Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric can have a population of spunmelt fibers. The population of spunmelt fibers can include a first spunmelt fiber comprising a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is a hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer comprising 65% (w/w) to 90% (w/w), inclusive, hydrophilic segments. The second polymer is a hydrophobic thermoplastic elastomer. The first spunmelt fiber comprises 20% (w/w) to 80% (w/w), inclusive, of the first polymer.

Abstract: A customer loyalty method including receiving transaction information associated with a transaction between a customer and a merchant, determining, in accordance with a set of predefined loyalty benefit rules associated with the merchant, a loyalty benefit associated with the transaction information, associating the loyalty benefit with a transaction identifier, receiving the transaction identifier from the customer, and crediting, to an account associated with the customer and in association with the merchant, the loyalty benefit associated with the transaction identifier received from the customer.

Abstract: An antimicrobial hydroalcoholic composition comprising hydroalcoholic solvent system comprising a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 50:50; a thickener system comprising at least one cationic or nonionic polymeric thickener that is solid at ambient temperature; and a secondary antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Skin antiseptic composition dispensers and methods of use are disclosed. The skin antiseptic composition dispenser may include a container with one or more walls that are substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas during normal ethylene oxide sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the container may include flexible walls free of metallic foil barrier layers. The containers may also include one or more vents in addition to one or more openings used to dispense the skin antiseptic composition within the container. The dispenser may include an applicator with a hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: An iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive is provided. This adhesive is prepared by mixing iodine and an iodide salt, individually or in combination, with solubilizing liquids. The iodine and iodide salt are combined with a pre-adhesive composition in a hot melt mixer, with an iodine/iodide complexing agent being present in the mixture. The mixture is mixed at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 200° C. and sufficiently to form an iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive. Alternatively, the iodide may be generated in situ. The adhesive so prepared may be packaged for coating on a substrate at a later time, or may be immediately coated to form an adhesive composite. Adhesive composites, particularly surgical incise drapes, are provided incorporating this hot melt coatable adhesive.

Abstract: Dispensers comprising dispenser valves are described. In one aspect, the dispenser comprises: a connection for connecting the dispenser to a container for holding dispensable product therein; a dispenser valve comprising a valve outlet having a closure element configured to assume an opened condition when the pressure differential across the dispenser valve reaches a cracking pressure and a closed condition when the pressure differential across the dispenser valve is less than the cracking pressure, the dispenser valve configured to permit flow therethrough in only one direction when the closure element is in the opened condition; and a pump mechanism configured to pump dispensable product from the connection to the dispenser valve and to generate the cracking pressure needed to configure the closure element in the opened condition. In embodiments, the dispenser valve can be provided as a duckbill valve, a reed valve or the like.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast system, including a hydrophilic inner layer; a hydrophobic outer layer having opposing surfaces adjacent to said hydrophilic inner layer, wherein the hydrophobic layer has an apparent surface energy less than about 60 dynes per centimeter; and a curable casting material disposed on one of the opposing surfaces is provided. Additionally, a method of immobilizing a body part is provided. An orthopedic cast kit is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods for applying or dispensing surgical prep solution. The applicator system includes a spreader element and a container of surgical prep solution. The spreader element includes a body with an orifice covered by a pad. The orifice is in fluid communication with a passage through an elongated stem connected to the body. The container may be collapsible with only limited recovery. The spreader element may include a receptacle for receiving the container.

Abstract: Antimicrobial articles that include a fatty acid monoester and an enhancer are described that are effective for killing at least 99.9% of microorganisms on the surface of the article.

Abstract: A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.

Abstract: Antiviral compositions, especially those useful when applied topically, particularly to mucosal tissues (i.e., mucous membranes), including, in particular, an antiviral lipid component, such as a fatty acid ester, fatty ether, or alkoxide derivative thereof. Such compositions provide effective topical antimicrobial activity and are accordingly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions that are caused, or aggravated by, microorganisms (including viruses).

Abstract: The present application provides dental compositions, methods of making, and methods of using dental compositions that include an antimicrobial lipid component and a water-dispersible, polymeric film-former.

Abstract: The present application provides pet wipes with antimicrobial compositions, and methods of using the pet wipes.

Abstract: The present application provides dental compositions, methods of making, and methods of using dental compositions that include an antimicrobial lipid component and a hardenable component.

Abstract: Antiseptic compositions, as well as methods of making and using, wherein the compositions include: an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of iodine (I2), an iodophor, and a combination thereof, wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to provide an available iodine concentration of at least about 0.25 wt-%; a hydroxycarboxylic acid buffer in an amount of at least about 5 wt-%; water; and an optionally substantive film-forming polymer.

Abstract: A force sensing membrane comprises (a) a first conductor that is movable toward a second conductor; (b) a second conductor; and (c) a composite material disposed between the first and second conductors for electrically connecting the first and second conductors under application of sufficient pressure therebetween; and (d) means for measuring dynamic electrical response across the force sensing membrane, the composite material comprising conductive particles at least partially embedded in an elastomeric layer, the conductive particles having no relative orientation and being disposed so that substantially all electrical connections made between the first and second conductors are in the z direction, and the elastomeric layer being capable of returning to substantially its original dimensions on release of pressure.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition includes a polymer adhesive material having a pH of less than 7, a cationic thickener or an anionic thickener formed from at least one anionic monomer having a pKa of less than 3, and water. The adhesive composition has a stringing length of 9 cm or less and a sag distance of 10 mm or less.

Abstract: A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions, especially those useful when applied topically to tissue, such as mucosal tissues (i.e., mucous membranes), that include an antimicrobial selected from the group consisting of peroxides, C6-C14 alkyl carboxylic acids, C6-C14 alkyl carboxylate ester carboxylic acids, C8-C22 mono- or polyunsaturated carboxylic acids, and antimicrobial natural oils. The compositions can also include an enhancer component, a surfactant, a hydrophobic component, and/or a hydrophilic component. Such compositions provide effective topical antimicrobial activity and are accordingly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions that are caused, or aggravated by, microorganisms (including viruses).

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions, especially those useful when applied topically, particularly to mucosal tissues (i.e., mucous membranes), including an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of halogenated phenols, bisphenols, diphenyl ethers, anilides and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. The compositions can also include an enhancer component, a surfactant, a hydrophobic component, and/or a hydrophilic component. Such compositions provide effective topical antimicrobial activity and are accordingly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions that are caused, or aggravated by, microorganisms (including viruses).