MXPA01003101A - Granular detergent composition having improved appearance and solubility - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition which has improved solubility or dissolution in laundering solutions, especially in solutions kept at cold temperatures (i.e., less than about 30°C), is disclosed. The granular detergent composition is aesthetically pleasing to consumers and has improved flowability. The granular detergent composition has optimally selected level of particles having a judiciously selected median particle size diameter with a selected standard deviation. The granular detergent composition also has carefully tailored physical properties such as uniformity parameter, whiteness, circularity and aspect ratio.

Description

COMPOSITION GRANULAR DETERGENT THAT HAS IMPROVED APPEARANCE AND SOLUBILITY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved granular detergent composition having superior solubility, especially in cold temperature wash solutions (i.e., less than about 30 ° C), excellent flowability, excellent image or appearance and friability. In particular, the detergent composition contains optimum levels of particles having optimally selected particle sizes and a particle size distribution to achieve the desired improvements. The detergent composition also has a carefully designed parameter of uniformity, whiteness, circularity and aspect ratio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, there has been considerable interest within the detergent industry for laundry detergents that present comfort, good appearance and solubility of liquid laundry detergent products, in addition to maintaining the cleaning performance and cost of granular detergent products . However, the problems associated with the paste-granulated detergent compositions with respect to appearance, solubility and comfort for the user are formidable. Such problems have been exacerbated with the advent of low dosage or "compact" granular detergent products that typically do not dissolve in the wash solutions in the manner in which their liquid detergent laundry counterparts are dissolved. These low dosage detergents currently have a high demand, since they retain the benefits and can be sold in small packages that are more comfortable for consumers before using them, but with less comfort when supplied in the washing machine compared to laundry detergent liquid that can simply be poured directly from the container opposite to those that have to be measured with a measuring spoon from the box and then supplied in the washing solution. As mentioned, such low dosage or "compact" detergent products unfortunately experience dissolution problems, especially in solutions for low temperature washing (i.e., less than about 30 ° C). More specifically, inadequate dissolution results in the formation of "dough" that appears as solid white masses remaining in the washing machine or in laundry washed after conventional washing cycles. These "masses" prevail especially under cold temperature washing conditions and / or when in the order of addition to the washing machine first the laundry detergent is added, second the clothes and the last water (commonly known as "reverse order"). of addition "or" ROOA ", for its acronym in English). Such undesirable "masses" are also formed if the consumer loads the washing machine in an order of clothes, detergent and then water. In the same way, this mass formation can contribute to an incomplete supply of detergent in washing machines equipped with dispenser drawers or other dispensing devices, such as a granulette. In this case, an undesired result of undissolved detergent residues is obtained in the dispensing device. It has been found that the cause of the aforesaid dissolution problem is associated with the "bridging" of a "gel-like" substance between the surfactant which contains particles to form undesirable "lumps". The substance similar to the gel is responsible for the unwanted "bridging" of the particles in "lumps" originates from the partial dissolution of the surfactant in the aqueous solutions for washing, where such partial dissolution causes the formation of a phase of highly viscous surfactant or a paste that is bonded or otherwise "bridged" with another surfactant that contains the "lump" particles. These undesired dissolution phenomena are commonly referred to as "gel lumps" formation. In addition to the "bridging" effect of the viscous surfactant, the inorganic salts have the tendency to hydrate, which also causes the "bridging" of the particles that were bound by hydration. In particular, the hydrated salts with one another form a box structure which presents an inadequate solution and finally ends up as a "lump" after the wash cycle. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a detergent composition that does not exhibit the dissolution problems identified above, so as to result in improved cleaning performance. The prior art is full of descriptions that address the dissolution problems associated with the granular detergent compositions. For example, the prior art suggests limiting the use and handling of inorganic salts that can cause lumps through "bridging" of the hydrated salts during the wash cycle. The specific relationships of the selected inorganic salts are contemplated in such a way as to minimize dissolution problems. However, such a solution restricts the flexibility of procedure and formulation that are necessary for the current commercialization of detergent products on a large scale. Various other mechanisms have been suggested by the prior art, all of which involve the alteration of the formulations, and in such a way reduce the formulation flexibility. As a consequence, it would be desirable to have a detergent composition having an improved solution without significantly inhibiting the flexibility of the inhibition. Thus, although the prior art disclosures discussed in the preceding paragraphs, it would be desirable to have granular detergent compositions that exhibit improved solubility, have a better appearance for the consumer, and improved flowability and that exhibit a improved cleaning performance. It would also be desirable to have a detergent composition that exhibits such an improved solution without significantly inhibiting the flexibility of the formulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention covers the above needs by providing a detergent composition having an improved solubility or dissolution in washing solutions, especially in solutions which are kept at cold temperatures (ie at less than about 30 ° C). It is aesthetically pleasing to consumers and has an improved flow capacity. The optimally granulated detergent composition has a selected level of particles that have been intelligently selected with an average particle size with a standard selected deviation. The granular detergent composition has also been carefully designed in terms of its physical properties, as a parameter of uniformity, whiteness, circularity and aspect ratio. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a granular detergent composition with improved solubility, appearance and improved flowability. The detergent composition comprises at least about 50% by weight of particles having a geometric average particle diameter of about 500 microns to about 1500 microns with a geometric standard deviation of about 1 to about 2, wherein A portion of the particles contains a detersive surfactant and a builder. The invention also provides a method for washing stained fabrics comprising the step of causing an aqueous solution to contact the stained fabrics, this solution containing an effective amount of a detergent composition according to the invention described herein. Thus, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a granular detergent composition that exhibits improved solubility, has a better appearance for consumers, has improved flowability and exhibits improved cleaning performance. Another advantage is having a detergent composition that exhibits such an improved solution without significantly inhibiting the flexibility of the formulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Definitions As used herein, the word "particles" means a full size range of a detergent or component end product, or the full size range of the particles, agglomerates or non-uniform granules in a product or mixture of detergent component. final. Specifically, it does not refer to a size fraction (that is, it represents less than 100% of the full size margin) if any of these types of particles, unless the size fraction represents 100% of a non-uniform particle in a mixture of particles. For each type of particle component in a mixture the full size range of the different particles of said type have the same or substantially similar composition regardless of whether the particles are in contact with other particles. For the agglomerated components, the agglomerates themselves are considered as non-uniform particles and each non-uniform particle may comprise a composite of minor primary particles and binder compositions. As used herein, the phrase "geometric average particle diameter" means the geometric mean mass diameter of a set of non-uniform particles measured with any standard mass-based particle size measurement technique, preferably dry sieved. . As used herein, the phrase "standard geometric deviation" or "lapse" of a particle size distribution means the geometric amplitude of the normal logarithm function best suited to the particle size data mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which can be achieved by the diameter ratio of 84.13 percentile divided by the 50th percentile diameter of the cumulative distribution (D84.13 / D50); see Gotoh et al, Powder Technology Handbook, pp. 6-11, Meral Dekker 1997. As used in this, the phrase "builder" means any inorganic material having a "builder" performance in the context of detergency, and specifically, an organic or inorganic material that can remove the hardness of the water from the wash solutions. As used herein, the term "bulk density" refers to the volume density of uncompressed, uncapped powder by measuring it by placing an excess of powder sample through a funnel in a smooth metal container (e.g. , a cylinder of 500 ml in volume), removing the excess from the edge of the container, measuring the remaining mass of powder and dividing the mass between the volume of the container.

