Patents by Inventor Francis R. Cala

Francis R. Cala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6973894
    Abstract: A timing device for visually determining the passage of a preselected period of time including a tube (2) having opposed ends with at least one of the opposed ends having a reservoir (10a, 10b) for storing a reactant or an indicator, a transport system (12) extending from the reservoir to the other of the opposed ends of the tube (2) for transporting at least one of the reactant or the indicator until they contact each other, a reactant, and an indicator which when in contact with the reactant via the transport means (12) emits an observable change in property wherein the minimum length of the period of time corresponds to the time it takes for the reactant and indicator to contact each other. Thc tube (2) has a shape which undergoes at least two material changes of direction exceeding 90° and up to 180° from one of the opposed ends to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Adamy, Francis R. Cala
  • Patent number: 6471948
    Abstract: A toothpaste composition containing an effective amount of cetylpyridinium chloride and a mixture of toothpaste forming ingredients including at least one amphoteric surfactant and optionally at least one sweetener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Adamy, Francis R. Cala
  • Patent number: 6269764
    Abstract: A timing device for visually determining the passage of a preselected period of time including an inverted U-shaped tube having opposed ends with at least one of the opposed ends having a reservoir for storing a reactant or an indicator, transport means extending from the reservoir to the other of the opposed ends of the tube for transporting at least one of the reactant or the indicator until they contact each other, a reactant, and an indicator which when in contact with the reactant via the transport means emits an observable change in a property wherein the minimum length of the period of time corresponds to the time it takes for the reactant and indicator to contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Adamy, Francis R. Cala
  • Patent number: 6239089
    Abstract: Aqueous cleaning solution concentrates with elevated levels of N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone solubilized therein, comprising a surfactant formulation incorporating at least one N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone, the alkyl group of which has 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and a C6-10 alkane sulfonate hydrotrope for the N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone in a hydrotrope/pyrrolidone weight ratio of 0.9 to 5.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Jennifer Lynn Kester
  • Patent number: 6191094
    Abstract: An alkaline aqueous cleaning composition for cleaning a substrate contaminated with industrial-type soil contaminants contains (i) an aqueous portion and (ii) an active-ingredient portion composed of (A) an alkalinity-providing agent and (B) a surfactant mixture containing (a) an active concentration of an ethoxylated C12-14 alkanol surfactant having an HLB value at 25° C. of from 8 to 12 and (b) an active concentration of at least one aminocarboxylic acid surfactant of the general formula R—N(H)—R′, wherein R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic organic group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and R′ is a straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. At an active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) of about 2.5:1, the surfactants have a synergistic effect on the cleaning composition's ability to remove certain types of industrial-soil contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5958144
    Abstract: A flux-removing, aqueous cleaning composition contains: (A) a solvent phase consisting essentially of water; and (B) a flux-removing phase containing an alkaline salt component and a surfactant formulation, the alkaline salt component containing at least one alkali metal salt, and the surfactant formulation containing at least one fluorinated surfactant and at least one N-alkylpyrrolidone surfactant. A method of removing rosin flux residues from a substrate, preferably a substrate of an electronic circuit assembly, involves (a) cleaning the substrate with the above-described aqueous cleaning composition for a period of time sufficient to substantially emulsify the soldering rosin flux residues to form emulsified rosin flux residues; and (b) removing the emulsified rosin flux residues from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Church & Dwight
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5932021
    Abstract: A flux-removing, aqueous cleaning composition contains: (A) a solvent phase consisting essentially of water; and (B) a flux-removing phase containing an alkaline salt component and a surfactant formulation, the alkaline salt component containing at least one alkali metal salt, and the surfactant formulation containing at least one fluorinated, nonionic surfactant. A method of removing rosin flux residues from a substrate, preferably a substrate of an electronic circuit assembly, involves (a) cleaning the substrate with the above-described aqueous cleaning composition for a period of time sufficient to substantially emulsify the soldering rosin flux residues to form emulsified rosin flux residues; and (b) removing the emulsified rosin flux residues from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5919745
    Abstract: A liquid aqueous laundry detergent composition having improved cleaning properties and comprising a nonionic surfactant; about 0.25 to about 20 wt. % of an N--C.sub.8 --C.sub.20 alkyl and/or N-unsaturated C.sub.16 -C.sub.18 hydrocarbyl amine of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 monocarboxylic acid or salt thereof as an amphoteric surfactant; an alkaline substance in an amount sufficient to cause the wash liquor containing said detergent composition to have a pH of about 8 to about 11 determined ten minutes after the initiation of washing under standard conditions; and about 30 to about 95 wt. % of water, based on the total weight of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Charles D. Carr, John Ip
  • Patent number: 5900396
    Abstract: Carbonate built laundry detergents having improved cleaning properties and comprising two ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactants having different average numbers of carbon atoms in the fatty alcohol and average numbers of ethoxy groups, a sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohol anionic surfactant, and an N-alkyl and/or unsaturated hydrocarbyl amine of an alkanoic acid or salt thereof as an amphoteric surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Charles D. Carr, Bruce R. Conley
  • Patent number: 5866528
