Abstract: This invention provides sunless-tanning compositions containing, in addition to a self tanning agent and a cosmetically acceptable carrier, a coloring agent, added to the compositions so as to enhance the uniformity of their application to the skin.

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for hand holdable computing devices. The optical communication system facilitates the data communication distance of the hand holdable computing device by using electromagnetic radiation between 200 nanometers and 1500 nanometers to pass data. The radiation is generated by the system using light emitting diodes or one or more lasers. The system is optically coupled to the infrared data communications port an existing hand holdable computing device or is electrically integrated into the computing device. Once coupled, the system allows the hand holdable computing device to communicate with remote optical communication devices up to 1000 meters away. The system finds application with personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, and portable computers.

Abstract: A chemical solvent is provided which removes the opaque scratch-off coating on lottery and game tickets but not the printed indicia beneath the opaque coating. The chemical solvent utilizes at least one glycol ether or at least one polar organic solvent. The glycol ether consists of a total of at least three carbon atoms. The polar organic solvent consists of a total between one and nine carbon atoms. Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, mesityl oxide, and ketene diethyl acetal are particularly effective. Polar organic solvents containing a carbonyl, carbon-carbon double bond, carbon-hydroxyl, or carboxylic acid function effectively dissolve the opaque scratch-off coating, such as mesityl oxide. Combinations of polar organic solvents and glycol ethers are also effective for dissolving the opaque scratch-off coating but not the printed indicia beneath the opaque coating.

Abstract: A composition is provided which is useful for self-tanning skin coloring and is characterized by improved stability, which comprises from about 0.5% to about 20.0% by weight, based on total weight of said composition, of a self-tanning skin coloring agent subject to chemical instability, which is preferably dihydroxyacetone; from about 2.0% to about 40.0% by weight of a polyethoxyglycol, which is preferably ethoxydiglycol; and from about 0.1% to about 15.0% by weight of a polyol comprising a polyhydric compound having at least three hydroxyl groups and at least three carbon atoms, which is preferably D-sorbitol. The self-tanning composition may further optionally contain from about 0.1% to about 8.0% by weight of a water soluble dihydroxyl compound having at least two, and up to eight carbon atoms, which is preferably ethylene glycol; and the self-tanning composition may still further optionally contain an acidifying agent in amount sufficient to maintain the pH of said total composition at from about 3.