Content delivery network storage may be provided. A first proxy module may receive a first content object request from a first user device. The first content object request may correspond to a content object. Next, the first proxy module may send the first content object request to a first cache module. The first cache module may then obtain the content object corresponding to the first content object request from an object store. The object store may be shared by a plurality of cache modules including the first cache module. The first proxy module may then receive, from the first cache module, the obtained content object. The first proxy module may send the content object to the first user device.

A content delivery network or content distribution network (CDN) is a globally distributed network of proxy servers deployed in multiple data centers. The goal of a CDN is to serve content to end-users with high availability and high performance. CDNs serve a large fraction of the Internet content today, including web objects (text, graphics and scripts), downloadable objects (media files, software, documents), applications (e-commerce, portals), live streaming media, on-demand streaming media, and social networks.
Content providers such as media companies and e-commerce vendors pay CDN operators to deliver their content to their audience of end-users. In turn, a CDN pays Internet Service Providers (ISPs), carriers, and network operators for hosting its servers in their data centers. Besides better performance and availability, CDNs also offload the traffic served directly from the content provider's origin infrastructure, resulting in possible cost savings for the content provider.

Video and media content delivery network storage in elastic clouds


A method of treating adenosine depletion in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject folinic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount effective to treat adenosine depletion. A method of treating asthma in a subject in need of such treatment is also disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject dehydroepiandrosterone, analogs thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in an amount effective to treat asthma.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns itself with a method of treating adenosine depletion by the administration of folinic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This invention further concerns itself with a method of treating asthma by administering dehydroepiandrosterone, analogs thereof, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
2. Description of the Background
Adenosine is a purine which contributes to intermediary metabolism and participates in the regulation of physiological activity in a variety of mammalian tissues. Adenosine participates in many local regulatory mechanisms, such as those occuring in synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) and at neuroeffector junctions in the peripheral nervous system. In the CNS, inhibits the release of a variety of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA; depresses neurotransmission; reduces neuronal firing to induce spinal analgesia and possesses anxiolytic properties. See A. Pelleg and R. Porter, Pharmacotherapy 10(2), 157 (1990); J. Daval, et al., Life Sciences 49:1435 (1991). In the heart, adenosine suppresses pacemaker activity, slows AV conduction, possesses antiarrhythmic and arrhythmogenic effects, modulates autonomic control and triggers the synthesis and release of prostaglandins. See K. Mullane and M. William, In addition adenosine and Adenosine receptors p. 289 (M. Williams, ed. Humana Press, 1990). Adenosine has potent vasodilatory effects and modulates vascular tone. See A Deuseen et al., J. Pflugers Arch. 406: 608 (1986). Adenosine is currently being used clinically for the treatment of superventricular tachycardia and other cardiac anomalies. See C. Chronister, American Journal of Critical Care 2(1): 41-47 (1993). Adenosine analogues are being also investigated for use as anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and neuroprotective agents. See M. Higgins et al., Pharmacy World and Science 16(2): 62-68 (1994).
Adenosine has also been implicated as a primary determinant underlying the symptoms of bronchial asthma. It induces bronchoconstriction and the contraction of airway smooth muscle. See J. Thorne and K. Broadley, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 149(2 pt. 1): 392-399 (1994); S. Ali et al., Agents and Actions 37(3-4): 165-167 (1992). Adenosine causes bronchoconstriction in asthmatics but not in non-asthmatics. See Bjorck et al., American Review of Respiratory Disease 145(5): 1087-1091 (1992); S. Holgate et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 629: 227-236 (1991).
In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that (i) adenosine depletion may lead to a broad variety of deleterious conditions, and that methods of treating adenosine depletion may be an extremely useful means of therapeutic intervention; and (ii) methods of inducing adenosine depletion may also be useful in treating conditions such as asthma.
Folinic acid is an intermediate product of the metabolism of folic acid; the active form into which that acid is converted in the body. Ascorbic acid is required as a necessary factor in the conversion process. Folinic acid has been used therapeutically as an antidote to folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate which block the conversion of folic acid into folinic acid. Additionally, folinic acid has been used as an anti-anemic (combating folate deficiency). See The Merck Index, Monograph No. 4141 (11th Ed. 1989). The use of folinic acid in patients afflicted with adenosine depletion, or in a method to therapeutically elevate adenosine levels in the brain or other organ, has heretofor neither been suggested nor described.
The present invention is a method of treating adenosine depletion in a subject in need of such treatment which comprises administering to the subject folinic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount effective to treat the adenosine depletion. The method may be applied to subjects afflicted with steroid-induced adenosine depletion, subjects afflicted with anxiety, subjects afflicted with a wasting disorder, or subjects afflicted with any other disorder attributable to adenosine depletion, or where an increase in adenosine levels would be therapeutically beneficial.
The present invention also relates to the use of folinic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for treating adenosine depletion in a subject in need of such treatment, as set forth above.
The present invention, moreover, relates to method of treating asthma in a subject in need of such treatment by administering to the subject dehydroepiandrosterone, an analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to treat asthma.
The present invention also relates to use of dehydroepiandrosterone, an analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for treating asthma.
The method of treating adenosine depletion disclosed herein may be used to treat steroid-induced adenosine depletion; to stimulate adenosine synthesis and thereby treat or control anxiety (e.g., in treating premenstrual syndrome); to increase weight gain or treat wasting disorders; and to treat other adenosine-related pathologies by administering folinic acid. Thus, the term xe2x80x9cadenosine depletionxe2x80x9d is intended to encompass both conditions where adenosine levels are depleted in the subject as compared to previous adenosine levels in that subject, and conditions where adenosine levels are essentially the same as previous adenosine levels in that subject but, because of some other condition or alteration in that patient, a therapeutic benefit would be achieved in the patient by increased adenosine levels as compared to previous levels. Preferably, the method is carried out on patients where adenosine levels are depleted as compared to previous adenosine levels in that subject. The present invention is concerned primarily with the treatment of human subjects but may also be employed for the treatment of other mammalian subjects, such as dogs and cats, for veterinary purposes.
Folinic acid and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (hereafter sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cactive compoundsxe2x80x9d) are known, and can be made in accordance with known procedures. See generally The Merck Index, Monograph No. 4141 (11th Ed. 1989); U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,608.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts should be both pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable. Such pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared as alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, such as sodium, potassium or calcium salts, of the carboxylic acid group of Folinic acid. The calcium salt of folinic acid is a preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
The active compounds are preferably administered to the subject as a pharmaceutical composition. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present invention include those suitable for inhalation, oral, topical, (including buccal, sublingual, dermal and intraocular) parenteral (including subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous and intraarticular) and transdermal administration. The compositions may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art.
Compositions suitable for oral administration may be presented in discrete units, such as capsules, cachets, lozenges, or tablets, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion. Such compositions may be prepared by any suitable method of pharmacy which includes the step of bringing into association the active compound and a suitable carrier. In general, the compositions of the invention are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active compound with a liquid or finely divided solid carrier, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the resulting mixture. For example, a tablet may be prepared by compressing or molding a powder or granules containing the active compound, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing, in a suitable machine, the compound in a free-flowing form, such as a powder or granules optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, and/or surface active/dispersing ageit(s). Molded tablets may be made by molding, in a suitable machine, the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid binder. Compositions for oral administration may optionally include enteric coatings known in the art to prevent degradation of the compositions in the stomach and provide release of the drug in the small intestine.
Compositions suitable for buccal (sub-lingual) administration include lozenges comprising the active compound in a flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; and pastilles comprising the compound in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia.
Compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprise sterile aqueous and non-aqueous injection solutions of the active compound, which preparations are preferably isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. These preparations may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the compositions isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The compositions may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example, saline or water-for-injection immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.