Physical Properties The granular detergent composition achieves the desired benefits of solubility, improved appearance and flowability through an optimal selection of the geometric average particle diameter of a certain level of particles in the composition. By "improved appearance" it is meant that the consumer sees a granular detergent product having a more uniform appearance of particles in contrast to the previous granular detergent products containing particles of different sizes and compositions. At said end, at least about 50% preferably at least about 75%, most preferably at least about 90%, and much very preferably at least about 90%, and most preferably still at least about 95% by weight of the total particles in the detergent product have the average particle size diameter selected. In this way, a substantial portion of the granular detergent product will be uniform in size so as to provide a pleasing appearance desired by consumers.

Preferably, the geometric average particle diameter of the particles is about 500 microns or about 1500 microns, most preferably from about 600 microns to about 1200 microns, and very much preferably from about 700 to about 1000 microns. The particle size distribution is defined by a relatively fair geometric standard deviation or "lapse" or "separation" so that it does not have too many particles outside the target size. In this way, the geometric standard deviation is preferably from about 1 to about 2, most preferably it is from about 1.0 to about 1.7, very much preferably, is from about 1.0 to about 1.4, and most preferably is still from about 1.0 to about 1.2. The average volume density of the particles is preferably at least about 450 g / l, most preferably at least about 550 g / l, and very much preferably at least about 650 g / l. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the solubility improves as a result of the particles in the detergent composition having a more uniform size. Specifically, as a result of the particles being more uniform in size, the actual "points of contact" between the particles in the detergent composition is reduced, which, in turn, reduces the "bridging effect" commonly associated with the difficulties in dissolving the "gel lumps" of the granular detergent compositions. The above granular detergent compositions contained particles of different sizes which entailed a greater number of points of contact between the particles. For example, a large particle may have many smaller particles in contact with it giving a suitable particle site for the formation of gel lumps. The uniform level and size of the particles in the granular detergent composition of the present invention avoids such problems. By "a portion" of the particles, it is meant that at least some particles in the detergent composition contain a detersive surfactant and / or a builder to provide the building blocks of a typical detergent composition. The various surfactants and detergency builders, as well as their respective levels in the composition are set forth in the following paragraphs. Typically, the detergent composition will contain from about 1% to about 50% by weight of a detersive surfactant and from about 1% to about 75% by weight of a builder.

Color A particularly important attribute of detergent powders is color. The color is usually measured in a Hunter calorimeter and is indicated as three parameters "L", "a" and "b". The whiteness of the powder is of particular importance for the consumer of powder detergents, which is determined by the equation L-3b. In general, whiteness values below about 60% are considered inadequate. The whiteness can be improved by various means known to those skilled in the art. For example, whiteness can be improved by coating the granules with titanium dioxide. In addition to the average whiteness of the product in volume, it is also important to have uniformity of color. Having a high percentage of particles of substantially different colors can distort the overall impression of the product (and appear more similar to a granule with inadequate color) or at lower levels make the product look mottled.

But it is understood that the components present at very low levels, which are less than about 1% by weight, do not make any important contribution to the overall appearance of the product. The uniformity of color can be evaluated in two ways: 1.- The difference between the greater (maximum) and lower whiteness (minimum); and 2.- A "uniformity parameter" that is is the maximum value of the following equation applied to all components in excess of 1% of the composition: Uniformity parameter = (1 /% by weight x) * Abs (blacurax -blackness volume) Where: the component x is a portion of the detergent composition that have a different level of whiteness compared to the detergent in volume: whiteness = level of whiteness of a component x when measured in an H-calorimeter; Whiteness Vario = level of whiteness of the detergent in volume when measured in a Hunter calorimeter; % by weight x = the weight percentage of component x; Abs = to the absolute value; and Preferably, the granular detergents of the present invention have a whiteness of from about 60 to about 100, preferably from about 75 to about 100, most preferably from about 85 to about 100 and most preferably from about 92. to about 100. Granular detergents are also preferred in which all components have a whiteness difference (maximum-minimum) of less than about 40, preferably less than 30, most preferably less than 20, and most preferably less than 10. The granular detergents of the present invention preferably have a uniformity parameter, as defined above, of less than about 200, most preferably less than about 100, most preferably even less than 50, and especially less than about 100 is preferred. 25 Form Another important attribute of the granular detergent products of the present invention is the shape of the individual particles. The shape can be measured in a number of different ways known to those skilled in the art. One such method is to use an optical microscope with an Optimus image analysis program (V5.0). The important calculated parameters are: "Circularity" that is defined as (measured perimeter length of the particle image) 2 / (measured area of the particle image). The circularity of a perfectly uniform sphere (minimum circularity) is 12.57; and "Aspect ratio" which is defined as the length / width of the particle image. Each of these attributes is important and can be averaged over the detergent composition granulated by volume. Additionally, the combination of two parameters as defined by the product of the parameters is also important (ie, both must be controlled to obtain a product with a good appearance). Preferably, the granular detergent compositions of the present invention have a circularity of less than about 50, preferably less than about 30, most preferably less than about 23, most preferably less than about 18. Granular detergent compositions are also preferred. with aspect ratios less than about 2, preferably less than about 1.5, most preferably less than about 1.3, much more preferably less than about 1.2.

