Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser having at least one utensil compartment and a dispensing mechanism is disclosed. Each utensil compartment is so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive member in operable communication with at least one driven member, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments. Actuation of the drive member causes simultaneous actuation of each driven member that causes a utensil to be dispensed from each compartment in repeatable succession one at a time. Also disclosed is a cutlery utensil dispenser having an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism, and a controller in operable communication with the motor. The controller includes a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command.

Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser having at least one utensil compartment and a dispensing mechanism is disclosed. Each utensil compartment is so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive member in operable communication with at least one driven member, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments. Actuation of the drive member causes simultaneous actuation of each driven member that causes a utensil to be dispensed from each compartment in repeatable succession one at a time. Also disclosed is a cutlery utensil dispenser having an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism, and a controller in operable communication with the motor. The controller includes a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command.