Abstract: A composite sheet material and method for forming the same is provided that includes a substrate, a matrix, and a cover sheet. The substrate has a first face surface, a second face surface, and a plurality of edges, and includes a thermoplastic material. The matrix is attached to the substrate. The matrix includes a support component having a first melting point, and a thermoplastic component having a second melting point. The second melting point is less than the first melting point. The cover sheet imparts one or more surface characteristics to the composite sheet material during thermo-pressure formation of the composite sheet material.

Abstract: A textured wipe is provided that includes a non-woven or woven cotton wipe sheet, and in some embodiments a plurality of beads and/or a coating. The cotton wipe sheet has a wipe surface and an opposing back surface. The plurality of beads is adhered to the wipe surface. Each bead is formed to have a three dimensional geometry that extends outwardly from the wipe surface.

Abstract: A composite sheet material and method for forming the same is provided that includes a substrate, a matrix, and a cover sheet. The substrate has a first face surface, a second face surface, and a plurality of edges, and includes a thermoplastic material. The matrix is attached to the substrate. The matrix includes a support component having a first melting point, and a thermoplastic component having a second melting point. The second melting point is less than the first melting point. The cover sheet imparts one or more surface characteristics to the composite sheet material during thermo-pressure formation of the composite sheet material.

Abstract: A composite sheet material and method for forming the same is provided that includes a substrate, a matrix, and a cover sheet. The substrate has a first face surface, a second face surface, and a plurality of edges, and includes a thermoplastic material. The matrix is attached to the substrate. The matrix includes a support component having a first melting point, and a thermoplastic component having a second melting point. The second melting point is less than the first melting point. The cover sheet imparts one or more surface characteristics to the composite sheet material during thermo-pressure formation of the composite sheet material.

Abstract: A textured wipe is provided that includes a non-woven or woven cotton wipe sheet, and in some embodiments a plurality of beads and/or a coating. The cotton wipe sheet has a wipe surface and an opposing back surface. The plurality of beads is adhered to the wipe surface. Each bead is formed to have a three dimensional geometry that extends outwardly from the wipe surface.

Abstract: Processes for maintaining the stability and quality of frozen desserts during storage and transportation including an improvement. This improvement process involves introducing a gas mixture into the dispersed phase of the frozen dessert. This gas mixture may be a low molecular weight gas mixture or a high molecular weight gas mixture. The weight gas mixture would allow the cells within the frozen dessert to remain at approximately a constant volume during elevation changes, thereby reducing or eliminating shrinkage and transportation settling.

Abstract: Products and methods for treating or sanitizing a target item to reduce or eliminate biological microorganisms in or on the target item. The target item is contacted with a moist sanitizing gas mixture to effectively reduce the presence of biological microorganisms without adversely affecting the quality of the target item. The moist sanitizing gas mixture of the invention is particularly useful for treating food products. The moist sanitizing gas mixture of the current invention may be formed by humidifying a dry gas and then contacting the target item with the humidified gas containing a sanitizing agent. Furthermore, the invention provides for chilling the target item, particularly food items, before exposure to the moist sanitizing gas mixture to preserve the fresh appearance, taste, and aroma of the target item.

Abstract: An improved process for the concurrent, low temperature cleaning and sanitation of solid surfaces is provided. This process involves introducing a cryogen and an antimicrobial liquid into a vessel, thereby creating an immersion bath. A sterilant is then introduced into this immersion bath. An object to be cleaned and sanitized is then immersed in this immersion bath for a first period of time. Mechanical energy may be introduced into this vessel for a second period of time.

