Abstract: A unitary package for use in the washing and in the conditioning treatment of fabrics in a laundering operation. There is provided a packet in which a multi-layer plug-like laminate is contained in and is bonded within a cup-like water-insoluble and water-impermeable receptacle having an open top. The laminate presents an exposed upper surface to the wash water in the tub of a washing machine. Only after the materials (for example, detergents) in the top layer of the laminate have dissolved and dispersed does the washing water reach to solublize the second layer containing the fabric conditioner (for example, a fabric softener). Thus, the article of the invention ensures the simple and highly reliable manner time-spaced sequential incorporation of two different functional agents into a fabric washing system, even though the agents are added simultaneously.

Abstract: A unitary package for use in the washing and in the conditioning treatment of fabrics in a laundering operation. There is provided a packet in which a multi-layer plug-like laminate is contained in and is bonded within a cup-like water-insoluble and water-impermeable receptacle having an open top. The laminate presents an exposed upper surface to the wash water in the tub of a washing machine. Only after the materials (for example, detergents) in the top layer of the laminate have dissolved and dispersed does the washing water reach to solubilize the second layer containing the fabric conditioner (for example, a fabric softener). Thus, the article of the invention ensures the simple and highly reliable manner time-spaced sequential incorporation of two different functional agents into a fabric washing system, even though the agents are added simultaneously.

Abstract: A detergent system, especially adapted for single-use applications, in the form of a fluid-tight container having two separate layers of liquid compositions therein, one of the liquid compositions comprising a predetermined volume of a concentrate of a surfactant or detergent, and the other composition comprising a predetermined volume of a concentrate of an inorganic builder. The compositions are characterized in that, if mixed together in their concentrated form, they would be incompatible or immiscible, and would result in a non-homogeneous mixture. However, the compositions are so related as to the ingredients and proportions thereof, that when the separate layers are poured from the container into a predetermined volume of a diluent such as water, a stable cleaning or detergent solution or dispersion is obtained in ready-to-use form.

Abstract: A heavy duty alkaline liquid surfactant concentrate is prepared by combining a liquid water-soluble non-ionic surfactant with a minor proportion of a liquid water-soluble ethanolamine salt of an anionic surfactant containing carboxylic or phosphoric radicals as the anionic groups, and a concentrated aqueous solution of potassium or ammonium hydroxide. The concentration of the hydroxide permits the surfactant concentrate to be highly diluted while limiting the initial amount of water in the surfactant concentrate to not over 10%. The formulation is useful on dilution with water and/or organic solvents as a cleaner, degreaser, wax stripper, and for other heavy duty detergent and cleaning purposes.