Abstract: A composition and method which prevents or mitigates irritation on the skin of a subject by protecting against or relieving chafing, itching and moisture, and which provides a cooling sensation where applied.

Abstract: A composition and method which prevents or mitigates irritation on the skin of a subject by protecting against or relieving chafing, itching and moisture, and which provides a cooling sensation where applied.

Abstract: A system for constructing masonry block walls having spaced-apart pilasters and panels supported by and extending between the pilasters. In certain embodiments, the pilasters are constructed from stacks of pilaster blocks which are secured together using at least one vertical, post-tensioned reinforcing member, without the use of grout to connect the reinforcing members to the pilaster blocks. The pilasters are constructed from at least two laterally spaced-apart stacks of pilaster blocks positioned on opposite sides of the wall. The panels are constructed from courses of panel blocks, and do not require the use of mortar to connect adjacent blocks. The pilasters provide an arrangement in which a panel can supported in an upright position by virtue of one end portion being positioned between two stacks of blocks of a first pilaster and the opposite end portion of the panel being positioned between two stacks of blocks of a second pilaster.

Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces converging between respective ends of the first and second faces. Blocks in a wall may be stacked on top of each other in either a vertical, set forward or set backward relationship. A three-block system for constructing walls includes a small, medium, and large block, each having two differently sized faces that can serve as the exposed face on one side of a wall. The small, medium, and large blocks can be manufactured using a single mold that is configured to provide a roughened texture resembling natural stone on two opposing faces of each block.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods for constructing a dry-stacked retaining wall that is reinforced to increase the sliding resistance of the wall. In particular embodiments, a concrete footing or base is formed in trench below the lowermost course of retaining wall blocks and extends upwardly into voids in the lowermost course of the wall. The voids can be, for example, chambers or openings defined between adjacent blocks or vertically extending cores formed in the blocks.

Abstract: The present invention concerns embodiments of a block subassembly, a building block system and methods for constructing a retaining wall. In an illustrated embodiment, a block subassembly includes at least a first block and a second block and an adjustable connector which extends between the first and second blocks and is connected to the blocks. The adjustable connector is configured to have an adjustable length to adjust the spacing between the first and second blocks. In particular embodiments, the adjustable connector is pivotably connected to the first and second blocks.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure concerns embodiments of an apparatus and method for making a wall block, such as for constructing retaining walls or fences, that has at least one surface formed with a pattern resembling the faces of multiple blocks. In particular embodiments, the surface of the wall block has a plurality of discrete surface portions that are separated by one or more vertically elongated recessed surface portions or scores such that each surface portion resembles the face of a separate block. At least one surface portion of a block is offset from another surface portion of the block in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wall. The surface portions can be provided with roughened surface textures resembling the surface of a split block, which can be formed by roughening or texturing the uncured block as it is removed from a mold.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure concerns embodiments of an apparatus and method for making a wall block, such as for constructing retaining walls or fences, that has at least one surface formed with a pattern resembling the faces of multiple blocks. In particular embodiments, the surface of the wall block has a plurality of discrete surface portions that are separated by one or more elongated recessed surface portions or scores such that each surface portion resembles the face of a separate block. The surface portions can be provided with roughened surface textures resembling the surface of a split block, which can be formed by roughening or texturing the uncured block as it is removed from a mold.

Abstract: A wall block includes an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces converging between respective ends of the first and second faces. Blocks in a wall may be stacked on top of each other in either a vertical, set forward or set backward relationship. The length of a block face may be a multiple of its height, and the blocks otherwise are formed such that blocks may be stacked with the top surface of one block in abutment with a bottom surface of a vertically adjacent block or, optionally, with the top or bottom surface of one block in abutment with a side surface of a vertically adjacent block. The blocks may be manufactured in different sizes, such that their faces are of different lengths and heights, thereby enabling the construction of walls or fences of highly variable appearances.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods for constructing a dry-stacked retaining wall that is reinforced to increase the sliding resistance of the wall. In particular embodiments, a concrete footing or base is formed in trench below the lowermost course of retaining wall blocks and extends upwardly into voids in the lowermost course of the wall. The voids can be, for example, chambers or openings defined between adjacent blocks or vertically extending cores formed in the blocks.