Patents Assigned to Unilever Home & Personal Care, USA, division of Conopco
  • Fabric treatment device
    Patent number: 7222438
    Abstract: A device for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer comprising: a reservoir (6) for storing a fabric treatment composition and transfer means (300) to expose fabric treatment composition from the reservoir to airflow generated inside the tumble dryer and/or to directly contact fabrics in the dryer, thereby transferring a portion of the fabric treatment composition into contact with fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle; characterised in the provision of reservoir charging means (301) comprising one or more charging conduits (60) for directing fabric treatment composition to one or more regions of the transfer means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: David Jones
  • Low amounts of high molecular weight polymers for enhancing viscosity of aqueous/aqueous biphasic liquids
    Patent number: 7220713
    Abstract: The invention provides high molecular weight polymers used in small amounts as viscosity modifiers for aqueous/aqueous biphasic liquids. The viscosity of the biphasic is enhanced at least 20%, preferably at least 30% relative to same compositions without use of polymer. Further, the polymer is included without destroying the ability of dual phase compositions to form after product is left standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Patel, Rosa Paredes
  • Polymers for laundry cleaning compositions
    Patent number: 7214247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polymers comprising a block copolymer containing at least one group A and at least one group B in which each group A is a polymeric block built up from an ethylenically unsaturated polymerisable monomer and each group B is a polymeric block built up from an alkylene oxide, alkylene glycol or cyclic ether monomer or a mixture thereof for promoting soil release during laundering of a textile fabric and processes for their preparation. Laundry cleaning compositions comprising such polymers, a method of promoting soil release during laundering of a textile fabric and the use of such polymers in the manufacture of a laundry cleaning composition for effecting soil release from a laundry item form other aspects of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Douglas Eason, Ezat Khoshdel, Susanne Henning Rogers, Michael Stephen White
  • Detergent or personal care composition with oil capsules
    Patent number: 7211273
    Abstract: Detergent or personal care compositions comprising capsules, which in turn comprise a hydrophobic continuous phase, the latter comprising an isotropic mixture of a thermoplastic-type co-polymer and hydrocarbon oil. Preferably, the capsules further comprise an oil-soluble benefit agent. Preferably, the compositions are liquid, especially aqueous-based compositions. In the preferred embodiment, the capsules are transparent or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu
  • Detergent compositions
    Patent number: 7208461
    Abstract: An anionic surfactant particle for use in laundry detergent compositions has an anionic surfactant content of at least 95 wt % of anionic surfactant and comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) and primary alcohol sulphate (PAS) in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:3. The particle, which is preferably in the form of a flake, is of low hygroscopicity and dissolves rapidly in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Siobhan Casey, Philip Ronald Moore
  • Low-foaming liquid laundry detergent
    Patent number: 7205268
    Abstract: A low-foaming aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising from about 0.05% to about 6%, by weight of the composition, of certain carboxylic acid ester and/or low-degree alkoxylated derivatives thereof having HLB below about 10; from about 8% to about 80% of a surfactant; from about 15% to about 90% of water. The compositions are particularly suitable for use in front-loading laundry washing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Shui-Ping Zhu
  • Isotropic cleansing composition with particulate optical modifiers
    Patent number: 7202199
    Abstract: An aqueous isotropic liquid cleansing and moisturizing composition is provided having a surfactant; a thickening agent, and a solid particulate optical modifier that modifies the appearance of the skin after wash off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Anat Shiloach, Rosa Paredes
  • Electrochemical biosensor
    Patent number: 7198708
    Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor for quantifying one or more redox species in a liquid sample comprising a background electrochemical activity, wherein said biosensor comprises: (i) an electrode system; (ii) a filter means comprising a sample loading position; and (iii) a charge transfer surface between said filter means and said electrode system; wherein said filter means separates said sample loading position from said charge transfer surface by an amount of filter material capable of providing a tangential peak height for said background electrochemical activity of less than 30% of the tangential peak height for said redox species; and said biosensor comprises an intermediate layer between said filter means and said charge transfer surface, wherein said intermediate layer has a lower energy requirement to transfer said liquid sample to said charge transfer surface than said filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Louise Atkinson, Brian Jeffrey Birch, Robert Andrew Porter
  • Stable cosmetic sprayable products with a desirable narrow conical spray pattern
    Patent number: 7192574
    Abstract: An aqueous leave-on hair conditioning composition which comprises: a.) about 0.01 percent to about 10.0 percent of a quaternary ammonium compound; b.) about 0.0 percent to about 10.0 percent of a silicone oil; c.) about 0.00001 to about 0.05% of a polyoxyethylene polymer; and d.) about 0.01 to 10% of a non-ionic surfactant wherein said composition is substantially free of hair hold enhancing agents and which is substantially free of cationic cellulosic resins containing tetra-substituted nitrogen moieties, is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Shimei Fan, Tirucherai V Vasudevan
  • Fabric treatment
    Patent number: 7192451
