Patents Assigned to Lever Brothers Company, a division of Conopco, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5750733
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hydroxy-containing alkyl glycamide surfactants and detergent composition comprising said surfactants. Since they surprisingly provide low foam, these surfactants can be used as cleansing surfactants in applications where low foaming is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vermeer, Bijan Harichian
  • Patent number: 5750489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions comprising substantially linear, water soluble, highly salt-tolerant non-adsorbing, ionic polymers of MW 10,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons which, when added in defined minimum levels to structured heavy duty liquids, make the liquids highly shear thinning without decreasing pour viscosity of the composition or increasing it to a point where it is too thick. The compositions are also stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rigoberto Felipe Garcia, Tirucherai Varahan Vasudevan, Albert Joseph Post, Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu
  • Patent number: 5747441
    Abstract: An encapsulated bleach particle is provided, comprising(a) 1-30% by weight of a coating including a gelled polymer material (as herein defined);(b) 99-70% by weight of a core material selected from the group consisting of a peroxygen bleach compound, a bleach catalyst, and a bleach precursor.This particle was found to have both favourable storage stability and good solubility characteristics. Furthermore, a process for producing encapsulated particles having said composition is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Domburg, Anshu M. Gupta, Hendrik de Ruijter, Antonius Henricus J. Strijbosch
  • Patent number: 5747442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pretreater or compositions in stick form which remove stains. The compositions contain 30 to 80 wt. % of a nonionic surfactant, 1 to about 20 wt. % of an anionic soap, and 0.1% to 10 wt. % of a hydrophobically modified polar polymer. A method of using the composition is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Helen Bory, Walter Joseph Lunsmann, Dennis Stephen Murphy, Tamara Padron, Lucia Victoria Salas
  • Patent number: 5741765
    Abstract: Improved compositions which clean a surface and are believed to deposit thereupon a layer of cationic surfactant which assists the release of soil subsequently deposited upon the said surface comprising surfactant, wherein said surfactant comprises:a) at least 65% wt on total surfactant of nonionic surfactant,b) less than 1% wt on total surfactant of anionic surfactant, and,c) 0.1-35% wt on total surfactant of a quaternized polydimethylsiloxane, preferably one which comprises a cation of the general formula:?R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 N--Z--?Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --O!.sub.n Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --Z--NR.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6 !.sup.2+wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently alkyl or hydrogen, Z is --CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 O--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -- and n is 1-200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew James Leach
  • Patent number: 5741767
    Abstract: A warewashing composition for a machine dishwasher and a method of using it is described. The composition comprises effective amounts of an organic peroxy acid, and an amylase enzyme which, when incubated at 55.degree. C. in a solution of 2 mM sodium citrate, 1 mM epsilon phthalimidoperoxyhexanoic acid in 36 ppm water at pH 8.0, has a half-life of two minutes or greater based on an activity vs. time plot obtained via monitoring color development at 405 nm of solution samples incubated with p-nitrophenyl-.alpha.-D-maltoheptaoside as substrate and gluco amylase and .alpha.-glucosidase as coupled enzymes; and 1% to 75% by weight of a builder. A 1% aqueous solution of the composition must have a pH of less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard Nicholson, Isaac Israel Secemski, Deborah Sue Rick, Duane Anthony Raible
  • Patent number: 5739093
    Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing a detergent surfactant, a detergent builder, and from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight ethylene aspartate cysteate sequestrants or its acid form are disclosed. These compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains particularly polyphenolic stains such as wine, blueberry, tea, coffee, morello juice and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Nelson Gutierrez, Shang-Ren Wu, Robert Charles Vermeer
  • Patent number: 5736500
    Abstract: Improved microemulsions having a lower level of solvent, a lower level of oil, a more robust formulation and/or exhibiting equivalent if not better performance on fatty soils can be obtained by simultaneous selection of specific surfactants, specific oils and specific solvents. When all three of these components are selected in the manner described herein, a synergistic benefit is attained. The present invention provides a liquid, aqueous cleaning composition in the form of a stable emulsion having a dispersed phase diameter of 10-100 nanometres comprising:a) at least 30 wt % water,b) at least l wt % but not more than 40 wt % of a surfactant system comprising at least one alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant and not more than 10 wt % on alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant of anionic surfactant,c) at least 2 wt % but not more than 20 wt % of a solvent having a solubility of less than 12% w/w in water, and,d) at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Michael Farnworth, Alexander Martin
  • Patent number: 5731277
    Abstract: A composition and method for inhibiting the extraction of transition metals from tableware washed in automatic dishwashers is described. The composition contains an aluminum species in which substantially all of the aluminum (III) ions are present as aluminum tetrahydroxide. A bleaching agent, a builder and optionally a surfactant and a silicate are present. The composition has a pH of less than about 10. A process for preparing the composition is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gerald Gary, Petrus Adrianus Johannes Marinus Angevaare, Arnold Oscar Jensen, Leonard Van Gorkom
  • Patent number: 5728670
    Abstract: Mixed chain alkyl (alkyl glycosid) uronates as nonionic surfactants are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Harichian, Robert Vermeer, Robert William Riley Humphreys
  • Patent number: 5726138
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogel dispersions/particles capable of trapping water insoluble beneficial agent, yet capable of disintegrating smoothly to impart desirable in use characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Sheng Tsaur, Shiji Shen, Margaret Jobling, Michael Paul Aronson
  • Patent number: 5723434
    Abstract: Isotropic liquid detergent composition comprises specific soil antiredeposition polymers containing a hydrophilic backbone and monomer with hydrophobic side chains. When the molar ratio of the number hydrophilic groups to number of hydrophobic groups on said polymers is below certain critical levels, it has been unexpectedly found that the stability (i.e., clarity) of the composition remarkably increases. The solubility of the polymer is further dependent on the type and amount (minimum required) of hydrotrope; surfactant type and levels; and minimum electrolyte levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Ann Falk, Barbara Bory, Tamara Padron, Tirucherai Varahan Vasudevan, Diane Wolf, Jeanie Lum
  • Patent number: 5719112
    Abstract: The invention provides a dishwashing composition comprising builder material, buffer material and other conventional ingredients in combination with a lipase and a hydrophobic modified (co)polymer of acrylic acid. More in particular the invention provides a dishwashing composition comprising lipase (calculated as having an activity of 200 LU/mg) and a hydrophobic modified (co)polymer of acrylic acid in a weight ratio of 1 to 1:2.000, preferably 1 to 1:1 000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Gordon, Joseph Oreste Carnali
  • Patent number: 5719111
    Abstract: A detergent block of compressed granular material is provided, said block having a weight of 0.2-10 kg, being substantially free of phoshate builder material, and comprising a granulated builder material, an alkaline agent and a compressing aid. A process is also provided for preparing a block of compressed granular material being substantially free of a phosphate builder and having a weight of 0.2 to 10 kg, said process involving the steps of(i) granulating a non-phosphate builder material, with 0.1-10% by weight based on the weight of the builder of a co-ingredient selected from polycarboxylic polymer solutions, alkali metal silicate solutions, and mixtures thereof;and(ii) compressing a particulate mixture of said granulated builder material and other components of the block, including a compressing aid, in a mould under a pressure of 3-30 kN/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Guido Clemens van den Brom, Seeng Djiang Liem, Harmannus Tammes
  • Patent number: 5719117
    Abstract: Isotropic liquid detergent composition comprises specific soil antiredeposition polymers containing a hydrophilic backbone and hydrophobic side chain; and aliphatic hydrocarbon oils. When the molar ratio of hydrophilic groups of the backbone to number of hydrophobic groups attached to the backbone is below certain critical levels; and aliphatic hydrocarbon oil of defined molecular weight (MW) range are incorporated in the formulation; it has been unexpectedly found that the stability (i.e., clarity) of the composition remarkably increases in such oil containing compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Ann Falk, Barbara Bory, Leslie Jo Morgan, Tamara Padron, Tirucherai Varahan Vasudevan, Diane Wolf
  • Patent number: 5714455
    Abstract: A process for improving the flowability of compositions containing SCMOS is disclosed which includes employing the salt of SCMOS in intimate admixture with a nonionic glycolipid surfactant as the major SCMOS containing constituent of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Nelson Gutierrez, Shang-Ren Wu
  • Patent number: 5713094
    Abstract: A washing implement is formed from links of mesh material and which is suitable for convenient use with a single hand. The hand sponge is formed by gathering loops or tubes of diamond mesh polymeric material into circular links, which are looped together to form the washing implement. At least two links are used and the links are tied closed at each end of the washing implement by a string or cord which connects the first and last links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Markey, Harry Hamilton Haubert, Robert Olsson, Kara Bonci
  • Patent number: 5711411
    Abstract: A device which centers bottles beneath a filling nozzle and which can be very quickly changed when there is a change in the bottles being run on the line. The device includes an upper bracket which receives the mouth of the bottle and may also include a lower foot against which the back of the bottle is received. The bracket holds the bottle while the bottle is filled. Both the mouth receiving bracket and the foot against which the back of the bottle rests are readily changeable with brackets and feet, respectively, of other sizes. Typically the bottles will be conveyed to the bracket by a star wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: William Joseph Zurweller
  • Patent number: 5712239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions comprising:(1) 1-80% by wt. surfactant;(2) defined peroxyacid; and(3) 0.01-20% by wt. of a mono substituted phenolic compound.The compounds help to extend the half life of the peracid bleaches in such compositions. The invention further relates to a method of incorporating stability of surfactant compositions comprising peracid bleaches which method comprises adding 0.01-2.0% by wt. of said substituted phenolic compound to the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Nathaniel Knowlton, Janet Coope, Daniel Kuzmenka, Mark Stephen Naser
  • Patent number: 5705465
    Abstract: An automatic dishwashing detergent composition is described which comprises 0.01 to 1.0% of a fatty acid having from 12 to 22, preferably from 16 to 18, carbon atoms in the acyl radical and are preferably unsaturated; 0.1 to 2% of a carrier containing a ketone which has at least 25 carbon atoms; 0.5 to 40% of a surfactant; 0.1 to 10 weight % of a proteolytic enzyme; 1 to 30 weight % of a bleaching agent selected from the group of a peroxygen or hypohalite agent; and 1 to 75% of a builder providing a composition having a pH of less than about 11. Specifically, the detergent composition must have a weight ratio of long-chain ketone/carrier to fatty acid of 5:1 to 1:1, preferably from 4:1 to 2:1. A method of using the composition is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Petrus Adrianus Angevaare, Alla Tartakovsky