Abstract: A granular detergent composition which includes a surfactant system containing linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, acyclic quaternary ammonium salt, alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants in selected molar ratios is provided. The composition has improved performance in cold temperature (i.e., 5° C. to 30° C.) laundering operations.

Abstract: Described is a process for forming controllably releasable fragrance-containing consumable articles, for example, encapsulated fragrances in detergents or fabric softener articles and compositions. The process includes the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous fragrance emulsion, including a modified starch; (b) spray drying or freeze drying the emulsion to form a fragrance-containing powder; and (c) mixing a solid consumable article base (e.g., detergent or fabric softener base) with the fragrance-containing powder. Also described are products produced by means of such processes as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate compound which provides multiple-cycle washing performance. The silicate compound has a molar ratio of M2O to SiO2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 wherein M represents an alkali metal. The compound contains 0.5 to less than 30% by weight of anionic surfactant and has an absorption capacity for liquid components which is at least 20% higher than that of the same quantity of the alkali metal silicate compound which is free from anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A water-free surfactant composition is presented having (a) a fatty alcohol sulfate corresponding to the formula R1O—SO3X where R1 is a linear alkyl chain containing 16 or 18 carbon atoms and X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium and (b) an alcohol sulfate corresponding to the formula R2O—SO3X where R2 is an alkyl chain containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms consisting of a minimum 20 percent by weight branched alkyl chains and a maximum 80 percent by weight unbranched alkyl chains, and X is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium. The surfactant composition has a reduced potential for irritation and good flowability and solubility in cold water. The surfactant composition is useful in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and other cleaners.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition is provided. The detergent composition comprises at least about 1% by weight of a surfactant and at least about 1% by weight of a builder. The detergent composition also includes from about 6 to about 9% of a particulate foam control agent. In addition, the detergent composition includes from about 0.1 to about 10% of hydrated magnesium sulfate, from about 0.05 to about 0.4% of a protease enzyme, and from about 0.05 to about 0.2% of a cellulase enzyme. The detergent composition produces the low level of foam required for optimal cleaning in washing machines employing a low water wash process.

Abstract: A water-free surfactant composition containing: (a) a fatty alcohol sulfate corresponding to the formula R.sup.1 O--SO.sub.3 X, where R.sup.1 is a linear alkyl chain, and X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkyl ammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium; and (b) an alkyl benzenesulfonate corresponding to the formula R.sup.2 --Ph--SO.sub.3 X where R.sup.2 is an alkyl chain containing 10 to 14 carbon atoms, Ph is a phenyl group and X is alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkyl ammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium. The fatty alcohol sulfate and alkyl benzenesulfonate are present in the surfactant composition in a weight ratio of 50:50 to 90:10. The water-free surfactant composition provides a reduced potential for irritation, good flow behavior and solubility in cold water. The surfactant composition is useful in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners.

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 is 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: Foam control granules, for use in particulate laundry detergent compositions, comprise a mobile hydrophobic foam control agent, preferably silicone oil in admixture with hydrophobic silica, optionally combined with a mixture of a hydrocarbon such as petroleum jelly and an alkylphosphoric acid salt, sorbed onto a porous absorbent inorganic carrier comprising or consisting of anhydrous sodium carbonate, preferably light soda ash. When such granules are prepared by mixing and granulating in a high shear mixer/granulator, the addition of from 1 to 10 wt % water after mixing and granulation results in granules having improved flow properties.

Abstract: The speed of disintegration of tablets containing a water-softening agent, especially water-insoluble, water-softening agent intended as detergency builder for fabric washing is enhanced by incorporating spray-dried partially hydrated sodium acetate alone or jointly with sodium citrate dihydrate and/or crystallized sodium acetate trihydrate.

Abstract: The use of at least trihydric alcohols and their reaction products with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide as additive to particulate detergent formulations, especially compact detergents, to increase their rate of dissolving in water in amounts of from 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the detergent formulations.

