Abstract: An agent for removing hardness from an aqueous phase comprising: about 25 to 95 vol.-% of an exterior organic phase having an organic medium; and about 0.1 to 99.9 wt-% based on the organic phase of an organic soluble hardness ion complexing agent; and about 5 to 75 vol.-% of an inner aqueous phase dispersed within the exterior organic phase which comprises water; and about 1 to 90 wt-% based on the inner aqueous phase of an aqueous soluble salt; and about 0.1 to 50 wt-% based on the organic phase of a surfactant that can stabilize the dispersed inner aqueous phase within the exterior organic phase. Detersive systems which can remove divalent or trivalent ions from service water and can clean soiled surfaces or articles which contain the softening agent. Methods of making and using the softening agent. Methods of making and using the detersive system.

Abstract: Stable encapsulated bleach comprising a core of bleaching agent such as an alkaline metal salt of chloroisocyanurate, an inner coating of a chemically compatable separating compound such as sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate and mixtures thereof, and an outer coating of a water soluble cellulose ether such as hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl celluloses.

Abstract: Detersive systems that can be used to remove soil from fabrics, dishware, flatware, hard surfaces, clean-in-place installations, and other common household, institutional or industrial locations can contain a detergent capable of removing soil and a softening agent dispersed in the detergent comprising droplets having an exterior organic phase containing a complexing agent and an inner aqueous phase comprising an acid. The softening agent can adequately remove hardness ions from the detersive system made from the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: High efficiency encapsulation of core particles, particularly halogen bleaches, by (i) encapsulating the core particle in at least two separate coats wherein the melting point of the inner or first coating material is below the melting point of the outer or second coating material, (ii) heating the thus encapsulated particle to a temperature between the melting points of the inner and outer coating materials in order to liquefy the inner coat, and (iii) allowing the liquid inner coat to solidfy and form a continuous, nonporous encapsulating coating.

Abstract: An active-halogen bleach such as dichloroisocyanurate encapsulated in a coating of dihydratea synthetic detergent such as sodium octyl sulfonate. The capsule may further comprise an initial coating of a soluble inorganic detergent builder or filler such as an alkali metal phosphate or sulfate. The capsule is stable in highly alkaline environments such as detergent compositions.Solid cast detergent-bleach composition having minimal bleach degradation comprising an alkaline hydratable chemical such as sodium hydroxide, a hardness sequestrant such as sodium tripolyphosphate, water of hydration and encapsulated active-halogen bleach formed in accordance with this invention. Optionally the detergent-bleach composition may contain a polyelectrolyte such as polyacrylate.

Abstract: High efficiency encapsulation of core particles, particularly halogen bleaches, by (i) encapsulating the core particle in at least two separate coats wherein the melting point of the inner or first coating material is below the melting point of the outer or second coating material, (ii) heating the thus encapsulated particle to a temperature between the melting points of the inner and outer coating materials in order to liquefy the inner coat, and (iii) allowing the liquid inner coat to solidify and form a continuous, nonporous encapsulating coating.

Abstract: A process for removing the water from an enzyme-containing aqueous medium is disclosed which comprises spraying the medium onto a heated, fluidized bed of inert substrate particles and recovering a dry enzyme concentrate therefrom.