Abstract: A knife apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material. The knife can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter. The knife includes a first cutting member having a first end, and second and third cutting members joined to the first end of the first cutting member. The second and third cutting members are arranged relative to one another to form an arcuate section which intersects with the first cutting member to form a general wishbone configuration. A unique knife profile enables two adjacently arranged articles to be cut simultaneously from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of the two articles.

Abstract: Feminine sanitary protection packaging is disclosed which includes a combination vaginal insert or insert applicator and an absorbent pad of a sanitary napkin or panty liner configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman. In one aspect, the sanitary napkin or panty liner is rolled laterally to form a laterally rolled combination sanitary napkin or panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator. A pouch is positioned around the laterally rolled combination. The pouch provides a means for transporting and disposing of the combination packaging. In one aspect, the vaginal insert includes a tampon or a vaginal suppository. In another aspect, the vaginal insert applicator includes a tampon applicator or a vaginal suppository applicator. In one aspect, the sanitary napkin includes an ultrathin pad or maxipad. In still another aspect, the pouch is sealed and optionally can be perforated on at least one closed end for ease in opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the malodor associated with disposable absorbent products intended for the absorption of body fluids. The method involves applying to the absorbent product, prior to its use, an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of body fluids, which disposable absorbent product includes an absorbent structure including a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, a covering material, and an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine.

Abstract: A drain assembly removal tool and method are disclosed for removing a drain assembly, including providing a hand grip, two prongs extending from the hand grip, and cutting means attached to at least one prong for cutting into a strainer plug body of a drain assembly. In one aspect, an adjustable saw blade includes a multi-position slot for mounting the saw blade to the prong for providing adjustment to contact the saw blade to the strainer plug body of the bathtub drain. In one aspect, a serrated helical wheel provides adjustment to contact the saw blade to the strainer plug body of the bathtub drain. In another aspect, an adjustable cutter wheel includes a serrated helical wheel for providing adjustment to contact the cutter wheel to the strainer plug body of the bathtub drain.

Abstract: Heavy duty mobile metal foundation installation apparatus and method are disclosed including a push-it carriage movably supported through controllable positioning to push a metal foundation into the ground by hydraulic cylinders pushing against a header frame held and secured in adjustable positions on a heavy duty mobile push-it tower. The heavy duty mobile push-it tower and metal foundation holder and push-it carriage mounted on the heavy duty tower are attached to a track roller frame tractor structure. The push-it tower is attached to the track roller frame tractor structure by a hydraulically activated tractor boom arm, a pivot point on the tower, and a hydraulic cylinder for rotating and positioning the tower about the pivot attachment point.

Abstract: A portable mixer and method include providing a support frame having wheels and an opposite handle, an outer drum having a rotational drive mounted on the support frame, a rotatable drum, and a removable mixing container held inside the rotatable drum. A pivot arm handle extends at least one meter from the outer drum center of gravity. At least two spaced apart top handles on the removable mixing container are positioned axially spaced apart from at least two spaced apart bottom grippers. A handle extends from the support frame a distance at least one meter from the wheels. A mixer blade promotes thorough mixing. A keyway groove secures the removable mixing container within the rotatable drum. The keyway groove also serves as the mixer blade. A sidewall key on the rotatable drum expands into and holds the removable mixing container. A lock-in insert on the rotatable drum expands into and holds the removable mixing container.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which includes first and second telescopically assembled members. The first member is designed to house an absorbent tampon. The first member has first and second spaced apart ends and is formed from at least two separate and distinct layers. An insertion tip is integrally formed on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip is constructed from at least one of the two distinct layers and has a thickness which is less than that of the first member. The second member is telescopically mounted in the second end of the first member and is adapted to expel the tampon through the insertion tip as it is pushed into the first member.

Abstract: A novel fixed block polarized, specular reflective accessory apparatus and method are disclosed, including providing an infrared light generator, a polarizer to polarize infrared light generated by the infrared light generator, a fixed block having an aperture for receiving a sample, a first fixed position mirror on one side of the fixed block wherein the first fixed position mirror is positioned to receive incident infrared light parallel to the plane of reflection at a fixedly set angle, and a second fixed position mirror positioned to receive infrared light reflected from said sample. In one aspect, the fixedly set angle preferably is fixed at about 55.degree.. The novel fixed block polarized, specular reflective accessory apparatus and method provide a high efficiency, high accuracy, high quality and quantitative process control coating measurements for coating operations in manufacturing coated aluminum alloy sheet.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires is disclosed, including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive at least about 2400 scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into about 24 bales to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: A feminine sanitary protection packaging is disclosed which includes a packaging article and method. The feminine sanitary protection packaging provides a vaginal insert or insert applicator and a panty liner configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman. The panty liner is C-wrapped longitudinally to form a longitudinally C-wrapped combination panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator. A pouch encloses the longitudinally C-wrapped panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator combination. The pouch provides a means for transporting and disposing of the longitudinally C-wrapped combination. The vaginal insert includes a tampon or a vaginal suppository. The vaginal insert applicator includes a tampon applicator or a vaginal suppository applicator. The pouch is sealed and optionally can be perforated on at least one closed end for ease in opening. The pouch can be formed from the release strip of the panty liner and can be sealed around the longitudinally C-wrapped combination.

