Patents Assigned to Lever Brothers Company
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Patent number: 6274544Abstract: A granular detergent product is made by spraying a liquid binder to contact a particulate solid starting material in a low shear granulator such as a fluidised bed apparatus. The d3,2 average droplet diameter is not greater than ten times the d3,2 average particle diameter of that fraction of the solid starting material which has a d3,2 particle diameter of from 20 &mgr;m to 200 &mgr;m provided that if more than 90% by weight of the solid starting material has a d3,2 average particle diameter less than 20 &mgr;m then the d3,2 average particle diameter of the total solid starting materials shall be taken to be 20 &mgr;m. If more than 90% by weight of the solid starting material has a d3,2 average particle diameter greater than 200 &mgr;m then the d3,2 average particle diameter of the total starting solid material shall be taken to be 200 &mgr;m.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Akkermans, Michael Frederick Edwards, Andreas Theodorus Groot, Cornelis Paulus Montanus, Roland Wilhelmus Pomeren, Korkut Ahmet Yuregir
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Patent number: 6265368Abstract: A thickened, aqueous detergent composition having an aqueous phase containing foaming surfactant, carrageenan and water. Conveniently, the carrageenan is at least half kappa or iota carrageenan, or a mixture of the two.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Aronson, Charles Rupert Brown, Robert James Chatfield, Edwin Willis
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Patent number: 6255265Abstract: A bar composition comprising about 50-80% soap, about 4 to 35% by wt. free fatty acid and less than about 4% synthetic surfactant. Addition of 1% to 10% organic salt has been found to allow use of little or no surfactant while maintaining consumer desirable properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Edward Andrew Van Gunst, James Joseph Corr, John Gerard Sheehan, Joseph Podgorsky
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Patent number: 6242398Abstract: A soap bar comprises 40-85% soap, 1-40% water immiscible benefit agent 1-40% solid water soluble carrier and 5-25% water. The carrier is initially mixed with the benefits agent to form a premix which is subsequently dispersed into the soap. Suitable benefit agents are oils and humectants whereas suitable carriers are starches, modified starches and water soluble solid polymers.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: John George Chambers, Geoffrey Irlam, Bryan Stuart Joy
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Patent number: 6238612Abstract: A process for forming detergent bars comprising applying pressure to a detergent composition contained within a mould cavity. The detergent composition in the mould is in a substantially fluid or semi-solid state and the mould is substantially full before the pressure is applied.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Peter Stewart Allan, John Martin Cordell, Graeme Neil Irving, Suresh Murigeppa Nadakatti, Vijay Mukund Naik, Christine Ann Overton, Frederick Edmund Stocker, Karnik Tarverdi
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Patent number: 6239091Abstract: A detergent or rinse aid composition which reduces spotting and filming on glassware cleaned in an automatic dishwashing machine is described. The composition contains an effective amount of a water soluble cationic or amphoteric polymer having at least one monomer unit having a cationic charge over a portion of the pH range of about 2 to about 11 in the wash or rinse cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Alla Tartakovsky, Joseph Oreste Carnali, John Robert Winters
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Patent number: 6223945Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body resistant to stress cracking, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents, but also for liquid fabric softeners, light duty liquid detergents, automatic dishwashing gels, chemicals, foods and other products. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. In one embodiment, the body includes a multilayer resin structure having an inner layer which includes a metallocene polyethylene polymer. An octagonal shape, ribs or grooves at the intersections of the panels, a drainback fitment, an off center neck, and an in-mold label are optional.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1997Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Suzanne Benigni
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Patent number: 6223942Abstract: A container for dispensing two products kept separate prior to application, for example, surfactant and skin benefit agent. The container comprising two chambers, adhered to each other. Although the chambers are essentially identical when viewed from their respective distal walls, they are adhered to each other at an offset so that from any view, both chambers can be seen. Preferably, the chambers include in their proximal walls complementary raised and recessed portions, e.g., protuberances and depressions, which assist the alignment of the chambers in an offset. A closure preferably comprises a peripheral flange and a wall extending transversely of the flange and including at least two product egress openings. Product egress channels on the underside of the transverse wall may lead to the product egress openings. Preferably attached to the closure base, for example by a hinge, is a closure cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Joseph Markey, Frank Edward Gonda, James Lynn Turbett, David Scott Laubach
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Patent number: 6225275Abstract: A first aspect of the invention is a process for enhancing the activity of an oxidorecudtase by adding to the enzyme, certain specific compounds which are capable of enhancing the activity of said oxidoreductase enzyme. A second aspect of the invention is an enzymatic bleach composition comprising an oxidoreductase and enhancing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Hage, Jiri Hora, Ton Swarthoff, Robin Stefan Twisker
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Patent number: 6225462Abstract: A polysaccharide conjugate comprises a polysaccharide with an attached entity having a molecular weight of at least 5000, the polysaccharide conjugate being capable of binding to cellulose. Preferred polysaccharides include tamarind seed xyloglucan, locust bean gum and enzyme modified guar. The attached entity is suitably a protein such as an enzyme, antibody or antibody fragment, or a particle possibly having a benefit agent such as a fragrance associated therewith. Because the polysaccharide conjugate binds to cellulose, which is present in cotton and other fabrics, paper, etc., binding of the conjugate to cellulose brings the attached entity into close proximity to a surface of or containing cellulose. The invention thus enables targeting of attached entities to such surfaces. The invention also provides a product incorporating the polysaccharide conjugate of the invention. The product is conveniently a laundry product such as a fabric washing product, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Mark John Berry, Paul James Davis, Michael John Gidley
