Abstract: A detergent bar is made by (1) applying pressure to a detergent composition to deliver it to a substantially closed mold at a temperature less than 70° C.; (2) ensuring the pressure on the composition at point of entry is greater than 29.4 psi under the action of an injector head for at least part of the time over which the composition enters the mold; (3) cooling in the mold to form bar; and (4) removing.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die. The die has at least one bar stamping surface provided with at least one elastomeric coating which includes a conductive filler such as stainless steel powder. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is possible particularly when the dies are chilled. Use of the conductive filler facilitates chilling of the dies.

Abstract: In a device for handling plastic material, such as a stamping device for stamping detergent bars, an elastomeric layer is provided on the handling surface which has good adhesion to the handling surface and good release from the plastic material. The elastomeric layer comprises at least two elastomeric coatings of different properties and/or compositions.

Abstract: A mould for casting shaped, solid detergent articles is provided. The mold is made of two rigid complimentary dies which upon engagement define a cavity corresponding to a desired shape of the cast article, wherein the engaged dies form a reservoir which on one side is open to receive cast melt and on another side is open to the cavity.

Abstract: Improved bottles for dispensing liquid household products such as liquid detergents and fabric softeners. The package is comprised of a multilayer body in which the inner layer includes polyethylene made with a metallocene catalyst. The bottles have improved stress cracks resistance yet may be lighter then traditional bottles. They may be made by blow molding.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about −78.5° C. to about 100° C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO2-philic moiety connected to a CO2-phobic functional moiety. The surfantant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A tablet of compacted particulate cleaning composition which contains surfactant and detergency builder, and is suitable for fabric washing, also includes water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric material, and disintegration-promoting particles containing at least 40% (by weight of the particles) of one or more materials selected from:

Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body resistant to stress cracking, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents, but also for liquid fabric softeners, light duty liquid detergents, automatic dishwashing gels, chemicals, foods and other products. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. In one embodiment, the body includes a multilayer resin structure having an inner layer which includes a metallocene polyethylene polymer. An octagonal shape, ribs or grooves at the intersections of the panels, a drainback fitment, an off center neck, and an in-mold label are optional.

Abstract: A granular detergent product is made by spraying a liquid binder to contact a particulate solid starting material in a low shear granulator such as a fluidized bed apparatus. The d3,2 average droplet diameter of the liquid binder is not greater than ten times the d3,2 average particle diameter of that fraction of the solid starting material which has a d3,2 particle diameter of from 20 &mgr;m to 200 &mgr;m provided that if more than 90% by weight of the solid starting material has a d3,2 average particle diameter less than 20 &mgr;m then the d3,2 average particle diameter of the total solid starting materials shall be taken to be 20 &mgr;m. If more than 90% by weight of the solid starting material has a d3,2 average particle diameter greater than 200 &mgr;m than the d3,2 average particle diameter of the total starting solid material shall be taken to be 200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A tablet of compacted particulate cleaning composition which contains surfactant and detergency builder, and is suitable for fabric washing, also includes water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric material, and disintegration-promoting particles containing at least 40% (by weight of the particles) of one or more materials selected from: compounds with a water-solubility exceeding 50 grams per 100 grams water phase 1 sodium tripolyphosphate sodium tripolyphosphate which is partially hydrated so as to contain water of hydration in an amount which is at least 0.5% by weight of the sodium tripolyphosphate in the disintegration-promoting particles.

Abstract: A tablet of compacted particulate detergent composition including surfactant and detergency builder, suitable for fabric washing, is sub-divided into a plurality of discrete regions with differing compositions. At least one region of the tablet contains a water-swellable polymer serving to promote disintegration of this region. The polymer is present in this region in a concentration greater than in at least one other region of the tablet so as to cause disintegration of the region at a greater speed than disintegration of another region of the tablet.

Abstract: There is provided a detergent composition comprising one or more surfactants and a compound capable of binding to colored substances which may occur as stains on fabrics.

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid composition containing at least one active component and a diluent by mixing the active with diluent and/or liquid active to produce a liquid crystal mixture and incorporating diluent into it such that the mixture remains substantially homogeneous to produce a composition in which the concentration of active components is lower than the concentration of active components in the liquid crystal mixture. Novel apparatus for use in the process is also described.

Abstract: A device for stamping a detergent bar, i.e. a bar comprising soap, a synthetic detergent active or a mixture thereof, includes a die half and a release fluid reservoir. The die is porous so that at least one bar stamping surface has pores through which a release fluid may be to facilitate clean release of the detergent bar cleanly after stamping. Good release of the detergent bars from the die is expected without or with reduced chilling of the dies.

Abstract: A cleansing system comprises a synthetic detergent bar and a pouf/sponge for holding the bar. By using pouf, it has been found that lather can be enhanced, even in compositions comprising lather depressing emollients. The system also helps decrease perception of mush. A preferred emollient of the invention comprises emollient/oil.

Abstract: A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about −78.5° C. to about 100° C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane, a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO2-philic moiety connected to a CO2-phobic functional moiety. The surfactant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.

Abstract: A viscous, liquid, skin washing composition comprising water, at least one surface active agent, abrasive particles and a viscosifier, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the viscosity of the composition is typically that of a shower gel, i.e. in the range 4000-8000 mPas measured at a shear rate of 10 s−1, the particles, preferably calcite, have a mean diameter of 40-400 micrometres and a bulk density of 1-4.

Abstract: An automatic dishwashing detergent composition is described which contains an effective amount of a defined water soluble cationic or amphoteric polymer and a phosphate or nonphosphate builder. The polymers are soluble or dispersible to at least 0.01% by weight in distilled water at 25° C. A method of using the polymers to prevent fading or corrosion of dishware is also described.

Abstract: A process for forming detergent bars by injection moulding in which a pressure is applied to a partially structured detergent composition to deliver it to a mould. The detergent composition can be delivered to the mould in a substantially semi-solid state, at a temperature below 70° C. and at a pressure at the point of injection of greater than 20 psi. Apparatus for forming detergent bars according the invention are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing granules of anionic surfactant, preferably PAS by in situ neutralisation of a precursor acid to form the surfactant, heating the surfactant to a temperature in excess of 130° C. and subsequently cooling the to provide surfactant granules is disclosed. Detergent compositions containing such granules are also disclosed.