Abstract: Fabric article treatment in a domestic appliance having at least one detergency step, products therefor, and kits which combine treatment products for more effective results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic home laundering processes for cleaning or refreshing fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery. The present invention also relates to automatic home laundering of mixed loads of fabric articles comprising machine washable fabric articles and dry clean only fabric articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric softening compositions and methods thereof which effectively reduces the amount of dyes released from colored fabrics upon wet treatment, said composition comprising one or more cationic fabric softener components having at least two long chains, one or more dispersible polyolefins and one or more cationic dye fixing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pathogen-reducing systems and methods employing ozone and compositions and articles useful therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to pathogen-reducing systems and methods useful in pathogen-reducing pathogen containing substrates/articles, such as sponges, wash cloths, scouring pads (i.e., plastic, metallic), utensils, dishes, cookware, pots, pans, skillets, baby bottles, baby nipples, glassware, dentures, brushes, gloves, reusable wipes, and the like wherein the substrate/article is treated with an ozone-enhancing composition and subjected with ozone in a closed environment, such that the ozone-enhancing composition and ozone are in contact with the substrate/article to be treated contemporaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric softening compositions and methods thereof which effectively reduces the amount of dyes released from coloured fabrics upon wet treatment, said composition comprising one or more cationic fabric softener components having at least two long chains, one or more dispersible polyolefins and one or more cationic dye fixing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dryer-activated fabric softening compositions comprising: (A) pro-perfume acetal compounds; (B) fabric softening compounds; and (C) optionally, (1) a carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary amine and/or a tertiary amine ester; and (2) a nonionic softener; wherein, preferably, the Iodine Value of the total number of fatty acyl groups present in (A), (C)(1), and (C)(2) is from about 3 to about 60. These compositions exhibit good antistatic properties as well as improved delivery from a substrate.

Abstract: This invention is a fabric delivery system for liquid laundry detergent compositions which comprises a &bgr;-ketoester selected from a Markush group of &bgr;-ketoesters. Laundry compositions also contain surfactants and carriers.

Abstract: Rinse added fabric softening compositions containing pro-fragrant acetals or ketals which hydrolyze upon exposure of surfaces rinsed in solution of said compositions to a reduction in pH, thereby releasing a fragrance which is characteristic of one or more of the hydrolysis products.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture comprising fabric appearance enhancing polyamines and methods for enhancing the appearance of fabric, said articles being applied in an automatic clothes dryer. These articles comprise:a) a fabric treatment composition comprising:i) at least an effective amount of a polyamine;ii) at least an effective amount of a carboxylic acid carrier;wherein the fabric treatment composition has a viscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise at 100.degree. C. and a melting point from about 25.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C.; andb) dispensing means which provides for release of an effective amount of said polyamine (i) and carboxylic acid carrier (ii) to fabrics in an automatic laundry dryer at operating temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a dryer-added fabric softener composition, after a normal wash process, said composition having optimal characteristics for providing good coverage of fabrics that are treated, and optionally comprising at least one fabric softener component, for imparting fabric appearance benefits. The invention comprises the softener compositions in packages in association with instructions for their use in the dryer to provide protection for the fabrics, especially color care. Dryer-added fabric softener compositions containing chlorine scavenger to protect colored fabrics from chlorine in the next wash cycle are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fragrance delivery system which comprises one or more .beta.-ketoester pro-fragrances or pro-accords, said fragrance delivery system useful in a stable, preferably clear, aqueous odor-absorbing composition. The odor-absorbing composition can be further characterized in that they comprise solublized, uncomplexed cyclodextrin, and cyclodextrin compatible antimicrobial actives, cyclodextrin compatible surfactants, cyclodextrin compatible humectants, or mixtures thereof. The aqueous odor-absorbing composition are for use on inanimate surfaces, especially fabrics, and more specifically, clothes, in order to restore and/or maintain freshness by reducing malodor without the need for washing or dry cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fragrance delivery system for use in laundry detergent compositions which provides a long lasting "freshness" or "clean" scent to fabric. The compositions described herein deliver highly fabric substantive pro-accords to the fabric surface during laundering wherein the pro-accords release their fragrance raw materials over a period of up to two weeks. The present invention also relates a method for delivering a pleasurable scent to fabric which has a lasting freshness quality by contacting the fabric with a laundry detergent composition which comprises the fragrance-releasable pro-accords.