03.14.13
• US Patent No. 8,357,645 B2; The United States of America/Secretary of Agriculture has patented a semi-rigid gel cleansing article that contains at least one gelling agent, at least one solvent and an effective amount of at least one cleansing agent that is released from the semi-rigid gel article when sufficient compression is applied to the semi-rigid gel. At least one cleansing agent comprises a surfactant or a stain remover. The semi-rigid gel cleansing article is of a sufficient mechanical strength to allow the entire gel to be picked up without breaking or smearing. At least one gelling agent forms a solid matrix that is able to hold solids, liquids or solutions. The semi-rigid gel is partially filled with a liquid or solvent and the cleansing agent.