Abstract: A disposable article to be fitted to a wearer. The disposable article preferably comprises a sensor operatively connected to the article. The sensor is adapted to detect electrical activity in the wearer's smooth colonic muscles, abdominal muscles or the muscles surrounding the bladder or rectum which correlates to an impending elimination of bodily waste and to provide a signal to the wearer, a caregiver or an element of the article of the impending event.

Abstract: A device adapted to measure the volume of a body cavity including a base, a sensor adapted to detect when a body cavity of the wearer reaches a predetermined volume and a signal mechanism. The sensor is moveably mounted on the base so as to facilitate aiming of the sensor toward the body cavity. The signal mechanism is adapted to provide a signal once the predetermined body cavity volume is reached. Alternatively, the device may comprise a first sensor and a second sensor which are oriented differently toward the body cavity and which each measure a distance between the front wall and the back wall of the body cavity. The device also includes a signal mechanism which provides a once a predetermined volume of the body cavity is reached, wherein the volume is calculated based on the greater of the distances measured between the front wall and the back wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A disposable article having a sensor that predicts an impending event such as an elimination of bodily waste. The article may also include an actuator that performs a responsive function when the sensor predicts the impending event.

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

Abstract: An absorbent article adapted to receive feces having a first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet joined to at least a portion of the topsheet; an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and an effective amount of a feces reducing agent disposed in the article such that the reducing agent is available to contact at least a portion of the feces deposited in the article.

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: 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: An absorbent article adapted to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer. The article includes a liquid-impervious, flexible backsheet adapted to face outwardly relative to the body a wearer, a liquid-pervious topsheet adapted to face the body of the wearer, and an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet and the topsheet. The topsheet is preferably elastically extensible and includes a plurality of slits or cuts that extend through the topsheet material and that enlarge to define a plurality of openings in the topsheet when it is subjected to tensile forces as it is worn. The openings permit solid and semi-solid bodily exudates to pass through the topsheet to the absorbent core as the diaper is worn. Upon removal of the diaper from the body of the wearer the tensile forces within the topsheet are relaxed, thereby causing the openings in the topsheet to close and substantially conceal from view the bodily exudates that have passed through the topsheet.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting crud formation and organic in aqueous solvent and aqueous in organic solvent entrainment in the solvent extraction of copper from an aqueous sulfuric acid pregnant leach solution is disclosed. The method comprises adding 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 acid solution.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the operation of an acid solvent extraction and electrowinning operation by inhibiting acidic aerosol formation, allowing increased acid concentration and allowing higher operating temperature is 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 acid solution of an acid solvent extraction and electrowinning operation.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a waste management element disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region. The waste management element comprises an acceptance element and a storage element. The storage element preferably comprises a three-dimensional web with arcuate portions intermittent with bondable locations forming a lofted open structure.

Abstract: Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons and the like having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input and a mechanical actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon bodily waste, a wearer, the article or a component or components thereof.

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: Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons, and the like, having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input, an actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon the input, and a feedback control loop in which the actuator is adapted to perform the responsive function upon the input in a discontinuous manner. The responsive system may include an open loop or a closed loop system.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid pervious backsheet joined to at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and a waste management element disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region. The waste management element preferably includes a macro-particulate structure comprising a multiplicity of particulate having a nominal size of between about 1 mm and about 25.4 mm. The waste management element preferably has an Acceptance Under Pressure value of greater than about 0.50 grams of a viscous fluid bodily waste per square inch of the waste management element per milliJoule of energy input. The waste management element preferably also has a Storage Under Pressure value of at least about 0.70 grams of the viscous fluid bodily waste per square inch of the waste management element.

Abstract: A disposable article having a sensor that predicts an impending event such as an elimination of bodily waste. The article may also include an actuator that performs a responsive function when the sensor predicts the impending event.

Abstract: Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons, and the like, having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input, an actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon the input, and a feedback control loop in which the actuator is adapted to perform the responsive function upon the input when the sensor detects the input.

Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an outer cover, the outer cover having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline. The absorbent insert includes a first absorbent assembly; a second absorbent assembly; and an adjustment member adjustably joining the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are moveable relative to each other in at least a direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline. The insert also includes a slip element joined with at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly, the slip element providing a low friction surface such that at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly can be positioned over at least a portion of the second absorbent assembly in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A method of controlling the deposition of silica-containing scales and their adhesion to surfaces in contact with an aqueous system is disclosed which comprises adding to the aqueous system a synergistic combination of:(a) diethylenetriamine penta methylene phosphonic acid; and(b) a material selected from the group consisting of 2 phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid; high molecular weight, 3:1, acrylic acid/allylhydroxypropylsulfonate ether copolymer; ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers; and polyepoxysuccinic acid and salts thereof.

Abstract: A method of controlling the deposition of silica-containing scales and their adhesion to surfaces in contact with an aqueous system is disclosed which comprises adding to the aqueous system an imidazoline or imidazoline derivative.