Solid, Shaped Article (e.g., Bar, Etc.) Patents (Class 510/294)
  • Patent number: 6245731
    Abstract: The combination of packaging system comprising re-closing means with a stack of tablets (1) containing a bleaching agent unstable in a moisture environment, characterized in that the packaging device has a Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate of less than 20 g/m2/day measured at 40° C. and 75% eRH for avoiding ingress of water is disclosed. The packaging system may also have a micro-hole to allow gas release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bernard Cossec, Jacky Pierre Duquet, Gregory Bruce Huntington
  • Patent number: 6242403
    Abstract: A detergent tablet of compressed particulate composition, and a process of making such a tablet, wherein the tablet or a region thereof comprises organic detergent and detergency builder and the tablet or region thereof is compacted from a composition which contains: (A) particles containing at least 60% by weight of non-soap anionic detergent (B) particles containing at least 80% of their own weight of one or more water-soluble materials selected from compounds with a water-solubility exceeding 50 grams per 100 grams water at 20° C.; and sodium tripolyphosphate containing at least 50% of its own weight of the phase I anhydrous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rene Lammers, Seeng Djiang Liem, Alastair Richard Sanderson, Bart Slenderbroek, Harmannus Tammes, Arie Vermaas, Gilbert Martin Verschelling, Ronaldus Wilhelmus Johannes Westerhout
  • Patent number: 6232285
    Abstract: A compacted granulate comprising water-swellable cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives and finely divided polymers/copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof and one or more liquid surfactants, and the use thereof as disintegrating agent for detergent tablets, cleaning agent tablets, water softening tablets and scouring salt tablets, as well as a process for making the compacted granulate by mixing the constituents, granulating and compacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Casteel, Hans-Georg Hartan, Elke Philippsen-Neu, Rainer Poeschmann
  • Patent number: 6221832
    Abstract: Compacted granulate comprising starch and/or a starch derivatives and, optionally, water-swellable cellulose/cellulose derivatives, and finely divided polymers/copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof and one or more liquid surfactants, and the use thereof as disintegrating agent for detergent tablets, cleaning agent tablets, water-softening tablets and scouring salt-tablets, as well as a process for making the compacted granulate by mixing the constituents, granulating and compacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Casteel, Hans-Georg Hartan, Elke Philippsen-Neu, Rainer Poeschmann
  • Patent number: 6211129
    Abstract: The invention is a solid chemical concentrate system of at least two cooperative shapes. The first shape is an inwardly curved bar having an inner opening. The second shape is an insert which is capable of interlocking with the bar by insertion into the bar inner opening. The solid chemical concentrate provides chemical systems having active constituents which may be the same, different but compatible or functionally and chemically incompatible combined within one matrix to provide at least one substantially continuous surface. The system may also comprise an aqueous soluble or dispersible polymeric film cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Gladfelter, Tina O. Outlaw, James L. Copeland, Rhonda K. Schulz, Daniel K. Boche, Jeff W. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6177393
    Abstract: A process for making a detergent composition comprising solid components which form a total particulate base detergent matrix and a liquid hydrocarbon component, the process comprises the steps of applying liquid hydrocarbon onto a high porosity fraction selected from the total particulate base detergent matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alasdair Duncan McGregor, Jane Margaret Warwick, Steven Baldwin McGowan
  • Patent number: 6177398
    Abstract: A process for making a detergent tablet suitable for use in laundry or automatic dishwashing by tabletting a detergent composition comprising solid components which form a total particulate base detergent matrix and non-aqueous liquid components having viscosity of 1000 cp or less is disclosed. The process involves the steps of applying the non-aqueous liquid components having viscosity of 1000 cp or less onto a low porosity fraction selected from the total particulate base detergent matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alasdair Duncan McGregor, Jane Margaret Warwick
  • Patent number: 6169062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tablets comprising a core and a coating, the core being formed by compressing a particulate material, the particulate material comprising surfactant and detergent builder, and the tablet further comprising a disintegrant, at least some of the disintegrant being in the coating. The invention also relates to processes for making the tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Serge Salager, Paul Irma Albertus Van Dijk, Jeroen Van Poucke
  • Patent number: 6153574
    Abstract: The speed of disintegration of tablets containing a water-softening agent, especially water-insoluble, water-softening agent intended as detergency builder for fabric washing is enhanced by incorporating spray-dried partially hydrated sodium acetate alone or jointly with sodium citrate dihydrate and/or crystallized sodium acetate trihydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Joseph Anna Janssen
