JP2002509187A - Granular composition with improved solubility - Google Patents

Abstract

  (57) [Summary] Disclosed are detergent compositions that optimally select the physical properties of various particulate detergent components. The composition includes substantially viscous particles comprising a medium to high weight fraction of a substantially viscous surfactant, from about 1% to about 50%, based on the total number of discrete particles in the composition. I do. In addition, substantially viscous particles have a particular particle size, particle size distribution, and bulk density. In addition, the composition includes substantially non-viscous particles having a specific particle size, particle size distribution, and bulk density that are greater than about 35% based on the total number of discrete particles in the composition. The total amount of surfactant in the composition, including both viscous and non-viscous surfactants, is at least about 15% by weight of the composition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the use of granular detergent compositions, especially low temperature laundry solutions (ie, less than about 30 ° C.).
A method for improving the solubility in More specifically, the detergent compositions comprise particles selected to have the most desirable physical properties, such as particle size, particle density, and concentration of detergent components, to improve dissolution performance.

[0002] Background of the Invention In recent years, in the detergent industry, is a "compact", therefore, laundry detergent that requires less amount of use has become very important. In order to facilitate the production of these so-called low-use detergents, many attempts have been made to produce detergents of high bulk density, for example having a density of 600 g / l or more. These low usage detergents are currently in high demand because they conserve resources and can be sold in small packages that are convenient for consumers. Unfortunately, however, such usage or "compact" detergent products have solubility problems, especially in cold laundry solutions (ie, less than about 30 ° C.). More specifically, poor solubility results in the formation of "lumps", which leave a white mass in the washing machine or on the washed fabric after a normal washing cycle. These "clods" are placed under cold wash conditions and / or in the order in which they are loaded into the washing machine, with the laundry detergent first, followed by the fabric and finally water (typically a "reverse loading sequence" or "ROOA"
). Similarly, this lump phenomenon can lead to incomplete dispensing of detergent in a washing machine or other dosing device with a dosing opening. The undesired result in this case is that undissolved detergent remains in the dosing device.

[0003] The solubility problem described above is attributed to the "bridge" of "gel" substances between the surfactant-containing particles.
Has been found to be caused by the formation of undesirable "lumps". Unwanted gels that "bridge" the particles to form "lumps" result from the partial dissolution of surfactants in aqueous laundry solutions, with such partial dissolution This results in the formation of a high viscosity surfactant phase or paste that binds or “bridges” other surfactant-containing particles together, resulting in a “lump”
To form In addition to the "bridge-forming" effect of viscous surfactants, inorganic salts also have a tendency to hydrate, which causes the particles to "bridge" and may also cause the particles to bond together due to hydration. In particular, the inorganic salts hydrate with each other to form a poorly soluble cage structure, which ultimately becomes a "lump" after the washing cycle. Therefore, a detergent composition which does not cause the above-mentioned solubility problem and improves the cleaning performance is desired.

[0004] The prior art has provided a number of disclosures regarding solubility issues in granular detergent compositions. For example, the prior art has proposed limiting the use and manner of inorganic salts that can cause clumping due to "bridge formation" of the hydrated salt during the laundry cycle. Special ratios of selected inorganic salts are contemplated to minimize solubility problems. However, such solutions limit the formulation and processing versatility required for large-scale commercial production of modern detergent products. Various other mechanisms have been proposed in the prior art, but all of them involve prescription changes, which reduce prescription flexibility. It is therefore desirable to provide a detergent with improved solubility without significantly constraining formulation flexibility.

