Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: Emulsion treatment compositions comprise an aqueous continuous phase and a discontinuous phase in the form of an oil-in-oil emulsion. The oil-in-oil emulsion comprises a reactive component including a reactive agent and an internal oil, wherein the internal oil solubilizes the reactive agent, and a middle oil in which the reactive component is dispersed. The middle oil is immiscible with the internal oil, does not solubilize the reactive agent, is immiscible in the aqueous continuous phase, and includes a hydrophobic particulate thickener. Methods for treating hair comprise applying the emulsion treatment compositions to hair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating surfaces, to protect or clean said surfaces. The invention more particularly relates to the treatment of interior walls or surfaces, particularly indoor household walls or surfaces, to protect the same from soiling or stains. This invention also relates to compositions, kits and devices for use in the above methods, to protect or clean indoor surfaces. This invention can be applied to various indoor surfaces, such as soft and permeable surfaces, in particular painted walls, wall paper and wallcloth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid removal system for applications where there is a need for liquid removal including laboratories and workshops as well as medical applications as well as dental applications. The liquid removal system exhibits improved wearing comfort by comprising an interface device which is compressible in the longitudinal and/or transverse dimension.

Abstract: Polyaspartate derivatives, especially hydrophobically modified and/or hydrophilically modified polyaspartate derivatives, most especially polyaspartate derivatives that are both hydrophilically and hydrophobically modified, for use in detergent compositions, specifically laundry detergent compositions for providing cleaning, dispersancy, especially soil dispersion, builder properties and/or improved whitening of fabrics contacted by such detergent compositions; and methods for making such polyaspartate derivatives, and methods and articles employing such detergent compositions, are provided.

Abstract: An odor controlling material and an absorbent article containing material for removing or reducing odor emanating from certain gaseous and liquid compounds in body fluid. The odor controlling material includes conventional absorbent materials such as silica, alumina, silicates, and natural and synthetic aluminosilicates that are doped with one or more dopants, which have the same or similar chemical characteristics as the gaseous or liquid compounds in the body fluid to be absorbed. These dopants include fatty acids and their derivatives, amines and their salts, ammonia, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, heterocompounds containing at least one nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom and mixtures thereof. The odor control material is suitable for incorporation in an absorbent article such as a pantiliner or a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent cores for inclusion in articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer while adequately containing body exudates. The absorbent core is designed so as to retain low levels of fluid in the crotch region, relative to the other core regions, even when the core absorbs significant amounts of fluid during use. To achieve this, the absorbent core is designed such that fluid is moved substantially from the crotch region to the front and/or rear ends of the article. In particular, the absorbent core comprises in its crotch region a material having significant vertical wicking absorbent capacities. The absorbent core also preferably comprises a non-removable absorbent core component in the crotch region, and removable absorbent core components in the front or rear regions of the article.

Abstract: Shaped tampons having varying perimeters are provided. Tampons disclosed comprise a mass of absorbent material formed into a self-sustaining shape comprising an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a center region. The center region has at least one perimeter which is less than a largest insertion end perimeter and is less than a withdrawal end perimeter. The shaped tampons may also have varying average fiber density regions. The shaped tampons may be wrapped in tightly conforming wrappers which optionally aid in maintaining the self-sustaining shape prior to use. Optionally, the shaped tampons may utilize tampon applicators which enable a user to visually see the shape of the tampon prior to use.

Abstract: A cleaning implement for cleaning a soft or a hard surface comprises a handle, a sweeper head, rotating blades and a collection bin. The bottom wall of the collection bin includes an opening that is covered by a cleaning sheet during the cleaning operation. The height of this bottom wall relative to the surface being cleaned is adjustable by a user. The cleaning implement can be used with a disposable cleaning sheet, which includes protrusions that are capable of removing entangled hair from a carpet surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition in a solid unit dosage form for oral administration in a human or lower animal comprising: a. a safe and effective amount of a therapeutically active agent; b. an inner coating layer selected from the group consisting of poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2, poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1, and mixtures thereof; and c. an outer coating layer comprising an enteric polymer or film coating material; wherein the inner coating layer is not the same as the outer coating layer; wherein if the inner coating layer is poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 then the outer coating layer is not poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2 or is not a mixture of poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 and poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2; and wherein the inner coating layer and the outer coating layer do not contain any therapeutically active agent.

Abstract: The compositions of the present invention relate to improved shampoo compositions having from about from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of a detersive surfactant, at least about 0.05 weight percent of a cationic polymer least about 0.05 weight percent of a cationic guar derivative having a molecular weight from about 10,000 to about 10,000,000 and a charge density from about 1.25 meq/g to about 7 meq/g, and at least about 20.0 weight percent of an aqueous carrier.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I) are effective in the treatment of a microbial infection.

Abstract: Improved microneedle arrays are provided having a sufficiently large separation distance between each of the individual microneedles to ensure penetration of the skin while having a sufficiently small separation distance to provide high transdermal transport rates. A very useful range of separation distances between microneedles is in the range of 100–300 microns, and more preferably in the range of 100–200 microns. The outer diameter and microneedle length is also very important, and in combination with the separation distance will be crucial as to whether or not the microneedles will actually penetrate the stratum corneum of skin. For circular microneedles, a useful outer diameter range is from 20–100 microns, and more preferably in the range of 20–50 microns.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making sheets having indicia spaced in a machine direction. Between or among the indicia are perforations or chop-off cuts. The spacing, in the machine direction, between the indicia and perforations or chop-off cuts is maintained over long sheet lengths. The product produced using this apparatus and process is typically paper, and particularly can be used for paper towels or placemats.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making sheets having indicia spaced in a machine direction. Between or among the indicia are perforations or chop-off cuts. The spacing, in the machine direction, between the indicia and perforations or chop-off cuts is maintained over long sheet lengths. The product produced using this apparatus and process is typically paper, and particularly can be used for paper towels or placemats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating a lipophilic fluid contained in an emulsion of water and lipophilic fluid. The process includes the steps of pretreating the emulsion, removing lipophilic fluid from the emulsion, and purifying the lipophilic fluid to remove at least a portion of the impurities collected during the use of the emulsion. Method options are provided for each of the aforementioned steps.

Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein that is operatively connected to a shaft. The detachable head has an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end may be detachably coupled to the electric toothbrush. The detachable head has a first bristle holder with a first plurality of bristle tufts disposed thereon. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of the elongate body and can oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detachable head also has a a second bristle holder disposed between the first bristle holder and the first end. The second bristle holder has a top surface and a second plurality of bristle tufts that form an acute angle with the top surface of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel protein variants that exhibit reduced allergenicity when compared to the parental proteins. Also included are DNA molecules that encode the novel variants, host cells comprising the DNA and methods of making proteins less allergenic.