EP0618290A1 - Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica - Google Patents
Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0618290A1 EP0618290A1 EP93870059A EP93870059A EP0618290A1 EP 0618290 A1 EP0618290 A1 EP 0618290A1 EP 93870059 A EP93870059 A EP 93870059A EP 93870059 A EP93870059 A EP 93870059A EP 0618290 A1 EP0618290 A1 EP 0618290A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nonionic surfactant
- detergent
- powder
- silica
- sodium aluminosilicate
- 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
Links
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 133
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 72
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 59
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 229910000503 Na-aluminosilicate Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000000429 sodium aluminium silicate Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 235000012217 sodium aluminium silicate Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium aluminosilicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- 239000002736 nonionic surfactant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 47
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 32
- 229910000323 aluminium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 23
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 235000014113 dietary fatty acids Nutrition 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000000194 fatty acid Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229930195729 fatty acid Natural products 0.000 claims description 14
- 150000004665 fatty acids Chemical class 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000005469 granulation Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000003179 granulation Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical group [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011164 primary particle Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910021485 fumed silica Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- -1 fatty acid esters Chemical class 0.000 description 36
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 35
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 description 30
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 29
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 24
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 21
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 20
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 19
- 238000005342 ion exchange Methods 0.000 description 17
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 12
- 229910002012 Aerosil® Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 10
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 9
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000005054 agglomeration Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000003945 anionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 125000002768 hydroxyalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 8
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 7
- IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene oxide Chemical compound C1CO1 IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 7
- CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L sodium carbonate Substances [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C([O-])=O CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 7
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 6
- ZMANZCXQSJIPKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethylamine Chemical compound CCN(CC)CC ZMANZCXQSJIPKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 6
- BHPQYMZQTOCNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium cation Chemical group [Ca+2] BHPQYMZQTOCNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 125000005907 alkyl ester group Chemical group 0.000 description 5
- 239000007859 condensation product Substances 0.000 description 5
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- QUSNBJAOOMFDIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylamine Chemical compound CCN QUSNBJAOOMFDIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- JLVVSXFLKOJNIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium ion Chemical group [Mg+2] JLVVSXFLKOJNIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 150000008051 alkyl sulfates Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910001424 calcium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000010410 dusting Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002304 perfume Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 229910000029 sodium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 150000003467 sulfuric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 3
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Orthosilicate Chemical compound [O-][Si]([O-])([O-])[O-] BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- ULUAUXLGCMPNKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfobutanedioic acid Chemical class OC(=O)CC(C(O)=O)S(O)(=O)=O ULUAUXLGCMPNKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- BGRWYDHXPHLNKA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tetraacetylethylenediamine Chemical compound CC(=O)N(C(C)=O)CCN(C(C)=O)C(C)=O BGRWYDHXPHLNKA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 3
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 229920013820 alkyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000007112 amidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000003863 ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 235000010216 calcium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000003093 cationic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 3
- KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N citric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC(O)(C(O)=O)CC(O)=O KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 125000000118 dimethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229940083124 ganglion-blocking antiadrenergic secondary and tertiary amines Drugs 0.000 description 3
- 239000002563 ionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 159000000001 potassium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 235000017550 sodium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002888 zwitterionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 3
- GHPCICSQWQDZLM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl-1-methyl-3-propylurea Chemical compound CCCNC(=O)N(C)S(=O)(=O)C1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1 GHPCICSQWQDZLM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RSWGJHLUYNHPMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Abietic-Saeure Natural products C12CCC(C(C)C)=CC2=CCC2C1(C)CCCC2(C)C(O)=O RSWGJHLUYNHPMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002134 Carboxymethyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-K Citrate Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)CC(O)(CC([O-])=O)C([O-])=O KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 2
- 102000004190 Enzymes Human genes 0.000 description 2
- 108090000790 Enzymes Proteins 0.000 description 2
- VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-OWOJBTEDSA-N Fumaric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)\C=C\C(O)=O VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-OWOJBTEDSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerol Natural products OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MBBZMMPHUWSWHV-BDVNFPICSA-N N-methylglucamine Chemical compound CNC[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO MBBZMMPHUWSWHV-BDVNFPICSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920003171 Poly (ethylene oxide) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-HUOMCSJISA-N Rosin Natural products O(C/C=C/c1ccccc1)[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-HUOMCSJISA-N 0.000 description 2
- DPXJVFZANSGRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetic acid;2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal;sodium Chemical compound [Na].CC(O)=O.OCC(O)C(O)C(O)C(O)C=O DPXJVFZANSGRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000002947 alkylene group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000009435 amidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007844 bleaching agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001768 carboxy methyl cellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000010948 carboxy methyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000005690 diesters Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylamine Chemical compound CCNCC HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000001301 ethoxy group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])O* 0.000 description 2
- 235000019387 fatty acid methyl ester Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 150000002402 hexoses Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000001183 hydrocarbyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000014366 other mixer Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K phosphate Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])([O-])=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 2
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229920005996 polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L potassium carbonate Chemical compound [K+].[K+].[O-]C([O-])=O BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000019812 sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229920001027 sodium carboxymethylcellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- QEMXHQIAXOOASZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetramethylammonium Chemical compound C[N+](C)(C)C QEMXHQIAXOOASZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N trans-butenedioic acid Natural products OC(=O)C=CC(O)=O VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N trans-cinnamyl beta-D-glucopyranoside Natural products OC1C(O)C(O)C(CO)OC1OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1 KHPCPRHQVVSZAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910009112 xH2O Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 125000004178 (C1-C4) alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000001124 (E)-prop-1-ene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- PUNFIBHMZSHFKF-KTKRTIGZSA-N (z)-henicos-12-ene-1,2,3-triol Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCCC(O)C(O)CO PUNFIBHMZSHFKF-KTKRTIGZSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JAHNSTQSQJOJLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3-fluorophenyl)-1h-imidazole Chemical compound FC1=CC=CC(C=2NC=CN=2)=C1 JAHNSTQSQJOJLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HZAXFHJVJLSVMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Aminoethan-1-ol Chemical compound NCCO HZAXFHJVJLSVMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PSZAEHPBBUYICS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylidenepropanedioic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(=C)C(O)=O PSZAEHPBBUYICS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XYJLPCAKKYOLGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-phosphonoethylphosphonic acid Chemical class OP(O)(=O)CCP(O)(O)=O XYJLPCAKKYOLGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia chloride Chemical class [NH4+].[Cl-] NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004254 Ammonium phosphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bicarbonate Chemical compound OC([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 125000002853 C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ROSDSFDQCJNGOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dimethylamine Chemical group CNC ROSDSFDQCJNGOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical class CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DBVJJBKOTRCVKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Etidronic acid Chemical class OP(=O)(O)C(O)(C)P(O)(O)=O DBVJJBKOTRCVKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002153 Hydroxypropyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- SXKQTYJLWWQUKA-UHFFFAOYSA-N O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O Chemical compound O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O.OB(O)O SXKQTYJLWWQUKA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019482 Palm oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ABLZXFCXXLZCGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorous acid Chemical class OP(O)=O ABLZXFCXXLZCGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000388 Polyphosphate Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propanedioic acid Natural products OC(=O)CC(O)=O OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PMZURENOXWZQFD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sodium Sulfate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O PMZURENOXWZQFD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethanolamine Chemical compound OCCN(CCO)CCO GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000010724 Wisteria floribunda Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940091181 aconitic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000001253 acrylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000002252 acyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000003679 aging effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000007933 aliphatic carboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910000272 alkali metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052784 alkaline earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000003973 alkyl amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000006177 alkyl benzyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 125000005037 alkyl phenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 235000019270 ammonium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ZRIUUUJAJJNDSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium phosphates Chemical class [NH4+].[NH4+].[NH4+].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O ZRIUUUJAJJNDSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019289 ammonium phosphates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910021486 amorphous silicon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000001450 anions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000440 bentonite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000278 bentonite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N bentoquatam Chemical compound O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001797 benzyl group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([H])=C(C([H])=C1[H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001642 boronic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000013590 bulk material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000007942 carboxylates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- GTZCVFVGUGFEME-IWQZZHSRSA-N cis-aconitic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C\C(C(O)=O)=C\C(O)=O GTZCVFVGUGFEME-IWQZZHSRSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-IHWYPQMZSA-N citraconic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(/C)=C\C(O)=O HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-IHWYPQMZSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940018557 citraconic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052570 clay Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010227 cup method (microbiological evaluation) Methods 0.000 description 1
- ZBCBWPMODOFKDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethanolamine Chemical compound OCCNCCO ZBCBWPMODOFKDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XPPKVPWEQAFLFU-UHFFFAOYSA-J diphosphate(4-) Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])(=O)OP([O-])([O-])=O XPPKVPWEQAFLFU-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