[0005] Thus, despite the above disclosure in the prior art, there is a need for detergent compositions with improved cleaning performance. It is also desirable to provide a detergent composition that exhibits such excellent solubility without significantly constraining formulation flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses the above needs by providing a detergent composition having improved solubility in laundry solutions, particularly those maintained at low temperatures (ie, less than about 30 ° C.). The dissolution performance is improved by combining the optimally selected physical properties of the various particulate detergent components in the detergent composition. Specifically, the detergent composition provides substantially "viscous particles" having a particular composition, size and density specification of from about 1% to about 50% based on the total number of separated particles in the composition. Comprising. Substantially viscous particles comprise "substantially viscous surfactants" at least about 15% by weight of the viscous particles. Further, substantially viscous particles have a geometric mean particle diameter of from about 300 microns to about 70 microns.
0 microns, a geometric standard deviation of less than about 1.8, and a bulk density of at least about 450 g / l. Further, the composition has a geometric mean particle diameter of from about 200 microns to about 5%, with at least about 35% of the total number of separated particles in the mixed composition.
00 microns with a geometric standard deviation greater than about 1.2 and a bulk density of about 8
Includes substantially non-viscous particles that are less than 50 g / l. Substantially non-viscous particles can include fillers, builders, "substantially non-viscous surfactants" and other ingredients. Typically, the non-viscous particles have a substantially low to zero (ie, less than about 10% by weight) concentration of the viscous surfactant. The total amount of surfactant in the composition, including both viscous and non-viscous surfactants, is at least about 15% of the composition.
% By weight.

[0007] Unexpectedly, due to the above optimally selected particle concentrations, respective particle densities, particle sizes, and particle size ranges measured by geometric means and geometric standard deviation statistics, the composition Shows excellent dispersibility and solubility in low temperature washing solutions. Also provided is a method of cleaning fabric comprising contacting the soiled fabric with an effective amount of a detergent composition disclosed herein in an aqueous cleaning solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides detergent compositions that exhibit excellent dispersibility and solubility in aqueous laundry solutions. It has been found that the solubility can be improved by optimally selecting the physical properties of the various particles contained in the granular detergent composition. As mentioned earlier, typical detergent formulations that dissolve in aqueous laundry solutions form a viscous surfactant phase or paste that binds or "bridges" other surfactant-containing particles. , Eventually causing "lumps-gel" formation.

As used herein, the term “separated particles” refers to individual particles, agglomerates, or granules that can be identified as separated material units by scanning electron microscopy. For each type of particulate component in the mixture, the discrete particles of that type have the same or substantially similar composition, whether or not the particles are in contact with other particles. With respect to the agglomerated component, the agglomerate itself is considered as discrete particles, and each discrete particle may be composed of a composite of smaller primary particles and a binder composition. As used herein, the term "geometric mean particle diameter" means the geometric mass mean diameter of a set of discrete particle sizes measured by any standard mass-based particle size measurement technique, such as sieving. I do. As used herein, the term "geometric standard deviation" of the particle size distribution refers to the geometric width of the log-normal function that best fits the above particle size data.

[0010] As used herein, the term "builder" refers to all inorganic materials having "builder" performance in the field of detergents, and especially organic or inorganic materials capable of removing the hardness of water from a cleaning solution. As used herein, the term "bulk density" refers to pouring an excess amount of powder sample through a funnel into a smooth metal container (e.g., a 500 ml cylinder), scraping the raised portion over the edge of the container, The remaining amount was measured and the mass was divided by the volume of the container, meaning the uncompressed, unbeaten powder bulk density. As used herein, the term "substantially viscous surfactant" refers to a lump in a predominantly cold cleaning solution that includes the general class of alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl ethoxylate sulfates, and nonionic surfactants. -Means a surfactant or surfactant mixture system that substantially contributes to gel formation. As used herein, the term "substantially non-viscous surfactant" refers to the formation of a lump-gel in a cold wash solution, such as a linear alkyl sulphate having an average alkyl carbon chain length of at least 12. Means a surfactant or surfactant mixture system that does not contribute to water. As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, all levels and size distributions of the compositions are defined on a mass basis. If the levels are defined on a number basis, the calculations used to convert mass to number are included in Example III below.

