Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid cleaning composition or shampoo comprising a surfactant system containing a dianionic or alkoxylated dianionic surfactant having a structural skeleton of at least five carbon atoms to which two anionic substituent groups spaced at least three atoms apart are attached, wherein one anionic substituent group is a sulfate group or an alkoxy-linked sulfate group and the other anionic substituent is selected from sulfate and sulfonate optionally alkoxy-linked, in combination with one or more other co-surfactants.

Abstract: A suspension system for magnetically suspending an object O comprises an electromagnetic coil L having an axially extending core 13 of magnetically permeable material and a permanent magnet 14 disposed on its axis. A permanent magnet 10 is also provided in the object O and is arranged such that it is in attraction with the permanent magnet 14 on the coil L, and with the magnetically permeable core 13 so that the object O is suspended at a position below the coil L by the attractive force. Sensors 15,16 on the coil L detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 10 in the object O, and provide signals to a control circuit, which applies current to the coil L to attract the object O when the detected field is below a predetermined limit and to repel the object when the detector field is above a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions or components thereof containing a detersive enzyme and one or more cationic surfactants of the formula:R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-in which R.sup.1 is a hydroxyalkyl group having no greater than 6 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-11 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion.

Abstract: Detergent compositions comprising: a) a dianionic cleaning agent comprising a structural skeleton of at least five carbon atoms to which two anionic substituent groups spaced at least three atoms apart are attached, wherein one anionic substituent group is a sulfate group and the other anionic substituent is selected from sulfate and sulfonate; b) a nonionc surfactant (preferably alkyl ethoxylates, especially alkyl ethoxylates having an average of at least 3 ethoxylates); c) in total, less than about 20% by weight anionic surfactants; d) optionally, co-surfactants selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; and e) detergent composition adjunct ingredients; and wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant plus any optional co-surfactant d) is with the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising lipases, a lipase compatible anionic surfactant system, and a gemini polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. The anionic surfactant system comprises alkyl alkoxylated sulphates having specific ratios of mono-, di- and tri-alkoxylated sulphates. The detergent compositions provide improved greasy soil removal over a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anionic compounds and their application in detergent compositions. The compounds have the dual benefits of surfactancy and suds suppression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an anionic surfactant system. The anionic surfactant system comprises alkyl alkoxylated sulphate having specific ratios of mono-, di- and trialkoxylated sulphate. The anionic surfactant system provides improved oily and greasy soil removal over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: An extensible ladder includes a plurality of sections, each having a pair of tubular uprights connected by a rung, with the uprights of each section being slidably engaged with the corresponding uprights of an adjacent section. The inside surface of the tubular uprights are provided with longitudinally extending grooves, which reduce the area of sliding contact between adjacent uprights, thereby making the ladder easier to extend or collapse.

Abstract: The apparatus includes contact blades at different elevations on a utility pole rotatable between electrical connection and disconnection positions vis-a-vis contact members. To rotate the contact blades, an electromechanical linear actuator extends a clevis and crank arm to rotate a vertically extending shaft coupled to another crank and a lever arm to rotate the insulators on which the contact blades are mounted. The linear actuators are carried by support structure high on the utility pole and, by rotating the vertical shafts, the insulators and contact blades at each phase are simultaneously rotated.

Abstract: System for controlling the supply of utility services, such as electricity, gas, water, and oil, and other services, such as telephone, cable television, and the like to a consumer. The system includes one or more service supply control units for controlling the supply of the service to a consumer location over a predetermined time period. A timing device is connected to the supply control unit for setting the time period over which the supply control units supply the service to the consumer. A deactuating device is connected to the supply control units for effecting termination of the supply of the service upon expiry of the predetermined time period. An actuator card is provided for actuating the supply control units.

Abstract: An electronic lock and key system is provided for controlling access. A passive key provides selective access without having a self contained power source. In a passive transponder arrangement, a passive electronic key processes induced or radiated electronic signals to generate a transponder signal for controlling access.