote adequate suspension of the pigment along with proper application

rheology and flow. The paint viscosity during storage must be adequately high to prevent settling, but

readily reduced by applied shear to spread and flow evenly. Latex paint typically exhibits thixotropic
rheology to enable the paint to be applied readily by brush or roller or spray application. On a vertical

wall, thixotropy will enable the applied paint to flow into a smooth continuous paint film without sagging.

For many years, the thickeners of choice for latex paints were derivatives of cellulose, including

carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC),

methyl cellulose (MC), methyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (MHEC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose

(HPMC) ethers alone and blends of them. These polymers thicken the water-phase of the paint and

increase the viscosity of the paint overall. These polymers are especially useful at increasing the high

shear rate viscosity of the paint.

However, these polymers do not generally produce high viscosity at rest or at low shear rates

which relates to the suspensional capability of the paint formulation, nor do they generally provide a yield

value to the paint which also is useful for suspension. In recent years, associative thickeners have been

used, including hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydrophobically modified

polyethylene glycols with the terminal hydrophobes attached by urethane linkages (HEUR). These

systems associate with themselves and/or the binder to produce very good flow and leveling, but are not

effective at suspending pigments or controlling the sag of a paint. All of these thickeners provide various

levels of application properties, including roller spatter resistance and flow and leveling, but none of the

aforementioned polymers are particularly good at providing in-can stability to the paint or providing sag

control. Other polymers can provide these benefits but usually at the expense of other characteristics.

For example, xanthan gum provides superior in-can suspension and sag control but will also affect flow

and leveling of the paint and will increase cost and so its use is primarily restricted to texture coatings.

Combinations of various cellulose ethers and hydrophobically modified associative thickeners have been

used, but they also have disadvantages, e.g. syneresis and poor suspension properties, especially at

elevated temperatures.

Thus, an improvement over the thickening systems utilized in the past, particularly with respect to

suspension of pigments and sag control is highly desirable without significantly adversely affecting flow

and leveling. The present invention provides the desirable rheology through an association of cellulose
ether and the gel mechanism of a supplemental network building polymer (such as, as one non-limiting

example, gellan gum) fluid gel.

Advantages and Brief Description of the Invention

One distinct advantage of the present invention is that the addition of small amounts of gellan gum

with a cellulose ether effectively provides acceptable levels of performance for latex paint formulations,

whereas other thickening systems provide improvements in certain categories of such characteristics,

rather than an across-the-board acceptability level. Another advantage of the present invention is the

ability of such a paint thickening system of small amounts of gellan gum coupled with a cellulose ether to

improve the atomization in spray paint formulations thickened therewith.

In essence, it has now been determined that useful blends could be prepared for paint formulations

using common thickeners and low levels of gelling polymers. For example blends of CMC, HEC,

HPMC, HPC, MC, among other cellulose ethers with low concentrations of low or high acyl gellan gum,

can provide the ideal rheology for many paint systems. This technology is accomplished by using low

levels of a gelling polymer. The levels are chosen such that the concentration of the gelling polymer is

too low to make a continuous gel, or if a continuous gel does form, it is very weak and can be easily

mechanically disrupted to a fluid. For low and high acyl gellan, this concentration is typically in the

range of 0.025-0.2% by total formulation weight of target paint formulation. In a potentially preferred

embodiment, it has been determined that low acyl gellan gum fluid gels work particularly well in

combination with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). In another potentially preferred embodiment, low acyl

gellan gum functions well in combination with hydroxy ethylcellulose (HEC).

Accordingly, the present invention encompasses a paint formulation comprising at least one

binder, at least one solvent, at least one pigment, and a thickening system comprising at least one

cellulose ether and at least one network building polymer, wherein the ratio of the amount of cellulose

ether to network building polymer is from 4 : 1 to 40: 1, preferably to 20: 1. Also encompassed within this

invention is a paint formulation comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, at least one solvent,
and a thickening system consisting of at least one cellulose ether and at least one network building

polymer, wherein said thickening system is present in an amount of from 0. 1 to 5% by weight of the

entire paint formulation, wherein said paint formulation exhibits a higher sag rating, a viscosity increase

of at least 15%, and an equal or improved level of syneresis control after being subject to a package

stability test at 25°C for 7 weeks as that exhibited by a paint formulation comprising the same

components, except for the presence of said network building polymer [wherein the viscosity increase

expressed in % for the present invention is defined as: (Viscosity of the invention system at 0.3 rpm

Brookfield readings - Viscosity of the reference paint at 0.3 rpm Brookfield readings) * 100% divided by

(Viscosity of the reference paint at 0.3 rpm Brookfield readings), in which the reference paint does not

contain the network building polymer fraction and is having an equal Stormer viscosity or equal ICI

viscosity as the invention system (containing the cellulosic and network building polymer) and in which

the value at 0.3 rpm is recorded coming from higher shear rates as described in more detail below].

Detailed Description of the Invention

As noted above, the present invention is based upon the determination that small amounts of a

gelling polymer, namely high or low acyl gellan gum, in combination with a cellulose ether thickener,

provides a thickening system for paint formulations that accord excellent characteristics for many highly

desired characteristics of such paints. The required combination of thickener and gum creates a reliable

viscosity modification system without gelling the paint formulation to the degree that simple mixing

would not be effective in de-gelling such a composition. The gellan gum component thus acts in a fluid

capacity, rather than as a gelling agent, to retain fluidity with the cellulose ether base thickener yet

retaining many of the benefits of a gelled system, thereby contributing to the desirable properties outlined

above and discussed in greater detail below.