“Lump-gel formation” is a “bridge-forming” effect between particles that tend to be “viscous”, eg, particles that include a surfactant system consisting primarily of a substantially viscous surfactant. Or it has been found that it can be avoided by minimizing the point of contact. This is achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by formulating a detergent composition that selectively reduces the level of surfactant-containing particles, where "level" is the level of discrete particles in the composition. Based on total "fractions". In addition, the particle size of the substantially viscous particles and the distribution width (that is, the distribution range) are optimally selected. In addition, it is typically not "viscous" and, therefore, preferably by easily "bridging" the particles together to increase the level of other particulate components that do not agglomerate or clump-gel. "Bridge formation", which causes no dissolution problems, can be eliminated. Again, the level of non-viscous particles is based on the total number of separated particles in the detergent composition.
The physical properties of the substantially non-viscous particles, such as particle size and distribution and density, are also optimally selected. Of course, surfactants or other ingredients, such as inorganic builders,
The "separated particles" comprising may be in the form of mixed particles, spray-dried granules, and / or agglomerates, depending on the desired overall formulation and product density.

Although not wanting to be bound by theory, it is relatively large, has a relatively high density,
Substantially viscous particles comprising high levels of surfactant in individual discrete particles;
By selecting in combination with relatively small, substantially non-viscous particles, the "bridge-forming" effect, since there are relatively few (or at least less) points of contact between so-called "viscous" surfactant-containing particles. Can be greatly reduced. This results in reduced lump-gel formation, resulting in improved dispersibility and solubility of the detergent composition in aqueous laundry solutions, especially at low temperatures. However, of course, the physical properties of the detergent composition should be kept within reasonable limits so that the properties of a typical detergent composition product are maintained. For example, the larger the size of the viscous particles may promote dispersion, but the particle size of the viscous particles should be extremely large so that extraordinary time is required to dissolve in the aqueous laundry solution. is not. Similarly, the particle size of the substantially non-viscous particles should not be so small that the detergent composition is extremely "prone to dusting". Finally, the balance between the larger, substantially viscous particles and the smaller, substantially non-viscous particles is such that the product does not significantly segregate in the detergent product box prior to use. Should be selected. As mentioned previously, the present invention optimally selects various physical properties and improves dissolution performance.

To that end, the geometric mean particle diameter based on the mass of the substantially viscous particles is:
Preferably from about 300 microns to about 700 microns with a geometric standard deviation of about 1.
Less than 8, more preferably from about 350 microns to about 650 microns, and the geometric standard deviation is less than about 1.7, most preferably from about 400 microns to about 600 microns;
The geometric standard deviation is less than about 1.6. Preferred compositions comprise substantially viscous particles having at least about 15%, more preferably at least about 35%, most preferably at least about 45% by weight of the viscous particles of the substantially viscous surfactant. Include. Although a wide range of viscous surfactants are suitable for use in the detergent compositions of the present invention, particularly preferred substantially viscous surfactants comprise linear alkyl benzenes, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, and mixtures thereof. A potassium salt of a surfactant selected from the group. The average bulk density of the substantially viscous particles is preferably at least about 450 g / l, more preferably at least about 550 g / l
/ l, most preferably at least about 650 g / l.

Preferably, the substantially non-viscous particles have a geometric mean particle diameter of about 200 microns to about 500 microns with a geometric standard deviation greater than about 1.2, and more preferably about 250 microns. From micron to about 450 microns, the geometric standard deviation is greater than about 1.4, more preferably, from about 300 microns to about 400 microns, and the geometric standard deviation is greater than about 1.6. Preferred compositions comprise about 10% by weight of non-viscous particles
Less than about 5%, most preferably less than about 1% by weight of inorganic builder-containing particles having a substantially viscous surfactant. The average bulk density of the non-viscous particles is preferably less than about 850 g / l, more preferably about 650 g / l
And most preferably less than about 500 g / l.

