Abstract: A method of enhancing the magnetic separation of ores is disclosed in which a sulfonated polymeric dispersant is added to an ore slurry just prior to or during the magnetic separation operation. The sulfonated polymeric additive inhibits heterogeneous flocculation during the magnetic separation operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of improving the separation of mineral values from their associated gangue. The method itself involves the addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the froth flotation process which enhances the ore recovery. The treatment reagents of the method of the present invention comprise water-soluble organophosphonates which when added to the flotation feed slurry enhance the recovery of ore values thertefrom. The organophosphonate treatment reagent may be used alone or in combination with a polymeric dispersant.

Abstract: A method for agglomerating and sintering iron and zinc ore and ore concentrates, steel mill ferrous waste and zinc mill waste. The method has the steps: a) mixing the wastes or ore with a combustion fuel source, and a sinter agglomeration agent selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, water soluble polymers and aqueous emulsions of oils to form an agglomerated sinterable mixture comprising agglomerated particles; b) forming the sinterable mixture into a sinter bed on the grate of a sinter machine; and c) igniting the sinter bed to create a temperature sufficient to sinter the agglomerated particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable surface wipe having a sensor which detects bodily waste contamination on a surface and which provides a signal indicating the presence of such contamination, desirably by detecting a component of the waste normally present in waste excreted by healthy individuals and not a component infrequently present in the waste due to special circumstances related to the health or other transient condition of the excreter. The signal provided by the sensor can be visible to a user of the article, and the article can include a substrate which incorporates the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the article is a cleaning article which can efficaciously clean bodily waste contamination from a surface.

Abstract: A biofeedback device for predicting an impending elimination of bodily waste in an incontinent person includes a sensing element in contact with an area of a user so as to detect electrical activity of a sphincter muscle associated therewith and a signaling element operatively connected to the sensing element that provides a signal upon an occurrence of a predetermined electrical activity for the sphincter muscle. The biofeedback device is able to predict an impending elimination of bodily waste for an incontinent person, as well as assist the incontinent person in achieving a contraction of his/her sphincter muscle.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of improving the separation of mineral values from their associated gangue. The method itself involves the addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the froth flotation process which enhances the ore recovery. The treatment reagents of the method of the present invention comprise water-soluble organophosphonates which when added to the flotation feed slurry enhance the recovery of ore values thertefrom. The organophosphonate treatment reagent may be used alone or in combination with a polymeric dispersant.

Abstract: A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training is provided. The wearable article includes a temperature change element providing a cool/wet signal when wetted which causes discomfort to the wearer. The temperature change element comprises a temperature change substance disposed on an impermeable material in order to maximize the thermal signal provided to the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable article is provided that comprises a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in the wearer's feces. The article may also signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Abstract: A system and associated methods for improving the management of an individual's health is provided. The system includes a data measurement mechanism generating information relevant to a particular health condition, a data acquisition mechanism for transferring the information to a storage medium, at least one data analysis mechanism generating insights relevant to a particular health condition and an information presentation mechanism for displaying the insights to a patient, caregiver or physician.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an expandable component. The expandable component comprises a compressed, resilient element disposed within an air impermeable envelope. The compressed element provides the absorbent article with a thin, low bulk profile prior to use of the disposable absorbent article, thereby reducing shipping and storage space. The user may open the impervious envelope, thereby permitting entry of air into the envelope and expansion of the compressed element. In one embodiment the expandable component is a spacer for maintaining fecal void space in a disposable diaper. Alternatively, the expandable component can provide displacement of the topsheet relative to the backsheet along the longitudinal centerline of a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that includes a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in feces. The device may also signal the caretaker of the occurrence or quantity of the marker. In preferred embodiments, the device includes a diagnostic panel having at least two sensors. The sensors are adapted to detect different target biological analytes in bodily waste or on the wearer's skin. Preferably, the device of the present invention includes a diagnostic panel adapted to determine the cause of a particular disease state, such as diarrhea, and to signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Abstract: Disposable articles for treating objects such as surfaces, devices, persons, contaminants, and the like or for treating substances disposed on, in, or in proximity to such objects having a responsive system. The responsive system may respond continuously or discontinuously. A continuous responsive system of the present invention further includes a feedback control loop. A discontinuous responsive system of the present invention may include either a feedback control loop or an open loop.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a consumer-activated component that is expandable to improve the fit and function of the garment. The expandable component includes a compressed, resilient, expansible member disposed within a sealed, air-impermeable envelope. The expandable component can be activated so that the component expands in a direction toward the body of the wearer of the garment by the application of a tensile force on the garment to expose an opening in the envelope, to thereby admit air into the envelope and allow the compressed expansible element to expand to its substantially uncompressed condition.

Abstract: A disposable article preferably includes a bodily waste isolation device including a pressure differentiation device having an exterior and at least one inner chamber, wherein the pressure differentiation device is capable of maintaining the inner chamber at a pressure lower than an ambient pressure. The bodily waste isolation device preferably also includes at least two resilient elements disposed in the inner chamber of the pressure differentiation device and held under vacuum compression.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a first topsheet with apertures large enough for low-viscosity fecal material to pass through to a fecal material storage element. The fecal material storage element immobilizes the fecal material in position for dewatering, so that the liquid components of the fecal material are absorbed by the core and the solid components of the fecal material are separated from the liquid components. This arrangement provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having a first waist region, an opposed second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region. The absorbent article preferably comprises a liquid impervious backsheet material, an absorbent core and a directionally preferential waste passage member. The waste passage member has a body facing surface and an opposed garment facing surface, at least a portion of the body facing surface of the waste passage member including a soluble material capable of dissolving when contacted by bodily exudates so as to permit the bodily exudates to pass through the waste passage member in a direction generally away from the wearer's skin. At least a portion of the garment facing surface of the waste passage member includes a barrier material which resists penetration by the bodily exudates in a direction opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the leaching of copper from copper bearing ores with an aqueous sulfuric acid leach solution are disclosed wherein an antifoam formulation stable at a solution pH of about 1 to 2 is added. A preferred antifoam formulation comprises a glycol ester and an alkyl phenol ethoxylate in a paraffinic oil solvent added to the aqueous sulfuric acid leach solution.

Abstract: A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer having an external anal sphincter muscle, the external anal sphincter muscle having a basal electrical activity. The disposable article preferably comprises a sensor or sensor system operatively connected to the article wherein the sensor is adapted to detect changes in the electrical activity of the wearer's external anal sphincter muscle that correlates to an impending elimination of bodily waste and to provide a signal to the wearer, a caregiver or an element of the article notifying the wearer, caregiver or element of the article of the impending event.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable article that comprises a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in the wearer's feces. The article may also signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Abstract: An article to be fitted to a wearer including an agent which is available in an effective concentration to physically or chemically modify some or all of the fecal material or other bodily exudates deposited in the article. The modification of the feces may improve acceptance and/or retention of the exudates within the article to reduce the spreading of fecal material within the diaper and/or to reduce the tendency of the fecal material to adhere to the wearer's skin.