Compositions suitable for topical application to the skin preferably take the form of an ointment, cream, lotion, paste, gel, spray, aerosol, or oil. Carriers which may be used include vaseline, lanoline, polyethylene glycols, alcohols, transdermal enhancers, and combinations of two or more thereof.
Compositions suitable for transdermal administration may be presented as discrete patches adapted to remain in intimate contact with the epidermis of the recipient for a prolonged period of time. Compositions suitable for transdermal administration may also be delivered by iontophoresis (see, e.g., Pharmaceutical Research 3, 318 (1986)) and typically take the form of an optionally buffered aqueous solution of the active compound.
Dosage will vary depending on age, weight, and condition of the subject. Treatment may be initiated with small dosages less than optimum dose and increased until the optimum effect under the circumstances is reached. In general, the dosage will be from 1, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg subject body weight, up to 100, 200, 500 or 1000 mg/kg subject body weight. Currently, dosages of from 5 to 500 mg/kg are preferred, dosages of from 10 to 200 mg/kg are more preferred, and dosages of from 20 to 100 mg/kg are most preferred. In general, the active compounds are preferably administered at a concentration that will afford effective results without causing any unduly harmful or deleterious side effects, and may be administered either as a single unit dose, or if desired, in convenient subunits administered at suitable times throughout the day.
Also disclosed herein is a method of reducing adenosine levels, particularly in the lung, liver, heart and brain and, therefore, of treating asthma, particularly non-steroid dependent asthma, by administering to a subject in need of such treatment dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to inibit or control asthma to that subject. Examples of DHEA and analogs thereof that may be used to carry out this method are represented by the formula:
wherein:
the broken line represents an optional double bond;
R is hydrogen or a halogen;
R1 is hydrogen or an SO2 OM group where M is hydrogen, M is sodium, M is a sulphatide group:
M is a phosphatide group:
wherein each of R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, is a straight or branched chain alkyl radical of 1 to 14 carbon atoms, or a glucuronide group:
The hydrogen atom at position 5 of Formula I is present in the alpha or beta configuration or the compound comprises a mixture of both configurations. Compounds illustrative of Formula (I) above include:
DHEA, wherein R and R1 are each hydrogen and the double bond is present;
16-alpha bromoepiandrosterone, where R is Br, R1 is H, and the double bond is present;
16-alpha-fluoro epiandrosterone, wherein R is F, R1 is H and double bond is present;
etiocholanolone, where R and R1 are each hydrogen and the double bond is absent;
dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, wherein R is H, R1 is SO2OM and M is a sulphatide group as defined above, and the double bond present.
Preferably, in the compound of Formula I, R is halogen (e.g., bromo, chloro, or fluoro), R1 is Hydrogen, and the double bond in present. Most preferably the compound of Formula I is 16-alpha-fluoro epiandrosterone.
The compounds of Formula I are made in accordance with know procedures or variations thereof that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,355, UK Patent No. 2,240,472, EPO Patent Appln No. 429, 187, PCT Patent Appln No. 91/04030; see also M. Abou-Gharbia et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 70, 1154-1157 (1981), Merck Index Monograph No. 7710 (11th Ed. 1989).
The compounds used to treat asthma may be administered per se or in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as discussed above (the two together again being referred to as xe2x80x9cactive compoundsxe2x80x9d). The active compounds salts may be administered either systemically, as discussed below. In general, the active compounds salts are administered in a dosage of 1 to 3600 mg/kg body weight, more preferably about 5 to 1800 mg/kg, and most preferably about 20 to 100 mg/kg. The active compounds may be administered once or several times a day.
The active compounds disclosed herein may be administered to the lungs of a subject by any suitable means, but are preferably administered by generating an aerosol comprised of respirable particles, the respirable particles comprised of the active compound, which particles the subject inhales (i.e., by inhalation administration). The respirable particles may be liquid or solid.
Particles comprised of active compound for practicing the present invention should include particles of respirable size: that is, particles of a size sufficiently small to pass through the mouth and larynx upon inhalation and into the bronchi and alveoli of the lungs. In general, particles ranging from about 0.5 to 10 microns in size (more particularly, less than about 5 microns in size) are respirable. Particles of non-respirable size which are included in the aerosol tend to deposit in the throat and be swallowed, and the quantity of non-respirable particles in the aerosol is preferably minimized. For nasal administration, a particle size in the range of 10-500 xcexcm is preferred to ensure retention in the nasal cavity.
Liquid pharmaceutical compositions of active compound for producing an aerosol may be prepared by combining the active compound with a suitable vehicle, such as sterile pyrogen free water. Solid particulate compositions containing respirable dry particles of micronized active compound may be prepared by grinding dry active compound with a mortar and pestle, and then passing the micronized composition through a 400 mesh screen to break up or separate out large agglomerates. A solid particulate composition comprised of the active compound may optionally contain a dispersant which serves to facilitate the formation of an aerosol. A suitable dispersant is lactose, which may be blended with the active compound in any suitable ratio (e.g., a 1 to 1 ratio by weight).
Aerosols of liquid particles comprising the active compound may be produced by any suitable means, such as with a nebulizer. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,729. Nebulizers are commercially available devices which transform solutions or suspensions of the active ingredient into a therapeutic aerosol mist either by means of acceleration of a compressed gas, typically air or oxygen, through a narrow venturi orifice or by means of ultrasonic agitation. Suitable compositions for use in nebulizers consist of the active ingredient in a liquid carrier, the active ingredient comprising up to 40% w/w of the compositions, but preferably less than 20% w/w. the carrier is typically water or a dilute aqueous alcoholic solution, preferably made isotonic with body fluids by the addition of, for example, sodium chloride. Optional additives include preservatives if the compositions is not prepared sterile, for example, methyl hydroxybenzoate, antioxidants, flavoring agents, volatile oils, buffering agents and surfactants.
Aerosols of solid particles comprising the active compound may likewise be produced with any solid particulate medicament aerosol generator. Aerosol generators for administering solid particulate medicaments to a subject produce particles which are respirable, as explained above, and generate a volume of aerosol containing a predetermined metered dose of a medicament at a rate suitable for human administration. Examples of such aerosol generators include metered dose inhalers and insufflators.
Ubiquinone may be administered concurrently with the DHEA or analog thereof in the methods of treating asthma described above. The phrase xe2x80x9cconcurrently administering,xe2x80x9d as used herein, means that the DHEA or the DHEA analog are administered either (a) simultaneously in time (preferably by formulating the two together in a common pharmaceutical carrier), or (b) at different times during the course of a common treatment schedule. In the latter case, the two compounds are administered at times sufficiently close for the ubiquinone to ubiquinone depletion in the lungs (and heart) of the subject and thereby counterbalance any deterioration of lung (and heart) function that may result from the administration of the DHEA or the analog thereof. The term xe2x80x9cubiquinonexe2x80x9d, as used herein, refers to a family of compounds having structures based on a 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzoquinone nucleus with a variable terpenoid acid chain containing on to twelve mono-unsaturated trans-isoprenoid units. Such compounds are known in the art as xe2x80x9cCoenzyme Qnxe2x80x9d, in which n equals 1 to 12. These compounds may be referred to herein as compounds represented by the formula:
wherein n=1 to 10. Preferably, in the method of the invention, the ubiquinone is a compound according to formula given above, wherein n=6 to 10 (e.g., Coenzymes Q6-10) and most preferably wherein n=10 (i.e., Coenzyme Q10).
Where the ubiquinone is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier separately from the DHEA, analog thereof, or salt thereof (e.g., where the DHEA, analog thereof or salt thereof is administered to the lungs of the subject, and the ubiquinone is administered systemically) it may be formulated by any of the techniques set forth above.
