Abstract: Bleach boosters comprising zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions having a net negative charge are disclosed. The bleach boosters increase bleaching effectiveness in lower temperature solutions and demonstrate superior color safety profiles. The bleach boosters are ideally suited for inclusion into bleaching compositions including those with detersive surfactants and enzymes. Also provided is a laundry additive product including zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions with a net negative charge as bleach boosters. A method for laundering a fabric employing the bleach boosters of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing detergent agglomerates for a detergent composition is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a non-linear viscoelastic surfactant paste including, by weight of the surfactant paste, from about 70% to 95% of a detersive surfactant and from about 5% to about 30% of water; (b) regulating the amount of sodium carbonate in the surfactant paste such that the surfactant paste has a Maximum Shear Rate of at least 20 sec.sup.-1 so that the surfactant paste is processable; (c) charging the surfactant paste into a high speed mixer/densifier; (d) inputting from about 1% to about 70% by weight of a detergency builder into the high speed mixer/densifier; and (e) agglomerating the surfactant paste and the builder by treating the surfactant paste and the builder initially in the high speed mixer/densifier and subsequently in a moderate speed mixer/densifier so as to form detergent agglomerates.

Abstract: A low dosage, highly dense detergent product is provided. The detergent composition comprises: (a) from about 40% to about 80% by weight of spray dried detergent granules; (b) from about 20% to about 60% by weight of detergent agglomerates having a density of at least about 700 g/l; and (c) from about 1% to about 20% by weight of adjunct ingredients. The weight ratio of the granules to the agglomerates is from about 3:1 to about 1:3 and the composition has a density of at least about 650 g/l.

Abstract: Homogeneous polymer blends are prepared from otherwise thermodynamically immiscible polymers, especially including block copolymers. Thus, polymers such as polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer or polystyrene/poly(1,2-butadiene) block copolymer are dissolved under pressure in supercritical fluid solvents such as chlorodifluoromethane and n-butane, respectively, and expanded through a fine nozzle. As the SCF solvent evaporates, the polymer deposits as a substantially homogeneous material.

Abstract: A process for preparing high density detergent agglomerates having a density of at least 650 g/l 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 process may include one or more additional processing steps such as adding a coating agent after the moderate speed mixer/densifier to facilitate and control agglomeration.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition having improved solubility or dispersability in laundering solutions is provided. The detergent composition contains especially selected amounts of detergent composition ingredients including: (a) from about 5% to about 20% by weight of a C.sub.12-14 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant; (b) from about 5% to about 20% by weight of a C.sub.14-15 alkyl sulfate surfactant; (c) from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of a C.sub.14-15 alkyl ethoxylated sulfate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 1 to 9; (d) from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of polyethylene glycol; (e) from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of polyacrylate; (f) from about 10% to about 35% by weight of aluminosilicate builder; (g) from about 10% to about 35% by weight of sodium carbonate; and (h) from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a C.sub.10-14 fatty alcohol.

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: A process for preparing high density detergent agglomerates having a density of at least 650 g/l is provided. The process includes the steps of: (a) agglomerating an aqueous surfactant paste and dry detergent material in a mixer/densifier so as to form detergent agglomerates having a density of at least about 650 g/l; and (b) inputting air into the mixer/densifier while agglomerating the aqueous surfactant paste and the dry detergent material, wherein the air has a relative humidity below the equilibrium relative humidity of the detergent agglomerates such that at least a minor amount of water from the surfactant paste is absorbed by the air.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning fruits and vegetables are provided. Clear liquid formulations comprising oleate, alcohol ethoxylates and buffers are sprayed onto apples, lettuce and the like to remove soil and unwanted deposits.

Abstract: A home dry cleaning process is provided. Thus, a carrier sheet releasably impregnated with solvents such as butoxy propoxy propanol, 1,2-octanediol as a wetting agent, water and an emulsifier is placed in a plastic bag with soiled garments and tumbled in a hot-air clothes dryer. The garments are cleaned and refreshed.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable, free-flowing foam-control agent in granular form, comprising a silicone antifoam compound, a carrier material, an organic coating material, characterized in, that they contain a crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate, at a weight ratio with the silicone antifoam compound of 1/5 to 2/1.The present invention also provides a method to make such agents, and detergent compositions containing said foam control agent.

Abstract: Particulate compositions are provided incorporating crystalline layered sodium silicates and ionisable material selected from organic acids, organic and inorganic acid salts and mixtures thereof. These particulates can also contain surfactants and other detergent ingredients. Additionally, a method for making these particulates is described as well as a detergent composition incorporating them.

Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent composition containing not more than 50% water by weight of the total liquid detergent composition, from about 0.0001 to about 1.0% on an active basis of a lipolytic enzyme, and further comprising a specially selected soap selected from the group consisting of specific C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 secondary carboxyl materials; specific secondary carboxyl materials wherein the carboxyl substituent is on a ring hydrocarbyl unit; and specific C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 primary or secondary carboxyl compounds and specific C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 tertiary carboxyl compounds. A pretreatment laundering process using the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquid alkyl lactam bleach activators are intimately mixed with a water-soluble surfactant and a thickener to form a bleach activator particle with good solubility, which perhydrolyzes well, and which is non-sticky and free flowing. Optionally, but preferably, the particles will further comprise binders and filler materials. Novel activator compositions comprising polyhydroxy fatty acid amides plus lactam activators are disclosed.

Abstract: Acyl lactam bleach activator is intimately mixed with a water-soluble surfactant to form a bleach activator particle, with good solubility and which perhydrolyzes well. Said process does not include a drying step. Optionally, but preferably, the particle will further comprise binders and a crystalline material.

Abstract: Detergent compositions containing conventional detergent surfactants, detergent builders, and the like, and a chelant selected from ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutaric acid (EDDG) and 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (HPDDS) are disclosed. Such compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains. The EDDG and HPDDS are biodegradable and contain no phorphorus.

Abstract: A detergent paste composition comprising: from 50% to 94% by weight of an anionic surfactant; from 1% to 30% by weight of an alkyl ethoxy sulfate and from 5% to 35% by weight of water. The paste has a viscosity greater than 10 Pa.s at a temperature of 70.degree. C. and measured at a shear rate of 25 s.sup.-1. The paste has rheological properties making it well-suited to the further processing into high active detergent agglomerate suitable for use in free flowing granular detergent compositions.

Abstract: A high active detergent paste composition which is suitable for making detergent granules which have an excellent white appearance making them suitable for use in consumer products. The paste compositions comprise a dye or optical brightener.

Abstract: The synthesis of phenol sulfonate esters of alkanoyl amino acids is conducted in the presence of aqueous base to provide bleach activator compounds. Thus, the acid chloride of N-nonanoyl-6-aminocaproic acid is reacted with the sodium salt of p-phenol sulfonate in the presence of water at a pH in the range of about 9 to about 12 to yield the corresponding phenol sulfonate ester. The synthesis of the phenol sulfonate ester of the monononyl amide of adipic acid is also illustrated.

Abstract: A process for continuously preparing high density detergent composition is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) continuously charging a detergent surfactant paste and dry starting detergent material into a high speed mixer/densifier to obtain agglomerates; (b) mixing the agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify, build-up and agglomerate the agglomerates; (c) feeding the agglomerates into a conditioning apparatus for improving the flow properties of the agglomerates and for separating the agglomerates into a first agglomerate mixture and a second agglomerate mixture; (d) recycling the first agglomerate mixture into the high speed mixer/densifier for further agglomeration; (e) admixing adjunct detergent ingredients to the second agglomerate mixture so as to form the high density detergent composition.