Patents Assigned to Unilever
  • Hair conditioning composition comprising a silicone oil and a poloxamer or poloxamine block copolymer
    Patent number: 7459417
    Abstract: An aqueous hair conditioner composition comprising: a) a cationic conditioning surfactant, b) discrete, dispersed droplets comprising a water-insoluble conditioning oil and c) a block copolymer with a mean molecular weight of 1000 unified atomic mass units or more, comprising polyethyleneoxide and polypropyleneoxide blocks selected from the group consisting of (i) poloxamers according to formula (I), wherein the mean value of (y) is from 18 to 60 and the mean value (x) is from 7 to 140 such that the mean value of the ratio (x/y) is from 0.4 to 3.0 and (ii) poloxamines according to formula (II), wherein the mean value of (a) is 2 or more and the mean value of (b) is 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Derici, Paul David Jenkins, Andrew Malcolm Murray, Neil Scott Shaw
  • Process for preserving roasted vegetables
    Patent number: 7455866
    Abstract: A method for preserving vegetables comprising the steps: subjecting the vegetables to a heat treatment chosen from the group consisting of: roasting, shallow frying, baking and grilling, immersing the heat-treated vegetables in a preserving liquid, storing the vegetables in the preserving liquid until use, characterized in that the preserving liquid is an aqueous solution containing a preservative agent, a antioxidant, 0.1-4.0 wt. % of salt and such amount of an edible acid that the pH of the liquid after 48 hours of equilibration with the immersed vegetables is in the range 4.1-4.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods, North America, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Janos Bodor, Hubertus Cornelis Van Gastel
  • Dry cleaning process
    Patent number: 7452384
    Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a low-aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a low-aqueous dry cleaning composition, wherein said composition comprises a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent, water and surfactant, whereby the water to cloth ratio (w/w) is less than 0.45 and the water to surfactant ratio (w/w) is at most 1.5, wherein said organic dry cleaning solvent is selected from hydrofluorocarbon, hydrofluoroether and siloxane solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Evers, Machiel Goedhart, Freddie Kerpels, Cornelis Gerhard Van Kralingen, Pieter Everhardus Overdevest, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Karin Vrieswijk
  • Dry cleaning process
    Patent number: 7452383
    Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a low aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a low aqueous dry cleaning composition wherein the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and wherein said low aqueous composition comprises: a) at least one non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) 0.01 to 0.9 wt. % water and c) a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant wherein said surfactant comprises at least one anionic headgroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Evers, Machiel Goedhart, Freddie Kerpels, Cornelis Gerhard Van Kralingen, Pieter Everhardus Overdevest, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Karin Vrieswijk
  • Rinse-off facial wash compositions delivering enhanced whitening using submicron titanium oxide, optional modifier and deposition system
    Patent number: 7446081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to facial wash compositions delivering enhanced whitening using sub-micron titanium dioxide, optional modifier and specific deposition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Sheng Tsaur, Jack Polonka, Prem Chandar
  • Beauty wash product compositions delivering enhanced visual benefits to the skin with specific optical attributes
    Patent number: 7442674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions delivering enhanced visual benefits to the skin with specific optical attributes. These are delivered using specific deposition systems (where oil/emollient comprises part of deposition system) and/or by ensuring dispersion of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Polonka, Brian Keith Hamilton, Alexander Lips, Prem Chandar, Liang Sheng Tsaur
  • Azetidinium modified polymers and fabric treatment composition
    Patent number: 7429558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric treatment composition which comprises a self-crosslinking polymer possessing pendant azetidinium groups. A first aspect of the invention comprises an azetidinium functionalized polymer containing primary or secondary amine groups. Cross-linking reactions between the azetidinium group and primary or secondary amine groups do not form quaternary groups and consequently do not result in a charged, cross-linked polymer. This lack of charge is believed to overcome the problems of stain fixing and dye adsorption. A second aspect of the present invention subsists in an azetidinium functionalized polymer of which the monomers comprise: an amino-acrylate and/or amino-alkacrylate monomer, and, optionally, further non-amino acrylate and/or alkacrylate monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Norman Batchelor, Paul Hugh Findlay, Joseph Edward Hunter, Andrew Philip Parker, Stephen Paul Rannard
  • Skin care cosmetic compositions and methods for microemulsification of sebum on contact
    Patent number: 7407665
    Abstract: A combination of a non-ionic tri-block poly-propylene-oxide, poly-ethylene-oxide alcohol ether surfactant coupled with block polymer poly(Butadiene-b-Ethylene Oxide) is an excellent surfactant phase to micro-emulsify sebum on contact. A method of micro-emulsification of sebum on contact with inventive compositions according to the present invention will form micro-emulsions which can enhance (1) deep pore cleansing of skin and (2) delivery of skin benefit actives into the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Huang, Carlos Co, Alexander Lips
  • Multiuse fabric care article and method
    Patent number: 7405191
    Abstract: A fabric care article made of solid or semi-solid matrix of materials for repetitive or multiple use in a machine drying apparatus such as a tumble dryer. The matrix includes a structuring agent comprising a filler structuring agent and a polymeric structuring agent. The filler structuring agent comprises about 0.2 % to about 10% and the polymeric structuring agent comprises about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of the composition. The matrix further includes up to about 25% of an anionic soap surfactant, about 10% to about 60% of free fatty acid, and about 1% to about 50% of a non-ionic, but is substantially free from cationic surfactant. When the fabric care article is used up, it simply disappears, indicating to a user that the article needs to be replenished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Peng Zhu, Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Diane Wolf
