Abstract: The present invention is in the field of liquid or gel detergents. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for removing stains and/or odors and for disinfecting plastics, and other substrates by applying a liquid or gel detergent composition to the substrate and subjecting the substrate to microwaves. This method provides enhanced cleaning and improved stain removal on plastics, and other substrates. These cleaning compositions include a bleaching agent, preferably diacyl peroxide in a liquid or gel detergent formulation. These compositions in combination with the method of microwaving are also very effective in disinfecting and deodorizing substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the selection of materials which are particularly useful as fluid distribution material for being used in disposable absorbent articles by being characterized in that they have a wicking time of less than 120 seconds and a cumulative flux of more than 0.075 grams/cm2/second for said preferential fluid distribution direction at 12.4 cm height, when applying the Vertical Wicking Test. A further useful selection criteria for such materials is a non-isotropic fluid distribution behavior, expressed in that the wicking time in the preferential distribution direction is less than 80% of the wicking time of perpendicular direction at 8.3 cm height, when applying the same test.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition and method for separating heavy metals from contaminated substrates with compositions containing active agent selected from the group consisting of [S,S]-ethylene diamine disuccinic acid and [S,S]-di-imine butane dioic acid.

Abstract: Cosmetic foaming compositions and hair mousse compositions employ a foaming agent comprising a mixture of first and second nonionic surfactants and having a total HLB as measured by the Griffin method of at least 12. The first nonionic surfactant is selected from defined polyoxyethylene alkyl ether surfactants, polyoxyethylene alkenyl ether surfactants, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene ether surfactants, and mixtures thereof; and the second nonionic surfactant is selected from defined polyoxyethylene long chain alkyl fatty acid or benzene ether surfactants, polyoxyethylene ether surfactants, polyoxypropylene ether surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures having improved fluid handling capabilities that include inter-particle bonded aggregates, and are useful in absorbent articles, such as diapers, adult incontinence pads and sanitary napkins, are disclosed. The inter-particle bonded aggregates of these macrostructures are made from mixtures of particulate absorbent polymers having different fluid handling properties, different shapes, or both. These macrostructures can be made from a wider variety of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers without sacrificing desired fluid handling properties, and without being prone to gel blocking.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a liquid softening composition comprising a fabric softener, a nonionic alkoxylated stabilizing agent, and a dye component, whereby the resulting softening composition exhibits effective freeze-thaw recovery properties and good dye homogeneity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hypohalite bleaching compositions comprising a pH buffering component and an ingredient having the ability to prevent the precipitation of the salts of said buffering component upon dilution of the composition in water. Fabric whiteness as well as fabric safety are improved.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying device comprising a high voltage generating circuit powered by a low voltage circuit comprising one or more radiation sensitive elements and charge storage means.

Abstract: Psyllium-containing drink mix compositions comprising acid (e.g., citric acid) and granulated, less water soluble base (e.g., calcium carbonate agglomerated with maltodextrin).

Abstract: A liquid personal cleansing composition comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of short chain alkyl sulphate surfactant having an average from 8 to 10 carbon atoms on the alkyl chain and mixtures thereof; (b) from about 1% to about 15% by weight of C.sub.12 to C.sub.22 alkyl ethoxy sulphate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 1 to about 6; (c) from about 0.1% to about 10% of water-soluble auxiliary surfactant selected from anionic surfactant other than C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 alkyl sulphate, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric and mixtures thereof; and optionally (d) from about 0.01% to about 5% of cationic conditioning polymer; and (e) water; wherein the ratio of short chain alkyl sulphate to alkyl ethoxy sulphate is in the range of from about 1:3 to about 3:1, more preferably from about 2:1 to about 1:2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of semirigid material, which has different stiffness characteristics over a range of temperatures, and a plurality of heat cells, wherein the heat energy is applied to specific areas of the upper back, neck and shoulders. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having good conformity to user's upper back, neck, and shoulders which provides consistent, convenient, and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: Liquid aqueous bleaching compositions are disclosed which comprise a pH buffering means with low sensitivity to water hardness and an alkali metal hypochlorite. A method of treating fabrics with said compositions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for delicate surfaces, such as marble or lacquered surfaces, comprises from 5% to 85% surfactant, 0.1% to 20% of an organic polycarboxylate builder, and an effective amount of positive divalent ions to saturate the builder. The highest LogKa of the organic polycarboxylate builder, measured at 25.degree. C./0.1M ionic strength, is between 3 and 8; the sum of the LogKCa+LogKMg, measured at 25.degree. C./0.1M ionic strength, is higher than 4; and LogKCa=LogKMg.+-.2 units, measured at 25.degree. C./0.1M ionic strength. A method of cleaning a delicate surface, such as marble or lacquered surfaces, comprises contacting the surface with an effective amount of the present composition to clean the surface, and optionally rinsing the composition from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of semirigid material, which has different stiffness characteristics over a range of temperatures, and a plurality of heat cells, wherein the heat energy is applied to specific areas of the upper back, neck and shoulders. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having good conformity to user's upper back, neck, and shoulders which provides consistant, convienent, and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the disinfection of surfaces with a disinfecting composition comprising from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide, and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal body pads comprising one or more thermal packs having a unified structure of at least one continuous layer of a semirigid material which softens when heated and a plurality of individual heat cells, which typically comprise an exothermic composition, spaced apart and fixedly attached across the thermal pack. The material of the continuous layer or layers provide sufficient rigidity to maintain structural support of the heat cells, to prevent unacceptable stretching of structures of the continuous layer or layers during processing or use of the thermal pads, and to ensure child resistance, while also providing good overall drape characteristics when heated. The disposable thermal body pads are intended to be attached to a user's clothing on one side and to be held directly against the user's skin on the other side, for pain relief.

Abstract: The present invention relates to closure systems (10) for a container for pourable material in particular for pourable material for human consumption such as beverages. The closure system (10) comprises a closure frame (20) and a sealing means (30) which is removably joined to the closure frame to provide appropriate sealing of the container. The present invention allows to reuse the closure frame and provides a temper proof indication.

Abstract: An elastic laminate structure is provided which is formed from at least one fabric layer and an open cell mesh having first and second strands. The laminate structure is formed such that the first strands are integrally bonded to the first fabric layer. The integrally bonded first strands both penetrate the first fabric layer and bond mechanically and/or chemically to the fibers of the first fabric layer. In addition, the first strands are deformed such that they are substantially flat in shape and substantially coplanar with the fabric layer. The elastic second strands have a substantially elliptical shape. The integral bonding of the first strands and the deformed shape of the first strands and the second strands provides an elastic laminate structure which can be worn about the body without irritation or other discomfort.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic laminate structures comprising an open cell polymeric mesh integrally thermal bonded between two fabric carrier layers and methods for manufacturing such laminates.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a variety of emulsion compositions, and more particularly, to emulsion compositions and methods for preparing these emulsion compositions which employ novel polymeric emulsifaction techniques. The emulsion compositions of this invention although applicable to a variety of applications provide particularly stable low viscosity polymeric emulsions useful for example in connection with wet wipes for the treatment of adult or baby dermatitis, make-up removal and other skin care applications. The stabilizing composition used in the emulsions according to the present invention comprise phenoxyethanol.