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Carbon media filter element

Abstract:  A carbon media filter element with urethane frame and seal has a border member composed of urethane providing a combined structural frame and seal extending along the perimeter and providing both the support frame for the media and a seal along the ends of the media sheet retaining carbon granules between backing layers and preventing escape of carbon granules out of the end. Manufacturing apparatus and methods are provided.

Claim 1. A carbon media filter element with urethane frame and seal comprising carbon filter media comprising

a granular carbon layer, including carbon granules, sandwiched between first and second backing layers and forming a sheet having a perimeter with first and second axial ends distally oppositely axially spaced along an axis along an axial direction, and first and second lateral ends distally oppositely laterally spaced relative to said axis along a lateral direction and extending axially between said first and second axial ends, said sheet being pleated alone axially extending bend lines to provide a plurality of pleats extending axially between said first and second axial ends,

a border member composed of urethane and comprising a combined structural frame and seal extending along said perimeter and providing both a support frame for said media and a seal along said ends of said sheet retaining said carbon granules between said first and second backing layers and preventing escape of said carbon granules out of said ends,

wherein said pleats have a pleat height extending between said bend lines along a height direction normal to said axial direction and normal to said lateral direction, and

wherein said border member has a height extending along said height direction and at least as great as the height of said pleats and covering and encapsulating said first and second axial ends including said carbon layer and said first and second backing layers,

said border member has a first section extending along said height direction and providing said support frame and said seal, and has a second section extending laterally outwardly from said first section in L-shape cross-section along all four of said ends, namely said first and second axial ends and said first and second lateral ends, said second section being resiliently compressible along said height direction for gasket sealing, both of said first and second sections being composed of urethane,

said L-shape having a first leg providing said first section and a second leg providing said second section.

 

Polymers, containing a fluorocyclobutyl ring and their preparation

Abstract:  This invention concerns olefins having a terminally disposed fluorocyclobutyl ring bearing an ionic functionality or a precursor thereto, a process for the production thereof, and polymers formed therefrom.

Claim 1.   A terminally unsaturated olefin of the formula (see images) wherein R is oxygen or an alkylene or alkylene ether group wherein one or more of the hydrogens may be substituted by halogen, and R.sub.f is a radical of the formula (see images) wherein R.sub.f' is a bond or is a fluoroalkylene or fluoroalkylene ether group, Y is F or O, Z is a univalent metal and m=0 or 1 with the proviso that m=0 when Y is F, and m=1 when Y is O, R.sub.f being ionizable in character when m=1.


 

Polysaccharide-based superabsorbent film

Abstract:  A superabsorbent polysaccharide can be obtained by crosslinking a polysaccharide or derivative thereof with at least 1% by weight of a flexible spacer having a chain length of at least 9 chain atoms and having terminal activated coupling groups. The flexible spacer may comprise a polyalkyleneglycol with a molecular weight from about 400 to 10,000. The coupling groups may be provided by divinyl sulphone units.

Claim 1.   A process for producing a crosslinked flexible superabsorbent polysaccharide, comprising

reacting a polyalkyleneglycol with at least two equivalents of a reagent containing one or more activated double bonds selected from the group consisting of divinyl sulphone, maleic anhydride, dichloroacetone, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, dimethylolurea, dimethylolimidazolidone, diexpoides, epichlorohydrin, diisocyanates, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) sulphone, formaldehyde, and glyoxal, to form a crosslinking spacer having a chain length of at least 9 chain atoms and having terminal activated coupling groups and

reacting at least 1% by weight of the crosslinking spacer with a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl, alkyl, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl derivatives in the presence of a catalyst.

Claim 2.    A hygiene product containing a crosslinked flexible superabsorbent polysaccharide film produced according to the process of claim 1.

Claim 3.    The process according to claim 1, wherein said reagent comprises divinyl sulphone.

Claim 11.    The crosslinked flexible superabsorbent polysaccharide according to claim 4, which has the form of a film having a thickness of between 10 and 500 .mu.m.


