Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable pet leash apparatus having a hollow casing, a spool which is mounted for rotation within the casing and which has a pair of sides, a leash which is coiled on the spool in a retracted position and which is extendable through an aperture formed in a wall of the hollow casing upon application of a force, a spring means which is disposed within the hollow housing and which is engageable with the spool for biasing the spool for rotation to retract the leash into the hollow casing. A brake device is engageable with the spool for selectively fixing a free end of the leash at a predetermined distance from the casing and enabling retraction and extension of the leash relative to the hollow casing. The invention also provides a pocket on the exterior surface of the casing for receiving pet identification or immunization tag and a carrying ring.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, sanitary pad or tampon, wound dressing or bandage which includes a nonwoven web material made from a plurality of polymeric fibers having at least one treatment chemistry suitable for modifying at least one characteristic of a high viscoelasticity fluid upon contact with the high viscoelasticity fluid. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment, the treatment chemistry is suitable for immobilizing the high viscoelasticity fluid within the nonwoven web material.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, sanitary pad or tampon, wound dressing or bandage which includes a nonwoven web material made from a plurality of polymeric fibers having at least one treatment chemistry suitable for modifying at least one characteristic of a high viscoelasticity fluid upon contact with the high viscoelasticity fluid. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment, the treatment chemistry is suitable for immobilizing the high viscoelasticity fluid within the nonwoven web material.

Abstract: An agend fiber composed of an active agent/positive dispensing carrier combination and a fiber forming component. As a fiber or nonwoven or textile fabric containing the fiber, the agend delivers the active agent at a desired rate under conditions of use. Product applications include personal care products such as diapers, training pants, swimwear, refastenable pants, absorbent underwear, feminine hygiene products, incontinent wear, wound dressings and cleansing wipes. The fibers may be formed as monocomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers of varying configurations. Active agents that can be dispensed include skin wellness agents, therapeutic agents, and cleaning agents, for example. In accordance with the invention, agend fibers provide desirable uniformity of dispensing and control of dispensing rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material including a substrate with a first and a second surface, a boundary layer which is comprised of one or more compositions, and a topical application. The boundary layer is applied on the first surface of the substrate, and the topical application is applied to a surface of the boundary layer opposite of the substrate. Transfer efficiency of the topical application is enhanced as the transfer forces necessary to separate the topical application from the boundary layer are lower than the transfer forces necessary to separate the substrate from the boundary layer.

Abstract: An agend fiber composed of an active agent/positive dispensing carrier combination and a fiber forming component. As a fiber or nonwoven or textile fabric containing the fiber, the agend delivers the active agent at a desired rate under conditions of use. Product applications include personal care products such as diapers, training pants, swimwear, refastenable pants, absorbent underwear, feminine hygiene products, incontinent wear, wound dressings and cleansing wipes. The fibers may be formed as monocomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers of varying configurations. Active agents that can be dispensed include skin wellness agents, therapeutic agents, and cleaning agents, for example. In accordance with the invention, agend fibers provide desirable uniformity of dispensing and control of dispensing rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sequestering skin irritants with a skin irritant sequestering composition comprising a substrate, a hydrophilic skin irritant sequestering agent and a hydrophobic skin irritant sequestering agent. In one embodiment the sequestering agents are comprised of modified and non-modified clays. The present invention further also provides a method of sequestering skin irritants comprising administering to the stratum corneum of an individual's skin a skin irritant sequestering composition comprising a substrate, a skin irritant sequestering amount of a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic skin irritant sequestering agents. In one embodiment the skin irritants are bound to sequestering agents present on a substrate. In another embodiment the skin irritants are bound to sequestering agents present on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin irritant sequestering composition comprising a tissue substrate, a hydrophilic skin irritant sequestering agent and a hydrophobic skin irritant sequestering agent. In one embodiment the sequestering agents are comprised of modified and non-modified clays. In one embodiment, the skin irritants are bound to sequestering agents present on a substrate. In another embodiment the skin irritants are bound to sequestering agents present on the skin.

