Abstract: Multiple-can aerosol puncturing systems that are capable of puncturing multiple aerosol cans in a single operation are disclosed. A can holder with multiple chambers and a movable lid are used to contain the aerosol cans. A vertically movable actuation plate with multiple hollow puncturing pins is raised toward the can holder to puncture the lids of the aerosol cans. The heights of the puncturing pins may be staggered in order to puncture the lids sequentially during the same draining operation.

Abstract: Multiple-can aerosol puncturing systems that are capable of puncturing multiple aerosol cans in a single operation are disclosed. A can holder with multiple chambers and a movable lid are used to contain the aerosol cans. A vertically movable actuation plate with multiple hollow puncturing pins is raised toward the can holder to puncture the lids of the aerosol cans. The heights of the puncturing pins may be staggered in order to puncture the lids sequentially during the same draining operation.

Abstract: Multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate stormwater environmental runoff of sediment, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The stormwater filter socks comprise at least two tubes that are spaced apart by a separator web, and are filled with different types of absorbent media. The stormwater filter socks may be placed around the top grate of a storm drain chamber, and around other environmental runoff sources such as trash bins, roof downspouts and outdoor material stockpiles. The multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate drips and spills of hydrocarbons such as motor oils, and may be used to contain zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium and other heavy metals.

Abstract: Multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate stormwater environmental runoff of sediment, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The stormwater filter socks comprise at least two tubes that are spaced apart by a separator web, and are filled with different types of absorbent media. The stormwater filter socks may be placed around the top grate of a storm drain chamber, and around other environmental runoff sources such as trash bins, roof downspouts and outdoor material stockpiles. The multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate drips and spills of hydrocarbons such as motor oils, and may be used to contain zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium and other heavy metals.

Abstract: Protective drain covers, include stiffening members at one end or at opposing ends to increase rigidity in one direction while leaving the other direction flexible. The increased rigidity in the one direction improves the ability to handle and accurately position the protective drain cover for use, while the flexibility in the other direction allows the protective drain cover to be rolled up for storage and future use. The stiffening member(s) can be used as hand-holds to assist in the placement of the heavy protective drain cover and then removal of protective drain cover after use.

Abstract: Portable collapsible fluid containment devices are disclosed comprising sidewall support braces that rotate from a collapsed generally horizontal position to a raised generally vertical position and lock into place. The sidewall braces may be attached to at least one sidewall of the containment device, and when raised support the sidewall in a fluid containment configuration. The sidewall braces comprise a base support leg, a sidewall support arm rotatably mounted on the support leg, and a locking tab for holding the sidewall support arm in the generally vertical position.

Abstract: Protective drain covers are disclosed, including stiffening members at one end or at opposing ends to increase rigidity in one direction while leaving the other direction flexible. The increase rigidity in the one direction improves the ability to handle and accurately position the protective drain cover for use, while the flexibility in the other direction allows the protective drain cover to be rolled up for storage and future use. The stiffening member(s) can be used as hand-holds to assist in the placement of the heavy protective drain cover and then removal of protective drain cover after use.

Abstract: Compressible fluid-impermeable berm devices that self-adhere to surfaces such as ground, pavement and floors are disclosed. The compressible containment berm devices include one or more compressible containment wall sections formed from a flexible shell and a compressible filler material. A pre-applied adhesive layer at least partially covers the underside of each compressible containment wall, and is used to adhere and seal the containment wall to the containment surface. Corner joints may be used to connect the compressible containment wall sections together to thereby form the berm devices with a closed perimeter that contains leaks and spills. The compressible fluid-permeable berm devices can be easily removed or repositioned after use leaving little or no adhesive residue.

Abstract: A repositionable fluid suction device is disclosed. The device includes a central body and a suction channel located on an underside of the central body extending at least partially around a periphery of the central body. A rim extends downward from the central body, and may define a portion of the suction channel. A fluid collection trough extends at least partially around the periphery of the central body to collect fluids that fall on the upper surface of the central body. The outermost peripheral edge of the suction device may comprise at least one concave portion extending radially inward toward the central body.

