Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental hygiene appliance, a pad usable in such an appliance, and a method of using such an appliance. The dental hygiene appliance comprises a plurality of mushroom-shaped bristles, wherein the mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a material with Shore 00 hardness between about 50 and about 100. The mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a stipe, a pileus, and optionally a brim. The dental hygiene appliance may be a monolithic body, or comprises a monofacial pad, or bifacial pad, that is held by a dental hygiene appliance frame. The advantage of having a brim is that it offers a larger area for dental hygiene appliance to interact with the tooth surface, and the brim allows the brim to get into crevices of teeth that are too small for pileus to enter. The interstitial space between the mushroom-shaped bristles may also comprise a dentifrice composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates a microcapsule that comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a polymeric shell comprised of polymeric materials such as polyether, polyester, polyamine, polyamide, polyurea, polyurethane, polythiocarbamate, and polythiocarbonate. The outer surface of shell comprises surface functional groups such as hydroxide, primary amine, carboxylic acid, or protected forms thereof. These surface functional groups may be reacted further with reactants to place specific organic groups on the surface of the microcapsule. Such microcapsules are prepared by a modified interfacial condensation polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental hygiene appliance, a pad usable in such an appliance, and a method of using such an appliance. The dental hygiene appliance comprises a plurality of mushroom-shaped bristles, wherein the mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a material with Shore 00 hardness between about 50 and about 100. The mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a stipe, a pileus, and optionally a brim. The dental hygiene appliance may be a monolithic body, or comprises a monofacial pad, or bifacial pad, that is held by a dental hygiene appliance frame. The advantage of having a brim is that it offers a larger area for dental hygiene appliance to interact with the tooth surface, and the brim allows the brim to get into crevices of teeth that are too small for pileus to enter. The interstitial space between the mushroom-shaped bristles may also comprise a dentifrice composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates a microcapsule that comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a polymeric shell comprised of polymeric materials such as polyether, polyester, polyamine, polyamide, polyurea, polyurethane, polythiocarbamate, and polythiocarbonate. The outer surface of shell comprises surface functional groups such as hydroxide, primary amine, carboxylic acid, or protected forms thereof. These surface functional groups may be reacted further with reactants to place specific organic groups on the surface of the microcapsule. Such microcapsules are prepared by a modified interfacial condensation polymerization.

Abstract: An oral appliance with opposite channels for receiving the upper and lower dental arches is made from an edible material, in particular a gel. The appliance is integrally molded with protrusions that act as brush bristles to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums when manipulated in a chewing motion. The gel composition is water soluble and degrades in saliva. After chewing on the appliance for a time to clean the teeth, the product becomes masticated, broken up and ingested. The appliance can incorporate a breath freshener or an active dental composition, or can be flavored or can incorporate a food supplement or pharmaceutical, in which case the appliance is intended to be chewed up and eaten after serving its tooth cleaning function. Dentifrice reservoirs, air passageways and lateral braces for manipulation by the tongue can be provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a formulation and method for treating solid waste from animals. The formulation comprises a surfactant having antimicrobial activity, preferably a cationic surfactant, and a solvent, preferably water. The preferred cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium compound. The formulation may further include one or more of acids, bases, enzymes, oxidizing agents, foamants, colorants, and/or fragrances. The formulation is prepared as a concentrate composition for use with a suitable diluent, such as water. The diluted composition is applied to the waste as a pressurized jet of fluid, such as using a sprayer attached to a garden hose. The result is that the solid waste is substantially sanitized, disintegrated and/or deodorized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from waste material. The waste material is added to a solvent having a predetermined cycle starting solvent volume. An energy source is introduced into the solvent for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature and pressure to form a non-grindable product. The energy source is removed and the product is cooled to a predetermined temperature to produce the fuel. The invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the process described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from waste material. The waste material is added to a solvent having a predetermined cycle starting solvent volume. An energy source is introduced into the solvent for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature and pressure to form a non-grindable product. The energy source is removed and the product is cooled to a predetermined temperature to produce the fuel. The invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the process described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from fluff. The fluff is added to a solvent having a predetermined cycle starting solvent volume. An energy source is introduced into the solvent for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature and pressure to form a product. The energy source is removed and the product is cooled to a predetermined temperature to produce the fuel. The invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the process described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economic process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from polymeric materials such as, for example, used tires. In a first embodiment, polymeric material is dissolved/suspended/dispersed in biodiesel upon heating to form a product containing between about 10% and about 35% by weight of polymeric material. At least some of the biodiesel is recovered and reused to dissolve/suspend/disperse additional polymeric material to form additional product. After a predetermined number of cycles, the accumulated product is used as a fuel. In a second embodiment, polymeric material is dissolved/suspended/dispersed upon heating in biodiesel to form a mixture containing between about 30% and about 90% by weight of the polymeric material to be used as heavy fuel oil to be burned as is or bulk refined. The present invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the processes described.