 In general, it is believed, without intending to be limited to any specific scientific theory, that the

inclusion of a small amount of network building polymer (i.e., gellan gum) within a paint formulation

including a cellulose ether thickener imparts a smooth flow with good suspending capability

simultaneously for the paint. Cellulose ethers are known to have smooth flow upon pouring, but

questionable suspension capabilities alone. Network building polymers (gellan gum, carrageenan, etc.)

all exhibit excellent suspension capabilities alone; however, these materials also exhibit a structured

texture when poured. Thus, in a paint formulation comprising a network building polymer thickener,

although the formulation may exhibit excellent suspension characteristics for the pigments and other

solids components present therein, the formulation itself will not flow smoothly, or as smoothly desired

for a paint. In such a situation, as one example, the paint will not be easily spread over a target area

during application and will exhibit defined lines in the finished treatment due to the applying brush

bristles. Likewise, with a cellulose ether thickening system alone, the paint formulation would exhibit a

rather poor suspension of the solids therein, but smooth flow. Improved flow with excellent suspension

properties are thus distinct advantages of the cellulose ether/network building polymer (gellan gum, etc.)

thickening system as now discovered (as well as a number of other characteristics) over previous systems

including cellulose ethers or network building polymers alone.

The thickening system components of the inventive formulations include cellulose ethers and

network building polymers. Potentially preferred components are listed and described below in greater

detail:

Carboxymethyl cellulose is prepared from cellulose (e.g. from cotton linters or wood pulp) by

introducing carboxymethyl ether groups where there had been hydroxyl groups previously.

The structure of cellulose contains of glucopyranosyl units that have each three hydroxyl sites that

are capable of etherification to carboxymethyl groups. Hence, if all sites were reacted the degree of

substitution (DS) of CMC would be 3.0. In practice the DS is typically between 0.5 and 1.5. The

molecular weight of CMC will typically range from about 30,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons. If applied as a

1% solution, the viscosity at 25 °C will show a typical viscosity of 10 - 50,000 mPas.

 A CMC (as well as other cellulose ethers) solution can show different rheological behavior;

typically a pseudoplastic behavior is obtained, but even the system can be Newtonian at low molar masses

(and/or low concentrations). When heated the solution will thin, and upon cooling it will thicken.

Because of the anionic nature of the CMC and the presence of hydroxy 1groups different kinds of

interactions (inter, intra, and with other additives) will exist. Depending on parameters like electrolyte

conditions (type and level) and substitution pattern (DS and DS-distribution) the system can also show

thixotropic behavior. Hydroxyethyl-cellulose (HEC) is anon-ionic cellulose ether which dissolves

readily in water either cold or hot. It is used to produce solutions having wide range of viscosity, which is

proportional with the molecular weight of HEC. HEC is commonly used as a thickener, protective

colloid, binder, stabilizer and suspending agent in variety of industrial applications, such as water-based

paints, adhesives, emulsion polymers, toothpaste, cosmetics and building products.

Cotton linters or wood pulp can be used as raw materials and ethylene oxide for the production of

HEC. HEC is manufactured by reacting ethylene oxide with the reactive hydroxyls of the

anhydroglucose units that compose the cellulose chain. Three hydroxyl groups of each of the

anhydroglucose units if the cellulose are activated by sodium hydroxide. Subsequently these groups are

etherified with ethylene oxide to form the hydroxyethyl ether of cellose. Ethylene oxide, reacting at

previously substituted hydroxyl groups, can polymerize to form a side chain. The reaction product is

purified and grinded to a fine granular powder.

The molecular substitution, or MS, of the HEC is the average number of moles of ethylene oxide

that becomes attached to each anhydroglucose unit in cellulose, in the two ways described above. Degree

of substitution (DS) in commercially available HEC is 0.8-1.2 and MS 1.5-3. Solutions of HEC show

pseudoplastic behavior and HEC solutions with very high viscosity can show some thixotropy. Most

HEC products are soluble not only in water, but also in mixtures of water and water-miscible organic

solvents at water contents above 40%.

 Gellan gum is a heteropolysaccharide prepared by fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea, ATCC

31461. Gellan gum is available from CPKelco U.S. Inc., under various names, including KELCOGEL®,

KELCOGEL AFT, and KELCOGEL LT100. Processes for preparing gellan gum include those described

in U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,326,052 and 4,326,053. It is useful for a variety of gelling, texturing, stabilizing and

film forming applications, particularly as a gelling agent in foods, personal care products and industrial

applications.

The primary structure of gellan gum consists of a linear tetrasaccharide repeat structure. Each

repeating unit comprising four (4) sugar units of 1,3-β-D-glucose; 1, 4-β-D-glucuronic acid; 1,4-β-D-

glucose and 1,4-α-L-rhamnose. In its native or high acyl form, two acyl substituents—acetate and

gly cerate—are present. The molecular weight of gellan gums can range from about 400,000 to 700,000

Dal tons. These gums are supplied as free-flowing powders containing about 10 to 15% water by weight.

The deacylated gellan gum (heteropolysaccharide S-60) described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,053 is

prepared by fermenting Sphingomonas elodea in a suitable fermentation medium under suitable

conditions and thereafter, the pH is adjusted to 10 with KOH, and the temperature is maintained at 90-95

°C. for 15 minutes. The pH is then lowered to 6-8 with dilute HCl or H2SO4, and the gum is recovered

using typical filtration and precipitation steps. The molecular weight typically ranges from 400,000 to

600,000 Daltons.

