Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent body located between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a cover and backing joined together to form a pocket with an object disposed therein. The enclosure is joined with the absorbent article and is adapted to transition from a closed condition to an open condition such that the object disposed within the enclosure may be accessed.

Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a polymeric substrate that provides multiple releases of active agents. A substrate for multiple phase delivery of active agents is provided having a first polymer matrix layer having a first active agent disposed therein, a second polymer matrix layer having a second active agent disposed therein, and a coacervate layer disposed between the first polymer matrix layer and the second polymer matrix layer. Selected first and second active agents are included in the first and second polymer matrices such that as the first and second polymer matrices dissolve, the active agents are released. Multiple phase active agent release is achieved by constructing multiple layers of a polymer matrix containing an active agents formed with polymers having different solubility characteristics or with active agents at different concentration levels.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent body located between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a cover and backing joined together to form a pocket with an object disposed therein. The enclosure is joined with the absorbent article and is adapted to transition from a closed condition to an open condition such that the object disposed within the enclosure may be accessed.

Abstract: A sensor wipe, made in part by a hydroentangling or conforming process, includes fibers onto which an indicator dye is immobilized. The substrate may be used to make sensor wipes for testing surface conditions, including but not limited to pH or the presence of certain microbes. The indicator dye does not leach from the sensor wipe. The indicator dye may be reversible so that the sensor wipe can be reused prior to disposal.

Abstract: A cleansing composition is described. The cleansing composition generally contains an antimicrobial agent, a heating agent, and a thermochromic agent. During use, the heating agent heats the composition so that the antimicrobial agent becomes more effective. The thermochromic agent, on the other hand, changes the color of the composition as it is heated in order to indicate to a user that the composition is at a desired temperature. In an alternative embodiment, instead of containing a heating agent, a heating source can be used to heat the composition. The heating source can be, for instance, an electrical resistance heater.

Abstract: Delivery compositions and substrates for imparting a volatile active agent to a surface are disclosed herein. To achieve the delivery of the volatile component, a delivery composition of a carbohydrate matrix and a volatile component is incorporated into the carbohydrate matrix to stabilize the volatile for extended periods of time. The delivery composition further comprises a self-generating expelling agent to expel the volatile component onto the contaminated surface or skin upon addition of a triggering agent.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which antimicrobial agents, particularly, hydrophobic antimicrobial agents, can be mixed with one or more formulations is disclosed. Specifically, the treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which a formulation and antimicrobial agents flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulation and antimicrobial agents within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: Compositions having durable antimicrobial activity are disclosed herein. The durable antimicrobial compositions include a carbonate/bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation, an organic acid, hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant, and a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer includes either a (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride monomer or a [2-(acrylolyoxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride monomer. The cationic polymer also includes another monomer selected from a polar, water-soluble monomer, a hydrophobic, silicone-containing monomer or mixtures of both types of monomers in combination with one of the trimethylammonium chloride monomers. The surfactant is selected from cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions having durable antimicrobial activity. The compositions include a carbonate/bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation, an organic acid, hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant and a polymer. The polymer is selected from cationic amine polymer-epichlorohydrin adduct, cationic amine polymer-epichlorohydrin resin, poly(methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium)chloride, poly(bis(2-chloroethyl)ether-alt-1,3-bis(dimethylamino)propyl)urea, poly(diallyldimethylammonium)chloride, poly(t-butyl acrylate co-ethyl acrylate co-methacrylic acid), polyethylene oxide, polyquaternium-16, polyquaternium-22, polyquatemium-67 and combinations thereof. The surfactant is selected from cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a particulate dispensing system to dispense particulates into a treatment chamber and the treatment chamber in which particulates can be mixed with one or more formulations is disclosed. Specifically, the treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which a formulation and particulates flow longitudinally from an inlet port to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulation and particulates within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: A cleansing composition is disclosed that changes color during use. The cleansing composition contains a plurality of thermochromic dyes that cause a color change to occur at a threshold temperature and continue to cause a color change over a temperature range. The range of temperatures corresponds to approximately the amount of time sufficient to properly wash or scrub using the product.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment system having a treatment chamber for treating a formulation to increase the shelf life thereof. In one embodiment, the shelf life is produced by degassing the formulation using the treatment chamber. Specifically, the treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which a formulation flows longitudinally from an inlet port to a first outlet port and a second outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulation within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling authentication of on-line communications. In some embodiments, a message code is embedded in an e-mail, where the message code can be used by the recipient to verify the authenticity of the e-mail or of a Web site. In some embodiments, this code can be created for a particular e-mail message; in other embodiments, the code is created as a watermark for use by a customer or other a specific user or recipient. The message code is associated with both the e-mail message and the recipient. In the case of a message-specific code, a recipient can verify the e-mail message by inputting the code via a Web server to be looked up in the database. Provision is also made for including stenographic information in graphical or other codes as further authentication when accessing a Web site.

Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling authentication of on-line communications. In some embodiments, a message code is embedded in an e-mail, where the message code can be used by the recipient to verify the authenticity of the e-mail or of a Web site. In some embodiments, this code can be created for a particular e-mail message; in other embodiments, the code is created as a watermark for use by a customer or other a specific user or recipient. The message code is associated with both the e-mail message and the recipient. In the case of a message-specific code, a recipient can verify the e-mail message by inputting the code via a Web server to be looked up in the database. Provision is also made for including steganographic information in graphical or other codes as further authentication when accessing a Web site.