 

Compounds and methods for treating glycogen storage disease and other pathological conditions resulting from formation of age-proteins

Abstract:  Disclosed is a class of compounds which inhibit the enzymatic conversion of fructose-lysine into fructose-lysine-3-phosphate in an ATP dependent reaction in a newly discovered metabolic pathway. According to the normal functioning on this pathway, fructose-lysine-3-phosphate (FL3P) is broken down to form free lysine, inorganic phosphate and 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), the latter being a reactive protein modifying agent. 3DG can be detoxified by reduction to 3-deoxyfructose (3DF), or it can react with endogenous proteins to form advanced glycation end-product modified proteins (AGE-proteins). Also disclosed are therapeutic methods of using such inhibitors to treat glycogen storage diseases, including Fanconi's syndrome, as well as other pathological conditions resulting from the formation of AGE-proteins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:  The present invention relates to therapeutic agents and their use for the treatment of diabetes, and in particular for preventing, reducing or delaying the onset of diabetic complications and other disorders of related etiology, such as glycogen storage diseases, including Fanconi's syndrome. More particularly, the present invention relates to a class of enzyme inhibitors which inhibit the enzymatic conversion of fructose lysine (FL) to fructose-lysine-3-phosphate (FL3P), which is believed to be an important step in the biochemical mechanism leading to diabetic complications.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - it is hereby acknowledged that the U.S. Government has certain rights in the invention described herein, which was made in part with funds from the National Institutes of Health (Grant Nos. DK44050, DK50317, DK50364, and DK55079).

Claim 1.     A compound having the structural formula: (see images) wherein X is a divalent moiety selected from the group consisting of --NR'-, --S(O)--, --S(O).sub.2--, or --O--, R' being selected from the group consisting of H, and linear or branched chain alkyl group (C.sub.1 C.sub.4) and an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group (C.sub.6 C.sub.10) and an aralkyl group (C.sub.7 C.sub.10);

R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of H, an amino acid residue, said amino acid including said NR' moiety, a polyaminoacid residue said polyamino acid including said NR' moiety, a peptide chain, a linear or branched chain aliphatic group (C.sub.1 C.sub.8), which is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one nitrogen or oxygen-containing substituent, a linear or branched chain aliphatic group (C.sub.1 C.sub.8), which is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one nitrogen- or oxygen-containing substituent and interrupted by at least one --O--, --NH--, or --NR''- moiety, R'' being linear or branched chain alkyl (C.sub.1 C.sub.6) and an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group (C.sub.6 C.sub.10) or aralkyl group (C.sub.7 C.sub.10), with the proviso that when X represents --NR'-, R and R', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, may also represent a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring atoms, with at least one of nitrogen and oxygen being the only heteroatoms in said ring, said aryl group (C.sub.6 C.sub.10) or aralkyl group (C.sub.7 C.sub.10), and said heterocyclic ring substituents being selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl (C.sub.1 C.sub.6), halogen, CF.sub.3, CN and --O-alkyl (C.sub.1 C.sub.6); R.sub.1 is a polyol moiety having 1 to 4 linear carbon atoms;

Y is a hydroxymethylene moiety --CHOH--;

Z is selected from the group consisting of --H, O-alkyl (C.sub.1 C.sub.6), -halogen, --CF.sub.3, --CN, --COOH and --SO.sub.3H.sub.2; or its pharmaceutically acceptiable salt or its stereoisomer, except that X--R in the above formula does not represent hydroxyl or thiol.


3.    The compound according to claim 2, 3--O--methylsorbitol-lysine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer. A metal silicate dielectric layer is initially deposited on the wafer. A dopant having dissociable oxygen is introduced into the metal silicate on the wafer. According to one embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal and the dopant is an oxide of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. According to another embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group III metal.

Claim 1. A method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer, the method comprising: depositing a dielectric layer including a metal silicate on the wafer wherein the metal silicate layer comprises a metal from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ti, Hf, Nd, Sm, Gd, Fe, Co, Cr, V, Mg, W, Bi, Pb, U, Th, Cu and Yb; and introducing a dopant having dissociable oxygen into the metal silicate layer.