Abstract: A manufactured dry ice product containing ozone entrapped or absorbed on said dry ice. The dry ice product can be used to chill and preserve food products and provides the added benefit of ozonation of the food product to kill bacteria. Novel processes for ozonating liquid and solid CO2 are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inhibiting growth and quorum sensing mechanisms in food-borne microorganisms by simultaneously exposing a food product to an antimicrobial gas mixture and a treating agent adapted to inhibit signaling between the microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for sanitizing food contact surfaces and food processing equipment using a combination of carbon dioxide (CO2) and antimicrobial chemicals. Generally, the invention provides a method for antimicrobial sanitation, comprising placing an object in a vessel containing an antimicrobial chemical, providing CO2 into the vessel, and removing the object from the vessel after a given treatment time during which the object is exposed to the provided CO2 and the antimicrobial chemical.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating an edible oil during a frying process in a vessel. In one embodiment, a hydrogen (H2) enriched gas mixture is provided into the vessel during the frying process.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improving the ability of non-naturally transformable cells to take up and integrate DNA. Generally, the invention provides a method for transforming cells, comprising combining deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and a recipient cell culture for the uptake of the DNA, placing mixture of recipient cell culture and DNA into a vessel, injecting a supercritical fluid into the vessel, removing the recipient cells from the vessel, and placing removed cells into a growth media with selective conditions to allow expression of transformed DNA.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing the speed and throughput at which the antimicrobial effects of chemical formulations can be evaluated. Generally, the invention provides a method for screening antimicrobial chemical formulations, comprising depositing microorganisms on a slide, depositing chemical formulations onto the deposited microorganisms, removing the chemical formulations from the deposited microorganisms after a given treatment time, depositing fluorescent dyes onto the deposited microorganisms after removing the chemical formulations, and scanning the slide for fluorescence to evaluate viability of the microorganisms after depositing the fluorescent dyes.

Abstract: An internet based access point management system is accessible by at least one internet web browser configured to communicate one or more requests for modifying operation of one or more computer managed openings located at one or more facilities. The internet based access point management system includes at least one computer processor having a web server operative with the at least one computer processor. The web server is configured to receive and respond to one or more requests communicated from the at least one web browser. A database server which is also operative with the at least one computer processor and an application server further operative with the at least one computer processor are also provided. The application server is configured to communicate with the web server and the database server for processing requests. The processing of requests including formulating system commands in response to the requests.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering a device connectable to a network. One method may include attempting to obtain a dynamic address for the device; creating a first default address for the device, if the dynamic address for the device cannot be obtained; assigning the dynamic address as a network address of the device, if the dynamic address is obtained; assigning the first default address as a network address of the device, if the dynamic address is not obtained; attempting to obtain an address of a discovery device; creating a second default address for the device based upon the address of the discovery device, if the dynamic address for the device was not obtained; assigning the second default address as the network address for the device; and reporting the network address of the device to the discovery device.

Abstract: Treatments for input fluids involve contacting a treatment fluid with the input fluid while maintaining substantial separation of the fluids. This contacting occurs in a reaction vessel having the treatment fluid disposed on one side of a porous metal membrane and the input fluid disposed on the other side of the porous metal membrane. Treatments can include disinfection and preservation of the input fluid and/or extraction of solutes from the input fluid.

Abstract: Methods of treating and preserving food products, including a unique method, which avoids undesirable high pressures, additives, or other chemical treatments. The disclosed invention reduces spoilage and undesirable aromas and flavors in fermented food products by killing or reducing the level of wild yeasts and bacteria, and removing oxidants and enzymes without using heat or undesirable additives. The process of the invention uses a combination of moderate pressure and reactive gases, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, or nitrous oxide to treat food products, and then removes the reactive gases by purging the food product with an inert gas. The final product is substantially free of unwanted microorganisms, enzymes, and oxidants that cause spoilage of the food product.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses the problems associated with preservation of food products while avoiding undesirable high pressures, additives, or other chemical treatments. The disclosed invention will reduce spoilage in food products, particularly liquid food products, by removing oxidants, enzymes, and killing bacteria without using heat or undesirable additives. The process of the invention uses a combination of moderate pressure and reactive gases, such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, or nitrous oxide to treat food products, and then removes the reactive gases by purging the food product with an inert gas. The final product is substantially free of unwanted microorganisms, enzymes, and oxidants that cause spoilage of the food product.

Abstract: The use of ozone in liquid carbon dioxide as a sterilant for use in aseptic packaging. The low temperature provided by liquid CO2 further eliminates microbiological hazards. The combination of these two chemicals will enable the aseptic industry achieve higher process efficiencies and improved sterilization without the drawbacks currently seen with the use of hydrogen peroxide.