Abstract: The present invention provides preferred, preferably liquid, hard surface cleaning compositions, compositions with cleaning liquid composition on a substrate, compositions used with absorbent pads and implements and devices for making the process of cleaning hard surfaces and/or maintaining their appearance and hygiene easier and more effective.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the performance of a consumer wrinkle control composition by making the composition available to the consumer and providing information to the consumer concerning the use of the composition to control wrinkles in fabrics without the application of heat. Information may be provided by teaching educational elements and disseminating educational elements to consumers in an efficient, effective, and affordable manner as well as techniques for heightening consumer awareness of the product.

Abstract: Novel fatty acids and derivatives thereof such as salts, new surfactant systems comprising one or more of these compounds, consumer products such as laundry products, personal care products, pharmaceutical compositions, industrial cleaners, and the like comprising said compounds or surfactant systems.

Abstract: Clear, or translucent fabric softener compositions comprise fabric softener compound, principal solvent system, and high electrolyte levels. The high electrolyte level allows for a broader range of principal solvents to be used and/or reduces the incidence of increased viscosity when low levels of principal solvent are used. Phase stabilizers which are primarily ethoxylated hydrophobic materials can be used to reduce the amount of principal solvent that is needed and/or to stabilize the compositions in the presence of the highest levels of electrolyte. Specific phase stabilizers provide additional benefits including improved softening. Specific electrolytes provide improved results. Addition of primary solvents and/or phase stabilizers to the softener compounds can improve the viscosity/handling of the compounds and the ability to create the finished compositions.

Abstract: Clear/translucent formulations comprise polyquaternary ammonium actives with lower, or no, solvent levels except the solvent which is normally present in the polyquaternary raw material stocks by choosing highly efficient solvents within a specific Clog P range, employing higher levels of polyquaternary ammonium, actives, and/or augmenting the bilayer with surfactants and/or polar oils. Compositions with lowered solvent levels have at or below about 5% by volume of secondary dispersed phases preferably below about 3% by volume of secondary dispersed phase, and more preferably 1% by volume of secondary dispersed phases. The most preferred compositions are essentially free of secondary dispersed phases. High-speed centrifugation easily and quickly reveals the % volume of secondary phase(s).

Abstract: An article comprising a polyvinyl alcohol film encapsulating a fabric care composition is useful for conditioning laundry.

Abstract: Clear or translucent rinse-added fabric softening compositions are provided via the present invention which have reduced solvent or solvatrope levels.

Abstract: Clear, or translucent fabric softener compositions comprise fabric softener compound, principal solvent system, and high electrolyte levels. The high electrolyte level allows for a broader range of principal solvents to be used and/or reduces the incidence of increased viscosity when low levels of principal solvent are used. Phase stabilizers which are primarily ethoxylated hydrophobic materials can be used to reduce the amount of principal solvent that is needed and/or to stabilize the compositions in the presence of the highest levels of electrolyte. Specific phase stabilizers provide additional benefits including improved softening. Specific electrolytes provide improved results. Addition of primary solvents and/or phase stabilizers to the softener compounds can improve the viscosity/handling of the compounds and the ability to create the finished compositions.

Abstract: Clear or translucent rinse-added fabric softening compositions are provided via the present invention which have reduced solvent or solvatrope levels.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and methods for providing energy conserving means to control and/or remove wrinkles from fabric. The article includes an aqueous wrinkle control composition in a package and a set of instructions associated with the package, the set of instructions includes instructions for controlling and/or removing wrinkles in an energy and/or environment conserving manner by applying the composition to wrinkled fabrics, manipulating the fabrics to remove wrinkles and allowing the fabrics to dry without the use of an iron or tumble dryer. Alternatively, the set of instructions can be provided through the electronic or print media or some combination thereof. The instructions can further include an instruction concerning the energy that is conserved through the use of the composition as a substitute for laundering and/or ironing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating shoes, especially leather-containing shoes, such as athletic shoes, and methods and articles of manufacture employing same to treat the shoes prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions applied to one or more shoes in need of treatment prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes for imparting a desired benefit to the shoes such as cleaning and/or conditioning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing.

