Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises porous superabsorbent particles, wherein the particles exhibit a relative humidity microclimate of about 67% or less after being exposed to an atmosphere having a temperature of about 23° C. and relative humidity of 80% for a time period of 20 minutes.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a paper product which can remain intact prior to and during usage and can self-disintegrate over time. Such a paper product can occupy less space in a user's waste bin following usage when compared with a similar paper product that does not self-disintegrate. Such a paper product can be treated with a topical binder that includes a sublimable material. The sublimable material can sublime away from the paper product over time thereby reducing the ability of the fibers of the paper product to remain bonded together.

Abstract: An improved composition for protecting a vehicle, building, or airplane surface that will be painted or mechanically processed. For example, certain regions of a vehicle, building, or airplane may be masked in accordance with the present disclosure to protect those regions from paint overspray. The composition produces a film which adheres well to a surface to be protected, with few or no pinholes. Additionally, the composition can absorb any oil or grease present on the surface which can eliminate the need for towels and chemical solvents that may create toxic fumes, hazardous waste, and flammable hazards. Further, the material can be removed easily from the surface after use by peeling the film layer away from the surface.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting food-based allergens on a surface are disclosed. A composition can include ninhydrin and a protease enzyme. The protease enzyme can be a cysteine protease enzyme, an aspartic protease enzyme, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the composition can include a carrier. Methods of detecting a food-based allergen on a surface can include providing a composition including ninhydrin and providing a protease enzyme. The method can include applying the composition and the protease enzyme to the surface. The method can also include allowing the ninhydrin and the protease enzyme to interact with particulates from the surface for a detection period. Detecting the food-based allergen can occur when the composition changes color after the detection period.

Abstract: Odor control articles (10) including hydrophobic polymers of intrinsic porosity (HPIM) and their use in personal care products and hygienic products is disclosed. The odor control article (10) includes a HPIM and a colorant. The odor control article (10) may be applied to a substrate (11), and more specifically to a liquid absorbent member (30), to form an odor-absorbing member (20). The substrate (11) may absorb liquid. The odor-absorbing member (20) may be placed in such products as diapers (200), incontinence pads (60) and refrigerator pads. A method of making an odor control suspension with HPIMs including the use of surfactants is also disclosed. The odor control suspension may also be applied to a substrate (11).

Abstract: A wound dressing system that includes a conformal cover and an infusion pump is provided. The cover includes a fluid port and an oxygen catalyst. The infusion pump is configured to deliver a bioactive liquid to the cover via the fluid port. The liquid includes an oxygen precursor. Upon combination, the oxygen catalyst and precursor react to form oxygen. A method of applying a wound dressing system including a bioactive powder, a bioactive liquid, and a conformal cover to a wound site is also provided. The method includes applying the powder to the wound site; securing the cover around the wound site, where the cover includes an oxygen catalyst and a fluid port; and delivering the bioactive liquid to at least an inner layer of the cover via the fluid port, where the bioactive liquid includes an oxygen precursor.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malaria infection whereby providing a mouth cleansing product to a user then asking the user to blow or breathe onto or into a capture mechanism, wherein the capture mechanism may contain a thioether detection mechanism such as Michler's Hydrol; and analyzing whether a thioether detection mechanism displays any loss of the thioether detection mechanism. The invention also discloses a kit for indicating the presence of malaria by instructing the user to exhale through a capture mechanism after using a mouth cleansing product, wherein the kit includes a thioether detection mechanism such as Michler's Hydrol.

Abstract: A wound dressing system comprising a wrap and a frangible ampoule is provided. The wrap is configured to contact/surround a wound site and includes an oxygen catalyst. The ampoule includes an oxygen precursor. The catalyst and precursor are configured to form oxygen when combined. A wound dressing system including a container is also provided that includes a powder, wrap, and frangible ampoule. The powder is disposed within the container, which is configured to allow the powder to be dispersed onto a wound site when activated. The wrap, which may include an oxygen catalyst, is also disposed in the container and is configured to contact/surround the wound site. The ampoule, also disposed in the container, includes a liquid containing an oxygen precursor. The liquid is configured to contact the wrap when the container is activated. Further, the catalyst and precursor are configured to form oxygen when combined.

Abstract: An odor control layer for personal care products has a composition that has a PEG or PEG copolymer composition applied thereto. The layer can be placed in a personal care product, such as a diaper, training pant, absorbent under pant, adult incontinence product, or feminine hygiene product. Additional odor control layers may include silver nanoparticles and activated carbon compositions. In an alternative form, a single odor control layer includes the PEG composition and the activated carbon and/or silver nanoparticle compositions. A cleansing composition with PEG and possibly active carbon and silver nanoparticles may be combined with the personal care product to form a kit.

Abstract: A wiping product is disclosed that is well suited for wiping up oils and greases. More particularly, the wiping product has been engineered to wipe up and absorb oils within the interior of the product. The wiper is made from a laminate containing outer layers designed to wick away and/or adsorb oily substances from a surface. The wiper also includes an elastic middle layer that is oil absorbable. In one embodiment, the outer layers are stretch bonded to the elastic middle layer so that the outer layers gather and create void spaces within the product.