Abstract: Alkyl halides can be effectively scrubbed from gas streams containing them by passing the gas streams through dispersers having a very small pore size into an aqueous scrubbing liquid containing a nucleophile such as thiosulfate. Optionally, the addition of a water-soluble organic compound to the scrubbing liquid may increase the rate of destruction of the alkyl halide. Alkyl halides such as methyl bromide can be effectively scrubbed from enclosed spaces containing the halide, for example in enclosures used for fumigation.

Abstract: An alkyl halide such as methyl bromide can be effectively removed from a gas stream by passing the gas stream through a bed of adsorbent at a relatively low temperature to adsorb the alkyl halide onto the adsorbent, desorbing the alkyl halide at a higher temperature to produce a smaller volume of gas containing the alkyl halide in more concentrated form, and then reacting the alkyl halide with a nucleophile contained in a liquid phase by contacting this smaller gas volume with such liquid phase.

Abstract: Alkyl halides can be effectively scrubbed from gas streams containing them by passing the gas streams through dispersers having a very small pore size into an aqueous scrubbing liquid containing a nucleophile such as thiosulfate. Optionally, the addition of a water-soluble organic compound to the scrubbing liquid may increase the rate of destruction of the alkyl halide. Alkyl halides such as methyl bromide can be effectively scrubbed from enclosed spaces containing the halide, for example in enclosures used for fumigation.

Abstract: An oral appliance with opposite channels for receiving the upper and lower dental arches is made from an edible material, in particular a gel. The appliance is integrally molded with protrusions that act as brush bristles to clean the teeth and stimulate the gums when manipulated in a chewing motion. The gel composition is water soluble and degrades in saliva. After chewing on the appliance for a time to clean the teeth, the product becomes masticated, broken up and ingested. The appliance can incorporate a breath freshener or an active dental composition, or can be flavored or can incorporate a food supplement or pharmaceutical, in which case the appliance is intended to be chewed up and eaten after serving its tooth cleaning function. Dentifrice reservoirs, air passageways and lateral braces for manipulation by the tongue can be provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a formulation and method for treating solid waste from animals. The formulation comprises a surfactant having antimicrobial activity, preferably a cationic surfactant, and a solvent, preferably water. The preferred cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium compound. The formulation may further include one or more of acids, bases, enzymes, oxidizing agents, foamants, colorants, and/or fragrances. The formulation is prepared as a concentrate composition for use with a suitable diluent, such as water. The diluted composition is applied to the waste as a pressurized jet of fluid, such as using a sprayer attached to a garden hose. The result is that the solid waste is substantially sanitized, disintegrated and/or deodorized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from fluff. The fluff is added to a solvent having a predetermined cycle starting solvent volume. An energy source is introduced into the solvent for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature and pressure to form a product. The energy source is removed and the product is cooled to a predetermined temperature to produce the fuel. The invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the process described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economic process which utilizes biodiesel and other high boiling esters containing short alkyl groups to produce liquid fuels from polymeric materials such as, for example, used tires. In a first embodiment, polymeric material is dissolved/suspended/dispersed in biodiesel upon heating to form a product containing between about 10% and about 35% by weight of polymeric material. At least some of the biodiesel is recovered and reused to dissolve/suspend/disperse additional polymeric material to form additional product. After a predetermined number of cycles, the accumulated product is used as a fuel. In a second embodiment, polymeric material is dissolved/suspended/dispersed upon heating in biodiesel to form a mixture containing between about 30% and about 90% by weight of the polymeric material to be used as heavy fuel oil to be burned as is or bulk refined. The present invention also encompasses the fuel formed by the processes described.

Abstract: A method and system for reactively destroying alkyl halides in volume or stream of gas. The method and device employ nucleophilic reaction of the alkyl halide under phase transfer catalysis conditions. The method and system are useful for scrubbing applications requiring the reduction of alkyl halide concentrations to very low levels.

Abstract: Alkyl halides can be effectively scrubbed from gas streams containing them by passing the gas streams through dispersers having a very small pore size into an aqueous scrubbing liquid containing a nucleophile such as thiosulfate. Optionally, the addition of a water-soluble organic compound to the scrubbing liquid may increase the rate of destruction of the alkyl halide. Alkyl halides such as methyl bromide can be effectively scrubbed from enclosed spaces containing the halide, for example in enclosures used for fumigation.

Abstract: A method for preparing organic products from aqueous solutions, such as waste or byproduct liquid streams and waste or byproduct gas or vapor streams, uses phase transfer catalysis to transfer a chemical species in low concentration from the aqueous solution to the organic phase or the aqueous-organic interface. The system has little or no organic solvent, and the organic phase contains an electrophile which participates in the reaction. In one embodiment, the aqueous solution is contacted with the electrophile and a phase transfer catalyst and, optionally, a pH adjusting agent in the event that the chemical species in the aqueous solution is not sufficiently ionized to react with the electrophile, and optionally an organic solvent. A method for continuously converting a chemical species involves this contacting step, separating the phases, then dividing the organic phase into the product, the phase transfer catalyst, and the optional organic solvent.