Abstract: A process for making high active detergent particles by: (a) reacting in a continuous neutralization system alkyl sulfuric acid and /or alkyl benzene sulfonic acid with concentrated sodium hydroxide solution, (b) adding to the system polyethylene glycol of molecular weight about 4,000-50,000 and/or certain ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, and (c) forming detergent particles. Granular detergent compositions containing the detergent granules are also described.

Abstract: A toothbrush employing a force indicator which visually and tactually signals the user that a predetermined brushing force has been exceeded. The force indicator is comprised of a resilient twin beam structure located between the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush head which includes a scrubbing or polishing medium, typically bristles. The twin beam structure is itself comprised of a back side beam and a face side beam. During normal use, the back side beam is subjected to compressive stress whereas the face side beam is subjected to tensile stress. The at rest configuration of the back side beam permits it to behave as an upwardly convex arch upon initial application of compressive force resulting from a user gripping the handle and bringing the bristles or other cleansing or scrubbing medium in contact with the teeth and gums. When a predetermined force is exceeded, the back side beam resiliently buckles and inverts to a downwardly convex arch configuration.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching "zero strain" stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The "zero strain" stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration.

Abstract: A generally-flat bayonet handle is provided having an elongated handle section for gripping by the consumer. Extending from each terminus of the handle section is an elongated neck section having a width less than the width of the handle section. Respective ends of the bayonet handles are formed by barb heads attached to the neck sections. Each barb head has thereon at least two barbs which, when inserted into appropriately placed apertures on the sides of a soap or detergent powder carton, are ensnared on a lip of the apparatus and thereby maintain the engagement of the handle on the carton. The combination of the bayonet handle and the carton provide a novel soap or detergent powder package.

Abstract: A paperboard laminate carbon for containing a liquid product. The innermost and outermost surfaces of the carton are coated with a polymer which is both liquid impermeable and heat sealable. One of the walls of the carton includes an aperture which is fitted with an improved one-piece plastic spout. The spout, prior to installation, includes one preformed flange which contacts one surface of the carton about an aperture in the carton wall. A truncated skirt having a maximum cross-section small enough to pass through the aperture in the carton wall without damaging either the skirt or the carton wall extends from one surface of the preformed flange. A second flange is formed from the truncated skirt after the skirt has been inserted through the aperture in the carton wall.Spout configurations which may be inserted from the exterior or the interior of the carton are disclosed.

Abstract: A package for storing and dispensing granular materials such as dishwashing detergent. The package has a carton section, preferably made from paperboard, that has a plug receptacle preferably in its top wall adjacent the top edge. The package further includes a corner cap for measuring quantities of the granular material. The corner cap form fits over the corner of the package that has the plug receptacle adjacent to it. The cap has a plug extending into its inner container space so as to telescope into the plug receptacle in a complimentary fashion when the cap is placed on the carton. The plug and plug receptacle ensure that the cap remains securely attached to the carton when not in use. The carton also includes a dispensing orifice for dispensing the granular material from the carton into the cap. The plug receptacle can be the dispensing orifice if it extends through the entire distance of the top wall.

Abstract: In the closable lid assembly comprising two elements joined together by means of a hinge, provision is made for the first element or lid to have a channel-shaped peripheral cavity designed to receive the peripheral relief of the second element, in the form of a small frame, which has a flat flange designed to delimit the opening of the packaging onto which the assembly is applied. Either or both the flanks of the peripheral relief have corrugations which cooperate with the vertical walls of the channel provided in the movable lid element, such corrugations forming an airtight seal between the two elements of the assembly. In order to improve further the airtightness of the closure, a gasket is also provided on the bottom of the cavity and comes into abutment against the relief of the small frame.

Abstract: A process for making detergent builder agglomerates by mixing crystalline aluminosilicate or layered silicate detergent builder with selected binder in an energy-intensive mixer to form free flowing agglomerates. The binder is an anionic synthetic surfactant paste or a water-soluble polymer containing at least about 50% by weight of ethylene oxide, and optionally may contain minor amounts of ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. The agglomerates are also substantially free of amorphous alkali metal silicates if free water is present.

Abstract: A toothbrush employing a non-pinching resilient twin beam structure to connect the brush handle to the brush head, the twin beam structure having one beam which is wider in cross-sectional width than the other beam in order to prevent soft oral tissue from entering the opening formed between the beams and being pinched between by the interior surfaces of the beams during deformation of the twin beam structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a unit load from one pallet to another pallet or slip sheet without creasing the containers constituting the unit load. In one embodiment the unit load containing pallet and the empty pallet are aligned side-by-side on a platform. The platform is selectively moveable about an axis parallel to the adjacent sides of the pallets between a horizontal position and a tilted position in which the empty pallet is lowermost. A push plate moveable relative to the platform transfers the unit load onto the empty pallet or slip sheet while the platform is tilted. The force required to transfer the unit load is reduced, when contrasted to horizontal transfer, since the component forces of the unit load are changed by the tilting.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator for liquid dispensing taps which provides a mechanical advantage by means of a combination of levers, linkages, and sets of floating and fixed hinges. In a preferred embodiment the actuator improves the ergonomics of using the dispensing tap by providing a more natural hand position and better visibility of the product flow from liquid dispensing taps typically used on large volume liquid containers such as bag-in-box packages.