GB1387601A - Production of soap bars - Google Patents

Abstract

1387601 Extruding soap with indicia COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CO 17 May 1972 [27 May 1971] 23138/72 Heading B5A [Also in Division C5] A soap bar, Fig. 6, which is continuously extruded as a base material 43 e.g. white, containing contrastingly coloured indicia material 44, e.g. green, extending continuously within the surface of the bar and in the direction of extrusion 40, is cut transversely of this direction into a plurality of bars, as in Fig. 6, which are then each pressed in the extrusion direction between opposed dies, Fig. 5 (not shown), to produce a soap tablet having the indicia extending between the opposed major faces of the tablet. The base and indicia soap materials are preferably the same soap comprising the salts of saturated long straight chain fatty acids having a C 16 and C 18 carbon chain, and having a moisture content by weight of at least 13À5% so that the materials when subjected to the mechanical working of the extrusion process are each extruded with a beta phase crystal content of above 50%, and preferably 60 to 100% by weight. The indicia material is introduced into the base material in the shape of the indicia from correspondingly shaped outlets 27, 28, Fig. 4, discharging into the extruding stream of the base material upstream of the outlet of the extrusion nozzle 27. The base material is supplied to the nozzle 26 from a screw plodder 11, via a screen 29 and apertured pressure plate 30 and a plurality of tubes 32 passing through a chamber 21 and discharging, at constricted outlets 39, to the nozzle 26, with a portion of the base material passing through a tube 38 for discharge within the indicia material from outlet 28 to produce the required configuration of indicia. The indicia material is supplied to each of the outlets 27, 28 from a screw plodder 12, via a screen 17 and pressure plate 18 and an inlet 19 to the chamber 21 from which tubes 24, 25 lead to the outlets 27, 28. The extrusion may be effected under vacuum, and the apparatus is jacketed as shown for the circulation of heating or cooling fluid, which preferably comprises water for the extruders and chamber 21, and oil for the die intermediate the chamber 21 and nozzle 26, producing extrusion temperatures of 35‹ C. to 55‹ C., preferably 38‹ C. to 45‹ C. Preferred soaps, and plasticizing and hydrotropic additives are specified. The extrusion apparatus may comprise stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene, or nylon for parts contacting the soap.