Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating shoes, especially leather-containing shoes, such as athletic shoes, and methods and articles of manufacture employing same to treat the shoes prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions applied to one or more shoes in need of treatment prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes for imparting a desired benefit to the shoes such as cleaning and/or conditioning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing.

Abstract: The invention is an extendible liquid-applying spray arm for use with a liquid source, such as an electrical sprayer. It includes one handle and at least two tubular members which are telescopingly engaged with and slideable along one another. Sliding the tubular members extends/retracts the spray arm respectively for treating/storage or to meet particular work needs which require that said extendible spray arm has a short length. When the spray arm is collapsed, the telescopic members are at least partially arranged within the handle, so that the global length of the spray arm is less than the additional lengths of the handle and the telescopic portion. The spray arm further comprises a spray member for spraying the liquid. A flexible tube extends around the tubular members and connects to the nozzle member, which is preferably coiled around the tubular members.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, methods and product for removing wrinkles and smoothing fabric, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery, using ultrasonic energy and an ultrasonic transmission fluid.

Abstract: A method of orienting shoes in a washing machine, and devices for aligning shoes in a washing machine are disclosed. The method of orienting shoes in a washing machine, and devices for aligning shoes in a washing machine reduce the time for drying the shoes after the washing process.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for treating food such as produce, e.g., fruits and vegetables, and edible animal proteins are provided. Liquid formulations comprising anionic and/or nonionic detergent surfactant, such as potassium alkyl sulfate, that does not affect palatability, electrolyte to provide at least about 0.04 molarity of cations and basic buffer to provide a pH of at least 8.5 are applied to food products immediately before consumption and can significantly reduce microorganism contamination in less than about one minute. The food can be consumed without rinsing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating shoes, especially leather-containing shoes, such as athletic shoes, and methods and articles of manufacture employing same to treat the shoes prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions applied to one or more shoes in need of treatment prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes for imparting a desired benefit to the shoes such as cleaning and/or conditioning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing.

Abstract: A process of forming a shrink-sleeved bottle with a handle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process forms a bottle in which the handle is substantially exposed outside the bottle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shoe bags useful in laundering processes, especially for laundering of shoes, particularly leather-containing shoes, such as athletic shoes. The shoe bags of the present invention are preferably used in combination with compositions for treating one or more shoes in need of treatment, and methods and articles of manufacture employing same to treat the shoes prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes for imparting a desired benefit to the shoes such as cleaning and/or conditioning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing.

Abstract: Improved perimeter weighted golf clubs are disclosed. The perimeter weighted golf clubs of the present invention are provided with improved structures for distributing the weight at the perimeter of the club head. In one embodiment, the club is an iron-type golf club having a club head that includes a weighted perimeter portion and at least two spaced apart ribs on the back surface of the club head that extend from an upper portion of the club head toward at least a part of the weighted perimeter portion of the club head and the ribs are oriented generally perpendicular to the upper edge portion of the club head. In one version of this embodiment, the ribs have at least one thinned region therebetween that is in the form of a channel on the back surface of the club head.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning composition for removing cooked-, baked- or burnt-on soils from cookware and tableware, the composition comprising an organoamine solvent and wherein the composition has a liquid surface tension of less than about 24.5 mN/m and a pH, as measured in a 10% solution in distilled water, or least than 10.5. The composition can be used as pre-treatment prior to the dishwashing process. The composition provides excellent removal of polymerized grease from metal and glass substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable, aqueous odor-absorbing solution, for use on inanimate surfaces. The solution comprises from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the solution, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin, an effective amount of a solubilized, water-soluble, antimicrobial preservative having a water-solubility of greater than about 0.3%, optional perfume, and an aqueous carrier. The solution is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric and has a pH of greater than about 3. The solution can be incorporated into a spray dispenser to create an article of commerce that can facilitate treatment of articles and/or surfaces with uncomplexed cyclodextrin solutions of a level that is effective yet is not discernible when dried on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing malodor from fabrics; stable, aqueous odor-counteractant composition, preferably for use in the laundry; and articles comprising said composition and instructions for the method and/or benefits to be derived. The composition comprises malodor counteractants such as cyclodextrin, said cyclodextrin being protected from interaction with any other materials that might be present in said composition so as to maintain the cyclodextrin in uncomplexed form and/or, optionally, zeolites, clay, odor blockers, odor reactant such as class I and/or class II aldehydes, essential oil comprising flavanoid, metallic salt, water soluble anionic polymer, etc. to help control odor. Optionally, the composition can also contain low molecular weight polyols, chelating agents, etc. The composition is preferably essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric.

Abstract: A method of washing dishware/tableware in an automatic dishwashing machine having a single or multi-compartment product dispenser which is normally closed and sealed after charging the machine and prior to delivery of the dishwashing product into the wash liquor and wherein the dishwashing product comprises one or more dishwashing compositions in a unit dose form having a degree of deformability greater than about 10% and a shape and size such that the dishwashing product occupies more than about 60%, preferably more than about 85% of the volume of the corresponding compartment of the product dispenser in its closed state. The method allows for optimum delivery of active components across different washing machine types.

Abstract: Acidic and basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Clear liquid formulations comprising oleate, alcohol ethoxylates and buffers are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable, aqueous odor-absorbing and wrinkle controlling composition, preferably for use on inanimate surfaces, especially fabrics. The composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin and an effective amount of at least one ingredient to improve the performance of the composition selected from the group consisting of: (1) cyclodextrin compatible surfactant; (2) cyclodextrin compatible antimicrobial active; and (3) mixtures thereof. The composition also comprises a wrinkle control agent which is fabric lubricant, shape retention polymer, hydrophilic plasticizer, lithium salt, or mixtures thereof. Hydrophilic perfume improves acceptance. Optionally, the composition can contain low molecular weight polyols; metallic salts to help control odor; a humectant, etc. The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric.