Abstract: A combustible charcoal igniting device may include first elongate grid members generally parallel to one another when the device is in an uncollapsed configuration and second elongate grid members generally parallel to one another and transverse relative to the first elongate grid members when the device is in the uncollapsed configuration. The first and second elongate grid members define chimney cells on or above which charcoal briquets may be placed for ignition. The elongate grid members may comprise a combustible material that can be ignited and that will continue to burn, igniting charcoal briquets placed on the chimney cells. The first elongate grid members may include creases that align with one another, so that the device is collapsible from opposed sides towards a crease line defined by the creases to reduce the length of the device when in a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3:1. In other words, x is ?3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.

Abstract: The present invention is for sanitizing compositions for sanitizing surfaces which may contact food. The composition may be provided in liquid form, and may include a quaternary amine, one or more surfactant, a fragrance, and water. At least 90% by weight of the fragrance comprises fragrance components that meet Class I qualifications of the Cramer classification system. All other components of the composition (e.g., the quaternary amine, the surfactants, water, and any optional components) meet the EPA guidelines under CFR 180.940(a). Since the composition only includes components that meet the EPA guidelines under CFR 180.940(a) (reflecting a presumption of low toxicity), and at least 90% of the fragrance itself (e.g., in the case of mixtures of fragrance components) meets the Cramer Class I qualifications, the composition is safe for application to surfaces that come in contact with food, where there is a heightened probability that traces of the composition will be ingested.

Abstract: The present invention teaches multilayer cleaning articles that include a substantially dry surface contact layer and a gripping layer. The contact layer may represent one exposed major face of the cleaning article (e.g., a cleaning pad), while the gripping layer may represent the opposite exposed major face of the cleaning article. The contact layer may include abrasive synthetic fibers, so as to be effective in scrubbing soils and spills from a surface. The contact layer includes a cleaning composition pre-loaded therein. The cleaning composition is such that the contact layer feels dry to the touch prior to use, before wetting with water. The cleaning composition may include about 1% to about 40% by weight water. The gripping layer includes at least 40% by weight of pulp fibers (e.g., natural cellulose pulp fiber), and exhibits a mean hand grip value that is at least 0.015 1/in2 (reciprocal inches squared).

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and/or oxidants, which can provide a cleaning benefit and surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge.

Abstract: Composite particles and methods for making the same. An absorbent material is formed into a particle. An optional performance-enhancing active is coupled to the absorbent material before, during, or after the particle-forming process, homogeneously and/or in layers. Additionally, the composite absorbent particle may include a core material. Preferred methods for creating the absorbent particles include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a mix muller process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a batch tumble blending mixer process, an extrusion process, and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3:1. In other words, x is ?3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.

Abstract: Described is a closure adapted to be fit on top of containers such as bottles. In various embodiments, the closure may include an outer skirt and an inner skirt. The closure may be engageable with a container neck. In some embodiments, a region of weakness may be adapted to break and/or deform upon an attempt to remove the closure from the container neck. In some embodiments, after the break and/or deformation, the closure may no longer be engageable with the container neck.

Abstract: A trigger head for a dispensing device for at least two substances including a pumping system to compress the substances separately and simultaneously before dispensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and/or oxidants, which can provide a cleaning benefit and surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3:1. In other words, x is ?3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.

Abstract: Wipes dispensers for dispensing interconnected wipes. An exemplary wipes dispenser may include a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region into which a plurality of interconnected wipes may be disposed. Pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe causes a following wipe to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The removable lid may cover at least a portion of the container aperture. A landing member in the lid covers at least a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region. A gripping channel may be provided through the landing member, through which the lead end of the lead wipe may be threaded. The landing member may include a concavely shaped portion. The landing member may include a thickened portion, e.g., surrounding the gripping channel.

Abstract: A trigger dispenser (1) for liquids comprises a suction valve (30) and a delivery valve (60), separate from the suction valve (30). The dispenser (1) has a detachable stop (100), comprising a bottom (104) positioned rearwards of the delivery valve (60) to form an end stop abutment with this during the dispensing step.

Abstract: This invention relates to extend the benefits of using hypochlorite compounds such as sodium hypochlorite to clean and disinfect articles while reducing or eliminating the side effects of treating an article with a strong oxidant material. The invention relates to a single step process involving mixing of precursor compositions of a suitable hypohalite or hypohalous acid with a solution of a reducing agent. Optionally a buffer may be present in either or both precursor compositions, such that at time of use such active hypohalous acid concentration in the resulting aqueous mixture remains at a sufficient activity level to effect one or more desired benefits against a target substrate for a desired period of time. The oxidant is substantially consumed by reaction with the reducing agent after the time needed for achieving the desired benefit has passed.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to drain cleaning compositions including relatively high concentrations of a hypochlorite oxidizing agent and a hydroxide (e.g., 4 to 12% and 2.5 to 10%, respectively. The composition further includes a surfactant (e.g., a surfactant blend, water, and exhibits a very high pH (e.g., at least 13). The composition is monophasic, even at high oxidizing and hydroxide concentrations. The surfactant may include a blend of an uncharged surfactant (e.g., an amphoteric surfactant or nonionic surfactant) and a charged surfactant (e.g., anionic, cationic, or a surfactant that becomes so under the high pH conditions of the composition). The ratio of charged to uncharged surfactant may be at least 1:10, e.g., from 1:10 to about 1:50.