- 235000011180 diphosphates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ether Substances CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000004673 fluoride salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001530 fumaric acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229960002598 fumaric acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000002070 germicidal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 159000000011 group IA salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000623 heterocyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001165 hydrophobic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003752 hydrotrope Substances 0.000 description 1
- CBOIHMRHGLHBPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxymethyl Chemical compound O[CH2] CBOIHMRHGLHBPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001863 hydroxypropyl cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010977 hydroxypropyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052816 inorganic phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SUMDYPCJJOFFON-UHFFFAOYSA-N isethionic acid Chemical class OCCS(O)(=O)=O SUMDYPCJJOFFON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001449 isopropyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004900 laundering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001425 magnesium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UPHRSURJSA-N maleic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)\C=C/C(O)=O VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UPHRSURJSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011976 maleic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002689 maleic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-NSCUHMNNSA-N mesaconic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(/C)=C/C(O)=O HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-NSCUHMNNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000005341 metaphosphate group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229920000609 methyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 239000001923 methylcellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010981 methylcellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- LVHBHZANLOWSRM-UHFFFAOYSA-N methylenebutanedioic acid Natural products OC(=O)CC(=C)C(O)=O LVHBHZANLOWSRM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N methylfumaric acid Natural products OC(=O)C(C)=CC(O)=O HNEGQIOMVPPMNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000007522 mineralic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000004433 nitrogen atom Chemical group N* 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000007524 organic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920000620 organic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000001282 organosilanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- MPQXHAGKBWFSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxidophosphanium Chemical class [PH3]=O MPQXHAGKBWFSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003002 pH adjusting agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002540 palm oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012188 paraffin wax Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011837 pasties Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000010452 phosphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-O phosphonium Chemical compound [PH4+] XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002401 polyacrylamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000058 polyacrylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005646 polycarboxylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001205 polyphosphate Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000011176 polyphosphates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002689 polyvinyl acetate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011118 polyvinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000019422 polyvinyl alcohol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910000027 potassium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003138 primary alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000002572 propoxy group Chemical group [*]OC([H])([H])C(C([H])([H])[H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 238000003908 quality control method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000001453 quaternary ammonium group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003335 secondary amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005204 segregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940071207 sesquicarbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000004760 silicates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052938 sodium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000011152 sodium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000019832 sodium triphosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- HSFQBFMEWSTNOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium;carbanide Chemical group [CH3-].[Na+] HSFQBFMEWSTNOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MWNQXXOSWHCCOZ-UHFFFAOYSA-L sodium;oxido carbonate Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]OC([O-])=O MWNQXXOSWHCCOZ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001694 spray drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- DIORMHZUUKOISG-UHFFFAOYSA-N sulfoformic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)S(O)(=O)=O DIORMHZUUKOISG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000003871 sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000375 suspending agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003784 tall oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003760 tallow Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003512 tertiary amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000004026 tertiary sulfonium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
- GTZCVFVGUGFEME-UHFFFAOYSA-N trans-aconitic acid Natural products OC(=O)CC(C(O)=O)=CC(O)=O GTZCVFVGUGFEME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GETQZCLCWQTVFV-UHFFFAOYSA-N trimethylamine Chemical compound CN(C)C GETQZCLCWQTVFV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UNXRWKVEANCORM-UHFFFAOYSA-I triphosphate(5-) Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])(=O)OP([O-])(=O)OP([O-])([O-])=O UNXRWKVEANCORM-UHFFFAOYSA-I 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
- C11D17/06—Powder; Flakes; Free-flowing mixtures; Sheets
- C11D17/065—High-density particulate detergent compositions
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
- C11D1/835—Mixtures of non-ionic with cationic compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/86—Mixtures of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D11/00—Special methods for preparing compositions containing mixtures of detergents
- C11D11/0082—Special methods for preparing compositions containing mixtures of detergents one or more of the detergent ingredients being in a liquefied state, e.g. slurry, paste or melt, and the process resulting in solid detergent particles such as granules, powders or beads
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/02—Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds
- C11D3/12—Water-insoluble compounds
- C11D3/124—Silicon containing, e.g. silica, silex, quartz or glass beads
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/02—Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds
- C11D3/12—Water-insoluble compounds
- C11D3/124—Silicon containing, e.g. silica, silex, quartz or glass beads
- C11D3/1246—Silicates, e.g. diatomaceous earth
- C11D3/128—Aluminium silicates, e.g. zeolites
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
- C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
- C11D1/14—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
- C11D1/52—Carboxylic amides, alkylolamides or imides or their condensation products with alkylene oxides
- C11D1/525—Carboxylic amides (R1-CO-NR2R3), where R1, R2 or R3 contain two or more hydroxy groups per alkyl group, e.g. R3 being a reducing sugar rest
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
- C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
- C11D1/72—Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the use of flow aids for granular products which comprise a mixture of sodium aluminosilicate and silica in a narrowly defined ratio.
- the silica used is hydrophobic silica, preferably fumed hydrophobic silica.
- the ratio of sodium aluminosilicate to silica is from about 100:1 to about 3:1, preferably from 20:1 to 5:1, and most preferably around 10:1.
- the flow aid is used in the process of manufacturing high density granular detergent components or compositions which comprise nonionic surfactants. It is most useful in combination with nonionic surfactants which are liquid at ambient temperature, and are therefore mobile. Without a suitable flow aid, the nonionic surfactant tends to leak from the powder and soak into the cardboard container which forms an unsightly stain. Although it is possible to avoid this problem by using lower levels of nonionic surfactant in the composition, or by selecting nonionic surfactants which have a lower solidification temperature, this limits the flexibility of formulation.
- flow aids in general which help to reduce the stickiness of detergent granules comprising nonionic surfactants, and which may help to increase bulk density is known, for example from the following prior art:
- JP 61 069897 laid open 10th April, 1986 states that aluminosilicate, silicon dioxide, bentonite and clay having an average particle diameter of not more than 10 micrometers can be used as a surface modifier at a level of from 0.5% to 35%.
- EP 0 351 937 published 24th January, 1990 and EP 0 352 135, published 24th January, 1990 disclose agglomeration processes carried out sequentially with high speed and low speed mixing. No finely divided particulate is present is the granulation step.
- flow aids may be used, for example, aluminosilicates, precipitated silica and others are suitable.
- EP 0 513 824 published 19th November, 1992, describes a process for making nonionic detergent granules and the use of a surface coating agent having a particle size of less than 10 micrometers.
- the present invention is aimed at making nonionic detergent agglomerates having a high bulk density and which comprise higher levels of nonionic surfactant the those of the prior art, but do not have the same leakage problems.
- Another problem which is associated with making detergent agglomerates having a high bulk density is that the bulk density tends to change during storage, especially during the first few hours or days after manufacture. This in turn gives rise to problems of quality control, especially on packaging lines. It is a feature of the products of the present invention that changes in bulk density during storage are greatly reduced, or even eliminated.
- the present invention also addresses the problem of achieving more control over particle size distribution of the finished product.
- One of the factors influencing particle size distribution is the effectiveness of the flow aid which is introduced near to the end of the manufacturing process.
- the flow aids of the present invention have been found to be more efficient in this regard.
- the present invention relates to detergent components or compositions having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l which comprises a nonionic surfactant system which includes at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C, and from 0.5% to 15% by weight of the component or composition of a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica in the ratio of from 100:1 to 3:1
- a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica in the ratio of from 100:1 to 3:1
- the invention also relates to a process for making such detergent components or compositions.
- the present invention comprises two essential components; a granular detergent which comprises a nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C, and a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and silica. Both of these components will now be described in more detail
- Granular Detergent comprising Nonionic Surfactant
- nonionic surfactant While any nonionic surfactant may be usefully employed in the present invention, two families of nonionics have been found to be particularly useful. These are nonionic surfactants based on alkoxylated (especially ethoxylated) alcohols, and those nonionic surfactants based on amidation products of fatty acid esters and N-alkyl polyhydroxy amine. The amidation products of the esters and the amines are generally referred to herein as polyhydroxy fatty acid amides. Particularly useful in the present invention are mixtures comprising two or more nonionic surfactacts wherein at least one nonionic surfactant is selected from each of the groups of alkoxylated alcohols and the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.
- Suitable nonionic surfactants 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.
- nonionic surfactants such as 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 an average of up 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 2 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and condensation products of propylene glycol with ethylene oxide.
- At least one of the nonionic surfactants used is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C.
- the nonionic surfactant system as a whole may have a higher solidification temperature.
- the nonionic surfactant system also includes a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide component.
- 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(CH2OH)4-CH2-OH and the preferred ester is a C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester. Most preferred is the reaction product of N-methyl glucamine with C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester.
- Nonionic surfactant systems and granular detergents made from such systems have been described in WO 92 6160, published on 16th April, 1992.
- This application describes (example 15) a granular detergent composition prepared by fine dispersion mixing in an Eirich RV02 mixer which comprises N-methyl glucamide (10%), nonionic surfactant (10%).
- the present invention provides a method of making a granular detergent component which comprises an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant at a level of from 1% to 50% by weight of the component.
- the particular benefits of the invention will be even more evident when the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant is at a level of from 10% to 50% by weight of the detergent component or composition, preferably from 12% to 30% by weight, and even more preferably from 15% to 20% by weight.
- the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide may be present in compositions of the present invention at a level of from 0% to 50% by weight of the detergent component or composition, preferably from 5% to 40% by weight, even more preferably from 10% to 30% by weight.
- the surfactant system may also comprise anionic surfactants, indeed the inclusion of such surfactants may be of considerable advantage in order to improve the rate of solubility of the granular surfactant.
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention can contain, in addition to the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention, one or more anionic surfactants as described below.
- Alkyl Ester sulfonate surfactants hereof include linear esters of C8-C20 carboxylic acids (i.e. fatty acids) which are sulfonated with gaseous SO3 according to "The Journal of the American Oil Chemists society'" 52 (1975), pp. 323-329. Suitable starting materials would include natural fatty substances as derived from tallow, palm oil, etc.
- the preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant comprises alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural formula: wherein R3 is a C8-C20 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R4 is a C1-C6 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, and M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate.
- Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cations, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine.
- R3 is C10-C16 alkyl
- R4 is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.
- methyl ester sulfonates wherein R3 is C14-C16 alkyl.
- Alkyl sulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids or the formula ROSO3M wherein R preferably is a C10-C24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C10-C20 alkyl component, more preferably a C12-C18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quarternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
- alkyl chains of C12-16 are
- Alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A) m SO3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C10-C24 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C10-C24 alkyl component, preferably a C12-C20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C12-C18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation.
- R is an unsubstituted C10-C24 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C10-C24 alkyl component, preferably a C12-C
- Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein.
- Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium, dimethyl piperdinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like.
- Exemplary surfactants are C12-C18 alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C12-C18E(1.0)M), C12-C18 alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C12-C18E(2.25)M), C12-C18 alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C12-C18E(3.0), and C12-C18 alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C12-C18E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.
- anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention.
- These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C9-C20 linear alkylbenzenesulphonates, C8-C22 primary or secondary alkanesulphonates, C8-C24 olefinsulphonates, sulphonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulphonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No.
- alkylpolyglycolethersulfates containing up to 10 moles of ehtylene oxide
- acyl glycerol sulfonates fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C12-C18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C6-C14 diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsul
- Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference). When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 1 % to about 40 %, preferably from about 3 % to about 20 % by weight of such anionic surfactants.
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, and semi-polar surfactants, as well as nonionic surfactants other than those already described herein, including the semi-polar nonionic amine oxides described below.
- Cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having one long-chain hydrocarbyl group.
- cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyldimethylammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula : [R2(0R3)y][R4(OR3)y]2R5N+X - wherein R2 is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R3 is selected from the group consisting of -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH(CH3)-, -CH2CH(CH2OH)-, -CH2CH2CH2-, and mixtures thereof; each R4 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R4 groups, -CH2COH-CHOHCOR6CHOHCH2
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0 % to about 25 %, preferably form about 3 % to about 15 % by weight of such cationic surfactants.
- Ampholytic surfactants are also suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched chain.
- One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least 8 carbon atoms, typically from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group e.g. carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975 at column 19, lines 18-35 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of ampholytic surfactants.
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such ampholytic surfactants.
- Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivates of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quarternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975 at columns 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of zwitterionic surfactants.
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such zwitterionic surfactants.
- Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting af alkyl groups and hydrocyalkyl groups containing form about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of form about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected form the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.
- Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula : wherein R3 is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is form 0 to about 3; and each R5 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing form about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups.
- the R5 groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.
- amine oxide surfactants in particular include C10-C18 alkyl dimenthyl amine oxides and C8-C12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.
- the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such semi-polar nonionic surfactants.
- the granular detergent will also contain other optional ingredients.
- examples of such ingredients which are commonly used in detergents are given in more detail hereinbelow
- the other essential feature of the present invention is the flow aid which comprises sodium aluminosilicate and silica.
- Sodium aluminosilicate may take many forms.
- One example is crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material of the formula Na z [(AlO2) z ⁇ (SiO2)y] ⁇ xH2O wherein z and y are at least about 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1.0 to about 0.4 and z is from about 10 to about 264.
- Amorphous hydrated aluminosilicate materials useful herein have the empirical formula M z (zAlO2 ⁇ ySiO2) 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 CaCO3 hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. Hydrated sodium Zeolite A with a particle size of from about 1 to 10 microns is preferred.
- the 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.
- 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 CaCO3 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/gallon/minute/gram/gallon.
- the amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials usually have a Mg++ exchange of at least about 50 mg eq. CaCO3/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 aluminosilicates 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 Na12[(AlO2)12(SiO2)12] ⁇ xH2O wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, especially about 27 and has a particle size generally less than about 5 microns.
- Silica is a highly dispersed amorphous silicon dioxide. It is commercially available in many forms. Most commonly silica has a tapped density of from 50 g/l to 120 g/l. The specific surface area of the particles ranges from 25 square metres per gram to 800 square metres per gram. The surface of silica particles can be chemically modified to change their behaviour with respect to water. For example,silica particles may be treated with organosilanes to make the particles predominantly hydrophobic. It has been found that silicas must be hydrophobised to be useful in the present invention.
- silica is usually prepared by one of two techniques; either by precipitation or by high temperature flame hydrolysis.
- Precipitated silicas generally have an agglomerate size of from 3 micrometers to 100 micrometers
- fumed silicas made by flame hydrolysis
- fumed silicas usually have primary particles which are generally spherical and have an average diameter of from 7nm to 40nm. Fumed silicas having an average primary particle size of from 7 to 25 nanometers are preferred in the present invention.
- This silica is a hydrophobic, fumed silica which has a specific surface area of about 110 square metres per gram and an average primary particle size of 16 nanometers.
- the sodium aluminosilicate and the silica must be premixed in a ratio of from 100:1 to 3:1. Preferably the ratio will be from 20:1 to 5:1, and most preferably around 10:1.
- the resulting premix is a free-flowing powder which is much easier to handle than either the zeolite power on its own, or the silica powder on its own.
- Sodium aluminosilicate powder alone is usually sticky and does not flow well.
- Silica powder on its own is very dusty, due to the very small particle size and low bulk density.
- the flow aids of the present invention are a free-flowing, non-dusty powder.
- a level of the flow aid of from 0.5% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition is then mixed to coat the surfaces of the granules.
- the level of the flow aid is from 3% to 12% by weight, and most preferably about 10% by weight.
- ingredients which are known for use in detergent compositions may also be used as optional ingredients in the present invention.
- builders other than aluminosilicates and silicas which have been described hereinabove
- chelants and polymers are included here in more detail.
- 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.
- neutral water-soluble salts examples 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-1,1-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 SiO2 to alkali metal oxide of from about 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably from about 1.0 to about 2.4.
- powders normally used in detergents such as zeolite, carbonate, silica, silicate, citrate, phosphate, perborate, etc. and process acids such as starch, can be used in preferred embodiments of 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 polycarboxylate 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 color speckles, bleaching agents and bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressors, antitarnish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents, nonbuilder alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, and perfumes.
- Granular detergent components which comprise nonionic surfactants may be made by many methods which are known to the man skilled in the art including spray drying, absorption of nonionic surfactants into porous carrier particles and various types of granulation, or combinations of these techniques.
- One particularly useful method of granulation is known as agglomeration.
- the term agglomeration is taken herein to mean the build-up of small particles to form the granular detergent having the required particle size.
- Particles suitable for use in an agglomeration process may be in the form of powders of sodium aluminosilicate, carbonate, sulphate, citrate, silica, or mixtures of these, and the agglomeration may be effected in the presence of some or all of the nonionic surfactant system.
- One method of doing this is by combining the powders with a liquid or pasty component which may comprise nonionic surfactant in a fine dispersion mixer or granulator.
- One particularly preferred process is to agglomerate one or more powders comprising a premix of sodium aluminosilicate and silica.
- the following steps are suitable:
- Suitable pieces of equipment in which to carry out the fine dispersion mixing or granulation of the present invention are mixers of the Fukae R FS-G series manufactured by Fukae Powtech Kogyo Co., Japan; this apparatus is essentially in the form of a bowl-shaped vessel accessible via a top port, provided near its base with a stirrer having a substantially vertical axis, and a cutter positioned on a side wall.
- the stirrer and cutter may be operated independently of one another and at separately variable speeds.
- the vessel can be fitted with a cooling jacket or, if necessary, a cryogenic unit.
- mixers found to be suitable for use in the process of the invention include Diosna R V series ex Dierks & Söhne, Germany; and the Pharma Matrix R ex T K Fielder Ltd., England.
- Other mixers believed to be suitable for use in the process of the invention are the Fuji R VG-C series ex Fuji Sangyo Co., Japan; and the Roto R ex Zanchetta & Co srl, Italy.
- Other preferred suitable equipment can include Eirich R , series RV, manufactured by Gustau Eirich Hardheim, Germany; Lödige R , series FM for batch mixing, series Baud KM for continuous mixing/agglomeration, manufactured by Lödige Machinenbau GmbH, Paderborn Germany; Drais R T160 series, manufactured by Drais Werke GmbH, Mannheim Germany; and Winkworth R RT 25 series, manufactured by Winkworth Machinery Ltd., Berkshire, England.
- the Littleford Mixer, Model #FM-130-D-12, with internal chopping blades and the Cuisinart Food Processor, Model #DCX-Plus, with 7.75 inch (19.7 cm) blades are two examples of suitable mixers. Any other mixer with fine dispersion mixing and granulation capability and having a residence time in the order of 0.1 to 10 minutes can be used.
- the "turbine-type" impeller mixer, having several blades on an axis of rotation, is preferred.
- the invention can be practiced as a batch or a continuous process.
