Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising and a method for making a thickened liquid abrasive cleanser with enhanced long-term phase stability, said cleanser comprising:(a) a colloidal aluminum oxide thickener having an average particle size, in dispersion, of no greater than 1 micron;(b) a fatty acid soap;(c) a bleach stable nonionic surfactant;(d) a buffer/electrolyte which interacts with the surfactants of (b) and (c) and the thickener of (a) to result in a plastic rheology;(e) a halogen bleach;(f) an abrasive having a particle size of between 1 and 400 microns;(g) a phase stabilizing amount of a C.sub.10-15 alkyl benzene sulfonate; and(h) the remainder, water and minor amounts of miscellaneous additives.

Abstract: A coated-wire electrode for potentiometrically titrating surfactant molecules having more than ten carbon atoms includes an electrically-conductive core coated with a semipermeable membrane. The membrane matrix includes a polymer a plasticizer and an ion-exchanger material consisting essentially of dimidium bromide-disulphine blue in suitable proportions to be surfactant selective. The membrane is responsive to anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants as well as alkoxylated nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: A polymeric film material for the rinse release of wash additives comprises a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and an alkyl cellulose. A metalloid oxide cross-linking agent is present in an amount sufficient to sharply reduce the solubility rate of the film blend in an alkaline wash, yet allow dissolution in a less alkaline rinse. Optionally, a hydrophobic cationic species is included to further reduce the dissolution rate in the wash pH. The films remain intact during normal wash cycles and over a range of typical water temperatures, then rapidly dissolve in the rinse. The film can be used to microencapsulate an additive, or made into a water-soluble pouch, or as a soluble seal for a pouch or container.

Abstract: A thickened hard surface abrasive cleanser is provided which may have high levels of silicates for superior cleaning, exhibits substantially no syneresis, and has a use-favorable rheology. The cleanser comprises, generally:(a) an alkali-metal silicate/borate anion thickener(b) an electrolyte/buffer(c) an anionic surfactant; and(d) a particulate abrasive.The composition of the invention is attained only on following a defined formulation protocol. Accordingly, a method is provided which yields the inventive composition. The composition may be formulated to a viscosity of between about 10,000 and 250,000 cP, and a yield value of between about 1 and 80 Pa.

Abstract: The invention provides a carpet cleaning composition and dispensing means which use foam producing surfactants, solvents, propellants, builders and water. Other adjuncts may be added, such as fragrances, dyes, and fabric softeners.The invention also provides a method for cleaning soiled fabrics having fibers containing soiling particles which comprises:(a) applying to said fibers an aqueous, solvent/surfactant admixture having a solvent with consistent evaporation rate in ambient air;(b) collapsing without abrasion said mixture into said fibers and emulsifying and segregating said soiling particles during a controlled residence time; and(c) evaporating said solvent so as to form said admixture into a foam, elevating said soiling particles substantially to the surface of said fibers; and compositions directed to the same.

Abstract: The invention provides novel bleaching compositions comprising peracid precursors with the general structure ##STR1## with R, R', R" and L as defined in the specification. Novel peracids and precursors are also herein disclosed. These peracid precursors provide new, proficient and cost-effective compounds for fabric bleaching.

Abstract: A polymeric film for the rinse release of wash additives comprises an outer film layer of a hydroxybutylmethylcellulose (HBMC)/hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) blend. An inner film layer is a PVA film having a metalloid oxide cross-linking agent present in an amount sufficient to cause the PVA film to gel in a pH of below about 9.0. Both film layers include a plasticizer and may include a surfactant. The film can be used as a seal for an insoluble container, or made into a water-soluble pouch. Optionally, either a third film layer of the HBMC/HPMC blend, or a nonwoven fabric layer may be included for greater durability. The films remain intact during normal wash cycles and over a range of typical water temperatures, then rapidly dissolve in the rinse.

Abstract: A thickening system for laundry products incorporates low levels of a fluorescent whitening agent or dye, a surfactant and an acidic pH adjusting agent. At the acidic pH, the fluorescent whitening agent precipitates as a colloidal particle, and is stabilized by associating with the surfactant, resulting in thickening. Optionally, a C.sub.6-18 soap synergistically increases viscosity. The thickening system may be formulated with a bleaching product and preferably with a peroxide bleach product.

Abstract: Hard surface acid cleaners providing surprisingly fast acting and effective cleaning results across a wide variety of problematic cleaning areas, and methods for making the same are made by combining alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and water.The preferred alkyl aryl sulfonic acids are alkyl benzene sulfonic acids of the general structure ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl averaging 5 to 20 carbon atoms in length. Additionally, solvents, antimicrobial compounds, defoamers, thickeners and other cleaning adjuvants may be added to these hard surface acid cleaners.

Abstract: An ionomeric film is provided for use as a water-soluble seal or pouch for alkaline or borate-containing cleaning compositions. The films comprise copolymers of 90-100% hydrolyzed vinyl alcohol with a nonhydrolyzable anionic comonomer, and have molecular weights characterized by a viscosity range of 4-35 cP. The films are resistant to insolubilization caused by alkaline or borate-containing additives, are storage stable over a wide range of temperature and humidity storage conditions, rapidly and fully solubilize in a wash solution, and do not impair cleaning performance of an additive enclosed within.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various embodiments and examples of a thickened aqueous abrasive cleanser capable of maintaining a smoothly flowable or plastic consistency over long periods of time. The cleanser is characterized by the ability to stably suspend abrasives while exhibiting excellent shelf stability over long periods of time with substantially no syneresis and being suitable for use where environmental requirements prevent the use of phosphates. This cleaner has the following ingredients:(a) a colloidal alumina thickener having an average particle size, in dispersion, of no more than about one micron;(b) an electrolyte/buffer;(c) a surfactant system including two surfactant components, one surfactant component comprising a fatty acid anionic surfactant, the other surfactant component comprising a selected bleach-stable surfactant or mixed surfactant;(d) a bleach; and(e) a particulate abrasive having an average particle size of about one to as much as 400 microns to provide scouring action.