Additionally, it is preferred to have a uniform distribution of shape between the particles in the composition. Specifically, the granular detergent compositions of the present invention have a standard deviation of the circularity number distribution of less than about 20, which is preferably less than about 10, much very much less than about 7, much more preferably even less. about 4. In addition, the standard deviation of the distribution the number of aspect ratios is preferably less than about 1, much very much less than about 0.5, much more preferably even less than about 0.3, and there is greater preference because they are less than about 0.2. In a method that is especially preferred of the present invention, granular detergent compositions are produced wherein the product of circularity and aspect ratio is less than about 100, preferably less than about 50, most preferably less than about 30, and most preferably less than about 20. it prefers the granular detergent compositions with the standard deviation of the product number distribution of circularity and aspect ratio of less than about 45, preferably less than about 20, most preferably less than about 7, and much more preferably less than about 2. Preferred detergent compositions of the present invention cover at least one and most preferably all of the measurement attributes and standard deviations as defined above, ie, for whiteness, circularity, a color report and aspect ratio.

Detergent Components The surfactant system of the detergent composition can include anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic and cationic classes, and compatible mixtures thereof. Detergent surfactants are described in the US patent. 3,664,961, Norris, issued May 23, 1972, and in the U.S. patent. 3,919,678, Laughlin et al., Issued December 30, 1975, both incorporated herein by reference. Cationic surfactants include those described in the U.S.A. 4,222,905, Cockrell, issued September 16, 1980, and in the patent of E.U.A. 4,239,659, Murphy, issued December 16, 1980, both incorporated herein by reference "Non-limiting examples of surfactant systems include conventional Cn-C-iß alkylbenzene sulphonates (" LAS ") and alkyl sulfates (" AS ") ) of Ci6-C2o, primary, branched and random chain, the secondary alkyl sulfates of C10-C18 of the formula CH3 (CH2) x (CHOSO3 M +) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) and (CHOSO3"M +) CH2CH3 wherein xy (y + 1) are integers of at least 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-soluble cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, C10-C18 alkylalkoxy sulfates ("AEXS "; especially ethoxysulfates EO 1-7), alkylalkoxycarboxylates of C? 0-C? 8 (especially ethoxycarboxylates, EO 1-5), glycerol ethers of C-io-C-iß, alkyl polyglycosides of C-? 0-C-? 8 and its corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters of C? 2-C-? 8. If desired, conventional non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants such as alkyletoxylated ("AE") of C-? 2-C? 8 including so-called narrow-spiked alkyl ethoxylates and C6-C? 2 alkylphenol-alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and ethoxy / mixed propoxy), C12-C18 betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), amine oxides of C? oC? 8 and the like, can also be included in the surfactant system. N-alkyl polyhydroxylic acid amides of C? O-C? 8 may also be included. Typical examples include the N-methylglucamides of Ci2-C? 8. See WO 9,206,154. Other surfactants derived from sugar include the N-alkoxy-polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C 1 -C 4 N- (3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl to N-hexylglucamides of C? 2-C? 8 can be used for low foaming. Conventional C? O-C2o soaps can also be used - If high foaming is desired, branched-chain C10-C16 soaps can be used. Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are especially useful. Other useful conventional surfactants are listed in standard texts. The detergent composition can, and preferably includes, a builder. The detergency builders are generally selected from various water-soluble phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, silicates, borates, polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates and polycarboxylates of alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium. Alkali metal salts, especially sodium, of the above are preferred. Preferred for use herein are phosphates, carbonates, silicates, C10-C18 fatty acids, polycarboxylates and mixtures thereof. Most preferred are sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, citrate, tartrate mono- and di-succinates, sodium silicate, and mixtures thereof (see below). Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphosphate having a degree of polymerization of about 6 to 21, and orthophosphates. Examples of polyphosphonate builders are the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of 1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid of ethane and the sodium and potassium salts of acid 1, 1, 2 'triphosphonic of ethane. Other phosphorus builder compounds are described in the U.S. Patents. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137; 3,400,176 and 3,400,148, all incorporated herein by reference. Examples of inorganic builders, not phosphorus builders, are carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, sodium and potassium tetrahydrate decahydrate, and silicates having a weight ratio of SiO 2 to alkali metal oxide of about 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably around 1.0 to about 2.4. The non-phosphorus, water soluble organic builders useful herein include the various alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, and polyhydroxysulfonates. Examples of polyacetate and polycarboxylate detergent builders are the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids and citric acid. Polymeric polycarboxylate builders are set forth in the U.S.A. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of homo- and co-polymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. Some of these materials are useful as the water-soluble anionic polymer as hereinafter described, but only if it is in an intimate mixture with the non-soap anionic surfactant. Other polycarboxylates suitable for use herein are the polyacetal carboxylates described in the U.S.A. 4,144,226, issued March 13, 1979 to Crutchfield et al., And patent of E.U.A. 4,246,495, issued March 27, 1979 to Crutchfield et al., Both incorporated herein by reference. These polyacetal carboxylates can be prepared by coupling, under polymerization conditions, a glyoxylic acid ester and a polymerization initiator. The resulting polyacetal carboxylate ester is attached to chemically stable end groups to stabilize the polyacetal carboxylate against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, converted to the corresponding salt, and added to a detergent composition. Particularly preferred polycarboxylate builders are ether carboxylate builder compositions comprising a combination of tartrate monosuccinate and tartrate disuccinate described in the U.S.A. 4,663,071, Bush et al., Issued May 5, 1987, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Water-soluble silicate solids represented by the formula Si 2"M 2 O, M being an alkali metal and having a weight ratio of SiO 2: M 2 O of from about 0.5 to about 4.0, are useful salts of the detergent granules of the invention at levels of about 2% to about 15% on an anhydrous weight basis, preferably from about 3% to about 8%. Anhydrous or hydrated particulate silicate can also be used. Any number of additional ingredients can also be included as components in the granular detergent composition. These include other detergency builders, bleaches, bleach activators, foam enhancers or suds suppressors, anti-rust and anti-corrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents , alkalinity sources not detergent builders, chelating agents, smectite clays, enzyme stabilizing agents and perfumes. See the patent of E.U.A. 3,936,537, issued February 3, 1976 to Baskerville, Jr. et al., Incorporated herein by reference. Bleaching agents and activators are described in the patent of E.U.A. 4,412,934, Chung et al, issued November 1, 1983, and in the U.S. patent. 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, which are incorporated herein by reference. Chelating agents are also described in the patent of E.U.A. 4,663,071, Bush et al, from column 17, line 54, to column 18, line 68, incorporated herein by reference. Foam modifiers are also optional ingredients, and are described in the U.S. Patents. 3,933,672, issued January 20, 1976 to Bartoletta et al, and 4,136,045, issued January 23, 1979 to Gault et al., Both incorporated herein by reference. Smectite clays suitable for use herein are described in the U.S.A. 4,762,645, Tucker et al., Issued August 9, 1988, column 6, line 3, column 7, line 24, incorporated herein by reference. Other detergency builders suitable for use herein are listed in the Baskerville patent, column 13, line 54, column 16, line 16, and in the U.S. patent. 4,663,071, Bush et al., Issued May 5, 1987, both incorporated herein by reference.

The following examples are presented for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any way.

