Patents Assigned to Unilever Home and Personal Care USA
  • Softening laundry detergent
    Patent number: 7012054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric and textile conditioning compositions with improved particulate soil cleaning, containing particular combinations of cationic polymers and anionic surfactants in combination with a polyvinylpyrrolidone/amphiphilic carboxy containing polymer anti-redeposition system. The cationic polymers are preferably below a particular molecular weight to afford optimal cleaning and conditioning, and must be present in an effective amount to yield a substantial conditioning benefit. A method of conditioning articles using the inventive compositions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Binder, Dennis Stephen Murphy, Michael Orchowski
  • Fabric treatment compositions comprising organically modified particles
    Patent number: 7012055
    Abstract: Fabric treatment compositions comprising a textile compatible carrier and particles having a layered structure comprising oxygen atoms and silicon and/or phosphorus atoms and comprising organic functional groups which are bonded to silicon and/or phosphorus atoms by direct covalent bonds between the silicon and/or phosphorus atoms and a carbon atom. The functional groups are selected to impart lubricating properties to the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hugh Findlay, Joseph Edward Hunter, Laxmikant Tiwari, Nicola Whilton
  • Fabric care composition
    Patent number: 7008916
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabric care composition comprising a polycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, a catalyst and a thermoplastic elastomer, a method of treating fabric with such a composition and the use of such a composition to increase the tensile strength (especially the tear strength) of a fabric, to reduce creasing and/or wrinkling of a fabric and/or to improve the elasticity and/or shape retention of a fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA
    Inventors: Robert John Carswell, James Bernard Cooper
  • Photobleach speckle and laundry detergent compositions containing it
    Patent number: 7002051
    Abstract: A colored speckle composition for use in particulate laundry detergent compositions comprising a porous granular carrier and at least 0.01 wt % photobleach, preferably at least 0.05 wt %, more preferably at least 0.1 wt %, based on the active ingredient, the composition having an average bulk density of at most 600 g/l, preferably at most 500 g/l, most preferably at most 400 g/l. The carrier system reduces the staining tendency of the photobleach. The most preferred carrier is spray dried detergent base powder. The most preferred photobleach is a blend of Zn and Al sulphonated phthalocyanine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Jose Bonelli, Marcio Henrique Perissinotto Bonfa, Rudolf Govert Van Driel, Paulo-Enrique De Gusmao, Mario Jovelino Del Nunzio, Paulo Cesar Puelle Andrade
  • Dosing system
    Patent number: 7000656
    Abstract: There are practical difficulties in dosing a component of a composition into its container, such as a personal care product into a hand-holdable dispenser on a filling line, due in part to the short time that is available for the operation. The difficulties can be ameliorated or overcome by employing dosing apparatus in which a metering pump feeds a flowable material such a liquid through a dosing nozzle positioned above a container intended to receive a charge, the nozzle having a plurality of individual spouts spaced apart from each other so as to prevent their individual streams coalescing and the spouts extending sufficiently below its support to prevent droplets from adjacent spouts coalescing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Todd
  • Process for making perfume containing surfactant compositions having perfume burst and enhanced perfume deposition when diluted
    Patent number: 6998382
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing or selecting compositions having a fragrance burst of at least 20% relative to a product before dilution as well as enhanced deposition. The composition is selected such that perfume and surfactant in said composition yields a calculated “Perfume Burst Index” (PBI) value of less than 3 as per algorithm defining the PBI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Lin Yang, Judith Lynne Kerschner
  • Fabric treatment composition
    Patent number: 6998380
    Abstract: A heat activated fabric treatment composition comprises from 3 to 75 wt % of one or more fabric treatment active ingredients, from 5 to 60 wt % of a nonionic surfactant and from 10 to 50 wt % of water. The composition is provided in a dispensing device which, in use, is attached to the internal panel of a tumble dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan John Fry, Mansur Sultan Mohammadi
  • Electrochemical method and system for dyeing and highlighting hair
    Patent number: 6994733
    Abstract: A method for electrochemically dyeing, highlighting or tinting hair is provided which includes first applying to the hair an oxidative dye precursor mixture containing a primary intermediate having a standard Redox potential that is less than about 1V. This precursor mixture on the hair in then contacted with an electrode system that has sufficient voltage to electrochemically oxidize the primary intermediate to produce a colored dye through a coupling reaction. A system or kit for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John Brian Bartolone, Padmaja Prem, Katherine Jacobs-Dube
  • Non-sticky cosmetic moisturizer for skin and hair
    Patent number: 6991799
    Abstract: A non-sticky moisturizing cosmetic composition containing a relatively high level of a humectant, such as glycerol or sorbitol, and a polymeric wetting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Quynh T. Pham, Tak Yu Lam, Norman Kramer Richardson, Prem Chandar, Alexander Lips
  • Wall mountable personal care products using stretch release adhesives
    Patent number: 6991133
    Abstract: A container which is adhered, in an inverted orientation, to a vertical surface (such as a wall or other vertical surface) of a kitchen, sink, or bath room by a stretch release adhesive, wherein said stretch release adhesive is resistant or substantially resistant to water and humidity, which container comprises: a) one or more side surfaces, an end surface and a surface comprising an orifice; b) a self-sealing valve which covers said orifice; c) a construction or coating that is resistant or substantially resistant to external corrosion; and wherein said container is dispensed by hand through the application of a force whose principal component acts perpendicularly or approximately perpendicularly to the vertical surface; is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Leslie Rutherford, Guy Thompson, Mark Neuhalfen