Both forms of gellan gum can be used at low concentrations to produce "fluid gels". Gellan gum

"fluid gels" are weak gelling systems that have been subjected to shear either during or after the gelation

process. The application of shear disrupts normal gelation and results in smooth, homogeneous, pourable

"structured liquids". These fluid gels are extremely efficient at suspending a variety of materials,

including insoluble minerals used in paints and coatings yet can be easily sprayed. They are transparent

or opaque depending on the grade of gellan and the nature of other ingredients.

The gellan concentration range within which fluid gels can be prepared is 0.025 to 0.2% by weight

of water. Higher concentrations generally lead to a broken down gel that is very grainy and will not flow

smoothly. Fluid gels can be prepared with either low acyl gellan gum (eg. KELCOGEL AFT) or high
acyl gellan gum (e.g. KELCOGEL LT100). In the case of low acyl gellan gum, it is necessary to add an

electrolyte; if this is a divalent metal salt, the required concentration is very low (as low as ImM Ca2+).

For example, low acyl gellan gum fluid gels provide a particularly good yield development at 5 mM Ca2+

(0.02% Ca2+). Monovalent salts require higher concentrations to obtain good yield (roughly 20x the

concentration of divalent ions). For example, when using NaCl, one can obtain a good yield value at 1%

NaCl (0.4% Na+). By contrast, high acyl gellan gum usually does not require additional ions beyond that

contributed by a preservative or softened water to provide a significant yield value. Low acyl gellan gum

is usually preferred for formulations with a pH of 8 or above because the high acyl gellan gum can de-

acylate over time at alkaline pH and lead to stability issues. However, both forms of gellan gum form

stable fluid gels over the range of pH 3-7 with the low acyl form being again preferred at pH ranges

below 3.

In the preferred case of HEC or CMC with low acyl gellan gum, the HEC or CMC provides the

high shear viscosity while the low acyl gellan gum provides high viscosity at low shear rates and a true

yield point to the formulation. This high viscosity at low shear rates and the presence of a yield value

provides exceptional suspension to the pigments and therefore in-can stability is improved. At

appropriate levels, sag control can also be improved as the smooth texture of the formulation is

effectuated favorably upon inclusion of the gellan gum component (as discussed above). The

combination of low molecular weight HEC or CMC can provide adequate flow and leveling while still

maintaining the desired in-can stability and sag control. In other words, blends with HEC or CMC and

low acyl gellan have the advantage of not altering the cellulosic rheology at high shear rates (rates

encountered during application of the paint by brush or roller) while imparting much higher viscosity at

rest or at low shear rates than cellulosic alone. In addition, in the case where gellan is present, the

spattering on the walls of the mixing vessel during pigment grinding was reduced significantly as

compared to systems with only a cellulosic at similar Stormer viscosity.

 It has been found that a combination of from 1:4 to 1:20 ratio by weight of gel Ian gum and either

carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxy ethylcellulose will impart the above-noted highly desired properties

for latex paint compositions. One advantage of such a thickening combination is that the viscosity

modification created with such a combination, particularly for latex paint systems, is more pronounced

than either of the gellan or cellulose ethers present without the other. Another advantage of such a paint

thickening combination is that improvements in many of the desirable paint characteristics are provided

as a result-for example, resultant latex paint formulations including the combination exhibit improved

sag control, lower spattering, and effective scrub resistance over that of the cellulosic control. Yet

another advantage of this paint thickener combination is that the resultant paint will not exhibit any

appreciable sedimentation or precipitation of pigment after long storage.

Accordingly, this invention encompasses a paint formulation comprising at least one pigment, at

least one binder, at least one solvent, and a combination of a cellulose ether selected from the group

consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxy lethyl

cellulose (EHEC), methyl cellulose (MC), methyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (MHEC),

hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) ethers alone and mixtures thereof, and at least one network

building polymer selected from the group consisting of gellan gum, iota carrageenan, kappa carrageenan

or belnds thereof, high or low methoxy pectin or blends thereof, alginate, agar, gelatin, etc. or blends

thereof, wherein the cellulose ether and network building polymer are present in an amount together of

from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the total formulation, and the ratio of both components is from

4 : 1 to about 40: 1 (preferably to about 20: 1_, respectively.

By using a small amount of a network building polymer (again, preferably, though not

necessarily, gellan gum), it has been found that lower viscosity grades of cellulose ether may be used to

effectuate improved flow, level, spatter, to a target painted substrate as well. This combination provides

excellent viscosity build in latex paints and further helps in suspending the pigments. These and other

advantages of this invention will become more apparent by referring to the detailed description and the

illustrative examples.
 As noted above, a specific combination of network building polymer and cellulose ether will

impart highly desired properties to latex paint formulations (either brush-applied, roller-applied, or spray-

on varieties).

Examples of gellan gum are KELCOGEL ®, KELCOGEL AFT, KELCOGEL CG-LA,

KELCCOGEL CG-HA and KELCOGEL LT100 from CPKelco US, Inc. Examples of

carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are FINNFIX® and Cekol® from CPKelco Oy or CPKelco BV.

Examples of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) are CELLOSIZE* ER4400 from Dow Chemical and

NATROS OL® 250HBR from Aqualon. Examples of carrageenan are various GENUGEL® and

GENUVISCO® products from CPKelco US, Inc. Examples of other network building polymers include

pectin (available as various GENU products from CPKelco US, Inc.), sodium alginate (available from

ISP under the Kelgin tradename), agar and gelatin, among many others.

