Abstract: A method of softening fabrics where the consumer adds an effective amount of a particulate fabric softening composition comprising fabric softener agent to an automatic dosing dispenser with water, seals the dispenser, and places the automatic dosing dispenser into a washing machine at the beginning of the wash process. The mechanical agitation and/or heat of the wash cycle aids in forming a finely divided emulsion/dispersion of fabric softener agent which is then released from the dispenser during the rinse cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid and solid biodegradable fabric softener compositions combined with nonionic or anionic esters of a non-allylic alcohol perfumes. These compositions exhibit improved perfume longevity and reduced enviromental impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric softening bar composition comprising: from about 40% to about 90% by weight of the composition of a hydrophobic fabric softening compound, from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the composition of a nonionic surfactant, and from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the composition, water. These compositions are low sudsing, low lathering, non-detersive fabric softening compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric softening bar composition comprising: from about 40% to about 90% by weight of the composition of a hydrophobic fabric softening compound, from about 0.1% to about 10% of an enduring perfume composition, and optionally, but preferably, from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the composition of a nonionic surfactant, and from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the composition, water. These compositions are low sudsing, low lathering, non-detersive fabric softening compositions which provide long lasting perfume effects.

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

Abstract: A granular fabric softening composition, which can be added to water to form an aqueous concentrated emulsion, comprising nonionic fabric softener, preferably a fatty alkyl ester of a polyhydric alcohol, and a mono-long-chain alkyl cationic surfactant. In particular, the use of a sorbitan ester with a mono-long-chain alkyl cationic surfactant provides a granular softening agent which can be used to form a highly dispersed, concentrated, aqueous composition which, when added to, e.g., a rinse cycle of a typical washing process, effectively deposits onto fabric from the aqueous bath.

Abstract: Disclosed are the N,N'-(1-oxo-1,2-ethanediyl)-bisaspartates comprising the moiety ##STR1## methods for their preparation (including an unexpected preparation from glyoxal bisulfite and aspartic acid in concentrated aqueous alkaline media) and useful compositions containing the same; illustrative are general-purpose sequestrant compositions, chelating agent compositions for transition metals such as iron, manganese and copper, general-purpose laundry detergent compositions and detergent compositions comprising perborate bleach, a bleach activator and, as a bleach stabilizer/performance enhancer, the novel bisaspartates. These unique nonphosphorus compounds are useful at low levels and differ from traditional --N--C--C--N-- chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetates by the presence of one amino- and one amido- functional group which it is believed will provide additional advantages, such as improved biodegradation.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable liquid laundry detergent and liquid fabric softener compositions containing a Smectite-type clay fabric softener and an antisettling agent in a low water/polyol formulation and, optionally, a softness enhancing amount of a polymeric clay-flocculating agent. Also disclosed is a method for producing these compositions and a step-wise method of using them to obtain fabric softening.

Abstract: Disclosed are detergent compositions containing an imidazoline component. These detergent compositions provide excellent cleaning as well as fabric care benefits. The imidazoline component consists of particles having an average particle diameter of from about 20 to about 200 microns. These granular detergent compositions may optionally contain clay materials, detergent builders, chelating agents, and/or peroxygen bleaching agents.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing a detergent surfactant, a detergent builder, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid or salts thereof are disclosed. These compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains.

Abstract: This invention relates to bleaching compositions. More particularly, this invention relates to bleaching compositions that provide effective and efficient bleaching performance on textiles. Such bleaching performance is obtained over an extremely wide class of stains and wide range of temperatures of the bleaching solution of pH. The bleaching compositions within the invention contain a halogenated peroxybenzoic acid and a bleach activator that contains a carbonyl carbon atom that can potentially react with such peroxybenzoic acid to form a diacyl peroxide compound or essentially any peroxycarboxylic acid and a bleach activator that contains a carbonyl carbon atom that has an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 17 carbon atoms and can potentially react with a peroxycarboxylic acid to form a diacyl peroxide compound. In a highly preferred embodiment the bleaching compositions within the invention are detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid magnesium peroxycarboxylate salts and detergent compositions containing them. These compounds have markedly improved stability characteristics relative to the corresponding peroxycarboxylic acids, especially when admixed with alkaline granular detergent products. The activity of the magnesium peroxycarboxylate salts after dissolution is the same as that of the corresponding peroxycarboxylic acids, especially when used as laundry bleaches. The compound within this invention also have improved odor and dissolution characteristics relative to the corresponding peroxycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: in a finisher for finishing sets of copy sheets by stapling the sets into stapled booklets, staple sensing apparatus for sensing whether or not a staple has been properly driven, through the set of sheets. If a staple has been properly driven the legs of the staple effect an electrical continuity between staple clinchers. The electrical continuity is sensed and a first signal is produced indicative of a proper staple to permit continued operation of the finisher and electrographic apparatus to which it is attached. If an electrical discontinuity is sensed, a second signal is produced indicative of an improper staple and a display is actuated to indicate this condition to the operator.