Claim 5. The method of forming a high-k dielectric layer as recited in claim 1, wherein the dopant comprises one of CaO and SrO.

Claim 9. The method of forming a high-k dielectric layer as recited in claim 1, wherein the dopants are oxides with dissociation energies in the range from about 400 to 1400 kJ/mol.

Abstract: A stent comprising a coating layer is disclosed. The coating layer has a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component, wherein a region of the coating layer on or about the outermost surface of the coating layer has a higher content or concentration of the hydrophilic component than the hydrophobic component.

Cross Reference: This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/375,620, filed on Feb. 26, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,919.

Claim 1. A stent comprising a coating layer, the coating layer having a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component, wherein a region of the coating layer on or about the outermost surface of the coating layer has a higher content or concentration of the hydrophilic component than the hydrophobic component and wherein the hydrophilic component has a solubility parameter higher than about 8.5 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2.

Claim 3. The stent of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components are bonded in the coating layer.

Claim 4. The stent of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components are an interpenetrating polymer network.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the reaction between ions of opposite polarity is disclosed. The method includes exposing a population of ions to a resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, the resonance excitation frequency being tuned to inhibit the mass-to-charge altering reaction between an ion of the first subpopulation of ions having a predetermined mass-to-charge ratio and an ion of the second subpopulation of ions so that when an ion of the first subpopulation of ions attains the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, the ion having the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of the second subpopulation of ions.

Government Rights: This invention was made with support of funds provided under Grant No. GM 45372 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications: This application is a U.S. national counterpart application of international application Serial No. PCT/US02/25419 filed Aug. 12, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/312,574 filed Aug. 15, 2001.

Claim 1. A method of operating an ion trap, comprising: (a) creating an ion trapping potential within a chamber of said ion trap with an electrode assembly of said ion trap; (b) disposing a population of ions in an area defined by said ion trapping potential, wherein (i) said population of ions includes a first subpopulation of ions and a second subpopulation of ions, (ii) each ion of said first subpopulation of ions carries multiple charges, (iii) each ion of said first subpopulation of ions has a mass-to-charge ratio which is the same or different as other ions of said first subpopulation of ions such that ions of said first subpopulation of ions define a range of mass-to-charge ratios, and (iv) each ion of said second subpopulation of ions carries a charge which is opposite to a charge carried by each ion of said first subpopulation of ions; and (c) exposing said population of ions to a first resonance excitation frequency during a mass-to-charge altering reaction between said first subpopulation of ions and said second subpopulation of ions, said first resonance excitation frequency being tuned so that (i) when an ion of said first subpopulation of ions attains a first predetermined mass-to-charge ratio, said ion having said first predetermined mass-to-charge ratio is selectively inhibited from reacting with ions of said second subpopulation of ions and (ii) ions of said first subpopulation of ions having said first predetermined mass-to-charge ratio are selectively accumulated in said chamber of said ion trap during said exposure of said population of ions to said first resonance excitation frequency.

Claim 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: said ions which carry multiple positive charges include a substance selected from the group consisting of peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, and synthetic polymer.

Liquid-assisted cryogenic cleaning

Abstract:  The present invention is directed to the use of a high vapor pressure liquid prior to or simultaneous with cryogenic cleaning to remove contaminants from the surface of substrates requiring precision cleaning such as semiconductors, metal films, or dielectric films. A liquid suitable for use in the present invention preferably has a vapor pressure above 5 kPa and a freezing point below -50.degree. C.

Claim 1:    A method for removing at least one contaminant from a substrate, comprising: heating the substrate; applying cryogenic material to the heated substrate; and applying at least one liquid to react with the at least one contaminant on the heated substrate.

Claim 6:     The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid has a vapor pressure greater than or equal to 5 kPa at 250.degree. C.

Claim 7:    The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid has a freezing point of less than or equal to about -50.degree. C.

Claim 8:    The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid has a dipole moment of greater than about 1.5 D.