Abbreviations used in the examples In the detergent compositions, the identifications of the abbreviated components have the following meanings: LAS: Sodium linear alkyl benzene sulfonate of C-11.13 TAS: Sodium tallow alkyl sulfate CxyAS: Sodium alkylsulfate of C- | x-Ciy? C46SAS Secondary C-14-C16 sodium alkyl sulfate (2,3) CxyEzS: Sodium alkylsulfate of C? X-C- | and condensed with z moles of ethylene oxide CxyEz: Primary alcohol of C < | x-Ciy predominantly linear, condensed with an average of z moles of ethylene oxide QAS: R2.N + (CH3) 2 (C2H4OH) with R2 = C12-C- | 4 QAS 1: R2.N + (CH3) 2 (C2H4OH) with R2 = C8-C? 1 APA: Amidopropyldimethylamine of Cß-C-io Soap: Sodium linear alkylcarboxylate derived from a mixture of 80/20 tallow and coconut fatty acids STS: Sodium toluenesulfonate CFAA: (Coco) alkyl-N-methylglucamide of C12-C14 TFAA: C16-C18 alkyl-N-methylglucamide TPKFA: C-12-C14 whole cut fatty acids STPP: Anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate TSPP: Tetrasodium pyrophosphate Zeolite A: Hydrated sodium aluminosilicate of formula Na12 (AIO2SiO2) 12.27H2O has a primary particle size on the scale of 0.1 to 10 microns (weight expressed on an anhydrous basis). NaSKS-6: Crystalline layered silicate of the formula d-Na2Si2? 5 Citric acid: Anhydrous citric acid Borate: Sodium borate Carbonate: Anhydrous sodium carbonate with a particle size between 200 μm and 900 μm Bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate Anhydrous with a particle size distribution between 400 μm and 1200 μm Silicate: Amorphous sodium silicate (Si2: Na2 = 2.0: 1) Sulfate: Anhydrous sodium sulfate Mg sulfate: Anhydrous magnesium sulfate Citrate: Citrate trisodium dihydrate of 86.4% activity with a particle size distribution of between 425 μm and 850 μm MA / AA: Copolymer 1: 4 of maleic / acrylic acid, average molecular weight of about 70,000 MA / AA (1): Copolymer 4 : 6 maleic / acrylic acid, average molecular weight of about 10,000 AA: Sodium polyacrylate polymer with an average molecular weight of 4,500 CMC: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose Cellulose ether: Methylcellulose ether with a grad or polymerization of 650, available from Shin Etsu Chemicals Protease: Proteolytic enzyme, having 3.33% by weight of Active enzyme, sold under the trade name Savinase by Novo Industries A / S. Protease I: Proteolytic enzyme, having 4% by weight of active enzyme, sold by Genencor Int. Inc., described in WO95 / 10591 Alcalase: Proteolytic enzyme, having 5.3% by weight of active enzyme, sold by Novo Industries A / S Cellulase: Cellulite enzyme, having 0.23% by weight of active enzyme, sold under the trade name Carezyme by NOVO Industries A / S Amylase: Amylolytic enzyme, having 1.6% by weight of active enzyme, sold under the trade name Termamyl 120T by NOVO Industries A / S Lipase: Lipolytic enzyme, having 2.0% by weight of active enzyme, sold under the trade name Lipolase by NOVO Industries A / S Lipase (1): Lipolytic enzyme, having 2.0% by weight of active enzyme, sold under the trade name Lipolase Ultra by NOVO Industries A / S Endolase: Enzyme endoglucanase, having 1.5% by weight of Active enzyme, sold by NOVO Industries A / S PB4: Sodium perborate tetrahydrate of nominal formula NaB? 2 -3H2O.H2? 2 PB1: Anhydrous sodium perborate bleach with nominal formula NaB? 2-H2? 2 Percarbonate: Anhydrous sodium percarbonate of nominal formula 2Na2CO3.3H2O2 NOBS: Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate in salt form sodium NAC-OBS: (6-nonamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate TAED: Tetraacetylethylenediamine DTPA: Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid DTPMP: Diethylenetriaminpenta (methylenephosphonate), marketed by Monsanto under the trade name Dequest 2060. EDDS: Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, isomer [ S, S] in the form of its sodium salt. Photoactivated bleach (1): Sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine encapsulated in dextrin-soluble polymer Photoactivated bleach (2) Sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine encapsulated in dextrin-soluble polymer Brightening 1: 4,4'-bis (2-sulphotrisyl) biphenyl disodium Brightener 2: Disodium 4,4'-bis (4-anilino-6-morpholino-1, 3,5-triazin-2-yl) stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate HEDP: 1, 1-hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid PEGx Polyethylene glycol, with a molecular weight of x (typically 4,000) PEO: Polyethylene oxide, with an average molecular weight of 50,000 TEPAE: Ethoxylated tetraethylene pentaamine PVI: Polyvinylimidisol, with an average molecular weight of 20,000 PVP: Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, with an average molecular weight of 60,000 PVNO : Polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer, with an average molecular weight of 50,000 PVPVI: Copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole, with an average molecular weight of 20,000 QEA: bis ((C2H5?) (C2H4?) N) (CH3) -N + -C6H1 2-N + - (CH3) bis ((C2H5?) - (C2H4?)) N, where n = from 20 to 30 SRP 1: Anionically blocked poly esters at the ends SRP 2: Poly (1, 2-propylene terephthalate) diethoxylated PEI: Polyethylenimine with an average molecular weight of 1800 and an average degree of ethoxylation of 7 ethyleneoxy residues per nitrogen Silicone anti-foam: Polydimethylsiloxane foam controller with siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer as dispersion agent with a ratio of said controller to said dispersing agent from 10: 1 to 100: 1 Opacrator: Mix of water-based monostyrene latex sold by BASF Aktiengesellschaft under the trade name of Lytron 621 Wax: Paraffin wax In the following examples all the levels are indicated as% by weight of the composition.

