Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing a fragrance-containing solid particle, capable of controllably releasing the fragrance to the environment in which the particle is contained for incorporation into laundry detergents, fabric softener compositions and drier-added fabric softener articles.

Abstract: A process is provided in which selected modified polyamines are incorporated into fully formulated detergent compositions in a manner that unexpectedly results in enhanced cleaning performance. The process involves premixing the modified polyamine with a detersive surfactant or acid precursor thereof, and thereafter, adding adjunct ingredients such as builders and water. The entire mixture is then spray dried to form spray-dried granular detergent composition.

Abstract: A process for producing an anionic surfactant-containing alkali metal silicate-alkali metal carbonate compound providing multiple wash cycle performance, wherein the compound contains 15% to 50% by weight of alkali metal silicate which is x-ray amorphous and has a molar M.sub.2 O to SiO.sub.2 ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 and M represents an alkali metal, 30% to 70% by weight of alkali metal carbonate, 1.5% to 15% by weight of anionic surfactant and 12% to 19% by weight of water, by providing a powder component selected from alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal silicate, or a mixture of alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal silicate, and agglomerating the powder component with an aqueous composition containing one or more anionic surfactants.

Abstract: A process for making granular detergents is disclosed. In a first step, an aqueous slurry is formed. The aqueous slurry comprises anionic surfactant, chelating agents, at least 0.5%, by weight, of sodium aluminosilicate, and inorganic salts of a type which raise the ionic conductivity of the aqueous slurry. The aqueous slurry contains essentially no silicates and has a low viscosity suitable for spray-drying to form crisp, free-flowing powder. After being formed, the slurry is dried to form a particulate detergent composition.

Abstract: Soluble alkali metal silicates combined with antiredeposition agents can actually have a beneficial effect on bleach stabilisation if said antiredeposition agents are intimately mixed with an alkali metal silicate solution, the resulting product being then dried (spray drying, turbo drying, etc . . . ) into granules.

Abstract: Disclosed are granular detergent components and processes for making these components. The processes comprise the steps of: i) forming the granular detergent component by drying an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution comprising at least 50% of a cationic surfactant, to form a powder; and then ii) densifying the powder in the presence of a detergent powder selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicate, carbonate, bicarbonate, silicate, sulphate, citrate, clay and mixtures thereof and an acid selected from the group consisting of citric, sulphuric, hydrochloric, polycarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. This granular detergent component consists essentially of the cationic surfactant, the acid and the particulate builder and the granular detergent component has a reserve acidity of at least 1.0 g HCl/100 g.

Abstract: A carbonate-based detergent having improved properties is provided. Preferably, a base detergent includes an alkali metal carbonate builder, an anionic surfactant, an inert diluent, a copolymer, and a chlorine scavenger. The base detergent may be mixed with an agglomerate including nonionic surfactants and a builder such as an alkali metal carbonate. The detergent has improved color retention properties. A method of preparing the improved detergent composition is also provided.

Abstract: A spray-dried component which is in the form of a free-flowing particle with high chelant activity comprising: i) at least 50%, preferably at leaxt 60%, by weight, of a chelant; ii) from 1% to 25%, preferably from 5% to 10%, by weight of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfate; and iii) preferably less than 10% by weight of free moisture.

Abstract: A process for producing a particulate amorphous alkali metal silicate having a molar ratio of M.sub.2 O to SiO.sub.2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 bya) spray-drying an aqueous mixture of amorphous alkali metal silicate,b) impregnating the spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate with an aqueous dispersion or solution of detergent composition components containing at least one organic component, andc) optionally drying the impregnated amorphous alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: Adjuvant powder compositions contain a benefit agent or benefit agents and enhance the delivery of these benefit agent or agents when used as a separate adjuvant during preparation of bar compositions. Carriers used in the formation of the adjuvants must have a melting point high enough to survive a spray-drying process.

Abstract: A spray-dried particulate detergent composition containinga) 3% to 20% by weight of anionic surfactant,b) 0 to 2% by weight of nonionic surfactant,c) 20% to 65% by weight of inorganic builders, based on water-free active substance, selected from carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and silicate-based builders, andd) 0 to 25% by weight of neutral salts, based on the weight of the spray-dried composition, wherein the spray-dried composition has been aftertreated with nonionic surfactant. The composition has favorable dispensing and solubility properties.

Abstract: The method for producing nonionic detergent granules includes the steps of (I) blending the following (i) to (iii): (i) at least one of a nonionic surfactant and an aqueous nonionic surfactant solution; (ii) an acid precursor of an anionic surfactant capable of having a lamellar orientation; (iii) at least one of an alkali builder and an alkali, porous oil-absorbing carrier, to give a mixture of detergent starting materials containing the nonionic surfactant as a main surfactant component; and (II) heating the mixture obtained in step (I) at least up to a temperature capable of neutralizing the acid precursor of the anionic surfactant in an agitating mixer, and granulating while tumbling the agitating mixer thereby increasing a bulk density, to give nonionic detergent granules having a bulk density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/ml.

