Abstract: A process for reducing the viscosity of an aqueous surfactant composition involving: (a) providing an aqueous surfactant composition containing at least one surfactant, other than an alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester; (b) providing a viscosity-reducing agent corresponding to formula (I): wherein R1CO is an aliphatic acyl group containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, AlkO represents CH2CH2O—, CHCH3CH2O—, CH2—CHCH3O, n is a number from 3 to 15, and R2 is an aliphatic alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; and (c) adding a viscosity-reducing effective amount of the viscosity-reducing agent to the aqueous surfactant composition.

Abstract: A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition used for blocking the penetration of ultraviolet radiation, the composition containing nanoscale organic UV filters having a mean diameter of from 10 to 300 nm.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified cationic layer compound which includes providing a layer compound of the general formula (I): [EeZzDdVv(OH−)x](An−)a.qH2O  (I) wherein E represents one or more monovalent alkali metal cations, e represents a number of from 0 to about 2, Z represents one or more divalent metal cations, z represents a number of from 0 to about 6, D represents one or more trivalent metal cations, d represents a number of from 0 to about 3, V represents one or more tetravalent metal cations, v represents a number of from 0 to about 1, (An−) represents an acid anion wherein n represents an integer of from 1 to 3, q represents a number of from about 1 to about 10, and wherein x>a and e+2z+3d+4v=x+na; subjecting the layer compound to crystallization to provide a resultant material; and subjecting the resultant material to steam drying at a temperature of from about 200° C. to about 260° C.

Abstract: A surface-active composition useful for cleaning various types of substrates such as articles of clothing, various types of hard surfaces, as well as, human hair and skin, the composition containing: (a) an esterquat; (b) a chitosan and/or chitosan derivative; and (c) a protein hydrolyzate.

Abstract: A process for making detergent granules having a bulk density above 500 g/l involving: (a) providing a fluidized bed; (b) providing an apertured inflow base located below the fluidized bed for introducing fluidization gas into the fluidized bed; (c) providing a grid interposed between the fluidized bed and the apertured inflow base, the grid having a mesh size of less than 600 &mgr;m; (d) providing a surfactant preparation in liquid to paste form; and (e) introducing the surfactant preparation into the fluidized bed to form the detergent granules.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nanoscale sterols and/or sterol esters with particle diameters of 10 to 300 nm as food additives and as active substances for the production of hypocholesterolemic agents. The particular fineness of the particles promotes more rapid absorption by the blood serum after oral ingestion by comparison with conventional sterols and sterol esters.

Abstract: A process for removing printing inks and/or oil residues located on a surface of a printing apparatus comprising: (a) contacting the printing inks and/or oil residues located on the surface of the printing apparatus with a cleaning composition containing an alkyl polyglycoside corresponding to formula (I): R(G)x  (I)  wherein R is a linear saturated alkyl radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and (G)x is a glycoside or oligoglycoside radical having a degree of oligomerization, x, of from 1 to 10 to form a printing ink and/or oil residue emulsion; and (b) removing the printing inks and/or oil residue emulsion from the surface of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A process for producing glucoprotamines by condensation of N-substituted propylene diamines with 2-aminoglutaric compounds in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of aminosilicones is disclosed. Glucoprotamines produced in accordance with the disclosed process exhibit improved color quality and longer storage stability.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing vibrations into a vessel having: (a) a vessel capable of receiving a fluid medium; (b) a flexible membrane located at a bottom end of the vessel; (c) an upper pressure chamber located adjacent to an outer surface of the flexible membrane; (d) a lower pressure chamber located below the upper pressure chamber; (e) a linkage member; (f) vibrating means connected to the linkage member; and (g) a rod member rigidly connected to both the linkage member and the flexible membrane for transmitting vibrations into the vessel, the rod member being axially located within both the upper and lower pressure chambers.