In general, the ubiquinone is administered in an amount effective to offset ubiquinone depletion in the lungs and heart of the subject induced by the DHEA, analog thereof, or salt thereof, and the dosage will vary depending upon the condition of the subject and the route of administration. The ubiquinone is preferably administered in a total amount per day of about 1 to 1200 mg/kg body weight, more preferably about 30 to 600 mg/kg, and most preferably about 50 to 150 mg/kg. The ubiquinone may be administered once or several times a day.
The following examples are provided to more fully illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as restrictive thereof. In the following examples, DHEA means dehydroepiandrosterone, s means seconds, mg means milligrams, kg means kilograms, kW means kilowatts, MHz means megahertz, and nmol means nanomoles.

Composition and method for altering levels of or sensitivity to adenosine with a dehydroepiandrosterone and/or a ubiquinone


A thermoplastic porous water-permeable layer material has at least one odor-reducing surface which is wettable to aqueous liquids and capable of controlling a wide variety of malodors. The thermoplastic water-permeable layer material is treated with a surfactant-modified cyclodextrin prepared by mixing or chemically reacting a cyclodextrin-based odor absorbing material with a surfactant-producing compound. The layer material thus treated can be used in a wide variety of personal care and medical absorbent products, as well as other applications.

This invention relates to chemical compounds and blends which control odor and impart surface wetting properties to water-permeable porous layer materials. In particular, the invention relates to water-permeable porous layer materials treated with these dual purpose chemical compounds and blends.
Water-permeable nonwoven fabrics, porous films, open-celled foams, and other layer materials and their manufacture have been the subject of extensive development resulting in a wide variety of materials for numerous applications. For example, nonwovens of light basis weight and open structure are used in personal care items such as disposable diapers as liner fabrics that provide dry skin contact but readily transmit fluids to more absorbent materials which may also be nonwovens of a different composition and/or structure. Nonwovens of heavier weights may be designed with pore structures making them suitable for filtration, absorbent and barrier applications such as wrappers for items to be sterilized, wipers or protective garments for medical, veterinary or industrial uses. Even heavier weight nonwovens have been developed for recreational, agricultural and construction uses. Water-permeable porous thermoplastic films are also employed in some of these applications, and may be combined with nonwoven webs. Open-celled foams are also useful in some applications.
It is not always possible to efficiently produce a porous, water-permeable layer material having all the desired properties as formed, and it is frequently necessary to treat the material with a surfactant to improve or alter surface properties such as wettability by one or more fluids, repellency to one or more fluids, electrostatic characteristics, conductivity, and softness, to name just a few examples. Conventional surfactant treatments involve steps such as dipping the substrate in a treatment bath, coating or spraying the substrate with the treatment composition, and printing the substrate with the treatment composition. For cost and other reasons it is usually desired to use the minimum amount of treatment composition that will produce the desired effect with an acceptable degree of uniformity.
For many thermoplastic layer material end use applications, it is desirable to reduce, prevent, or eliminate odors. For diapers and other incontinence products, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate the odor of ammonia which is present in urine. For feminine hygiene products, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate the odor of triethylamine. Other common odor-producing substances include isovaleric acid, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide.
Odor control agents include odor inhibitors, odor absorbers, and other compounds which reduce, prevent, or eliminate odors. Odor inhibitors prevent the odor from forming. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,786 to Kraskin teaches the use of an aminopolycarboxylic acid compound for inhibiting the formation of ammonia from urea in urine. Odor absorbers and adsorbers remove odor after it is formed. Examples of odor control agents that remove odor by absorption or adsorption include activated carbon, silica, and cyclodextrins.
Typical odor control agents based on cyclodextrins cannot easily be applied from aqueous solutions to water-permeable thermoplastic substrates such as polyolefin nonwoven fabrics, porous films, and open-celled foams because the surface tension of these solutions is too high to wet out the hydrophobic substrate. Personal care products such as diapers and feminine care pads typically contain polyolefin nonwoven fabrics and/or other porous thermoplastic cover layers. Therefore, typical odor control agents cannot usually be applied to the porous thermoplastic components of personal care products. Instead, these odor control agents are usually introduced as powders to the product, which has several drawbacks. For example, placement and containment of the powder in the product can be troublesome. More importantly, powders do not present optimum surface area for odor absorption due to a rather low surface to volume ratio. Therefore, more odor control agent will be needed if in powder form.
There is a need or desire for odor absorbing compounds and blends which can be applied to a water-permeable hydrophobic (e.g., thermoplastic) substrate in a liquid or solvent form, and which have enough surface wetting properties to facilitate even fluid distribution and durability.
The present invention is directed to a water-permeable porous layer material which has been treated with a surfactant-modified odor control agent. The surfactant-modified odor control agent can be prepared by blending a cyclodextrin-based odor control agent with a surfactant, or by chemically reacting a cyclodextrin-based odor control agent with a surfactant-producing compound. Surfactant-producing compounds include both surfactants, and other compounds which behave as surfactants following the chemical reaction. The surfactant-modified odor control agent can be applied to the water-permeable porous layer material using conventional internal or external application techniques for surfactants, and is preferably applied using an external application technique. The resulting treated substrate is more wettable to aqueous liquids, and absorbs odors at its surfaces.
The water-permeable porous layer material can be a hydrophobic material, made using one or more thermoplastic polymers. For instance, the porous substrate may be a thermoplastic nonwoven filament web, a porous thermoplastic film, an open-celled foam material, or a combination thereof. A thermoplastic nonwoven filament web is preferred. The treated, water-permeable porous layer material can be used in a wide variety of personal care products and medical products, and in other applications.
The surfactant-modified odor control agents can be applied to hydrophobic substrates (for example, polyolefin-based porous films, open-celled foam layers, and nonwoven webs) from an aqueous solution, because the surface tension of the solution is low enough to wet out the low surface energy substrate. For instance, coating the surfactant-modified odor control agent on the polyolefin fibers of a polyolefin nonwoven fabric will optimize the surface to volume ratio of odor control chemistry, and thus provides better odor control (e.g., odor absorption, adsorption or inhibition). Furthermore, fibers coated with a surfactant-modified odor control agent will be in direct contact with body fluids as the fluids enter and wick through the fabric components of the personal care product. This will provide optimum odor control since the odors are believed to emanate from the body fluids.
It is thus a feature and advantage of the invention to provide a treated water-permeable porous layer material having at least one surface which is more wettable to aqueous liquids than the untreated layer material, and which absorbs common odors.
It is also a feature and advantage of the invention to provide a personal care fabric or product which utilizes a treated water-permeable porous layer material that is more wettable and absorbs odors on at least one outer surface.
It is also a feature and advantage of the invention to provide a medical fabric or product which utilizes a treated water-permeable porous layer material that is more wettable and absorbs odors on at least one outer surface.
The term xe2x80x9cwater-permeable porous layer materialxe2x80x9d refers to a material present in one or more layers, such as a film, nonwoven fabric, or open-celled foam, which is porous, and which is water-permeable due to the flow of water and other aqueous liquids, through the pores. The pores in the film or foam, or spaces between fibers or filaments in a nonwoven web, are large enough and frequent enough to permit leakage and flow of liquid water through the material. The term does not include films and other materials which block the transfer of water, or which permit the transfer only by molecular diffusion.
The term xe2x80x9cnonwoven fabric or webxe2x80x9d means a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in a regular or identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, air laying processes, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters useful are usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91.)