- One particularly preferred process method is to prepare the detergent granules by an agglomeration techniques such as the fine dispersion mixing and granulation process described above, and to spray some or all of the nonionic surfactant on to detergent granules in one a suitable mixer or rotating drum. Any of the mixers described above may be found to be suitable for this.
- the granular detergent powder in step ii) is preferably made by agglomeration of detergent pastes, most preferably using a process of fine dispersion mixing or granulation.
- the flow aids of the present invention will be added towards the end of the process and will help to prevent further agglomeration of the components which could lead to oversized particle distribution.
- the flow aid may be incorporated by any suitable means, a rotating drum or mixer of the ploughshare type are most preferred.
- a mixture of granular raw materials was prepared according to the following composition: % by weight Anionic surfactant agglomerate* 30 Layered silicate compacted granule (supplied by Hoechst under trade name SKS-6) 18 Percarbonate (supplied by Interox) 25 TAED agglomerate 9 Suds suppressor agglomerate 2 Perfume encapsulate 0.2 Granular dense soda ash 8.4 Granular acrylic-maleic copolymer 3.2 Enzymes 3.6 Granular soil release polymer 0.6 100 ⁇ *Anionic surfactant agglomerates were made from a 78% active surfactant paste which comprises C45AS/C35AE3S in the ratio of 80:20.
- the paste was agglomerated with a powder mixture according to the process described in EPA510746.
- the resulting anionic surfactant granule had a composition of 30% C45AS, 7.5% C35AE3S, 24% zeolite, 20% carbonate, 2.5% CMC, 12% acrylic-maleic co-polymer, and the balance of moisture.
- the mixture of granular ingredients listed above was placed inside a 140 litre rotating drum that operates at 25 rpm. While operating the drum a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C25E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener at ratios of 14: 1 were sprayed onto the granular mixture to a level of 7% by weight of the granular components. The spraying time was about 1-2 minutes. Immediately afterwards, perfume was sprayed on, at a level of 0.5% by weight of the granular components, while rotating the drum. Then, without stopping the rotation of the drum, a flow aid was slowly added to the mixer, taking about 30 seconds. The level and type of flow aids used is given below in Table 1.
- Examples 1 to 7 were made using flow aids of the present invention.
- Examples A to F are comparative examples.
- the different flow aids were tested in a Hosokawa Powder Characteristics tester type PT-E for flowability and floodability. The results are listed in Table 2, given below.
- the data in Table 2 indicates that the flowability of zeolites is significantly improved by adding small amounts of hydrophobic silica Aerosil R 972. No improvement was found by using hydrophilic silica , eg. Sipernat 22S (Trade name) from Degussa.
- the floodability index gives an indication of the behavior of a bulk material when it changes from a resting to a moving state. An increasing floodability index indicates easier bulk handling of the flow aid.
- Table 4 shows that a narrower particle size distribution is obtained (as indicated by a smaller standard geometric deviation) from the products of the invention (examples 3 and 6) than from a 100% zeolite flow aid (comparative example E)
- the nonionic surfactant leaking from the powder into the cardboard container, has been checked for all the products, by visual inspection of the inside wetting of the boxes.
- flow aids comprising hydrophobic silica significantly reduced the nonionic leaking. No improvement with a 100% Zeolite flow aid was observed.
- a mixture of granular raw materials was prepared according to the composition given in examples 1-7.
- the mixture of granular ingredients described above was placed inside a 140 litre rotating drum that operates at 25 rpm. While operating the drum a mixture of nonionic surfactants (C25E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener at ratios of 14: 1 were sprayed onto the granular mixture to a level of 7% by weight of the granular composition. The spraying time was about 1-2 minutes. Immediately afterwards, perfume is sprayed on, at a level of 0.5% by weight of the granular composition while rotating the drum.
- C25E3 nonionic surfactants
- optical brightener at ratios of 14: 1
- This example describes the process in batch mode in a pilot plant scale high shear mixer, an Eirich RV02, to produce high active nonionic detergent agglomerates without nonionic leakage problems.
- the mixer was filled first with a mixture of powders to be used, in this particular case zeolite A and fine sodium carbonate.
- the agglomerates are then transferred to a rotating drum mixer and dusted for 1-2 minutes with a flow aid at a level of 5 or 10% by weight of the granular detergent.
- the composition of the agglomerates was given below in Table 6.
- Table 6 Product 9 A % by weight
- Product 9 B % by weight
- Alcohol Ethoxylate nonionic 26.25 21.0 Sodium alkyl sulphate - 7.0 Sodium carbonate 32.5 32.5 Zeolite 26.0 26.0 Misc/water 6.5 6.5
- the resulting agglomerates were made with a detergent activity of 35% and a density of 700g/L.
- the dusted agglomerates were packed into cardboard containers and checked for nonionic leaking.
- Flow aids % flow aid nonionic leakage (9A & 9B) 100 % Zeolite 5 grade 5 10 grade 5 90% Zeolite / 10 % Silica 5 grade 3 10 grade 1
- Example 10 is similar to Example 9.
- a Lodige FM mixer fitted with internal ploughs and high speed choppers with cutter blades, was used as an agglomerator.
- the mixer was filled first with a mixture of powders to be used and a mixture of surfactant paste was added on top.
- the composition of the agglomerates is given below in Table 7.
- the mixer is then started until granulation is achieved.
- the agglomerates are then dusted for 1-2 minutes with a flow aid at a level of 5 or 10 % by weight of the granular detergent in a low shear KM Lodige mixer or a rotating drum mixer.
- a high active agglomerate is made with reduced stickiness and no nonionic leakage when coated with a mixture of 80% Zeolite and 20% Hydrophobic Silica Aerosil R972.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Detergent Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the use of flow aids for granular products which comprise a mixture of sodium aluminosilicate and silica in a narrowly defined ratio. The silica used is hydrophobic silica, preferably fumed hydrophobic silica. The ratio of sodium aluminosilicate to silica is from about 100:1 to about 3:1, preferably from 20:1 to 5:1, and most preferably around 10:1.
- The flow aid is used in the process of manufacturing high density granular detergent components or compositions which comprise nonionic surfactants. It is most useful in combination with nonionic surfactants which are liquid at ambient temperature, and are therefore mobile. Without a suitable flow aid, the nonionic surfactant tends to leak from the powder and soak into the cardboard container which forms an unsightly stain. Although it is possible to avoid this problem by using lower levels of nonionic surfactant in the composition, or by selecting nonionic surfactants which have a lower solidification temperature, this limits the flexibility of formulation.
- The use of flow aids in general which help to reduce the stickiness of detergent granules comprising nonionic surfactants, and which may help to increase bulk density is known, for example from the following prior art:
- US 3 868 336, published on 25th February, 1975, claims blends of detergent compositions with 0.5% to 15% by weight of a particulate water-insoluble flow-promoting agent for lessening, or eliminating caking, stickiness, and oiling out when an oily liquid detergency improver is applied. Although this patent discloses various flow-promoting agents, it does not disclose the advantages to be gained from mixing specific ratios of hydrophobic silica and aluminosilicates.
- JP 61 069897, laid open 10th April, 1986 states that aluminosilicate, silicon dioxide, bentonite and clay having an average particle diameter of not more than 10 micrometers can be used as a surface modifier at a level of from 0.5% to 35%.
- EP 0 351 937, published 24th January, 1990 and EP 0 352 135, published 24th January, 1990 disclose agglomeration processes carried out sequentially with high speed and low speed mixing. No finely divided particulate is present is the granulation step. However flow aids may be used, for example, aluminosilicates, precipitated silica and others are suitable.
- EP 0 513 824, published 19th November, 1992, describes a process for making nonionic detergent granules and the use of a surface coating agent having a particle size of less than 10 micrometers.
- In general, the prior art does not distinguish between the different types of silica which may be advantageously used as flow aids. In many cases the use of precipitated silicas is described. However, the majority of precipitated silicas which are commercially available are hydrophilic, and are therefore not useful in the present invention.
- The present invention is aimed at making nonionic detergent agglomerates having a high bulk density and which comprise higher levels of nonionic surfactant the those of the prior art, but do not have the same leakage problems.
- Another problem which is associated with making detergent agglomerates having a high bulk density is that the bulk density tends to change during storage, especially during the first few hours or days after manufacture. This in turn gives rise to problems of quality control, especially on packaging lines. It is a feature of the products of the present invention that changes in bulk density during storage are greatly reduced, or even eliminated.
- The present invention also addresses the problem of achieving more control over particle size distribution of the finished product. One of the factors influencing particle size distribution is the effectiveness of the flow aid which is introduced near to the end of the manufacturing process. The flow aids of the present invention have been found to be more efficient in this regard.
- The present invention relates to detergent components or compositions having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l which comprises a nonionic surfactant system which includes at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C, and from 0.5% to 15% by weight of the component or composition of a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica in the ratio of from 100:1 to 3:1 The invention also relates to a process for making such detergent components or compositions.
- The present invention comprises two essential components; a granular detergent which comprises a nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C, and a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and silica. Both of these components will now be described in more detail
- While any nonionic surfactant may be usefully employed in the present invention, two families of nonionics have been found to be particularly useful. These are nonionic surfactants based on alkoxylated (especially ethoxylated) alcohols, and those nonionic surfactants based on amidation products of fatty acid esters and N-alkyl polyhydroxy amine. The amidation products of the esters and the amines are generally referred to herein as polyhydroxy fatty acid amides. Particularly useful in the present invention are mixtures comprising two or more nonionic surfactacts wherein at least one nonionic surfactant is selected from each of the groups of alkoxylated alcohols and the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.
