Abstract: A method of stabilizing aqueous solutions of antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compounds (SQACs) from premature polymerization where the stabilizing agent is selected from a list of antimicrobial, naturally occurring, renewable, volatile, liquid phytochemical essential oils that easily form crystal clear microemulsions when water is added to the concentrated SQAC/essential oil mixture. These non-foaming oil-in-water microemulsions have excellent long term storage stability, remain very low in viscosity and do not phase or precipitate for many months. Many essential oils found to be useful in this process are non-toxic food additives having pleasant scents, have low flammability yet are volatile enough to evaporate upon cure down of the SQAC, resulting in a higher concentration of SQAC in the cured, antimicrobial film.

Abstract: Antimicrobial treated articles and compounds. The article includes a substrate and an antimicrobial mixture of an effective amount of at least one antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compound, at least one essential oil and the balance water. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial mixture is forming in a reaction medium for mixing the at least one antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compound and the at least one essential oil together prior to treating the substrate.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing aqueous solutions of antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compounds (SQACs) from premature polymerization where the stabilizing agent is selected from a list of antimicrobial, naturally occurring, renewable, volatile, liquid phytochemical essential oils that easily form crystal clear microemulsions when water is added to the concentrated SQAC/essential oil mixture. These non-foaming oil-in-water microemulsions have excellent long term storage stability, remain very low in viscosity and do not phase or precipitate for many months. Many essential oils found to be useful in this process are non-toxic food additives having pleasant scents, have low flammability yet are volatile enough to evaporate upon cure down of the SQAC, resulting in a higher concentration of SQAC in the cured, antimicrobial film.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing aqueous solutions of antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compounds (SQACs) from premature polymerization where the stabilizing agent is selected from a list of antimicrobial, naturally occurring, renewable, volatile, liquid phytochemical essential oils that easily form crystal clear microemulsions when water is added to the concentrated SQAC/essential oil mixture. These non-foaming oil-in-water microemulsions have excellent long term storage stability, remain very low in viscosity and do not phase or precipitate for many months. Many essential oils found to be useful in this process are non-toxic food additives having pleasant scents, have low flammability yet are volatile enough to evaporate upon cure down of the SQAC, resulting in a higher concentration of SQAC in the cured, antimicrobial film.

Abstract: Antimicrobial treated articles and compounds. The article includes a substrate and an antimicrobial mixture of an effective amount of at least one antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compound, at least one essential oil and the balance water. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial mixture is formed in a reaction medium for mixing the at least one antimicrobial silanol quaternary ammonium compound and the at least one essential oil together prior to treating the substrate.

Abstract: A retail shelf molding includes a rear wall having a channel for holding information or inventory tickets and a front wall having an outwardly facing channel for displaying price tickets. The shelf molding is preferably integrally formed as an extrusion wherein the rear wall and the front wall are connected by a living hinge. The living hinge is located at the bottom edges of the front and rear walls so that they hingeably open from the top edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing and selectively cutting lengths of plastic film from a roll. A box-shaped container has side, front, rear, and bottom walls, and a cover hinged adjacent the rear wall. The cover affords access to the container, so that a packaged roll of film may be placed inside with its axis extending between and perpendicular to the side walls. The container has side spacers that normally receive a 4-inch width roll package, and a narrower, 2-inch width roll package may be received for which there are provided extensions for the spacers. The spacers slightly compress the package to provide drag on the roll as it becomes lighter. Disposition of the roll package is such that film may be removed from the upper region of the roll, through a slotted opening between the front wall and the adjacent free edge of the closed cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing metered amounts of mercury and silver alloy, for the production of dental amalgam, is disclosed. The apparatus can dispense the silver alloy in either tablet or powder form and is provided with a stirring member in the silver alloy powder supply container to agitate the powder during the metering and dispensing thereof so as to alleviate the problem of clumping. The apparatus also has a member to adjust the amount of mercury being dispensed and an element for locking the adjusting member securely against accidental shifting out of position.