Abstract: Absorbent containment mats are disclosed. The mats include an upper absorbent layer, a lower liquid impermeable barrier layer, and a peripheral containment edge. The peripheral containment edge may have a lower profile than the absorbent layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the underside of the barrier layer. A durable porous layer may be provided over the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel includes an insertion tip at a forward end of the barrel, a main body section that extends from the insertion tip, and a reverse taper section that is joined to the main body section so that the main body section is between the insertion tip and the reverse taper section. The main body section tapers toward the insertion tip section. The reverse taper section tapers in a direction away from the insertion tip section. A finger grip section extends from the reverse taper section to a plunger receiving end of the barrel opposite the forward end. The barrel is straight from the forward end to the plunger receiving end that receives a plunger.

Abstract: Portable collapsible fluid containment devices are disclosed comprising sidewall support braces that rotate from a collapsed generally horizontal position to a raised generally vertical position and lock into place. The sidewall braces may be attached to at least one sidewall of the containment device, and when raised support the sidewall in a fluid containment configuration. The sidewall braces comprise a base support leg, a sidewall support arm rotatably mounted on the support leg, and a locking tab for holding the sidewall support arm in the generally vertical position.

Abstract: A moppable floor mat is disclosed comprising a plurality of layers sharing a common peripheral boundary, the layers including an adhesive layer, a liquid impermeable layer, a high-traction layer, and a liquid absorbent layer. The adhesive layer is configured to be releasably adhered to a floor and capable of being mopped over without causing a movement of the moppable floor mat relative to a surface of the floor. The moppable floor mat further comprises a seal formed adjacent the peripheral boundary of the plurality of layers, wherein the seal is configured to form a fluid-tight barrier preventing liquids from exiting through the seal from the moppable floor mat.

Abstract: Absorbent containment mats are disclosed. The mats include an upper absorbent layer, a lower liquid impermeable barrier layer, and a peripheral containment edge. The peripheral containment edge may have a lower profile than the absorbent layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the underside of the barrier layer. A durable porous layer may be provided over the absorbent layer.

Abstract: Collapsible fluid containment berms with collapsible sidewalls are disclosed. Support brackets including sidewall support arms may be rotated from lowered positions in which the sidewall is collapsed to raised positions in which the sidewall is generally vertical. The sidewall support arms may be contained in a pocket formed between inner and outer sidewall panels. The support brackets may include bottom legs connected to the rotatable sidewall support arms. The bottom legs may extend generally horizontally outwardly and/or inwardly from the sidewall, and may be contained in sleeves attached to a floor and/or an external skirt of the containment berm. A control strap connected to the sidewall support arms may be used to move the arms between their collapsed positions and their raised positions. A flexible control strap may be pulled to rotate the sidewall support arms around an axis such that the sidewall support arms slide within the sidewall pocket.

Abstract: A tampon pledget that has an inverted coverstock includes an insertion end and a removal end. At least one of the insertion end and the removal end has one or more pleats.

Abstract: There is provided a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate components. A fingergrip having a reduced cross-section as compared to that of the barrel may be formed such that it is a separate component or is integrally formed with a barrel component. The reduced cross-section fingergrip provides exceptional grippability to the user. The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, biopolymer including starches and proteins, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Prior to assembly of the applicator and prior to loading the barrel component with an absorbent pledget, petals may be formed on the insertion end of the barrel using existing processes and equipment. Alternatively, a separate insertion tip component having petals may be formed.

Abstract: There is provided a tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel with a tapered insertion, which provides enhanced insertion comfort to a user. The taper of the insertion tip is defined by a ratio of the length of the taper projection along a longitudinal axis of the barrel to the length of the taper projection along a radius of the barrel at a base region of the insertion tip. The insertion end of the barrel preferably has two or more petals for enhanced user comfort. Preferably, the petals have a substantially uniform thickness. The barrel may also have a fingergrip for ease of use of the applicator during insertion, expulsion of the pledget, and removal from the vagina.

Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel includes a wall forming a tube with a center axis therthrough and with a hollow interior volume. The tube has a first barrel end and a second barrel end opposite the first barrel end to form a length therebetween that corresponds to the length of the center axis. The tube increases in diameter along the length of the tube from a first diameter to a second diameter that forms a main body section, and decreases in diameter along the length of the tube from the second diameter to a third diameter that forms a reverse taper section. The center axis is substantially straight throughout the extant of the tube.

Abstract: A repositionable fluid suction device is disclosed. The device includes a central body and a suction channel located on an underside of the central body extending at least partially around a periphery of the central body. A rim extends downward from the central body, and may define a portion of the suction channel. A fluid collection trough extends at least partially around the periphery of the central body to collect fluids that fall on the upper surface of the central body. The outermost peripheral edge of the suction device may comprise at least one concave portion extending radially inward toward the central body.