  • Methods and compositions useful to prevent in-grown hair arising from shaving
    Patent number: 7404949
    Abstract: A method and composition is provided for managing in-grown hair which involves applying to those areas malonic acid or a salt thereof in a carrier. The method and composition allows for comfortable shaving of skin by minimizing the problem of in-grown hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Raymond Faryniarz, Michael Charles Cheney, Anthony William Johnson
  • Soap wrappers
    Patent number: 7401697
    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. At least a portion of the stiffening member is transparent to allow the soap to be viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: David Moss
  • Automatic dispensing device for laundry care composition
    Patent number: 7398787
    Abstract: A non-intrusive device for automatically dosing at least one liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing machine. The device employs a Venturi tube mechanism or a pump to dose the laundry detergent care composition. The dosing is controlled by a machine-generic algorithm capable of determining the actual cycle at any duration of wash for various cycle designs from various washing machines, without the input of precise cycle design; and dose the correct products correctly and is capable of distinguishing between major water addition and a water pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Sudhakar Puvvada, Ronald Frederick Vogel, Diane Wolf, Gary Hsu
  • Cosmetic compositions containing extracts
    Patent number: 7396534
    Abstract: Disclosed are extracts of Nigrospora sphaerica as cosmetic skin benefit agents, preferably as skin lightening agents alone or in combination with other skin benefit agents and together with a cosmetic vehicle. The inventive extracts, compositions and methods have effective skin lightening properties, may be easier to deliver to the skin, and are commercially available or cost-effective and available in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John Steven Bajor, Michael James Barratt, Carol Annette Bosko
  • Method for Making a Tea Extract and a Tea Extract
    Publication number: 20080160135
    Abstract: Shelf stable and ready-to-drink tea beverages are described. The tea beverages have excellent color and flavor characteristics and are prepared from a tea extract that has been made with both cold brew and standard tea leaf. The tea beverages maintain excellent characteristics in the absence of preservatives and caramel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a Unilever
    Inventor: Shi-Qiu Zhang
  • Laundry detergent with polyamine mono-anionic surfactant
    Patent number: 7387992
    Abstract: A laundry detergent composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of a polyamine mono-anionic surfactant; and a solubiliser; in a defined weight ratio. Also, a process of making the polyamine mono-anionic surfactant and the laundry compositions containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Shui-Ping Zhu, Mei Shi
  • Novel Resorcinol Derivatives for Skin
    Publication number: 20080131382
    Abstract: New 4-substituted resorcinol derivatives of general formula I and/or B and process for synthesizing same, cosmetic compositions and methods of using same, particularly for skin lightening: Wherein X1 and/or X2 represents hydrogen (H), linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C12 alkyl, alkenyl, or acyl groups. Preferably, X1 and/or X2 represents hydrogen (H); linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C12 alkyl or acyl groups; R1 represents hydrogen (H), linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic, saturated or unsaturated C1-C12 alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkenyl group. Preferably, R1 represents hydrogen (H) or a C1 alkyl group (i.e, methyl group). More preferably, R1 represents hydrogen; n represents 0, 1. When n=0, the ring is a cyclopentyl with or without one heteroatom from O, N or S and/or with or without one double bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Harichian, Jose Guillermo Rosa
  • Fibrous elastic gel cleansing article
    Patent number: 7381693
    Abstract: An article that is especially suitable for cleansing skin is described which includes a foamable composition having the form of an elastic semi-solid gel and a fibrous layer made up of a continuous network of bonded fibers. The weight ratio of the foamable composition to the fibrous layer is in the range from about 30 to 1 to about 2000 to 1 and the foamable composition at least partially encompasses the fibrous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, divison of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane Marie Keenan, Gregory Aaron Grissett, Filomena Augusta Macedo, David Robert Williams
  • Method of laundering coloured fabrics
    Patent number: 7381226
    Abstract: A method of treating coloured fabrics with a luminance (L*) less than 50, preferably black garments, which comprises contacting the fabrics with a wash liquor comprising 0.001-0.1 g/L of a hydroxyl C2-C4 alkyl derivative of a beta 1-4 polysaccharide, which is preferably hydroxyethyl cellulose, and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Jane Cooke, Sarah Dixon, Timothy David Finch, Colette Elizabeth Laurie, Andrew Philip Parker
  • Hydroentangled textile and use in a personal cleansing implement
    Patent number: 7381667
    Abstract: A non-woven hydroentangled textile is described formed in cross-section with a central area of low mass fiber density surrounded on both sides by areas of higher mass density. Further, a personal cleansing article is described wherein the hydroentangled textile is associated with a personal cleansing composition that includes a lathering surfactant. The composition is deposited onto, impregnated into or at least is partially enclosed by the textile. Also described is a process for producing the textile involving feeding into a hydroentangling unit a loose random assembly of fibers both above and below a fibrous screen modifying textile substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Roland Bergquist, Shauna Mary Lagatol, Jesus Antonio Urbaez, David Robert Williams, Gregory Aaron Grissett, Filomena Augusta Macedo
  • Dispensing machine
    Patent number: 7380494
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dispensing machine and method for making a beverage. The dispensing machine of this invention has a delivery means which can deliver beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component with a single pump. The method results in a beverage, such as a tea-based beverage, that has superior quality, and the dispensing machine is quieter and more energy efficient than standard beverage dispensing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Tobin, Mauro Dominick Mordini