    Abstract: A method of treating finished garments comprising cellulosic material so as to cause cross-linking, which comprises the step of treating fabrics with an effective amount of a blocked cross-linking agent for cellulose, the cross-linking agent being thermally activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Shameem Bhatia, Robert John Carswell, Paul Johnathon Evans, Paul Hugh Findlay
  • Domestic spray device
    Patent number: 7191959
    Abstract: A domestic spray device comprising a liquid reservoir (1), a continuous feed gas pump (3) with a control means (5) for activation thereof, and a means of transferring liquid (2) from the liquid reservoir (1) to a nozzle unit (12), the nozzle unit (12) comprising a means of forming a film of liquid, a means of injecting bubbles of gas into said film of liquid, said gas being forced into the nozzle unit (12) by the continuous feed gas pump (3), and a section of hardware defining an exit orifice (19) for the spray generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Michelle Kutay, Guy Richard Thompson
  • Wet-skin treatment compositions
    Patent number: 7192598
    Abstract: The invention provides wet skin treatment compositions for use during bathing. The compositions are activated by water and retained efficiently on skin. The compositions impart desirable benefits to skin, are perceived to absorb quickly on wet skin, and leave the skin feeling clean, but non-greasy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Aronson, Liang Sheng Tsaur
  • Antiperspirant or deodorant compositions comprising activated aluminium chlorohydrate
    Patent number: 7189387
    Abstract: Translucent anhydrous formulations containing particulate commercially available activated aluminium chlorohydrate (AACH) have a perceptible yellowness. The yellowness of translucent anhydrous compositions containing AACH can be ameliorated or eliminated whilst retaining the improved antiperspirant efficacy of AACH by controlling its water content to the range of 9 to 18%. The appearance of yellow formulations in or on a dispensing package, prior to application to the body, can appear to be neutralised to the human eye by employing a dispenser having a complementary colour in wall contacting the formulation, to promote achromicity. The complementary colour of the wall is dark green for yellow formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Beng Sim Chuah, Kevin Ronald Franklin, Gordon Charles Hough
  • Compositions for washing and conditioning hair
    Patent number: 7183243
    Abstract: Hair washing compositions are disclosed which comprise cleansing surfactant, water, first and second cationic polymers having at pH7 a charge density from 0.2 to 1 meq/gm and from 1.3 to 3 meq/gm respectively, and droplets of a water-insoluble conditioning oil of diameter 4 micrometres or less. The compositions provide cleansing with conditioning and low friction and ease of combing for wet and dry hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas John Ainger, Anand Ramchandra Mahadeshwar, Neil Scott Shaw
  • Dispensing device for unit dose laundry additive pouch
    Patent number: 7181934
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing a unit dose water-soluble pouch containing a laundry additive during the spin cycle of a washing machine process having a spinning wash drum. The device is attached to the vertical center post of a washing machine and holds a water-soluble pouch above the high water level. During the spin cycle, the spinning center post will create sufficient centrifugal force so that the water-soluble pouch is released from the device. The water-soluble pouch will then fall into the laundry where the water-soluble pouch will dissolve when rinse water fills the machine thereby releasing the laundry additive to treat the washed articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Daniel Joseph Fox, Edward John Giblin, Ronald Frederick Vogel, Gary Hsu, Mohammad Hosseini-Nejad
  • Erect package
    Patent number: 7178672
    Abstract: A package is provided with usefulness particularly for dispensing of towelettes. The package is constructed as a unitarily formed tub including a floor panel, a pair of opposite side panels, first and second end panels opposite one another and separating the side panels, the first and second end panels having different curvature one from another. An open mouth is formed opposite the floor panel. An outwardly projecting lip at least partially surrounds the open mouth. A cover is arranged over the open mouth and sealed against the lip. The package is capable of standing erect via support contact between a portion of the second end panel and a section of the lip. Graphics are printed on the cover. The asymmetric arrangement of the end panels and adjacent sections of the lip allow the package to stand erect preferentially on one of the end panels thereby orienting right-side up the graphics of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Daniel Arkins
  • Extended lathering pillow article for personal care
    Patent number: 7179772
    Abstract: A personal care cleansing article is provided which includes a cleansing composition having a lathering surfactant and a water absorbing material capable of accepting at least ten times the weight of the material of water, the composition being held within a water-insoluble sachet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane Marie Keenan, Filomena Augusta Macedo, Gregory Aaron Grissett, David Robert Williams, Shauna Mary Lagatol
  • Laundry treatment compositions comprising a polymer with a cationic and polydialkylsiloxane moiety
    Patent number: 7179777
    Abstract: A laundry treatment composition comprising at least one polymeric material comprising a cationic polymer moiety and a polydialkylsiloxane moiety, and at least one other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilfried Blokzijl, Robert John Carswell, Dominique Charmot, Robert Alan Hunter, Mingjun Liu, Paul Mansky, Victor Nava-Salgado, Giovanni Francesco Unali
  • Detergent compositions
    Patent number: 7179782
    Abstract: Incorporation in a laundry detergent composition of a graft polymer having a locust bean gum backbone and grafts of an aromatic sulphonic acid improves antiredeposition properties. The preferred polymer is locust bean gum—graft—poly (4-styrenesulphonic acid).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher David Gibbs, Alyn James Parry, Susanne Henning Rogers
  • Bottle for dispensing cosmetics
    Patent number: D539665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Hamilton Haubert, Michael Edward Ross