Abstract: A composition containing an effective amount of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of nanoscale sterols, nanoscale sterol esters, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A high-concentrate flowable liquid anionic surfactant composition containing: (a) from 60 to 90% by weight of an alkyl ether sulfate corresponding to formula I: R1O(CH2CH2O)nSO3X  (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, n is a number having a value of from 1 to 10, and X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium; and (b) from 10 to 40% by weight of an alkyl sulfate corresponding to formula II: R2OSO3X  (II) wherein R2 is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium, all weights being based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein the composition has a solids content of from 50 to 80% by weight.

Abstract: Pigment concentrates comprising a pigment, a liquid carrier medium and a dimerdiolalkoxylate, wherein a dimer portion of the dimerdiolalkoxylate comprises from about 36 to about 44 carbon atoms, and wherein the at least one dimerdiolalkoxylate has from about 1 to about 200 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of dimerdiol, are described in conjunction with methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: Pigment concentrates comprising a pigment, a liquid carrier medium and a diol alkoxylate of the general formulae (I), (II) and/or (III) are described in conjunction with methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A process for breaking an emulsion into a water phase and an oil phase involving: (a) providing an emulsion containing an oil phase and a water phase; (b) providing an alkoxylated C10-24 carboxylic acid ester derived by the addition of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide onto a ring opened epoxidized C10-24 carboxylic acid triglyceride which is ring opened with a C6-18 carboxylic acid; and (c) contacting the emulsion with a demulsifying effective amount of the alkoxylated C10-24 carboxylic acid ester. Said process has application on crude oil emulsions.

Abstract: Cosmetic formulations, such as for example, skin cleansers, containing from about 20% to about 80% by weight of one or more ethoxylated partial glycerides of the general formula (I) and up to about 80% by weight of an oil component, the balance of the formulations containing water, cosmetic auxiliaries and/or additives, are disclosed. The cosmetic formulations disclosed are transparent, and spread easily and smoothly when applied to skin. Such formulations are especially suitable for removing decorative makeup.

Abstract: A soap composition containing: (a) from 1 to 60% by weight of a fatty acid polyglycol ester sulfate; (b) from 10 to 35% by weight of a fatty acid salt; and (c) remainder, to 100%, water, all weights being based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing optically active 5-methtyl-2-(1-methtyl-butyl)-5-propyl-1,3-dioxan, wherein said method comprises the following steps: converting lactic acid methylic ester into the corresponding N,N-disubstituted amid (aminolysis with piperidine and/or pyrrolidine); protecting its free OH function by a reaction with ethylvinylether in the presence of p-pyridiniumtosylate as a catalyst; submitting the N-pentamethylen- or N-tetramethylenlactamide thus obtained to a Grignard reaction in a conventional way so as to produce the corresponding &agr;, &bgr;-unsaturated ketone; further separating in a conventional way (e.g. agitation with acetic acid) the protection group introduced during the second step; acetalating in a conventional way the ketone function (e.g.

Abstract: A process for making substantially water- and dust-free anionic surfactant granules of high bulk density involving: (a) providing a starting material containing a water-containing paste of a monoglyceride (ether) sulfate having a solids content of at least 20% by weight, based on the weight of the paste; (b) providing a horizontally mounted thin-layer evaporator with rotating internals; (c) providing a negative temperature gradient within the evaporator; (d) passing air into the evaporator in countercurrent to the flow of starting material; and (e) simultaneously drying and granulating the starting material by passing it through the evaporator to form anionic surfactant granules having a residual water content of below 2% by weight.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the effectiveness of a sunscreen lotion containing at least one ultraviolet filter involving solubilizing/dispersing the ultraviolet filter in a dialkyl/alkenyl carbonate.

Abstract: A process for refining epoxy compounds, wherein the process comprises: (a) providing a washed and dried organic phase comprising at least one epoxide compound; (b) contacting the organic phase with at least one basic solid selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides and alkali metal silicates; and (c) separating the organic phase and the at least one basic solid, is disclosed.