EP0660873A1 - Process for making high density granular detergent and compositions made by the process - Google Patents
Process for making high density granular detergent and compositions made by the processInfo
- Publication number
- EP0660873A1 EP0660873A1 EP93922135A EP93922135A EP0660873A1 EP 0660873 A1 EP0660873 A1 EP 0660873A1 EP 93922135 A EP93922135 A EP 93922135A EP 93922135 A EP93922135 A EP 93922135A EP 0660873 A1 EP0660873 A1 EP 0660873A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- particle size
- bulk density
- mixer
- dispensing
- water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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- EP 184794 published on 18th June, 1986 (Henkel) describes a process of loading an adsorbant carrier with nonionic surfactant in a Loedige mixer which increases the bulk density.
- the carrier is typically prepared by spray drying.
- EP 327963 published on 16th August, 1989 (Henkel) describes a basic post tower densification process in which the spray dried component is pulverised prior to reagglo erating in a granulation step.
- EPA 367339 published on 9th May, 1990 (Unilever) describes a two-stage agglomeration process.
- the initial particles must be granular (not dust) , and they are not passed through a pulverisation step. This is key to achieving the benefits in dispensing properties.
- the mean particle size of the granular particles of the finished product should not be so great that the rate of dissolution is slow.
- the invention also discloses a detergent composition having excellent dispensing and dissolving properties.
- the required properties are achieved by mixing most (or all) of the detergent components in the form of granular powders, in order to give a mixed particulate material having a defined mean particle size and bulk density.
- the bulk density is then further increased by spraying a liquid, and dusting with a finely particulate flow aid in one or more rotating drums or mixers in order to "round off" the particles by filling pores and surface irregularities.
- the powder at the inlet of the rotating drums/mixers is in a granular form (with little or no fines) , and not pulverised as a dust. This feature gives the dispensing benefits (because the absence of fine powder/dust avoids gel formation upon contact with water) .
- the granular components used in the present invention are made from a wide range of ingredients useful for their detergency which are chosen according to the demands of the product formulator. Suitable ingredients are described below.
- Surfactants are selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic and cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
- Anionic surfactants are preferred.
- Surfactants useful herein are listed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,961, Norris, issued May 23, 1972, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,678, Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975.
- Useful cationic surfactants also include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,905, Cockrell, issued Sept. 16, 1980, and in U.S. Pat. 4,239,659, Murphy, issued Dec. 16, 1980.
- cationic surfactants are generally less compatible with the aluminosilicate materials herein, and thus are preferably used at low levels, if at all, in the present compositions.
- the following are representative examples of surfactants useful in the present compositions.
- Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids are useful anionic surfactants in the compositions herein.
- Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids.
- Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap.
- Useful anionic surfactants also include the water- soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group.
- alkyl is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.
- this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (Cg-C 18 carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the sodium and potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight or branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383.
- anionic surfactants herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms.
- Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble salts of esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-l- sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether sulfates containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; watersoluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
- MES C16-18 methyl ester sulphonates
- Water-soluble nonionic surfactants are also useful as secondary surfactant in the compositions of the invention.
- Such nonionic materials include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature.
- the length of the polyoxyalkylene group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.
- Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 16 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about 4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol.
- Preferred nonionics are the water-soluble condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched -configuration, with from 4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per more of alcohol. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 9 to 15 carbon atoms with from about 4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and condensation products of propylene glycol with ethylene oxide.
- nonionic surfactants are based upon natural renewable sources such as glucose.
- Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) preferably those containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and an average of from 1 to 4 glucose groups.
- nonionic surfactants based on glucose amides which contain an alkyl group with from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, for example tallow N-methyl glucamine.
- Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides may be produced by reacting a fatty acid ester and an N-alkyl polyhydroxy amine.
- the preferred amine for use in the present invention is N-(R1)-CH2 (CH20H)4-CH2-OH and the preferred ester is a C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester.
- Most preferred is the reaction product of N-mehtyl glucamine with C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester.
- Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water- soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
- Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be either straight or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing group.
- Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
- Particularly preferred surfactants herein include tallow alkyl sulfates; coconutalkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; alkyl ether sulfates wherein the alkyl moiety contains from about 14 to 18 carbon atoms and wherein the average degree of ethoxylation is from about 1 to 4; olefin or paraffin sulfonates containing from about 14 to 16 carbon atoms; alkyldimethylamine oxides wherein the alkyl group contains from about 11 to 16 carbon atoms; alkyldimethylammonio propane sulfonates and alkyldimethylammonio hydroxy propane sulfonates wherein the alkyl group contains from about 14 to 18 carbon atoms; soaps of higher fatty acids containing from about 12 to 18 carbon atoms; condensation products of C9-C15 alcohols with from about 3 to 8 moles of ethylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.
- Useful cationic surfactants include water-soluble quaternary ammonium compounds of the form R4R5R 6 R 7 N + X ⁇ , wherein R4 is alkyl having from 10 to 20, preferably from
- R and R7 are each C ⁇ to C 7 alkyl preferably methyl;
- X ⁇ is an anion, e.g. chloride.
- trimethyl ammonium compounds include C 12 - 14 alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and cocalkyl trimethyl ammonium methosulfate.
- alpha-olefin sulphonates include: alpha-olefin sulphonates; triethanolammonium C 11 -C 13 alkylbenzene sulfonate; alkyl sulfates, (tallow, coconut, palm, synthetic origins, e.g.
- Any compatible detergency builder or combination of builders or powder can be used in the process and compositions of the present invention.
- the detergent compositions herein can contain crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material of the formula
- Amorphous hydrated aluminosilicate materials useful herein have the empirical formula M z (zA10 2 -ySi0 2 ) wherein M is sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium, z is from about 0.5 to about 2 and y is 1, said material having a magnesium ion exchange capacity of at least about 50 milligram equivalents of CaCO ⁇ hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. Hydrated sodium Zeolite A with a particle size of from about 1 to 10 microns is preferred.
- aluminosilicate ion exchange builder materials herein are in hydrated form and contain from about 10% to about 28% of water by weight if crystalline, and potentially even higher amounts of water if amorphous.
- Highly preferred crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials contain from about 18% to about 22% water in their crystal matrix.
- the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterized by a particle size diameter of from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns.
- Amorphous materials are often smaller, e.g., down to less than about 0.01 micron.
- Preferred ion exchange materials have a particle size diameter of from about 0.2 micron to about 4 microns.
- the term "particle size diameter" herein represents the average particle size diameter by weight of a given ion exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques such as, for example, microscopic determination utilizing a scanning electron microscope.
- the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are usually further characterized by their calcium ion exchange capacity, which is at least about 200 mg equivalent of CaC ⁇ 3 water hardness/g of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which generally is in the range of from about 300 mg eq./g to about 352 mg eq./g.
- the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are still further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least about 2 grains
- Ca ++ /gallon/minute/gram/gallon of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis) , and generally lies within the range of from about 2 grains/gallon/minute/gram/gallon to about 6 grains/gallon/minute/gram/gallon, based on calcium ion hardness.
- Optimum aluminosilicate for builder purposes exhibit a calcium ion exchange rate of at least about 4 grains/galIon/minute/gram/galIon.
- the amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials usually have a Mg ++ exchange of at least about 50 mg eq. CaC0 3 /g (12 mg Mg ++ /g) and a Mg ++ exchange rate of at least about 1 grain/gallon/minute/gram/gallon. Amorphous materials do not exhibit an observable diffraction pattern when examined by Cu radiation (1.54 Angstrom Units).
- Aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the practice of this invention are commercially available.
- the alu inosilicates useful in this invention can be crystalline or amorphous in structure and can be naturally occurring aluminosilicates or synthetically derived.
- a method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,669, Krummel et al., issued Oct. 12, 1976, incorporated herein by reference.
- Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, and Zeolite X.
- the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula
- the granular detergents of the present invention can contain neutral or alkaline salts which have a pH in solution of seven or greater, and can be either organic or inorganic in nature.
- the builder salt assists in providing the desired density and bulk to the detergent granules herein. While some of the salts are inert, many of them also function as detergency builder materials in the laundering solution.
- Examples of neutral water-soluble salts include the alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium chlorides, fluorides and sulfates. The alkali metal, and especially sodium, salts of the above are preferred. Sodium sulfate is typically used in detergent granules and is a particularly preferred salt.
