Patents Examined by John M. Petruncio
  • Patent number: 6664221
    Abstract: The invention relates to agents and methods for washing articles containing foaming components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Klaus-Peter Bansemir, Heiko Faubel, Thomas Merz
  • Patent number: 6656899
    Abstract: Liquid laundry detergent conditions comprising from about 49% to about 99.95% by weight of the composition of a surfactant-containing non-aqueous liquid phase; and from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the composition of a suspended solid particulate phase comprising low-density filler particles and adjuvant detersive particles wherein the low-density filler particles are substantially insoluble in said liquid phase and are substantially soluble in a wash liquor comprising water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Eugene Steven Sadlowski, Yousef Georges Aouad
  • Patent number: 6653269
    Abstract: A laundry composition, preferably to be used in addition to a laundry detergent, comprises an acidic peroxidic liquid, and particles suspended in the liquid. The particles comprise a protective coating around a core which includes at least one active ingredient selected from a chelating agent, a dye-transfer inhibitor, an anti-fading agent, an anti-bacterial agent, a fabric softener, a transition metal compound and an optical brightener. The particles are stable in the acidic peroxidic liquid but dissolve or disperse under alkaline washing conditions. Surprisingly incorporation of active ingredient(s) into particles appears to give better washing results than the dissolution of such active ingredients in such a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
    Inventors: Chris E. Housmekerides, Daniele Fregonese, Luca Zambelli, Dora Zamuner
  • Patent number: 6653264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for surface treatment of board based on biological fibrous material comprising a step of contacting the surface of said board based on biological fibrous material with an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide. The invention further concerns a composition suitable such treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Carl-Erik Sundman, Pia Hellström, Pär Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6649583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid hypohalite bleach-containing compositions which comprise an alkyl ethoxy sulphate having a low number of moles of ethoxy groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Oreste Todini
  • Patent number: 6649581
    Abstract: An alkaline cleaning composition and a method which can be used to clean all types of flexible woven or unwoven, laminated or non-laminated thermoplastic films or thermoplastic material. The method is characterized in that it includes at least one washing step in an alkaline medium in a bath in the presence of an alkaline washing composition including at least 5-8% soda, 3-12% carbonated soda, 10-28% sodium perborate and 0-10% surfactant(s), whereby the step is performed at a sufficiently low temperature in order to avoid any shrinkage or deformation of the above-mentioned film or material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Lalle, Marie-Jeanne Lalle
  • Patent number: 6638901
    Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen and a peroxyl species. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, a specified organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen and a peroxyl species. Also provided is a bleaching composition comprising, in an aqueous medium, atmospheric oxygen and an organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by the atmospheric oxygen, wherein the aqueous medium is provided with a peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or peroxy-generating bleach system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Hage, Ton Swarthoff, David Tetard, David William Thornthwaite
  • Patent number: 6638900
    Abstract: A composition is provided comprising three liquids which are separately maintained prior to forming an admixture during delivery to a surface to be treated, whereupon the admixture generates a heated foam sufficient for cleaning efficacy and stability. A first liquid preferably includes a hypohalite, or a hypohalite generating agent, a second liquid preferably includes a peroxygen agent and a third liquid includes a reducing agent, such as a thiosulfate. The first liquid is thickened to a specified rheology, resulting in the generation of a highly effective foam. As the liquids are initially separated, they can be maintained in an environment free of reactants and otherwise conducive to their activity and stability up to the time of use. When the liquids are allowed to mix, for example, by simultaneously pouring into a drain, the hypohalite and peroxygen react to liberate oxygen gas, while the hypohalite and thiosulfate react to generate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Inderjeet K. Ajmani, Jessica Y. Chung
  • Patent number: 6632785
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a water soluble sachet comprising a detergent composition having an encapsulated bleach. The water soluble sachet unexpectedly results in excellent cleaning properties and minimizes spot and film formation on items being cleaned in a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Natasha Pfeiffer, Naresh Dhirajlal Ghatlia, Isaac Israel Secemski
