Abstract: A fibrous substrate that retains good antimicrobial efficacy over an extended period of time and that does not result in a substantial increase in odor production is provided. Specifically, the fibrous substrate contains a halogenated antimicrobial agent and an odor adsorbent to reduce the level of odors often associated with halogenated antimicrobial agents. For example, in one embodiment, the halogenated antimicrobial agent includes a heterocyclic N-halamine compound, while the odor adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, zeolites, silica, alumina, magnesia, titania, clay, cyclodextrin and derivatives thereof, and the like. The fibrous substrate may also be substantially free from superabsorbents to improve antimicrobial efficacy over time.

Abstract: A flexible substrate applied with an activated carbon coating is provided. The activated carbon coating is formed from a mixture of a polymeric material and an activation agent. The mixture is activated by heating to a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a substrate can be formed that is flexible and also capable of performing other functions, such as serving as an odor control agent.

Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a substrate that is, upon application of a force, stretchable to a stretched, biased length that is at least about 150% of its unstretched length, is provided. The stretchable substrate is applied with an odor control material that is increasingly exposable to malodors when the substrate is stretched.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical delivery system effective in depositing a thin, tenacious and substantially continuous coating of a silk protein on skin by an aqueous emulsion mediated dissolution of protein from a substrate with subsequent transfer and deposition onto the skin. Coatings of silk protein on skin resist removal, thereby providing a protective barrier against chemically- and biochemically-induced skin damage. The treatment composition also provides a vehicle for administering an effective dose of an active agent to the skin surface.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: A wettable article consisting of an article with a hydrophobic surface having a coating which includes a surface free energy modifier and a surface-active agent. The hydrophobic surface may include a hydrophobic polymer. The surface free energy modifier has a surface free energy greater than that of the surface of the article, but less than the surface tension of an aqueous liquid to which the wettable coated article may be exposed. The surface free energy modifier desirably is present in an amount sufficient to substantially cover the surface of the article. The surface-active agent is present in an amount effective to lower the surface tension of the liquid to a value which is greater than the surface free energy of the surface of the article and equal to or less than the surface free energy of the surface free energy modifier. The article desirably is a film or a fibrous web, such as a nonwoven web. Methods of preparing the wettable article also are described.

Abstract: A method of decolorizing a dyed material in a predetermined pattern, which method involves providing a dyed material and ink jet printing a solution of an oxidoreductase onto the dyed material in a predetermined pattern. The present invention further provides a dyed material which has been decolorized in a predetermined pattern by a method of the present invention. The dyed material may be, for example, a dyed textile. Also provided is a method of simultaneously decolorizing and printing on a dyed material in a predetermined pattern. The method involves providing a dyed material and ink jet printing on the dyed material in a predetermined pattern with an ink jet ink which contains an oxidoreductase and one or more dyes which are not significantly decolorized by the oxidoreductase. The oxidoreductase may be, for example, a laccase, peroxidase, or diaphorase. If desired, the dyed material may be heated after printing the solution of an oxidoreductase or an oxidoreductase-containing ink jet ink thereon.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system includes a mechanism for monitoring and indicating the volume of fluid that has passed through a filter 30. The mechanism includes a channel 42 in communication with a reservoir 22, a portion of which is visible exteriorly of the housing 12. The channel allows a minor portion of the fluid entering the housing via inlet 14 to flow into the reservoir, while allowing the remaining portion of fluid to flow through the outlet 16. The minor portion of fluid entering the reservoir may or may not have passed through the filter. In various embodiments, the system may also include an indicator such as a float 44, a plunger 54, or dye.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: A method of coating the surface of a substrate, such as a film or a fibrous web, which is composed of a hydrophobic polymer. The method involves providing a solution of a first polyelectrolyte having ionizable groups and a solution of a second polyelectrolyte having ionizable groups. The two solutions then are mixed under conditions adapted to result in the formation of a nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex. Finally, the surface of the hydrophobic polymer substrate is contacted with a solution of the complex under conditions sufficient to result in the coating of the surface of the substrate with the complex. The ionizable groups of the second polyelectrolyte have a latent charge opposite the latent charge of the ionizable groups of the first polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: A wettable article consisting of an article with a hydrophobic surface having a coating which includes a surface free energy modifier and a surface-active agent. The hydrophobic surface may include a hydrophobic polymer. The surface free energy modifier has a surface free energy greater than that of the surface of the article, but less than the surface tension of an aqueous liquid to which the wettable coated article may be exposed. The surface free energy modifier desirably is present in an amount sufficient to substantially cover the surface of the article. The surface-active agent is present in an amount effective to lower the surface tension of the liquid to a value which is greater than the surface free energy of the surface of the article and equal to or less than the surface free energy of the surface free energy modifier. The article desirably is a film or a fibrous web, such as a nonwoven web. Methods of preparing the wettable article also are described.