Claim 9:    The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid is selected from ethanol, acetone, ethanol-acetone mixtures, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, methyl fonnate, methyl iodide, ethyl bromide, acetonitrile, ethyl chloride, pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, and any combination thereof.

 

Cooking method for pulp

Abstract:  A lignocellulose material is cooked by means of an alkaline cooking liquor containing polysulfides in the presence of a quinone-hydroquinone compound, of which the oxidation-reduction potential in the form present during the cooking, which potential is a value calculated as a standard oxidation-reduction potential (Ea) with a hydrogen ion activity of 1, is within a range of from 0.12 to 0.25V to the standard hydrogen electrode potential. It is thereby possible to cook the lignocellulose material with a low Kappa number and in good yield and at the same time, to reduce the amount of the chemical solution used and to reduce the load on a recovery boiler.

Claim 1:    A method for cooking pulp, which comprises the step of: a) pulping a lignocellulose material with an alkaline cooking liquor containing polysulfides in the presence of a quinone-hydroquinone compound, wherein the oxidation-reduction potential of the quinone-hydroquinone compound, in the form present during the cooking, is from about 0.12 0.25 V to the standard hydrogen electrode potential, wherein the potential is a value calculated as a standard oxidation-reduction potential (Ea) with a hydrogen ion activity of 1, and wherein the alkaline cooking liquor comprises polysulfide sulfur at a concentration of at least about 8 g/L, calculated as sulfur, and Na.sub.2S-state sulfur at a concentration of at least about 10 g/l, calculated as Na.sub.2O.

Claim 3:    The method of claim 1, wherein the alkaline cooking liquor during the cooking contains from about 0.01 1.5 wt. % of the quinone-hydroquinone compound based on bone-dry chip.

 

Wood adhesives

Abstract:  The present invention relates to a process for bonding two or more wood substrates by using as the adhesive isocyanate-terminated prepolymers having an isocyanate content of 8 to 20 wt. % and containing the reaction product of a) at least one organic polyisocyanate with b) at least one organic polyhydroxyl compound containing the reaction products of i) organic polyisocyanates with ii) polyamines, hydrazines and/or hydrazides having primary and/or secondary amino groups dispersed in a iii) polyethers having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of 500 to 12,000; and, the present invention also relates to the bonded substrates obtained by this process.

Claim 1:    In a process for bonding two or more wood substrates, the improvement which comprises adhesively bonding two or more wood substrates using as an one component adhesive an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having an isocyanate content of 8 to 20 wt. % and containing the reaction product of a) at least one organic polyisocyanate with b) at least one organic polyhydroxyl compound containing the reaction product of i) an organic polyisocyanate with ii) a polyamine, hydrazine and/or a hydrazide having primary and/or secondary amino groups dispersed in iii) a polyether having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of 500 to 12,000.

Claim 3:    The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction product of b-i) with b-ii) is a polyurea and/or a polyhydrazo dicarbonamide particles and has a particle size of 0.01 to 10 .mu.m.

Claim 5:    The process of claim 1 wherein component b) comprises the reaction product of 16.9 parts by weight of a mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene in a weight of 80 to 20 with 4.85 parts by weight of hydrazine hydrate in 80 parts by weight of a polypropylene ether polyol with a functionality of greater than 2.

Claim 8:    Two or more wood substrates bonded together with an one component adhesive comprising an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having an isocyanate content of 8 to 20 wt. % and containing the reaction product of a) at least one organic polyisocyanate with b) at least one organic polyhydroxyl compound containing the reaction product of i) an organic polyisocyanate with ii) a polyamine, hydrazine and/or a hydrazide having primary and/or secondary amino groups dispersed in iii) a polyether having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of 500 to 12,000.

 

Abstract: A composition for forming an elastomeric article is disclosed. The composition includes an elastomeric material and a film leveler, where the film leveler is present in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 5.0% by mass of the composition.

Claim 1.   A method for preparing an elastomeric glove comprising:

providing a hand-shaped glove former;

dipping the former into a gripping layer composition comprising a first styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer and a first silicone polyether;

dipping the former into a substrate body composition comprising a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer and a second silicone polyether; and

dipping the former into a donning layer composition comprising a second styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer and a third silicone polyether.