- Suitable nonionic surfactants 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.
- Particularly preferred for use in the present invention are nonionic surfactants such as 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 an average of up 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 2 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and condensation products of propylene glycol with ethylene oxide. Most preferred are condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 12 to 15 carbon atoms with an average of about 3 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
- It is a particular feature of the present invention that at least one of the nonionic surfactants used is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C. However, where a nonionic surfactant system which comprises more than one nonionic surfactant is used, the nonionic surfactant system as a whole may have a higher solidification temperature.
- It is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention that the nonionic surfactant system also includes a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide component.
- 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(CH2OH)4-CH2-OH and the preferred ester is a C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester. Most preferred is the reaction product of N-methyl glucamine with C12-C20 fatty acid methyl ester.
- Methods of manufacturing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have been described in WO 92 6073, published on 16th April, 1992. This application describes the preparation of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides in the presence of solvents. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention N-methyl glucamine is reacted with a C12-C20 methyl ester. It also says that the formulator of granular detergent compositions may find it convenient to run the amidation reaction in the presence of solvents which comprise alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated (EO 3-8) C12-C14 alcohols (page 15, lines 22-27). This directly yields nonionic surfactant systems which are preferred in the present invention, such as those comprising N-methyl glucamide and C12-C14 alcohols with an average of 3 ethoxylate groups per molecule.
- Nonionic surfactant systems, and granular detergents made from such systems have been described in WO 92 6160, published on 16th April, 1992. This application describes (example 15) a granular detergent composition prepared by fine dispersion mixing in an Eirich RV02 mixer which comprises N-methyl glucamide (10%), nonionic surfactant (10%).
- Both of these patent applications describe nonionic surfactant systems together with suitable manufacturing processes for their synthesis, which have been found to be suitable for use in the present invention.
- The present invention provides a method of making a granular detergent component which comprises an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant at a level of from 1% to 50% by weight of the component. The particular benefits of the invention will be even more evident when the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant is at a level of from 10% to 50% by weight of the detergent component or composition, preferably from 12% to 30% by weight, and even more preferably from 15% to 20% by weight.
The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide may be present in compositions of the present invention at a level of from 0% to 50% by weight of the detergent component or composition, preferably from 5% to 40% by weight, even more preferably from 10% to 30% by weight. - The surfactant system may also comprise anionic surfactants, indeed the inclusion of such surfactants may be of considerable advantage in order to improve the rate of solubility of the granular surfactant.
- The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention can contain, in addition to the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention, one or more anionic surfactants as described below.
- Alkyl Ester sulfonate surfactants hereof include linear esters of C₈-C₂₀ carboxylic acids (i.e. fatty acids) which are sulfonated with gaseous SO₃ according to "The Journal of the American Oil Chemists society'" 52 (1975), pp. 323-329. Suitable starting materials would include natural fatty substances as derived from tallow, palm oil, etc.
- The preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant, especially for laundry applications, comprises alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural formula:
wherein R³ is a C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R⁴ is a C₁-C₆ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, and M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate. Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cations, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Preferably, R³ is C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl, and R⁴ is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. Especially preferred are the methyl ester sulfonates wherein R³ is C₁₄-C₁₆ alkyl. - Alkyl sulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids or the formula ROSO₃M wherein R preferably is a C₁₀-C₂₄ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl component, more preferably a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quarternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like). Typically, alkyl chains of C₁₂-₁₆ are preferred for lower wash temperatures (e.g., below about 50°C) and C₁₆-₁₈ alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g., above about 50°C).
- Alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A)mSO₃M wherein R is an unsubstituted C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl component, preferably a C₁₂-C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium, dimethyl piperdinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C₁₂-C₁₈E(1.0)M), C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C₁₂-C₁₈E(2.25)M), C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C₁₂-C₁₈E(3.0), and C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C₁₂-C₁₈E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.
- Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉-C₂₀ linear alkylbenzenesulphonates, C₈-C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulphonates, C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulphonates, sulphonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulphonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ehtylene oxide); acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₄ diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)kCH₂COO-M⁺ wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference).
When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 1 % to about 40 %, preferably from about 3 % to about 20 % by weight of such anionic surfactants. - The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, and semi-polar surfactants, as well as nonionic surfactants other than those already described herein, including the semi-polar nonionic amine oxides described below.
- Cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having one long-chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyldimethylammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula :
[R²(0R³)y][R⁴(OR³)y]₂R⁵N+X
-
wherein R2 is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R³ is selected from the group consisting of -CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, -CH₂COH-CHOHCOR⁶CHOHCH₂OH wherein R6 is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion. - Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in US Patent 4,228,044, Cambre, issued October 14, 1980, incorporated herein by reference.
- When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0 % to about 25 %, preferably form about 3 % to about 15 % by weight of such cationic surfactants.
- Ampholytic surfactants are also suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched chain. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least 8 carbon atoms, typically from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group e.g. carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975 at column 19, lines 18-35 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of ampholytic surfactants.
- When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such ampholytic surfactants.
- Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivates of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quarternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975 at columns 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of zwitterionic surfactants.
- When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such zwitterionic surfactants.
- Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting af alkyl groups and hydrocyalkyl groups containing form about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of form about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected form the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.
- Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula :
wherein R³ is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is form 0 to about 3; and each R⁵ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing form about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. The R⁵ groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure. - There amine oxide surfactants in particular include C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl dimenthyl amine oxides and C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.
- When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise form 0 % to about 15 %, preferably from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of such semi-polar nonionic surfactants.
- Normally the granular detergent will also contain other optional ingredients. Examples of such ingredients which are commonly used in detergents are given in more detail hereinbelow
- The other essential feature of the present invention is the flow aid which comprises sodium aluminosilicate and silica.
- Sodium aluminosilicate may take many forms. One example is crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material of the formula
Naz[(AlO₂)z·(SiO₂)y]·xH₂O
wherein z and y are at least about 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1.0 to about 0.4 and z is from about 10 to about 264. Amorphous hydrated aluminosilicate materials useful herein have the empirical formula
Mz(zAlO₂·ySiO₂)
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 CaCO₃ hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. Hydrated sodium Zeolite A with a particle size of from about 1 to 10 microns is preferred. - The 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 CaCO₃ 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/gallon/minute/gram/gallon. - The amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials usually have a Mg⁺⁺ exchange of at least about 50 mg eq. CaCO₃/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 aluminosilicates 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. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula
Na₁₂[(AlO₂)₁₂(SiO2)₁₂]·xH₂O
wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, especially about 27 and has a particle size generally less than about 5 microns. - Silica is a highly dispersed amorphous silicon dioxide. It is commercially available in many forms. Most commonly silica has a tapped density of from 50 g/l to 120 g/l. The specific surface area of the particles ranges from 25 square metres per gram to 800 square metres per gram. The surface of silica particles can be chemically modified to change their behaviour with respect to water. For example,silica particles may be treated with organosilanes to make the particles predominantly hydrophobic. It has been found that silicas must be hydrophobised to be useful in the present invention.
- In commercial practice, silica is usually prepared by one of two techniques; either by precipitation or by high temperature flame hydrolysis. Precipitated silicas generally have an agglomerate size of from 3 micrometers to 100 micrometers, whereas fumed silicas (made by flame hydrolysis) usually have primary particles which are generally spherical and have an average diameter of from 7nm to 40nm. Fumed silicas having an average primary particle size of from 7 to 25 nanometers are preferred in the present invention.
- Examples of silicas which are particularly useful in the present invention include those supplied by Degussa AG, Frankfurt, Germany under the Trade Name "Aerosil". Aerosil R972 has been found to be particularly useful. This silica is a hydrophobic, fumed silica which has a specific surface area of about 110 square metres per gram and an average primary particle size of 16 nanometers.
- For use in the present invention, the sodium aluminosilicate and the silica must be premixed in a ratio of from 100:1 to 3:1. Preferably the ratio will be from 20:1 to 5:1, and most preferably around 10:1. The resulting premix is a free-flowing powder which is much easier to handle than either the zeolite power on its own, or the silica powder on its own. Sodium aluminosilicate powder alone is usually sticky and does not flow well. Silica powder on its own is very dusty, due to the very small particle size and low bulk density. However the flow aids of the present invention are a free-flowing, non-dusty powder.
- It is necessary to mix the flow aid with the rest of the detergent composition. In order to achieve the benefits of the present invention, a level of the flow aid of from 0.5% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition is then mixed to coat the surfaces of the granules. Preferably the level of the flow aid is from 3% to 12% by weight, and most preferably about 10% by weight.
- Other ingredients which are known for use in detergent compositions may also be used as optional ingredients in the present invention. Examples of builders (other than aluminosilicates and silicas which have been described hereinabove), chelants, and polymers are included here in more detail.
- 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.
- Other useful 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. Preferred are the alkali metal, especially sodium, salts of the above.
- Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphosphate having a degree of polymerization of from about 6 to 21, and orthophosphate. Examples of polyphosphonate builders are the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of ethane 1-hydroxy-1,1-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.
