Abstract: A photocatalytic device for reacting with volatile organic compounds includes a photocatalyst and at least one additive, such as hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide, that is capable of forming a stable silicate with silicon dioxide. The additive reacts with volatile silicon-containing compounds to form stable silicate compounds. As a result, the silicon-containing compounds are unavailable for deactivation of the photocatalyst.

Abstract: Washing or cleaning agents are described which contain reaction products of odorants with metal oxides, such as for example ZnO, ZrO2, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, TiO2, CeO2 and/or SnO2. The reaction products are preferably produced separately and subsequently added to the washing or cleaning agent matrix. These washing or cleaning agents bring about advantages when fragrancing objects, such as for example textiles. In particular, they make it possible to achieve targeted scent release by remoistening the treated object.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a pearlescent liquid treatment composition suitable for use as a laundry or hard surface cleaning composition comprising a pearlescent agent, said pearlescent agent having D0.99 volume particle size of less than 50 ?m and is present in composition at a level of from 0.02% to 2.0% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: Microcapsules for use in liquid detergents having a core and a polyelectrolyte complex shell in the form of a semipermeable membrane comprising a particulate permeability-regulator. The invention also relates to a process for making the microcapsules and liquid detergents comprising said microcapsules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-surfactant active containing delivery particles, cleaning compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and cleaning compositions. When employed in cleaning compositions, such particles provide more uniform active delivery. Thus, resulting in improved cleaning performance without the increased cleaning negatives that may be associated with higher levels of certain active levels.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing: (a) a nonionic surfactant containing a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether of which alkylene oxide moiety has an average number of moles of from 4 to 8; (b) an anionic surfactant, excluding a fatty acid and a salt thereof; and (c) a clay mineral represented by the general formula (I): [Si8(MgaAlb)O20(OH)4]X?.MeX+??(I) wherein a, b and x satisfy 0<a?6, 0<b?4, and x=12?2a?3, and Me is at least one member selected from Na, K, Li, Ca, Mg and NH4, wherein the clay mineral is contained in an amount of 3% by weight or more, wherein a weight ratio of the component (a) to the component (b), (a)/(b), exceeds 1 and is less than 5.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid or gel type detergent composition comprising boric acid or a boron compound, a polyhydroxy compound, and a relatively high level of calcium ion to stabilize a selected ?-amylase enzyme is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detergent composition containing (a) 2 to 30% by weight of an inorganic alkali, (b) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one surfactant selected from an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, (c) 0.01 to 2% by weight (based on calcium ion) of a calcium salt, (d) 0.1 to 15% by weight of a calcium ion-sequestering agent, (e) 1 to 30% by weight of a water-soluble organic solvent and (f) 20 to 95% by weight of water.

Abstract: Microcapsules for use in liquid detergents having a core and a polyelectrolyte complex shell in the form of a semipermeable membrane capable of withstanding a force before bursting of from about 20 mN to about 20,00 N and having a density of from about 900 Kg/m3 to about 1,300 Kg/m3 at 25° C. The invention also relates to a process for making the microcapsules and liquid detergents comprising said microcapsules.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for masking and subsequent removal of oil, grease, rust and other stains from a variety of rough solid surfaces, including, but not limited to stone, concrete, asphalt, stucco brick, and ceramic. The methods include coating the stains with an opaque or translucent thin film of a composition that makes the stain practically indistinguishable against the background, exposing the coated stain to the elements, such as, sunlight, air, moisture, resulting in spontaneous transformation, degradation and subsequent removal of the stains from the solid surfaces. The compositions include a photocatalyst by itself or the photocatalyst combined with at least one of, a sensitizer, a dopant, a mediator, a co-reagent, a pigment and a binder. The role of a photocatalyst is to produce highly reactive species or radicals and initiate the degradation of a stain upon exposure to elements, such as, sunlight, air and ambient humidity. Artificial light sources can be used instead of sunlight.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for masking and subsequent removal of oil, grease, rust and other stains from a variety of rough solid surfaces, including, but not limited to stone, concrete, asphalt, stucco brick, and ceramic. The methods include coating the stains with an opaque or translucent thin film of a composition that makes the stain practically indistinguishable against the background, exposing the coated stain to the elements, such as, sunlight, air, moisture, resulting in spontaneous transformation, degradation and subsequent removal of the stains from the solid surfaces. The compositions include a photocatalyst by itself or the photocatalyst combined with at least one of, a sensitizer, a dopant, a mediator, a co-reagent, a pigment and a binder. The role of a photocatalyst is to produce highly reactive species or radicals and initiate the degradation of a stain upon exposure to elements, such as, sunlight, air and ambient humidity. Artificial light sources can be used instead of sunlight.

Abstract: Fabric conditioning compositions comprising a fabric care active and a hueing dye, wherein the hueing dye exhibits a hueing efficiency of at least about 20 according to the Hueing Efficiency Test method; and a Wash Removal Value from about 50% to about 98%, are useful in mitigating the discoloration of white and other light colored fabrics.

Abstract: A process and a composition are disclosed for producing surfaces that are self-cleaning by water, and in particular, there is disclosed an aqueous system for forming transparent self-cleaning surfaces. In the process, an aqueous mixture comprising (i) nanoparticles having a particle size of less than 300 nanometers and (ii) a surface modifier selected from the group consisting of water-soluble hydrophobic surface modifiers and water-dispersable hydrophobic surface modifiers capable of forming a continuous film from an aqueous solution is provided. The aqueous mixture is applied to a surface, and a self-cleaning transparent coating is formed on the surface upon water evaporation. In one embodiment, the aqueous mixture is essentially free of organic solvents other than coalescing solvents.

Abstract: Visible light reflecting particles comprise one or more detergent ingredients and a light reflecting component, which results in the particle having a specular visible light reflection which is greater in intensity than the specular visible light reflection of the ingredients per se. Preferably, the reflection is greater than the reflection of sodium citrate dihydrate, as defined herein. The reflecting particle preferably comprises the light reflecting component evenly applied on its surface. The particles are particularly suitable for incorporation into laundry or dish washing compositions, fabric conditioning compositions or hard-surface cleaning compositions.

Abstract: Speckled detergent compositions with colored glassy phosphates and conventional detergent ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bleaching compositions comprising a bleach, a borate or boric acid or a mixture thereof and less than 5% by weight of the total composition of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ti, Zn, Al, Bi, Ga, Ge, Sb and Mg or a mixture thereof. These bleaching compositions exhibit excellent fabric yellowing-prevention performance and/or fabric safety.

Abstract: A blood, coffee or fruit juice removing cleaning composition, and methods for using such, which may take the form of a detergent additive or pre-spotter, generally including an amount of carbonate source effective to remove blood, coffee or fruit juice from textiles. In other preferred forms the compositions disclosed herein may include surfactants.

Abstract: An enzyme granule and means for producing the enzyme granule is presented. The enzyme granule is composed of an enzyme, a carrier material, and a coating system of 5 to 70 percent by weight fine-particle inorganic water-insoluble pigment, 45 to 90 percent by weight of a water-soluble organic substance having a melting point of from 40 to 70° C., and 0 to 30 percent by weight of a flow improver. The granule can be produced by mixing an aqueous enzyme liquid with an inorganic or organic carrier material to form an enzyme compound, extruding the enzyme compound, spheronizing the extrudate, and applying an outer coating layer of the coating system listed above to form an enzyme granule having a mean particle size of 0.8 to 1.4 millimeters. The coated enzyme granule has increased storage stability, even coloration, reduced odor, and releases enzyme activity quickly in water. The enzyme granule is useful in solid detergents.

Abstract: Granular detergent compositions contain a bleach and a cellulase enzyme derived from Trichodenna SPP. The compositions are especially useful in a fabric laundering process where bleaching activity is desired.

Abstract: A process for preparing a detergent composition is provided. The process involves: (a) continuously mixing a detergent surfactant paste and dry starting detergent material into a high speed mixer/densifier to obtain detergent agglomerates, wherein the ratio of the surfactant paste to the dry detergent material is from about 1:10 to about 10:1; and (b) mixing the detergent agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify and agglomerate the detergent agglomerates. The dry detergent material contains a builder which is a selected crystalline calcium carbonate material substantially having a rhombohedral crystalline structure with {1,0,-1,1} crystallographic indices.

Abstract: This invention relates to aqueous cleaning formulations useful in the cleaning of textile fabrics such as carpets and upholstery. The cleaning formulations comprise a) detergent, b) fluorochemical soil-resist agent, c) stain-resist agent, and d) a stable aqueous dispersion of inorganic particulate matter selected from the group consisting of clay, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The detergent, the fluorochemical soil-resist agent, the stain-resist agent and the inorganic particulate matter each have a flash point that is at least 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A washing method is described which has excellent washing power and a low surfactant concentration. The described clothes washing method comprises the use of a phosphorus-free clothes detergent composition comprising (a) one or more surfactants, (b) one or more alkali metal silicates, and (c) one or more metal ion capturing agents other than the alkali metal silicate (b). The above detergent composition is added to water in an amount sufficient to produce a washing liquid having the following washing conditions (1) a pH of not less than 10.60; (2) containing a material having an ion capturing capacity in an amount sufficient for theoretically changing the water hardness of said water to be not more than 0.5.degree. DH; and (3) having a surfactant concentration of from 0.07 to 0.17 g/L.

Abstract: Glycolic acid or its salts is effective in stabilizing enzymes in liquid laundry detergent compositions.

Abstract: A non-bleaching cleaning composition, e.g. laundry detergent, wherein the solids content comprises at least about 70 wt. % of sodium carbonate, and up to about 12 wt. % of elemental magnesium in the form of a water soluble salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride, based on the total weight of the solids composition. Preferably the composition also contains an active surfactant and, when used as a laundry detergent, a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer. Incorporation of magnesium ions in the foregoing cleaning composition containing carbonate ions is intended to minimize negative interactions that will occur between the precipitation of calcium carbonate and the substrate being cleaned, e.g., fabric encrustation when the composition is used as a laundry detergent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme-containing granulated substance comprising an enzyme-containing particulate substance and a coating layer which is formed on the particulate substance and comprises (a) water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble inorganic particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 100 .mu.m, (b) water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble inorganic particles having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 0.8 .mu.m and (c) a binder, and a preparation process thereof. The enzyme-containing granulated substance is not only high in productivity but also low in dusting characteristics and high in storage stability, and is hence useful as a formulation ingredient for detergents, in particular, bleacher-containing detergents.

Abstract: The invention relates to sodium silicates with a modulus (molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to Na.sub.2 O) of 1.3 to 4 in the form of a fine-particle solid in shard-like form or compounds containing these silicates with the ability to reduce incrustation when used as a builder component in detergents. These useful materials are distinguished in particular by the fact that they are in the form of an X-ray amorphous overdried material (primary drying product) with water contents below 15% by weight and apparent densities of the non-compacted solid granules of 500 g/l or lower which has been produced by drying of a water-containing sodium silicate preparation using a hot gas phase as the drying medium and/or by heating of a spray-dried sodium silicate with water contents of at least 15% by weight at temperatures of 120.degree.to 450.degree. C., if necessary accompanied or followed by the application of forces to produce the shard-like structure.

Abstract: A free-flowing detergent powder is prepared by spray drying and comprises from 10% to 90%, by weight, of a complex of a chelating agent and a metal ion selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, zinc, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and from 10% to 90%, by weight, of a polymer comprising anionic functional groups. The detergent powder comprises less than 20%, by weight, on an anhydrous basis, of inorganic components other than the metal ion.

Abstract: A microemulsion cleaning composition comprising four principle components are described. These four components are a terpene alcohol, an ether carboxylate surfactant, a aliphatic glycol ether cosolvent, and water. The cleaning composition may be used in a liquid form or an aerosol form. The composition is also included as an integral component of a cleaning kit.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing a detergent surfactant, a detergent builder, and from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight ethylene aspartate cysteate sequestrants or its acid form are disclosed. These compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains particularly polyphenolic stains such as wine, blueberry, tea, coffee, morello juice and the like.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions comprise a builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. The cleaning compositions contain a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation, wherein the builder has a particle size diameter within selected ranges for optimal performance. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: A washing method is described which has excellent washing power and a low surfactant concentration. The described clothes washing method comprises the use of a phosphorus-free clothes detergent composition comprising (a) one or more surfactants, (b) one or more alkali metal silicates, and (c) one or more metal ion capturing agents other than the alkali metal silicate (b). The above detergent composition is added to water in an amount sufficient to produce a washing liquid having the following washing conditions (1) a pH of not less than 10.60; (2) containing a material having an ion capturing capacity in an amount sufficient for theoretically changing the water hardness of said water to be not more than 0.5° DH; and (3) having a surfactant concentration of from 0.07 to 0.17 g/L.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for masking and subsequent removal of oil, grease, rust and other stains from a variety of rough solid surfaces, including, but not limited to stone, concrete, asphalt, stucco brick, and ceramic. The methods include coating the stains with an opaque or translucent thin film of a composition that makes the stain practically indistinguishable against the background, exposing the coated stain to the elements, such as, sunlight, air, moisture, resulting in spontaneous transformation, degradation and subsequent removal of the stains from the solid surfaces. The compositions include a photocatalyst by itself or the photocatalyst combined with at least one of, a sensitizer, a dopant, a mediator, a co-reagent, a pigment and a binder. The role of a photocatalyst is to produce highly reactive species or radicals and initiate the degradation of a stain upon exposure to elements, such as, sunlight, air and ambient humidity. Artificial light sources can be used instead of sunlight.