Abstract: Carbonate built laundry detergents having improved cleaning properties and comprising an ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant, a sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohol anionic surfactant, and an N-alkyl and/or unsaturated hydrocarbyl amine of an alkanoic acid or salt thereof as an amphoteric surfactant.

Abstract: Carbonate built laundry detergents having improved cleaning properties and comprising a sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohol anionic surfactant and two ethoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactants having different average numbers of carbon atoms in the fatty alcohol and average numbers of ethoxy groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid material (primary drying product) containing alkali metal silicate with a modulus (molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to M.sub.2 O, M=alkali metal) of 0.8 to 4 in homogeneous admixture with other inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries, which has been dried from a finely sprayed aqueous preparation of mixtures of the alkali metal silicates and the inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries by means of a hot gas stream. The solid material according to the invention is characterized in that, as a primary drying product in homogeneous admixture with the alkali metal silicate, it contains at least 10% by weight of water-soluble inorganic and/or organic salts, has apparent densities of at least 150 g/l, possesses a microporous absorbent internal structure and has been dried with superheated steam as the hot gas stream.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with granular components comprising an enzyme, specified polymeric binding material, and a mixture of coating components. The granular components are particularly suitable for use in detergent compositions.

Abstract: A free-flowing detergent powder is prepared by spray drying and comprises from 10% to 90%, by weight, of a complex of a chelating agent and a metal ion selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, zinc, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and from 10% to 90%, by weight, of a polymer comprising anionic functional groups. The detergent powder comprises less than 20%, by weight, on an anhydrous basis, of inorganic components other than the metal ion.

Abstract: A process for making bars having enhanced deposition of benefit agent wherein the process comprises mixing adjuvant powder compositions which contain a benefit agent or agents and surfactant-containing "base" or regular chips; plodding and extruding to form final bar.

Abstract: The process of producing spray-dried granules useful as detergents, cleaning compositions, or as a component therefor, by preparing a slurry containing 0.2% to 20% by weight of sugar acids or salts thereof and the balance being detergent components, wherein the slurry contains less than 35% by weight of water and has a viscosity of less than 15,000 mPas under spray-drying conditions, and spray-drying the slurry.

Abstract: A granular detergent component having a bulk density of less than 400 g/l comprises from 20% to 50%, by weight, of aluminosilicate, optionally up to 50%, by weight, of a co-filler, and 0.05% to 2%, by weight, of anionic surfactant, preferably C14-C20 alkyl sulphate. The low bulk density component is preferably mixed with other components such as percarbonate, silicate, layered silicate, carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, sulphate, citrate and mixtures thereof to provide a granular detergent composition.

Abstract: The method for producing nonionic detergent granules includes the steps of (I) blending the following (i) to (iii): (i) at least one of a nonionic surfactant and an aqueous nonionic surfactant solution; (ii) an acid precursor of an anionic surfactant capable of having a lamellar orientation; (iii) at least one of an alkali builder and an alkali, porous oil-absorbing carrier, to give a mixture of detergent starting materials containing the nonionic surfactant as a main surfactant component; and (II) heating the mixture obtained in step (I) at least up to a temperature capable of neutralizing the acid precursor of the anionic surfactant in an agitating mixer, and granulating while tumbling the agitating mixer thereby increasing a bulk density, to give nonionic detergent granules having a bulk density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/ml.

Abstract: An aqueous detergent slurry composition comprising (A) about 5-60% of inorganic builder salts; (B) about 5-70% of detergent active matter selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants; and (C) about 0.01-10% of a hydrophilic copolymer comprising a hydrophilic monomer copolymerized with an oxyethylated monomer.

Abstract: A detergent having improved properties is provided. In accordance with preferred embodiments, a carbonate built detergent comprising an agglomerateed admixture of a base granular formulation and a detergent agglomerate is provided. The base granular composition comprises a carrier together with a copolymer which serves to improve anti-encrustation and anti-redeposition properties of the detergent. A method of preparing the improved detergent composition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated, granular detergent compositions comprising a mixture of:a) from about 15 to about 50% by weight of a surfactant;b) at least one detergent builder;c) from about 0.01 to about 7.5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition containing polymer chains of the structure P-QR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophilic polymer, and QR represents a hydrophobic end-cap group wherein R is an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms, and Q is selected from the group consisting of O, CO.sub.2, S, SO, SO.sub.2, NR', PO.sub.4 R', PO.sub.3 R', Si OR'R", Si R'R", CR'OH, CR'R" and CR'OR" wherein R' and R" are each hydrogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group; andd) water.