Although a wide range of inorganic builders are suitable for use in the substantially non-viscous particles of the present invention, particularly preferred non-viscous particles are sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, pyrroline. The group consisting of trisodium acid, disodium pyrophosphate, monosodium pyrophosphate, potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, dipotassium pyrophosphate, monopotassium pyrophosphate, and mixtures thereof Or a sodium or potassium salt selected from: The composition comprises from about 0.05% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 30%, more preferably from about 1% to about 20% by weight of potassium ions, regardless of the source of potassium ions. If it does, the solubility is further improved. Typically, however, the potassium ions useful herein are derived from potassium salts. Examples of potassium salts include, but are not limited to, potassium salts of alkali builders (eg, potassium carbonate, potassium silicate), potassium salts of medium-chain branched surfactants, and mixtures thereof. .

Among potassium salts, inorganic potassium salts are preferable, and potassium chloride is more preferable.
(KCl), potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), And
And mixtures thereof. These materials are commercially available.
Potassium carbonate is most preferred. Inorganic potassium salts include dehydrated (preferred) or water
Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (K₄P₂O₇, Preferred), tripotassium pyrophosphate (
HK₃P₂O₇), Dipotassium pyrophosphate (H₂K₂P₂O₇), And pylori
Potassium phosphate (H₃KP₂O₇). In hydrate, about 1
Materials that are stable up to 20 ° F (48.9 ° C) are preferred. Other used here
The potassium salt may be dehydrated (preferred) or hydrated pentapotassium tripolyphosphate (K₅P ₃ O₁₀), Tetrapotassium tripolyphosphate (K₅P₃O₁₀), Tripolyphosphate
Potassium (HK₄P₃O₁₀), Tripotassium tripolyphosphate (H₂K₃P₃O_{1 0} ), Dipotassium tripolyphosphate (H₃K₂P₃O₁₀), And tripolyline
Monopotassium acid (H₄KP₃O₁₀), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) potassium silicate
And potassium neutralizing surfactants such as potassium long alkyl chains, medium chain branched interfaces
Activator compound, linear potassium alkyl benzene sulfonate, potassium alkyl
Lusulfate, and / or potassium alkyl polyethoxylate,
.

US Pat. No. 4,379,080, incorporated herein, Murphy, April 1983.
Partially or completely potassium neutralized salts of film-forming polymers, described in the Proposal 5, March, paragraph 8, line 44 to paragraph 10, line 37, are also suitable for use herein. A particularly preferred material is a potassium salt of a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate having a molecular weight of about 4,000 to 20,000. Further, the limit of the particles is 150 microns, and the limit of the particles that are too large is 1180 microns.
Fine particles are less than 5%, and the combination of both types of the above particles must be distributed throughout the particle size distribution in which the excessively large particle size is less than 5%.

[0018]Viscous detergent surfactant Examples of preferred substantially viscous surfactants include anionic surfactants.
This is the conventional C₁₁~ C₁₈Alkylbenzene sulfonates, branched and irregular
Rule C₁₀~ C₂₀Alkyl sulfate, formula CH₃(CH₂)_x(CHOSO₃ ⁻ M⁺) CH₃And CH₃(CH₂)_y(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺) CH₂CH₃ Wherein x and (y + 1) are at least about 7, preferably at least about 9,
And M is a cation that confers water solubility, especially sodium or potassium.
C)₁₀~ C₁₈Secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate, unsaturated sulfur
Sulfates, such as oleyl sulfate, and C₁₀~ C₁₈Alkyl alcohol
Cisulfate ("AE_xS ", especially EO1-7 ethoxy sulfate)
However, the present invention is not limited to these.

