Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method, in particular embodiments, may apply specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it extremely difficult or impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe. Particular SEC (size exclusion chromatography)-based methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be used to measure, e.g., the molecular size, weight, and/or volume, whether in absolute or relative manner, of the various components of eluate from the SEC stationary phase (e.g., a permeable gel). This analytical method is applicable on a wide variety of hydrocarbonaceous materials, and especially useful for, but not limited to oil, maltenes of oil, asphalt binders and asphalt binder blends, which may contain wide varieties of different types of additives, modifiers, and chemistries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to unit dose detergent compositions comprising a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition with a relatively high water content. In one embodiment, the unit dose detergent composition comprises a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises (a) at least one surfactant, (b) at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of polyols having 3 to 9 carbon atoms, and (c) about 15 wt % to about 35 wt % of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining mild aqueous laundry detergent formulations, mild liquid laundry detergent formulations, and methods for preparing the same. The formulations comprise various surfactants and have a low detergent mildness indicator, derived from combining results from Zein test, corneosurfametry test, and in vitro cytokine release test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beneficial composition comprising (a) an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising: a core comprising at least one benefit agent, and a water-insoluble shell; and (b) a suspension medium comprising: at least one suspending polymer, and at least one clay. The present invention also provides methods of using such a beneficial composition. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making a beneficial composition comprising: (a) providing an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a water-insoluble shell; (b) providing a suspension medium comprising at least one suspending polymer and at least one clay; (c) adding the encapsulated benefit agent composition to the suspension medium; and (d) mixing the suspension medium and the encapsulated benefit agent composition to form a substantially uniform aqueous suspension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to unit dose detergent compositions comprising a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition with a relatively high water content. In one embodiment, the unit dose detergent composition comprises a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises (a) at least one surfactant, (b) at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of polyols having 3 to 9 carbon atoms, and (c) about 15 wt % to about 35 wt % of water.

Abstract: A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining mild aqueous laundry detergent formulations, mild liquid laundry detergent formulations, and methods for preparing the same. The formulations comprise various surfactants and have a low detergent mildness indicator, derived from combining results from Zein test, corneosurfametry test, and in vitro cytokine release test.

Abstract: A precision ice guide is described that reduces kinetic energy of ice cubes exiting an ice dispenser to reduce splash and noise. The ice guide includes at least a front guard that extends downwardly toward a drinking vessel to slow the descent of ice from the ice chute into the drinking vessel. The ice guide may further include collar and/or clip features that can be used to stabilize and attach the ice guide to an ice dispenser. The bottom portion of the ice guide may be shaped in a manner to provide further guidance of the ice into the vessel below. The ice guide is easily removable and dishwasher safe, and may be designed in a variety of colors to coordinate with and/or accent the color and design of the appliance to which the ice guide is attached.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beneficial composition comprising (a) an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising: a core comprising at least one benefit agent, and a water-insoluble shell; and (b) a suspension medium comprising: at least one suspending polymer, and at least one clay. The present invention also provides methods of using such a beneficial composition. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making a beneficial composition comprising: (a) providing an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a water-insoluble shell; (b) providing a suspension medium comprising at least one suspending polymer and at least one clay; (c) adding the encapsulated benefit agent composition to the suspension medium; and (d) mixing the suspension medium and the encapsulated benefit agent composition to form a substantially uniform aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.

Abstract: A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to unit dose detergent compositions comprising a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition with a relatively high water content. In one embodiment, the unit dose detergent composition comprises a water-soluble container formed from a water-soluble film material enclosing a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises (a) at least one surfactant, (b) at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of polyols having 3 to 9 carbon atoms, and (c) about 15 wt % to about 35 wt % of water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting solid compacted composition of material comprising an ammonia storage material capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing ammonia in its ammonia saturated state and compacted to such a density that it has of at least 70% of the single crystal density of said material in its ammonia-saturated state in admixture with one or more additive incapable of storing ammonia and having a thermal conductivity of at least five times the thermal conductivity of the ammonia storage material at a temperature of from at least ?45° C. to 250° C., as well as a process for preparing it.

Abstract: A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs.

Abstract: A method of saturating reversible ammonia storage materials inside a container for the purpose of achieving high volumetric ammonia storage capacity and containers filled with the materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes bin separation systems. One system includes a separation piece for dividing the bin into a number of portions and an attachment piece for attaching a portion of the separation piece to a portion of a wall of the bin.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.

Abstract: A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.