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
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/37—Polymers
  • C11D3/3703—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • C11D3/3707—Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyleneoxides
• • 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
  • C11D3/1253—Layer silicates, e.g. talcum, kaolin, clay, bentonite, smectite, montmorillonite, hectorite or attapulgite
  • C11D3/126—Layer silicates, e.g. talcum, kaolin, clay, bentonite, smectite, montmorillonite, hectorite or attapulgite in solid compositions

Definitions

• the invention relates to a granular detergent composition
• a granular detergent composition comprising (i) a softening clay and (ii) a clay flocculating polymer, and to a process for making the composition.
• the composition is particularly useful in "softening-through-the-wash" products.
• Clay flocculating polymer such as polyethylene oxide having high molecular weight, is commercially available as a 100% active powder.
• EP-A-0 299 575 discloses granular detergent compositions comprising softening clay and polymeric clay-flocculating polymer. It is stated that in preparing a granular detergent composition the polymeric clay- flocculating agent can be added in a variety of ways. It may be added to the crutcher mix prior to spray-drying; or it may be sprayed onto a granular detergent from a solution in water or an organic solvent; or it may be dry-mixed, in the form of particles, with a granular detergent. This application does not mention preferred particle size of clay flocculating polymer.
• Patchy deposition is where visible lumps of clay deposit on a fabric surface. It is caused when the clay particles are flocculated very rapidly before they have had chance to disperse. This leads to the formation of lumps of clay which deposit on the fabric surface. Residues are caused when high local concentrations of the clay flocculating polymer, present in the formulation, form gels on contact with water, leading to poor dispensing ofthe product and an increased risk of product deposition on clothes.
• clay flocculating polymers when handled in particulate form, give rise to handling and explosivity problems.
• undesirable patchy clay deposition and residues are avoided by sieving or grinding the clay flocculating polymer such that at least 95% by weight of the clay flocculating polymer has a particle size of less than 250 micrometers, and preferably less than 150 micrometers, before adding it to the granular detergent composition.
• the clay flocculating polymer is a polyethylene oxide with an average molecular weight of between 100 000 and 10 million, more preferably between 150 000 and 800 000.
• a process for making a granular detergent composition comprising the step of premixing the clay flocculating polymer with a powder selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicate, silicate, carbonate, citrate, phosphate, or mixtures thereof, and subsequently mixing the premix with other detergent components.
• the premix consists of the clay flocculating polymer and aluminosilicate in a ratio of from 1:20 to 20:1.
• Softening clays may be either unmodified or organically modified. Those clays which are not organically modified can be described as expandable, three-layered clays, i.e., aluminosilicates and magnesium silicates, having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 eq/lOOg. of clay and preferably at least 60 meq/100 g. of clay.
• the starting clays for the organically modified clays can be similarly described.
• the term "expandable" as used to describe clays relates to the ability of the layered clay structure to be swollen, or expanded, on contact with water.
• the three-layer expandable clays used herein are those materials classified geologically as smectites.
• the family of smectite (or montmorillonoid) clays includes the following trioctahedral minerals: talc; hectorite; saponite; sauconite; vermiculite; and the following dioctahedral minerals: prophyllite; montmorillonite; volchonskoite and nontronite.
• the clays employed in these compositions contain cationic counterions such as protons, sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, and lithium ions. It is customary to distinguish between clays on the basis of one cation predominantly or exclusively absorbed. For example, a sodium clay is one in which the absorbed cation is predominantly sodium. Such absorbed cations can become involved in exchange reactions with cations present in aqueous solutions.
• cation exchange capacity (sometimes termed “base exchange capacity") in terms of milliequivalents per 100 g. of clay (meq/lOOg).
• base exchange capacity cation exchange capacity
• the cation exchange capacity of clays can be measured in several ways, including by electrodialysis, by exchange with ammonium ion followed by titration, or by a methylene blue procedure, all as fully set forth in Grimshaw, "The Chemistry and Physics of Clays", pp. 264-265, Interscience (1971).
• the cation exchange capacity of a clay material relates to such factors as the expandable properties ofthe clay, the charge ofthe clay (which in turn is determined at least in part by the lattice structure), and the like.
• the ion exchange capacity of clays varies widely in the range form about 2 meq/ 100 g. of kaolinites to about 150 meq/100 g., and greater, for certain smectite clays.
• Preferred smectite-type clays are sodium montmorillonite, potassium montmorillonite, sodium hectorite and potassium hectorite.
• the clays used herein have a particle size range of up to about 1 micron.
• any ofthe clays used herein may be either naturally or synthetically derived.
• clay flocculating polymers are fairly long chained polymers and co-polymers derived from such monomers as ethylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl pyrrolidone and ethylene imine. Gums, like guar gum, are suitable as well. Preferred are polymers of ethylene oxide, acrylamide or acrylic acid. These polymers dramatically enhance the deposition of a fabric softening clay if their molecular weights are in the range of from 100 000 to 10 million. Preferred are such polymers having a weight average molecular weight of from 150000 to 5 million.