Claim 7.   A method for preparing an elastomeric article comprising:

preparing a substrate body from a composition comprising an elastomeric material and a first silicone polyether surfactant; and

forming a first layer over at least a portion of said substrate body, said first layer comprising a first styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer and a second silicone polyether surfactant, and

forming a second layer over at least a portion of said substrate body, said second layer comprising a second styrene-butadiene-styrene block and a third silicone polyether surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a chemiluminescent device along with a process for its production. The invention specifically relates to a chemiluminescent article of manufacture which includes a containment device and chemical system, both of which may be selected so as to be particularly susceptible to environmental degradation subsequent to their use. In a preferred embodiment the chemiluminescent device is categorized as being biodegradable, i.e. designed to be capable of losing its physical form and re-entering the environment.

Claim 1. A chemiluminescent light producing device comprising

a biodegradable polymeric composition,

said biodegradable polymeric composition forming an outer containment device enclosing at least one inner frangible vial,

said outer containment device and said vial containing a chemical system,

said outer containment device and said vial each containing one of an oxalate component and a peroxide component of said chemical system, separately,

said oxalate component and said peroxide component producing visible light when intermixed in said polymeric outer containment device,

said oxalate component comprising a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol dibenzoate and acetyltributyl citrate;

wherein said biodegradable polymeric composition comprises at least one polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, polyactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and polyetherketone.

Claim 5. A chemiluminescent light producing device comprising

a polymeric composition that disintegrates so as to lose its physical form,

said polymeric composition forming an outer containment device enclosing at least one inner frangible vial,

said outer containment device and said vial containing a chemical system,

said outer containment device and said vial each containing one of an oxalate component and a peroxide component of said chemical system, separately,

said oxalate component and said peroxide component producing visible light when intermixed in said polymeric outer containment device,

said oxalate component comprising a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol dibenzoate and acetyltributyl citrate; wherein said polymeric composition comprises a starch/polyolefin combination whereby said polymeric composition is capable of disintegrating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are oxygen scavenging compositions and packaging articles that comprise (a) a metal catalyzed oxidizable compound and (b) at least one of a transition metal carboxylate, wherein the transition metal carboxylate comprises at least one carboxylate group and wherein each carboxylate group comprises between 20 and 30 carbon atoms, inclusive, such as cobalt behenate or cobalt arachidate.
 

Claim 1. An oxygen scavenging composition, comprising: at least one metal catalyzed oxidizable organic compound, and at least one transition metal carboxylate, wherein the transition metal carboxylate comprises a behenate or an arachidate.
 

Abstract: A method of fabricating a long carbon nanotube yarn includes the following steps: (1) providing a flat and smooth substrate; (2) depositing a catalyst on the substrate; (3) positioning the substrate with the catalyst in a furnace; (4) heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature; (5) supplying a mixture of carbon containing gas and protecting gas into the furnace; (6) controlling a difference between the local temperature of the catalyst and the furnace temperature to be at least 50.degree. C.; (7) controlling the partial pressure of the carbon containing gas to be less than 0.2; (8) growing a number of carbon nanotubes on the substrate such that a carbon nanotube array is formed on the substrate; and (9) drawing out a bundle of carbon nanotubes from the carbon nanotube array such that a carbon nanotube yarn is formed.

Claim 1: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube yarn comprising: (1) forming a carbon nanotube array; and (2) drawing out a bundle of carbon nanotubes from said carbon nanotube array such that a carbon nanotube yarn is formed.

Claim 2: The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of forming a carbon nanotube array comprises:

(1) depositing a catalyst on a substantially flat and smooth substrate;

(2) positioning the substrate with the catalyst in a furnace;

(3) heating the furnace up to a predetermined temperature;

(4) supplying a mixture of carbon containing gas and protecting gas into the furnace;

(5) controlling a difference between the local temperature of the catalyst and the furnace temperature to be at least 50.degree. C.;

(6) controlling the partial pressure of the carbon containing gas to be less than 0.2; and

(7) growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on the substrate such that the carbon nanotube array is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The use of low molecular weight amino alcohols in ophthalmic compositions is described. These compounds have been found to enhance the efficacy of anti-microbial preservatives.

