Abstract: An assay mixture includes a hydrogel of a shear-thinning ?-hairpin peptide, a plurality of cells, and one or more predetermined compounds being investigated for ability to affect the growth, viability, reproduction characteristics, or activity of the cells. A high throughput screening device includes a plurality of sample wells adapted for high throughput screening, wherein each well contains the assay mixture. A method of using the high throughput screening device includes a) depositing in each of the wells a ?-hairpin hydrogel including the cells; depositing in at least some of the wells one or more of the compounds, either along with the ?-hairpin hydrogel or separately; and c) measuring the growth, viability, reproduction characteristics, or activity of the cells in each of the plurality of wells.

Abstract: A modular water treatment apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of cells each respectively arranged in use for housing a treatment bed and a plurality of spacers located between respective adjacent cells. In use the spacers are for providing an air gap between the cells. The cells and spacers are stackable to provide a multiple stage treatment apparatus in which water to be treated percolates through the respective treatment beds located in the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sheet-like materials suitable for use in the containment and protection of various items, as well as the preservation of perishable materials such as food items. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved storage wrap material comprising a sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The first side comprises an active side exhibiting an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. The storage wrap material may be activated by different approaches, but in a preferred embodiment the active side is activatible by an externally applied force exerted upon the sheet of material. The force may be an externally applied compressive force exerted in a direction substantially normal to the sheet of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sheet-like materials suitable for use in the containment and protection of various items, as well as the preservation of perishable materials such as food items. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved storage wrap material comprising a sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The first side comprises an active side exhibiting an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. The storage wrap material may be activated by different approaches, but in a preferred embodiment the active side is activatible by an externally applied force exerted upon the sheet of material. The force may be an externally applied compressive force exerted in a direction substantially normal to the sheet of material.

Abstract: An earthing electrode assembly and method for providing a submerged electrical apparatus with an earth path, the electrode assembly having an earthing electrode, an attachment device for attaching the electrode assembly to a cable, and an insulated electrical connection for connecting the earthing electrode to the submerged electrical apparatus. The connection is formed to be of sufficient length for the submerged electrical apparatus to be protected from electrochemical effects resulting from operation of the earthing electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates an arrangement and a process for making the arrangement that comprises a tampon, an applicator unit, and a uniformly shaped film cap. The tampon has a withdrawal end opposed to an insertion end, the insertion end having a top portion. The applicator unit contains at least a portion of a tampon and has a bottom side opposed to a topside. The film cap is uniformly shaped and covers at least a portion of the top portion of the tampon and attaches to at least a portion of the applicator unit. The arrangement is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of attaching the planar film to the applicator and shaping and or stretching the planar film to create a film cap.

Abstract: An embossing and adhesive application process including the steps of: applying an adhesive to a first patterned embossing roll which is engaged with a second patterned embossing roll having a complementary pattern to the first embossing roll; passing a web of sheet material between the first and second embossing rolls at a tangential line speed to simultaneously emboss the web and direct the adhesive against the web; and splitting the adhesive such that at least some of the adhesive remains on the first embossing roll and some of the adhesive remains on the web to form an adhesive pattern between embossments on the web.

