Abstract: An air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The air freshener is made by injection molding a first shot of at least one polymer material to form the core, and injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto or into at least a portion of the core. The second shot of polymer material may be stretched about the portion of the core during injection molding, and may flow into a first hole formed in the core at or near the core distal end, and fills a second hole formed in the core at or near the core proximal end.

Abstract: An air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The air freshener is made by injection molding a first shot of at least one polymer material to form the core, and injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto or into at least a portion of the core. The second shot of polymer material may be stretched about the portion of the core during injection molding, and may flow into a first hole formed in the core at or near the core distal end, and fills a second hole formed in the core at or near the core proximal end.

Abstract: An air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The air freshener is made by injection molding a first shot of at least one polymer material to form the core, and injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto or into at least a portion of the core. The second shot of polymer material may be stretched about the portion of the core during injection molding, and may flow into a first hole formed in the core at or near the core distal end, and fills a second hole formed in the core at or near the core proximal end.

Abstract: An air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The air freshener is made by injection molding a first shot of at least one polymer material to form the core, and injection molding a second shot of at least one polymer material incorporating one or more fragrance materials over or onto or into at least a portion of the core. The second shot of polymer material may be stretched about the portion of the core during injection molding, and may flow into a first hole formed in the core at or near the core distal end, and fills a second hole formed in the core at or near the core proximal end.

Abstract: An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.

Abstract: An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.

Abstract: An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.

Abstract: A container for air freshening materials or other volatiles includes a receptacle or base and a cover that may be rotated from a closed position to multiple open positions while still engaged to the base to create vent passageway(s) between the cover and the base. A containment section of the base houses an air freshening material, such as a fragrance gel or potpourri, or a volatile, such as an insect repellant. The base further defines an alignment section adapted to rotationally and axially position the cover, an integrated sealing element, and an optional vent section. The alignment section includes a ramp and upper and lower locating elements coupled to the ramp. The alignment section engages at least one guide or a guide nub that extends from a depending arm of the cover. The guide or guide nub travels along the ramp from a first locating element when the cover is in a fully closed position to a second locating element when the cover is in a fully open position.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the formation of a polymer nanocomposite material using a high-concentration masterbatch as a source of nanocomposite filler.

Abstract: An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.

Abstract: This novel form of multiplexing allows the user to probe for multiple targets and simultaneously identify a specific target. An example of solutions provided here comprises: providing one or more assay mixes for a number of targets (the number of assay mixes is less than the number of targets); providing a number of reference patterns (each of the reference patterns is associated with one of the targets); contacting each of a number of aliquots with one of the assay mixes; generating a result pattern, based on positive or negative results; and selecting the reference pattern most similar to the result pattern, to thereby detect the target. Differential multiplexing with pattern recognition may involve molecular or immunological techniques to identify one of many indicators of drug use, illness, disease, or medical condition.

Abstract: A container for air freshening materials or other volatiles includes a receptacle or base and a cover that may be rotated from a closed position to multiple open positions while still engaged to the base to create vent passageway(s) between the cover and the base. A containment section of the base houses an air freshening material, such as a fragrance gel or potpourri, or a volatile, such as an insect repellant. The base further defines an alignment section adapted to rotationally and axially position the cover, an integrated sealing element, and an optional vent section. The alignment section includes a ramp and upper and lower locating elements coupled to the ramp. The alignment section engages at least one guide or a guide nub that extends from a depending arm of the cover. The guide or guide nub travels along the ramp from a first locating element when the cover is in a fully closed position to a second locating element when the cover is in a fully open position.

Abstract: This novel form of multiplexing allows the user to probe for multiple targets and simultaneously identify a specific target. An example of solutions provided here comprises: providing one or more assay mixes for a number of targets (the number of assay mixes is less than the number of targets); providing a number of reference patterns (each of the reference patterns is associated with one of the targets); contacting each of a number of aliquots with one of the assay mixes; generating a result pattern, based on positive or negative results; and selecting the reference pattern most similar to the result pattern, to thereby detect the target. Solutions provided here, which we term differential multiplexing with pattern recognition, may involve molecular or immunological techniques to identify one of many indicators of drug use, illness, disease, or medical condition. For example, we provide a simple method for identifying targets using combinations of real-time PCR reagent mixes and only one reporter.

Abstract: A pipe wrench or tool with an improved I-beam handle design having a ramped or tapered cross-sectional configuration, as well as an optional stronger ductile iron material. Specifically, the portion of the tool handle adjacent the jaw or tool operating portion, has wider flanges in the I-beam configuration than the flanges in the opposite end of the tool handle. Such a design adds additional strength at what are typically critical stress areas of the tool handle. The use of the present handle design, along with the use of a stronger ductile iron material, as disclosed here, provides wrenches using these features with a substantial improvement in tool strength as compared to conventional tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multipurpose device for the safe handling of sharp surgical implements and comprises a molded thermoplastic body that includes a container portion and a scalpel holder section. Magnetic material in the container holds scalpel blades and/or needles after use and magnetic material on the holder section presents a needle for pick-up by a needle holder. The scalpel holder section supports a scalpel or scalpels in cantilever fashion for convenient gripping and withdrawal by a surgeon. The body has a shape and surface characteristics that assures a secure hand grip even in wet conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the formation of a polymer nanocomposite material using a high-concentration masterbatch as a source of nanocomposite filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multipurpose device for the safe handling of sharp surgical implements and comprises a molded thermoplastic body that includes a container portion and a scalpel holder section. Magnetic material in the container holds scalpel blades and/or needles after use and magnetic material on the holder section presents a needle for pick-up by a needle holder. The scalpel holder section supports a scalpel or scalpels in cantilever fashion for convenient gripping and withdrawal by a surgeon. The body has a shape and surface characteristics that assures a secure hand grip even in wet conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multipurpose device for the safe handling of sharp surgical implements and comprises a molded thermoplastic body that includes a container portion and a scalpel holder section. Magnetic material in the container holds scalpel blades and/or needles after use and magnetic material on the holder section presents a needle for pick-up by a needle holder. The scalpel holder section supports a scalpel or scalpels in cantilever fashion for convenient gripping and withdrawal by a surgeon. The body has a shape and surface characteristics that assures a secure hand grip even in wet conditions.

Abstract: A packaging and disposal system for sealing waste and related materials within flexible plastic tubing for odorless and sanitary disposal. Improvements in the latch, including the addition of a transverse mounted latch spring, and improvements in the support retention springs serve to increase the ability of the device to operate efficiently and effectively and reduce the potential of accidental spills or other exposure of the waste package. The latch requires two independent motions to actuate and incorporates a transversely mounted latch spring. The reduced cross-sectional area of the retention spring design concentrates force applied to the package to increase the effective holding ability of the system.

Abstract: An injection-molded thermoplastic closure with shake-and-spoon apertures and associated flaps for selectively closing and opening the apertures. The flaps are releasably retained in their closed positions by catch elements which provide retention forces that are relatively insensitive to dimensional and shape variations in the body resulting from the molding process. In one embodiment, the cap has “freeze points” and a gate location that reduce the tendency of the cap to assume an oval condition when cooled from molding temperatures. A wide sealing ledge cooperates with a central support for a liner seal positioned in the cap to seal the mouth of a container.