Abstract: An apparatus for washing and aspirating the wash solution from beads contained in receptacles. Adequate bead agitation and the washing of the entire bead surface is insured by use of a bearing surface at the interface between the bead and the apparatus.

Abstract: Bleach-free, brightener-free automatic dishwashing compositions comprising a binary active system and an enzyme having an isoelectric point greater than about 8.5. The binary active system comprises a nonionic surfactant, preferably an ethoxylated nonionic, and a sulfonated aromatic compatibilizing agent. Preferred enzymes have an iso-electric point in the range from about 9.5 to about 12.0. Especially preferred enzymes are those exhibiting a proteolytic activity of 80 to 100% of maximum activity when measured at pH 12 by the Anson hemoglobin method carried out in the presence of urea. The inclusion of these particularly preferred enzymes permits the formulation of the detergent composition without the sulfonated aromatic compatibilizing agent. The instant compositions exhibit enhanced anti-redeposition properties for soils composed of grease and grease-protein complexes thereby insuring the virtual elimination of streaks and spots on the hard surfaces being cleaned.

Abstract: A method for preparing water-containing liquid detergent compositions containing components which are usually unstable in such systems, comprising encapsulating such components in a material at least 10% of which is a water-soluble normally solid alkoxylated nonionic surface active agent, preferably either polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of from about 3000 to 40,000 or the condensation product of tallow alcohol with from about 20 to 80 moles of ethylene oxide. "Encapsulating" is broadly defined to include processes such as prilling, agglomerating, encapsulating, admixing, coating, noodling, flaking, and Marumerizing such components. Detergent compositions, which exhibit storage stability, containing such encapsulated components are also claimed.

Abstract: Concentrated, essentially homogeneous, low-sudsing liquid detergent compositions containing a mixture of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and a self-emulsified silicone suds controlling agent.

Abstract: Bleach-free granular detergent compositions for use in automatic dishwashers comprising an alkoxylated nonionic surface-active agent, a sulfonated aromatic compatibilizing agent and a mixture of an alkali sulfite and an alkali sulfate in a specific weight ratio. Preferred nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated nonionics and preferred compatibilizing agents can be selected from xylene-, toluene-, cumene-, benzene-, trimethyl benzene-, ethylbenzene- and ethylmethyl benzenesulfonates. The sulfite-sulfate mixture is present in a weight ratio of sulfite to sulfate from about 1:4 to about 2:1. The instant compositions possess enhanced anti-redeposition properties for soils composed of grease and grease-protein complexes and, in addition, exhibit improved cleaning properties particularly for burned-on soils.