Patents by Inventor Nancy A. Falk

Nancy A. Falk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11959045
    Abstract: The present invention is for an acidic cleaning composition which has excellent cleaning performance, low toxicity and good antimicrobial efficacy. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions are capable of sanitizing or disinfecting a variety of hard surfaces. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions can take a variety of forms, such as: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose disinfecting sprays, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, etc. The compositions may meet EPA DfE requirements, EPA category III or IV requirements, and/or be safe for use on food contact surfaces without rinsing. The compositions may include citric acid, an anionic surfactant, a non-volatile glycol solvent, a fatty acid, and water. The compositions may be free of other sanitizing acids, quaternary ammonium compounds, biguanides, peroxides, hypohalites, etc., and have a pH of less than 2.5. The composition may provide sanitization or disinfection against a target microbe within 5 minutes or less, or 4 minutes or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Xuanrong Guo, Barbara Ekerdt, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk
  • Patent number: 11932833
    Abstract: Peroxide treatment compositions for use in laundry capable of providing sanitization through the wash e.g., for use with a detergent, where a peroxide activator is stabilized without the presence of phosphorus-containing compounds (e.g., phosphorus-containing stabilizers), through use of a nonionic surfactant (e.g., alkoxylated alcohol) with a cloud point above 45° C. Use of a single nonionic surfactant, or a surfactant package that may include a small fraction (e.g., less than 0.5%) of sodium lauryl sulfate or another anionic surfactant has been found to be surprisingly effective at stabilizing the peroxide/activator combination, even where water content may be 85% or greater. The composition can have a pH of 5 or less (e.g., 3 to 4). The composition may be free of other anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, magnesium salts, borates and boric acid, hydroxides, chelating agents, various amine oxides, ethoxylated amines, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Nancy A. Falk, Timothy P. Mui, Evan Rumberger, Xuanrong Guo, Fanny Frausto, Michael Capracotta, Dennys D. Pena Calderon, David R. Scheuing, Claire E. J. Dentinger, Stephen F. Gross, Nicholas S. Norberg, Shakera Thamanna
  • Publication number: 20230365891
    Abstract: The present invention is for an acidic cleaning composition which has excellent cleaning performance, low toxicity and good antimicrobial efficacy. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions are capable of sanitizing or disinfecting a variety of hard surfaces. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions can take a variety of forms, such as: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose disinfecting sprays, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, etc. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions have good cleaning properties and low residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Nancy A. FALK, David R. SCHEUING, Heather L. DAY, Szu-Ying CHEN, Bryan K. PARRISH, Fanny FRAUSTO, Eric G. GHARAKHANIAN, William KING
  • Publication number: 20230301299
    Abstract: Cleaning compositions that include carvacrol, in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect. For example, the compositions can include 0.1% to 2% by weight of carvacrol. The cleaning compositions advantageously further include a surfactant, particularly an anionic surfactant, which enhances the antimicrobial efficacy characteristics of the carvacrol. For example, the composition can include at least 0.1%, at least 0.3%, or at least 0.5% of one or more anionic surfactants. Alkyl sulfates (e.g., C8 to C12 alkyl sulfates) are particularly suitable. A buffer may also be present. The compositions may have a relatively high pH, e.g., 9 to 12. The cleaning composition may exhibit a significant log reduction against a target microorganism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and/or others) within a given time period (e.g., 10 minutes, 5 minutes, or the like), when used on a target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Nancy A. FALK, Crystal BELL, William KING, Marjan HASHEMI, Nipa MODI, Keith MAINQUIST, Xuanrong GUO, Walter SCHENCK, Ronald Thomas ANDERSON, Kelly DICKSON, Miguel LOPEZ, Giselle JANSSEN, Bryan K. PARRISH, Claire DENTINGER, Thomas FAHLEN
  • Patent number: 11753603