- Examples of nonphosphorus, inorganic builders are sodium and potassium carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, tetraborate decahydrate, and silicate having a molar ratio of SiO₂ to alkali metal oxide of from about 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably from about 1.0 to about 2.4.
- As mentioned above powders normally used in detergents such as zeolite, carbonate, silica, silicate, citrate, phosphate, perborate, etc. and process acids such as starch, can be used in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
- Also useful are various organic polymers, some of which also may function 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 polycarboxylate 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.
- Other ingredients commonly used in detergent compositions can be included in the compositions of the present invention. These include color speckles, bleaching agents and bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressors, antitarnish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents, nonbuilder alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, and perfumes.
- Granular detergent components which comprise nonionic surfactants may be made by many methods which are known to the man skilled in the art including spray drying, absorption of nonionic surfactants into porous carrier particles and various types of granulation, or combinations of these techniques.
One particularly useful method of granulation is known as agglomeration. The term agglomeration is taken herein to mean the build-up of small particles to form the granular detergent having the required particle size. - Particles suitable for use in an agglomeration process may be in the form of powders of sodium aluminosilicate, carbonate, sulphate, citrate, silica, or mixtures of these, and the agglomeration may be effected in the presence of some or all of the nonionic surfactant system. One method of doing this is by combining the powders with a liquid or pasty component which may comprise nonionic surfactant in a fine dispersion mixer or granulator.
- One particularly preferred process is to agglomerate one or more powders comprising a premix of sodium aluminosilicate and silica. In this embodiment of the invention the following steps are suitable:
- i) fine dispersion mixing or granulation of at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C in the presence of an effective amount of a powder which comprises sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica, wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to silica in component ii) is from 100:1 to 3:1.
- Suitable pieces of equipment in which to carry out the fine dispersion mixing or granulation of the present invention are mixers of the FukaeR FS-G series manufactured by Fukae Powtech Kogyo Co., Japan; this apparatus is essentially in the form of a bowl-shaped vessel accessible via a top port, provided near its base with a stirrer having a substantially vertical axis, and a cutter positioned on a side wall. The stirrer and cutter may be operated independently of one another and at separately variable speeds. The vessel can be fitted with a cooling jacket or, if necessary, a cryogenic unit.
- Other similar mixers found to be suitable for use in the process of the invention include DiosnaR V series ex Dierks & Söhne, Germany; and the Pharma MatrixR ex T K Fielder Ltd., England. Other mixers believed to be suitable for use in the process of the invention are the FujiR VG-C series ex Fuji Sangyo Co., Japan; and the RotoR ex Zanchetta & Co srl, Italy.
- Other preferred suitable equipment can include EirichR, series RV, manufactured by Gustau Eirich Hardheim, Germany; LödigeR, series FM for batch mixing, series Baud KM for continuous mixing/agglomeration, manufactured by Lödige Machinenbau GmbH, Paderborn Germany; DraisR T160 series, manufactured by Drais Werke GmbH, Mannheim Germany; and WinkworthR RT 25 series, manufactured by Winkworth Machinery Ltd., Berkshire, England.
- The Littleford Mixer, Model #FM-130-D-12, with internal chopping blades and the Cuisinart Food Processor, Model #DCX-Plus, with 7.75 inch (19.7 cm) blades are two examples of suitable mixers. Any other mixer with fine dispersion mixing and granulation capability and having a residence time in the order of 0.1 to 10 minutes can be used. The "turbine-type" impeller mixer, having several blades on an axis of rotation, is preferred. The invention can be practiced as a batch or a continuous process.
- One particularly preferred process method is to prepare the detergent granules by an agglomeration techniques such as the fine dispersion mixing and granulation process described above, and to spray some or all of the nonionic surfactant on to detergent granules in one a suitable mixer or rotating drum. Any of the mixers described above may be found to be suitable for this.
- The following steps may be used in this embodiment of the invention:
- i) making a nonionic surfactant system which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C ;
- ii) making a granular detergent powder having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l ;
- iii) spraying on a part of, or all of the nonionic surfactant system of step i) on to the granular detergent powder of step ii) ;
- iv) mixing the product of step iii) with a premixed powder which comprises sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica, wherein the premixed powder is used at a level of from 3% to 15% by weight of the finished detergent component or composition and that the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to silica in component ii) is from 100:1 to 3:1.
- The granular detergent powder in step ii) is preferably made by agglomeration of detergent pastes, most preferably using a process of fine dispersion mixing or granulation.
- Even more preferably the detergent agglomerates are then dry mixed with other optional ingredients.
The process is described in more details in the Applicant's co-pending European Patent application no. 92870138.2. - It is expected that the flow aids of the present invention will be added towards the end of the process and will help to prevent further agglomeration of the components which could lead to oversized particle distribution. The flow aid may be incorporated by any suitable means, a rotating drum or mixer of the ploughshare type are most preferred.
- In these examples the following abbreviations have been used:
- C45AS
- Sodium C₁₄-C₁₅ alkyl sulfate
- C35AE3S
- C₁₃-C₁₅ alkyl ethoxysulfate containing an average of three ethoxy groups per mole
- CMC
- Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
- C25E3
- A C₁₂₋₁₅ primary alcohol condensed with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide
- TAED
- Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine
- A mixture of granular raw materials was prepared according to the following composition:
% by weight Anionic surfactant agglomerate* 30 Layered silicate compacted granule (supplied by Hoechst under trade name SKS-6) 18 Percarbonate (supplied by Interox) 25 TAED agglomerate 9 Suds suppressor agglomerate 2 Perfume encapsulate 0.2 Granular dense soda ash 8.4 Granular acrylic-maleic copolymer 3.2 Enzymes 3.6 Granular soil release polymer 0.6 *Anionic surfactant agglomerates were made from a 78% active surfactant paste which comprises C45AS/C35AE3S in the ratio of 80:20. The paste was agglomerated with a powder mixture according to the process described in EPA510746. The resulting anionic surfactant granule had a composition of 30% C45AS, 7.5% C35AE3S, 24% zeolite, 20% carbonate, 2.5% CMC, 12% acrylic-maleic co-polymer, and the balance of moisture. - The mixture of granular ingredients listed above was placed inside a 140 litre rotating drum that operates at 25 rpm. While operating the drum a mixture of nonionic surfactant (C25E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener at ratios of 14: 1 were sprayed onto the granular mixture to a level of 7% by weight of the granular components. The spraying time was about 1-2 minutes. Immediately afterwards, perfume was sprayed on, at a level of 0.5% by weight of the granular components, while rotating the drum. Then, without stopping the rotation of the drum, a flow aid was slowly added to the mixer, taking about 30 seconds. The level and type of flow aids used is given below in Table 1. Once the addition of flow aid was finished, the mixer was allowed to rotate for about 1 minutes and was then stopped. The finished product was then removed from the rotating drum.
The following flow aids were prepared using Zeolite A and Aerosil R792 (Trade name) both supplied by Degussa.
Mixtures were prepared in a Lodige FM 130 (Trade name) by operating at 165 rpm for 0.5 minutesTable1 Flow aids Level (%) on finished product Product No 100 % Hydrophobic Silica 1 A 3 B 5 C 20% Hydrophobic Silica/80% Zeolite 3 1 5 2 10 3 15 4 10% Hydrophobic Silica/80% Zeolite 5 5 10 6 15 7 100% Zeolite 5 D 10 E 15 F - Examples 1 to 7 were made using flow aids of the present invention. Examples A to F are comparative examples. The different flow aids were tested in a Hosokawa Powder Characteristics tester type PT-E for flowability and floodability. The results are listed in Table 2, given below.
Table 2 Flow aids flowability index floodability index 100% Hydrophobic Silica n.a. n.a. 20% Hydrophobic Silica/80% Zeolite 47 79.5 10% Hydrophobic Silica/80% Zeolite 43 .5 76 1% Hydrophobic Silica/99% Zeolite 31 75 100% Zeolite 12 48 note:
n.a. = data not available - The data in Table 2, indicates that the flowability of zeolites is significantly improved by adding small amounts of hydrophobic silica Aerosil R 972. No improvement was found by using hydrophilic silica , eg. Sipernat 22S (Trade name) from Degussa. The floodability index gives an indication of the behavior of a bulk material when it changes from a resting to a moving state. An increasing floodability index indicates easier bulk handling of the flow aid.
- The different dusting agents, as listed in Table 1, were used to make finished product. Those products were tested on density and dispensing. Density was measured using the repour cup method. The dispensing test is described in section B.
Table 3 Flow aids Product No Density (g/L) Dispensing (%) 100% Aerosil R972 C 715 64 20% Aerosil/80% Zeolite 3 750 15 10% Aerosil/90% Zeolite 6 790 9 100% Zeolite E 775 10 - The effect of different types of dusting agents on particle size distribution is listed in Table 4, given below.
- The highest densities were obtained with the 90% zeolite / 10% silica dusting. Higher levels of silica reduces the finished product density significantly. The 90% zeolite / 10% silica gave also the lowest cake strength values. Too high levels of silica increase the dispensing residues.
-
- Data from Table 4 shows that the narrowest particle size distribution is obtained when using 10% Aerosil / 90% Zeolite.
- The nonionic surfactant leaking from the powder into the cardboard container, has been checked for all the products, by visual inspection of the inside wetting of the boxes.
- The products were evaluated for nonionic leakage according to the following visual grading:
Grade Description 1 no leakage 2 25 % of area of box in contact with powder is wetted 3 50 % of area of box in contact with powder is wetted 4 75 % of area of box in contact with powder is wetted 5 100 % of area of box in contact with powder is wetted - Products were put on storage for 3 weeks at 35°C.
Product no Grade A 3 C 1 3 1 6 1-2 E 4-5 F 4-5 - The use of flow aids comprising hydrophobic silica significantly reduced the nonionic leaking. No improvement with a 100% Zeolite flow aid was observed.
- A mixture of granular raw materials was prepared according to the composition given in examples 1-7. The mixture of granular ingredients described above was placed inside a 140 litre rotating drum that operates at 25 rpm. While operating the drum a mixture of nonionic surfactants (C25E3) and a 20% aqueous solution of optical brightener at ratios of 14: 1 were sprayed onto the granular mixture to a level of 7% by weight of the granular composition. The spraying time was about 1-2 minutes. Immediately afterwards, perfume is sprayed on, at a level of 0.5% by weight of the granular composition while rotating the drum. Then, the product is transferred to a Lodige FM 130 batch mixer, where the flow aid was added at a level of 10% by weight of the granular composition. The mixer was started and samples were taken at different time intervals and checked for density. Two different flow aids were compared and density was measured for fresh product, and for product after 24 hours storage. Results are listed in Table 5, given below.
Table 5 Residence Time (min) Density difference upon aging (g/L)* 100% Zeolite 90% Zeolite/10% Aerosil R972 1 15 6 2 19 4 3 16 6 4 21 9 5 38 15 note:
* density difference upon aging = product density after 24 hrs aging - fresh finished product density - The above data shows that dusting with zeolite gave a density difference of 15-38g/L between fresh and aged product. However when a premix of zeolite / silica was used as a flow aid, the aging effect was significantly lower, 5 -15 g/L, while the final density was still the same or higher (880 g/L).
- This example describes the process in batch mode in a pilot plant scale high shear mixer, an Eirich RV02, to produce high active nonionic detergent agglomerates without nonionic leakage problems. The mixer was filled first with a mixture of powders to be used, in this particular case zeolite A and fine sodium carbonate. A nonionic surfactant paste with a activity of 90%, comprising a mixture of ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, was then added on top of the powder mixture while the mixer is being operated at 1600 rpm. Enough paste was added until the granulation is achieved. The agglomerates are then transferred to a rotating drum mixer and dusted for 1-2 minutes with a flow aid at a level of 5 or 10% by weight of the granular detergent. The composition of the agglomerates was given below in Table 6.
Table 6 Product 9 A % by weight Product 9 B % by weight Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide 8.75 7.0 Alcohol Ethoxylate nonionic 26.25 21.0 Sodium alkyl sulphate - 7.0 Sodium carbonate 32.5 32.5 Zeolite 26.0 26.0 Misc/water 6.5 6.5 - The resulting agglomerates were made with a detergent activity of 35% and a density of 700g/L. The dusted agglomerates were packed into cardboard containers and checked for nonionic leaking.
Flow aids % flow aid nonionic leakage (9A & 9B) 100 % Zeolite 5 grade 5 10 grade 5 90% Zeolite / 10 % Silica 5 grade 3 10 grade 1 - Example 10 is similar to Example 9. In this case a Lodige FM mixer, fitted with internal ploughs and high speed choppers with cutter blades, was used as an agglomerator. The mixer was filled first with a mixture of powders to be used and a mixture of surfactant paste was added on top. The composition of the agglomerates is given below in Table 7. The mixer is then started until granulation is achieved. The agglomerates are then dusted for 1-2 minutes with a flow aid at a level of 5 or 10 % by weight of the granular detergent in a low shear KM Lodige mixer or a rotating drum mixer.
- A high active agglomerate is made with reduced stickiness and no nonionic leakage when coated with a mixture of 80% Zeolite and 20% Hydrophobic Silica Aerosil R972.
-
- 1) Dispenser Zanussi shower type dispenser. The mainwash compartment will be used.
- 2) Water City water.
- 3) Water Temperature 20±1°C.
- 4) Water Flow 2 ± 0.05 L per 60±1 seconds.
The test runs for 2 minutes. Calibrate the water flow rate using a measuring cylinder or similar receiver. - 5) Sample Mass 150±0.5 g of the test product.
-
- 1) Calibrate the equipment for above operating conditions. Ensure that the whole experimental rig is horizontal and that none of the nozzles of the dispenser are blocked.
- 2) Weigh the required amount of product to be tested in a cup. Ensure that the sample is representative of the entire product (avoid segregation when filling the cup).
- 3) Weigh the dispenser drawer after ensuring that it is properly dried.
- 4) Place a vertical positioning screen in the mainwash section of the dispenser, so that it blocks the width of the drawer at a distance of 12.5 cm from the end of the drawer furthest from the water exit. Pour the product into the dispenser between the vertical positioning screen and the end of the drawer furthest from the water exit. The powder should be poured in such a way as to keep the powder surface as level as possible. Remove the screen.
- 5) Place the dispenser drawer gently in its slot, ensuring it is fully home.
- 6) Start water at the calibrated flow rate. Ensure that water is flowing entirely in the mainwash compartment.
- 7) Stop the water flow after 2 minutes and wait until the water drain from the drawer is completely stopped.
- 8) Remove the drawer from the slot and drain any excess water by slight tilting of the drawer. Ensure that no product falls from the drawer. There should be no water in any other compartment of the drawer. If some water is found, the system needs rechecking to ensure that all the water flow goes in the mainwash compartment.
- 9) Weigh the dispenser drawer with total residues.
- 10)Repeat the determination at least 5 times.
- 11)Average the wet residues. The result is expressed in %wt of the initial amount of dry product.
- Significant differences between products can be assessed when the average percent residues differ in 10% or more. A product is considered to show good dispensing profile if under this stressed test is below 30% residue at 2 L/min.
Claims (13)
- A granular detergent component or composition having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l which comprises:i) a detergent powder which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C ; andii) from 0.5% to 15% by weight of a powdery flow aid characterised in that the flow aid comprises sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to hydrophobic silica in component ii) is from 100:1 to 3:1.
- A detergent component or composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 20% to 80% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants.
- A detergent component or composition according to either of claims 1 or 2 which comprises at least 10% by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C.
- A detergent component or composition according to any of the previous claims which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group of ethoxylated alcohols, and at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.
- A detergent component or composition according to claim 4 which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group of ethoxylated alcohols having a alkyl group predominantly consisting of 9 to 15 carbon atoms and an average of from 2 to 10 ethoxylated groups per molecule, and at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group of N-methyl glucamides having an alkyl group predominantly consisting of 12 to 18 carbon groups.
- A detergent component or composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to silica in component ii) is from 20:1 to 5:1, and preferably around 10:1.
- A detergent component or composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the silica is a hydrophobic fumed silica having a average primary particle size of from 7 to 25 nanometers.
- A detergent component or composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the sodium aluminosilicate is a hydrated, crystalline aluminosilicate.
- A process for making a free-flowing detergent powder having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l which comprises the steps of:i) making a nonionic surfactant system which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C ;ii) making a granular detergent powder having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l ;iii) spraying on a part of, or all of the nonionic surfactant system of step i) on to the granular detergent powder of step ii) ;iv) mixing the product of step iii) with a premixed powder, said premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica, wherein the premixed powder is used at a level of from 3% to 15% by weight of the finished detergent component or composition and having a ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to hydrophobic silica is from 100:1 to 3:1.
- A process according to claim 9 wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to hydrophobic silica in the premixed powder of step iv) is from 20:1 to 5:1, and preferably around 10:1.
- A process for making a free-flowing detergent powder having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l which comprises the steps of:i) fine dispersion mixing or granulation of at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C in the presence of an effective amount of a powder, said powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica, wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to silica in component ii) is from 100:1 to 3:1.
- A process according to claim 11 wherein at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40°C is chosen from the group of ethoxylated alcohols, and is premixed with at least one nonionic surfactant chosen from the group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides before the fine dispersion mixing or granulation of step i).
