Abstract: A dispensing system is provided and can be embodied in a dispensing closure for a container having an opening. The system includes a unitary, resiliently flexible, molded valve array structure for being sealingly disposed on the container over the container opening. The valve array structure includes an impervious membrane. The valve array structure also includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, slit valves molded unitary with the membrane. Each valve has a normally closed dispensing orifice which opens when the pressure in the interior of the container exceeds the pressure on the exterior of the valve by a predetermined amount. The valves can be arranged to discharge parallel streams, diverging streams, or converging streams.

Abstract: A device that measures the distance traveled, speed, and height jumped of a person while running or walking. Accelerometers and rotational sensors are placed in the sole of one shoe along with an electronic circuit that performs mathematical calculations to determine the distance and height of each step. A radio frequency transmitter sends the distance and height information to a wristwatch or other central receiving unit. A radio frequency receiver in the wristwatch or other unit is coupled to a microprocessor that calculates an output speed based upon step-distance and elapsed time, and the distance traveled of the runner from the sum of all previous step distances. The output of the microprocessor is coupled to a display that shows the distance traveled, speed, or height jumped of the runner or walker.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for a container having an opening to the interior. The container has a sealable seat around the opening and a thread. A closure is disposed on the container. The closure defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with the container thread for accommodating movement of the closure between a lowered position and an elevated position. The closure defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between the container opening and the exterior of the closure. The closure includes a dispensing valve disposed in the dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow. The closure includes an occlusion member inwardly of the valve in the dispensing passage to sealingly engage the container seat and prevent flow from the container opening into the dispensing passage below the valve when the closure is in the lowered position and to permit flow into the dispensing passage when the closure is in the elevated position.

Abstract: This invention relates to high molecular weight bioresorbable copolymers constructed to be useful for specific applications in the biomedical arts. Also provided is a new cyclic carbonate monomer, and copolymers containing the new monomers.

Abstract: A dispensing structure is provided for discharging the contents from the interior of a container. The structure includes a body for extending from the container. The body defines a dispensing opening and a sealing surface around the dispensing opening. A lid is provided for movement between open and closed positions. The lid has a frame defining a lid dispensing passage through the lid. The lid includes a flexible valve that is disposed within the lid frame across the lid dispensing passage. The flexible valve has self-sealing slits which open to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure on the side of the valve facing the container when the lid is closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the malodor associated with disposable absorbent products intended for the absorption of body fluids. The method involves applying to the absorbent product, prior to its use, an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of body fluids, which disposable absorbent product includes an absorbent structure including a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, a covering material, and an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine.

Abstract: A dispensing structure is provided for discharging the contents from the interior of a container. The structure includes a body for extending from the container. The body defines a dispensing opening and a sealing surface around the dispensing opening. A lid is provided for movement between open and closed positions. The lid has a frame defining a lid dispensing passage through the lid. The lid has a sealing member for sealingly engaging the body sealing surface when the lid is in the closed position. The lid includes a flexible valve that is disposed within the lid frame across the lid dispensing passage. The flexible valve has self-sealing slits which open to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure on the side of the valve facing the container when the lid is closed.

Abstract: An oligomer composed of a carbohydrate head group and an oligomer chain is disclosed. Methods for increasing the oligomerization rates of lactones and cyclic carbonates are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the malodor associated with disposable absorbent products intended for the absorption of body fluids. The method involves applying to the absorbent product, prior to its use, an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of body fluids, which disposable absorbent product includes an absorbent structure including a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, a covering material, and an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for a container having an opening to the container interior. The dispensing system includes a closure with an elevator that is disposed within the container opening for movement between a fully elevated position and a fully lowered position while the elevator is restrained by the container from rotating. The elevator has a seat defining an inlet passage and has a thread. A rotatable housing is mounted on the container at the opening and has a thread engaged with the elevator thread. The housing has a dispensing passage and an occlusion member. The occlusion member sealingly engages the elevator seat and prevents flow through the elevator inlet passage when the elevator is in the fully elevated position. When the elevator is moved away from the fully elevated position by rotation of the housing, flow is permitted through the inlet passage and into the housing dispensing passage. A flexible dispensing valve is sealingly secured across the dispensing passage in the housing.

Abstract: Biodegradable blends including a first, polylactic acid-based polymer or copolymer, and a second polymer or copolymer including one or more polyesters, e.g., an aliphatic polyester or a polyester of one aliphatic C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 diacid or of a combination of two more different aliphatic C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 diacids, wherein the first and second polymers are present in a ratio of 9:1 to 1:9, are described.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container having an opening. The closure includes a base for mounting to the container around the opening. A dispensing valve is disposed across the base and defines an orifice which opens to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure within the container and closes to shut off flow therethrough upon removal of the increased pressure. An outer member is included on the base outwardly of the valve. The outer member defines at least one dispensing aperture and functions as a flow baffle and/or guard for protecting the valve.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container. The closure has a body for being mounted over the container opening and defines an orifice for communicating through the container opening with the container interior. The body also defines a pair of spaced-apart bearing cavities. A compression member has distal first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to engage a rear abutment wall of the body, and the second end is pivotally connected to the lid at a location spaced from the trunnion axis. Each bearing cavity has a clearance on opposite sides of the trunnion received therein when the lid is in the full closed position. The compression member length is such that the distal first end is spaced from the body rear abutment wall when the lid is in the full closed position.

Abstract: An improved molded structure is provided in the form of a container closure having a base and lid. A resilient elbow connects an extension arm to the lid. A spring link, which includes a first leg, a second leg, and a resilient second elbow connecting the legs, extends between the closure base and lid. A first film hinge connects the link first leg with the extension arm. A second film hinge connects the link second leg with the lid. A third film hinge connects the lid and base. A special panel can be connected by another hinge to the base or lid which includes a first engaging structure. The panel includes a second engaging structure for effecting a snap-fit engagement with the first engaging structure. The closure can be molded as a unitary structure with the panel in a first position, and subsequently the panel can be pivoted about the hinge to a second position with the first and second engaging structures in snap-fit engagement.

Abstract: A closure is provided for the opening to a container. The body defines a discharge aperture communicating with the housing. A housing is disposed on the body for movement between a lowered position and an elevated position. The housing defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between the body discharge aperture and the exterior of the housing. The housing includes a dispensing valve disposed in the dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow. The housing includes an occlusion member or plug between the valve and the body discharge aperture to prevent flow from the discharge aperture into the dispensing passage below the valve when the housing is in the lowered position and to permit flow into the dispensing passage when the housing is in the elevated position.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container having an opening. The closure includes a base for mounting to the container around the opening. A dispensing valve is disposed across the base and defines an orifice which opens to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure within the container and closes to shut off flow therethrough upon removal of the increased pressure. A dispersion baffle is included on the base outwardly of the valve. The baffle defines a plurality of dispensing apertures.

Abstract: A cartridge for a closure, and a closure containing such a cartridge, are provided for accommodating the dispensing of a liquid product from a container. The cartridge includes a body, a valve seated in the body, and a retainer engaged with the body to hold the retainer and body in a clamping relationship retaining the valve in position on the body. A standardized valve and overall cartridge design may be employed with a variety of different closure housings for different containers.