    Abstract: The present invention is for an acidic cleaning composition which has excellent cleaning performance, low toxicity and good antimicrobial efficacy. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions are capable of sanitizing or disinfecting a variety of hard surfaces. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions can take a variety of forms, such as: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose disinfecting sprays, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, etc. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions have good cleaning properties and low residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Nancy A. Falk, David R. Scheuing, Heather L. Day, Szu-Ying Chen, Bryan K. Parrish, Fanny Frausto, Eric G. Gharakhanian, William King
  • Publication number: 20230078098
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20230002703
    Abstract: Treatment compositions for use in laundry capable of providing sanitization through the wash e.g., for use with a detergent, where the compositions include an inorganic zinc salt potentiated by a phenolic solvent, to provide sanitization. The compositions can include an inorganic zinc salt, and a phenolic solvent, e.g., at an acidic pH (e.g., 2 to 5, or 3.5 to 4.5). The composition can include an anionic surfactant (e.g., alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, etc.) and/or a nonionic surfactant (e.g., an alkyl polyglucoside). The composition may be free of alkoxylated nonionic surfactants which are not stable in the present compositions, which have high ionic strength (e.g., due to ˜3% of the zinc salt included in the formula). The composition may be free of various other components that would not be stable in such high ionic strength conditions, or otherwise interfere with stability and efficacy of the sanitizing and/or disinfecting laundry composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Nancy A. FALK, Stephen F. GROSS, Shakera THAMANNA, Fanny FRAUSTO, Michael D. CAPRACOTTA, Dennys D. PENA CALDERON
  • Patent number: 11541431
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Patent number: 11433431
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20220259523
    Abstract: Peroxide treatment compositions for use in laundry capable of providing sanitization through the wash e.g., for use with a detergent, where a peroxide activator is stabilized without the presence of phosphorus-containing compounds (e.g., phosphorus-containing stabilizers), through use of a nonionic surfactant (e.g., alkoxylated alcohol) with a cloud point above 45° C. Use of a single nonionic surfactant, or a surfactant package that may include a small fraction (e.g., less than 0.5%) of sodium lauryl sulfate or another anionic surfactant has been found to be surprisingly effective at stabilizing the peroxide/activator combination, even where water content may be 85% or greater. The composition can have a pH of 5 or less (e.g., 3 to 4). The composition may be free of other anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, magnesium salts, borates and boric acid, hydroxides, chelating agents, various amine oxides, ethoxylated amines, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Nancy A. Falk, Timothy P. Mui, Evan Rumberger, Xuanrong Guo, Fanny Frausto, Michael Capracotta, Dennys D. Pena Calderon, David R. Scheuing, Claire E.J. Dentinger, Stephen F. Gross, Nicholas S. Norberg, Shakera Thamanna
  • Publication number: 20220056370
    Abstract: The present invention is for an acidic cleaning composition which has excellent cleaning performance, low toxicity and good antimicrobial efficacy. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions are capable of sanitizing or disinfecting a variety of hard surfaces. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions can take a variety of forms, such as: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose disinfecting sprays, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, etc. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions have good cleaning properties and low residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Nancy A. FALK, David R. SCHEUING, Heather L. DAY, Szu-Ying CHEN, Bryan K. PARRISH, Fanny FRAUSTO, Eric G. GHARAKHANIAN, William KING
  • Publication number: 20220056374
    Abstract: The present invention is for an acidic cleaning composition which has excellent cleaning performance, low toxicity and good antimicrobial efficacy. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions are capable of sanitizing or disinfecting a variety of hard surfaces. The inventive acidic cleaning compositions can take a variety of forms, such as: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose disinfecting sprays, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, etc. The compositions may meet EPA DfE requirements, EPA category III or IV requirements, and/or be safe for use on food contact surfaces without rinsing. The compositions may include citric acid, an anionic surfactant, a non-volatile glycol solvent, a fatty acid, and water. The compositions may be free of other sanitizing acids, quaternary ammonium compounds, biguanides, peroxides, hypohalites, etc., and have a pH of less than 2.5. The composition may provide sanitization or disinfection against a target microbe within 5 minutes or less, or 4 minutes or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Xuanrong GUO, Barbara EKERDT, David R. SCHEUING, Nancy A. FALK
