The Procter Gamble Company

The Proctor 'gamble Company

Geneva Gail Otten

Peter W Hamilton

Kenneth Stephen McGuire

Richard Tweddell, Iii

Richard Emil Hildebrand, Iv

John David Norcom

John Kit Carson

Steven Michael Schennum

Tom Conrad Rheinecker

Daniel James Rhoads

Albert Sylvester Crawford, Ii

Douglas W Smith

Del M Thornock

Robert E Dawson

Emily Kitchings Kokenge

Robert E Stahley

James C Horney

Robert J Peterson

Ted J Logan

Michael Donald Webb

Ralph F Medcalf, Jr

William Joseph Schmitz

J Randall Stigall

John E Reifenberger

Charlene M Hastedt

A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent layer and a cut-resistant material in contact with the absorbent layer. The cut-resistant material can comprise a cut-resistant support system, such as cut-resistant support element formed in the absorbent layer for example. The cut-resistant material may alternatively comprise cut-resistant particles, such as polymer particles having an average size of at least about 100 micrometers for example. Preferably, the sheet material exhibits an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2 and a slice resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, and more preferably an absorbent efficiency of at least about 1.0 and a slice resistance of at least about 40 kgf/cm. It is also preferred that sheet material exhibit a cut-resistance of at least about 30 kgf/cm, an absorbent efficiency of at least about 0.2, and a wet abrasion loss of less than about 400 mg per 100 revolutions.

Multi-purpose absorbent and cut-resistant sheet materials

The present invention provides a sheet of crystallizable material, having opposed first and second surfaces, the sheet comprising: (a) a plurality of crystalline regions located in the first surface; and (b) an amorphous matrix surrounding and separating the crystalline regions from one another. The present invention also provides a method of making a flexible, cut resistant, and abrasion resistant sheet material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sheet of crystallizable amorphous material having opposed first and second surfaces; (b) crystallizing discrete regions of the first surface of the sheet of material, the discrete regions being separated from one another by a continuous amorphous matrix.

Flexible, cut resistant, and abrasion resistant sheet material and method for making same

The present invention provides a liquid absorbent fibrous substrate having a plurality of discontinuous cells in which a second material is disposed. This second material is selected from a broad variety of organic or inorganic solids which may provide a reinforcing effect such that a sharp instrument is prevented from passing through the new composite structure. The reinforcing materials are disposed in a discontinuous array, in a cellular form in the fibrous substrate thus providing a path for liquids to be absorbed into said fibrous substrate, while said reinforcing materials provide resistance to penetration by sharp edged instruments. When disposed in this manner, flexibility is maintained since the reinforcing materials are not disposed in a continuous pattern. Preferably, the pattern disposed is free of linear regions that provide a continuous line of penetration for sharp edges. More preferably, the pattern is designed with a pattern of interlocking shapes which constrain said linear regions to essentially short lengths. The reinforcing cellular pattern may be embossed above said absorbent fibrous substrate or may be substantially co-planar with said fibrous substrate. The composite substrate may also be backed with a liquid impervious layer, either as a separate layer applied thereto the bottom surface, or as an applied coating. The liquid impervious surface may be usefully selected with a high co-efficient of friction to provide a non-skid surface.

Flexible, cut resistant, and absorbent fibrous sheet materials

An absorbent and cut-resistant sheet having a cut-resistant material with a plurality of openings, and an absorbent material attached to the cut-resistant material. Preferably, the apertured cut-resistant material is in the form of sheet having a thickness of between about 0.005 inches and about 0.020 inches, and has an open area of less than about 50 percent. It is also preferred that the cut-resistant sheet have fold lines formed on a non-cutting surface, so as to make the material easily foldable and/or tearable. In addition, a stainable absorbent cover layer can be attached to a cutting surface of the cut-resistant sheet to provide an indication of where cutting has occurred, and to give the material a desirable appearance. A liquid impervious backing layer is also preferably attached to the absorbent material to resist the escape of fluid from the absorbent material. It is preferred that the cut-resistant sheet comprises a polymeric material.

Absorbent sheet material having cut-resistant layer and method for making the same

A semi-enclosed, substance delivery applicator comprising: (a) a three-dimensional structure having outermost surface features and spaces between the outermost surface features for containing a substance, the substance having a level internal to the outermost surface features such that the substance is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces, the three-dimensional structure forming at least a portion of a semi-enclosed applicator body having at least one opening and an internal cavity; and (b) a substance, having substantial resistance to flow prior to delivery to a target surface, occupying the spaces of the three-dimensional structure, the substance remaining protected until the three dimensional structure is sufficiently deformed into a substantially two dimensional structure and the substance is thereby exposed to contact a surface of an object without compliance of the surface being necessary, the substance having an effective viscosity upon activation which permits the substance to be liberated from the location and dispensed onto the surface of the object. The substance may be dispensed inwardly of the applicator, outwardly of the applicator, or both. The applicator may take the form of a glove or mitt.

