Abstract: Silicate free detergent granules contain a seed crystal for calcium carbonate, such as calcite, a non-soap detergent active, especially an anionic active and a sugar such as sucrose to provide good mechanical strength, good dispersibility and other benefits. An alkali metal (e.g. sodium) carbonate may be present in the granules. The granules may be used as such to wash fabrics or may be added to a composition containing sodium carbonate and other conventional ingredients. The granules may be made by spray-drying or pan granulation.

Abstract: A particulate detergent composition is prepared by spray drying a slurry containing a surfactant system, which may contain anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and/or soap, a non-phosphate builder such as an aluminosilicate or an alkalimetal carbonate and a sugar such as sucrose or sorbitol. The sugar provides the powders with adequate structure without the necessity to utilize sodium silicate.

Abstract: A detergent-containing water-insoluble closed bag is so constructed as to open and discharge its contents under mechanical action in a washing machine in use. The seams of the bag may be heat-sealed or cold pressure sealed such that at least one seam will burst open in use. The bag material may be porous with a pore size selected to minimize dusting of the detergent. The bag material may include a thermoplastic component to enable heat-sealing. The bag may contain conventional detergent compositions and/or other fabric treatment materials. These products give consumer benefits both by way of improved efficiency in the use of the detergent compositions and in greater convenience in use.

Abstract: A method for conditioning fabrics in the tumble-dryer comprises applying to the fabrics a fabric conditioner in fine free-flowing powder form and containing a substantial proportion of a water-soluble soap blend containing significant proportions of C.sub.12, C.sub.14, C.sub.16 and C.sub.18 soaps, preferably a blend of 45-85% tallow soap and 15-55% coconut soap. The powder is advantageously applied from a sprinkling device that moves freely among the fabrics.

Abstract: Particulate detergent compositions, especially for use in cold water, contain a detergent active material, an alkaline material and builder particles comprising a carrier material and a saturated fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms. The carrier material is water-soluble or water-dispersible to release the fatty acid when the composition is added to a wash liquor. The builder particles have a size of 50 to 5000 microns. Suitable carrier materials include starch, clay, silica and inorganic salts. The fatty acid may be in solid solution with a dispersant such as a nonionic surfactant. When the alkaline material is carbonate, the addition of the builder particles to the wash liquor may be delayed until after a critical state is reached.

Abstract: A fabric treatment product is in the form of a bag having at least two compartments containing particulate fabric treatment compositions. The bag has a first outer wall and an intermediate wall of water-insoluble but water-permeable material such as paper or nonwoven fabric, and a second outer wall of water-impermeable water-insoluble plastics sheet. In the washing machine the wash water first enters the compartment bounded by the first outer wall, which is water-permeable, and dissolves or disperses out its contents, for example, a detergent composition. The water subsequently penetrates the intermediate wall to enter the second compartment and dissolve or disperse out its contents, for example, a fabric conditioner.

Abstract: Fabric, particularly soiled fabrics containing calcium carbonate crystal growth poisons, may be washed in hard water to which has been added a detergent active material and an alkali metal carbonate if a secondary detergency builder is added after a defined critical state of the system is reached. The secondary builder may be a precipitating, sequestering or ion exchange builder, and is added in such an amount which would be insufficient, in the absence of the carbonate, to reduce the free calcium ion concentration to less than 10.sup.-5 molar. The delayed addition can be achieved by separate dosing, coating the secondary builder, dosing the composition in the form of a two-compartment sachet or forming the secondary builder material in situ. The composition may include a material, such as calcite, to promote the occurrance of the critical state.

Abstract: A fabric treatment product for use in washing machines consists of a bag formed of water-insoluble, water-impermeable synthetic plastics sheet material containing a fabric treatment composition comprising a liquid, the bag having a weak seal that will be opened by the mechanical action of a washing machine.

Abstract: A detergent product comprises a water-insoluble, water-permeable bag containing a particulate detergent composition, the bag material having a water-soluble or removable water-insoluble layer to protect the bag material from the composition and to reduce dusting. The protective layer may be coated on or impregnated into the bag material or may form a continuous layer laminated to the inside of the bag material or may be in the form of a separate inner bag. The water-soluble material may be soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide, alkali metal silicate, soap, nonionic detergent, gelatine, salts or esters of alginic acid. The removable water-insoluble material may be a silicone, a fatty acid, a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener, polyvinylacetate, insoluble polyvinyl alcohol, clay, zeolite, calcite, silica, titania or a wax. The bag material may be paper and/or plastics material such as polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel system for a gas turbine engine wherein an annular combustion chamber 10 has an annular series of pairs of first and second nozzles 15,16. In one mode of operation fuel is supplied only to the first nozzles 15. In another mode, fuel is supplied also to the second nozzles. The change has to be made during operation of the engine. If the first and second nozzles had separate supply manifolds, the manifold pertaining to the second nozzles would have to be primed and purged respectively when initiating and terminating the use of the second nozzles. To avoid this difficulty the first and second nozzles are supplied by a single manifold 12 and the second nozzles are controlled by individual valves 21 situated close to the latter nozzles and operated collectively by a fluid pressure supply 26,27.

Abstract: Particulate detergent compositions comprising a detergent active compound, an alkali metal carbonate and finely divided calcium carbonate, are made by contacting the alkali metal carbonate in particulate form with a liquid or pasty detergent active compound or mixture thereof and admixing the calcium carbonate in powder form with the alkali metal carbonate particles so that the calcium carbonate adheres thereto.

Abstract: A detergent product comprises a particulate detergent composition contained within a closed water-insoluble bag which has a water-sensitive seal, whereby the contents of the bag are discharged on contact of the bag with water. Use of such detergent products improves detergent dosage control and hence cost-effectiveness, and is particularly beneficial for detergent compositions of higher density than customary or which contain water-insoluble ingredients.