- A process according to either of claims 11 or 12 wherein the ratio of the sodium aluminosilicate to hydrophobic silica is from 20:1 to 5:1, and preferably around 10:1.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE69325014T DE69325014T2 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1993-03-30 | Flow aid for detergent powder containing sodium aluminum silicate and hydrophobic silica |
EP93870059A EP0618290B1 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1993-03-30 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
AT93870059T ATE180274T1 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1993-03-30 | SODIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE AND HYDROPHOBIC SILICIC ACID FLOWING AID FOR DETERGENT POWDER |
US08/532,554 US5691294A (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1994-02-23 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
CA002159179A CA2159179C (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1994-02-23 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
PCT/US1994/001915 WO1994023001A1 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1994-02-23 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
JP6522055A JPH08508524A (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1994-02-23 | Flow aid for detergent powder containing sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP93870059A EP0618290B1 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1993-03-30 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0618290A1 true EP0618290A1 (en) | 1994-10-05 |
EP0618290B1 EP0618290B1 (en) | 1999-05-19 |
Family
ID=8215331
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP93870059A Revoked EP0618290B1 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 1993-03-30 | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0618290B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH08508524A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE180274T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2159179C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69325014T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994023001A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997003165A1 (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-01-30 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method of preparing saccharose surfactant granulates |
WO1997042300A1 (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1997-11-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for making agglomerated detergent compositions having improved flowability |
EP0892043A1 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 1999-01-20 | Kao Corporation | High-density granulated detergent composition for clothes |
WO1999032591A1 (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 1999-07-01 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Particle-shaped detergent and cleaning agents |
EP0643130B1 (en) * | 1993-09-13 | 2000-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Granular detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant and process for making such compositions |
US6069124A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2000-05-30 | Lever Brothers Company Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Granular detergent compositions and their production |
US6191095B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-02-20 | Lever Brothers Company, A Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Detergent compositions |
US6221831B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-04-24 | Lever Brothers Company, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Free flowing detergent composition containing high levels of surfactant |
WO2001046375A1 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2001-06-28 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method for producing sugar tenside granulates |
US6303558B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-10-16 | Lever Brothers Co., Division Of Conopco | Detergent composition containing at least two granular components |
WO2014015090A1 (en) * | 2012-07-20 | 2014-01-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Water-soluble pouch coated with a composition comprising silica flow aid |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5807817A (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1998-09-15 | Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | Free-flowing high bulk density granular detergent product |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3868336A (en) * | 1971-03-11 | 1975-02-25 | Lever Brothers Ltd | Process for improving flowability of detergents |
EP0000216A1 (en) * | 1977-06-23 | 1979-01-10 | THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY | Detergent composition with a suds-regulating system |
EP0013028A1 (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1980-07-09 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien | Detergent with a polydimethyl-siloxane content possessing an anti-foaming activity, and process for its production |
EP0329842A2 (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1989-08-30 | Degussa Aktiengesellschaft | Powdery antifoaming agents for detergents |
EP0477974A2 (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1992-04-01 | Kao Corporation | Nonionic powdery detergent composition |
EP0513824A2 (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-11-19 | Kao Corporation | Process for producing nonionic detergent granules |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4666740A (en) * | 1976-12-02 | 1987-05-19 | The Colgate-Palmolive Co. | Phosphate-free concentrated particulate heavy duty laundry detergent |
US4406808A (en) * | 1977-10-06 | 1983-09-27 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | High bulk density carbonate-zeolite built heavy duty nonionic laundry detergent |
DE3424987A1 (en) * | 1984-07-06 | 1986-02-06 | Unilever N.V., Rotterdam | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A POWDERED DETERGENT WITH INCREASED SHOULDER WEIGHT |
US4970017A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1990-11-13 | Lion Corporation | Process for production of granular detergent composition having high bulk density |
DE3768509D1 (en) * | 1986-01-17 | 1991-04-18 | Kao Corp | HIGH DENSITY GRANULATED DETERGENT. |
JPS62228000A (en) * | 1986-03-28 | 1987-10-06 | 花王株式会社 | High density granular detergent composition |
GB8810821D0 (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1988-06-08 | Unilever Plc | Detergent compositions & process for preparing them |
-
1993
- 1993-03-30 EP EP93870059A patent/EP0618290B1/en not_active Revoked
- 1993-03-30 DE DE69325014T patent/DE69325014T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-03-30 AT AT93870059T patent/ATE180274T1/en active
-
1994
- 1994-02-23 CA CA002159179A patent/CA2159179C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-02-23 WO PCT/US1994/001915 patent/WO1994023001A1/en active Application Filing
- 1994-02-23 JP JP6522055A patent/JPH08508524A/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3868336A (en) * | 1971-03-11 | 1975-02-25 | Lever Brothers Ltd | Process for improving flowability of detergents |
EP0000216A1 (en) * | 1977-06-23 | 1979-01-10 | THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY | Detergent composition with a suds-regulating system |
EP0013028A1 (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1980-07-09 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien | Detergent with a polydimethyl-siloxane content possessing an anti-foaming activity, and process for its production |
EP0329842A2 (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1989-08-30 | Degussa Aktiengesellschaft | Powdery antifoaming agents for detergents |
EP0477974A2 (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1992-04-01 | Kao Corporation | Nonionic powdery detergent composition |
EP0513824A2 (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-11-19 | Kao Corporation | Process for producing nonionic detergent granules |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
DATABASE WPI Week 8745, Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; AN 87-318719 & JP-A-62 228 000 (KAO CORP) 6 October 1987 * |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0643130B1 (en) * | 1993-09-13 | 2000-01-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Granular detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant and process for making such compositions |
US6030937A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 2000-02-29 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method of preparing saccharose surfactant granulates |
WO1997003165A1 (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-01-30 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method of preparing saccharose surfactant granulates |
EP0892043A4 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 2001-01-10 | Kao Corp | High-density granulated detergent composition for clothes |
EP0892043A1 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 1999-01-20 | Kao Corporation | High-density granulated detergent composition for clothes |
US6284722B1 (en) | 1996-03-15 | 2001-09-04 | Kao Corporation | High-density granulated detergent composition for clothes |
WO1997042300A1 (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1997-11-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process for making agglomerated detergent compositions having improved flowability |
US6191095B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-02-20 | Lever Brothers Company, A Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Detergent compositions |
US6069124A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2000-05-30 | Lever Brothers Company Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Granular detergent compositions and their production |
US6221831B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-04-24 | Lever Brothers Company, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Free flowing detergent composition containing high levels of surfactant |
US6303558B1 (en) | 1997-05-30 | 2001-10-16 | Lever Brothers Co., Division Of Conopco | Detergent composition containing at least two granular components |
WO1999032591A1 (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 1999-07-01 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Particle-shaped detergent and cleaning agents |
WO2001046375A1 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2001-06-28 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Method for producing sugar tenside granulates |
DE19961333B4 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2006-12-14 | Henkel Kgaa | Process for the preparation of sugar surfactant granules |
WO2014015090A1 (en) * | 2012-07-20 | 2014-01-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Water-soluble pouch coated with a composition comprising silica flow aid |
US9290727B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2016-03-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Water-soluble pouch coated with a composition comprising silica flow aid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2159179A1 (en) | 1994-10-13 |
EP0618290B1 (en) | 1999-05-19 |
JPH08508524A (en) | 1996-09-10 |
CA2159179C (en) | 1999-07-06 |
WO1994023001A1 (en) | 1994-10-13 |
DE69325014T2 (en) | 2000-01-20 |
ATE180274T1 (en) | 1999-06-15 |
DE69325014D1 (en) | 1999-06-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0862611B1 (en) | Method for producing crystalline alkali metal silicate granules and granular high density detergent | |
EP0643130B1 (en) | Granular detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant and process for making such compositions | |
CA2160662C (en) | Structuring liquid nonionic surfactants prior to granulation process | |
EP0618290B1 (en) | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica | |
US5691294A (en) | Flow aids for detergent powders comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica | |
EP0578871B1 (en) | Process and compositions for compact detergents | |
US5698510A (en) | Process for making granular detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant | |
WO1996003482A1 (en) | Process for making granular detergents and detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant | |
CA2143628C (en) | Process for making high density granular detergent and compositions made by the process | |
US5610131A (en) | Structuring liquid nonionic surfactants prior to granulation process | |
AU2001263823A1 (en) | Granular detergent component and process for its preparation | |
CA2167158C (en) | Detergent compositions containing percarbonate and making processes thereof | |
EP0870008B2 (en) | Process for producing granular detergent components or compositions | |
CA2231577C (en) | Process for making granular detergents | |
JP3008266B2 (en) | Method for producing crystalline alkali metal silicate granules and high bulk density granular detergent composition for clothing | |
EP0627484A1 (en) | Coating clay agglomerates with finely divided particulate material | |
EP0723581A1 (en) | Continuous process for making high density detergent granules | |
EP0660873B2 (en) | High density granular detergent composition | |
KR100267274B1 (en) | Detergent composition and its manufacturing method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19950323 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19970520 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: ES Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990519 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990519 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 180274 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 19990615 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69325014 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19990624 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990819 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 19990819 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20000330 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20000330 |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: HENKEL KGAA Effective date: 20000218 |
|
PLBF | Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PLBO | Opposition rejected |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REJO |
|
APAC | Appeal dossier modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS NOAPO |
|
APAC | Appeal dossier modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS NOAPO |
|
APBU | Appeal procedure closed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9O |
|
APAA | Appeal reference recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REFN |
|
PLAY | Examination report in opposition despatched + time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE2 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20050302 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PLAT | Information related to reply to examination report in opposition deleted |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDORE3 |
|
PLBC | Reply to examination report in opposition received |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE3 |
|
PLBC | Reply to examination report in opposition received |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE3 |
|
APAH | Appeal reference modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20060206 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20060330 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20060331 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PLAY | Examination report in opposition despatched + time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE2 |
|
PLBC | Reply to examination report in opposition received |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNORE3 |
|
RDAF | Communication despatched that patent is revoked |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREV1 |
|
RDAG | Patent revoked |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009271 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: PATENT REVOKED |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20070330 |
|
27W | Patent revoked |
Effective date: 20070720 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20070330 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060331 |