The term xe2x80x9cmicrofibersxe2x80x9d means small diameter fibers having an average diameter not greater than about 75 microns, for example, having an average diameter of from about 1 micron to about 50 microns, or more particularly, microfibers may have an average diameter of from about 1 micron to about 30 microns. Another frequently used expression of fiber diameter is denier, which is defined as grams per 9000 meters of a fiber. For a fiber having circular cross-section, denier may be calculated as fiber diameter in microns squared, multiplied by the density in grams/cc, multiplied by 0.00707. A lower denier indicates a finer fiber and a higher denier indicates a thicker or heavier fiber. For example, the diameter of a polypropylene fiber given as 15 microns may be converted to denier by squaring, multiplying the result by 0.89 g/cc and multiplying by 0.00707. Thus, a 15 micron polypropylene fiber has a denier of about 1.42 (152xc3x970.89xc3x970.00707=1.415). Outside the United States the unit of measurement is more commonly the xe2x80x9ctex,xe2x80x9d which is defined as the grams per kilometer of fiber. Tex may be calculated as denier/9.
The term xe2x80x9cspunbonded fibersxe2x80x9d refers to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinnerette having a circular or other configuration, with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,538 to Petersen, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Spunbond fibers are quenched and generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average diameters larger than about 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 30 microns.
The term xe2x80x9cmeltblown fibersxe2x80x9d means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in diameter, and are generally self bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface. Meltblown fibers used in the present invention are preferably substantially continuous in length.
The term xe2x80x9cmonocomponentxe2x80x9d fiber refers to a fiber formed from one or more extruders using only one polymer. This is not meant to exclude fibers formed from one polymer to which small amounts of additives have been added for color, anti-static properties, lubrication, hydrophilicity, repellency, etc. These additives (e.g., titanium dioxide for color) are generally present in an amount less than 5 weight percent and more typically about 2 weight percent or less.
The term xe2x80x9ccoformxe2x80x9d material refers to a product containing about 10-90% by weight of thermoplastic meltblown fibers and about 10-90% by weight of staple-length pulp fibers dispersed within the meltblown fiber matrix. More commonly, coform materials contain about 20-70% by weight thermoplastic meltblown fibers and about 30-80% by weight pulp fibers.
The term xe2x80x9cfilmxe2x80x9d refers to a thermoplastic film made using a film extrusion process, such as a cast film or blown film extrusion process.
The term xe2x80x9cwater-permeable porous filmxe2x80x9d includes films, such as thermoplastic polymer-containing films, which permit the flow of water through open or inter-connected pores. The term includes films rendered porous by puncturing or aperturing, and to films rendered porous by mixing polymer with filler, forming a film from the mixture, and stretching the film sufficiently to form liquid passages through the film.
The term xe2x80x9copen-celled foam materialxe2x80x9d refers to a layer material made with the aid of a foaming process, in which the cells in the foam create open pores from one surface of the layer to the opposite surface. The term does not include foams which substantially block the flow of liquid water, such as closed-cell foam materials.
The term xe2x80x9cpolymerxe2x80x9d includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc., and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term xe2x80x9cpolymerxe2x80x9d shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic symmetries.
The term xe2x80x9cbicomponent filaments or fibersxe2x80x9d refers to fibers which have been formed from at least two polymers extruded from separate extruders but spun together to form one fiber. The polymers are arranged in substantially constantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-section of the bicomponent fibers and extend continuously along the length of the bicomponent fibers. The configuration of such a bicomponent fiber may be, for example, a sheath/core arrangement wherein one polymer is surrounded by another or may be a side-by-side arrangement or an xe2x80x9cislands-in-the-seaxe2x80x9d arrangement. Bicomponent fibers are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,820 to Kaneko et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,552 to Strack et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. For two component fibers, the polymers may be present in ratios of 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 or any other desired ratios. Conventional additives, such as pigments and surfactants, may be incorporated into one or both polymer streams, or applied to the filament surfaces.
The term xe2x80x9cpulp fibersxe2x80x9d refers to fibers from natural sources such as woody and non-woody plants. Woody plants include, for example, deciduous and coniferous trees. Non-woody plants include, for instance, cotton, flax, esparto grass, milkweed, straw, jute hemp, and bagasse.
The term xe2x80x9caverage pulp fiber lengthxe2x80x9d refers to a weighted average length of pulp determined using a Kajaani fiber analyzer Model No. FS-100 available from Kajaani Oy Electronics in Kajaani, Finland. Under the test procedure, a fiber sample is treated with a macerating liquid to ensure that no fiber bundles or shives are present. Each fiber sample is dispersed in hot water and diluted to about a 0.001% concentration. Individual test samples are drawn in approximately 50 to 500 ml portions from the dilute solution and tested using the standard Kajaani fiber analysis procedure. The weighted average fiber lengths may be expressed by the following equation:       ∑                  X        i             greater than       0        k          xe2x80x83                (                        X          i                *                  n          i                    )        /    n
where
k=maximum fiber length,
Xi=individual fiber length,
ni=number of fibers having length Xi and
n=total number of fibers measured.
The term xe2x80x9csuperabsorbent materialxe2x80x9d refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight, preferably at least about 30 times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9% by weight sodium chloride.
The term xe2x80x9cthrough-air bondingxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cTABxe2x80x9d means a process of bonding a nonwoven, for example, a bicomponent fiber web in which air which is sufficiently hot to melt one of the polymers of which the fibers of the web are made is forced through the web. The air velocity is often between 100 and 500 feet per minute and the dwell time may be as long as 6 seconds. The melting and resolidification of the polymer provides the bonding. Through-air bonding has restricted variability and is generally regarded as a second step bonding process. Since TAB requires the melting of at least one component to accomplish bonding, it is restricted to webs with two components such as bicomponent fiber webs or webs containing an adhesive fiber or powder.
The term xe2x80x9cthermal point bondingxe2x80x9d involves passing a fabric or web of fibers to be bonded between a heated calender roll and an anvil roll. The calender roll is usually, though not always, patterned in some way so that the entire fabric is not bonded across its entire surface. As a result, various patterns for calender rolls have been developed for functional as well as aesthetic reasons. One example of a pattern has points and is the Hansen Pennings or xe2x80x9cHandPxe2x80x9d pattern with about a 30% bond area with about 200 bonds/square inch as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,046 to Hansen and Pennings. The HandP pattern has square point or pin bonding areas wherein each pin has a side dimension of 0.038 inches (0.965 mm), a spacing of 0.070 inches (1.778 mm) between pins, and a depth of bonding of 0.023 inches (0.584 mm). The resulting pattern has a bonded area of about 29.5%. Another typical point bonding pattern is the expanded Hansen and Pennings or xe2x80x9cEHPxe2x80x9d bond pattern which produces a 15% bond area with a square pin having a side dimension of 0.037 inches (0.94 mm), a pin spacing of 0.097 inches (2.464 mm) and a depth of 0.039 inches (0.991 mm). Another typical point bonding pattern designated xe2x80x9c714xe2x80x9d has square pin bonding areas wherein each pin has a side dimension of 0.023 inches, a spacing of 0.062 inches (1.575 mm) between pins, and a depth of bonding of 0.033 inches (0.838 mm). The resulting pattern has a bonded area of about 15%. Yet another common pattern is the C-Star pattern which has a bond area of about 16.9%. The C-Star pattern has a cross-directional bar or xe2x80x9ccorduroyxe2x80x9d design interrupted by shooting stars. Other common patterns include a diamond pattern with repeating and slightly offset diamonds and a wire weave pattern looking as the name suggests (e.g., like a window screen). Typically, the percent bonding area varies from around 10% to around 30% of the area of the fabric laminate web. As is well known in the art, the spot bonding holds the laminate layers together as well as imparts integrity to each individual layer by bonding filaments and/or fibers within each layer.