- Citric acid and, in general, any other organic or inorganic acid may be incorporated into the granular detergents of the present invention as long as it is chemically compatible with the rest of the agglomerate composition.
- water-soluble salts include the compounds commonly known as detergent builder materials.
- Builders are generally selected from the various water-soluble, alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, silicates, borates, and polyhyroxysulfonates.
- alkali metal especially sodium, salts of the above.
- inorganic phosphate builders are sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphosphate having a degree of polymerization of from about 6 to 21, and orthophosphate.
- polyphosphonate builders are the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of ethane 1-hydroxy-l, 1-diphosphonic acid and the sodium and potassium salts of ethane, 1, 1, 2-triphosphonic acid.
- Other phosphorus builder compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137; 3,400,176 and 3,400,148, incorporated herein by reference.
- nonphosphorus, inorganic builders are sodium and potassium carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, tetraborate decahydrate, and silicate having a molar ratio of Si0 2 to alkali metal oxide of from about 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably from about 1.0 to about 2.4.
- Layered silicates of the type manufactured by Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany and sold under the trade name SKS-6 are also useful in the present invention.
- organic polymers are also useful as builders to improve detergency. Included among such polymers may be mentioned sodium carboxy-lower alkyl celluloses, sodium lower alkyl celluloses and sodium hydroxy-lower alkyl celluloses, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium methyl cellulose and sodium hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohols (which often also include some polyvinyl acetate) , polyacrylamides, polyacrylates and various copolymers, such as those of maleic and acrylic acids. Molecular weights for such polymers vary widely but most are within the range of 2,000 to 100,000.
- Polymeric polycarboxyate builders are set forth in U.S. Patent 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of homo-and copolymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid.
- compositions of the present invention can be included in the compositions of the present invention. These include flow aids, color speckles, bleaching agents and bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressors, antitarnish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, softening clays, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents, nonbuilder alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, chelating agents and perfumes.
- flow aids include color speckles, bleaching agents and bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressors, antitarnish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, softening clays, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents, nonbuilder alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, chelating agents and perfumes.
- Optical brighteners may be incorporated either directly into one (or more) of the granular components, or a solution or slurry of optical brightener may be sprayed into the rotating drum or mixer during the process of the present invention.
- Particulate suds suppressors may also be incorporated in the finished composition by mixing according to the present invention.
- the suds suppressing activity of these particles is based on fatty acids or silicones.
- the granular components may be prepared and mixed by any conventional means. Typically the mixing process may be carried out continuously by metering each component by weight on to a moving belt, and blending them in a rotating drum or mixer.
- the mean particle size of the mixed granular components must be greater than 400 micrometers, and the bulk density must be greater than 600 g/1.
- the individual granular components are prepared by processes other than spray drying such as agglomeration, compaction, encapsulation etc.
- spray drying such as agglomeration, compaction, encapsulation etc.
- One particularly preferred process of agglomerating high active surfactant pastes with builders and other powders is described in the Applicants' co-pending European Application No. EPA 510746 published on 28th October 1992.
- It is preferred that little or none of the granular components is prepared by spray drying of slurries comprising organic surfactants.
- Such spray dried components generally require a pulverisation step in order to prepare a high bulk density component.
- the process of the present invention is carried out in one or more drum(s) or mixer(s) in which the bulk density of the product is increased without losing the benefits of good dispensing properties and rapid rate of dissolution
- the granular particles are rolled within the drum/mixer in the "wet" state causing them to become rounded and increasingly regular in shape (ie more spherical) and particle size. This results in a finished composition with a density of at least 750 g/1, preferably greater than 800 g/1.
- Suitable equipment includes various rotating drums or mixers with a rotating shaft, such as ribbon blenders or low shear mixers supplied by L ⁇ dige Machinenbau GmbH, Paderborn, Germany (especially those mixers supplied under the Trade Mark Loedige KM) .
- a low shear mixer comprises mixing tools, often of the "ploughshare" type mounted on to the rotating shaft. If a low shear mixer is used, the rotational speed of the shaft should be less than 250 rpm.
- the liquid sprayed on to the mix of granular components comprises nonionic surfactant.
- nonionic surfactants have been described hereinabove. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 9 to 15 carbon atoms with from about 4 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and condensation products of propylene glycol with ethylene oxide.