  • Patent number: 6093688
    Abstract: The speed of disintegration of tablets containing a water-softening agent, especially water-insoluble, water-softening agent intended as detergency builder for fabric washing is enhanced by incorporating sodium acetate trihydrate, potassium acetate or a mixture thereof. To inhibit caking and facilitate handling during manufacture, smaller particles of another substance are preferably provided at the surface of the crystals of the acetate or citrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA
    Inventor: James William Gordon
  • Patent number: 6087311
    Abstract: Tablets comprise a core and a coating, the core being formed by compressing a particulate material, the particulate material comprising surfactant and detergent builder, and the coating comprising dicarboxylic acid. The tablets are provided with effervescent agents, in the core or water-swellable desintegrant in the coating which aid in their disintegration in wash liquors. The invention also relates to processes for making the tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Paul Irma Albertus Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 6083895
    Abstract: A tabletted detergent composition comprises from 45% to 80% by weight of a builder system which is not fully hydrated and from 5% to 30% total water content, wherein the total water content comprises water derived from the builder system, optional ingredients and from added water, wherein the ratio of the total water content to added water content is from 100:1 to 5:4. The tablet exhibits improved hardness and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jane Margaret Warwick
  • Patent number: 6066615
    Abstract: A tablet of compacted particulate detergent composition has an indentation (39) around a periphery of the face (37) of the tablet. The surface circumscribed by the indentation preferably has higher permeability and is rougher than the surface of the indentation (39) itself. Such a tablet can be made by a process in which a detergent composition is compacted in a mould by at least one die with an elastomeric surface layer (36) on an area which contacts the composition, which layer (36) is surrounded by a rigid rim (30) which forms the indentation (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Henk Bijl, James William Gordon, Gert van Koppen, Marcel Van der Kraan, Jan Poorvliet
  • Patent number: 6060444
    Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous, solid cleaning composition that comprises a cleaning agent, and optionally an additive agent and a hardening agent. The compositions are processed in a continuous mixing system at high shear, at or below the melting temperature of the ingredients. Preferably, the ingredients are processed in an extruder, and the mixture is extruded directly into a mold or other packaging system for dispensing the cleaning composition. The consistency of the composition ranges from that of a fused block solid to a malleable article. The cleaning compositions are useful for warewashing and cleaning hard surfaces, rinsing, sanitizing, deodorizing, laundry detergents, conveyor lubricants, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda Kay Schulz, Helmut K. Maier
  • Patent number: 6051545
    Abstract: Cleaning compositions in the form of tablets containing surfactant and detergency builder, especially for use in fabric washing, also contain a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric material which has an average particle dimension of at least 400 micrometers. Such material may be cellulosic in nature and promotes disintegration of the tablets in water at the time of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jelles Vincent Boskamp
  • Patent number: 5968204
    Abstract: Sheets capable of developing a positive electostatic charge are used for a variety of surface cleaning operations. Polyester fabric, non-woven and chemically bonded with an acrylic latex is used to dust surfaces, to clean clothes, furniture and carpets. A light solvent such as isopropanol can be used with the sheets to loosen gummy soils. In one mode, the sheets are used in a hot air clothes dryer to remove soils and detritus from garments. Processes for cleaning a variety of fabric and hard surfaces are conducted using the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Rodney Mahlon Wise
  • Patent number: 5951716
    Abstract: A containment bag 1 which may be used in home dry cleaning is made of textile with an impermeable finish and an interior capable of absorbing loose particles and soil. The containment bag 1 is used in a home dryer dry cleaning and freshening system. The textile of the containment bag 1 has a layer of woven or knit fabric with an impermeable coating and a soft, hairy layer on its interior. The inside of the containment bag 1 is prewetted with cleaning composition. Preferably a liquid cleaning composition is employed and the cleaning composition may include a fragrance composition. A process for cleaning a garment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Reckitt & Colman Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Anthony Lucia, III, Stephen Vito Dente, Tracy Ann Ryan, Michael Richard Tyerech, Anthony Domenic Sidoti, Stanislaw Kepka
  • Patent number: 5929011
    Abstract: A solid cast detergent product containing an active chlorine source is disclosed. Methods of of manufacture and of use are also disclosed for the solid cast detergent product containing an active chlorine source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sunburst Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Scepanski
  • Patent number: 5916866