The term xe2x80x9cpersonal care productxe2x80x9d includes without limitation diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products.
The term xe2x80x9cmedical productxe2x80x9d includes without limitation garments, underpads, bandages, absorbent drapes, and medical wipes.
The term xe2x80x9chydrophilicxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cwettablexe2x80x9d means that the polymeric material has an apparent surface free energy such that the polymeric material is wettable by an aqueous medium (i.e., a liquid medium of which water is a major component). That is, an aqueous medium wets the nonwoven fabric. xe2x80x9cApparent surface free energyxe2x80x9d refers to the highest surface tension of an aqueous liquid which wets the polymeric material. For example, the apparent surface free energy of a polymeric material that is wetted by an aqueous liquid having a surface tension of 72 dynes/cm, is at least 72 dynes/cm and possibly higher. In the fabrics of the invention, a surface of the nonwoven fabric has been treated with a surfactant-modified odor control agent using internal or external application techniques as described below.
The term xe2x80x9csurfactantxe2x80x9d refers to a compound or blend which, when applied to a surface of a substrate, causes the surface to become more xe2x80x9cwettablexe2x80x9d as defined above. In one instance, the substrate is not independently wettable and the surfactant causes it to become wettable. In another instance, the substrate is somewhat wettable and the surfactant causes it to become more wettable, or more easily wetted.
The term xe2x80x9csurfactant-producing moietyxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9csurfactant-producing compoundxe2x80x9d refers to a chemical group or compound which, when reacted or blended with another compound (e.g., an odor control agent) causes the reacted compound or blend to behave as a surfactant. The surfactant-producing moiety or compound may or may not behave as a surfactant prior to the chemical reaction or blending.
The term xe2x80x9codor control agentxe2x80x9d includes compounds and blends which inhibit the formation of at least one undesirable odor, as well as compounds and blends which absorb an undesirable odor that has already formed.
The term xe2x80x9csurfactant-modified odor control agentxe2x80x9d refers to a blend, and/or a reaction product, between an odor control agent and a surfactant or surfactant-producing moiety, which acts as both a surfactant and an odor control agent.
The invention is a water-permeable layer material having at least one odor-reducing surface. The starting material for the invention is a water-permeable layer material. For instance, the starting material for the invention may be a porous thermoplastic layer or multilayer material capable of transmitting water (and other aqueous liquids) through the pores. Examples of suitable starting materials include thermoplastic nonwoven webs, open-celled foam layers, and thermoplastic polymer-containing films which are apertured or otherwise rendered porous, such as by stretching a film made from a mixture of a thermoplastic material and a particulate filler.
The starting material is treated with a surfactant-modified odor control agent. The surfactant-modified odor control agent is produced by blending a cyclodextrin-based odor control agent with a surfactant compound, and/or by chemically reacting a cyclodextrin-based odor control agent with a surfactant-producing compound. The surfactant-modified odor control agent is applied to the starting material using conventional techniques for applying surfactants externally or internally. Preferably, the surfactant-modified odor control agent is applied externally in the form of a liquid, using techniques such as dipping, spraying, brushing, or other liquid coating techniques. The surfactant-modified odor control agent may be blended with water or another solvent to facilitate its application.
The preferred starting material for the invention is a nonwoven web including a plurality of filaments made from one or more polymers. The nonwoven web may be a spunbond web, a meltblown web, a bonded carded web, or another type of nonwoven web, and may be present in a single layer or a multilayer composite including one or more nonwoven web layers and, in some instances, one or more film or foam layers. The web may include monocomponent or bicomponent filaments, or a combination including one or both filament types. The nonwoven web may have a variety of basis weights, preferably ranging from about 0.1-200 grams per square meter (gsm). One preferred nonwoven web is a coform material, which includes a matrix of polyolefin meltblown fibers and a large percentage (often 30-80% by weight) of pulp fibers dispersed in the matrix of the meltblown fibers. Another preferred nonwoven web is an airlaid web of polyolefin fibers and pulp fibers.
A wide variety of thermoplastic polymers may be used to construct the starting porous layer material, including without limitation polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, copolymers of ethylene and propylene, copolymers of ethylene or propylene with a C4-C20 alpha-olefin, terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a C4-C20 alpha-olefin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, propylene vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene-poly(ethylene-alpha-olefin) elastomers, polyurethanes, A-B block copolymers where A is formed of poly(vinyl arene) moieties such as polystyrene and B is an elastomeric midblock such as a conjugated diene or lower alkene, polyethers, polyether esters, polyacrylates, ethylene alkyl acrylates, polyisobutylene, poly-1-butene, copolymers of poly-1-butene including ethylene-1-butene copolymers, polybutadiene, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, and combinations of any of the foregoing. Polyolefins are preferred. Polyethylene and polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers are most preferred.
The odor control agent, which can be mixed or chemically reacted with a surfactant to make the surfactant-modified odor control agent, includes a compound selected from cyclodextrins. Suitable cyclodextrins include any of the known cyclodextrins containing from six to twelve glucose units, including without limitation alpha-cyclodextrins (6 glucose units arranged in a ring), beta-cyclodextrins (7 glucose units arranged in a ring), and gamma-cyclodextrins (8 glucose units arranged in a ring). The coupling and configuration of the glucose units causes the cyclodextrins to have a conical molecular structure with a hollow interior lined by hydrogen atoms and glycosidic bridging oxygen atoms. When the cyclodextrins alone are applied to the starting substrate material, the material does not have sufficient wettability to aqueous liquids.
In accordance with the invention, the precursor odor control agent is mixed with a surfactant, and/or chemically reacted with a surfactant-producing compound, to yield the surfactant-modified odor control agent which can serve both functions. As indicated above, the term xe2x80x9csurfactant-producing compoundxe2x80x9d includes surfactants, and other compounds which behave as surfactants following the chemical reaction. The surfactant and/or surfactant-producing compound should include at least one functional group which is compatible with the thermoplastic polymer used to make the fibrous nonwoven web. Suitable functional groups include alkyl groups having about 3-20 carbon atoms, including without limitation propyl, benzyl, isopropyl, butyl, tertiary butyl, allyl, alkyl-benzyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, cocyl, oleyl, stearyl, and other common alkyl groups. Alkyl groups can be combined with cyclodextrins by mixing an alkyl-containing surfactant with a cyclodextrin odor control agent (e.g., in a solvent such as water), or by reacting a hydroxyl group on the cyclodextrin under appropriate conditions with a surfactant-producing alkyl compound such as an alkyl-containing surfactant, an alkyl halide, an alkylating alkyl sulfate reactant, or another suitable alkylating compound. The mixing and/or chemical reaction can be accomplished using conventional techniques.
Other suitable functional groups include acyl groups having about 3-20 carbon atoms, including without limitation propionyl, butyryl, trifluoroacetyl, benzoyl, caproyl, caprylyl, capryl, lauroyl, myristoyl, palmitoyl, stearoyl, cocoyl, oleoyl, and other common acyl groups. Acyl groups can be combined with cyclodextrins by mixing an acyl-containing surfactant with a cyclodextrin odor-control agent (e.g., using a solvent such as water). Acyl groups can also be formed on cyclodextrins by reacting a hydroxyl group on the cyclodextrin under appropriate conditions with a surfactant-producing acyl compound such as an acyl-containing surfactant, acid anhydride, acid chloride, or another suitable acylating compound. The mixing and/or chemical reaction can be accomplished using conventional techniques.