In accordance with this invention, the combination is either initially formed outside the latex

paint, or possibly added sequentially to the target composition (either component first), in order to impart

the desired properties thereto.

Various components may be present within the paint formulation, including the latexes, pigments,

and solvents, as well as coalescing agents, and other components. The level of thickener is determined by

the rheological properties desired in the paint. Any solids component (pigments, etc.) is not restrictive in

its form; however, powders, granules, flakes or pellets are particularly suitable.

Paints are commonly characterized in terms of their pigment volume concentration (PVC), which

is the volume relationship of pigment to total solids in the dry paint film. The PVC, usually expressed as a

percentage, is the total pigment volume divided by the total volume of pigment and binder in the dry film.

The minimum value of the PVC for the water-borne paints of this invention is preferably about 15%. The

maximum value is preferably about 85%, and most preferably about 80%. Typical levels of pigment and

binder depend on the type of paint, i.e. gloss, semi-gloss and flat or matte finish.
 Typical levels of pigment and binder depend on the type of paint, i.e. gloss, semi-gloss and flat or

matte finish. The examples of both semi-gloss and flat should be sufficient for giving the typical levels.

Suitable pigments and fillers include those known from the prior art, as may be derived, for

example, from Luckert, Pigment+Fullstoff Tabellen, 5 edition, Laatzen, 1994. As inorganic white

pigments, mention should be made in particular of oxides, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide (ZnO, zinc

white), zirconium oxide, carbonates such as lead white, sulfates, such as lead sulfate, and sulfides such as

zinc sulfide, and lithopones; titanium dioxide is particularly preferred. As inorganic chromatic pigments,

mention should be made of those from the group of oxides and hydroxides in the form of their individual

inorganic compounds or mixed phases, especially iron oxide pigments, chromium oxide pigments and

oxidic mixed-phase pigments with rutile or spinel structure, and also bismuth vanadate, cadmium, cerium

sulphide, chromate, ultramarine and iron blue pigments. Examples of iron oxide pigments are Colour

Index Pigment Yellow 42, Pigment Red 101, Pigment Blue 11, Pigment Brown 6, and transparent iron

oxide pigments. Examples of chromium oxide pigments are Colour Index Pigment Green 17 and Pigment

Green 18. Examples of oxidic mixed-phase pigments are nickel titanium yellow and chromium titanium

yellow, cobalt green and cobalt blue, zinc iron brown and chromium iron brown, and also iron manganese

black and spinel black.

Examples of preferred organic pigments are those of the monoazo, disazo, laked azo, beta-

naphthol, Naphiol AS, benzimidazolone, disazo condensation, azo metal complex, isoindoline and

isoindolinone series, and also polycyclic pigments such as those from the phthalocyanine, quinacridone,

perylene, perinone, thioindigo, anthraquinone, dioxazine, quinophthalone and diketopyrrolopyrrole series.

Also suitable are laked dyes such as Ca, Mg and Al lakes of dyes containing sul phonic acid or carboxylic

acid groups, and also carbon blacks, which for the purposes of this specification are taken to be pigments

and of which a large number are known, for example, from Colour Index, 2nd edition. Mention should be

made in particular of acidic to alkaline carbon blacks obtained by the furnace black process, and also

chemically surface-modified carbon blacks, examples being sulpho- or carboxyl-containing carbon

blacks.
 Examples of inorganic black pigments that should be mentioned include those as already

described above together with the inorganic chromatic pigments, especially black iron oxide, spinel black,

and black oxidic mixed-phase pigments.

Fillers particularly comprise substances other than the pigments mentioned, these substances

being primarily light in color and being inert towards the binder of component b). With particular

preference, the fillers have a lower optical refractive index than the aforementioned white pigments.

Examples of inorganic fillers that may be mentioned include carbonates, such as chalk, calcide or

dolomite, for example, silicon dioxide (ground quartz), natural or synthetic silicas, silicates, such as talc,

kaolin or mica, for example, and sulfates such as heavy spar or barium sulfate, for example. Examples of

organic fillers include polymeric powders and those known as hollow spheres.

As additives, the paint formulation may optionally comprise surface-active agents, defoamers and,

for example, foam preventatives and water-softening auxiliaries. In accordance with the invention, there

is no need to impose any restriction regarding the selection of suitable compounds for the surface-active

agents. They are used preferably for physical stabilization of the finely divided pigment and filler

particles during the preparation of the solids component and/or in the finished paint and coating materials

themselves. Surface-active agents used are preferably dispersants, wetting agents and emulsifiers as

widely used in the commercially customary paint and coating materials. In particular, they may be

nonionic, ionic, cationic or amphoteric, and monomelic or polymeric, in nature. Preferred dispersants

include oxalkylation products obtainable by condensing phenolic OH-containing aromatics with

formaldehyde and NH-functional groups; water-soluble polyisocyanate adducts containing hydrophilic

poly ether chains and preferably having a maximum isocyanate group content of 1.0% by weight,

containing 30-99.5% by weight of ethylene oxide units arranged within polyether chains and incorporated

by way of monofunctional alcohols, and having an ionic group content of 0-200 milliequivalent/100 g

polyisocyanate adduct; water-soluble inorganic salts, especially borates, carbonates, silicates, sulfates,

sulfites, selenates, chlorides, fluorides, phosphates, nitrates and aluminates of the alkali metals and

alkaline earth metals and of other metals, and also ammonium; polymers composed of repeating succinyl
units, especially polyaspartic acid; and nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric compounds (such as

nonionic alkoxylates, alkylolamides, esters, amine oxides and alkyl polyglycosides, as merely examples).

