Abstract: Methods for in situ mixing of two or more different liquid compositions by employing a dynamic flow profile characterized by a ramping-up section and/or a ramping-down section.

Abstract: A container filling assembly that can be used with container filling systems to fill containers during successive filling cycles with the same or different fluid compositions at high rates of speed, with little to no machinery changeover, and/or with little to no fluid waste.

Abstract: A method of filling containers that can be used to fill containers during successive filling cycles with the same or different fluid compositions at high rates of speed, with little to no machinery changeover, and/or with little to no fluid waste.

Abstract: Concentrated surfactant compositions that include an alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant and an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, and process for making such compositions. Detergent compositions made from such concentrated surfactant compositions, and process for making such detergent compositions.

Abstract: Concentrated surfactant compositions that include an alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant and an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, and process for making such compositions. Detergent compositions made from such concentrated surfactant compositions, and process for making such detergent compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for producing customized products intermixed with mass produced products are disclosed. The system and method utilize an automated track system and a plurality of vehicles that are independently routable along the track system. The track system includes a primary transport path and at least one secondary transport path. At least some vehicles may be independently routable along the track system to deliver first and second vehicles, with the respective first and second articles, to at least one of at least two unit operation stations. The first article and the second article are routable so that: the first article is routable to form a customized product; and the second article is routable separate from the first article to form part of a stream of mass produced products.

Abstract: Water-soluble pouches comprise water-soluble films coated by a composition. The composition comprises silica flow aid and an absorbent material selected from the group consisting of zeolite; over-dried zeolite; talc; starch; zinc stearate; calcium stearate; micronized calcium carbonate; sodium carbonate; micronized sodium sulphate; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Water-soluble pouches comprise water-soluble films coated by a composition. The composition comprises silica flow aid and an absorbent material selected from the group consisting of zeolite; over-dried zeolite; talc; starch; zinc stearate; calcium stearate; micronized calcium carbonate; sodium carbonate; micronized sodium sulphate; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a processing system, a method of processing and products produced by said process. Such system and method can reduce change over time and/or off quality product.

Abstract: A process for preparing a detergent particle having a coating layer of a water-soluble material is provided. The process comprises providing a particle core of a detergent active material and the particle core is then at least partially covered by a particle coating layer of a water soluble coating material including double salt combinations of alkali metal carbonates and sulfates that reduces the surface area of the particle.

Abstract: A process for 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 process includes mixing in at least one high-speed, low-speed, or a moderate-speed mixer, and various combinations of such mixers, at least two materials selected from the group consisting of dry agglomerates, wet agglomerates, spray dried granules, and detergent adjunct ingredients to form particles. Optionally a conditioning apparatus may also be used. The granular detergent composition made from this process is aesthetically pleasing to consumers and has improved flowability.

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 provided. The granular detergent composition is aesthetically pleasing to consumers and has improved flowability. The granular detergent composition has a homogeneity number of greater than 1 wherein the homogeneity number is defined by the equation HN=Xbulk/Xpart. A process for producing the detergent is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 4 and at a Stokes Number of 10 to about 1000 using a coating solution or slurry having a viscosity from about 300 to about 100,000 centipoise, measured at 60° C. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Abstract: A process for the production of granular detergent compositions is provided wherein fluid bed granulation is employed in conjunction with selected recycle of oversized particles to control the uniformity of the resulting detergent composition. The process comprises feeding starting ingredients into a fluid bed granulator to at least partially granulate the feed material while employing the fluid bed to control undersized particle generation and sizing in conjunction with recycle to control oversized particles.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed is provided. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 3.5 and/or a Stokes Number of greater than 1.0. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing coated detergent granules in a fluidized bed is provided. The fluidized bed is operated at a flux number of at least about 3.5 and/or a Stokes Number of greater than 1.0. Upon drying, the resultant detergent particles have improved appearance and flow properties and may be packaged and sold as a detergent material or mixed with various other detergent ingredients to provide a fully formulated detergent composition.

Abstract: A multi-step process for making a granular detergent composition. The processing steps include adding to a mixer a first feed stream selected from a first powder, a first liquid, and mixtures thereof, to form a second feed stream. The second feed stream is added to a fluid bed dryer to form the granular detergent composition, and optionally, a third feed stream selected from a second powder, a second liquid, and mixtures thereof can be added to the fluid bed dryer. The granular detergent composition contains at least about 50% by weight of particles having a geometric mean particle diameter of from about 500 microns to about 1500 microns with a geometric standard deviation of from about 1 to about 2. Further, at least a portion of the particles contain a detersive surfactant or a detergent builder.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for enhancing the dissolution of a solid material in an aqueous solution incorporate an effervescent system into the material. Effervescent systems include (i) the combination of one or more enzymes and one or more substrates for said enzymes and (ii) a metal ion catalyst and a substrate for that metal ion catalyst. The combination of either (i) the enzyme and the substrate or (i) metal ion catalyst and substrate is capable of producing a gas when the material is in an aqueous solution. The effervescent system is particularly suited for incorporation into laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, antacids, vitamins, contact lens cleaners, denture cleaners and other household products. It is believed that the gas produced by the interaction of the enzyme or metal ion catalyst and the appropriate substrate enhances and facilitates dissolution of the material by increasing the surface area of the material that is in contact with the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A granular bleach activator extrudate that has a size and shape that is within a relatively narrow distribution range. The bleach activator exhibits improved solubility, and reduced product separation when incorporated into a granular detergent composition. Also provided are granular detergent compositions comprising a detersive surfactant and the bleach activator extrudates. Methods for forming the extruded bleach activator particles are also provided.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing an inexpensive detergent builder in the form of a selected crystalline calcium carbonate is provided. Specifically, the crystalline calcium carbonate has a substantially rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0-1,1} crystallographic indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate can be calcite that has been specially modified to a rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0-1,1} indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate of the present invention is extremely inexpensive because it can be readily formed from inexpensive naturally occurring calcite, and it performs well even when used at large median particle sizes.