    Abstract: In a process for making detergent tablets comprising spraying a coating of a water-soluble organic polymeric binder onto the exterior of particles of detergent composition containing detergent active and detergency builder and compacting the composition, the improvement comprises spraying an external coating of a film-forming water-soluble organic polymer onto the tablets. The coating on the tablet exterior reduces friability and abrasion and provides extra enhancement of strength while permitting disintegration/dissolution in a wash liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillip Davies, Sara Jane Edwards, Douglas Wraige
  • Patent number: 5900399
    Abstract: A tablet composition containing 2% to 100% by weight of amorphous crystalline or partly crystalline layer-form sodium silicates corresponding to the formula Na.sub.2 Si.sub.x --O.sub.2x+1.yH.sub.2 O wherein x is a number of 1.9 to 4 and y is a number of 0 to 20, with the proviso that the tablet composition only contains water in a quantity such that the maximum theoretical water-binding capacity of the components of the composition is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Wolfgang Seiter, Dieter Jung, Otto Koch, Birgit Stevermann
  • Patent number: 5759988
    Abstract: There is provided an environmentally stable detergent article. Normally, hygroscopic caustic detergent materials can be made resistant to absorption of ambient humidity or water by introducing a barrier coating onto the caustic detergent. The barrier also renders the highly active alkaline material safe for human handling. The coated detergent article can further be enclosed in a film enclosure or wrapping which provides further protection for handling during production, shipment, storage and final end use. The coated article can be removed from any packaging material, inserted into a water spray-on dispenser and used to create a concentrated aqueous detergent for use in ware washing machines. In order to obtain control over dispensing, hydrophobic coatings can be nicked, split, peeled or partially removed using other means to provide an initial surface of caustic detergent exposed to the water spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Joseph Heile, James John Tarara
  • Patent number: 5723420
    Abstract: Personal cleansing bar compositions which contain a fragrance-releasing complex and a bar carrier. The fragrance-releasing complex contains a hydrophilic inorganic porous fragrance carrier and a fragrance impregnated within the fragrance carrier. The ratio of the fragrance:fragrance carrier ranges from about 5:1 to about 1:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karl Shiqing Wei, Louis Fay Wong, Deborah Adamo Koehler, Mark Richard Sine
  • Patent number: 5670473
    Abstract: A method for forming solid cleaning agents starts with hydrated forms of salts that generally have considerably lower melting points in their hydrated forms. The hydrated salt cleaning agents are heated to form a melted cleaning suspension. Additional ingredients can be mixed into the melted cleaning suspension. These additional ingredients can be selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, alkaline builders, multivalent metal sequestering agents, active enzymes, soil suspending agents, defoamers, oxygenated solvents, fragrances, optical brighteners and colorants. An alternative method involves the formation of a mixture of powder or granular cleaning composition components. These components include at least 15 percent by weight of a moderate melting point cleaning additive. A receptacle with the cleaning components is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the moderate melting point cleaning additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Sunburst Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Scepanski
  • Patent number: 5658874
    Abstract: Detergent tablets, compacted from detergent powder containing detergent active and detergency builder, contain a polymer which acts as binder and as a disintegrant when the tablets are added to water. Preferably the binder is sprayed into the powder before compaction. The strength of such tablets is improved, without detriment to other properties, by tabletting at a temperature above ambient but below melting point of the polymeric binder. Preferably the temperature is only 5.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. below the melting point of the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillip Davies, Sara Jane Edwards, Pauline Farnworth, Douglas Wraige
  • Patent number: 5630847
    Abstract: Efficient dry cleaning compositions with pleasant odor qualities comprise water, butoxy propoxy propanol cleaning solvent and a perfume ingredient. The compositions also comprise 1,2-octanediol as a wetting agent, and a polyacrylate emulsifier. Dry cleaning sheets impregnated with the composition are suitable for inhome use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Timothy C. Roetker
  • Patent number: 5534197
    Abstract: Gemini polyhydroxy fatty acid amide compounds and laundry, cleaning, fabric and personal care compositions comprising these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Scheibel, Daniel S. Connor, Yi-Chang Fu
  • Patent number: 5531915
    Abstract: Detergent compositions containing conventional detergent surfactants, detergent builders, and the like, and a chelant selected from ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutaric acid (EDDG) and 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (HPDDS) are disclosed. Such compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains. The EDDG and HPDDS are biodegradable and contain no phorphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Christopher M. Perkins