• the most preferred polymer is poly (ethylene oxide).
• Molecular weight distributions can be readily determined using gel permeation chromatography, against standards of poly (ethylene oxide) of narrow molecular weight distributions.
• the particle size of the polymer is reduced by either a standard milling operation or through physical screening ofthe particles.
• the raw material is then optionally mixed with a powder, such as fine aluminosilicate (Zeolite type A) in a mixer and then added to a finished product process.
• a powder such as fine aluminosilicate (Zeolite type A) in a mixer and then added to a finished product process.
• the zeolite acts as a carrier for the polymer, helping to aid its dispersion in the finished product making.
• particle size alteration equipment can be used to reduce the mean particle size ofthe clay flocculating polymer to below 250 micrometers.
• Continuous screens such as Russel Finex and Mogenson vibratory screens, or continuous scraper screens. Batch screening operations involving RoTap variants are also applicable for small quantities.
• continuous air jet mills can be used that both size reduce and classify the material at the same time.
• the polymer particles may be treated by micronisation to further reduce mean particle size.
• the particulate components of the present invention will normally be inco ⁇ orated into finished detergent products, especially those comprising softening clay.
• Other conventional detergent ingredients such as anionic and nonionic surfactants, builders, bleach, bleach activator, suds suppressor, enzymes (e.g. protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase), perfume brightener, soil release polymer will commonly be used.
• enzymes e.g. protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase
• perfume brightener soil release polymer
• PEO Polyethyleneoxide polymer as supplied by Union Carbide as WSRN750 (Trade Name). Typical particle size distribution: 2% above 710 micrometers
• PEO sized: As above but with 95% of the material above 150 micrometers removed via a size reduction process. Typical particle size distribution:
• Zeolite A supplied by Industrial Zeolite Ltd., Thurrock, England. Typical mean particle size: 2-10 micrometers.
• Light Soda Ash A light density sodium carbonate, typically
• Example 1 A sample of PEO (as is) was converted to PEO (sized) by the procedure of RoTap batch screening on a 150 micrometer sieve. The resulting polymer was mixed to a homogeneous state in a small scale food processor with the ratio: 1 part PEO (sized) to 2 parts Zeolite A.
• the PEO/Zeolite A premix was mixed in a batch rotary mixer together with the particulate components of a "softening through the wash" detergent composition shown below. Liquid components were then sprayed on. The finished composition has excellent clay deposition and softening properties.
• Example 1 (% by weight)
• Example 1 was repeated, except that the size reduction step was completed by passing PEO (as is) through a continuous Russel Finex vibratory screening system loaded with a 150 micrometer sieve.
• Example 1 was repeated, except the size reduction procedure involves milling the PEO (as is) in a small batch coffee grinder and then completing the RoTap batch screening. This eliminates any PEO (as is) wastage.
• Example 1 was repeated except size reduction procedure was carried out by passing PEO (as is) through a standard non-vibrating sieve deck loaded with a 150 micrometer screen and fitted with rotary brushes to improve screening efficiency.
• Example 5
• Example 1 was repeated, except size reduction procedure was carried out by passing PEO (as is) through a standard Air Jet Mill operating such that only particles below 150 micrometers are entrained in the air flow and removed for collection. This procedure eliminates wastage of PEO (as is) and is useful for large scale volume requirements.
• Example 4 was repeated, except the PEO (sized) was mixed with Zeolite A in a batch vertomixer, or similar equipment, inco ⁇ orating a conical mixer with a screw rotating on its own axis which at the same time orbits the mixing chamber.
• Example 6 was repeated, except the resultant premix contains a ratio of 1 part PEO (sized) to 1 part Zeolite A.
• Example 6 was repeated, except the resultant premix contains a ratio of 1 part PEO (sized) to 10 parts Zeolite A.
• Example 8 was repeated, except that the resultant premix contains a ratio of 1 part PEO (sized) to 10 parts fine light soda ash.
• Example 6 was repeated except that the premix was added directly to a continuous detergent production process before any liquid spray ons.
• Example 11
• Example 6 was repeated, except that the premix was dusted onto the surface of a detergent produced on a continuous production process, after any liquid spray ons.

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• 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)
• Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)

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• 1996
  • 1996-09-03 DE DE69622744T patent/DE69622744T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1996-09-03 DK DK96929867T patent/DK0865480T3/da active
  • 1996-09-03 WO PCT/US1996/014106 patent/WO1997009406A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1996-09-03 EP EP96929867A patent/EP0865480B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1996-09-03 JP JP51132997A patent/JP3894953B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1996-09-03 CN CN96197708A patent/CN1105170C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1996-09-03 AT AT96929867T patent/ATE221570T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1996-09-03 ES ES96929867T patent/ES2176486T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1996-09-03 BR BR9610465A patent/BR9610465A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1996-09-03 PT PT96929867T patent/PT865480E/pt unknown
• 1998
  • 1998-03-02 MX MX9801690A patent/MX9801690A/es unknown

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