Abstract: Methods of using absorbent personal care articles, such a diapers and adult incontinent briefs, comprising an absorbent article and having disposed thereon a skin irritant sequestering effective amount of an unmodified particulate skin irritant sequestering agent, and a lipophilic skin health benefit agent are provided. An unmodified particulate skin irritant sequestering agent can be a clay, such as bentonite or laponite unmodified by organic amphiphilic compounds. A lipophilic skin health benefit agent can be stearic acid, isoparrafin, petrolatum, and a combination thereof. The skin irritant can be bound to the sequestering agent either on an individual's skin or on the absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination for surface treatment of a substrate, e.g. a nonwoven web, used in personal care product applications. The surface treatment combination not only provides adequate fluid handling properties, but also provides a topical delivery system effective in depositing a thin, tenacious and substantially continuous coating of a skin health benefit agent on skin by an aqueous emulsion mediated dissolution of the agent from a substrate with subsequent transfer and deposition onto the skin. Coatings of the skin health benefit agent on the skin resist removal, thereby preventing damage to the natural skin barrier and providing a protective barrier against chemically- and biochemically-induced skin damage.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical delivery system effective in depositing a thin, tenacious and substantially continuous coating of a sacrificial substrate on skin by an aqueous emulsion mediated dissolution of protein from a sheet material with subsequent transfer and deposition onto the skin. Coatings of sacrificial substrate on skin resist removal, thereby providing a protective barrier against chemically- and biochemically-induced skin damage. The treatment composition also provides a vehicle for administering an effective dose of an active agent to the skin surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical delivery system effective in depositing a thin, tenacious and substantially continuous coating of a silk protein on skin by an aqueous emulsion mediated dissolution of protein from a substrate with subsequent transfer and deposition onto the skin. Coatings of silk protein on skin resist removal, thereby providing a protective barrier against chemically- and biochemically-induced skin damage. The treatment composition also provides a vehicle for administering an effective dose of an active agent to the skin surface.

Abstract: Absorbent personal care articles, such a diapers and adult incontinent briefs, are provided comprising an absorbent article and having disposed thereon a skin irritant sequestering effective amount of an unmodified particulate skin irritant sequestering agent, and a lipophilic skin health benefit agent. An unmodified particulate skin irritant sequestering agent can be a clay, such as bentonite or laponite unmodified by organic amphiphilic compounds. A lipophilic skin health benefit agent can be stearic acid, isoparrafin, petrolatum, and a combination thereof. The skin irritant can be bound to the sequestering agent either on an individual's skin or on the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles, such as a personal care product, having (i) a topsheet having a body-facing surface, said topsheet having a medicinal composition pattern applied to a region of the body-facing surface of the topsheet in an effective amount and wherein said pattern comprises individual segments having at least one dimension less than about 4 millimeters (extending in the MD and CD plane); and (ii) an absorbent material positioned adjacent the topsheet. In a further aspect, the article may further include a backsheet, which is desirably liquid-impervious, and which is positioned adjacent the absorbent material and opposite the topsheet. The present invention is also directed to a process for making said absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material including a substrate with a first and a second surface, a boundary layer which is comprised of one or more compositions, and a topical application. The boundary layer is applied on the first surface of the substrate, and the topical application is applied to a surface of the boundary layer opposite of the substrate. Transfer efficiency of the topical application is enhanced as the transfer forces necessary to separate the topical application from the boundary layer are lower than the transfer forces necessary to separate the substrate from the boundary layer.

Abstract: A personal care absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, sanitary pad or tampon, wound dressing or bandage which includes a nonwoven web material made from a plurality of polymeric fibers having at least one treatment chemistry suitable for modifying at least one characteristic of a high viscoelasticity fluid upon contact with the high viscoelasticity fluid. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment, the treatment chemistry is suitable for immobilizing the high viscoelasticity fluid within the nonwoven web material.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.