  • Patent number: 10843233
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20200360971
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20200238341
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20190329299
    Abstract: A pre-loaded cleaning substrate, and related systems and methods for picking up particles with an aspect ratio (L/D) greater than 300 (e.g., hair), or greater than 1200 (e.g., particularly long hairs). The substrate (e.g., a nonwoven) may include only a single layer of material. The pre-loaded substrate is loaded (e.g., during manufacture) with a cleaning composition. The fibers of the substrate may have an average diameter less than 15 ?m, the substrate may have an air permeability of 35 ft3/min to 75 ft3/min, and the liquid cleaning composition may have a surface tension of less than about 50 dynes/cm. Together, the combination of the particular substrate and cleaning composition may facilitate markedly improved ability to pick up high L/D aspect ratio particle debris (e.g., such as hair), while retaining such particles (e.g., providing hair retention index values of at least 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Patent number: 10093884
    Abstract: Treatment compositions for use in laundry capable of effectively removing stains better than detergent alone, and which can be used both through the wash and as a pre-treatment. As a pre-treatment, the compositions remove stains “right before your eyes”. The compositions may be free of oxidizing agents so as to be safe for use on a wide variety of fabrics and dyes. The composition may include one or more alkoxylate surfactants and a polymeric anti-redeposition agent selected from the group consisting of an ethoxylated polyethyleneimine polymer, and an acrylate copolymer. The composition may be free of enzymes, ether sulfate surfactants, and alkylene oxide (“EO” and “PO”) sulfate surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Nancy A. Falk, Michael D. Capracotta, Stephen F. Gross, Ashley M. McDaniel, Aminah M. Rumjahn, Kevin M. Salmon
  • Publication number: 20180216044
    Abstract: A cleaning composition for sanitizing and/or disinfecting hard surfaces, comprising: a cationic biocide, surfactant and low levels of VOC solvents. The cleaning composition is adapted to clean a variety of hard surfaces without leaving behind a visible residue and creates low levels of streaking and filming on the treated surface. The cleaning composition contains less than 5% by weight of VOCs. The cleaning composition may be used alone as a liquid or spray formulation or in combination with a substrate, for example, a pre-loaded cleaning wipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Satyajeet Ojha, Nancy A. Falk, Jared Heymann, Vidya Ananth, Sarah Coulter, Ashish Jha, Wenyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9988594
    Abstract: A cleaning composition for sanitizing and/or disinfecting hard surfaces, comprising: a cationic biocide, surfactant and low levels of VOC solvents. The cleaning composition is adapted to clean a variety of hard surfaces without leaving behind a visible residue and creates low levels of streaking and filming on the treated surface. The cleaning composition contains less than 5% by weight of VOCs. The cleaning composition may be used alone as a liquid or spray formulation or in combination with a substrate, for example, a pre-loaded cleaning wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Janiece Hope, Nancy A. Falk, Wenyu Zhang, Jared Heymann, Mona Marie Knock, Mike Kinsinger, Bernard Hill, Vidya Ananth, Ashish Kumar Jha
  • Publication number: 20180105768
    Abstract: Treatment compositions for use in laundry capable of effectively removing stains better than detergent alone, and which can be used both through the wash and as a pre-treatment. As a pre-treatment, the compositions remove stains “right before your eyes”. The compositions may be free of oxidizing agents so as to be safe for use on a wide variety of fabrics and dyes. The composition may include one or more alkoxylate surfactants and a polymeric anti-redeposition agent selected from the group consisting of an ethoxylated polyethyleneimine polymer, and an acrylate copolymer. The composition may be free of enzymes, ether sulfate surfactants, and alkylene oxide (“EO” and “PO”) sulfate surfactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: NANCY A. FALK, MICHAEL D. CAPRACOTTA, STEPHEN F. GROSS, ASHLEY M. McDANIEL, AMINAH M. RUMJAHN, KEVIN M. SALMON