Abstract: Formaldehyde-free durable press finished textiles having cross-linked polymaleate finishes are provided. The finish comprises a cross-linked polymaleate having a crosslinked adjunct selected from the group having the formula: wherein R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the formula: and mixtures thereof; X is H, OH, or OSO3M, M is H, a salt forming cation, and mixtures thereof; the indices x, y, and z are each independently from 0 to about 7; x+z is greater than or equal to 1, Q is H, OH, OM but not H when both x and z are greater than or equal to 1 and the textile has a durable press rating of at least about 3.0 and a tensile strength retention of greater than 40%.

Abstract: A method for the production of polycarboxylic acids is provided via the present invention. The novel method herein comprises the steps of i) mixing a phosphorous containing reducing agent with at least one carboxylic acid monomer to form a reaction mixture; ii) adding an equivalent of base to the reaction mixture to provide a partially neutralized reaction mixture; and iii) adding a free radical generator to the partially neutralized reaction mixture under polymerization conditions to form a phospho/carboxylic acid polymer containing solution. Preferred monomers, reducing agents and free radical generators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel textile finishing compositions for finishing textile articles are provided via the present invention. The textile finishing compositions disclosed herein comprise a cross-linking agents and a catalytic amount of an esterification agent. The cross-linking agents employed herein are selected from a number of phosphorous containing polycarboxylates. Also provided via the present invention are methods for applying the aforementioned finishing compositions to textile articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making a viscous reaction product and making this into a solid or suspendable component, so that it can be incorporated in solid and liquid compositions such as cleaning compositions or for example fabric care compositions. The process comprises the steps of: a) reacting at least two compounds with one another to form a first active material to form a viscous mixed product which has a viscosity of at least 500 cps or even at least 1000 cps at 20° C., thereby preferably mixing this with a second active material; b) mixing the product of step a) with a liquid carrier material, (which can then be suspended in a liquid composition); or if slid components are required, step b) being followed by: c) mixing the mixture of step b) with a solid granulation agent to form a solid component; d) optionally forming the solid component of step c) into granules.

Abstract: Emulsion treatment compositions comprise an aqueous continuous phase and a discontinuous phase in the form of an oil-in-oil emulsion. The oil-in-oil emulsion comprises a reactive component including a reactive agent and an internal oil, wherein the internal oil solubilizes the reactive agent, and a middle oil in which the reactive component is dispersed. The middle oil is immiscible with the internal oil, does not solubilize the reactive agent, is immiscible in the aqueous continuous phase, and includes a hydrophobic particulate thickener. Methods for treating hair comprise applying the emulsion treatment compositions to hair.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 4 and at a Stokes Number of 10 to about 1000 using a coating solution or slurry having a viscosity from about 300 to about 100,000 centipoise, measured at 60° C. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Abstract: A laundry additive article comprising an insoluble polymeric amine dye absorber physically adhered to an insoluble substrate is disclosed. The insoluble polymeric amine dye absorber is dye-selective, preferentially binding fugitive dyes in a wash solution, rather than detergent components or fabrics. The laundry additive article may comprise additional components including a dye transfer inhibitor and a signal to visually indicate that fugitive dyes have been scavenged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric treatment compositions comprising at least one or more cationic silicone polymers, comprising one or more polysiloxane units and one or more quaternary nitrogen moieties, and an nitrogen-free silicone polymer wherein the ratio by weight of the cationic silicone polymer to the nitrogen-free silicone polymer is from 10:1 to 0.01:1, preferably from 5:1 to 0.05:1, and more preferably from 1:1 to 0.1:1. A process for preparing such compositions, a method of treating substrates and the use of such compositions are also described.

