Abstract: Cosmetic emulsions of the oil-in-water type which are pourable at 20.degree. C. contain as an oil component dialkyl ethers corresponding to the formula R.sup.1 --O--R.sup.2, in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another represent a linear or single-branch C.sub.6-22 alkyl. Even a content of only 0.5 to 5% by weight of dialkyl ethers can considerably reduce the viscosity of the emulsions. Preferred emulsions contain from 1 to 30% by weight of discontinuous lipophilic phase and from 70 to 99% by weight of continuous aqueous phase.

Abstract: Mixtures of alkyl glycosides and fatty alcohols are readily separated by distillation without thermal degradation of glycoside. In the presence of one or more viscosity-reducing agents which are heat-stable and color-stable at temperatures of up to 160.degree. C., which are miscible with the alkyl glycosides, which have a boiling point at 760 mbar at least 50.degree. C. above the boiling point of the fatty alcohol present in the mixture, and reduce the viscosity of the mixture to at most 10,000 mPas at the distillation temperature. The fatty alcohols are quantitatively separated off from this mixture by distillation in customary distillation apparatus at a temperature at least 20.degree. C. below the thermal decomposition point of the alky glycosides and under pressures of from 1 to 10.sup.-3 bar.

Abstract: A method for treating plants to control plant pests by applying to the locus of the pests an alkyl glycoside or an alkyl glycoside and an additional plant pest-control agent.

Abstract: Alkyl ether sulfuric acid half-esters are neutralized in the presence of polyhydroxy oligomers such as polyglycerol to provide half-ester salt compositions of high activity and good viscosity characteristics. The products are particularly useful in shampoo formulations.

Abstract: Clear, aqueous liquid preparations of sodium lauryl sulfate and myristyl sulfate comprising from 5 to 20% by weight of sodium lauryl sulfate and/or myristyl sulfate, from 10 to 30% by weight of a nonionic surface-active ethylene oxide adduct having an HLB-value of from 12 to 18, from 10 to 20% by weight of a polyol containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to 6 hydroxyl gropus or a polyethylene glycol, and from 30 to 75% by weight of water, are distinguished by low cloud points and are suitable for use as a surfactant component in the production of oral hygiene products such as toothpastes.

Abstract: For the production of solid, substantially anhydrous alkali metal salts of .alpha.-sulfofatty acid alkyl esters containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain and from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the ester alkyl radical, solid or molten .alpha.-sulfofatty acid alkyl esters are simltaneously mixed with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide or an H.sub.2 O.sub.2 -yielding compound and with solid alkali metal carbonate at a temperature of from 20.degree. to 80.degree. C. optionally in the presence of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, the ratio by weight of ester of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 being from 1:0.01 to 1:0.06 and the molar ratio of ester to alkali metal carbonate being in the range of from 1:0.5 to 1:0.75, the foam formed through the release of CO.sub.2 is mechanically destroyed under a pressure of from 0.2 to 1.0 bar and at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 70.degree. C.

Abstract: Autodepositing compositions of the type that form coatings which tend to crack in the wet stage are modified by including in the composition a fugitive plasticizer, such as 2,2,4-trimethylpentanediol-1,3 monoisobutyrate, tributoxyethyl phosphate, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether, or a mixture of phenyl glycol ethers.

Abstract: A substitute for lanolin which comprises 40 to 60% by weight of a mixed ester of about equimolar amounts of a di-fatty acid ester of pentaerythritol and a di-fatty alcohol citrate, 20 to 45% by weight of monoglycerides and diglycerides of oleic acid, 3 to 10% by weight of the monoglycerides and diglycerides of palmitic acid and stearic acid and 3 to 10% by weight of an adduct of 3 to 7 mols of ethylene oxide onto vegetable sterol and compositions in which it is included.

Abstract: An agglomerate containing sodium sulfate and as layer silicate, a synthetic layer silicate which has a smectite-like crystal phase, increased contents of bound alkali metal and silicate and a distinctly reduced swelling power compared with pure smectites. The agglomerate can take up significant quantities of an additional liquid component in its pores, resulting in a free-flowing agglomerate which outwardly feels dry. This high adsorption capacity may be used, for example, to take up a liquid detergent component which may then be mixed in combination with powder-form or granular detergent components to form a free-flowing detergent composition.

Abstract: A self-standing manual surface-treating wiper assembly comprising a floor-engaging wiper head and an elongate handle pivotally-attached thereto at a central location for vertical extension to enable manual movement of the wiper head over a surface to be treated. A short swivel leg is pivotally-attached near the base of the handle for engagement with a detent on the wiper head to enable the handle to be supported upright and render the wiper assembly self-standing during periods of non-use.

Abstract: Acid cleaning/pickling compositions for metal surfaces containing (A) at least one protein-derived polymer, sugar-derived polymer, sorbitol, tannin, or vinyl-based polymer, (B) at least one iodine or iodine-affording compound; acids solutions prepared therefrom; and methods for their use.

Abstract: For continuous heterogeneous hydrogenation, fats, fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives are brought into contact with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst dispersed in a liquid phase in a tubular packed reactor, of which the length-to-diameter ratio is .gtoreq.10:1, under pressure of from 0.5 to 300 bar and at temperatures of from 60.degree. to 260.degree. C. The reactor is packed with a geometrically regularly arranged elements of a material inert to the components under the reaction conditions, and the hydrogen is passed through the reactor in parallel current or countercurrent to the fatty acid substrate under a gas velocity of from 0.5 to 30 cm/sec., based on the overall cross-section of the reactor. Preferably the catalyst is fixed on an insoluble support and suspended in small quantities of the particular reaction product before being added to the substrate and entering the reactor.