EXAMPLE I The following detergent compositions were prepared according to the invention: The compositions exemplified in the preceding pages have at least 90% by weight of particles having an average geometric particle diameter of about 850 microns with a standard deviation of about 1.2. Unexpectedly, the compositions have improved appearance, flowability and solubility.

EXAMPLE II The following compositions were made according to the invention.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A granular detergent composition comprising at least about 50% by weight of particles having a geometric average particle diameter of about 500 microns at about 1500 microns with a geometric standard deviation of about 1 to about 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said particles contains a detersive surfactant and a builder.

2. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles comprise at least about 75% by weight of said detergent composition.

3. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the geometric standard deviation is from about 1.0 to about 1.7. 4. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the geometric standard deviation is from about 1.0 to about 1.

4.

5. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles comprise at least about 90% by weight of said detergent composition.

6. - The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the geometric average particle diameter of said particles is from about 600 microns to about 1200 microns.

7. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the geometric average particle diameter of said particles is from about 700 microns to about 1000 microns.

8. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the geometric standard deviation is from about 1.0 to about 1.2.

9. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles comprise at least about 95% by weight of said detergent composition.

10. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles have a whiteness in a range of about 60 to about 100.

11. The granular detergent composition according to claim 10, further characterized because said particles have a whiteness in a range of about 75 to about 100.

12. The granular detergent composition according to claim 11, further characterized in that said particles have a whiteness in a range of about 92 to about 100

13. - The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles have a uniformity parameter of less than about 200.

14. The granular detergent composition according to claim 13, further characterized in that said particles have a parameter of uniformity less than about 100. 15.- The granular detergent composition according to claim 14, further characterized in that said particles have a uniformity parameter of less than about 25. 16.- The granular detergent composition in accordance with the claim 14, further characterized in that said particles have a circularity less than about 50. 17.- The granular detergent composition according to claim 16, further characterized in that said particles have a circularity less than about 30. 18.- The detergent composition granulated in accordance with the reivin dication 1, further characterized in that said particles have an aspect ratio of less than about 2. 19. The granular detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said particles have an aspect ratio of less than about 1.3. 20. A method for washing soiled fabrics comprising the step of causing said soiled fabrics to make contact with an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of a detergent composition according to claim 1.