Abstract: Cleaning agent combinations comprising a cleaning agent preparation B further comprising: (b1) at least one non-ionic surfactant; and (b2) at least one active cleaning enzyme; and a rinsing composition C further comprising: (c1) at least one non-ionic surfactant, are by virtue of their thermal stability particularly suitable for automatic dosing in automatic dishwashing. The cleaning agent combinations of the present invention also have the characterizing feature of markedly improved cleaning performance in comparison to conventional methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to low-alkaline and bleach-free dishwasher detergents having a pH value (20° C.) between 8 and 12, comprising a) 10 to 60 wt % of citrate, b) 1.5 to 30 wt % anionic copolymer, comprising i) unsaturated monocarboxylic acid(s) A ii) unsaturated dicarboxylic acid(s) B, characterized by good cleaning action, particularly improved cleaning of tea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polymers comprising carboxyl groups in combination with bivalent cations for producing a protective layer on a textile sheet material and to textile treatment agents, in particular washing and cleaning agents containing said polymers in a suitable form of administration, in order to enable the formation of a protective layer on textile sheet materials.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes an insulating sealing member having a circumferential skirt which surrounds wide portions of the anode current collector. This provides a barrier between said wide portions of the current collector and the cell housing. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a level typically between about 100 and 300 psig (6.89×105 and 20.69×105 pascal gage). The cathode can be formed of a plurality of stacked slabs having aligned hollow centers forming a central core with anode material placed therein. A separator is between anode and cathode.

Abstract: A zinc/air button cell comprising a cathode casing and an anode casing wherein the anode casing is inserted into the cathode casing. The anode casing is formed of multiclad metal layers, for example nickel/stainless steel/copper. A protective metal is plated onto the exposed peripheral edge of the anode casing. The protective metal is desirably selected from copper, tin, indium, silver, brass, bronze or gold. The application of the protective metal covers the multiclad metals exposed along the peripheral edge surface. The protective metal is also desirably plated onto the portion of the outside surface of the anode casing abutting the insulating material placed between the anode and cathode casing. Application of the protective metal to the anode casing peripheral edge eliminates the potential gradients caused by exposure of the different metals comprising the multiclad material.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, a cathode mixture comprising cathode active material comprising copper oxide or copper hydroxide. Graphitic carbon, preferably expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers are added to the cathode mixture thereby resulting in a sharp drop in cathode resistivity. Addition of sulfur to cathode mixtures comprising copper hydroxide active material improves performance. The sharp drop in cathode resistivity resulting from the addition of expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers makes the cell suitable for use as a primary alkaline cell having good capacity. The graphitic carbon, preferably comprises preferably between about 3 and 10 percent by weight of the cathode. The carbon nanofibers have an average diameter desirably less than 500 nanometers, preferably between about 50 and 300 nanometers.

Abstract: A flat elongated alkaline battery comprising an outer metal housing and plurality of individual alkaline cells housed therein. The outer housing has at least a major surface which is a flat polygon. Preferably the outer metal housing is a cuboid. The individual cells comprise an anode slab comprising zinc, cathode slab, comprising manganese dioxide and separator therebetween. Each cell is formed by stacking the anode, separator, and cathode body to body. Each cell has at least one surface which is polygonal. The individual cells are preferably aligned in a row edge to edge to form a pack of cells having the same thickness as the thickness of an individual cell. The pack of cells are inserted into a common hydrogen permeable plastic container and encased therein. The cells encased in the plastic container are housed within the interior of the metal outer casing. The cells are electrically connected in parallel to the battery positive and negative terminals.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide AgCuO2, or Ag2Cu2O3, desirably in admixture with MnO2. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphtic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide selected from the compounds AgCuO2 Ag2Cu2O3 or any mixture thereof. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphitic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising copper iodate. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphtic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. Preferably, the graphitic carbon comprises graphitic carbon nanofibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers. The cathode can also include sulfur in admixture with the copper iodate to improve cell performance.

Abstract: A battery cartridge comprising a housing and one or more primary (nonrechargeable) cells therein. The cell can be a single primary cylindrical cell, desirably a primary lithium cell having a voltage of about 3.0 volts. Alternatively, there can be a pair or plurality of such cells electrically connected in parallel within the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing of the invention has an elongated body with an elongated opening in its surface of sufficient size to allow insertion of one or more cylindrical primary cells therein. The housing can be provided with a disk partition which divides the housing interior into two or more chambers, one for each cell. The cartridge can have overall dimensions similar to that of lithium ion or other rechargeable cartridges used to power small size camcorders or digital cameras. Thus, the battery cartridge of the invention has particular utility as a replacement for rechargeable cartridges for such devices.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for preparing homogeneous intermixtures of particulate manganese dioxide and conductive carbon for use in cathodes for electrochemical cells, in particular alkaline primary cells. Homogeneous intermixtures can be prepared by mechanically activating an essentially dry admixture of particulate electrolytic manganese dioxide and a natural graphite, an expanded graphite or combinations thereof with inert, rigid milling media by the agitation process of the invention. Improved cell discharge performance at both low and high rates of discharge can be achieved for extremely low levels of highly expanded graphite, typically between about 1 and 5 wt %.

Abstract: A spray method of applying liquid adhesive to surfaces of components of an electrochemical cell. The adhesive is applied by spraying through a nozzle, preferably activated by a piezoelectric transducer. The nozzle can be an elongated resilient tube terminating in an outlet opening. The adhesive is preferably sprayed in a pulsed stream of droplets. The liquid adhesive is desirably dispensed in fine droplets at a rate of between about 500 and 5000 droplets per second. The method is effective in applying adhesive to narrow width or difficult to reach surfaces of cell components in a precise, consistent and reproducible manner. In a specific application the adhesive can be applied to the narrow recessed step surrounding the terminal portion of the cathode casing of a zinc/air button cell. In such application the adhesive provides a tight seal between the cathode casing and cathode assembly, thereby preventing leakage of electrolyte from the cell.