Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides fail-safe mechanisms for final filters. The fail-safe mechanisms of the present disclosure include a prefilter that is essentially transparent or translucent to TOC contaminants and a microporous filter downstream from the prefilter that filters contaminants by means of size-exclusion, mechanical interception, coagulation, or a combination thereof, the filter being adapted to significantly reduce fluid flow and undergo blockage under a challenge by TOC contaminants.

Abstract: A method for making chlorine dioxide, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising sodium chlorite into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halogen dioxide salt to halogen dioxide. The anode is preferably a porous anode through which the aqueous feed solution passes to maximize the conversion of chlorite to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter comprised of activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a Virus Removal Index (hereafter “VRI”) of at least about 99%, as measured in accordance with the test method described in the specification. The filter may comprise unbound fibers, or the fibers may be bound with a binder to form a composite of fibers. Also disclosed is a method of removing viruses from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%. Also described is an article of manufacture comprising: (a) a filter comprising activated carbon fibers, wherein said filter has a VRI of at least about 99%; and (b) instructions which inform a user that the filter may be used to remove viruses from a liquid.

Abstract: A method for making chlorine dioxide, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising sodium chlorite into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halogen dioxide salt to halogen dioxide. The anode is preferably a porous anode through which the aqueous feed solution passes to maximize the conversion of chlorite to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing hormone(s) from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved protective pad for protecting the human body against impact forces. The pad is formed using layers of high density closed-cell polymer foam low density closed-cell polymer foam, and resilient or non-resilient energy absorbing inserts. The high density layer absorbs and shunts impact forces, while the low density layer acts as a cushion against the human body, and provides for comfort. The pad can be provided with a plurality of holes through its thickness to provide for breathability and release of heat from the human body, the surface area of the holes being great enough to allow for adequate ventilation but not so great as to significantly decrease the protection offered by the pad. The pad can also be provided with a plurality of score lines across its surface and partially through its thickness to provide for flexibility and conformability to the part of the human body being protected.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluids with suspended solid particulates without experiencing permanent partial or total clogging is provided. The nozzle is made from a elastomeric material and has a dome-shaped tip. The dome-shaped tip has a slit that provides an elongated orifice which generates a fan-type spray pattern while allowing solid particulates to pass through the nozzle without permanent clogging. The slit is normally maintained closed at rest and provides precompression and shut-off functions. Several versions of the nozzle are described, such as a one-piece nozzle and a nozzle insert. Additionally, the nozzle can be attached to a manually actuated pump device and be used as a spray delivery system.

Abstract: A hand holdable spray delivery system for dispensing a relatively viscous and/or solids laden liquid is provided. This spray delivery system includes a container adapted to house the liquid. A manually actuated pump device is mounted on the container. The pump device including an inlet passage, a pump chamber, and a discharge passage having a distal end connected in liquid communication so that the liquid is pumped from within the container, through the inlet passage, into the pump chamber and through the discharge passage upon manual actuation of the pump device. A slotted spray nozzle including a housing having an inlet side and an exit side is also included. The housing having an internal recess through the inlet side that terminates in an elongated orifice at the exit side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to foam producing products useful for personal cleansing. These products comprise a foamable liquid composition and a foam-producing foam dispenser. These products provide a stable homogeneous foam and good lathering and cleansing characteristics. These products are very mild to the skin and are useful for moisturizing the skin and for delivering a wide variety of active ingredients to the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manually operated dispensing system for dispensing a liquid product in atomized or foam form. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved manually operated pump to for use in such dispensing systems which incorporates at least one collapsible bellows as a pump chamber. The use of a bellows as the air chamber in an air/liquid pump mechanism allows the pressure/volume profile of the air supply to be tailored to supply the desired air/liquid ratio throughout the travel of the pump mechanism. The shape of the air bellows is preferably selected to provide an is initially large volume reduction in the air chamber as the bellows collapses to provide a rapid rise in air pressure available for dispensing. In a preferred embodiment, dual bellows are utilized (one for liquid, one for air) in a concentric arrangement to allow the pressure/volume profile for each to be tailored to achieve the desired spray or foam characteristics.

Abstract: A foam dispensing system for a foamable liquid has a means for producing a spray of droplets in which the spray of droplets has key parameters of: the number averaged mean diameter and the mean axial droplet velocity. The foam dispensing system also has a foaming nozzle connected to the means for producing a spray of droplets that is placed in fluid communication with the spray of droplets. The foaming nozzle has a screen which has a plurality of screen openings having a mesh range from 30 to 60 openings per linear inch. Key parameters of the screen are: the percent open area is from about 35% to 60% and the screen openings are larger than the number average mean diameter of the spray of droplets. When the mean axial droplet velocity is at least 8 m/s, the spray of droplets is transformed into a foamed spray as the droplets pass through the plurality of screen openings.

Abstract: Foam dispensing nozzles and manually actuable foam dispensers for producing and dispensing improved foams made from a foamable liquid and gas. The foam dispensing nozzles include a velocity decreasing structure so that the average foam velocity through the foam refining apparatus does not exceed a certain value.