Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for purifying and clarifying and/or nutrifying contaminated drinking water and which comprise a primary coagulant material, a microbiocidal disinfectant and an oxidant system. Highly preferred compositions also contain one or more of a bridging flocculent material, the levels and ratios of coagulant to flocculent preferably falling within certain ranges, a cationic coagulant aid, especially chitosan, a water-soluble alkali, a water-insoluble silicate, and a food additive or nutrient source. The purified water remains free of discoloration for extended periods of storage.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply (11) and a pair of wheels (8,9) driven by motors (6,7) for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism (113,115,16) is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors (4,13,18,21) provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors (14,15,17) detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system (100) receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply and a pair of wheels driven by motors for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for purifying and clarifying and/or nutrifying contaminated drinking water and which comprise a primary coagulant material, a microbiocidal disinfectant and an oxidant system. Highly preferred compositions also contain one or more of a bridging flocculent material, the levels and ratios of coagulant to flocculent preferably falling within certain ranges, a cationic coagulant aid, especially chitosan, a water-soluble alkali, a water-insoluble silicate, and a food additive or nutrient source. The purified water remains free of discoloration for extended periods of storage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions and articles suitable for controlling the undesirable ammonia odor produced by excreted or secreted body fluids, e.g., urine and/or sweat, and residues thereof. Such methods, compositions and articles utilize certain urease inhibitor complexes formed from a divalent metal ion and a polyanionic, preferably amine-based, chelating agent to prevent or minimize the urease-promoted degradation of urea (found in the body fluids) to malodorous ammonia.

Abstract: Detergent compositions comprise a water-soluble builder, an enzyme and a polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent, wherein a means is provided for delaying the release of the enzyme relative to the release of the water-soluble builder to the wash solution. The time to achieve a concentration that is 50% of the ultimate concentration of the water-soluble builder is less than 60 seconds, and the time to achieve a concentration that is 50% of the ultimate concentration of the enzyme is more than 90 seconds.

Abstract: There is provided a detergent composition containing: (a) a water-soluble builder, and (b) an enzyme, wherein a means is provided for delaying the release to a wash solution of said enzyme relative to the release of said water-soluble builder. A pretreat wash method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for reducing lipase enzyme activity within a treatment area comprise applying a copolymeric compound having an average molecular weight of at least 400 and a polyalkoxy backbone which comprises at least one branched C1-C30 alkoxy unit and at least one linear C1-C30 alkoxy unit to the treatment area in an amount sufficient to reduce lipase enzyme activity within the treatment area.

Abstract: There is a provided a detergent composition containing: (a) a heavy metal ion sequestrant; and (b) an organic peroxyacid bleaching system wherein a means is provided for delaying the release to a wash solution of said peroxyacid bleach relative to the release of said heavy metal ion sequestrant. Preferably said composition additionally contains (c) a water soluble builder wherein a means is provided for delaying the release to a wash solution of said peroxyacid bleach relative to the release of said water soluble builder. A pretreat wash method is also provided.

Abstract: A process for pretreating soiled fabrics prior to washing with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a compound chelating copper and/or iron and/or manganese is provided. The liquid composition used in such process is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a composition adapted for use in machine dishwashing having reduced silver-tarnishing, as well as good cleaning performance. The composition contains an oxygen bleach and a water-soluble bismuth compound.

Abstract: Aqueous cleaning compositions displaying shear thinning behaviour are provided, comprising from 0.1% to 5% by weight C.sub.12 -C.sub.15 alkyl amine oxides, together with from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of an alkylated benzene or naphthalene sulfonate, at a weight ratio of amine oxide to alkylated benzene sulfonate of from 2.5:1 to 10:1. Compositions containing alkali metal hypochlorite bleach are disclosed in which the preferred alkylated benzene sulfonate is sodium cumene sulfonate.

Abstract: Aqueous cleaning compositions displaying shear thinning behaviour are provided, comprising from 0.1% to 5% by weight C.sub.12 -C.sub.15 alkyl amine oxides, together with from 0.01 to 1% by weight of an aromatic molecule containing ring substitution in at least two positions, one substituent being a carboxylic acid group. Compositions containing alkali metal hypochlorite bleach are disclosed in which the preferred aromatic molecule is m- or p-chlorobenzoic acid.

Abstract: Detergent additive compositions having improved storage stability in granular detergent compositions comprise a storage-sensitive detergent additive material releasably enclosed within a water-soluble glassy matrix of amorphous phosphate having the formula I:(M.sub.2 O).sub.x (P.sub.2 O.sub.5)y Iwherein M is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium or a substituted ammonium group, y has a value in the range from 2 to 50, and the ratio of x:y is from 0.7:1 to 1.7:1. The storage sensitive additive material is preferably a multifunctional photo-activator/dye.

Abstract: Granular built detergent compositions having good textile softening and cleaning properties comprise a nonionic surfactant, a cationic textile softening agent, a detergent builder and an optical brightener of the 4,4'bis (triazinylamino) stilbene 2,2' sulphonic acid type in a zwitterionic form having a low rate of solution in an aqueous medium of pH 9 at 25.degree. C.