Abstract: A permeable, liquid flow control material composed of: 1) a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which have a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes/cm; and 2) amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet so that the adsorbed amphiphilic protein coating provides controlled wettability along at least one dimension of the liquid flow control material. Desirably, the liquid flow control material is substantially free of fugitive amphiphilic proteins. The material may be used as a permeable, bodyside cover material for absorbent personal care products.

Abstract: A chemically charged-modified filter for removing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles from an aqueous liquid, the filter being composed of a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; amphiphilic macromolecules adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules; so that when said charge-modified substrate is in contact with the aqueous liquid containing the charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles, said particles are adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the removal by a filter medium of a target substance from a liquid passing through the filter medium. The method involves: providing an indicator providing a filter medium having a plurality of binding sites which have a first affinity for the target substance and a second affinity for the indicator introducing the indicator means into the liquid; passing the liquid through the filter medium; and determining the presence or absence of the indicator in the liquid which has passed through the filter medium. The first and second affinities are adapted to require binding of the indicator by the filter medium only so long as binding sites are available to the target substance. Thus, the indicator means is adapted to compete with the target substance. As a practical matter, the liquid typically will be water. The indicator may denote when the filter medium is not effective by altering the taste of the water passing through the filter medium.

Abstract: Proteins are applied to a polymeric article by contacting the polymeric article with a protein and exposing the contacted polymeric article to a frequency with a sufficient power dissipation for a sufficient period of time. A frequency range for applying proteins to a polymeric article is between about 5 kHz to about 40 kHz with a minimum power dissipated of about 1 watt. As a result, polymeric articles so treated exhibit improved water wettability, proteins may be applied to the polymeric articles very rapidly and more uniformly than by other methods, and polymeric articles having selected zones of wettability may be produced.

Abstract: A drinking straw that purifies water by forced movement of water through the straw. The straw is composed of: 1) a filter plug made of a fibrous structure, the filter plug having sides, a first end, a second end, and a firmness sufficient to avoid collapse of the fibrous structure under a specified pressure drop; 2) a water purification material integrated in the fibrous structure; and 3) a liquid impervious wrapper covering the sides of the filter plug, the wrapper defining openings at the first and second ends of the filter plug.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent product which includes a chemically reactive means having an end point adapted to provide a visual indication of the presence of a substance in mammalian bodily excrement, wherein the chemically reactive means is adapted to: (A) to provide the visual indication as a result of interacting with the mammalian bodily excrement; (B) the end point of the chemically reactive means is adapted to be reached within a period of time which begins with the first insult of the chemically reactive means by the substance and ends when the disposable absorbent product is discarded; and (C) the chemically reactive means is adapted to have a stable end-point, such that the visual indication remains valid within a period of time which begins when the end point is reached and ends no sooner than when the disposable absorbent product is discarded. If desired, the chemically reactive means can be adapted to provide a visual indication of the approximate concentration of the substance.