Claim 1: A method of enhancing the antimicrobial activity of an aqueous ophthalmic composition containing a borate compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of boric acid, and combinations thereof, which comprises including 0.01 to 2.0% w/v of an amino alcohol having a molecular weight of 60 to 200 grams/mole in said composition.

Claim 8: A method according to claim 1, wherein the amino alcohol is selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-dimethylamino-methyl-1-propanol (DMAMP), 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol (AEPD), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD), 2-amino-1-butanol (AB), and combinations thereof.

Claim 9: A method according to claim 8, wherein the amino alcohol comprises AMP.

Claim 16: A method according to claim 1, wherein the composition does not contain a conventional anti-microbial preservative.

Abstract: There is disclosed a burnable used oil fuel product by the process comprising: (a) obtaining a used oil sample having at least 1% (by weight) aqueous substances; (b) heating the used oil sample to a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C.; and (c) extracting a volume of water from the heated used oil by adding super critical CO.sub.2.

Claim 1: An apparatus for purifying waste oil, comprising:

(a) a preprocessing analyzer section connected to an input stream for waste oil and an output;

(b) a preprocessing switch controlled by the analyzer section having an input connected to an analyzer section output and an output, the preprocessing switch having a first output and a second output;

(c) a heating section connected to the first output of the preprocessing switch and a microwave heating section connected to the second output; and

(d) a demulsification section connected a heating output and having an output lower for settling.

Coatings with enhanced microbial performance

Abstract:  Coatings with enhanced microbial performance can be applied to any surface that is subject to growth of unwanted or undesired organisms. Each layer of the multilayered article may contain microorganisms, enzymes, nutrients and other ingredients that contribute to the microbial performance of each layer and the multilayered article.

Claim sample:  1. An article having a coating on at least a portion of a surface thereof, said coating comprising at least two layers, wherein at least one first layer comprises at least one microorganism which produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme, and wherein at least one second layer, different from said first layer, contains at least one ingredient selected from (a) microorganism that produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme, (b) an amylolytic enzyme or (c) proteolytic enzyme, and a (d) nutrient for said microorganism of the at least one first layer.

Natural feel polymers

Abstract:  Natural feel polymers exhibit an advantageous blend of flexibility and a strong affinity to natural fibers imparting a natural feel when applied to keratin-based fibers, e.g. hair, skin, or textiles, e.g. cotton, wool, and are water-soluble and water-resistant. The polymers include repeat units of a monomer (e.g. .alpha.-olefin) maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid, maleamic acid and maleimide, which are derivatized with a polyether amine.

Claim sample:  1. A natural feel polymer which shows an advantageous blend of stiffness and flexibility, a strong affinity to natural fibers, water-solubility and water-resistance, characterized structurally by repeat units of
     (a) a monomer-maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid,
     (b) maleamic acid, and
     (c) maleimide, of the formulas: ##STR00003## where:
  R, R₁, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, ester, acid, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amido, fluoro, halo and silyl, and
  R.sub.4 is H or alkyl; and
  R' is a polyoxyalkylene amine, having the formula: ##STR00004## where
  R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected from H and alkyl; and
  n and m are integers from 1-50; wherein: x, y and z are present, in mole %, of 0-99.9, 0-50 and 0.1-100, respectively.
 

Method and product for mitigating pet malodors

Abstract:  The invention provides a method and product for mitigating or eliminating pet malodor(s) with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition, the composition containing about at least 0.01% to about 10% of an dialkali metal tetraborate n-hydrate (with n being an integer from 0 to 10), 0.1 3% water soluble/dispersible polymer, 1 25% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, at least 75% water.