Other suitable functional groups include those containing an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or derivative thereof which can be blended or reacted with a cyclodextrin to render it surface active. Suitable aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds include compounds containing the 2-ethylhexylglycidyl group, which can be mixed with a cyclodextrin, and/or attached to a cyclodextrin to form an ether, ester, or other derivative compound. Other suitable functional groups can also be employed, including suitable perfluoro and siloxane groups and compounds containing them. Examples include compounds containing the following groups:
xe2x80x83"Parenopenst"CF2"Parenclosest"x CF3
where x=2 to 11,
where x=2 to 20, and
where x=2 to 20.
The resulting surfactant-modified odor control agent may be applied using internal or external application techniques known in the art. Some compounds and blends operate more favorably when applied internally and are called xe2x80x9cinternal additives.xe2x80x9d Others operate more favorably when applied externally and are called xe2x80x9cexternal additives.xe2x80x9d Still other compounds and blends operate suitably as both internal and external additives.
As is generally known, an internal additive is typically blended with the polymer used to make the porous film, nonwoven web, or other porous thermoplastic layer material, and migrates to the surfaces of the porous film, nonwoven web filaments or other layer material during and/or after their formation. Often, the migration results from a stimulus, such as heat applied to the thermoplastic material. An external additive is applied externally to the surfaces of the layer material after it is formed. An external additive may be applied by dipping, soaking, spraying, or otherwise coating the porous thermoplastic layer material with a solvent or other medium containing the additive.
External application methods are presently preferred for the surfactant-modified odor control agents used with the treated materials of the invention. The surfactant-modified odor control agent (whether formed by blending or chemical reaction) may be mixed with water or another suitable solvent in a concentration of about 0.1-30% of the agent, preferably about 0.5-15% by weight of the agent, more preferably about 1-5% by weight of the agent. The solution may then be applied to a porous, water-permeable thermoplastic substrate by immersion, spraying, brush coating, printing, or another suitable technique. The treated layer material can then be dried using heat, forced air convection, vacuum-induced evaporation, or another conventional drying technique.
The treated layer materials thus formed have wettability to aqueous liquids, and odor resistance to a wide variety of odor-producing compounds. The terms xe2x80x9codor resistancexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9codor controlxe2x80x9d refer to the ability of the treated materials to react with, neutralize, form complexes with, or otherwise reduce or eliminate the odors produced by these compounds. Examples of odor-producing compounds which the treated layer materials of the invention may reduce or eliminate, include without limitation ammonia, triethylamine, isovaleric acid, dimethyldisulfide, dimethyltrisulfide, indole, skatole, and the like.
The amount of surfactant-modified odor control agent needed to provide sufficient wetting and odor absorption may vary depending on the surfactant-producing compound and odor control agent blended or reacted together, the base polymer type, and whether the surfactant-modified odor control agent is added internally or externally. On a solvent-free weight basis, the surfactant-modified odor control agent should generally constitute about 0.1-10% by weight of the porous, water-permeable substrate layer to which it is applied, preferably about 0.5-8% by weight, more preferably about 2-7% by weight.
The treated water-permeable layer materials thus formed can be used in a wide variety of absorbent product applications including, in particular, personal care absorbent products. Personal care absorbent products include diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like. In most absorbent products, the treated water-permeable layer material is used as a cover sheet or containment matrix for an absorbent medium capable of absorbing aqueous liquids. An absorbent medium may include, for instance, pulp fibers alone or in combination with a superabsorbent material. The treated water-permeable layer material can also be used in medical absorbent products, including without limitation garments, underpads, absorbent drapes, bandages, and medical wipes.
The pulp fibers may be any high-average fiber length pulp, low-average fiber length pulp, or mixtures of the same. Preferred pulp fibers include cellulose fibers. The term xe2x80x9chigh average fiber length pulpxe2x80x9d refers to pulp that contains a relatively small amount of short fibers and non-fiber particles. High fiber length pulps typically have an average fiber length greater than about 1.5 mm, preferably about 1.5-6 mm, as determined by an optical fiber analyzer, such as the Kajaani tester referenced above. Sources generally include non-secondary (virgin) fibers as well as secondary fiber pulp which has been screened. Examples of high average fiber length pulps include bleached and unbleached virgin softwood fiber pulps.
The term xe2x80x9clow average fiber length pulpxe2x80x9d refers to pulp that contains a significant amount of short fibers and non-fiber particles. Low average fiber length pulps have an average fiber length less than about 1.5 mm, preferably about 0.7-1.2 mm, as determined by an optical fiber analyzer such as the Kajaani tester referenced above. Examples of low fiber length pulps include virgin hardwood pulp, as well as secondary fiber pulp from sources such as office waste, newsprint, and paperboard scrap.
Examples of high average fiber length wood pulps include those available from the U.S. Alliance Coosa Pines Corporation under the trade designations Longlac 19, Coosa River 56, and Coosa River 57. The low average fiber length pulps may include certain virgin hardwood pulp and secondary (i.e., recycled) fiber pulp from sources including newsprint, reclaimed paperboard, and office waste. Mixtures of high average fiber length and low average fiber length pulps may contain a predominance of low average fiber length pulps. For example, mixtures may contain more than about 50% by weight low-average fiber length pulp and less than about 50% by weight high-average fiber length pulp.
The term xe2x80x9csuperabsorbentxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9csuperabsorbent materialxe2x80x9d refers to a water swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight and, more desirably, at least about 30 times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.
The superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, the superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. The term xe2x80x9ccross-linkedxe2x80x9d refers to any means for effectively rendering normally water-soluble materials substantially water insoluble but swellable. Such means can include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations, such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.
Examples of synthetic superabsorbent material polymers include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamides), poly(vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinylmorpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Further superabsorbent materials include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and the natural gums, such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic superabsorbent polymers can also be useful in the present invention. Other suitable absorbent gelling materials are disclosed by Assarsson et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,236 issued Aug. 26, 1975. Processes for preparing synthetic absorbent gelling polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663 issued Feb. 28, 1978 to Masuda et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,082 issued Aug. 25, 1981 to Tsubakimoto et al.
Superabsorbent materials may be xerogels which form hydrogels when wetted. The term xe2x80x9chydrogel,xe2x80x9d however, has commonly been used to also refer to both the wetted and unwetted forms of the superabsorbent polymer material. The superabsorbent materials can be in many forms such as flakes, powders, particulates, fibers, continuous fibers, networks, solution spun filaments and webs. The particles can be of any desired shape, for example, spiral or semi-spiral, cubic, rod-like, polyhedral, etc. Needles, flakes, fibers, and combinations may also be used.
Superabsorbents are generally available in particle sizes ranging from about 20 to about 1000 microns. Examples of commercially available particulate superabsorbents include SANWET(copyright) IM 3900 and SANWET(copyright) IM-5000P, available from Hoescht Celanese located in Portsmouth, Va., DRYTECH(copyright) 2035LD available from Dow Chemical Co. located in Midland, Mich., and FAVOR(copyright) SXM880, available from Stockhausen, located in Greensboro, N.C. An example of a fibrous superabsorbent is OASIS(copyright) 101, available from Technical Absorbents, located in Grimsby, United Kingdom.
As indicated above, the treated water-permeable layer material may be a cover sheet or a matrix for an absorbent medium. Nonwoven filaments may be employed as a matrix, and may be combined with pulp fibers and (optionally) a superabsorbent material using processes well known in the art. For example, a coform process may be employed, in which at least one meltblown diehead is arranged near a chute through which other materials are added while the web is forming. Coform processes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,464 to Lau and U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. Thermoplastic nonwoven filaments and pulp fibers may also be combined using hydraulic entangling or mechanical entangling. A hydraulic entangling process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,706 to Evans, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
When treated thermoplastic nonwoven filaments are used as a matrix for an absorbent nonwoven web composite, the composite should contain about 5-97% by weight pulp fibers, preferably about 35-95% by weight pulp fibers, more preferably about 50-95% by weight pulp fibers. When a superabsorbent material is present, it should constitute about 5-90% by weight of the composite, preferably about 10-60% by weight, more preferably about 20-50% by weight. In either case, the thermoplastic nonwoven filament matrix should constitute about 3-95% by weight of the composite, preferably about 5-65% by weight, more preferably about 5-50% by weight.