Abstract: Clear/translucent formulations comprise polyquaternary ammonium actives with lower, or no, solvent levels except the solvent which is normally present in the polyquaternary raw material stocks by choosing highly efficient principal solvents within a specific Clog P range, employing higher levels of polyquaternary ammonium actives, and/or augmenting the bilayer with surfactants and/or polar oils. Compositions with lowered solvent levels have at or below about 5% by volume of secondary dispersed phases, preferably below about 3% by volume of secondary dispersed phases, and more preferably below about 1% by volume of secondary dispersed phases. The most preferred compositions are essentially free of secondary dispersed phases. High-speed centrifugation easily and quickly reveals the % volume of secondary phase(s).

Abstract: Compositions, articles and methods are provided for supplying fabric care benefits to clothing or fabrics in an automated washing machine and by manual washing. The fabric care compositions preferably have less than about 5% detergent surfactants, more preferably less than 3%, even more preferably less than 1% and are most preferably free of detergent surfactants. Similarly, the fabric care compositions preferably have less than about 5% fabric softener actives, more preferably less than 3%, even more preferably less than 1% and are most preferably free of detergent surfactants. The laundry articles can take a variety of forms in a variety of physical states all of which will rapidly dispense a unitized amount of one or more selected fabric care agents to a wash and/or rinse bath solution during the laundering process under a variety of conditions. The invention also pertains to laundry kits that contain a variety of such articles and instructions concerning their use.

Abstract: A fabric conditioning article for use in a clothes dryer. The fabric conditioning article having a flexible sheet and a fabric conditioning composition deposited on the sheet. The fabric conditioning composition includes a fabric conditioning agent, perfumed particles and minor components. The perfume particles are a perfume composition incorporated into a porous mineral carrier such as clay and/or zeolite. Optionally, the perfume composition comprises low levels of unstable perfume components. Alternatively, the perfumed particles have a coating material encapsulating at least a portion of the particles. Optionally, the articles are packaged in a container having a moisture barrier to prevent premature release of the perfume therefrom.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing scents into the environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispensing device is used in conjunction with an article of manufacture which contains one or more scents or aromatic materials.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Liquid formulations comprising detergent surfactant, such as oleate, alcohol ethoxylates, etc., and neutralized phosphoric acid are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits, especially wax. Articles for applying the compositions to produce by spraying are disclosed. Use of the compositions for disinfectancy/sanitization of produce and cleaning/disinfectancy/sanitization of non-food inanimate surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Liquid formulations comprising detergent surfactant, such as oleate, alcohol ethoxylates, etc., and neutralized phosphoric acid are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits, especially wax. Articles for applying the compositions to produce by spraying are disclosed. Use of the compositions for disinfectancy/sanitization of produce and cleaning/disinfectancy/sanitization of non-food inanimate surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous stable, preferably concentrated, aqueous liquid textile softening compositions comprising fabric softener active and cationic polymer in the continuous aqueous phase to provide improved softening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable, aqueous fabric softening compositions, fabric softening methods and articles of manufacture that use such fabric softening compositions comprising preferred polyalkyleneoxy polysiloxanes selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneoxy polysiloxane, polyethyleneoxy/polypropyleneoxy polysiloxanes, and mixtures thereof. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying, selecting, and/or designing the preferred polyethyleneoxy polysiloxanes and/or polyethyleneoxy/polypropyleneoxy polysiloxanes that provide superior fabric softening performance in general, and especially for use in the fabric softening composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating shoes, especially leather-containing shoes, such as athletic shoes, and methods and articles of manufacture employing same to treat the shoes prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions applied to one or more shoes in need of treatment prior to and/or during and/or after washing the shoes for imparting a desired benefit to the shoes such as cleaning and/or conditioning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing.