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.

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: A multi-step process for making a granular detergent composition. The processing steps include adding to a first fluid bed dryer 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 mixer to form a fourth feed stream, and optionally, a third feed stream selected from a second powder, a second liquid, and mixtures thereof can be added to the mixer. The fourth feed stream is added to a second fluid bed dryer to form the granular detergent composition. 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: Stability enhanced hydrophobic bleaching systems for textile applications and methods for using are provided. The bleaching systems comprise a hydrophobic peracid and a peracid stabilizing system of a preferred ratio of peracid to stabilizer. Preferred stabilizers to be used in conjunction with the hydrophobic peracids include diphosponic, multiphosphonic and amino phosphonic acid derivatives.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing high-active detergent agglomerates through multi-stage surfactant paste injection. According to the process, starting detergent materials are mixed with an initial amount of surfactant paste and then allowed to age for a specified period of time. Following the initial paste injection and aging period, additional amounts of surfactant paste are injected incrementally to make a final detergent agglomerate having at least about 45% by weight of surfactant.

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 process is provided for producing high-active detergent agglomerates through multi-stage surfactant paste injection. According to the process, starting detergent materials are mixed with an initial amount of surfactant paste and then allowed to age for a specified period of time. Following the initial paste injection and aging period, additional amounts of surfactant paste are injected incrementally to make a final detergent agglomerate having at least about 45% by weight of surfactant.

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.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing an inexpensive detergent builder in the form of a selected crystalline calcium carbonate that has been coated with an encapsulating material such as a carbohydrate is provided. The crystalline calcium carbonate can be calcite and the encapsulating material can be sucrose. The crystalline calcium carbonate of the present invention is extremely inexpensive because it performs well even when used at large median particle sizes (e.g. less than 10 m.sup.2 /g surface areas).

Abstract: A process for preparing a detergent composition is provided. The process involves: (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; and (b) mixing the detergent agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify and agglomerate the detergent agglomerates. The dry detergent material contains a builder which is a selected crystalline calcium carbonate material substantially having a rhombohedral crystalline structure with {1,0,-1,1} crystallographic indices.

Abstract: A convenient process for making builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders is provided. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. In its broadest aspect, the invention is directed to a process involving converting starting materials (via any means including but not limited to heating and precipitating) to a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

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 said surfactant paste includes, by weight of said surfactant paste, from about 0.1% to about 50% of a non-aqueous binder, from about 70% to about 95% of a detersive surfactant, and the balance water; (b) mixing the detergent agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further density 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 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 continuously preparing high density detergent composition is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) agglomerating a detergent surfactant paste and dry starting detergent material in a high speed mixer/densifier to obtain agglomerates having a Dispersion Index in a range of from about 1 to about 6, whereinDispersion Index=A/BA is the surfactant level in the agglomerates having a particle size of at least 1100 microns, and B is the surfactant level in the agglomerates having a particle size less than about 150 microns; (b) mixing the agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify, build-up and agglomerate the agglomerates; and (c) conditioning the agglomerates such that the flow properties of the agglomerates are improved, thereby forming the high density detergent composition.