Abstract: A synthesis process for producing 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid at room temperature in high yield is disclosed, including providing a tosylate or mesylate of a methyl ester of ricinoleic acid and 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid formed when the tosylate or mesylate reacts with diazabicyclo-undecene. In one aspect, the tosylate of the methyl ester of ricinoleic acid is formed with tosyl chloride in a pyridine solvent. In one aspect, the mesylate of the methyl ester of ricinoleic acid is formed with mesyl chloride in acetonitrile and triethyl amine. In one aspect, the tosylate or mesylate is reacted with diazabicyclo-undecene in a polar, non-hydoxylic solvent of acetonitrile to form the preferred isomer of 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid at room temperature in high yield.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a tampon is which can be comfortably withdrawn from a body cavity. The method includes the steps of cutting an individual absorbent member from an absorbent strip. Each absorbent member is then shaped to form an elongated absorbent having an outer periphery. A liquid-permeable cover is secured to the outer periphery of the elongated absorbent to form a softwind. The softwind has a first end and a second end and is folded on itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another. The softwind contains two folds therebetween which divide the softwind into first, second and third portions. A withdrawal string is secured to the second portion of the softwind and then the softwind is compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget. The pledget has an insertion end and a trailing end and the insertion end located adjacent to the second portion.

Abstract: A knife shaft assembly is disclosed for use in a rotary die cutter. The knife shaft assembly includes a rotatable die shaft having an outer circumference and having a defined width. At least two die cutting inserts are mounted on the outer circumference of the die shaft. Each of the inserts has a first surface and a knife formed about the periphery of the first surface. The knife shaft assembly also includes a compressible material positioned between the die cutting inserts which prevent the buildup of material waste there between.

Abstract: A feminine sanitary protection packaging is disclosed which includes a packaging article and method. The feminine sanitary protection packaging provides a vaginal insert or insert applicator and a panty liner configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman. The panty liner is rolled laterally to form a laterally rolled combination panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator. A pouch is positioned around the laterally rolled panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator combination. The pouch provides a means for transporting and disposing of the laterally rolled combination panty liner and vaginal insert or insert applicator. In one aspect, the vaginal insert includes a tampon or a vaginal suppository. In another aspect, the vaginal insert applicator includes a tampon applicator or a vaginal suppository applicator. In still another aspect, the pouch is sealed and optionally can be perforated on at least one closed end for ease in opening.

Abstract: A novel gelation-resistant alumina and process for producing such a product and aqueous slurries composed thereof are disclosed, including grinding aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the presence of about 0.5 to 3.0 wt. % water. The grinding preferably is performed in a sealed ball mill. Dual phase alumina particles have an aluminum oxide inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and an aluminum oxide hydroxide outer phase of .gamma.-AlOOH on the .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, including to a nominal depth, e.g., by way of example, of about 5 to 100 nanometers on the inner core of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and having up to 40% higher surface area than the initial aluminum oxide of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The novel gelation-resistant alumina can be dispersed in an aqueous slurry having a solids content of 65 wt. % and higher, and the resulting slurry has significantly extended shelf life.

Abstract: A panty shield is disclosed having a magnet attachment mechanism. The panty shield includes a baffle having a body-facing surface and first and second longitudinal side edges. First and second appendages extend laterally outward from the first and second longitudinal side edges, respectively. Each of the first and second appendages has a sufficient length to be folded inward and overlap one another. The panty shield further includes a first magnet secured to the baffle and a second magnet secured to one of the appendages. The appendages are folded around the crotch portion of an undergarment such that the appendages overlap one another. In this position, the first and second magnets are superimposed and can hold the panty shield secure to the undergarment. An absorbent article can be releaseably attached to the panty shield.

Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support having a non-threaded vertical wall container base for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas and means for providing variable length extension for rotatably adjusting height by plus or minus 1/64 of an inch or more and azimuth alignment by about plus or minus one degree or more. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. In one aspect, an overlay protection plate protects against paving material entering the light fixture support during airport paving operations and locates the light fixture support after the airport paving operations have covered it.

Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas and variable length extension means for rotatably adjusting height by a vertical displacement range of up to six inches (15 cm) or more. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional, prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam." Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal and a novel product composed thereof are disclosed, including finely sized carbide phase particles formed in situ in a molten metal by salt-based liquid state reaction with Ti, B, Si, Sc, Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr, Mo, Al (when the molten metal matrix is not aluminum), or V and a halide salt containing carbon particles to form a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the metal matrix. The step of reacting includes vigorously stirring to form a reaction mixture at an elevated temperature for a residence time less than one hour to form a uniform distribution of particles sized less than 2.5 microns uniformly dispersed in-situ in the metal matrix.