- High Speed Cutters or Choppers may be advantageously used in order to prevent large balls of product from forming when wet, but pulverisation of the powders (which could occur when they are dry) should be avoided.
- the high speed cutters or choppers may be mounted on a shaft which is oriented radially with respect to the wall of the mixer, and preferably the shaft rotates at a speed greater than lOOOrpm.
- the process must be differentiated from a more conventional agglomeration process. This can clearly be seen by observing the increase in mean particle size from beginning to end of the process.
- the mean particle size does not increase by more than about 60% of the initial mean particle size.
- mean particle size is calculated by sieving a sample of the composition into a number of fractions (typically 5 fractions) on a series of Tyler sieves. The weight fractions thereby obtained are plotted against the aperture size of the sieves. The mean particle size is taken to be the theoretical aperture size through which 50% by weight of the sample would pass.
- finely divided flow aid such as zeolites, carbonates, silicates, silicas
- these dusting agents are the only components which are added as a dust. It is therefore particularly important that the flow aids selected do not gel upon contact with water (as some forms of finely divided silicates would) . This careful selection of finely divided flow aid enables the bulk density to be further increased without losing the benefits of the good dispensing properties.
- the present invention provides a method of making detergent compositions with very high bulk densities, which also have the characteristics of excellent dispensing properties and a rapid rate of dissolution. This method is very flexible with regard to the formulations that can be processed. Indeed any chemical that can be incorporated into a granular particle may be incorporated into a high bulk density composition by the process defined hereinabove.
- a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is a composition which has a bulk density of at least 750g/l, preferably at least 800g/l which comprises; a) From 5% to 20% of organic surfactant b) From 5% to 20% of sodium aluminosilicate and which has a dispensing residue of less than 30% when:
- a 150g sample of the detergent composition is poured into a drawer of a Zanussi (TM) shower-type dispenser, and 4 litres of water at a temperature of 20°C is passed through the said drawer from the nozzles of the dispenser at a rate of 2 litres/minute, after which the portion of the detergent composition remaining in said dispensing drawer is weighed, and the resulting weight expressed as a percentage of the initial 150g sample and averaged over at least 5 repetitions of the test, the resulting percentage being the dispensing residue;
- TM Zanussi
- compositions comprise mixed anionic surfactant sytems having a Krafft temperature less than 40°C in order to achieve a good rate of dissolution at mean particle size of 550-750micrometers.
- compositions are nil-phosphate and nil-linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (nil-LAS) for environmental reasons.
- a mixture of granular raw materials is prepared according to the following composition :
- the anionic surfactant agglomerate is prepared by agglomeration of a 78% active C45AS/C35A 3 S 80:20 paste and a phosphonate solution (35%) onto a powder mixture containing zeolite / carbonate / MgS ⁇ 4 / CMC at ratios
- the wet agglomerate is dried in a fluid bed dryer to an equilibrium relative humidity of about 12% at 20°C.
- the final agglomerate contains 30% anionic surfactant and 2% phosphonate and has an average particle size of about 500mm with less than 5% through Tyler 65.
- the bulk density of the agglomerates is 750g/L.
- the mixture of the granular components has a bulk density of 780g/L and a particle size distribution as follows :
- the mean particle size of the mixture of granular ingredients is about 525 micrometers.
- the mixture of granular ingredients described above is placed inside a 600L rotating drum that operates at 15 rpm.
- a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C25E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener (Pinopal CBS-X Trade Name, supplied by Ciba-Geigy) at ratios of 14:1 are sprayed onto the granular mixture while operating the drum to a level of 7%.
- the spraying time is about 7 minutes.
- zeolite is slowly added to the mixer to a level of about 8%, taking about 2 minutes. Once the addition of zeolite is finished, the mixer is allowed to rotate for about 30 seconds and is then stopped. The product is removed by opening the gate and further rotating the drum for about 10 seconds.
- the product has a density after 2 days ageing of 910g/L.
- the particle size distribution is :
- the mean particle size of the product is about 640 micrometers. This represents an increase in mean particle size of 22%.
- the dissolution profile of the anionic surfactant measured according to the method also described in Section B shows the time for dissolution of 50% of the anionic surfactant to be 1.8 minutes.
