Abstract: A faucet mounted water filter is described, comprising a base having a water inlet upstanding from a first end of the base and attachable to a water faucet, a first water outlet downwardly directed from the first end of the base for discharging unfiltered water, a second water outlet downwardly directed from a second end of the base for discharging filtered water and a filter cartridge seat disposed on the second end of the base, a replaceable filter cartridge comprising a unitary subassembly including a closed outer cylindrical shell having top and side walls defining a chamber therein, a filter element disposed with the filter chamber and a filter cartridge base, a latch device for demountably securing the filter cartridge in the housing cartridge seat, a diverter valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the housing first water outlet and the filter cartridge, and an end-of-use indicator for determining the status of the filter element during use.

Abstract: A faucet mounted water filter is described, comprising a base having a water inlet upstanding from a first end of the base and attachable to a water faucet, a first water outlet downwardly directed from the first end of the base for discharging unfiltered water, a second water outlet downwardly directed from a second end of the base for discharging filtered water and a filter cartridge seat disposed on the second end of the base, a replaceable filter cartridge comprising a unitary subassembly including a closed outer cylindrical shell having top and side walls defining a chamber therein, a filter element disposed with the filter chamber and a filter cartridge base, latch means for demountably securing the filter cartridge in the housing cartridge seat, a diverter valve for selectively permitting the flow of water through the housing first water outlet and the filter cartridge, and an end-of-use indicator for determining the status of the filter element during use.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning agent and method for removing stains from fabrics comprising a combination of dense gas, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic bleach activator therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning agent and method for removing stains from fabrics comprising a combination of dense gas, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic bleach activator therefor.

Abstract: A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO.sub.2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel containing a rotatable drum adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel, and a gas vaporizer vessel for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum is magnetically coupled to a motor so that it can be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO.sub.2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning method in which a solvent such as densified carbon dioxide can be used for rapid and efficient cleaning, but with decreased damage to solid components such as buttons. The method comprises contacting a substrate to be cleaned with a first fluid, removing the first fluid from contact with the substrate while replacing with a second fluid, and recovering the substrate substantially free of the first and second fluids and from the contaminant. The first fluid is a densified gas while the second fluid is a compressed gas. A preferred embodiment of the method includes the use of a pretreatment designed for compatibility with the densified first fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and composition for the removal of nonpolar stains from a fabric comprising:contacting said stains with densified carbon dioxide and a cleaning adjunct in mixture with said carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO.sub.2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel containing a rotatable drum adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel, and a gas vaporizer vessel for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum is magnetically coupled to a motor so that it an be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO.sub.2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.

Abstract: Aqueous peroxide bleaching compositions including organic components such as surfactants, fluorescent whiteners and dyes are effectively stabilized by the addition of a stabilizing system comprising stabilizing effective amounts of a heavy metal chelating or sequestering agent and an aromatic amine free radical scavenging agent. Both agents must be present to achieve maximum stability. The aromatic amine free radical scavenging agent is preferably a primary or secondary aryl amine having at least one hydrogen on the nitrogen of the amine. The stabilizing system stabilizes the organic component as well as the peroxide oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A thickened cleaning composition for laundry products incorporates low levels of a fluorescent whitening agent or dye, a surfactant, an acidic pH adjusting agent and an insoluble peracid precursor. At the acidic pH, the fluorescent whitening agent precipitates as a colloidal particle, and is stabilized by associating with the surfactant, resulting in thickening. The precursor is stably suspended in its inactive form in the thickener, and provides oxidizing power as the corresponding peracid is formed when added to an alkaline wash or rinse solution. The composition preferably is formulated with an acidic soluble bleach source and most preferably with a peroxygen bleach.

Abstract: Storage-stable, low temperature-active liquid hydrogen peroxide laundry bleaching compositions are provided. The compositions contain a dispersion of a solid particulate peracid activator in acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The activator is insoluble at the acidic conditions of storage but dissolves and activates the hydrogen peroxide at the alkaline conditions of use in laundry. Optionally the bleaching compositions can contain optical brighteners, surfactants, and/or fabric softeners.

Abstract: A thickening system for laundry products incorporates low levels of a fluorescent whitening agent or dye, a surfactant and an acidic pH adjusting agent. At the acidic pH, the fluorescent whitening agent precipitates as a colloidal particle, and is stabilized by associating with the surfactant, resulting in thickening. Optionally, a C.sub.6-18 soap synergistically increases viscosity. The thickening system may be formulated with a bleaching product and preferably with a peroxide bleach product.

Abstract: A three-stage, sequentially produced graft polymer comprises (A) a non-rubbery, hard first stage polymer formed by the sequential polymerization of a monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of a vinylaromatic compound, 0 to 50 weight percent of a different monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional crosslinking monomer based on the weight of the monomer charge; (B) a second stage rubbery polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the hard polymer Stage (A) a second monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, an alkyl acrylate or mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl acrylate has about 3 to 8 carbon atoms, 0 to 50 weight percent of a monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional crosslinking agent; and (C) a third stage polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the Stage (A) and Stage (B) polymer product a

Abstract: Blends of the thermoplastic polymers and a multiphase acrylic composite polymer comprising (A) a first non-crosslinked phase of molecular weight of about 7,500 to 50,000 polymerized from a first monomer emulsion or solution of at least 25 weight percent of at least one alkyl acrylate, wherein said alkyl group has 1 to 18 carbon atoms, 0 to 75 weight percent of another acrylic monomer and 0 to 75 weight percent of another copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (B) a final rigid thermoplastic phase polymerized in the presence of the first phase from an emulsion or solution of about 35 to 100 weight percent of at least one monomer which is a methacrylate, acrylate, styrene or substituted styrene, 0 to 60 weight percent of another acrylic monomer, and 0 to 65 weight percent of another copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the rigid thermoplastic phase has a molecular weight of from about 400,000 to about 5 .times. 10.sup.6.

Abstract: A three-stage, sequentially produced graft polymer comprises (A) a non-rubbery, hard first stage polymer formed by the sequential polymerization of a monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of a vinylaromatic compound, 0 to 50 weight percent of a different monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional crosslinking monomer based on the weight of the monomer charge; (B) a second stage rubbery polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the hard polymer Stage (A) a second monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, an alkyl acrylate or mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl acrylate has about 3 to 8 carbon atoms, 0 to 50 weight percent of a monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional crosslinking agent; and (C) a third stage polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the Stage (A) and Stage (B) polymer product a

Abstract: An alkyl acrylate polymer is cured by condensing carboxyl groups of the polymer with a polyvalent metal oxide to produce polymeric metallo-carboxylates characterized by a three dimensional cross-linked structure. Metallocarboxylates of improved characteristics are produced by neutralizing at least some of the carboxyl groups by reaction with a basic reagent prior to condensation with the polyvalent metal oxide. Preferably the basic reagent is a monovalent metal compound such as potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: A three-stage, sequentially produced graft polymer comprises (A) a non-rubbery, hard first stage polymer formed by the sequential polmerization of a monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of a vinylaromatic compound, 0 to 50 weight percent of a different monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional crosslinking monomer based on the weight of the monomer charge; (B) a second stage rubbery polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the hard polymer Stage (A) a second monomer charge of 50 to 100 weight percent of butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, an alkyl acrylate or mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl acrylate has about 3 to 8 carbon atoms, 0 to 50 weight percent of a monovinylidene monomer interpolymerizable therewith, and 0 to 10 weight percent of a polyfunctional cross-linking agent; and (C) a third stage polymer formed by sequentially polymerizing in the presence of the Stage (A) and Stage (B) polymer product a