Abstract: A detergent composition having a bulk density of at least 550 kg/m.sup.3 comprises a mixture of:(a) a granulate, preferably a mechanically mixed granulate, of bulk density 450 kg/m.sup.3 to 1300 kg/m.sup.3, comprising surfactant and inorganic material, and(b) a spray-dried adjunct comprising inorganic material, preferably sodium sesquicarbonate or Burkeite,component (a) being present in an amount of from 35% to 85% by weight of the total granular product.The adjunct allows the bulk density of the final composition to be adjusted to any chosen value without detriment to other properties, thus providing flexibility to formulate at a range of bulk densities.

Abstract: A spacing device for spreading stamped material, especially soap bars, during transfer from a stamping process to a packaging process comprises a train of at least a first and last coupled carriages mounted for movement along an axis and coupled together to allow spacing therebetween upon movement of one of the carriages. A single driving mechanism is provided to move the first carriage along the axis. An actuating mechanism, such as a rack and pinion or a crank lever, is operably connected to the first carriage such that when the driving mechanism moves the first carriage along the axis, the actuating mechanism moves the last carriage along the axis in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first carriage, thereby spacing the train of carriages apart.

Abstract: A process of forming a granular detergent products, is effected in a gas fluidisation granulator. A fluidised particulate solid material is contacted with a spray of liquid binder. The excess velocity (U.sub.e) of fluidisation gas relative to the mass or volume flux of the spray (q.sub.mliq or q.sub.vliq) when determined at the normalised nozzle-to-bed distance (D.sub.0) is set so that the flux number (FN.sub.m or FN.sub.v) as determined by ##EQU1## (where .rho..sub.p is the particle density) is at a critical value of at least 2 for at least 30% of the process.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions in the form of tablets containing surfactant and detergency builder, especially for use in fabric washing, also contain a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric material which has an average particle dimension of at least 400 micrometers. Such material may be cellulosic in nature and promotes disintegration of the tablets in water at the time of use.

Abstract: A bar of soap having, wrapped laterally of the bar, around at least a longitudinal extent of the bar, a stiffening member comprising a stiff sheet material having at least respective outer surfaces thereof each provided by a plastics material.

Abstract: The invention provides a bleaching composition of pH 8-14 which comprises an oxygen transfer agent and hypochlorite or a source thereof and a method for bleaching a stained substrate which comprises the step of treating the substrate with a bleaching composition of pH 8-14 which bleaching composition comprises an oxygen transfer agent and hypochlorite or a source thereof. Particularly preferred oxygen transfer agents are imine quaternary ammonium salts such as N-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium salts. Where these salts are used, suitable counter-ions include halides, sulphate, methosulphate, sulphonate, p-toluene sulphonate and phosphate. Oxygen transfer agents which comprise a quaternary nitrogen atom are preferred. In the alternative, the oxygen transfer agent can be a sulphonimine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleansing system comprising a synthetic detergent bar and a pouf/sponge for holding the bar. By inserting bar inside the pouf, it has been found that lather can be enhanced, even in compositions comprising lather depressing emollients. The bar holder and bar system also help decrease perception of mush.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid skin cleansing compositions comprising (1) mild surfactant systems; (2) 0.1 to 10% by wt. of a polyvalent cation or cations selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, tin, aluminum cobalt, nickel, chromium, titanium and/or manganese and mixture thereof; and (3) 1% to 99% water wherein said cation or cations provide antibacterial activity. In a second embodiment of the invention, the cation or cations potentiates antibacterial effect in compositions already containing an antibacterial agent. In a third embodiment, the invention relates to a method of enhancing antibacterial effect using these polyvalent cation or cations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid skin cleansing compositions comprising (1) mild surfactant systems; (2) 0.1 to 10% by wt. of a polyvalent cation or cations selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, tin, aluminum cobalt, nickel, chromium, titanium and/or manganese and mixture thereof; and (3) 1% to 99% water wherein said cation or cations provide antibacterial activity. In a second embodiment of the invention, the cation or cations potentiates antibacterial effect in compositions already containing an antibacterial agent. In a third embodiment, the invention relates to a method of enhancing antibacterial effect using these polyvalent cation or cations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chip compositions containing specific polyol ester as the major carrier for liquid skin benefit agents. Addition of specific polyol esters wherein the melting temperature and HLB are specifically defined has been found to remarkably enhance the oil/humectant structuring capability of a skin cleansing bar. Such a polyol ester also permits the liquid benefit agents to be released into a personal wash liquor and then to be delivered to skin via personal wash. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing the bar's capability of including high levels of oil and/or humectant by applying the adjuvant technology. That is, by coextruding and stamping the mixture of chips containing skin benefit agents and base chips containing a surfactant system, high levels of oils and/or humectants can be incorporated into solid toilet bars by standard extrusion technology.

Abstract: A detergent composition suitable for washing colored fabrics. The composition comprises:a) a N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer (PVP/PVI) in an amount effective to inhibit dye transfer between fabrics during the wash; andb) an organic surfactant system comprising(i) alkylbenzene sulphonate,(ii) a nonionic surfactantin which the ratio of (i) to (ii) is from 7:3 to 99:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides high foaming aqueous liquid compositions with levels of oil/emollient equal to or in excess of level of surfactant. It is surprising that good levels of foam can be maintained at such high levels of emollient. In addition to surfactant and emollient, compositions also preferably comprise C.sub.12 -C.sub.24 fatty acid and/or cationic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bar compositions in which an emollient composition comprising thickened entrapped emollient is added to a base bar composition at or during time of extrusion to form macroscopic, concentrated domains of emollient droplets. Addition of entrapped droplets allows far greater deposition than if the non-trapped emollients had been mixed in directly to form chips which are then extruded to form final bar.

Abstract: A method of treating fabric comprising:i) applying a composition comprising a polycarboxylic acid or derivative thereof; and ii) curing the composition using a domestic process, is described herein. The invention also relates to compositions for use in said method.

Abstract: A concentrated aqueous fabric conditioning composition which both conditions and inhibits dye transfer is described. The composition includes a fabric conditioning active and a dye transfer inhibiting compound preferably polyvinyl pyrrolidone and a colorant. Methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Detergent compositions, essentially free of chlorine bleach compounds, containing a surfactant, builder, enzyme, peroxygen bleach and from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) or salts thereof are disclosed. These compositions exhibit controlled and improved bleaching action on stains as well as improved storage stability, fabric safety and whitening/brightening characteristics.

Abstract: A composition for a soap bar comprises:(i) from about 0.5% to about 5%, by weight, of silicone;(ii) from about 0.5% to about 5%, by weight, of a first emollient selected from polyols, selected from glycerin, sorbitol, or mixtures thereof;(iii) up to about 5%, by weight, of a second emollient selected from vegetable, animal or mineral oils, or free fatty acids, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A detergent composition which reduces the photofading of fabric. The detergent composition comprises a cationic UV-absorber and an anionic surfactant.