After combining the ingredients together, the absorbent nonwoven composites may be bonded together using the thermal point bonding or through-air bonding techniques described above, to provide a coherent high integrity structure.
The following samples were prepared and tested for wettability to water and for odor absorption properties.

Water permeable porous layer materials treated with surfactant-modified cyclodextrins


A method for preventing or treating high serum levels of cholesterol and lipids in a mammal, said method comprising orally administering an effective amount of natural lycopene to prevent or treat high serum levels of cholesterol or lipid to a mammal in need of such treatment. Also disclosed is an oral pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form for oral administration for the prevention or treatment of high serum levels of cholesterol and/or lipids in a mammal, said composition comprising an effective amount of natural lycopene to prevent or treat high serum levels of cholesterol or lipid in a mammal and in a sufficient amount to achieve a level of serum cholesterol of less than 200 mg per deciliter over the course of treatment, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

The present invention relates to the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease and more particularly to natural compositions which exert a protective action on the cardiovascular system against high levels of serum lipid and/or cholesterol. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a protective amount of natural lycopene, i.e., an amount of lycopene which protects the body against risks of high levels of cholesterol and/or lipid. The present invention is also directed to methods that prevent high serum lipid and cholesterol levels in a mammal, including humans, thereby lowering the risks of developing cardiovascular disease.
Reduction of cholesterol greatly lowers the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Thus, it has been reported in JAMA 1984; 251:351-64 that lowering of serum cholesterol levels with drugs prevents heart attacks. Coronary angiographic studies have also demonstrated the benefits of lower serum cholesterol in the prevention of coronary heart disease. See, for example, Levy et al, Circulation, 69:32S-37 (1984). Other studies also reported the benefits of lower cholesterol in slowing the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. See, for example, Blankenhorn et al., JAMA, 257:3233-40 (1987).
The drugs which are being used in these studies are, for example, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate and bezafibrate or a combination of cholestyramine and niacin. These reports clearly support the theory that lowering of serum cholesterol level will retard coronary atherogenesis and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
One of the problems with the therapy described above is that they are all pharmaceutical compounds which tend to require a long course of therapy. Unfortunately, considerable undesirable side effects are experienced by a number of patients.
Several therapeutic approaches for using vitamin E have been proposed. One such approach is described in the articles, xe2x80x9cVitamin E Consumption And The Risk Of Coronary Disease In Womenxe2x80x9d by Stampfer et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 328: 1444-9 (1993), and xe2x80x9cVitamin E Consumption And The Risk of Coronary Heart Disease In Menxe2x80x9d by Rimm et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 328: 1450-6 (1993), which disclose that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a role in atherosclerosis. It appears that the oxidation of LDL increases their incorporation into the arterial intima which is an essential step in atherogenesis.
Thus, in the foregoing articles, investigators have studied the effect of taking vitamin E and the risk of coronary disease and observed that the use of vitamin E supplements in middle-aged women is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Similarly, an association between a high intake of vitamin E and a lower risk of coronary heart disease was also observed in men.
In another study reported in Lancet, 342: 1379-84 (1993), it was observed that high beta-carotene intake reduced the risk of myocardial infarction. Beta-carotene has also been suggested as useful in reducing vascular events in patients with chronic stable angina. See, Gaziano et al., xe2x80x9cBeta Carotene Therapy for Chronic Stable Angina,xe2x80x9d Circulation 82:III, Abstract No. 0796 (1990).
In spite of the foregoing attempts to develop a method for preventing or treating high levels of serum cholesterol and/or lipids, there still exists a need in the art for a composition and method for protecting a mammal, including humans, against high serum cholesterol and lipid levels without the disadvantages and side effects associated with conventional drug therapy.
Surprisingly, the present inventors have now found that a patient can be protected against the development of cardiovascular disease without the use of conventional drug therapy by the compositions and methods of the present invention. The compositions of the present invention comprise as an active ingredient an effective protective amount of natural lycopene in an inert pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition comprises an amount of natural lycopene which protects the body against the risks of high levels of serum cholesterol and lipid.
Generally, the method comprises the step of administering to a mammal, including humans, in need of preventing or treating high levels of serum cholesterol or lipids, the composition of the present invention. The composition is preferably administered until the serum cholesterol is reduced and maintained at less than 200 mg per decaliter.
According to the present invention, the inventors have discovered a composition in unit dosage form which protects the body against high serum cholesterol and lipid levels. These compositions comprise as an active ingredient an effective amount of natural lycopene to prevent or treat high levels of serum cholesterol and lipids.
Lycopene is a natural red carotinoid which occurs for example in tomatoes. It can also be produced synthetically. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,381. However, it is natural lycopene which is intended in the practice of the present invention.
Generally speaking to have the desired protective action a dose of approximately 1 mg to approximately 10 mg daily for a 70 kg adult is suggested until the cholesterol level is lowered to less than 200 mg per deciliter. The precise amount of natural lycopene administered to a patient, of course, depends on a wide variety of factors such as the age and overall health of the patient, whether other pharmaceuticals and nutritionals being administered, and the like. It will be realized that if the patient has been diagnosed for advanced stages of atherosclerosis, that is, treatment of an ongoing condition, dosages at the higher end of this range is suggested. However, if only for the protective or preventive action, dosage at the lower end may be sufficient.
To broaden and enhance the therapeutic spectrum of the compositions of the present invention, other known naturally occurring substances may be included. These include, for example, natural beta-carotene. Alternatively, lycopene can be combined with natural tocopherol, especially alpha-tocopherol, with or without natural beta-carotene. The natural beta-carotene is preferably obtained from natural sources, such as palm oil or algae.
Beta-carotene, provitamin A, is readily metabolized by the body into vitamin A when required. There is also increasing evidence which suggests that there is a therapeutic benefit to beta-carotene itself, independent of vitamin A activity.
The primary source of the beta-carotene is an algae named Dunaliella salina. The algal cell functions just like an ordinary plant cell. It is photosynthetic, converting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into cell material and to provide energy. This is done by the green chlorophyll in the cell which is normally not visible as it is masked by the intense orange color of the beta-carotene.
Natural beta-carotene from the algae comprises an approximately equal mixture of cis and trans isomers with the cis form of beta carotene being more soluble in oil than synthetic trans beta carotene.
Synthetic beta-carotene is derived from synthetic organic chemicals and is a crystalline form of beta-carotene, primarily the trans isomer (a molecular configuration). The synthetic form is not the focus of the present invention which is directed to natural source products because of the advantages associated with their use.
The synthetic crystals of beta-carotene are difficult to dissolve in organic chemical solvents, implying that the human body would have similar, or greater, difficulties in assimilating the compound.
The natural carotenoids are mixture of compounds. Those include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lycopen.
The natural carotinoids are a mixture of cis and trans isomers while the synthetic carotenoids are all trans isomers.
Betatene, natural mixed carotenoids, is a registered trademark of Betatene Ltd. and is particularly useful in the practice of the present invention.
Betatene is a deep red suspension of natural mixed carotenoids in vegetable oil. The mixed carotenoids are isolated from the sea algae Dunaliella salina.
Betatene, natural beta-carotene, is soluble in oil to about 3.7% or about ten times the solubility of synthetic oil suspensions. This indicates a higher degree of bioavailability in the body.