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric softener compositions having enhanced softening benefits comprising a fabric softener active in combination with a cationic charge booster. The cationic charge boosters of the present invention are suitable for use with any fabric softener active, preferably with diester and diamide quaternary ammonium (DEQA) compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a dryer-added fabric softener composition, after a normal wash process, said composition having optimal characteristics for providing good coverage of fabrics that are treated, and optionally comprising at least one fabric softener component, for imparting fabric appearance benefits. The invention comprises the softener compositions in packages in association with instructions for their use in the dryer to provide protection for the fabrics, especially color care. Dryer-added fabric softener compositions containing chlorine scavenger to protect colored fabrics from chlorine in the next wash cycle are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making beta ketoesters of alcoholic actives, especially perfume alcohols, by a two step process involving a first diketene reaction step and a second carboxylic acid halide reaction step. The present invention also relates to mixtures of beta ketoesters of such alcoholic actives, especially those prepared by the present manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dryer-activated laundry additive compositions and products having a color care agent and to methods for using the compositions and products. The dryer-activated laundry additive composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 50% of by weight of the composition of a color care agent having the formula:(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)N(CX.sub.2).sub.n N(R.sub.3)(R.sub.4)wherein X, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined within. Optional ingredients include a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound, a cyclodextrin, or a perfume. Products according to the invention involved the color care composition described above disposed on a substrate such as a sheet.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive actuator is provided comprising an actuator base, a magnetostrictive assembly, an actuator frame, and a flexible disk. The magnetostrictive assembly includes a magnetostrictive element. A first end of the magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled to the actuator base. A first portion of the actuator frame is mechanically coupled to the actuator base. The flexible disk includes a perimetrical disk portion and a bearing surface portion. The perimetrical disk portion is mechanically coupled to the second frame portion and the bearing surface portion is mechanically coupled to the second magnetostrictive element end portion. The magnetostrictive actuator comprises a magnetostrictive material portion and a plurality of cooling fluid bores formed within the magnetostrictive material portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric care compositions to reduce the fading of fabrics from sunlight, comprising:(A) from about 1% to about 25% by weight of the composition of a non-fabric staining, light stable antioxidant compound, preferably containing at least one C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 hydrocarbon fatty organic moiety;(B) from 3% to about 50% by weight of the composition of a fabric softening compound;(C) from about 25% to about 95% by weight of the composition of a carrier material; and(D) optionally, from about 0% to about 20% by weight of the composition of a non-fabric staining, light stable sunscreen compound, preferably containing at least one C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 hydrocarbon fatty organic moiety;wherein the antioxidant compound is a solid material having a melting point of less than about 80.degree. C. or is a liquid at a temperature of less than about 40.degree.C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dryer-activated fabric softening compositions comprising: (A) fabric softening compounds; (B) a non-allylic perfume alcohol ester; and (C) optionally, (1) a carboxylic acid salt of a tertiary amine and/or a tertiary amine ester; and (2) a nonionic softener; wherein, preferably, the Iodine Value of the total number of fatty acyl groups present in (A), (C)(1), and (C)(2) is from about 3 to about 60. These compositions exhibit good antistatic properties as well as improved delivery from a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid, rinse added fabric softening compositions including a dispersible polyethylene and methods for their use. The fabric softeners of the present invention include a fabric softening compound or amine precursor thereof and a dispersible polyolefin. Preferably, the dispersible polyolefin is an emulsion and the polyolefin is polyethylene and, more preferably, a modified or oxidized polyethylene. A liquid carrier and optional dispersibility modifier are also included. The quaternary ammonium fabric softener is preferably cationic and biodegradable.