Abstract: A scent dispenser is provided which comprises a cylinder having a cylinder chamber for receiving a hollow piston which includes a piston body that is closely fitted to the cylinder chamber and is slideable therein, upward to a fully extended position and downward to a fully compressed position. The piston body also includes a cylindrical piston chamber having an opening at a bottom end of the piston body, which body is sized and shaped to receive a scent cell therein. The piston further includes a cover attached to or integral with an upper end of the piston body. The scent cell may be in the form of a substrate of nonwoven fibrous material capable of allowing air to flow readily through the scent cell and through a volatile scented substance contained therein. The scent cell may further comprise a coating material capable of reversibly absorbing or adsorbing the volatile scented substance, while allowing air to flow readily through the scent cell.

Abstract: A composite for on demand release of fragrance, comprising a foam layer imbibed with fragrance; a top polymer layer, impermeable to said fragrance but containing perforations; and a bottom double sided film adhesive layer with a releaser liner on the outside surface; such that said foam layer is in between said top and bottom layer and when compressed by a user said fragrance is released thru the perforations in said top layer. Related method of manufacture and use of the composites in a book are also provided.

Abstract: A composite for on demand release of fragrance, comprising a foam layer imbibed with fragrance; a top polymer layer, impermeable to said fragrance but containing perforations; and a bottom double sided film adhesive layer with a releaser liner on the outside surface; such that said foam layer is in between said top and bottom layer and when compressed by a user said fragrance is released thru the perforations in said top layer. Related method of manufacture and use of the composites in a book are also provided.

Abstract: A method of extracting sparingly soluble organic contaminants from a water or gas stream is provided. Contaminants are removed from a contaminant stream by passing the stream through hydrophilic polyurethane or a composite comprising an open cell hydrophobic polyurethane foam having a plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores which have disposed thereon a coating of a substantially open cell hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The hydrophilic polyurethane or composite may then be regenerated when saturated with contaminant.

Abstract: A foam composite adapted to remove sparingly soluble hydrocarbon contaminants from water is provided. The adapted foam composite comprises a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic polyurethane foam having a plurality of pores with a plurality of surfaces which have a coating of hydrophobic polyurethane disposed thereupon. The foam composite may be made by preparing a hydrophobic polyurethane prepolymer comprising the reaction product of a C8-C12 monohydric alcohol with a polyisocyanate, contacting an open cell hydrophobic polyurethane foam having a plurality of pores having a plurality of surfaces with the hydrophobic polyurethanes prepolymer and a polyol, and curing the prepolymer to form a coating of hydrophobic polyurethane on the surfaces of the pores of the hydrophobic polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A sustained drug delivery system is disclosed comprising an open cell or reticulated, hydrophilic polyurethane.

Abstract: A process of making a foam composite of desired pore size and conformation is provided. An emulsion of a hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer which upon curing forms a substantially open cell hydrophilic polyurethane polymer foam is prepared and contacted with an open cell hydrophobic polyurethane foam having a plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores. The hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer emulsion is then cured while by contacting with a gas at elevated temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a coating of substantially open cell hydrophilic polyurethane polymer foam on the hydrophobic polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: The invention is broadly in a scrubber for cleaning the lumen of a cannula of an endoscopic medical instrument comprising:

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of a substantially hydrophobic foam material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: A cosmetic delivery system that uses the chemically and physically stable nature of a hydrophilic polyurethane sponge as the medium, as opposed to creams or lotions that require surfactants, emulsifiers, stabilizers and thickeners.

Abstract: A foam composite made up of a scaffold of an open cell hydrophobic material having plurality of surfaces defining a plurality of pores, and a coating of a substantially hydrophilic foam material disposed upon the surfaces of the hydrophobic foam. The resulting foam composite exhibits structural characteristics of the hydrophobic foam and absorbency characteristics of the hydrophilic foam.

Abstract: An electrically controlled polymer composite which, when acted upon by an electric current, contracts or relaxes. It can also serve as a smart drug delivery device. The polymer composite is a series of hydrogel layers, each of which serve a particular purpose. A nonionic layer serves as a reservoir for an ionic salt while layers on either side can be anionic hydrogels and cationic gel. The invention can include an imbedded strain gauge by which the contractions or relaxations are monitored and controlled. The device is capable of being controlled by a computer with data acquisition and control capabilities.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cellulose ether by reacting in a heterogenous reaction mixture an alkaline solution and an etherifying agent with a fibrous cellulose. The total of the required stoichiometric amount of the alkaline solution and at least a portion of the etherifying agent required in producing the cellulose ether are admixed (e.g. in a mixing nozzle) at sufficiently low temperature to suppress reaction between the alkaline solution and the etherifying agent. The admixture is then contacted with the cellulose fibers, preferably by spraying the admixture thereupon. Additional of the etherifying agent if required is then added to the reaction mixture, and the heterogenous reaction mixture is agitated and reacted at an initial temperature below 40.degree. C. sufficient to produce alkalization of the cellulose. Thereafter the temperature is increased above 40.degree. C., preferably incrementally or gradually up to about 100.degree. C., preferably to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble dispersant for aqueous slurries of coal, lignite, cement, gypsum, and fillers. The dispersant comprises a sulfonated mixture of polynuclear fused-ring aromatic hydrocarbon compounds. The mixture, prior to sulfonation, (a) is liquid at a temperature of 100.degree. Centigrade, (b) has an aromatic content of more than about sixty percent, (c) a molecular weight distribution of from about 150 to about 10,000, and (d) a weight average molecular weight of less than about five hundred.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling the reaction between cellulose and an etherifying agent which comprises the steps of (a) combining cellulose with an alkylene oxide and alkyl halide in a reactor wherein an etherification reaction is initiated which includes a vapor phase, (b) periodically measuring the quantity of at least one of the reactants or products in the vapor phase of the reactor and therewith determining the rate of the etherification reaction taking place, and (c) regulating the reaction temperature continuously while the reaction is taking place by using the rate of reaction determined in step (b) to determine the amount of heating or cooling needed for the reactor.