Other thickeners may also be utilized in these paint formulations, such as dextrins or

cyclodextrins, starch and starch derivatives, especially degraded or partially degraded starch, xanthan,

polyacrylates, polyetherpolyols or polyurethane derivatives, partially hydrolysed polymers of vinyl

acetate, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, which are hydrolysed to the extent of more than 70%, and/or vinyl

alcohol copolymers, preferably copolymers of vinyl acetate and alkylvinyl ester, which are partly or fully

saponified, and also polyvinyl alcohol itself, polymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone, or copolymers with vinyl

esters.

Certain suitable thixotropic agents may also be included within these paint formulations as well.

These would include, without limitation, phyllosilicates, pyrogenic silicas, and organic compounds based,

for example, on high molecular mass polyolefins, hydrogenated castor oil, polyamides, polyacrylates.

Also suitable are low molecular mass, gemicrystalline organic compounds based on urea and also acrylate

copolymer microparticles, which form microgels in the desired paint and coating materials.

Suitable defoamers and foam preventatives may also be added, such as, again, without limitation,

products include those based on natural oils or mineral oils, optionally chemically modified alcohols and

chemically modified silicones and silica materials.

Besides the abovementioned additives, the paint formulations may include other standard paint

additives and adjuvants, such as water-softeners, as pH regulators, further film-forming and levelling

assistants, dryers (siccatives), anti-skinning agents, anti-fouling agents, UY protectants and stabilizers,

biocides, wood preservatives, and the like.

The latex component may be any standard type and may include other binder materials.

Suitable binders include both organic and inorganic compounds. In accordance with the invention there is

no restriction as regards these compounds. Preferred organic binders are water-soluble, water-dispersible

or water-emulsifiable, natural, natural-modified or synthetic, generally film-forming compounds.

Synthetic binders are, for example, polymers based on acrylic, vinyl, styrene or isocyanate monomers and
also mixtures and copolymers thereof. As natural-modified binders, mention may be made in particular of

cellulose derivatives.

Natural binders that may be mentioned include natural resins, such as rosin or schellac,

natural oils, especially oils containing fatty acids which are saturated or contain various degrees of

unsaturation, said oils being oxidatively drying if desired, such as linseed oil, ricinene oil, soya oil, castor

oil, and the like, bitumen, asphalt or pitch.

Naturally modified binders are, in particular, chemically modified natural resins, e.g. rosin-

maleate resin, and also modified oils, e.g. thick oils, isomerized oils, styrenized and acrylated oils, cyclo

oils, and also maleate oils, urethane oils and factorized oils. Further natural-modified binders are

cellulose derivatives such as cellulose nitrates, cellulose esters of organic acids, and also modified natural

rubber such as cyclo rubber and chlorinated rubber, for example.

Examples of synthetic binders are saturated polyesters obtained by polyesterifying bifunctional or

higher polyfunction^ alcohols with polyfunctional saturated-aliphatic, cyclo-aliphatic or aromatic

carboxylic acids and/or their anhydrides; both hydroxy-functional and carboxy-functional polyesters are

suitable.

Furthermore, mention may be made of unsaturated polyesters, free-radically copolymerized if

desired with monomelic methacrylates, allyl compounds, other unsaturated monomers, especially styrene,

and also of unsaturated radiation-curing acrylate resins such as polyester, polyether, epoxy and urethane

acrylates, for example.

Further synthetic organic binders are alkyd resins (polyesters modified with fatty acids, fatty oils

or higher synthetic carboxylic acids) and also chemically modified alkyd resins, examples being

styrenized, acrylated, urethanized, silicone-modified, poly amide-modified and resin-modified alkyd

resins, and also especially water-dilutible alkyd resins, based for example on neutralizable short-oil and

medium-oil, carboxyacidic alkyd resins, self-emulsifiable alkyl resins of reduced acid number, having

permanently hydrophilic polyether chains in the molecule, and also alkyd resins which can be emulsified

by means of surfactants.
 Further suitable organic binders include acrylic resins (poly aery lates) in the form of their

homopolymers and copolymers, e.g. styrene acrylate, and also polyacrylic polyols. Water-dilutible acrylic

resins are particularly preferred.

Solvents may also be present within these paint formulations. Preferred solvents include water-

soluble or water-miscible solvents. The solvent may serve either as a cosolvent for the latex and/or

binder component or as an auxiliary for improving the drying and film-forming properties of the paint and

coating materials. Also suitable are mixtures of different solvents, and, where appropriate, also

polymeric, high-boiling solvents having a boiling point of more than 250°C. In accordance with the

invention there is no restriction as regards the solvents to be used. Preference, however, is given to those

used in the prior art paint and coating materials. These include, in particular, compounds from the group

of the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons and terpene hydrocarbons, and also alcohols,

glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, esters and ketones. Amine-type solvents are also suitable, especially

those based on primary, secondary and tertiary, aliphatic and also aromatic or cycloaliphatic amines, and

also mixtures and derivatives thereof.

The amount of solvent introduced where appropriate in the system of the invention is guided by

the desired processing properties and by the use of the paint and coating materials and also by

environmental aspects of the application. In general, solvents should be compatible with the coating

material and volatile on application under the particular film formation conditions. The above mentioned

solvents may also function as diluents or extenders for the paint and coating material. Based on the said

system, the solvent content is preferably less than 55% by weight, in particular less than 30% by weight.

