Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing a substance, includes: (a) an inner layer including an inner layer polymer; (b) outer layer; (c) a metal foil barrier layer between the inner layer and the outer layer; (d) a compartment for storing the substance; and (e) a resealable opening, wherein the outer layer includes an outer layer polymer and a block copolymer effective to provide the outer layer with an impact resistance at least 5% greater than a reference structure. The inner layer polymer is preferably LDPE, the outer layer polymer is preferably a blend of LDPE, HDPE and block copolymer or alternatively the outer layer is subdivided into layers of LDPE, HDPE and block-copolymer, in this order. The block copolymer is preferably an SBS block copolymer having thermoplastic elastomer properties. The dispenser is particularly well-suited for dispensing toothpaste.

Abstract: An airflow valve and method of providing air may comprise a casing; a single air inlet located in the casing; a first chamber located within the casing and connected to the air inlet; a second chamber located within the casing; a first aperture located in the casing that connects the first chamber to the second chamber; a second aperture located in the casing that also connects the first chamber to the second chamber; a first actuatable member structured to adjustably increase, decrease or stop air flow through the first aperture; a second actuatable member structured to adjustably increase, decrease or stop air flow through the second aperture; and a single air outlet located in the casing and connected to the second chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exhaust treatment system comprises a selective catalytic reduction device, an off-line reformer disposed in selective fluid communication with and upstream of the selective catalytic reduction device, and a plasma reactor disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the off-line reformer, and disposed upstream of and in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reduction device. The selective catalytic reduction device is capable of storing ammonia and of enabling the reaction of the ammonia with NOx. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate comprising hydrogen and nitrogen. The plasma reactor is capable of producing ammonia from the reformate, and is a thermal plasma reactor or a surface discharge non-thermal plasma reactor.

Abstract: A new kinetic spray process is disclosed that enables one to secure a plurality of ceramic elements together quickly without the need for glues or other adhesives. The process finds special utilization in the formation of non-thermal plasma reactors wherein the kinetic spray process can be used to simultaneously secure the ceramic elements together and to form electrical connections between like electrodes in the non-thermal plasma reactor.

Abstract: A surface discharge non-thermal plasma reactor includes a plurality of surface discharge reactor elements arranged in a stack and having a surface discharge gap formed between adjacent pairs of elements. Individual surface discharge elements include a dielectric substrate having disposed thereon first and second polarity surface discharge electrodes. Surface discharge electrode patterns and substrate configurations are provided to selectively control the volume of nitric oxide (NO) produced from a nitrogen-containing gas stream being treated in the reactor. In a preferred embodiment, surface discharge electrode and dielectric substrate configurations are arranged to maximize the production of NO.