Optionally, examples of other useful surfactants include C₁₀~ C₁₈Alkyl alcohol
Xycarboxylates (especially EO1-5 ethoxycarboxylate), C₁₀~
C₁₈Glycerol ether, C₁₀~ C₁₈Alkyl polyglycosides and their
Their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C₁₂~ C₁₈alpha
Sulfonated fatty acid esters. If desired, conventional nonionic and
Includes amphoteric surfactants, such as so-called narrow peak alkyl ethoxylates
C₁₂~ C₁₈Alkyl ethoxylate, and C₆~ C₁₂Alkylpheno
Alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy / propoxy), C₁₂~ C₁₈Betaine and sulfobetaine ("sultaine"), C₁₀ ~ C₁₈Amine oxides, and the like, can also be included in the overall composition. C₁₀~
C₁₈N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. A typical example is C ₁₂ ~ C₁₈N-methylglucamide. International Patent No. WO9,206,1
See No. 54. Surfactants derived from other sugars are N-alkoxy polyhydro
Xy fatty acid amides such as C₁₀~ C₁₈N- (3-methoxypropyl) gluca
Amide. N-propyl to N-hexyl C₁₂~ C₁₈Glucamide is low
Can be used for foaming. C₁₀~ C₂₀Can also be used. High foaming property
Is desirable, the branched chain C₁₀~ C₁₆Soap can be used. Anionic and
Mixtures of nonionic and nonionic surfactants are particularly useful. Other conventional useful surfactants
The agents are listed in standard technical books.

Inorganic builders Various inorganic builders are suitable for use herein, including aluminosilicates, crystalline layered silicates, MAP zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, sodium carbonate and mixtures thereof. Is mentioned. The aluminosilicate ion exchange material used here as a detergent builder preferably has both a high calcium ion exchange capacity and a high exchange rate. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such high calcium ion exchange rates and capacities depend on several correlated factors derived from the manner in which the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is made. In this regard, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein are preferably those of Corkill et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,60,60, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Produced according to 5,509 (Procter & Gamble).

The aluminosilicate ion exchange material is preferably in the “sodium” form, since the potassium and hydrogen forms of the aluminosilicate do not exhibit the high exchange rates and capacities provided by the sodium form . Further, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is preferably in an over-dried form to facilitate the production of friable agglomerates as described herein. The aluminosilicate ion-exchange material used here preferably has a particle diameter that exhibits the optimum effect as a detergent builder. As used herein, the term "particle diameter" refers to the average particle diameter of a particular aluminosilicate ion exchange material as measured by conventional analytical techniques, such as microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The preferred particle diameter of the aluminosilicate is from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns, more preferably about 0.1 micron.
5 microns to about 9 microns. Most preferably, the particle diameter is between about 1 micron and about 8 microns.

Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the following formula:

Na _z [(AlO ₂ ) _z (SiO ₂ )] x H ₂ O wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1 to about 5, and x is About 10 to about 264. More preferably, the aluminosilicate has the formula:

Na ₁₂ [(AlO ₂ ) ₁₂ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₂ ] x H ₂ O wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, preferably about 27. These preferred aluminosilicates are commercially available, for example, under the names zeolite A, zeolite B and zeolite X. Alternatively, natural or synthetic aluminosilicate ion exchange materials suitable for use herein are described in Krummel, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
et al., US Pat. No. 3,985,669.

The aluminosilicates used herein are further characterized in that their ion exchange capacity, calculated on an anhydrous basis, is at least about 200 mg equivalents of CaCO ₃ hardness / gram,
Preferably, it has a CaCO ₃ hardness / gram of 300 to 352 mg equivalent. Further, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are characterized in that their calcium ion exchange rate is at least about 2 Glen Ca ⁺⁺ / gal / min / -gram / gal,
More preferably, from about 2 Glen Ca ⁺⁺ / gallon / min / -gram / gallon to about 6 GlenCa ⁺⁺ / gallon / min / -gram / gallon.

Compared to amorphous sodium silicate, crystalline layered sodium silicate has a significantly higher calcium and magnesium ion exchange capacity. In addition, layered sodium silicate favors magnesium ions over calcium ions, a necessary feature to ensure that virtually all "hardness" is removed from the wash water.
However, these crystalline layered sodium silicates are generally more expensive than amorphous silicates as well as other builders. Therefore, in order to produce an economically viable laundry detergent, the proportion of crystalline layered sodium silicate used must be carefully determined.