- a mixture of granular raw materials is prepared according to the following composition :
- the anionic surfactant agglomerate is prepared via agglomeration of a 78% active LAS/TAS/C35E 3 S 74:24:2 paste onto a powder mixture containing zeolite / carbonate / CMC at ratios of 20/10/1 in a high shear mixer.
- the wet agglomerate is dried in a fluid bed dryer to an equilibrium relative humidity of aout 12% at 20°C.
- the final agglomerate contains 35% anionic surfactant, has an average particle size of 600 micrometers with 8% particles smaller than 212 micrometers and a bulk density of 740g/L.
- the mixture of the granular components has a bulk density of 740g/L and the following particle size distribution :
- the mean particle size of the mixture of granular ingredients is about 525 micrometers.
- the above mixture (50kg) is placed in a Lodige FM 130 D.
- the shaft rotates at about 160 rpm and the chopper speed is 3000 rpm.
- a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C45E7) and 20% aqueous solution of an optical brightener at a ratio of 14:1 are sprayed onto the mixture of powders while both the shaft and the chopper are operated.
- a total of 5.2kg of the liquid mixture is added in an interval of about 1 and a half minutes. Immediatly after, 0.3kg of perfume is also sprayed on. Then 5kg of finely divided zeolite is added to the mixer. The addition time is about 2 minutes and after addition, the unit is operated without the chopper for another half a minute. The product is discharged through the opening in the bottom of the mixer.
- the density of the product after 2 days is 897g/L.
- the particle size distribution is :
- the mean particle size of the product is about 740 micrometers. This represents an increase in mean particle size of about 40%.
- the dissolution profile of the anionic surfactant measured according to the method also described in Section B shows the time for dissolution of 50% of the anionic surfactant to be 1.0 minutes.
- a mixture of granular raw materials is prepared according to the following composition :
- the anionic surfactant agglomerate is prepared via dry neutralisation of acid LAS onto a powder mixture containing zeolite / carbonate at a ratio of 1/1 in a high shear mixer.
- the agglomerate contains 30% anionic surfactant, has an average particle size of 500 micrometers with 16% particles smaller than 212 micrometers and a bulk density of 740g/L.
- the blown powder is made via spray-drying a mixture containing :
- anionic surfactant paste is 50% surfactant active and contains LAS and TAS at ratios 2.4 :1.
- the mixture of the raw material components has a bulk density of 670g/L and the following particle size distribution :
- the mean particle size of the mixture of ingredients is about 370 micrometers.
- the above mixture (50kg) is placed in a L ⁇ dige FM 130 D.
- the shaft rotates at about 160 rpm and the chopper speed is 3000 rpm.
- a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C45E7) and 20% aqueous solution of an optical brightener at a ratio of 14:1 are sprayed onto the mixture of powders while both the shaft and the chopper are operated.
- a total of 5.2kg of the liquid mixture is added in an interval of about 1 and a half minutes. Immediatly after, 0.3kg of perfume is also sprayed on. Then 5kg of finely divided zeolite is added to the mixer. The addition time is about 2 minutes and after addition, the unit is operated with the chopper for another 3 minutes. The product is discharged through the opening in the bottom of the mixer.
- the density of the product after 2 days is 847g/L.
- the particle size distribution is :
- the mean particle size of the product is about 400 micrometers.
- the dissolution profile of the anionic surfactant measured according to the method also described in Section B shows the time for dissolution of 50% of the anionic surfactant to be 0.8 minutes.
- the mainwash compartment will be used.
- test runs for 2 minutes. Calibrate the water flow rate using a measuring cylinder or similar receiver.
