Abstract: A fragrance sachet includes a holder for a medium such as vermiculite. The medium can be treated with fragrance materials such as essential oils. The holder comprises a pouch formed with different materials on opposing sides which form designated respective front and back of the sachet. The designated front material is selected to support the application of indicia and/or decorations, while the designated back material may have filter type characteristics, to facilitate fragrance dispersion. The use of heat-sealable opposing side materials particularly facilitates formation of the pouch using a form-fill-seal system. The resulting sachet product may be configured with self-standing and/or hanging support features which avoid damaging any associated finished surfaces.

Abstract: A fragrance sachet includes a holder for a medium such as vermiculite. The medium can be treated with fragrance materials such as essential oils. The holder comprises a pouch formed with different materials on opposing sides which form designated respective front and back of the sachet. The designated front material is selected to support the application of indicia and/or decorations, while the designated back material may have filter type characteristics, to facilitate fragrance dispersion. The use of heat-sealable opposing side materials particularly facilitates formation of the pouch using a form-fill-seal system. The resulting sachet product may be configured with self-standing and/or hanging support features which avoid damaging any associated finished surfaces.

Abstract: A fragrance sachet includes a holder for a medium such as vermiculite. The medium can be treated with fragrance materials such as essential oils. The holder comprises a pouch formed with different materials on opposing sides which form designated respective front and back of the sachet. The designated front material is selected to support the application of indicia and/or decorations, while the designated back material may have filter type characteristics, to facilitate fragrance dispersion. The use of heat-sealable opposing side materials particularly facilitates formation of the pouch using a form-fill-seal system. The resulting sachet product may be configured with self-standing and/or hanging support features which avoid damaging any associated finished surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic head for indirectly drying a material, the acoustic head including at least one ultrasonic transducer facing the material, the material having a first side, and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the second side defining a surface to be dried, the ultrasonic transducer positioned facing the first side; and an air delivery unit positioned facing the first side of the material.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer system includes: an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around a container configured to receive a material to be processed; and an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining an acoustic slot extending through the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic slot angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

Abstract: A fragrance sachet includes a holder for a medium such as vermiculite. The medium can be treated with fragrance materials such as essential oils. The holder comprises a pouch formed with different materials on opposing sides which form designated respective front and back of the sachet. The designated front material is selected to support the application of indicia and/or decorations, while the designated back material may have filter type characteristics, to facilitate fragrance dispersion. The use of heat-sealable opposing side materials particularly facilitates formation of the pouch using a form-fill-seal system. The resulting sachet product may be configured with self-standing and/or hanging support features which avoid damaging any associated finished surfaces.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer system includes: an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around a container configured to receive a material to be processed; and an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining an acoustic slot extending through the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic slot angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer apparatus including: an acoustic chest, the acoustic chest defining an inner chamber sized to receive a material to be processed; and an acoustic device positioned within the acoustic chest and oriented to direct acoustic energy towards the material to be processed. A method for drying a material, the method including: positioning a material in an acoustic chest including an acoustic device; and directing acoustically energized air from the acoustic device at the material within the acoustic chest.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer apparatus including: an acoustic chest, the acoustic chest defining an inner chamber sized to receive a material to be processed; and an acoustic device positioned within the acoustic chest and oriented to direct acoustic energy towards the material to be processed. A method for drying a material, the method including: positioning a material in an acoustic chest including an acoustic device; and directing acoustically energized air from the acoustic device at the material within the acoustic chest.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic head for indirectly drying a material, the acoustic head including at least one ultrasonic transducer facing the material, the material having a first side, and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the second side defining a surface to be dried, the ultrasonic transducer positioned facing the first side; and an air delivery unit positioned facing the first side of the material.

Abstract: A method for detecting a microorganism or class of microorganisms is provided. More specifically, the method employs an array that contains a plurality of discrete regions (referred to as “addresses”) spaced apart on a solid support in a predetermined pattern. The addresses are selected so that the array provides a distinct spectral response (e.g., pattern of colors) or “fingerprint” for a particular microorganism or class of microorganisms. For example, the array may provide a certain spectral response in the presence of one microorganism or class of microoryanisms (e.g., gram-negative bacteria), but provide a completely different spectral response in the presence of another microorganism or class of microorganisms (e.g., gram-positive bacteria). Detection of the spectral response provided by the array may thus allow for differentiation between microorganisms.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.

Abstract: A delivery system for various functional compounds is disclosed. The delivery system incorporates a composition containing alumina. Various functional materials containing particular moieties may be adsorbed onto the alumina and used as desired. The functional compounds can be, for instance, pharmaceuticals, xenobiotics, anti-microbial agents, anti-viral agents, UV absorbers, odor control agents, fragrances, and the like. In one particular embodiment, for instance, certain dyes can be adsorbed onto the alumina surfaces. Once the dye is adsorbed onto the alumina surface, the resulting particles can be combined with a liquid vehicle for use in any suitable printing process.

Abstract: There is provided a moisture indicator for a heat and moisture exchange (HME) device that uses a pre-colorant and an activator applied to an inner surface of the HME device. The colorant undergoes a color change of Delta E (?E) of equal to or greater than 3 units upon exposure to moisture but not upon exposure to high humidity. The colorant is visually obvious to the unaided human eye under normal light conditions through the body of the device. The HME device with the visual indicator for moisture can indicate to the care-giver that it is time to change the HME device.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: A system for detecting an actual or impending overflow condition from a washroom fixture includes an overflow sensor configured with the fixture at a location to detect an abnormal rise in water level within the fixture before water overflows the fixture. A water sensor may also be disposed to detect an abnormal amount of water on the washroom floor. A data communications unit is in communication with the sensors. A washroom monitoring station is provided in wireless communication with the data communications unit and in communication with the sensors through the data communications unit. The washroom monitoring station is configured for indicating the presence of water when detected by the overflow or water sensors.

Abstract: Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.

Abstract: A delivery system for various functional compounds is disclosed. The delivery system incorporates a composition containing alumina. Various functional materials containing particular moieties may be adsorbed onto the alumina and used as desired. The functional compounds can be, for instance, pharmaceuticals, xenobiotics, anti-microbial agents, anti-viral agents, UV absorbers, odor control agents, fragrances, and the like. In one particular embodiment, for instance, certain dyes can be adsorbed onto the alumina surfaces. Once the dye is adsorbed onto the alumina surface, the resulting particles can be combined with a liquid vehicle for use in any suitable printing process.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.