Abstract: A method of evaluating and measuring the smell of urine is disclosed. The method includes collecting urine samples from at least two donors and pooling the samples together into a combined sample. At least about 99% of the microbes are then removed from the combined sample to obtain a microbe-free sample. The microbe-free sample is then inoculated with at least two known microbes. The method also includes introducing the inoculated sample into a material or product and allowing the microbes to grow and emit malodors. The material or product is then evaluated for malodors that smell like urine to establish an odor intensity level. The method further includes recording the odor intensity level and scoring the odor intensity level.

Abstract: A material substrate having at least part of a surface treated with an antimicrobial composition is described. The antimicrobial composition exhibits at least a 3 log10 CFU reduction within a period of about 30 minutes after contact with various species of a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The substrate can be a nonwoven material that has good fluid barrier properties, which can be used in protective garments and sheets. Methods for manufacturing and imparting the antimicrobial treatment to the substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A face mask for reducing the amount of microbes to which a wearer is exposed is provided. The face mask includes a body portion that has an outer layer that has been treated with a germicidal agent in an effective amount. The layer may be a nonwoven fabric like a spunbond, meltblown or coform layer and may be a laminate of such layers. The face mask having such a germicidal treatment can result in a reduction in microbial activity as compared to another face mask, identical but for the germicidal agent.

Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing at least two kinds of antimicrobial agents, including poly-hexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), stably associated to a material substrate is described. The substrate can take the forms of an anti-infection face mask, medical devices, or surgical instruments.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition that involves a synergistic mixture in terms of active agents, of a primary antimicrobial agent, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), a secondary antimicrobial agent, and optionally an organic acid against various kinds of microbes is described. Various additional processing aids, such as alcohols and surfactants, may also be incorporated within the mixture. The composition allows one to use a significantly less concentration of individual constituent antimicrobial agents to achieve the same or a better degree of antimicrobial efficacy. The antimicrobial composition can be applied to the surface of almost any kind of substrate material, and can achieve a killing-efficacy of about 3 Log10 reduction in microbes within 30 minutes under ambient conditions.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent body located between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a cover and backing joined together to form a pocket with an object disposed therein. The enclosure is joined with the absorbent article and is adapted to transition from a closed condition to an open condition such that the object disposed within the enclosure may be accessed.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an outercover, a bodyside liner, an absorbent core positioned between the outercover and the bodyside liner, and at least one premium. The premium may be associated with the inner and/or outer surface of the absorbent article. The premium may be disposed within an enclosure joined to the outercover. The premiums may be coupons, game pieces, stickers, temporary tattoos, iron on transfers, various media to convey information to the user or purchaser, or the like, or combinations thereof. The premiums and the absorbent articles may be adapted for specific users. The premiums and the absorbent articles may form part of an absorbent article system and may be located within a flexible consumer package.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided including a front layer including a capture material, an active material adjacent the capture material, a juncture line where the capture material joins the active material, and a front layer perimetric edge; and a backing layer having a backing layer perimetric edge, wherein at least a portion of the backing layer perimetric edge is coupled to the front layer perimetric edge such that the front and backing layers define an interior space that is at least partially enclosed. Also provided is a method for cleaning a surface, the method including situating a cleaning device having a front layer including a capture material and an active material, and moving the cleaning device along the surface such that the capture and active materials both contact the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for minimizing the presence of microbial pathogens on currency or on mail. More particularly, the presence of microbial pathogens may be minimized by introducing an antimicrobial product comprising a base substrate and a volatile and/or non-volatile antimicrobial agent into a money container comprising currency or into an envelope. The antimicrobial agent may be either transferred directly to the currency or envelope by contacting the antimicrobial product with the currency or envelope, or through permeation of the volatile antimicrobial throughout the money container or envelope.

Abstract: Cleansing systems and methods are disclosed for improving the cleaning of skin. The cleansing systems comprise a first product comprising an anti-adherent formulation and a second product comprising a cationic compound capable of binding contaminants located on the skin. The first product is wiped across the skin of a user to introduce a film of the anti-adherent formulation onto the surface of the skin. This film reduces the amount of contaminant that is retained on the skin. The second product is wiped across the skin of a user to further dislodge and remove contaminants from the skin. The cleansing systems result in cleaner, healthier skin.

Abstract: An elastomeric article having reducing microbe affinity and transmission and methods for applying and immobilizing antimicrobial compounds to the elastomeric substrate surface are disclosed. The elastomeric article has a body formed of a natural or synthetic polymer latex having an outer surface and an inner surface. The body has a coating of an antimicrobial agent over at least a portion of said outer surface. The treatment involves applying according to either a spraying or dipping process an antimicrobial polymer or composition to a surface of the elastomeric substrate; binding the antimicrobial composition to the surface in a manner such that said treat antimicrobial coating passes either one or another or both versions of a zone of inhibition test, such test including: a) a dry-leaching or agar-plate-based contact test, according to AATCC 147 protocol, or b) a wet-leaching or dynamic shake flask test according to ASTM E-2149-01 protocol.