Typically, latex paint contains by weight of total composition, from about 10 to 50% of a latex,

from about 10 to 50% of an opacifying pigment (e.g. TiO , clay, calcium carbonate, silica, etc.) and from

about 0.1 to 2% of dispersants/surfactants (e.g. polyacry lates, potassium tripolyphosphate, 2-amine-2-

methyl-1-propanol, etc). Additionally, the paint formulation may also include from 4.9 to 98.9% by

weight, in particular from 10 to 80% by weight, of water and, where appropriate, a water-soluble or

water-miscible solvent. The viscosity ing effect of the present invention depends on the molecular weight
of the cellulose ether and the amount added to the paint. Typically, the amount of cellulose ether/gellan

gum combination will be in the range of 0.05% to 5%, preferably from 0.1% to 1.0%, based on the weight

of total composition.

In general, though, the paint and coating material system of the invention preferably contains any

standard amount of solvents) and solid(s), as paint formulations may differ significantly in terms of these

components and their proportions therein (i.e., gloss and semi-gloss types). The importance issue is the

selection of a proper cellulose ether/network building polymer thickener system in the ratios noted

previously. With that being said, the wide ranges of potential proportions of paint components are

reflected as follows: from 1 to 95% by weight, in particular from 5 to 70% by weight, of at least one

solid pigment and from 0 . 1 to 60% by weight, in particular from 1 to 30% by weight, of the binder/latex

component, and from 0. 1 to 5% by weight of the inventive thickening system. Additionally, the paint

formulation may also include from 4.9 to 98.9% by weight, in particular from 10 to 80% by weight, of

water and, where appropriate, a water-soluble or water-miscible solvent. These are merely guidelines to

follow, however, as, again, many different formulations may be possible. The PVC amounts are included

within these large ranges.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Certain embodiments of the inventive paint formulations were prepared in accordance with the

following non-limiting examples.

Preparation of Viscous Fluid Gels

Three different methods were followed to prepare the thickening system fluid gels, as follows:

Method A. Hot Mix (with low acyl-gellan gum or high acyl-gellan gum)

A Finnfix 2000: KELCOGEL® CG-LA or FINNFIX® 2000 : KELCOGEL LT100 - HA powders

were dry -blended and added with mixing to deionized water at ambient temperature, (-25°C). The

contents were heated to 90°C and held for 5 minutes with mixing. To the mixture were added 5 mM
Ca++ (as CaCb) or 1 % NaCl and then cooled to ~25°C wilhout mixing, at which point moderate mixing

was resumed to form a weak gel, biocide was added and the fluid gel was placed in a container to be

added to a paint at any point of the manufacturing process, e.g. following pigment dispersion or after

addition of the latex binder.

Method B. Cold Mix (in situ) at beginning of the pigment grind (with low-acyl gellan gum)

To a standard paint process container was added sufficient tap water to disperse titanium pigment

and then an amount of sodium citrate equal to 0.20 wt% (based on weight of water) was dry-blended with

Kelcogel CG-LA powder and added to the water with mixing. A cellulose gum, e.g. Finnfix 2000 (CMC)

was slurried in propylene glycol and then added to the water so that the total gum combination was 0.4 -

0.53 wt% (based on the total paint weight) and the ratio of CMC: Gellan gum was between 8 : 1 and 10:1.

The gum blend was mixed for 30 minutes on a high-speed disperser, e.g. Cowles Dissolver. Other liquid

ingredients and pigments were then added and dispersed. When the pigment dispersion was complete, 10

mM Ca++ (as CaCl ) were added with mixing to produce a fluid gel prior to adding the latex and

remaining ingredients. The gelling salt can also be added at the completion of the paint manufacturing

process.

Method C. Hot Mix: post addition (with high-acyl gellan gum solution

A separate solution of 0.50 weight% Kelcogel HA (high acyl gellan gum) was heated in deionized

water to 90°C and held for 5 minutes with mixing and cooled without mixing to form a fluid gel. A

biocide was added to the cooled solution. The 0.50 weight % gellan gum solution was added to the paint

after latex addition with mixing. An amount of CMC (Finnfix 2000) was added as a slurry in propylene

glycol during the pigment grind phase of the paint process so that the final combined gum concentration

was 0.50 weight% (based on total paint weight) and the CMC: gellan gum ratio was 8 : 1.
 The following examples further illustrate the merits of this invention in terms of paint

formulations produced therewith the systems prepared within the methods listed above. The applied

cellulosics did have the following specifications:

Example 1 :

Paints were prepared according to preparation method B to evaluate the suspension of the

pigments in an Acrylic semi-gloss latex paint (25% PVC) at pH around 8.3. A comparison was made

between a single gum CMC -containing system and a system stabilized with a blend of cellulose gum and

LA-gellan gum. The paint was mixed with the appropriate amount of thickener to end-up with the

Stormer viscosity of the paint of 77 +/- 1 KU.

Example 2:

Paints were prepared according to preparation method B to evaluate the suspension of the

pigments in a Flat latex paint (63% PVC) at pH around 8.5. A comparison was made between a single

gum cmc containing system and a system stabilized with a blend of cellulose gum and LA-gellan gum. In

addition, a comparison had been made to a reference that also contained associative thickener. To the

systems containing the gellan, salt was added as gelling agent and the time of addition was varied for

reason of comparison. The paint was prepared with 0.5wt% thickener.

Example 3 :

Paints were prepared according to preparation method A, to evaluate the suspension of the

pigments in 74% PVC latex paint at pH around 7.6. A comparison was made between a single gum

cellulosic (CMC or HEC) containing system and a system stabilized with a blend of cellulosic (cellulose

gum or HEC) and LA-gellan gum. The paint was mixed with the appropriate amount of thickener to end¬

up with the Stormer viscosity of the paint of 93 +/- 1 KU. In the gum solution preparation 0.06 %

CaCl 2x2H 20 was applied.