Abstract: An improved, substantially non-streaking, aqueous hard surface cleaning composition is disclosed comprising approximately 0.05% to 25.0% by weight of a surfactant selected from anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and cationic/nonionic N-bearing surfactants of up to 30 carbon atoms; approximately 0.05% to 25.0% by weight of an unbranched, straight chain polymer of molecular weight less than 5,000; approximately; 0.05% to 25.0% by weight of an aqueous solvent of the general structure R-(CH.sub.2).sub.x OH where R is selected from the group consisting essentially of H, alkyl, aryl, aroxy or alkoxy, wherein X is an integer from 1 to 10; a builder; and the remainder as water.The unbranched, straight chain polymers are preferably selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl hydroxy propyl cellulose, or polyacrylic acid.Cleaning adjuncts selected from the group consisting of dyes, fragrances, pH adjusters, and antimicrobially active compounds may be added.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for synthesizing surface active peroxyacid bleaching agents and compositions which are named .alpha. or .beta. alkyl monoperoxysuccinic acids and have the general structure ##STR1## wherein R is an unsubstituted or substituted straight chain alkyl of 6 to 16 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted branched chain alkyl of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group substituted with one or more of H, alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms, F, Cl, NO.sub.3, OSO.sub.3 M, SO.sub.3 M, or COOM, and M is further defined as H, an alkali metal or ammonium cation.The invention provides a novel process for synthesizing these alkyl monoperoxysuccinic acids which is relatively inexpensive, high yielding, and safe.The bleaching compositions are useful for bleaching fabrics and other laundering purposes. The bleaching compositions of the invention may also contain peroxyacid stabilizers, builders, fillers, and surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides a thickened aqueous abrasive scouring cleanser containing bleach which is capable of stably suspending abrasives, has excellent bleach half-life stability, little or no syneresis and maintains these advantages over extended times and at elevated temperatures.In one embodiment of the inventive cleansers is provided a hard surface abrasive scouring cleanser comprising:(a) a colloidal aluminum oxide thickener having average particle size, in dispersion, of no greater than about 1 micron;(b) an electrolyte/buffer to promote the environment in which the aluminum oxide and surfactant can associate to provide proper rheology;(c) at least one surfactant which can, in association with the aluminum oxide, provide proper rheology and cleaning;(d) a halogen bleach; and(e) a particulate abrasive having average particle size of about 1 to 400 microns to provide scouring action.

Abstract: This invention provides stable peroxyacid bleaching compositions comprising:(a) a surface active peroxyacid, and(b) at least one surfactant which forms a mixed micelle in aqueous solution with said peroxyacid;wherein said aqueous solution contains a detergent concentration of about 0.1 to 3.0 grams/liter.Buffers and other typical cleaning adjuncts known to those skilled in the art may be included.The invention also provides a method of stabilizing the decomposition rate of surface active peroxyacids.

Abstract: The invention provides a carpet cleaning composition and dispensing means which use foam producing surfactants, solvents, propellants, builders and water. Other adjuncts may be added, such as fragrances, dyes, and fabric softeners.The invention also provides a method for cleaning soiled fabrics having fibers containing soiling particles which comprises:(a) applying to said fibers an aqueous, solvent/surfactant admixture having a solvent with consistent evaporation rate in ambient air;(b) collapsing without abrasion said mixture into said fibers and emulsifying and segregating said soiling particles during a controlled residence time; and(c) evaporating said solvent so as to form said admixture into a foam, elevating said soiling particles substantially to the surface of said fibers.

Abstract: An aqueous laundry prewash composition includes a cosurfactant system with a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant and a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant providing balanced detergency, a hydrotrope for stabilizing the cosurfactant system, a thickener and water forming the balance of the composition. A thickened aqueous laundry prewash composition is also disclosed including a surfactant system, water and a thickener being xanthan gum to develop a pourable product wherein shear caused by dispensing of the composition tends to reduce its viscosity. An aqueous laundry prewash composition thickened in a similar manner maintains in suspension an insoluble particle component to further enhance prewash characteristics.

Abstract: Conventional polyvinyl alcohol envelopes will not readily dissolve in wash water which has a significant borate concentration and a pH frequently encountered in wash liquors. Herein, such films are rendered sufficiently soluble in such solutions. In the preferred embodiment this is done by utilizing a polyvinyl alcohol film wherein at least a portion of the polyvinyl alcohol has a number average molecular weight below about 50,000, or a polyvinyl alcohol film containing a polyhydroxy compound having a binding constant with borate of at least about 800M.sup.-2, or utilizing a polyvinyl alcohol film having an acid having an acid dissociation constant of 10.sup.-9 M or larger; or a polyvinyl alcohol film containing mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a thickened aqueous abrasive scouring cleanser containing bleach which is capable of stably suspending abrasives, has excellent shelf stability for a commercially feasible product with substantially no syneresis, does not require shaking before use, and maintains these advantages over extended times and at elevated temperatures.The inventive cleansers comprise generally the following ingredients:(a) hydrated aluminum oxide;(b) an electrolyte/buffer;(c) at least one surfactant;(d) a bleach; and(e) a particulate abrasive.