Semi-enclosed applicator utilizing a selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a substance onto the surface of a target object

A flexible bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, an opening having a peripheral edge, and a support-engagement feature located on the exterior surface at least partially surrounding the peripheral edge. The support-engagement feature comprises a strip of material having a first side facing outwardly from the exterior surface and a second side facing inwardly toward the interior surface. The first side exhibits an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. The support-engagement feature preferably at least partially, and more preferably fully, circumferentially surrounds the peripheral edge. The selectively-activatible support-engagement feature also preferably functions as a closure means to secure the opening of the flexible bag in a substantially closed condition when the bag material is gathered about the opening, thus providing for ease of sealability without the need for additional closure features or separate elements. Additional closure means may be provided utilizing the selectively-activatible materials suitable for use as a support-engagement feature located on the inner surface of the peripheral edge of the bag. The support-engagement features of the present invention provide a flexible bag which is capable of reliably engaging a supporting device so it may be supported in an open condition for filling purposes. Such a feature also reduces the likelihood of trapped air and/or free space occurring when the bag is utilized with a rigid or semi-rigid durable container.

Flexible bag with selectively-activatible support-engagement feature

The present invention provides a selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a substance onto a target surface. The sheet material comprises a three-dimensional sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The said first side has a plurality of hollow protrusions extending outwardly therefrom and separated from one another by valleys, while the second side has a plurality of depressions corresponding with the hollow protrusions. A substance adheres to and partially fills a location protected from external contact comprising the valleys and/or the depressions. The sheet material may be selectively activated by deforming the hollow protrusions to deliver the substance to a target surface, the substance having an effective viscosity upon activation which permits the substance to be liberated from its protected location and dispensed onto the target surface. Suitable substances include cleansing agents, medicinal agents, emollients, lubricants, colorants, preservatives, protectants, condiments, adhesives, fragrances, anti-perspirants, deodorants, and combinations thereof. The present invention also includes such materials having two or more substances of diverse composition, and substances which undergo a decrease in effective viscosity upon activation (such as shear-thinning substances) are particularly preferred. Additional layers of porous material may also be employed on the opposite side of the substance from the sheet material such that the substance may be dispensed through the porous material. Porous materials may provide additional beneficial interaction with the substance, including enhanced distribution and dispersal.

Selectively-activatible sheet material for dispensing and dispersing a

A liquid dispensing pump is provided with a supply container venting system and a shipping seal. The pump device includes an upper and lower housing which are axially movable relative to each other between open and closed shipping seal positions. The dispensing pump includes a collapsible pump chamber with at least one shipping seal functional element integral with the chamber. The pump includes actuation elements which cooperate to prevent pump actuation when the shipping seal is closed. The pump may also include a tamper evident device to prevent pump actuation prior to tamper evident tab removal. The chamber may also include an integral valve which has the valve member biased against the valve seat. A supply container venting system for the pump comprises a resilient annular flange angled downward from the bellows at the liquid entry end. The annular flange presses against an interior surface of the lower housing to seal a supply container vent opening against communication with ambient air and moisture. The annular flange remains in contact with the interior surface until either a vacuum generated in the supply container by pumping fluid therefrom deflects the flange away from the interior surface or at least one lug on the upper housing contacts and deflects the annular flange when the upper housing is actuated downward. A wiper extends from the lower housing in contact with the telescopingly engaged upper housing to further minimize any moisture entry between housings that could accumulate and inadvertently pass into the supply container.

Pump device with collapsible pump chamber having supply container

Spout

A dual chamber-child-resistant blister package is provided. The blisters of the package include a storage chamber and a discharge chamber. In addition, the blister includes restraint means for preventing the medicament from moving from the storage chamber to the discharge chamber until a predetermined force is applied to the blister package. The medicament may not be dispensed directly from the storage chamber, since a nonrupturable layer is located adjacent the storage chamber of the blister. The nonrupturable layer includes an opening, or a mechanism such as a score line for forming and opening) through which the medicament can pass adjacent the discharge chamber. A rupturable layer is also provided to seal the medicament within the blister. Typically, the rupturable layer is located adjacent the nonrupturable layer to seal the opening in the nonrupturable layer. The blister package may also include indicia associated with the blisters to help insure compliance with complex therapeutic regimens. The blister package may also include fold lines to help reduce the overall size of the blister package; thereby making it easier to transport.

Dual chamber-child resistant blister package

Aqueous detergent compositions containing butoxy-propanol with a low level of the 'secondary' isomer have improved odor characteristics with a variety of perfume compositions even when the compositions contain other typical cosolvents. Preferred compositions include hard surface cleaners having good filming and streaking properties. The compositions contain a detergent surfactant and, desirably, a detergent builder.

Containing butoxy-propanol with low secondary isomer content

Sucrose yield of sugarcane is increased by treatment prior to harvest with aminomethylphosphonic acid.

Method of increasing sucrose yield of sugarcane

Fruit abscission is induced by application to a fruit bearing plant of particular sulfides and sulfide derivatives optionally in combination with non-phytotoxic surfactant different from said sulfides and derivatives. The sulfides and derivatives have the structural formula RXR' wherein R' is methyl or ethyl, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone, and R is akyl or alkenyl having 10-12 carbon atoms when X is sulfide or sulfoxide and 8-14 carbon atoms when X is sulfone.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Geneva Gail Otten