  • Damp cleansing wipe
    Patent number: 6992054
    Abstract: A disposable substantially damp cleansing article is disclosed having a cleansing composition impregnated onto a flexible substrate such as a non-woven cloth. The impregnated compositions include lathering surfactants and water, and a water-binding agent resulting in a composition having a water activity less than 0.977 but no lower than 0.001. Amounts of water range from greater than 15% to no higher than about 40% by weight of the total article. Speed of lather formation and foam volume increases within the window of the stated water activity and water range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: G Jae Lee, Robert Edward Gott, Craig Stephen Slavtcheff, Michael Charles Cheney
  • Fabric conditioning compositions
    Patent number: 6992059
    Abstract: A fabric conditioning composition comprises from 7.5 to 80% by weight of a ester-linked quaternary ammonium fabric softening material comprising at lease one mono-ester linked component and at least one tri-ester linked component, from 0.01 to 10% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and greater than 1.5 to 15% by weight of a fatty complexing agent wherein the weight ratio of the mono-ester component of compound (a) to fatty completing agent (c) is from 5:1 to 1:5. The compositions have good viscosity profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Divisionof Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephan Grainger, Andrew David Green, John Francis Hubbard, Mansur Sultan Mohammadi, David Christopher Sayle
  • Solid fabric conditioning compositions
    Patent number: 6989361
    Abstract: A quaternary ammonium material of the formula: wherein each R is independently selected from a C5-35 alkyl or alkenyl group, R1 represents a C1-4 alkyl, C2-4 alkenyl or a C1-4 hydroxyalkyl group, T is n is 0 or a number selected from 1 to 4, m is 1, 2 or 3 and denotes the number of moieties to which it relates that pend directly from the N atom, and X? is an anionic group, such as halides or alkyl sulphates, has a mean particle size of from 100 to 1200 ?m. The material is provided in a solid fabric conditioning composition at a level of from 1 to 45 wt % in combination with a carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis James Gregory, Sarah Wylde
  • Thickened cosmetic compositions
    Patent number: 6986895
    Abstract: A cosmetic composition is provided which includes an alpha- or beta-hydroxycarboxylic acid at least partially neutralized and a taurate copolymer in a low pH system. The taurate copolymer improves skinfeel and provides viscosity to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Suares, Joanna Hong Zhang
  • Low pH, high skin friction cosmetic creams
    Patent number: 6979452
    Abstract: A high skin friction cosmetic composition that can provide the consumer-desired sensory properties of traditional vanishing creams, stable at low pH, containing solid asymmetric particles and an anionic emulsifier having pKa values of less than about 4.5. The composition preferably further includes an acidic skin benefit agent. A method of controlling or preventing an oily skin appearance and/or feel especially in the facial area, by applying to the skin the inventive composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Ramesh Surianarayanan, Prem Chandar, Pushker Sona, Michael J. Barratt
  • Esters
    Patent number: 6974804
    Abstract: Acylated cellobiose compounds (CHME) which satisfy the formula; wherein X represents an acyl group (R—CO—) or H, Z represents an acyl group (R?—CO—) or H and not more than a minority of X+Z residues represent H, R represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched chain hydrocarbon residue of 5 to 31 carbon atoms and R? represents a residue, different from R, which is: (i) a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched chain hydrocarbon residue of 1 to 31 carbon atoms, or (ii) an aromatic hydrocarbon residue, or (iii) a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon, each optionally substituted. CHME esters are particularly suited to thickening or structuring a water-immiscible liquid, for example, a phase in a cosmetic formulation, such as antiperspirant or deodorant formulations, eg water in oil emulsions and especially translucent ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Ronald Franklin, Andrew Hopkinson, Nicholas Webb, Michael Stephen White
  • Laundry detergent gel with suspended particles
    Patent number: 6972278
    Abstract: A shear-thinning lamellar gel detergent composition containing suspended particles, employing a non-neutralized fatty acid as a structuring agent, in a specific amount, depending on the total surfactant level. The weight % ratio of non-neutralized fatty acid to the total surfactant within a specific range, defined by the Gelling Index equation, results in gels with the desired properties. The inventive product offers an advantage of laundry pre-treater and a detergent in a single product and also provides a visual cue of suspended particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Yun Peng Zhu, John David Hines, Ronald Frederick Vogel
  • Pour spout fitment and container
    Patent number: 6968980
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pour spout fitment that has an enlarged spout opening thereby making it less susceptible to double pouring and advantageous for dispensing new flowable product forms such as gels. The pour spout opening is large relative to the bottle opening which is equated with the fitment's circumscribing wall. Accordingly, the pour spout fitment is less susceptible to double pouring and may also be useful for pouring more viscous product forms such as gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward John Giblin, Philip Andrew Tarrant, Alyson Leigh Garcia, Jaimee Terese Simone
  • Liquid detergent with polyanionic ammonium surfactant and a high pKa solid inorganic base
    Patent number: 6969700
    Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of a polyanionic ammonium surfactant; a substantially non-aqueous carrier; and a solid inorganic base having pKa equal to or greater than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care, USA Division of Conopco, Inc
    Inventors: Gregory Hsu, Guanglin Sun, Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu
  • Aerosol container
    Patent number: D513995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Masuo Miwa