Claim samples:  1. A product for mitigating or eliminating pet malodor(s) on surfaces to which the malodors have been applied, the product consisting essentially of: an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition, the composition containing about at least 0.01% to about 10% of a dialkali metal tetraborate n-hydrate wherein n is an interger from 0 to 10, 0.1 3% water dispersible acrylic emulsion polymer having an acid number from about 75 500 and an average molecular weight of about 500 20,000, 1 25% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, and at least 75% water.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein said malodor(s) are from ammonia formation due to decomposition of urea present in animal waste.

3. The method for the mitigation of pet malodor(s) on surfaces comprising contacting said malodor(s) with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition wherein the malodor(s) are from ammonia formation due to decomposition of urea present in animal waste, and wherein the composition consisting essentially of: about at least 0.01% to about 10% of a dialkali metal tetraborate n-hydrate wherein n is an interger from 0 to 10, 0.1 3% water dispersible acrylic emulsion polymer having an acid number from about 75 500 and an average molecular weight of about 500 20,000, 1 25% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, and at least 75% water.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said composition further comprises at least one aesthetic and/or functional additive.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said dialkali metal tetraborate n-hydrate is selected from the group consisting of borax pentahydrate and borax decahydrate.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said solvent is selected from the C.sub.1-6 alkanols and C.sub.1-24 glycol ethers.

Cosmetic compositions with improved thermal stability and wear

Abstract:  Anhydrous cosmetic compositions comprising hydrolyzed jojoba ester with increased short- and long-term thermal stability are disclosed. The compositions exhibit increased thermal stability of at least about 1.degree. C., preferably at least about 5.degree. C., and most preferably, at least about 10.degree. C., and optimally at least about 15.degree. C. The compositions provide excellent aesthetic and long-wear properties and are resistant to liquid syneresis and are useful in cosmetic and personal care formulations.

Claim samples:  1. An anhydrous cosmetic composition comprising a cosmetic active and a sufficient quantity of hydrolyzed jojoba ester necessary to maintain thermal stability in the anhydrous composition subject to about a 1.degree. C. or higher increase in temperature.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least about 1.0% by weight of hydrolyzed jojoba ester.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least about 5% by weight of hydrolyzed jojoba ester.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least about 20% by weight of hydrolyzed jojoba ester.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition can maintain thermal stability when subject to about a 5.degree. C. or higher increase in temperature.
 

Sanitizing sponge container

Abstract:  Sanitizing sponge disinfectant container bowls are disclosed, which are deep enough to hold cleaning sponges completely submerged in a disinfectant fluid. These containers are equipped with lids having downward projecting shafts or rotatable screw bolts which fit into the container bowl and press down on a sponge being sanitized. The lids are of sufficient weight to hold the sponges submerged in the disinfectant fluid. The container bowls are also provided with open ribbed rates against which or between which the sponges are held to facilitate the greater exposure of the surfaces of the sponges to the disinfectant fluid for improved cleansing.

Claim sample:  1. A sanitizing sponge container comprising
   a fluid container bowl, open at the top, having an essentially planar interior floor and side walls of sufficient height to allow said container bowl to hold, in its interior, various shaped and sized sponges and sufficient disinfectant fluid to completely submerge said sponges,
  said sanitizing sponge container further comprising an essentially flat matching lid, said lid having extended from its bottom surface a downward projecting lid shaft, said shaft being dimensioned to fit downward into said container bowl, said shaft also being of vertical length less than the depth of said container bowl, allowing said shaft to fit downward into said container bowl and force downward a sponge being sanitized in said container bowl, said lid having sufficient weight to hold a sponge completely submerged under said disinfectant fluid,
  said container bowl lid further comprising a spacing means to hold said downward facing surface of said lid shaft above said top surface of said sponge, while said lid shaft holds said sponge completely submerged under the disinfectant fluid in said container bowl, and wherein said spacing means comprises an essentially horizontal, flat, rectangular, ribbed grate which fits horizontally into the interior of said bowl and across the bottom surface of said lid shaft, said grate further comprising an upward projecting knob at each corner of said grate.