Abstract: An article for use in contact with a tissue layer of a person and capable of holding its position with respect to the contacted tissue layer while reducing the opportunity for damage to the tissue layer comprises a support structure and a contact layer associated with the support structure. The contact layer has an engagement surface adapted to contact the user's tissue layer. The contact layer is constructed so that the engagement surface has a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user. The engagement surface is adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical composition for application to the perianal and/or labial areas of the skin which helps prevent viscoelastic fluids, such as menses and feces, from attaching to the skin and aids in the reducing the viscoelastic properties of the fluid so that the fluid can flow into absorbent articles. The composition contains at least one viscoelastant material and at least one an anti-adherent material. the composition may be applied with a wipe, including mitts and gloves, a solid stick composition, an aerosol dispenser, a pump spray, a trigger spray, a squeeze bottle, as a foam, as a cream, as an ointment, as a salve, as a gel, as a wash or as a lotion. In addition, absorbent articles, such as pads or pants, diapers and the like may also be used as a means to transfer the composition to the skin.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprises at least a binder polymer and a water-soluble plasticizer. The binder polymer may be present in a range of about 10% to about 60% by weight of the adhesive composition, and the plasticizer may be present in the range of about 5% to about 85% by weight of the adhesive composition, such as in the range of about 40% to about 80% by weight. In some aspects, the adhesive also comprises less than 10% by weight highly-volatile component, such as about 0% to about 5% by weight. The adhesive composition can be utilized in a variety of articles, including personal care articles, health/medical articles, and household/industrial articles.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an effervescent agent is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an effervescent agent which releases gas upon being contacted by urine. The effervescent agent may be in the form of a compound containing a substantially inert gas, or may be a combination of compounds that, upon being contacted by urine, produce a gas.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a chassis having a living space, an electrical system for providing electrical power to the living space, an air conditioner for cooling the living space, a heater for heating the living space, and a plurality of appliances within the living space attached to the electrical system. The recreational vehicle also includes an engine for moving the recreational vehicle, a motor generator for supplying power to the recreational vehicle, a connector for connecting the electrical system of the recreational vehicle to an external power source, and a local area network system electrically connected to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, and the motor generator. The local area network manages the power provided to the to the electrical appliances. A display positioned within the living space shows data related to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, the motor generator and the engine.

Abstract: In one example form, the present invention relates to a decal for treating a surface. The decal includes a web and an agent for treating the surface. The agent is attached to the web. The decal further includes a bonding material that attaches the decal to the surface. The bonding material is also attached to the web. In some embodiments, the agent may be attached to the web while in other embodiments the agent may form part of the web. In addition, the agent may be at least partially, or wholly, soluble in the web, or may be suspended in the web. In another form, the present invention relates to a method of treating a surface. The method includes attaching a decal to the surface and treating the surface with the decal. Attaching a decal to the surface may include adhering the decal to the surface with an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decal and method for treating a surface. The decal includes a web and an agent for treating the surface. The decal further includes a bonding material that attaches the decal to the surface. In some embodiments, the agent may be attached to the web while in other embodiments the agent may form part of the web. In one embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of Urea HP and boric acid. In another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and boric acid. In still another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of Urea HP and polyhexamethylene biguanide. In yet another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and benzoic acid. In another embodiment, the agent includes a composition formed of polyhexamethylene biguanide and propionic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is an aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation comprises from about 14% to about 75% by weight of the formulation of water, from about 25% to about 60% by weight of the formulation of a powder, from about 0.05% to about 1% by weight of the formulation of a polymeric emulsifier, from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the formulation of a low molecular weight silicone wherein the low molecular weight silicone has an average molecular weight of about 10,000 or less, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the formulation of a high molecular weight silicone wherein the high molecular weight silicone has an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or greater. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation may have an optical uniformity index of about 0.1 or less. The aqueous, non-alcoholic liquid powder formulation may have an extensive uniformity index of about 300 or greater.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a chassis having a living space, an electrical system for providing electrical power to the living space, an air conditioner for cooling the living space, a heater for heating the living space, and a plurality of appliances within the living space attached to the electrical system. The recreational vehicle also includes an engine for moving the recreational vehicle, a motor generator for supplying power to the recreational vehicle, a connector for connecting the electrical system of the recreational vehicle to an external power source, and a local area network system electrically connected to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, and the motor generator. The local area network manages the power provided to the to the electrical appliances. A display positioned within the living space shows data related to the air conditioner, the heater, the plurality of appliances, the motor generator and the engine.