Abstract: An adherent sheet material and method of making including at least one adhesive, non-raised region protected from inadvertent adherence to a contact surface. This adherent sheet material also including a film having a front face and back face, wherein the front face has a plurality of collapsible, non-adhesive protrusions extending outwardly from the front face and adhesive, non-raised region disposed between the protrusions. Also, a substrate is bonded to the back face of film. An adherent sheet material including a contact adhesive protected from inadvertent adherence to a contact surface. This adherent sheet material also including a film having a front face and back face, wherein the front face has a plurality of collapsible, non-adhesive protrusions extending outwardly from the front face and adhesive, non-raised region disposed between the protrusions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved storage wrap material comprising a sheet of material comprising one or more layers, and having a first, active side and a second side, said sheet comprising a plurality of standoffs at a density of greater than about 200 standoffs per square inch; and an adhesive; wherein the standoffs are selected from the group consisting of deformable standoffs, removable standoffs, repositionable standoffs, frangible standoffs, or mixtures thereof; and wherein the storage wrap material is linerless and consists of no reinforcing or supporting elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional food wrap comprising a material web, an adhesive, and at least one secondary function. The material web is provided with a plurality of protrusions integral with the material web and having spaces therebetween. The adhesive is disposed within the spaces between the protuberances. The at least one secondary function may be a chemical means or a physical means and disposed within the adhesive, the material web, and/or the protuberances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved storage wrap material comprising a sheet of material comprising one or more layers and having a first, active side and a second side. The sheet comprises a plurality of protrusions integral with the first active side and the second side. The protrusions comprise from about 30% to about 70% of the first active side. The storage wrap material also comprises an adhesive continuously disposed upon the first active side.

Abstract: A submarine casing for a submarine cable is shielded by a metal sheath from the deleterious effects of hydrogen generated from a sea-earth by electrolysis. Cylindrical parts (3,4) are covered by a wrapped metal sheet (8) and tapering parts by a fitted or shrunk sleeve (9) overlapping the sheets and having a metal lining (10), making up the sheath.

Abstract: A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent material and a bonding material in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material and the absorbent material are thermally bonded so that the bonding material and the absorbent material form an amalgamated layer therebetween. A fluid impermeable material is in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material has a basis weight in the range of 4 g/m2 to about 100 g/m2 and, the sheet material exhibits a lamination efficiency of at least 10 g/m2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.

Abstract: In a cable system for connecting to an electrical apparatus, an earthing electrode assembly includes an earthing electrode, a mechanism for attaching the electrode to the cable while maintaining electrical insulation from the cable, and an electrical connection of the electrode to the electrical apparatus, the connection being long enough that the electrode is located at a distance from the apparatus such that the apparatus is substantially protected from the electrochemical effects resulting from operation of the electrode. The earthing electrode may include a titanium core which is coated with platinum or a mixed metal oxide of tantalum and iridium. Methods of attachment are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sheet-like materials suitable for use in the containment and protection of various items, as well as the preservation of perishable materials such as food items, comprise a sheet of material having a first active side and a second side. The first active side comprises a plurality of three-dimensional non-adherent protrusions extending outwardly from surrounding depressions and a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition coating on at least a portion of the depressions, wherein the adhesive composition coating has a thickness less than the height of the non-adherent protrusions and from about 0.00001 (0.00025 mm) to about 0.0002 inches (0.0051 mm) in thickness.

Abstract: A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent material and a bonding material in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material and the absorbent material are thermally bonded so that the bonding material and the absorbent material form an amalgamated layer therebetween. A fluid impermeable material is in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material has a basis weight in the range of 4 g/m2 to about 100 g/m2 and, the sheet material exhibits a lamination efficiency of at least 10 g/m2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates an arrangement and a process for making the arrangement that comprises a tampon, an applicator unit, and a uniformly shaped film cap. The tampon has a withdrawal end opposed to an insertion end, the insertion end having a top portion. The applicator unit contains at least a portion of a tampon and has a bottom side opposed to a topside. The film cap is uniformly shaped and covers at least a portion of the top portion of the tampon and attaches to at least a portion of the applicator unit. The arrangement is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of attaching the planar film to the applicator and shaping and or stretching the planar film to create a film cap.

Abstract: An embossing and adhesive application process including the steps of: applying an adhesive to a first patterned embossing roll which is engaged with a second patterned embossing roll having a complementary pattern to the first embossing roll; passing a web of sheet material between the first and second embossing rolls at a tangential line speed to simultaneously emboss the web and direct the adhesive against the web; and splitting the adhesive such that at least some of the adhesive remains on the first embossing roll and some of the adhesive remains on the web to form an adhesive pattern between embossments on the web.