    Abstract: An alkaline aqueous cleaning composition for cleaning a substrate contaminated with industrial-type soil contaminants contains (i) an aqueous portion and (ii) an active-ingredient portion composed of (A) an alkalinity-providing agent and (B) a surfactant mixture containing (a) an active concentration of an ethoxylated C.sub.12-14 alkanol surfactant having an HLB value at 25.degree. C. of from 8 to 12 and (b) an active concentration of at least one aminocarboxylic acid surfactant of the general formula R--N(H)--R', wherein R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic organic group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and R' is a straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. At an active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) of about 2.5:1, the surfactants have a synergistic effect on the cleaning composition's ability to remove certain types of industrial-soil contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5858951
    Abstract: This invention provides a liquid laundry detergent product with freeze/thaw and high/low temperature stability. The detergent product is an aqueous medium having a content of sodium carbonate detergent builder, and a surfactant blend of specific amounts of two anionic salt compounds and two nonionic compounds of specific chemical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Ip, Charles D. Carr, Francis R. Cala, Anthony J. Falotico
  • Patent number: 5849683
    Abstract: An alkaline aqueous cleaning composition for cleaning a substrate contaminated with industrial-type soil contaminants contains (i) an aqueous portion and (ii) an active-ingredient portion composed of (A) an alkalinity-providing agent and (B) a surfactant mixture containing (a) an active concentration of an ethoxylated C.sub.9-11 alkanol surfactant having an HLB value at 25.degree. C. of from about 10 to about 12 and (b) an active concentration of at least one aminocarboxylic acid surfactant of the general formula:R--N(H)--R', (I)wherein R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic organic group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and R' is a straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. At an active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) of about 2.5:1, the surfactants have a synergistic effect on the cleaning composition's ability to remove certain types of industrial soil contaminants from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5827815
    Abstract: Carbonate built laundry detergents having improved cleaning properties and comprising an ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant, a sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohol anionic surfactant, and an N-alkyl and/or unsaturated hydrocarbyl amine of an alkanoic acid or salt thereof as an amphoteric surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Charles D. Carr, Bruce R. Conley
  • Patent number: 5821216
    Abstract: Carbonate built laundry detergents having improved cleaning properties and comprising a sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohol anionic surfactant and two ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactants having different average numbers of carbon atoms in the fatty alcohol and average numbers of ethoxy groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Charles D. Carr, Bruce R. Conley
  • Patent number: 5821208
    Abstract: Printing applicators such as metal stencils and screens used to apply solder paste to printed circuit boards are cleaned to remove accumulated solder paste therefrom by an aqueous alkaline salt cleaner. The aqueous cleaner of the present invention comprises alkaline salts such as alkali metal carbonates, a surfactant formulation which contains at least one nonionic surfactant, an alkali metal silicate corrosion inhibitor and stabilizers to maintain the components in aqueous solution. The cleaner of the present invention contains no VOCs and is an effective and safe replacement for alcohol solvents previously used to clean solder paste from screens and stencils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds, Eric E. Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 5814588
    Abstract: Aqueous alkali cleaning compositions containing an alkali metal salt, an N-alkyl pyrrolidone derivative, and specific ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers having molecular weights of from about 1500 to about 2500. Such compositions can be employed as an aqueous concentrate or solution to clean a substrate such as a circuit board, wiring board or metal surface. Specific ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers protect plastic parts from corrosion by N-alkyl pyrrolidone derivatives without compromising N-alkyl pyrrolidone derivative cleaning ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5789363
    Abstract: An alkaline aqueous cleaning composition for cleaning a substrate, e.g., a plastic or metal substrate, contaminated with industrial-type soil contaminants contains (i) an aqueous portion and (ii) an active-ingredient portion composed of (A) an alkalinity-providing agent and (B) a surfactant mixture containing (a) an active concentration of an N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone surfactant and (b) an active concentration of at least one aminocarboxylic acid surfactant such as N-coco-beta-aminopropionic acid. The active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) is such as to provide the cleaning composition with the ability to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the substrate. At an active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) of about 2.5:1, the surfactants have a synergistic effect on the industrial-soil-removing ability of the aqueous composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5772789
    Abstract: An aqueous cleaning composition which is capable of removing soldering flux residues, particularly water-soluble flux residues, from a surface of an electronic assembly without leaving significant amounts of white residue on the surfaces of cleaning equipment used in the flux-removal process, contains: (A) a flux-removing portion containing an alkaline salt component composed of at least one potassium salt; and (B) an aqueous portion in which the flux-removing portion is disposed. The composition has a non-potassium alkali metal content of no greater than about 5% by weight. Preferably, the alkaline salt component consists essentially of a potassium salt or mixture of potassium salts, most preferably potassium carbonate or a mixture of potassium carbonate salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Eichhorn, Francis R. Cala
  • Patent number: 5755893
    Abstract: An aqueous flux removing composition is provided comprising alkali metal carbonate salts, an alkali metal silicate corrosion inhibitor and a surfactant formulation which comprises an N-alkylpyrrolidone. The N-alkylpyrrolidone is added in amounts sufficient to permit significantly faster cleaning speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Church & Dwight & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5688753
    Abstract: An aqueous flux removing composition is provided comprising alkali metal carbonate salts, an alkali metal silicate corrosion inhibitor and a surfactant formulation which comprises an N-alkylpyrrolidone. The N-alkylpyrrolidone is added in amounts sufficient to permit significantly faster cleaning speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co.,Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Cala, Richard A. Reynolds