Example 4:

Paints were prepared according to preparation method A, to evaluate the suspension of the

pigments in 74% PVC latex paint at pH around 7.6. The composition was varied to determine how the

nature of the gellan (low acyl versus high acyl) affects the paint performance (at three different gum

levels and/or ratios). In the gum solution preparation 1% NaCl was applied.

Example 5 :

Paints were prepared according to preparation method C, to evaluate the suspension of the

pigments in an acrylic semi-gloss latex paint (25% PVC) at pH around 7.8. A comparison was made

between a single gum CMC-containing system and a system stabilized with a blend of cellulose gum and

HA-gellan gum. The paints were mixed with 0.50 wt% thickener.
Testing of Paint Formulations

These paint formulations were then analyzed for a number of different properties. The methods

below were applied for these purposes.

Leveling of Paint, ASTM D-4062

This test method evaluates the ability of paint to flow out after application and thus obliterate any

surface irregularities like a brush marks, orange peel, peaks or craters, which have been produced by the

mechanical process of application. To simulate the shear created by brush application, paint sample is

pre-sheared by ejecting the sample trough a syringe and needle. Paint sample is applied on a sealed chart

by special leveling test blade designed to lay down a film with parallel ridges simulating brush marks.

After drying for 24 hours at constant conditions (23±2 °C and 50±5 % relative humidity) in a horizontal

position, levelling of the test paint is rated by viewing the draw-down under a strong oblique light source,

comparing the contrast of lightness and shadow caused by the paint ridges to that of a series of plastic

levelling standards under the same lightning conditions. Leveling is rated from 0 to 10, where 0 presents

very poor levelling and 10 presents perfect leveling or no perceptible ridges.

Sag Resistance of Paint, ASTM D4400

This test method evaluates the sag resistance of paint, the tendency of a wet paint to flow

downward when applied to a vertical surface. A pre-shear is essential for a drawdown sag test to make

sure the breakdown in structure, which occurs in thixotropic paints. The paint sample is pre-sheared by

ejecting the sample trough a syringe and needle. After pre-shearing, the coating is applied to a test chart

by a multinotch applicator, which has 10 increasingly deep rectangular notches. Notch clearances range

from 100 µm to 600 µm (4 to 24 mils). The charts are immediately hung vertically with the drawdown

stripes horizontal with the thinnest stripe at the top. After drying in this position, the drawdown is

examined and sagging is rated for the thickest stripe which does not overlap the stripe of bare test panel

just below.
 Spatter Resistance of Paint, ASTM D4707

This test method determines the tendency of paint to spatter when applied with a roller. The test

paint is applied to a black plastic panel by a special drawdown applicator. The coated plastic panel is

immediately mounted on a vertical surface above a sheet of black paper (if paint is white) used to catch

any spatter making ten passes in each direction (20 passes totally). A specially designed notched spool

roller is rolled through the film tending to generate spatter. Any spatter, which falls upon the spatter

catch paper and after drying, is rated against the pictorial standards. Spatter resistance is rated on a scale

of 1 to 10, where 1 represents hundreds of drops of spatter and 10 represents no spatter. Rating depends

on number, rather than size, of drops.

Paint Viscosity by a Stormer Viscometer, ASTM D562

This test method measures viscosity of paint with low shear rates, 200 rpm, which corresponds to

the shear rate of paint in the can. Viscosity is measured with a Stormer viscometer at 25°C, where torque

of a spindle rotating at 200rpm is converted to viscosity in Krebs Units (KU).

Paint Viscosity by an ICI Cone & Plate Viscometer, ASTM D4287

This test method measures viscosity of paint with high shear rates, 10 000 s-1, which corresponds

to the shear rate when paint is applied by a roller. Viscosity is measured with an ICI Cone & Plate

viscometer at 25°C, where sample is placed between the rotating cone and stationary plate. Viscosity

result is given as Poises (P) or centipoises (cP).

Paint viscosity by a Brookfield LVTDV-D Viscometer, ASTM D 1439-83a

Viscosity is measured with a Brookfield LVTDV-II viscometer at 25°C, where torque of a spindle

is converted to viscosity in Milli-Pascal seconds (mPas).

Stability test of paint, "Settling" test

The test determines the paint stability during the storage at room temperature (r.t.) and 50°C.

Settling evaluation of solid matter in paints is made visually from transparent closed glass containers
which were stored at r.t and 50°C. Paints are divided into two parts were the other part is stored at r.t and

the other part at 50°C. Paints were stored for specified periods, e.g. 1, 2, 3 months, etc.

Paint Viscosity Measured by a Programmable Brookfield LVTDV-III Viscometer

The waterborne paint is stored in a transparent plastic container approximately 5.5 cm in diameter

and 9 cm in height with a screw-type lid. The container holds approximately 200 grams of the

waterbome paint The Brookfield viscosity of the paint is measured in this container so that the diameter

is consistent and viscosity values are easily compared The cylindrical Brookfield spindles are used to

measure the viscosity (between 5 and 95% torque). The viscosity program is as follows:

Viscometer speed Hold time

60 RPM 1 minute, then take reading

30 RPM 1 minute, then take reading

3 RPM 2 minutes, then take reading

0.3 RPM 5 minutes, then take reading.

Note: Proceeding from high to low shear rate avoids any thixotropy that may be present and that would

generate inconsistent data.

