Abstract: Disclosed are methods and products such as wet wipes and absorbents capable of providing a skin health benefit when utilized in the intended fashion. More specifically, the products described herein comprise an agent, such as a botanical extract, which is capable of increasing the activity of sphingomyelinase according to a Sphingomyelinase Activity Screening Test and/or decreasing the activity of ceramidase according to a Ceramidase Activity Screening Test. By increasing the activity of sphingomyelinase and/or decreasing the activity of ceramidase, the agents in combination with the products described herein are able to maintain or increase the level of ceramides in the skin leading to improved skin health.

Abstract: A process for the destruction of microorganisms on a product using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a product with an ultrasonic horn assembly and generating ultrasonic energy sufficient to result in a microorganism destruction rate of at least a 1-log kill.

Abstract: Wet wipes comprising a pathogen selective antimicrobial agent and an optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent are disclosed. The pathogen selective antimicrobial agent is a Yucca species extract. The optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent may be a synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, or a natural broad spectrum antimicrobial agent such as a botanical extract.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for disinfecting surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for destroying prion molecules using a combination of ultrasonic energy and enzyme treatment that is effective to denature and degrade prion proteins.

Abstract: An oxidizing anti-microbial treatment and products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involves, in part, preparing a substrate to accept an attachment of charged moieties, and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties come in close proximity to the treated substrate surface, peroxide molecules from the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having enhanced absorption of bodily exudates are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a bodily exudate modifying agent and a skin care formulation. The bodily exudate modifying agent is capable of reducing the viscosity of bodily exudates such as feces and menses. The skin care formulation comprises a film forming agent that, upon transfer to the skin, can form a continuous film layer on the skin to retard harmful agents.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body waste. The includes a permeable liner having a body-facing surface oriented for facing a wearer when the absorbent article is worn and an absorbent-facing surface opposite the body-facing surface, an outer cover, and an absorbent body positioned between the liner and the cover. A Yucca sp. extract is positioned between the body-facing surface of the liner and the outer cover.

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 process for manufacturing a toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting production of ammonia from urine held adjacent a user's skin by an article. The method includes applying a composition including a Yucca sp. extract to an area of the wearer's skin. A wipe for wiping surfaces including a flexible sheet and a composition held by the sheet including a Yucca sp. extract.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants from a surface. The system is designed to use very small particles having means thereon which are capable of selectively binding to a contaminant or contaminants of interest. The particles may contain a dye to render the particles visible in order for a user to observe the application and removal of the particles. The particles also have magnetic properties which may be provided by a high iron content. A carrier can be used to apply the particles to a surface whereupon the targeted contaminants bind to the particles. The particles may then be readily removed from the surface using magnets. When the particle is removed, the targeted contaminants are also removed. The invention is especially useful for the removal of contaminants from skin.

Abstract: An absorbent swimwear garment having a biocidal agent and/or a filtration agent attached to the garment for the purpose of killing or immobilizing microorganisms. During initial product use, the absorbent swim-wear garment is able to contain urine and bowel movements, just like ordinary diapers and training pants. When the swimwear garment is submersed in swim water, such as pool or lake water, the biocidal agent and/or filtration agent act to kill or immobilize any microorganisms deposited in the swim water from the urine and bowel movements contained in the garment. In one embodiment, a waist dam is formed in the garment around a wearer's waist, thereby providing a filtration barrier between the entrance and departure of swim water into and out of the garment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and products such as wet wipes and absorbents capable of providing a skin health benefit when utilized in the intended fashion. More specifically, the products described herein comprise an agent, such as a botanical extract, which is capable of increasing the activity of sphingomyelinase according to a Sphingomyelinase Activity Screening Test and/or decreasing the activity of ceramidase according to a Ceramidase Activity Screening Test. By increasing the activity of sphingomyelinase and/or decreasing the activity of ceramidase, the agents in combination with the products described herein are able to maintain or increase the level of ceramides in the skin leading to improved skin health.

Abstract: Wet wipes comprising a pathogen selective antimicrobial agent and an optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent are disclosed. The pathogen selective antimicrobial agent is a Yucca species extract. The optional broad spectrum antimicrobial agent may be a synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, or a natural broad spectrum antimicrobial agent such as a botanical extract.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: Novel wound management products are disclosed. The products incorporate an increased amount of cationic compounds in the fibrous matrix of the substrate which allow the product to bind and remove various microbes from the surface of a wound. The products disclosed herein do not necessarily kill microbes on the wound's surface, but dislodge and bind the microbe through electrostatic interactions between the product and the microbe and allow the microbe to be removed by a positively charged substrate.

Abstract: Novel cleansing products are disclosed. The products incorporate an increased amount of cationic compounds in or on the fibrous matrix of the substrate which allow the product to bind and remove various microbes and contaminants from the surface of skin. The products disclosed herein do not necessarily kill microbes on the skin's surface, but dislodge and bind the microbe through electrostatic interactions between the product and the microbe and allow the microbe to be removed by a positively charged substrate.

Abstract: A personal care article including an isoprenoid compound, and a method of inhibiting attachment of pathogenic fungi to skin using an isoprenoid compound in combination with a personal care article. The isopreniod compound may be farnesol, which is particularly effective against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.

Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.

Abstract: An in vitro testing method for predicting a coefficient of friction exhibited by a material passed over human skin, in vivo. A material operatively connects between a scaffold and a load cell and a synthetic sheet mounts on the scaffold. A porous layer is applied to an exposed surface of the synthetic sheet, forming a simulated human tissue. The material engages the simulated human tissue and moves relative to the scaffold to measure the coefficient of friction between the material and the simulated human tissue with the load cell.