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Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP93922135A EP0660873B2 (en) | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-30 | High density granular detergent composition |
GR20010400400T GR3036040T3 (en) | 1992-09-01 | 2001-06-14 | Process for making high density granular detergent and compositions made by the process. |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP92870138 | 1992-09-01 | ||
EP92870138 | 1992-09-01 | ||
EP93200460 | 1993-02-18 | ||
EP93200460 | 1993-02-18 | ||
PCT/US1993/008151 WO1994005761A1 (en) | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-30 | Process for making high density granular detergent and compositions made by the process |
EP93922135A EP0660873B2 (en) | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-30 | High density granular detergent composition |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP0660873A1 true EP0660873A1 (en) | 1995-07-05 |
EP0660873A4 EP0660873A4 (en) | 1995-08-09 |
EP0660873B1 EP0660873B1 (en) | 2001-06-06 |
EP0660873B2 EP0660873B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 |
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EP93922135A Expired - Lifetime EP0660873B2 (en) | 1992-09-01 | 1993-08-30 | High density granular detergent composition |
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GR (1) | GR3036040T3 (en) |
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US4970017A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1990-11-13 | Lion Corporation | Process for production of granular detergent composition having high bulk density |
EP0451894A1 (en) † | 1990-04-09 | 1991-10-16 | Unilever N.V. | High bulk density granular detergent compositions and process for preparing them |
WO1992006163A1 (en) † | 1990-10-06 | 1992-04-16 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent compositions |
WO1993002176A1 (en) † | 1991-07-25 | 1993-02-04 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method of producing high-bulk-density washing agents with improved dissolving speed |
WO1993023523A1 (en) † | 1992-05-21 | 1993-11-25 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Continuous production process of a granulated washing and/or cleaning agent |
EP0578871A1 (en) † | 1992-07-15 | 1994-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process and compositions for compact detergents |
EP0578872A1 (en) † | 1992-07-15 | 1994-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent compositions |
EP0714432B1 (en) † | 1993-08-18 | 1998-04-08 | Unilever Plc | Granular detergent compositions containing zeolite and process for their preparation |
-
1993
- 1993-08-30 EP EP93922135A patent/EP0660873B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-06-14 GR GR20010400400T patent/GR3036040T3/en unknown
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US4411809A (en) * | 1976-12-02 | 1983-10-25 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Concentrated heavy duty particulate laundry detergent |
US4397777A (en) † | 1977-02-08 | 1983-08-09 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Heavy duty laundry detergent |
US4338204A (en) † | 1979-09-29 | 1982-07-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent softener containing anionic, amine, and water soluble cationic |
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EP0168102A2 (en) * | 1984-07-06 | 1986-01-15 | Unilever N.V. | A process for the preparation of a powder detergent composition of high bulk density |
EP0181180A2 (en) † | 1984-11-03 | 1986-05-14 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent compositions |
US4970017A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1990-11-13 | Lion Corporation | Process for production of granular detergent composition having high bulk density |
EP0341072A2 (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1989-11-08 | Unilever Plc | Detergent powders and process for preparing them |
EP0342043A2 (en) * | 1988-05-13 | 1989-11-15 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Granular laundry compositions |
EP0384480A2 (en) † | 1989-02-23 | 1990-08-29 | Kao Corporation | Process for continously drying paste material for a high-density detergent |
EP0390251A2 (en) * | 1989-03-30 | 1990-10-03 | Unilever N.V. | Detergent compositions and process for preparing them |
EP0451894A1 (en) † | 1990-04-09 | 1991-10-16 | Unilever N.V. | High bulk density granular detergent compositions and process for preparing them |
WO1992006163A1 (en) † | 1990-10-06 | 1992-04-16 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent compositions |
WO1993002176A1 (en) † | 1991-07-25 | 1993-02-04 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method of producing high-bulk-density washing agents with improved dissolving speed |
WO1993023523A1 (en) † | 1992-05-21 | 1993-11-25 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Continuous production process of a granulated washing and/or cleaning agent |
EP0578871A1 (en) † | 1992-07-15 | 1994-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process and compositions for compact detergents |
EP0578872A1 (en) † | 1992-07-15 | 1994-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Detergent compositions |
EP0714432B1 (en) † | 1993-08-18 | 1998-04-08 | Unilever Plc | Granular detergent compositions containing zeolite and process for their preparation |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
"Surfactants in Consumer Products" edited by J. Falbe (1987) pp.134-137 * |
RESEARCH DISCLOSURE, no. 312, April 1990 EMSWORTH GB, pages 357-359, XP 000104695 ANONYMOUS 'Detergent Powder Production' * |
See also references of WO9405761A1 † |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0660873A4 (en) | 1995-08-09 |
EP0660873B1 (en) | 2001-06-06 |
GR3036040T3 (en) | 2001-09-28 |
EP0660873B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 |
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