  • Patent number: 6632253
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for cleaning fiber. Fiber is first provided for being washed in a solution. Such solution includes ingredients such as stain remover, whitener, brightener, conditioner, and/or odor remover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Victoria I. Pettigrew, Stephen H. Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 6630435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bleaching composition suitable for use in laundry applications comprising a pre-formed peroxycarboxylic acid, amine oxide and a co-surfactant or hydrotrope or mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble
    Inventors: Alessandro Gagliardini, Oreste Todini, Stefano Scialla
  • Patent number: 6627593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high concentration compositions of a monoester peroxy dicarboxylic acid, methods employing these high concentration compositions, and methods of making these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dale Hei, Thomas Robert Mohs
  • Patent number: 6627594
    Abstract: The invention concerns compound HO—(CH2)5—COOOH or 6 -hydroxypercaproic acid, its preparation process, i.e. from &egr;-caprolactone, aqueous compositions thereof and their use as disinfectant or bleaching agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Alun P. James, John P. Sankey
  • Patent number: 6620774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition comprising a bleach and a substantially linear nonionic surfactant, whereby said substantially linear nonionic surfactant has the general formula: R—(A)x—(B)y—(C)z—O—R1 wherein: R is an even numbered C6 to C22 alkyl chain or a mixture thereof, containing at least 90% linear alkyl chains; A is an ethoxy unit; B is a butoxy unit; C is a propoxy unit; x, y and z are independent integers of from 0 to 20; the sum of x+y+z is at least 2, wherein when x is equal to or greater than 1. y+z is equal to or greater than 1; and R1 is H, a C6 to C22 alkyl chain or a C6 to C28 alkyl benzene chain. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of said substantially linear nonionic surfactant in a fabric bleaching composition comprising a bleach to treat a fabric whereby stain removal and/or bleaching benefits are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Valerio Del Duca, Andrea Esposito, Milena Leone
  • Patent number: 6620775
    Abstract: An aqueous alkaline solution comprising at least a caustic and a viscosity stabilizing amount of diutan gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: CP Kelco U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Winston, John M. Swazey
  • Patent number: 6617298
    Abstract: A composition for the removal of grease and oil spots from concrete, asphalt surfaces, etc., comprises a degreaser and a diatomaceous earth. The degreaser comprises a number of ingredients of respective percentage ranges to emulsify the grease or oil which is then absorbed by the diatomaceous earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis S. Morrow, William T. Morrow, Kishor Pathak
  • Patent number: 6617299
    Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen or air. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, a specified ligand from a selected class which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen. Also provided is an aqueous bleaching composition substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or -generating bleach system. Also provided is a method of treating a textile such as a laundry fabric whereby a complex catalyses bleaching of the textile by atmospheric oxygen after the treatment. The catalyst may be used in dry form, or in a liquor that is then dried, such as an aqueous spray-on fabric treatment fluid or a wash liquor for laundry cleaning, or a non-aqueous dry cleaning fluid or spray-on aerosol fluid. The method can confer cleaning benefits to the textile after the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Filippo Carina, Bernard Lucas Feringa, Ronald Hage, Catherine Hemmert, Jean Hypolites Koek, Rene Marcel LaCrois, Bernard Meunier, Michael Renz, Johannes Gerhardus Roelfes, Ebe Pieter Schudde, Rob Thijssen, Robin Stefan Twisker, Charon Zondervan
  • Patent number: 6610641
    Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with a bleaching composition and a peroxyl source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Hage, Daniela Nühlen, Thomas Weyhermüller, Karl Wieghardt
  • Patent number: 6602836
    Abstract: Detergent formulations containing cationic bleaching agents and water-soluble polymers having cationic groups improve tea stain removal in machine dishwashing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Chiou, Naresh Dhirajlal Ghatlia, John Richard Nicholson, Bozena Marianna Piatek
  • Patent number: 6592840
    Abstract: Disclosed are a highly pure aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution for use in the electronics industry and a process for the preparation of such solutions, which are essentially free from organics, which comprises catalytically converting hydrogen and oxygen, electrochemically reducing oxygen or electrolyzing an acidic ammonium sulfate solution, in each case in water and with the exclusion of organic compounds and materials which release such compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Fischer, Achim Stammer, Stefan Quaiser