Abstract: A liquid treatment chamber having an elongate housing through which liquid flows longitudinally from an inlet port to an outlet port thereof is disclosed. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency and a predetermined electrode potential to ultrasonically energize and electrolyze liquid within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified high surface area materials, such as nanoparticles that are coated with metal ions, and articles treated with the modified high surface area materials. The modified nanoparticles have active sites that bind various gases and/or odorous compounds, thereby removing these compounds from a medium such as air or water. Metal ions are adsorbed onto the surface of the nanoparticle and bound strongly to the surface. By selection of the metal ion, specific gaseous compounds and/or odorous compounds can be targeted and removed efficiently and effectively from both aqueous phase and from the air. The modified nanoparticles are applied to nonwoven webs to provide odor removing articles for industrial and consumer use in refrigerators and trash containers.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of ovulation in a female mammal is provided. The method includes contacting mouth air of the female mammal with an arylmethane test chromogen in an amount effective to undergo a rapid and detectable color change in the presence of one or more volatile sulfur compounds. The color of the test chromogen is compared to a control color that corresponds to a pre-ovulatory sulfur content. The difference in color between the test chromogen and the control color is correlated to the onset of ovulation.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a nonwoven fabric having a plurality of coated fibers, the coating including silane and dialdehyde, and, in certain embodiments, further including particles.

Abstract: A wearable article made from a nonwoven fabric that includes a plurality of coated fibers. The coated fibers have an exterior surface and a coating composition on at least a portion of the exterior surface. The coating composition includes an aminofunctionalized silane and a dialdehyde, where the weight percent of the dialdehyde in the coating composition is greater than the weight percent of the silane in the coating composition. The wearable article can be a wrap, brace, support, compression hosiery, bandage or compress. When worn, the wearable article is initially flexible but becomes rigid and stiff when the coated fibers experience a sudden force or impact. The wearable article does not include a fluid.

Abstract: Anti-viral tissues are provided with a pH indicator which provides the tissue user with a visual indicia, via color changes, that the tissue has active ingredients. Furthermore, the pH indicators can be used to illustrate neutralization of the pH of infected nasal discharge, which has a higher pH than healthy nasal discharge, giving the user a reason to believe that the product is working to deactivate virus.

Abstract: Anti-viral tissues are provided with a pH indicator which can communicate to a tissue user by means of visual indicia, via color changes, that the tissue has active ingredients. Furthermore, the pH indicators can be used to illustrate neutralization of the pH of infected nasal discharge, which has a higher pH than healthy nasal discharge, giving the user a reason to believe that the product is working to deactivate virus.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric composition having a xanthene or xanthenes-based compound as a plasticizer, a method to modify the thermoplastic polymeric materials to increase their relative plasticity while maintaining good strength or “toughness” characteristics, and various articles of manufacture that can be made using the polymer composition are described.

Abstract: Processes of using treatment chambers for separating compounds in an aqueous effluent are disclosed. More particularly, the treatment chambers use ultrasonic energy and an electrode potential to provide efficient and effective removal of compounds from aqueous effluents, such as textile effluents.

Abstract: A device and clinical techniques that can help healthcare workers locate and image the general outlines of blood vessels that are located either under or near to tissue or skin surfaces are described. The device involves a substrate formed from a self-cooling polymeric matrix that incorporates at least a thermo-chromic colorant, and can provide a means to distinguish between different temperature regions when applied to a heat-emitting object or body. The device can be used in certain therapeutic or healthcare-related applications.

Abstract: There is provided a moisture indicator for a heat and moisture exchange (HME) device that uses a pre-colorant and an activator applied to an inner surface of the HME device. The colorant undergoes a color change of Delta E (?E) of equal to or greater than 3 units upon exposure to moisture but not upon exposure to high humidity. The colorant is visually obvious to the unaided human eye under normal light conditions through the body of the device. The HME device with the visual indicator for moisture can indicate to the care-giver that it is time to change the HME device.

