Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 50 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Dynamic Gelling Rate of at least about 0.18 g/g/sec; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 25 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) when the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is in the form of particles, a mass median particle size of at least about 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed are protective, flexible mats for absorbing liquids on floors and other surfaces which contain a waterproof component and a polymeric foam sheet formed by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion. The mats can also contain a non-skid material and/or at least one liquid pervious sheet. The mats are suitable for absorbing hydrophilic and hydrophobic liquids.

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: Disclosed are microporous, open-celled polymeric foams formed by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion comprising a continuous oil phase and discontinuous water phase where the foam has a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value of at least about 18% Such foams are commonly known in the art as "HIPEs". The foams have a variety of flame retardant applications, including use in insulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric foam materials obtained using monomers based on silicon and/or germination. The copolymerization of silicon- or germanium-based monomers provide foams that have low glass transition temperatures and low densities. These foams also exhibit relatively high yield stress values, which make the foams suitable for absorption of fluids, particularly aqueous fluids such as urine and menses (when the foams are rendered hydrophilic). The foams have a variety of other uses, including insulation applications.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are absorbent materials useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine. In particular, the invention relates to absorbent polymer compositions having excellent absorbency performance properties in terms of absorbent capacity under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi, as well has excellent integrity in the swollen state. The invention further relates to absorbent members comprising these absorbent polymer compositions, and to absorbent articles comprising the absorbent members.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing bodily fluids which has incorporated therein an odor control material for decreasing bodily odor which material comprises a zeolite having an average particle size (distribution by weight in sieve analysis) of at least 200 um. The zeolite may optionally be mixed with an absorbent gelling material and/or activated carbon.

Abstract: The invention refers to methods for assessing absorbent structures (10) for their fluid handling ability by using materials (110) having a moisture pick up ability which is very close to the one of human skin. This is achieved by using materials (110) which do not function based on capillary transport for moisture, but which comprise as an essential element swellable but non-soluble materials in a film form. Such materials (110) can be based on proteins, Glycin, Prolin, 4-hydroxyprolin, naturally occurring sugars, glycerin, sorbit and collagen. A particularly preferred material is a film material comprising collagen. To simulate a baby's weight upon the absorbent structure (10), a load (16) may be utilized therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides a water swellable, water-insoluble polymer comprising units derived from a diallylic quaternary ammonium salt monomer cross-linked by a suitable polyfunctional vinyl compound, at least a substantial proportion of the function groups being in basic form. The invention also provides a process for the production of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer which comprises polymerising a diallylic quaternary ammonium salt monomer and a suitable polyfunctional vinyl compound as cross-linking agent by cationic polymerisation in an aqueous phase using a free radical catalyst and polymers obtainable thereby. The water absorbent polymers are superabsorbents having improved water absorption properties particularly in respect of saliva solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a denture adhesive composition comprising a lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic acid, anhydride, or salt polymer or mixtures thereof, one or more metallic salts, nonionically associated with the lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic acid, anhydride, or salt polymer, and at least one non-adhesive self-supporting layer. This invention may also comprise other adhesive components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid previous fibrous, preferably nonwoven, web having a first surface and a second surface. The web comprises a hydrophilic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of individual, preferably whitened, brightened, and/or opacified, fibers associated with one another. The web includes a plurality of surface energy gradients defined by the boundaries of discontinuous, spaced regions of the web which are located on the first surface which exhibit a different surface energy than an adjacent portion of the web. The regions comprise depositions of a preferably whitened, brightened, and/or opacified low surface energy material randomly distributed over the first surface. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven web is formed of shaped fibers of substantially non-circular cross-section, preferably a trilobial or delta cross-section, which include whitening, brightening, and opacifying agents within the fiber material.

Abstract: A porous absorbent material that comprises a water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer. The absorbent material comprises a polyether and/or a polycation bonded to the absorbent polymer whereby the contact angle of blood on a surface of the absorbent material attains from about 0 degree to about 40 degree. Because of the improved wettability with liquids as well as the porous structure, the absorbent material can provide higher absorbent characteristics with liquids, in particular with blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral formulation contained in physically separated compartments of a suitable dispenser, comprising a first oral composition comprising from about 0.5% to about 50% of an alkali metal bicarbonate salt and from about 50% to about 99.5% of one or more aqueous carriers; and a second oral composition comprising a safe and effective amount of a plant species of the Ericaceae family or its extract and from about 40% to about 99.9% of one or more aqueous carriers.

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 phase inverse emulsion made with an organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene emulsifier. The organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene emulsifiers provide better internal polar phase 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: Disclosed are drink mix compositions comprising a therapeutically effective dose of an anion exchange resin, and xanthan gum. These compositions may also contain one or more carriers wherein the compositions are in a form mixable with a liquid to form a suspension of the anion exchange resin and xanthan gum.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method of controlling environmental odors on the body comprising the application to the skin of a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin; from about 0.1% to about 36%, by weight of the composition, of an oil phase selected from the group consisting of emollients, moisturizers, and skin protectants; one or more surfactants; from about 0.004% to about 2%, by weight of the composition, of a hydrophilic, volatile perfume composition; and an aqueous carrier. The compositions can be applied directly as a spray, poured from a bottle and applied by hand, or applied via a wipe.

Abstract: Disclosed are oral formulations contained in physically separated compartments of a dentifrice dispenser, comprising a first dentifrice composition and a second dentifrice composition. The first dentifrice composition comprises an effective amount of one or more linear polyphosphates having an average chain length of about 4 or more, an effective amount of a buffering agents, and one or more aqueous carriers, wherein the first dentifrice composition has a total water content of from about 5% to about 20%. The second dentifrice compsoition comprises a soluble fluoride ion source, an effective amount of a buffering agents, and one or more aqueous carriers.

Abstract: The subject invention encompasses methods for the prevention and treatment of a human or lower animal subject having a gastrointestinal disorder caused or mediated by one or more intestinal helminths comprising administering bismuth to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method of controlling environmental malodors on the body comprising the application to the skin of a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin; from about 0.1% to about 36%, by weight of the composition, of an oil phase selected from the group consisting of emollients, moisturizers, and skin protectants; one or more surfactants each having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of about 8 to 18 and wherein each surfactant, when combined with an aqueous cyclodextrin solution, provides no less than 25% of odor capture as an aqueous cyclodextrin solution; and an aqueous carrier. The compositions can be applied directly as a spray, poured from a bottle and applied by hand, or applied via a wipe.

Abstract: A non-continuous absorbent composite having a plurality of interconnected strands separated by voids. The strands comprise a porous, absorbent macrostructure and a substrate. 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 composite can absorb the liquids without undesirable planer expansion. The composite is useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed.