US4885101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laundry detergents containing fabric-softening clays between 150 and 2000 microns in size
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
•
Filing: 1988-11-09
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Granted: 1989-12-05
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Expires: 2008-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A detergent composition suitable for washing and softening fabrics comprises a detergent active material, a detergency builder such as sodium tripolyphosphate and a fabric softening clay material, such as a smectite clay, which is ground to a particle size of 150 to 2000 microns. The use of ground clay avoids the use of dusty powdered clay and avoids the need for costly agglomeration while providing surprisingly good softening benefits.
Inventors
- 👤 Ho T. Tai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:46
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/02; C11D3/12; C11D3/124; C11D3/1246; C11D3/1253; C11D3/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A detergent composition comprising a detergent active from 2 to 5% by weight of material, from 10 to 70% a detergency builder and a fabric softening clay material, characterised in that the clay material is ground clay having an average primary particle size of between 150 and 2000 microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A detergent composition comprising a detergent active from 2 to 5% by weight of material, from 10 to 70% a detergency builder and a fabric softening clay material, characterised in that the clay material is ground clay having an average primary particle size of between 150 and 2000 microns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein the clay material comprises a three-layer swellable smectite clay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A composition according to claim 1, wherein the clay material is a ground clay having an average primary particle size of between 200 and 1000 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composition according to claim 1 comprising a spray-dried base powder containing detergent active material and detergency builder, dry-mixed with the ground clay.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-04 | 1993-06-05 | 1993-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-06-05 | 1997-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-04 | 2001-06-05 | 2001-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |