Abstract: A scouring pad is disclosed for cleaning and polishing delicate surfaces. The pad includes a three dimensional lofty nonwoven web made out of a plurality of polyester fibers and a cleansing composition which is present in the voids within the web in dry form. The cleansing composition is, preferably, a surfactant blend containing suitable amounts of stearic monoethanolamide, coconut monoethanolamide, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, and water or suitable substitutes of the above. The cleansing composition may be a fatty acid based soap also.

Abstract: A detachably-mountable washing device is disclosed. The washing device generally comprises a cloth support section and a mounting section attached to the cloth support section. The support section is preferably a foam pad having an attachment surface and a curved, cloth support surface. The mounting section includes a mounting surface and an attachment surface. The mounting surface comprises a plurality of suction cups and gripper ribs for retaining a wash cloth. The attachment surface is connected to the attachment surface of the pad, preferably by a hot-melt adhesive, to assemble the washing device. The assembled washing device is secured to a wall or other surface by the suction cups. A wash cloth is then placed on the support surface of the support pad and secured by pressing its edges between the gripper ribs and the surface to which the washing device is mounted.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for impregnating a molten or viscous cleaning composition into a traveling, three dimensional, lofty, dense nonwoven web is disclosed. The composition is applied by an applicator manifold and is retained in the voids within the web. The velocity of the web and the flow of the cleaning composition are adjusted depending on the viscosity of the composition and the web density. Additionally, the viscosity of the composition can be controlled by altering its temperature or by altering the line pressure. The process eliminates the use of a doctor blade, spray system and application roll to meter the amount of cleaning composition into the web, and is suitable for the application of a molten or very viscous chemical compositions into a lofty, dense nonwoven web.

Abstract: A minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the heart and great vessels located between a point approximately three centimeters above supra annular ridge and the mid ventricular cavity. A parasternal incision is made extending across a predetermined number of costal cartilage, e.g., a right parasternal incision extending from the lower edge of the second costal cartilage to the superior edge of the fifth costal cartilage. One or more costal cartilages, e.g., the third and fourth, are then excised to provide access to the portion of the heart or great vessels of interest, and a desired procedure completed. A minimally invasive procedure for repair or replacement of the aortic valve is disclosed.