Abstract: A method for reducing odors is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting a substrate containing a thin coating of colloidal nanoparticles with an odorous compound. The colloidal nanoparticles have an average size of less than about 500 nanometers, a surface area of from about 50 to about 1000 square meters per gram, and a pore volume of less than about 0.5 milliliters per gram. The colloidal nanoparticles may adsorb at least about 25% of the odorous compound when contacted therewith.

Abstract: There is provided a color change composition that remains stable in a single phase and that contains an indicator that produces an observable color change after a period of time to show that sufficient cleaning has been done or to indicate the thoroughness of the cleaning. This use indicating color change is useful for, for example, in soap for teaching children to wash their hands for a sufficient period of time. This composition may be added to many different base materials to indicate time of use or as a way to introduce enjoyment to the activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a visual indicating device and an article for controlling odors, in particular foot, garbage, basement, cooking, pet, tobacco, feces and urine odors. The article comprises a visual indicating agent that is color sensitive to the odor, and optionally, an odor absorbing agent. The visual indicating agent changes color when the article has been exposed to a sufficient amount of odor to saturate the article. The indicating agent may be applied in differing concentrations to two or more zones so as to indicate to a user of the article how much of the odor absorbing capacity has been used, or conversely, how much of the odor absorbing capacity remains. Suitable visual indicating agents that change color in response to odors are also described. The article for controlling odors may be a disposable odor absorbing sheet, air freshening product, diaper, undergarment pad, face mask, air filtration device, sanitary napkin, tampon, panty shield or incontinence pad.

Abstract: An odor control substrate that is applied with an activated carbon ink is provided. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern that covers from about 25% to about 95% of the surface area of the substrate. Although not covering the entire surface, the present inventors have discovered that the activated carbon ink is still capable of providing good odor reduction qualities to the substrate. To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the odor control substrate to a consumer, one or more colored inks may also be applied the substrate in a pattern that may or may not overlap with the activated carbon ink pattern. The colored ink(s) may contrast well with the activated carbon ink to provide an overall design that is more aesthetically than otherwise would be provided by a uniform coating of activated carbon ink.

Abstract: A graphic and/or message display system is described. The graphic and/or message display system functions to develop over a period of time a hidden graphic or message on an indicator panel or display area. The hidden graphic or message is revealed when an obscuring graphic reacts with a solvent to change color become at least substantially transparent. The graphic and/or message display system may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated as part of various articles or products, for instance, as a positive reinforcement or a reminder to perform a task. Methods for using the graphic and/or message display system are also described.

Abstract: An odor control substrate that is applied with an activated carbon ink is provided. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern that covers from about 25% to about 95% of the surface area of the substrate. Although not covering the entire surface, the present inventors have discovered that the activated carbon ink is still capable of providing good odor reduction qualities to the substrate. To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the odor control substrate to a consumer, one or more colored inks may also be applied the substrate in a pattern that may or may not overlap with the activated carbon ink pattern. The colored ink(s) may contrast well with the activated carbon ink to provide an overall design that is more aesthetically than otherwise would be provided by a uniform coating of activated carbon ink.

Abstract: Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.

Abstract: This invention concerns extrudates having high surface area materials and at least one metal ion adsorbed onto the high surface area material. The extrudates may be breathable films, multilayer laminates and pultruded articles. The extrudates may be made into storage and packaging material to reduce odor and retard the ripening of fruit. The extrudates, if in the form of a breathable film or multilayer laminate may be used as outer cover material for personal care products like diapers, adult incontinence products, training pants and the like. The high surface area particle-containing extrudate may be made by adding modified nanoparticles to a filler before the filler is treated with a fatty acid. Alternatively, a filler previously treated with a fatty acid may be modified by subjecting the filler to sonic energy in the presence of an aqueous solution of metal ions and nanoparticles.

Abstract: Delivery systems for incorporating functional compounds into substrates for use in various consumer products are disclosed. Specifically, the delivery system includes a carrier component comprising an ultrasonically energized and electrically charged adsorbent and one or more functional compounds. The ultrasonically energized and electrically charged adsorbent can adsorb the desired functional compounds and bind the functional compounds to the surface of the substrate.