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Patent number: 6224812Abstract: A process for forming detergent bars by injection moulding in which a pressure is applied to a partially structured detergent composition to deliver it to a mould. The detergent composition can be delivered to the mould in a substantially semi-solid state, at a temperature below 70° C. and at a pressure at the point of injection of greater than 20 psi.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Peter Stewart Allan, John Martin Cordell, Graeme Neil Irving, Suresh Murigeppa Nadakatti, Vijay Mukund Naik, Christine Ann Overton, Frederick Edmund Stocker, Karnik Tarverdi, John Colin Wahlers
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Patent number: 6221831Abstract: A free-flowing built particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) at least 27% by weight of non-soap organic detergent surfactant, (ii) one or more detergency builders, but not more than 7% by weight of alkali metal aluminosilicate, the weight ratio of surfactant to builder being at least 1.2:1.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: William Derek Emery, Andreas Theodorus Groot, Terry Instone, Seeng Djiang Liem, Kenneth Metcalfe, Richard George Smith, Gilbert Martin Verschelling
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Patent number: 6218350Abstract: There is provided a bleaching enzyme capable of generating a bleaching chemical and having a high binding affinity for stains present on fabrics. Furthermore, there is provided an enzymatic bleaching composition comprising the bleaching enzyme and a surfactant and a process for bleaching stains present of fabrics.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Stewart Beggs, Mark John Berry, Paul James Davis, Leon Gerardus J. Frenken, Cornelis Theodorus Verrips
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Patent number: 6214780Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic bar compositions comprising amphoteric surfactants (e.g., betaine) in which, by using floor levels of fatty acid soap and floor ratios (minimum amounts) of saturated to unsaturated soap, enhanced processing (i.e., measured as rates of extrusion) is obtained at higher levels of amphoteric.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: William Narath, Gregory Ornoski, James Corr
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Patent number: 6210600Abstract: A rinse aid composition and method of using it in a machine dishwasher is described. The composition contains a polymer having about 50 wt. % to about 99% by weight of an olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and about 1 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of at least one monomer including a copolymerizable sulfonated monomer, copolymerizable nonionic monomer or both. The composition prevents the formation of scale in the machine dishwasher.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Yan Zhou, Joseph Oreste Carnali
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Patent number: 6191095Abstract: A particulate detergent composition having a bulk density of 700 g/l or less and containing at least 10 wt % (preferably at least 15 wt %) of organic detergent surfactant comprises a base powder composed of at least two granular components. Less than 80% by weight, preferably less than 66% by weight, of the base powder has a compressibility (measured at 20-25° C. and about 40% relative humidity) of 17% or more. Preferably one of the components of the base powder is a granule containing a high level (at least 60 wt %) of anionic surfactant.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: William Derek Emery, Terry Instone, Seeng Djiang Liem, Gilbert Martin Verschelling
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Patent number: 6176526Abstract: This disclosure relates to an expansion joint to connect two or more concentric bodies that are heated/cooled to different temperatures for the passage of liquid or gases. When the connecting portion is at an angle not in plane with the concentric bodies, the design allows for the gravity drainage of fluids and slurries from one connecting body to another without pooling or damming.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Lever Brother Company division of ConopcoInventors: Fred McRae, R. Dennis Ray, Constance E. Morris
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Patent number: 6174848Abstract: A process for washing laundry in a washing machine employs a receptacle for dispensing detergent tablets. The receptacle comprises a loosely fitting net bag having apertures with an average mesh size of between 1 and 10 mm. One or more tablets are placed in the dispensing receptacle before being placed into a washing machine along with laundry to be washed and a washing operation is carried. After the washing operation, the device is removed from the machine and stored for subsequent use. Moreover, the invention relates to a dispensing device for carrying out this process and a use of the device in laundry washing.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, div. of Conopco Inc.Inventors: George Thomas Dawson, Francois Delwel, James William Gordon, Albert Cornelis de Jong, Colin Watt Kerr, Edwin Leo Lempers, Loic Marie Tardy
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Patent number: 6174846Abstract: The invention relates to liquid cleansing compositions in lamellar phase. Use of minimum amounts of defined polymeric hydrophilic emulsifier in combination with a lamellar phase inducing structurant has been found to enhance both initial viscosity and free thaw (low temperature) viscosity/stability.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.Inventor: Virgilio Villa
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Patent number: 6174845Abstract: The present invention relates to bar compositions in which an emollient composition comprising thickened entrapped emollient is added to a base bar composition at or during time of extrusion to form macroscopic, concentrated domains of emollient droplets. Addition of entrapped droplets allows far greater deposition than if the non-trapped emollients had been mixed in directly to form chips which are then extruded to form final bar.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Gail Beth Rattinger, Georgia Shafer, James Dalton, Michael Massaro, Harry Crookham, Michael Aronson, Terence Farrell