Abstract: A method of extending the therapeutic duration of a thermal therapy product is disclosed. The method includes selecting a thermal therapy product to provide a benefit to a user, selecting a phase change material, incorporating the phase change material into a flexible thermal therapy sleeve, and placing the thermal therapy product into the thermal therapy sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible thermal therapy sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve includes a first layer including a first phase change material having a transition temperature of from about ?10° C. to about 40° C., and a second layer including a second phase change material having a transition temperature of from about 35° C. to about 65° C. The first layer is joined to the second layer to form at least a partial enclosure having an opening through which a thermoactive material may be inserted and removed.

Abstract: There is provided a temperature change element for use in personal care products where the temperature change element has a reactive component and a gel-forming agent. Upon exposure to liquids such as urine, the temperature change element will change in temperature substantially, thus letting the wearer know that he has urinated.

Abstract: A personal wear article capable of alerting a wearer to the wearer's release of liquid body exudates. The article includes an absorbent structure and a wetness indicator adapted to receive said liquid body exudates. The wetness indicator stiffens as it absorbs the liquid body exudates and applies a tactile sensation against the wearer's skin. The wetness indicator is positioned relative to a portion of the absorbent structure having an absorbent capacity gradient such that the absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure increases as the absorbent structure extends generally from the position of the wetness indicator in a direction generally away from the position of the wetness indicator. In another embodiment, the article includes a temperature change agent responsive to the liquid body exudates to change the temperature of the liquid body exudates to thereby facilitate a temperature change sensation against the wearer's skin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reaction vessel constructed of a flexible material including at least two reactant chambers containing two isolated reactants. The reactant chambers and reactants are separated by a frangible seal which opens under pressure, allowing the reactants to mix and react. The reaction produces a desired reactive effect on the environment surrounding the reaction vessel and any articles in that environment. A package in combination with a reaction vessel can be used to cause a reactive effect on an article within the package. The reactive effect can include a temperature change of the article or foaming a material to coat the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming meltblown material with a die assembly. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned relative to the die tip apex to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.

Abstract: A flexible thermal therapy sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve includes a first layer including a first phase change material having a transition temperature of from about −10° C. to about 40° C., and a second layer including a second phase change material having a transition temperature of from about 35° C. to about 65° C. The first layer is joined to the second layer to form at least a partial enclosure having an opening through which a thermoactive material may be inserted and removed.

Abstract: A flexible thermal therapy sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve features a first layer including an array of non-communicating chambers containing a first phase change material and a second layer, where the first layer is joined to the second layer to form at least a partial enclosure having an opening through which a thermoactive material may be inserted and removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reaction vessel constructed of a flexible material including at least two reactant chambers containing two isolated reactants. The reactant chambers and reactants are separated by a frangible seal which opens under pressure, allowing the reactants to mix and react. The reaction produces a desired reactive effect on the environment surrounding the reaction vessel and any articles in that environment. A package in combination with a reaction vessel can be used to cause a reactive effect on an article within the package. The reactive effect can include a temperature change of the article or foaming a material to coat the article.

Abstract: A method for producing fibers from a molten thermoplastic material includes the steps of extruding the molten thermoplastic material from a material outlet having a longitudinal axis and producing a stream of pressurized fluid that exists a fluid tube removably securable to a die head assembly and including an outlet coaxial with the material outlet longitudinal axis and extending at least into the material outlet. The method may be carried out using various material outlet and fluid tube configurations.

Abstract: A laminate structure (e.g., hot or cold wrap) formed from outer substrates that are bonded together to form at least one pocket is provided. The pocket is separated by an inner substrate such that the pocket defines an upper pocket region and a lower pocket region, each of which contains a reactant. Due to the presence of the inner substrate, the reactants do not intermix prior to activation of the laminate structure. To activate the laminate structure, a tension force is exerted so that the inner substrate ruptures, thereby allowing the reactants to freely intermix and produce the desired result. For example, in some instances, the reactants undergo and exothermic or endothermic reaction so that the laminate structure may be utilized as a hot or cold wrap.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device has a housing with a mounting mechanism disposed at the forward end and on the top surface of the housing. A fluid inlet is defined through the housing top surface, and at least one fluid outlet is defined through the housing bottom surface. A valve member is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. At least one filter is disposed longitudinally within a portion of the housing rearward of the mounting mechanism. The filter is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and may be removable from the rear of the housing. An actuator extends from the forward end of the housing and is connected with the valve member through the housing. The actuator moves the valve member between a filtered and unfiltered position. In the filtered position, fluid is directed from the fluid inlet and through the rear portion of the housing containing the filter.

Abstract: A portable liquid filtration system includes a container 22 having a filtering assembly 30 therein and an arrangement for indicating the number of times that the cap has been fitted to the container in order to determine the remaining useful life of the filter. The indicator includes a clutch plate 50 having downwardly extending projections that mate with a plurality of upwardly extending projections on the filtering assembly top 34. The cap includes a vent and may include an arrangement to ensure that the filter is positioned correctly therein. Preferably, the indicator releases the filtering assembly after a predetermined number of uses that approximates the life of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid dispenser. The flow of either filter or unfiltered fluid may be selected by positioning an actuator that also contains the filter. Selection is accomplished by positioning the actuator within two planes that are not coincident, or by positioning the actuator along a single axis.

Abstract: A flexible laminate structure that is formed from a first substrate, a second substrate, and discrete regions of a functional material sandwiched therebetween is provided. In particular, the first and second substrates contain thermoplastic polymers that are fused together at certain portions such that fused portions and unfused portions are formed. The unfused portions form pockets that contain the functional material and are relatively small in size. In some embodiments, for example, the pockets have an approximate width to height ratio of less than about 10.

Abstract: A laminate structure that is formed from a first substrate, a second substrate, and discrete regions of particles sandwiched therebetween is provided. In particular, the first and second substrates are bonded together at certain portions such that bonded portions and unbonded portions are formed. The unbonded portions form pockets that contain the particles. The pockets have a length-to-width ratio of greater than about 2. The resulting laminate structure of the present invention can have inner regions that delaminate upon the application of a certain force (e.g., swelling of superabsorbent particles), as well as perimeter regions that do not substantially delaminate upon the application of the same force.

Abstract: A disposable shoe liner that is formed from a first substrate, a second substrate, and discrete regions of a functional material sandwiched therebetween is provided. In particular, the first and second substrates contain are fused together at certain portions such that fused portions and unfused portions are formed. The unfused portions form pockets that contain the functional material. In some embodiments, for example, the pockets contain activated carbon granules to provide comfort to the foot and to absorb odors exuded therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming meltblown material with a die assembly. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned relative to the die tip apex to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtered fluid dispensing system. The invention may replace the sprayer provided with the faucet assembly of a conventional sink and may, in certain embodiments, be adapted to selectively dispense filtered and unfiltered fluid.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device has a housing with a mounting mechanism disposed at the forward end and on the top surface of the housing. A fluid inlet is defined through the housing top surface, and at least one fluid outlet is defined through the housing bottom surface. A valve member is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. At least one filter is disposed longitudinally within a portion of the housing rearward of the mounting mechanism. The filter is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and may be removable from the rear of the housing. An actuator extends from the forward end of the housing and is connected with the valve member through the housing. The actuator moves the valve member between a filtered and unfiltered position. In the filtered position, fluid is directed from the fluid inlet and through the rear portion of the housing containing the filter.