Abstract: A composition for absorbing liquids such as water and oil can include a thermoplastic elastomeric copolymer, a superabsorbent material, and a solvent. The composition can be applied as a coating to a non-woven substrate. A method of removing water or oil from a surface employing the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved composition for protecting a vehicle, building, or airplane surface that will be painted or mechanically processed. For example, certain regions of a vehicle, building, or airplane may be masked in accordance with the present disclosure to protect those regions from paint overspray. The composition produces a film which adheres well to a surface to be protected, with few or no pinholes. Additionally, the composition can absorb any oil or grease present on the surface which can eliminate the need for towels and chemical solvents that may create toxic fumes, hazardous waste, and flammable hazards. Further, the material can be removed easily from the surface after use by peeling the film layer away from the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an individual are disclosed. The method can include monitoring microflora intestinal gas concentration levels associated with a patient and adjusting the volume of nutrient provided by the patient with an artificial feeding device based at least in part on the microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the patient. A microflora intestinal gas sensor can be used to monitor the microflora intestinal gas associated with the patient. The microflora intestinal gas sensor can monitor the microflora intestinal gas in a patient's exhaled breath or in the patient's digestive tract. The microflora intestinal gas sensor be included as part of an enteral feeding system at the distal end or outside end of an enteral feeding tube. Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant based on microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the infant are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a paper product which can remain intact prior to and during usage and can self-disintegrate over time. Such a paper product can occupy less space in a user's waste bin following usage when compared with a similar paper product that does not self-disintegrate. Such a paper product can be treated with a topical binder that includes a sublimable material. The sublimable material can sublime away from the paper product over time thereby reducing the ability of the fibers of the paper product to remain bonded together.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards an absorbent binder composition that includes a hydrophilic polymer which has the capability of post-application, moisture-induced cross-linking. The absorbent binder composition can include 1) a superabsorbent polymer material which can include at least 15 mass percent monoethylenically unsaturated polymer, such as carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, or salts thereof, and an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality and 2) a polyvalent metal cation having a valence of at least two. Upon loss of water by evaporation, the alkoxysilane functionality forms a silanol functional group which condenses to form a crosslinked polymer. Upon exposure of the absorbent binder composition to a biological material, such as urine, blood, or feces, the biological material can interact with the polyvalent metal cation and can serve as a catalyst to accelerate the polymer cross-linking and gelation of the polymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an individual are disclosed. The method can include monitoring microflora intestinal gas concentration levels associated with a patient and adjusting the volume of nutrient provided by the patient with an artificial feeding device based at least in part on the microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the patient. A microflora intestinal gas sensor can be used to monitor the microflora intestinal gas associated with the patient. The microflora intestinal gas sensor can monitor the microflora intestinal gas in a patient's exhaled breath or in the patient's digestive tract. The microflora intestinal gas sensor be included as part of an enteral feeding system at the distal end or outside end of an enteral feeding tube. Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant based on microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the infant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disposable cleaning wipes having a use indicator are provided that are suitable for use in home and industrial cleaning applications. The cleaning wipes comprise cellulosic fibers, an antimicrobial agent and an indicator complex, the indicator complex including (i) a colored compound selected from the group consisting of a phthalocyanine compound, an ultramarine compound, and an iron oxide compound, and (ii) a cationic agent. The indicator complex is releasably attached, by ionic bonding, to a discrete region of the fibrous sheet. The anti-microbial compound is also attached, by ionic bonding, to the fibrous sheet. Thus, in use, the indicator complex is released by the fibrous sheet commensurate with the release of antimicrobial agent. The release and loss of the indicator complex provides the user with an indication of when the antimicrobial agent within the fibrous sheet is substantially depleted and the cleaning wipe should be replaced.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen containing a superabsorbent material oxygen entrapped within the superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material has at least 15 percent by mass monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic, sulphonic or phosphoric acid or salts thereof, an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, and a copolymerizable hydrophilic glycol containing ester monomer. To produce the closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen, an alkali hydroxide catalyst is added to the superabsorbent material to form a hydrogel layer. Then, an oxygen precursor is added to the hydrogel layer. The hydrogel layer is heated to produce oxygen by reacting the alkali hydroxide catalyst and the oxygen precursor thereby entrapping the oxygen in the formed closed cell foam matrix.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an absorbent article including a closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen. The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable inner surface for facing the wearer, an outer surface for facing away from the wearer, an absorbent assembly disposed therebetween, and a closed-cell foam matrix material applied to a portion of the absorbent article. The closed cell foam matrix contains a superabsorbent material and oxygen entrapped within the superabsorbent material. To produce the closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen, an alkali hydroxide catalyst and oxygen precursor are both added to an aqueous superabsorbent material. The aqueous solution is applied to a nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is then heated to produce oxygen by reacting the alkali hydroxide catalyst and the oxygen precursor thereby entrapping the oxygen in the formed closed cell foam matrix.

Abstract: An antibacterial cleaning composition for hard surfaces is made from a flexible superabsorbent material and an antibacterial agent. The composition can be applied to various liquid and solid surface contaminants, including blood, vomit, fecal matter, urine, glass, food, etc. The composition may be applied to the contaminated hard surface by several methods including pouring, rolling, spraying or foaming. Once cured, the antimicrobial cleaning composition is removed from the surface, taking the contaminant along with it and leaving behind a clean surface.