Abstract: A process for preparing high density detergent compositions is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) continuously mixing a detergent surfactant paste and dry starting detergent material into a high speed mixer/densifier to obtain detergent agglomerates, wherein the ratio of the surfactant paste to the dry detergent material is from about 1:10 to about 10:1; (b) mixing the detergent agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify and agglomerate the detergent agglomerates; and (c) drying said detergent agglomerates so as to form the high density detergent composition. The dry detergent material may contain a builder material including a crystalline microstructure in which a carbonate anion, a calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation are contained. The process may include one or more additional processing steps such as adding a coating agent such as the builder material described herein after the moderate speed mixer/densifier to facilitate and control agglomeration.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of free flowing detergent granules having a bulk density of at least 600 g/l, comprises the steps of:a) neutralising anionic surfactant acid or acids in an excess of alkali to form a paste, and optionally mixing other surfactants with the paste, to give a total surfactant level in the paste of at least 40% by weight;b) mixing said paste with one or more powders to form a granular product; andc) optionally drying the granular product,wherein at least one of the powders in step b) is spray dried and comprises anionic polymer and cationic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated, granular detergent compositions and processes for preparing such compositions, said detergent compositions comprising a mixture of:a) from about 15 to about 50% by weight of a surfactant;b) at least one detergent builder; andc) from about 0.01 to about 7.5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from about 1500 to about 50,000 and containing polymer chains of the structure P-SR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophilic polymer and SR represents a mercapto end-cap group, R being an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for continuously preparing low density detergent agglomerates is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) spray drying an aqueous mixture of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and a minor amount of a surfactant so as to form spray dried granules containing an inorganic double salt having the formula Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 .multidot.Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and a minor amount of the surfactant; (b) agglomerating the spray dried granules with a detergent surfactant paste or precursor thereof and adjunct detergent material initially in a high speed mixer and subsequently in a moderate speed mixer to obtain detergent agglomerates, wherein the adjunct detergent material includes an adjunct sodium carbonate material; and (c) drying or cooling the detergent agglomerates so as to form the detergent composition having a density of below about 500 g/l.

Abstract: A substantially water-free detergent mixture comprisinga) alkyl or alkenyl sulfates corresponding to formula (I):R.sub.1 OSO.sub.3 X (I)in which R.sub.1 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing 16 to 18 carbon atoms and X is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium,b) alkyl or alkenyl sulfates corresponding to formula (II):R.sub.2 OSO.sub.3 X (II)in which R.sub.2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing 12 to 14 carbon atoms and X is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium, wherein components a) and b) are present in a ratio by weight of 90:10 to 70:30, andc) a hydrophobic structure breaker corresponding to formula (III):R.sub.4 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H (III)in which R.sub.4 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms and n is 0 or a number of 1 to 5.

Abstract: A process for the production of wetting-, washing- or cleaning-active anionic surfactant salts by reacting inorganic or organic bases with anionic surfactant intermediates containing hydrophilic negatively charged groups attached to hydrophobic hydrocarbon radicals. The salts are combined in a spray which is introduced into an inert gas phase of superheated steam whereby the spray is at least partly dried. In an embodiment of the process, the anionic surfactant intermediates are neutralized during the spraying step to form the salts.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing high active, high density detergent granules consists essentially of the following steps:(a) preparing a mixture in a high-speed mixer, the mixture being prepared from components fed to the mixer consisting essentially of the following:(1) from about 15% to about 35% anionic surfactant acid selected from alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and alkyl sulfuric acid and mixtures thereof;(2) from about 5% to about 65% phosphate builder selected from polyphosphates and pyrophosphates and mixtures thereof; and(3) from about 10% to about 65% particulate carbonate selected from sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate and mixtures thereof, the amount of carbonate being at least about 2 times the amount theoretically needed to neutralize the anionic surfactant acid;(b) agglomerating the mixture from step (a) in a moderate-speed mixer; whereby the anionic surfactant acid is neutralized by the carbonate, and the resulting detergent granules have a bulk density of greater than about 550 g/l and

Abstract: A process which produces a detergent composition that exhibits improved solubility as well as improved flow properties is provided. The improved solubility can be detected by evidence of increased solubility of the surfactants in the washing solution and/or by the decreased amount of detergent residue left on laundered clothes. It has now been discovered that incorporating nonionic surfactant on and/or in spray-dried detergent granules before cooling the granules and while they are relatively hot, and thereafter cooling and mixing the granules improves the solubility and flow properties of the granules.

Abstract: Anionic surfactant concentrates in the form of solid free-flowing powders and/or granules which may also be present as compounds in admixture with other auxiliaries and/or useful materials suitable for use in detergents and/or cleaning products and which have apparent densities of at least about 150 g/l are produced by hot drying of the water-containing preparations with superheated steam as the drying gas. Preferred apparent densities are above about 200 g/l and are preferably at least about 350 g/l. In addition, the pourable and free-flowing material is preferably in the form of a substantially dust-free material through the presence of dust-binding auxiliaries and/or useful materials and/or by regulation of the residual water content. In one preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant concentrate is in the form of porous carrier beads with an absorbent porous inner structure.