[0027] Crystalline layered sodium silicate suitable for use herein preferably has the formula:

[0028] During _{NaMSi x O 2x + 1 · yH} 2 O Formula, M is sodium or hydrogen, x is from about 1.9 to about 4, y is from about 0
~ 20. More preferably, the crystalline layered sodium silicate has the following formula:

[0029] NaMSi in ₂ O ₅ · _{yH 2} O Formula, M is sodium or hydrogen, y is from about 0 to about 20. these,
And other crystalline layered sodium silicates are incorporated herein by reference.
et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,605,509.

Auxiliary components include other detergent builders, bleaches, bleach activators, foam accelerators or inhibitors, anti-fogging and corrosion inhibitors, soil dispersants, soil release agents, fungicides, p
H regulator, non-builder alkalinity source, chelating agent, smectite clay,
Enzymes, enzyme-stabilizers and fragrances are included. U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,537, incorporated by reference herein, Feb. 3, 1976, Baskerville, Jr. et al.
Promulgated, see. Water-soluble non-phosphorus organic builders useful herein include polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyhydroxysulfonates of various alkali metals, ammonium and substituted ammonium. Examples of polyacetate and polycarboxylate builders are the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, melitic acid, benzenepolycarboxylic acid, and citric acid.

The polymeric polycarboxylate builder is described in US Pat. No. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued Mar. 7, 1967, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such materials include aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as maleic acid,
Water-soluble salts of homo- and copolymers of itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. Some of these materials are useful as the water-soluble anionic polymers described below, but only when thoroughly mixed with a non-soap anionic surfactant.

Other suitable polycarboxylates for use herein are US Pat. No. 4,144,226, Cr 13 Mar. 1979, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
utchfield et al., and US Pat. No. 4,246,495, 19
Polyacetal carboxylate described in Crutchfield et al. On March 27, 1979. The polyacetal carboxylate can be produced by mixing an ester of glyoxylic acid and a polymerization initiator under polymerization conditions. The resulting polyacetal carboxylate ester is then added to chemically stable end groups to stabilize the polyacetal carboxylate against rapid depolymerization in an alkaline solution, convert to the corresponding salt, and form a detergent composition. Add to things. Particularly preferred polycarboxylate builders are the tartrate monosuccinates described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,071, Bush et al., Issued May 5, 1987, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. An ether carboxylate builder comprising a combination of a nate and a tartrate disuccinate.

[0033] The bleach and activator are both disclosed in US Pat.
No. 2,934, Chung et al., Issued Nov. 1, 1983, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,781, Hartman, issued Nov. 20, 1984. Chelating agents are also described in US Pat.
No. 3,071, specification, Bush et al., Paragraph 17, line 54 to paragraph 18, line 68. Foam control agents are also optional components, both of which are incorporated herein by reference US Pat. No. 3,933,672, Jan. 20, 1976.
No. 4,136,045, issued Jan. 23, 1979, Gault et al.

[0034] Smectite clays suitable for use herein are described in US Pat. No. 4,762,645, Tucker et al., Issued Aug. 9, 1988, paragraph 6, incorporated herein by reference. It is described in line 3 to paragraph 7, line 24. Other detergent builders suitable for use herein are described in Baskerville patents, paragraphs 13, 54-paragraph 16, lines 16 and 16, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,071, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
No., Bush et al., Promulgated May 5, 1987.

[0035]

【Example】

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following examples, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope.

EXAMPLES I-II The following examples show detergent compositions within the scope of the invention, as well as comparative examples to illustrate compositions outside the scope of the invention. Specific detergent components and relative ratios are shown below, where "LAS" refers to a _C12-14 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant, "AS" refers to a _C14-15 alkyl sulfate surfactant, and "A"
ES "is a _{C 14-15} alkyl ethoxy (EO = 3) sulfate surfactant," 65/25/10 "means the percentage by weight ratio.

