Abstract: A unit dose of detergent and methods for producing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a unit dose comprises a body having a viscosity of from about 200,000 centipoise to about 50,000,000 centipoise at a working temperature of from about 0 to about 50 degrees Celsius, where the body has a bloom value of about 200 grams or more at the working temperature. The body comprises a detergent surfactant at from about 1 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body, and the body comprises a thickener at from about 10 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body.

Abstract: Multi-purpose cleaning compositions, hard surface cleaning products, methods of using a multi-purpose cleaning composition, and methods for manufacturing multi-purpose cleaning compositions are provided. In an embodiment, a multi-purpose cleaning composition includes water, a surfactant, and borax. The borax is suitable as a water softener for use in pretreating fabric before laundering. Further, the borax is suitable as abrasive particles for use in cleaning a hard surface.

Abstract: A unit dose of detergent and methods for producing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a unit dose comprises a body having a viscosity of from about 200,000 centipoise to about 50,000,000 centipoise at a working temperature of from about 0 to about 50 degrees Celsius, where the body has a bloom value of about 200 grams or more at the working temperature. The body comprises a detergent surfactant at from about 1 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body, and the body comprises a thickener at from about 10 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body.

Abstract: Dryer products for imparting desired properties onto fabric during multiple drying cycles in laundry dryers and methods for fabricating dryer products are provided herein. In one embodiment, a dryer product is provided for use during multiple drying cycles in a laundry dryer and includes a solid body comprising a polymeric material. The dryer product further includes an active compound in and/or on the solid body. The dryer product is configured to release the active compound during a selected number of drying cycles at a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 100° C. The solid body is configured to fray after the selected number of drying cycles to indicate end-of-life.

Abstract: Dryer products for imparting desired properties onto fabric during multiple drying cycles in laundry dryers and methods for fabricating dryer products are provided herein. In one embodiment, a dryer product is provided for use during multiple drying cycles in a laundry dryer and includes a solid body comprising a polymeric material. The dryer product further includes an active compound in and/or on the solid body. The dryer product is configured to release the active compound during a selected number of drying cycles at a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 100° C. The solid body is configured to fray after the selected number of drying cycles to indicate end-of-life.

Abstract: The present invention is a dry granular laundry detergent comprising builder, alkaline agent, filler, and surfactant, and a synergistic blend of polymeric soil release agents consisting essentially of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.5 wt. % nonionic soil release agent and from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1.0 wt. % anionic soil release polymer, wherein the weight ratio of nonionic agent to anionic agent is from about 1:1.5 to about 1:2.0. Using the mixture of nonionic and anionic soil release agents at the critical weight ratio of 1:1.5 to about 1:2.0 gives a synergistic boost in performance of the detergent, allowing about a 20% by weight lower dosing of dry detergent in the wash machine to achieve the same performance as a control composition not having soil release agent.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing an air treatment and audibly indicating the dispensing and/or a change in the dispensing intensity. An exemplary audible indicator may include a pattern of a plurality of audible indicators having the same or different durations, having the same or different intensities, separated by the same or different intervals, and having the same or different audible impressions. Different audible indicators are associated with different device states, such as not dispensing, dispensing to create ambiance, dispensing in response to a malodor, or dispensing to offset habituation. Different audible indicators may also be associated with different malodors, or different intensities of the same or different malodors.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing a volatizable material when needed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a sensor to detect malodors, where the sensing of a malodor is used to activate fragrance emission when needed, and not, when not needed. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is able to distinguish between different malodors in different locations, such that a single system may be used in different locations. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes an indicator configured to indicate to the sensor the type of malodor to detect to activate fragrance emission. In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator is included with the container of volatizable liquid, either mechanically or electrically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for detecting a malodor and dispensing an air treatment when needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a selection mechanism which allows the user to choose how the system dispenses the air treatment, a sensor, a timing control circuit coupled with the sensor, and a delivery system coupled with the timing control circuit. Upon detection of a malodor by the sensor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit which, in turn, communicates with the delivery system to dispense the air treatment. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air-freshening system is shown that combines a continuous dispensing system with a sensing dispensing system.

Abstract: An electrical vapor-dispersing device is described that vaporizes volatizable material continuously and uninterrupted when first plugged into an AC electrical source, but upon operation of an initiator switch begins cycling fixed “OFF/ON” periods preset at from about 6 to about 18-hours to conserve both energy and volatizable material. In the preferred embodiment, an LED signals when the total elapsed “on-time” reaches a set value and refill of the volatizable material is required. The device is returned to constant operation only by unplugging from the electrical source and plugging back in to the electrical mains, or by electrical power failure/interruption.

Abstract: A vapor-emitting device according to various embodiments of the invention includes an end of use indicator to visually warn a user that it is nearing the time and/or has reached the time to replace the vapor-emitting device or refill the device. The vapor-emitting device includes a cover that is displaceable relative to a base. A gel material is contained within the base having disposed therein an end of use indicator. The end of use indicator is configured to visually indicate when the gel material evaporates below a pre-determined level.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure provides a method of designing, and system for implementing, a plug-in-type device capable of coupling to a first plug of an outlet receptacle, and configured to allow utilization of a second plug, or inhibit the use of the second plug of the receptacle. For example, a device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plug portion capable of electrically coupling to one of at least two receptacles of a power outlet, a body portion comprising a vertical and a horizontal dimension, capable of coupling to the plug portion, and having the body portion dimensioned to allow or disallow utilization of a second of the at least two receptacles.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing an air treatment and audibly indicating the dispensing and/or a change in the dispensing intensity. An exemplary audible indicator may comprise a pattern of a plurality of audible indicators having the same or different durations, having the same or different intensities, separated by the same or different intervals, and having the same or different audible impressions. Different audible indicators are associated with different device states, such as not dispensing, dispensing to create ambiance, dispensing in response to a malodor, or dispensing to offset habituation. Different audible indicators may also be associated with different malodors, or different intensities of the same or different malodors.

Abstract: The present invention provides vapor dispensing devices having improved refill units, detectors which sense changes in the environments surrounding the device, and optionally, make corresponding changes to the device and/or auxiliary devices, volatizable material delivery systems, volatizable material enhancers, nightlights, and various other features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for detecting a malodor and dispensing an air treatment when needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a selection mechanism which allows the user to choose how the system dispenses the air treatment, a sensor, a timing control circuit coupled with the sensor, and a delivery system coupled with the timing control circuit. Upon detection of a malodor by the sensor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit which, in turn, communicates with the delivery system to dispense the air treatment. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air-freshening system is shown that combines a continuous dispensing system with a sensing dispensing system.

Abstract: An inductively charged vapor-emitting device for dispensing a volatizable material into the surrounding environment is described. The inductively charged vapor-emitting device includes an inductive coil including a magnetic core mounted in a housing and coupled to at least one rechargeable power source mounted within the housing. The inductive coil configured to inductively receive electric power from a remote power source to recharge the at least one rechargeable power source.