Abstract: Methods for making articulate detergents are disclosed. The detergent particulates are formed from a combination of pre-formed detergent particulates and other detergent ingredients may also be preformed such as blown powders, extrudates or agglomerates or particulate raw materials. Selection of the feed streams into a low or moderate shear mixing process enable of the finished detergent particle to be controlled without requiring careful control of the conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are detergent compositions and methods which utilize certain modified cellulose ethers as fabric treatment agents that can impart fabric appearance and integrity benefits to fabrics and textiles laundered in washing solutions which contain such agents. Such modified cellulose ether fabric treatment agents are those having selected types and amounts of anhydroglucose ring substituents in order to render them nonionic, cationic or anionic in nature.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a non-finished textile component is provided. The method comprises the steps of treating a non-finished textile component in an aqueous bleaching solution of hydrogen and a hydrophobic bleach activator or hydrophobic peracid. Preferred bleach activators include the alkanoyloxybenzene sulfonates and in particular noanoyloxybenzene sulfonate. The method provides superior fiber protection and fabric strength benefits versus conventional processing as well as significant savings in both energy and time due to the lower bleaching temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to free-flowable compositions in a pouch which contain different free-flowable components fixed in different regions and to process for making these pouched compositions. The pouch and the compartment (s) thereof are preferably made from stretchable, elastic film which is water-soluble. The compositions are preferably cleaning compositions or fabric care compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pouched cleaning composition wherein the pouch is constructed from a water-soluble film and contains a liquid composition comprising less than 5% by weight of the liquid composition, of water; an anionic surfactant; and at least 0.5% by weight of the liquid composition of a builder/chelant free of C8-22 alkyl or alkenyl chains characterized by a solubility in said liquid composition of less than 0.3% by weight. Such pouched cleaning compositions provide better cleaning performance and better pouch solubility while avoiding the formation of residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating material with a treatment composition in a water-soluble pouch, whereby firstly a part of the composition is applied to the material by partially opening the pouch to allow dispensing of part of the treatment composition, and subsequently the material and the remaining of the pouched composition are washed in water. Preferred is a method whereby the pouch has at least two compartments and one compartment, comprising a liquid composition, is opened and the liquid composition is rubbed onto the material or preferably fabric, where after the remaining of the pouch (including the still closed compartment and composition therein) are added to the wash water, for example a washing machine.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of sodium bromide to anhydrous hydrobromic acid and sodium bisulfate, said process with the following sequential steps: reaction of sodium bromide and sulfuric acid in a solution of water to produce hydrobromic acid and sodium bisulfate wherein the conversion rate is greater than about 95%; separation of hydrobromic acid and water from the sodium bisulfate; separation of hydrobromic acid from water; and drying of hydrobromic acid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods which utilize certain modified starch-based polymer and/or oligomer materials, particularly modified amylose and/or modified amylopectin materials, as fabric treatment agents that can impart fabric appearance and integrity benefits to fabrics and textiles laundered in washing solutions which contain such materials. The modified starch-based polymer and/or oligomer materials can be added to wash solutions by incorporating them into a laundry and/or fabric care composition, a fabric softener or by adding them separately to the washing solution. The modified starch-based polymer and/or oligomer materials are described herein primarily as liquid or granular detergent additives but the present invention is not meant to be so limited.

Abstract: Coated solid bodies comprising a core of an active composition and having a water-soluble or dispersible micro-porous or net-coating. The coating improves the mechanical characteristics of the solid body and allows for good dissolution. The coated solid bodies preferably take the form of detergent tablets.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing granular detergent composition including a first step of dry neutralizing an acid precursor of an anionic surfactant with a particulate water-soluble alkaline material in a high speed mixer for a mean residence time of about 0.2 to about 50 seconds, thereby partly or totally neutralizing the acid precursor and producing a dry neutralized material containing the anionic surfactant, in the form of a free-flowing powder; and a second stop of agglomerating the free-flowing powder into a detergent agglomerate using an agglomeration binder. The agglomeration binder is preferably a viscous surfactant paste binder. The resulting agglomerates are dry, free-flowing, and have a substantially more narrow particle size distribution, compared to the free-flowing powder, with reduced fine particles and over-sized particles that generally are recycled.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed is provided. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 3.5 and/or a Stokes Number of greater than 1.0. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods which utilize certain cellulosic based polymer or oligomeric materials as fabric treatment agents that can impart fabric appearance and integrity benefits to fabrics and textiles laundered in washing solutions which contain such materials.