Patents by Inventor Nikhil P. Dani

Nikhil P. Dani 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).

  • Publication number: 20250043218
    Abstract: Pre-moistened wipes that include one or more characteristics correlated to desired properties, such as high durability, mileage, cleaning composition retention, efficacy, or the like are described. Pulp substrates typically include an anionic charge, which can result in binding or retention of a cationic biocide such as a quaternary ammonium compound while the remainder of the composition is released from the wipe (e.g., through squeezing, wiping or other compression). The present wipes are specifically tailored to release at least 20% of the quaternary ammonium compound to a target surface, and exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus population within about 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Such release and efficacy is achieved without the presence of any cationic biocide release agent (e.g., latex or a cationic salt) included in the cleaning composition or elsewhere within the pre-loaded disinfecting wipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventor: Nikhil P. Dani
  • Publication number: 20240423423
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly may include multiple portions, such as a handle portion and a cleaning portion. The cleaning assembly may further include a disposable head portion that may be engaged and disengaged from the handle assembly. The head portion may have at least one coating applied to at least a portion of the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Valeriya POPOVA, Nikhil P. DANI, Qiaochu HAN, Heidi KAPUST
  • Patent number: 12152221
    Abstract: Pre-moistened wipes that include one or more characteristics correlated to desired properties, such as high durability, mileage, cleaning composition retention, efficacy, or the like are described. Pulp substrates typically include an anionic charge, which can result in binding or retention of a cationic biocide such as a quaternary ammonium compound while the remainder of the composition is released from the wipe (e.g., through squeezing, wiping or other compression). The present wipes are specifically tailored to release at least 20% of the quaternary ammonium compound to a target surface, and exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus population within about 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Such release and efficacy is achieved without the presence of any cationic biocide release agent (e.g., latex or a cationic salt) included in the cleaning composition or elsewhere within the pre-loaded disinfecting wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventor: Nikhil P. Dani
  • Publication number: 20240246119
    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 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Publication number: 20240181744
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing wipes including melamine entangled into a nonwoven, and associated articles of manufacture. Such a method may include providing a melamine sheet (e.g., contiguous, rather than discrete melamine particles), providing first and second nonwoven sheets, and positioning the melamine sheet between the first and second nonwoven sheets. The sandwich structure is hydroentangled at high pressure to force the melamine material to become entangled into the nonwoven material, to a degree that a portion of the melamine is actually exposed on the exterior face(s) of the wipe, which are generally provided by the nonwoven sheets. Such a wipe exhibits the drapability of a wipe, with the scrubbing benefits (e.g., very effective cleaning of baseboards, crayon off walls, etc.) of melamine, with greater durability than existing melamine cleaning articles, which tend to quickly crumble during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventor: Nikhil P. DANI
  • Patent number: 11975366
    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: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashish K. Jha, Nikhil P. Dani, David R. Scheuing, Nancy A. Falk, Bryan K. Parrish
  • Patent number: 11858238
    Abstract: Methods for forming multi-layer substrates including top and bottom surface layers and a melt softened thermoplastic material layer between the exterior surface layers, where the thermoplastic material includes polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F.-350° F. The 3 (or more) layers are assembled, and heated, melt softening the thermoplastic material, causing bonding of the thermoplastic layer to the exterior surface layers. A cleaning composition may be loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel between the surface layers. Adhesion between the surface layers and the thermoplastic layer is provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the surface layers. The process does not require chemical adhesives, any processing water, drying, or the like, so as to be possible with low capital investment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott Wood, Hubert Chan, Mark Pszczolkowski, Daniela Fritter
  • Patent number: 11826989
    Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising a top surface layer of pulp fibers, a bottom surface layer of pulp fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the pulp fiber layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the pulp fibers top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott A. Wood, Hubert Chan, Daniela N. Fritter
  • Publication number: 20230250372
    Abstract: Pre-moistened wipes that include one or more characteristics correlated to desired properties, such as high durability, mileage, cleaning composition retention, efficacy, or the like. Pulp substrates typically include an anionic charge, which can result in binding or retention of a cationic biocide such as a quaternary ammonium compound while the remainder of the composition is released from the wipe (e.g., through squeezing, wiping or other compression). The present wipes are specifically tailored to release at least 20% of the quaternary ammonium compound to a target surface, and exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus population within about 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Such release and efficacy is achieved without the presence of any cationic biocide release agent (e.g., latex or a cationic salt) included in the cleaning composition or elsewhere within the pre-loaded disinfecting wipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventor: Nikhil P. Dani