The results of the testing are provided below in the following tables for each of the Examples 1-5.
 Example 1 Results
CMC/Gellan Gum in Semi-Gloss Latex Paints

The results clearly show that in presence of CMC-gellan this paint formulation gives a higher viscosity at

low shear rates (0.3 rpm BF) and a higher sag rating and better leveling while maintaining acceptable and

similar values for high shear viscosity and stability as compared to the paint with only CMC.
Example 2 Results

The paints from the present invention clearly show the higher viscosity at low shear rates (0.3

RPM BF) and similar leveling and sag score even though the Stormer viscosity is somewhat lower that

the paint formulation with only CMC.

 The paint system prepared by adding gelling salt to the fluid gel at the end of the paint

manufacturing process resulted in higher low-shear viscosity (Brookfield 0.3 RPM) and greater package

stability at elevated temperature versus adding the gelling salt during the paint process.

The addition of 0.10% solids of an hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable (HASE) type

associative thickener resulted in improved sag control but did not significantly enhance the package

stability versus a CMC control.

Note: Flow and leveling property was not impaired by the use of the fluid gel as a rheological

agent versus a CMC control.

Example 3 Results

Sample A (Ref-2) is different from sample A (Ref) as no heating was applied and no salt has been added.
 The CMC-gellan formulations show a strong increase in low shear-rate viscosity (0.3 RPM BF),

an improved sag rating at acceptable. The HEC-gellan also shows a clear increase in low shear-rate

viscosity while maintaining the other basic paint performance.

Example 4 Results

The High Acyl gellan gum shows a higher low shear-rate viscosity as compared to the low acyl

samples for each investigated overall gum level. The other paint properties were all rather similar

amongst the two gellan types.

Example 5 Results

29
 The HA-gellan gum shows much higher medium shear (60 RPM) as well as significantly higher

low-shear (0.30 RPM) viscosity than the control cellulose gum thickener. The low shear viscosity clearly

relates to the long-term, elevated temperature stabili of the gellan gum, especially the high acyl gellan

gum, and the cellulosic combination. In addition, the flow and leveling property did not appear to be

adversely affected by the higher viscosity of the HA-gellan gum.

It is thus evident that in each of these formulations that acceptable levels of each property has

been met. Such across-the-board results are highly desirable and heretofore unattained by other typical

thickening systems within the paint industry.

While the invention will be described and disclosed in connection with certain preferred

embodiments and practices, it is in no way intended to limit the invention to those specific embodiments,

rather it is intended to cover equivalent structures structural equivalents and all alternative embodiments

and modifications as may be defined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalence thereto.
 Claims

We claim:

1. A paint formulation comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, at least one solvent, and

a combination of at least one cellulose ether and at least one network building polymer, wherein the

cellulose ether and network building polymer are present in an amount together of from about 0. 1 to

about 5% by weight of the total formulation, and the ratio of both components is from 4 : 1 to about 40: 1,

respectively.

2. The paint formulation of Claim 1 wherein the ratio of said cellulose ether to said network building

polymer is from 4 :1 to about 20: 1.

3. The paint formulation of Claim 1 wherein said at least one cellulose ether is selected from the

group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxyleihyl

cellulose (EHEC), methyl cellulose (MC), methyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (MHEC),

hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) ethers, and any mixtures thereof, and wherein said at least one

network building polymer is selected from the group consisting of gel Ian gum, carrageenan, pectin,

alginate, agar, gelatin etc., or blends thereof.4. The paint formulation of Claim 3 wherein said at

least one cellulose ether is CMC and said at least one network building polymer is gellan gum

5. The paint formulation of Claim 3 wherein said at least one cellulose ether is HEC and said at least

one network building polymer is gellan gum.

6. The paint formulation of Claim 4 wherein said gellan gum is a low-acyl gellan gum.

7. The paint formulation of Claim 5 where said gellan gum is high-acyl gellan gum.
8. The paint formulation of Claim 1 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.

9. The paint formulation of Claim 3 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.

10. The paint formulation of Claim 4 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.

11. A paint formulation comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, at least one solvent, and

a thickening system consisting of at least one cellulose ether and at least one network building polymer,

wherein said thickening system is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the entire paint

formulation, wherein said paint formulation exhibits a higher sag rating, a viscosity increase of at least

15% at 0.3 rpm as measured on a Brookfield viscometer, and that exhibits at least the level of syneresis

after being subject to a package stability test at 25°C for 7 weeks as that exhibited by a paint formulation

comprising the same components, except for the presence of said network building polymer.

11. The paint formulation of Claim 10 wherein said at least one cellulose ether is selected from the

group consisting of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxylethyl

cellulose (EHEC), methyl cellulose (MC), methyl hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (MHEC),

hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) ethers, and any mixtures thereof, and wherein said at least one

network building polymer is selected from the group consisting of gellan gum, carrageenan, pectin,

alginate, agar, gelatin, or blends thereof.

12. The paint formulation of Claim 11 wherein said at least one cellulose ether is CMC and said at

least one network building polymer is gellan gum.

13. The paint formulation of Claim 11 wherein said at least one cellulose ether is HEC and said at

least one network building polymer is gellan gum.

14. The paint formulation of Claim 12 wherein said gellan gum is a low-acyl gellan gum.

15. The paint formulation of Claim 13 where said gellan gum is high-acyl gellan gum.

16. The paint formulation of Claim 10 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.

17. The paint formulation of Claim 12 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.

18. The paint formulation of Claim 13 wherein said formulation is a latex paint.