Abstract: An aqueous slurry composition containing microcapsules dispersed in an aqueous medium. The microcapsules contain an ionic acrylate copolymer shell encapsulating an oily medium. Upon drying, the microcapsules release the oily medium. The slurry is useful in delivering a variety of water-insoluble substances via an aqueous medium including cosmetic or agricultural agents.

Abstract: A rigid fastener, for securing to one another adjacent portions of a cover member made of resiliently deformable material, has an end portion with an outward end section of relatively small outside diameter and an axially adjacent inward section of relatively large outside diameter. The end portion of the fastener is engagable in either of two positions in a corresponding recess formed into at least one of the adjacent portions of the cover piece, affording a high level of holding power in its fully inserted position and affording a low level of holding power in a partially inserted position.

Abstract: An air admittance valve configured when subjected to a negative pressure condition to vent a pipe system to an ambient environment. In general, the air admittance valve includes a main body, inner and outer valve seats, a flexible sealing element, and a lid. The inner and outer valve seats define at least one vent opening between valve seats that is configured, when open, to communicate with the ambient environment. The flexible sealing element is devoid of a rigidifying structure, is configured to move to and from a closed position and an open position, and defines an outer perimeter surface, an inner perimeter surface, and opposite top and bottom surfaces extending between the outer and inner perimeter surfaces. At least one of the lid or the main body further comprises one or more guiding elements that define one or more guiding surfaces configured to guide the sealing element to and from the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A rigid fastener, for securing to one another adjacent portions of a cover member made of resiliently deformable material, has an end portion with an outward end section of relatively small outside diameter and an axially adjacent inward section of relatively large outside diameter. The end portion of the fastener is engagable in either of two positions in a corresponding recess formed into at least one of the adjacent portions of the cover piece, affording a high level of holding power in its filly inserted position and affording a low level of holding power in a partially inserted position.

Abstract: The inside surfaces of pieces constituting an undersink pipe-covering system are formed with series of weakness zones, at spaced intervals and with associated distance scale indicia, to permit facile and convenient length determination and manual severance for adjustment, while affording aesthetic appeal.