  • Patent number: 11643621
    Abstract: Pre-moistened wipes that include one or more characteristics correlated to desired properties, such as high durability, mileage, cleaning composition retention, efficacy, or the like are described. Pulp substrates typically include an anionic charge, which can result in binding or retention of a cationic biocide such as a quaternary ammonium compound while the remainder of the composition is released from the wipe (e.g., through squeezing, wiping or other compression). The present wipes are specifically tailored to release at least 20% of the quaternary ammonium compound to a target surface, and exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus population within about 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Such release and efficacy is achieved without the presence of any cationic biocide release agent (e.g., latex or a cationic salt) included in the cleaning composition or elsewhere within the pre-loaded disinfecting wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventor: Nikhil P. Dani
  • 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
  • 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: 11472164
    Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising top and bottom surface layers comprised of synthetic nonwoven fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the top and bottom layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott Wood, Hubert Chan, Daniela Fritter
  • 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: 20220250360
    Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising a top surface layer of pulp fibers, a bottom surface layer of pulp fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the pulp fiber layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the pulp fibers top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott A. Wood, Hubert Chan, Daniela N. Fritter
  • Patent number: 11407652
    Abstract: The invention relates to container bodies configured to be used in filter-as-you-pour systems, where filtering is achieved as the user pours water from the container. Such container bodies may have an undivided internal storage volume, so as to not include a reservoir compartment for unfiltered water. They may be part of systems configured to filter water both as water is introduced into a container body of the system and as water is poured from the container body of the system. The filter assembly may be attached to the container body at a location proximate the outlet of the system. Filter media of the filter assembly may comprise an activated carbon textile material that presents a curved surface to water passing through the filter assembly. The container body may be configured as a pitcher, carafe, water bottle, jug, or other shaped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Jonathan McDonald, Nicole Doan, Jonathan Taylor Wiegele
  • Patent number: 11365496
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing wipes including melamine entangled into a nonwoven, and associated articles of manufacture. Such a method may include providing a melamine sheet (e.g., contiguous, rather than discrete melamine particles), providing first and second nonwoven sheets, and positioning the melamine sheet between the first and second nonwoven sheets. The sandwich structure is hydro-entangled at high pressure to force the melamine material to become entangled into the nonwoven material, to a degree that a portion of the melamine is actually exposed on the exterior face(s) of the wipe, which are generally provided by the nonwoven sheets. Such a wipe exhibits the drapability of a wipe, with the scrubbing benefits (e.g., very effective cleaning of baseboards, crayon off walls, etc.) of melamine, with greater durability than existing melamine cleaning articles, which tend to quickly crumble during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventor: Nikhil P. Dani
  • Patent number: 11364711
    Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising a top surface layer of pulp fibers, a bottom surface layer of pulp fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the pulp fiber layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the pulp fibers top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott A. Wood, Hubert Chan, Daniela N. Fritter
  • Publication number: 20220152994
    Abstract: Methods for forming multi-layer substrates including top and bottom surface layers and a melt softened thermoplastic material layer between the exterior surface layers, where the thermoplastic material includes polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F.-350° F. The 3 (or more) layers are assembled, and heated, melt softening the thermoplastic material, causing bonding of the thermoplastic layer to the exterior surface layers. A cleaning composition may be loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel between the surface layers. Adhesion between the surface layers and the thermoplastic layer is provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the surface layers. The process does not require chemical adhesives, any processing water, drying, or the like, so as to be possible with low capital investment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Nikhil P. DANI, Joerg HENDRIX, Scott WOOD, Hubert CHAN, Mark PSZCZOLKOWSKI, Daniela FRITTER
  • Patent number: 11273625
    Abstract: Methods for forming multi-layer substrates including top and bottom surface layers and a melt softened thermoplastic material layer between the exterior surface layers, where the thermoplastic material includes polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F.?350° F. The 3 (or more) layers are assembled, and heated, melt softening the thermoplastic material, causing bonding of the thermoplastic layer to the exterior surface layers. A cleaning composition may be loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel between the surface layers. Adhesion between the surface layers and the thermoplastic layer is provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the surface layers. The process does not require chemical adhesives, any processing water, drying, or the like, so as to be possible with low capital investment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Nikhil P. Dani, Joerg Hendrix, Scott Wood, Hubert Chan, Mark Pszczolkowski, Daniela Fritter