[0037] Comparison I II wt% wt% wt% Total spray dried granules 49.41 36.45 46.07 65/25/10 LAS: AS: AES 9.95 0.00 0.00 Na aluminosilicate 14.06 14.25 22.09 Sodium carbonate 11.86 13.81 14.27 Sodium silicate 0.58 0.58 0.58 Polyacrylate 2.26 2.26 2.26 Polyethylene glycol MW = 4000 1.01 1.26 0.51 Brightener 0.17 0.17 0.17 Sodium sulfate 5.46 0.00 0.00 Moisture 3.73 3.78 5.85 Aggregate total 38.99 54.13 38.99 65/25/10 LAS: AS: AES 11.70 21.65 21.65 Na aluminosilicate 13.72 13.53 5.69 Sodium carbonate 8.11 13.53 5.69 Sodium sulfate 0.00 2.37 0.00 Polyethylene glycol MW = 4000 0.58 0.32 1.08 Moisture 4.87 2.71 4.87 Mixed ingredients Sodium carbonate 7.37 0.00 7.37 Sodium perborate 1.03 1.03 1.03 Cellulase enzyme 0.33 0.33 0.33 Protease enzyme 0.13 0.13 0.13 Flavor 0.42 0.42 0.42 Other ingredients and moisture Remaining Remaining Remaining Spray-dried granules are standard spray drying process Wherein the components are mixed to form a slurry, which is then sprayed into a spray-drying tower to produce spray-dried granules. Detergent agglomerates are made by mixing the surfactant paste and other ingredients in one or more mixers until a detergent agglomerate is formed. The mixed component is simply added to the granules if it is a dry component or sprayed if it is in liquid form. Various physical properties of the composition are shown below.

[0038] Comparison of physical properties I II Spray-dried granules Total viscous surfactant level (% by weight) 19.9 0 0 Average particle diameter (microns) 250 350 350 Particle diameter standard deviation 1.5 1.5 1.5 Bulk density (g / l) 400 450 450 Agglomerate / mixture average particle diameter (microns) 400 400 400 Particle size standard deviation 1.7 1.7 1.7 Bulk density (g / l) 850 700 670 The comparative composition has a substantially viscous viscosity of about 90% of the total number of particles in the composition. Is a typical detergent composition having particles (agglomerates in addition to spray dried granules). As such, the comparative composition has a high number of viscous particle contact points, and is therefore susceptible to a "bridge forming" effect, which ultimately causes agglomerate-gel formation. In contrast, the compositions of Examples I and II contain a viscous surfactant only in the dense aggregates, and thus the viscous particles comprise no more than about 30% of the total number of particles in the composition. Unexpectedly, Examples I and II show that RO
The OA ("Reverse Order") rating is much better, with less material remaining in the washing machine and on the fabric after a standard washing operation.

EXAMPLE III Calculation of the Percentage of Particles to the Total Number of Separated Particles in a Detergent Composition This example determines the percentage of particles of viscous and / or non-viscous particles to the total number of separated particles in a composition. An example of one of many means that can be used is shown below. The input variables describe the physical properties of each mixture component in the mixture.

[0040] w _i composition by weight d _i weight of components i in the product geometric mean particle diameter sigma _i of particle size distribution based on mass geometric standard deviation [rho _i bulk density interparticle quantify the potential for bridging To do so, consider the number distribution of particles in the mixture. On the other hand, it has been found that the production of virtually all bulk powders is operated on a mass basis. It is therefore desirable to use the mass fraction of the particulate component as a basis for defining the mixture and to convert from mass to number basis.

First, the mass fraction w _i of the mixture components is converted to the volume fraction V _i of the total mixture. This is done using an intermediate volume v _i and component bulk density [rho _i (equation A1). The component volumes are normalized to the total mixture volume fraction (Equation A2).