The carotenoid content of Betatene 20% is standardized to contain not less than 200 mg per gram of five naturally occurring carotenoids that are commonly found in various fruits, cruciferous, yellow, and dark green leafy vegetables. The typical carotenoid distribution in Betatene 20% is as follows:
In addition to its role as an antioxidant, the beta-carotene provided by Betatene 20%, is a safe source of vitamin A, being converted to vitamin A within the body only as needed.
The amount of carotene or beta-carotene useful in the practice of the present invention can vary over a wide range and can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. Generally, the amount of carotene or beta-carotene is an amount sufficient to complement the lycopene and is an effective amount to prevent or treat high levels of serum cholesterol and/or lipids.
A similar amount of natural tocopherol is useful in the practice of the present invention. Natural tocotrienols and natural tocopherols are derived from vegetable oils. Soy oil is the most widely used source. Sunflower, corn, peanut, rapeseed and cottonseed oils may also be used. Natural tocotrienol and natural tocopherols are very different from that produced by chemical synthesis, i.e., synthetic xe2x80x9cvitamin E.xe2x80x9d While the definition of vitamin E is not consistent, for the purposes of the present invention, vitamin E refers to both tocotrienols and tocopherols.
Synthetic vitamin E is a mixture of eight different stereoisomers, only one of which is molecularly equivalent to natural vitamin E. The other seven stereoisomers have a lower biological activity. The mammalian body prefers the natural stereoisomer.
Natural vitamin E is recognized as having 36 percent greater potency than synthetic vitamin E. Recent studies suggest that natural vitamin E is probably twice as effective as synthetic vitamin E.
Natural vitamin E also remains in the body much longer than synthetic vitamin E. The seven synthetic stereoisomers are secreted into the bile and then into the intestine for removal from the body. The natural vitamin E stereoisomer, on the other hand, is returned to the bloodstream in the form of low density lipoproteins.
Any natural tocopherol or tocotrienol, its ester or compounds convertible to either tocopherols or their esters are suitable for use in the practice of the present invention.
The prior art has failed to appreciate any benefit associated with the administration of lycopene and/or tocotrienols or tocopherols to a mammal, including humans, to prevent the harmful effects of high serum cholesterol and lipid levels. Further, the prior art has heretofore never recognized any benefit for such a method using natural lycopene and/or natural tocotrienols or natural tocopherols.
The oral compositions of the present invention can be made by conventional compounding procedures known in the pharmaceutical art, that is, by mixing the active substances with edible pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic inert, solid or liquid carriers and/or excipients suitable for systemic administration and conventionally used in oral dosage forms. Additionally, edible, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizers usually used as stabilizers in oral dosage forms or edible, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be included in the compositions of the present invention. All the above carriers, excipients and stabilizers are intended to include only those suitable for oral administration and all are conventional and known to the pharmaceutical compounding art.
The compositions for oral administration comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable and otherwise inert carrier. Thus, for example, when administered orally, the active ingredient is formulated in the form of soft gelatin capsule, elixir, emulsion and the like employing methods well known in the art. Suitable formulations and formulation techniques can be found in Remington""s Pharmaceutical Sciences, eighteenth edition, 1990, by Mack Publishing Company.
The preferred method for administering the compositions of this invention is the oral route of administration. Typically lycopene is formulated in the form of a capsule as described more fully in the following example. The patient ingests this capsule, preferably on a daily basis.

Compositions containing natural lycopene and natural tocopherol


A method, apparatus, and system for providing active contents between applications activated by a plurality of computer systems are provided. A list of one or more remote users is created. A determination is made whether a first application and a second application are being executed by the at least one or more remote users. The list is updated in response to determining a change in a status of the second application being executed by the one or more remote users using at least one communications feature associated with the first application.

This invention relates generally to a user interface for sharing content, and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and system for providing utilization of an intermediary module to share content relating to a particular application.
Networks, such as the Internet, intranets, or other private or public networks, are ubiquitous. In fact, many computers are connected to one or more networks at the same time. For example, a business may have hundreds or even thousands of computers coupled to its own private network, which was, at least initially, used primarily for storage and exchange of computer files. At least some of these same business computers may also be coupled to the internet. Further, with the development of wireless devices, ad hoc networks may also be formed with properly configured portable devices. Even telephonic devices, such as cellular phones, pagers and the like, may be coupled to one or more of these networks. Small businesses and homes are also often connected in similar arrangements.
All of this connectivity has naturally led to communications between various users over these networks. For example, electronic mail (e-mail), because of its usefulness, is now commonplace. E-mail is now widely used by businesses and individuals, and in at least some instances has replaced more traditional forms of communications, such as mailed letters, facsimiles, telexes, and the like. However, e-mail has proven to be somewhat awkward when used to carry on an ongoing interaction.
Instant messaging, on the other hand, allows two or more users connected through these networks to carry on an interactive conversation. Exemplary instant messaging systems include Apple ICHAT®, AOL INSTANT MESSENGER®, Microsoft MSN MESSENGER®, YAHOO®, and the like. Typically, two or more users type in messages or select icons, which they send to one another. The receiving party(ies) may immediately respond with an appropriate message or icon. These instant messages are commonly displayed on a participant's monitor in serial fashion, usually scrolling the user's screen from top to bottom.
Each user typically maintains a listing of other people or parties with whom they routinely communicate. Various instant messaging systems use different terminology to identify these other parties, but commonly they are referred to as users, contacts, buddies, or the like. The buddies list allows the user to initiate a conversation with a person on the list by simply selecting them from the list. Additionally, the user can readily determine which of his/her buddies are available by checking a status flag. For example, the listing can be configured to display the status of each buddy. Thus, when a buddy is on-line or available to receive an instant message his/her status is indicated as being on-line or available.
Among the problems associated with the state of the art includes the fact that there is a lack of ability among various users to interact efficiently in the context of an application. Generally, in order to share active contents of a particular application, the user generally has to terminate the activation of an application and separately send various contents to another user who may be on the buddy list of the first user. For example, if a first user is executing a first application, a second user who may be on the buddy list of the first user generally cannot efficiently receive or interact with the first application being executed by the first user. Generally, applications executed by various users are standalone type applications where interactivity between various users in a real-time fashion is generally not possible.
Since various applications are standalone entities, communicating using another module such as instant messaging or e-mailing features, may require actually moving from one platform to another on a multi-tasking-type computer. This requires leaving one application to be able to communicate using another application. For example, one user may have an instant messaging application running concurrently with various other applications, such as word processors, graphics applications, multi-media applications, and the like. In order to communicate with another user on the buddy list, a user would have to leave a particular active application and enter a communications application, such as an email application. In other words, the user would have to leave particular active applications (e.g., word processing application, graphics application, multi-media application, etc.) and enter the communications application in order to perform communications described above. Again, this would compromise the real-time interaction between various users within the context of a particular application.
Furthermore, in order to provide for access of active applications between various users, developers of various applications would have to build client server functionality for each application to provide a collaborative embodiment. Additionally, in order to provide the ability to share content and other aspects of particular applications among various users, a significant amount of work to build connectivity relationships, such as peer-to-peer relationships between various environments, would likely be required. This would call for generating a new class of interaction between various users instead of the traditional client/server relationship.
E-mailing various portions of an application for sharing with another user would be difficult to implement in real-time. Generally, a user may have to close a particular application, extract a file, and e-mail that file to a second user, wherein the second user will have to open that particular file after leaving an active application to do so. Meanwhile, the real-time interaction would be lost in such a situation. Additionally, various applications are developed such that e-mailing various files associated with these applications may be difficult. One such example would be multimedia files because, generally, multimedia files tend to be large size files. E-mailing such large files may be problematic among various users.
The present invention is directed to overcoming or at least reducing one or more of the problems set forth above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.