Abstract: A method of cleaning airfoils and related turbine engine components that have a crust-like debris deposited on the surface thereof. This method involves subjecting at least the portion of the component having the deposit of the crust-like debris to sufficient laser shock peening to cause the debris on the surface thereof to be loosened therefrom so that the loosened debris can be removed from the component. This loosened debris can then be removed from the component, such as by passing a cleaning fluid through the portion of the component that is subjected to the laser shock peening.

Abstract: An interlocking slidable assembly useful for movable extensible platforms, such as a movable or sliding floor or plate extension used with the rear cargo areas of a motor vehicle such as a pickup truck. This assembly includes a first and second plurality of rotatable members spaced apart along parallel axes that slidably interlock with the guide members of the rail or rails. Each of the rotatable members is rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis and slidably engages the respective guide member of the rail or rails. One of the guide members or the rotatable members have a recess in the periphery thereof to slidably receive the other of the guide and rotatable members. Because the rotatable members rotate about vertical axes, there is better and more even distribution of weight on the weight-bearing surfaces that makes it easier for slidable movement and decreases the amount of wear.

Abstract: A movable storage unit and toilet plunger combination that preferably includes a second toilet accessory such as a toilet brush. The storage unit has an elongated receptacle with an upper end for receiving the plunger and a cover having an aperture therein for releasably receiving a resilient connector. The connector has a bore with an inner wall extending through the connector to releasably secure the handle of the plunger to the connector so that a portion of the handle extends above the connector and the cover. The connector can also have formed therein holders for releasably securing and suspending the second toilet accessory within the receptacle.

Abstract: Ibuprofen-aspirin compounds useful in treating aspirin or ibuprofen-treatable conditions and hydroxymethylacylfulvene analogs useful as antitumor drugs.

Abstract: A selectively targeted agent comprising a dermatan sulfate having more than about 25% repeating L-iduronic acid→4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetyl-D-galactosamine disaccharide units that is covalently attached or bonded to a radioactive metal-ion binding moiety. The targeted agent is useful in preparing radiagnostic and/or radiopharmaceutical agents for diagnostic and/or therapeutic treatment when combined with an appropriate radioactive metal ion such as 99mTc, 186Re or 188Re.

Abstract: A contact lens having a pharmaceutical agent releasably disposed therein. The lens itself comprises a polymer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester of salicylic acid, the unsaturated carboxylic acid having up to 24 carbon atoms and 1-4 ethylenic double bonds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the salicylic acid ester.

Abstract: A truck bed or vehicle cargo liner with integrated sliding bed extension including a drop-in truck bed liner or cargo liner (16) formed of composite/plastic materials with one or more molded composite/plastic or metal rails (18) integrally formed or attached to the structure of the liner (on the floor and/or liner walls) and a bed/floor extension plate (20) of lightweight molded composite/plastic materials or metal plating (encased or not within a shell of composite materials) or a combination of the two in which the underside and/or sides has/have one or more composite tracks (22) integrally formed or attached to the structure of the extension plate for mounting said plate to the previously referenced rail/rails.

Abstract: Polymers are made from 1,3,7-octatriene or like conjugated polyenes and a crosslinking agent having at least 2 activated double bonds such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. These polymers can be used to make absorbent foams that are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, as well as latexes that are useful as binders and adhesives.

Abstract: A non-continuous absorbent core having a plurality of interconnected strands separated by voids. The strands comprises a porous absorbent macrostructure. The porous macrostructure has interconnected absorbent gelling particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts. Upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), the absorbent core can absorb the liquids without undesirable planer expansion. The core is useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Foams capable of absorbing blood and blood-based fluids, especially menses. These absorbent foams have high capillary absorption pressures required of absorbents used in catamenial products, yet have sufficient openness to allow free movement of the insoluble components in blood-based fluids such as menses. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) where the volume to weight ratio of the water phase to the oil phase is in the range of from about 20:1 to about 125:1. These foams are particularly useful as absorbent members for catamenial pads.

Abstract: Foams capable of absorbing blood and blood-based fluids, especially menses. These absorbent foams have high capillary absorption pressures required of absorbents used in catamenial products, yet have sufficient openness to allow free movement of the insoluble components in blood-based fluids such as menses. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) where the volume to weight ratio of the water phase to the oil phase is in the range of from about 20:1 to about 125:1. These foams are particularly useful as absorbent members for catamenial pads.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Included is the preparation of particulate coffee products with improved particle packing characteristics. Fine coffee particles having particle diameters of less than about 600 micrometers are compacted to a bulk density of from about 0.40 to about 0.70 gm/cc. The resulting coffee products have the isodensity and isobrew solid profiles as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, where the bulk density and brew solid values for any ternary particle mixture represented on the graph increases with increased coffee fine fractions therein. The process can also be used to control or increase the bulk density of particulate coffee products thereby eliminating or reducing the need to rely upon roasting means to control bulk density. The compaction operation changes the particle morphology without rupturing the cell walls of the coffee.

Abstract: Biodegradable and/or compostable polymers are made from isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene or like conjugated dienes and a crosslinking agent having a cleavable linking group such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. These polymers can be used to make absorbent foams that are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, as well as other biodegradable articles such as films, and latexes useful as binders and adhesives.

Abstract: Wet-like cleaning wipes and similar articles that are particularly useful in removing perianal soils. These wipes comprise a carrier substrate such as tissue paper web that is treated with a high internal water phase inverse emulsion made with an organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene emulsifier. The organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene emulsifiers provide better water retention than other organic emulsifiers used in formulating high internal phase inverse emulsions, as well as better hand feel aesthetics for the wipe treated with the emulsion.

Abstract: Low density collapsed absorbent foams materials that, upon contact with aqueous fluids, in particular urine, can expand and absorb these fluids. These low density foams typically have an expanded thickness from about 6 to about 10 times the thickness of the foams in their collapsed state. These low density foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) where the volume to weight ratio of the water phase to the oil phase is in the range of from about 55:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: Low density collapsed absorbent foams materials that, upon contact with aqueous fluids, in particular urine, can expand and absorb these fluids. These low density foams typically have an expanded thickness from about 6 to about 10 times the thickness of the foams in their collapsed state. These low density foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) where the volume to weight ratio of the water phase to the oil phase is in the range of from about 55:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: Soluble coffee products having a chunkier physical appearance more like that of granular roast and ground coffee products, lower apparent (bulk) densities compared to prior agglomerated spray dried instant coffee products and better solubility than prior freeze dried instant coffee products when added directly to hot water. These soluble coffee products are made by forming a relatively thin glassy coffee strip or sheet from a thermoplastic melt of soluble coffee solids, water, coffee aroma and flavor volatiles and optionally solubility enhancing components and then gradually applying vacuum conditions to this glassy strip or sheet over several cycles while heated to a pliable and deformable state such that the strip/sheet expands in a controlled manner from about 2 to about 10 times its initial thickness to provide a porous open-celled coffee matrix where the pores have a median pore size typically in the range of from about 3 to about 25 microns.

Abstract: Roast and ground or flaked coffee products which provide more brew strength and cup color at lower levels of brews solids. These coffee products contain darker fasted roasted coffee that is predominantly high acidity-type coffee that provide, when brewed appropriate conditions, a consumable coffee beverage having:(1) a brew solids level of from about 0.4 to about 0.6%;(2) a Titratable Acidity of at least about 1.52;(3) a brew absorbance of at least about 1.25, provided that when the Titratable Acidity is in the range of from about 1.52 to about 2.0, the brew absorbance is equal to or greater than the value defined by the equation:1.25+?0.625.times.(2.0-TA)!where TA is the Titratable Acidity.