[0042]

(Equation 1)

(Equation 2) To convert a mass-based distribution to a number-based distribution, mathematical methods are used.
For each component (i), consider a range x _ij of n size class values (j), where log (x _ij ) = log (d _i ) −3 x log (σ _i ) Particle limit (A3) log (x _in ) = log (d _i ) + 3 × log (σ _i ) Coarse particle limit (A4), and intermediate values (j = 2 to n−1) are distributed at equal intervals of Δlog (x), and Δlog (x)
) = [Log (x _in ) −log (x _ij )] / 30. The log-normal distribution is given below (Equation A
The differential mass fraction y _ij per log (size) as in 5) will be described.

[0043]

(Equation 3) By converting the mass into a number population, the particles (i
Population _{z ij)} of (Equation A6), and normalized population _{Z ij} (Equation A7)
Is calculated.

[0044]

(Equation 4) The number density of component i particles is defined as the population of component (i) particles per unit volume of the mixture, which is the product of the volume fraction and the sum of (i) the population over all size classes j. (Equation A7). The number fraction N _i of each component is calculated by normalizing the number population over all components in the mixture. A few hundred percent is simply a fraction
00 is multiplied.

[0045]

(Equation 5)

(Equation 6) Although the present invention has been described in detail, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is limited to what is described in the specification. It is not something to be done.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C11D 3/10 C11D 3/10 3/12 3/12 (71) Applicant ONE PROCTER & GANBLE PLAZA, CINCINNATI , OHIO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (72) Inventor Gevin, Toad, Norwood OH, USA Cincinnati, Windsley, Coat, 935 F-term (reference) 4H003 AB19 AB27 AB31 BA10 CA20 CA21 DA01 EA10 EA12 EA15 EA16 EA30 EA28 EB EC02 EC03 EE05 FA32

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. (a) from about 1% to about 50% of substantially viscous particles based on the total number of separated particles in the detergent composition, wherein said viscous particles comprise at least about 15% of said viscous particles; Weight percent of a substantially viscous surfactant having a geometric mean particle diameter of from about 300 microns to about 70 microns.
0 microns, a geometric standard deviation of less than about 1.8, a bulk density of at least about 450 g / l, and (b) about 35 to about the total number of separated particles in the detergent composition. % Of substantially non-viscous particles, said non-viscous particles having a geometric mean particle diameter of about 200 microns to about 500 microns and a geometric standard deviation of greater than about 1.2. And wherein the bulk density is less than about 850 g / l, wherein the total amount of detergent surfactant in the detergent composition is at least about 15% by weight of the detergent composition. 2. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the viscous particles comprise at least about 35% by weight of the viscous particles of the viscous surfactant. 3. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein said viscous particles comprise at least about 45% by weight of said viscous particles of said viscous surfactant. 4. The detergent composition comprises from about 0.05 to about 50% by weight potassium ions.
The detergent composition according to claim 1. 5. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the bulk density of the viscous particles is at least about 550 g / l and the bulk density of the non-viscous particles is less than about 650 g / l. 6. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the bulk density of the viscous particles is at least about 650 g / l and the bulk density of the non-viscous particles is less than about 500 g / l. 7. The non-viscous particles are selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, potassium sulfate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, dipotassium pyrophosphate, monopotassium pyrophosphate, and mixtures thereof. The detergent composition according to claim 1, comprising a potassium salt. 8. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the viscous particles have a geometric mean particle diameter of about 350 microns to about 650 microns and a geometric standard deviation of less than about 1.7. . 9. The detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the non-viscous particles have a geometric mean particle diameter of from about 250 microns to about 450 microns and a geometric standard deviation of greater than about 1.4. object. 10. A method for cleaning a fabric, comprising the step of contacting the fabric with an effective amount of the detergent composition of claim 1 in an aqueous cleaning solution.