Abstract: A detergent composition having a bulk density of at least 550 kg/m.sup.3 comprises a mixture of:(a) a granulate, preferably a mechanically mixed granulate, of bulk density 450 kg/m.sup.3 to 1300 kg/m.sup.3, comprising surfactant and inorganic material, and(b) a spray-dried adjunct comprising inorganic material, preferably sodium sesquicarbonate or Burkeite,component (a) being present in an amount of from 35% to 85% by weight of the total granular product.The adjunct allows the bulk density of the final composition to be adjusted to any chosen value without detriment to other properties, thus providing flexibility to formulate at a range of bulk densities.

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 the production of surfactant granules by contacting an alkyl or alkenyl oligosaccharide paste with a zeolite or a water glass under conditions in which the mixture is simultaneously granulated and dried.

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: A solid textile detergent formulation, comprising(A) 1-60% by weight of inorganic builders based on crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates, crystalline or amorphous silicates, carbonates and/or phosphates,(B) 0.1-25% by weight of one or more glycine-N,N'-diacetic acid derivatives I ##STR1## where R is an organic radical and M is hydrogen or a cation, as organic cobuilders,(C) 1-40% by weight of anionic surfactants and(D) 0.5-30% by weight of nonionic surfactants.

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: 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 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: Laundry particles comprising: a) a porous carrier selected from the group consisting of Zeolite X, Zeolite Y, and mixtures thereof; and b) laundry agents comprising from about 5% to about 100% by weight of deliverable agents, preferably comprising from about 0.1% to about 50% blocker agents.

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 particulate agglomerated carrier is described which is suitable for use in admixture with a laundry detergent composition and which is capable of depositing an effective amount of an antibacterial agent on laundered fabrics and for providing an effective amount of same in the wash solution. The carrier is an agglomerate of a smectite-type clay and an antibacterial agent.Also, described is a laundry detergent composition containing such agglomerated carrier and process for depositing an effective amount of an antibacterial agent on laundered fabrics and for providing an effective amount of such antibacterial agent in the wash solution.

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: Detegent composition having color care agents are provided. The detergent compositions comprise from about 0.1% to about 50% of by weight of the composition of a color care agent having the formula:(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)N(CX.sub.2).sub.n N(R.sub.3)(R.sub.4)wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1-10 carbons atoms and substituted or unsubstituted aryl having at least 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 1 to 6; R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl; aryl; alkaryl; arylalk; hydroxyalkyl; polyhydroxyalkyl; polyalkylether having the formula --((CH.sub.2).sub.y O).sub.z R.sub.7 where R.sub.7 is hydrogen or a linear, branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and where y is an integer from 2 to 10 and z is an integer from 1 to 30; alkoxy; polyalkoxy having the formula: --(O(CH.sub.2).sub.y).sub.z R.sub.7 ; the group --C(O)R.sub.

Abstract: The method for producing a fine solid builder particle includes the steps of suspending a solid builder in a dispersion medium containing 20 to 100% by weight of a surfactant, and carrying out wet grinding of the solid builder. The builder composition containing the fine solid builder particle is obtainable by the above method. The detergent composition containing the fine solid builder particle is obtainable by the method. The method for producing a detergent composition includes the steps of carrying out wet grinding of a solid builder using a dispersion medium containing a surfactant to give a mixture of a fine solid builder particle and the surfactant, and further adding the mixture to a composition for a detergent.

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: A cleaning composition contains (a) a detersive surfactant and (b) a poly(amino acid) compound or a precursor thereof, the said component (b) being protected from contact with a level of alkalinity as would cause degradation thereof. The component (b) may be stabilized by, for example, coating it with an organic acid compound or with a film-forming polymer; by agglomerating it with a controlled level of alkaline or alkaline-reacting compound (e.g. sodium carbonate); by spray-granulating it in admixture with a nonionic surfactant; by encapsulating it with a silicone-based resin; or by incorporating it in a composition that is non-alkaline. The storage stability of the compositions is thereby improved.

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: 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: 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: Detergent components or compositions having a bulk density of at least 700 g/l comprise a nonionic surfactant system including at least one nonionic surfactant which is a liquid at temperatures below 40.degree. C., and from about 0.5% to 15% by weight of the component or compositions of a flow aid which is a premixed powder comprising sodium aluminosilicate and hydrophobic silica in a weight ratio of from 100:1 to 5:1. The detergent components or compositions are made by free dispersion mixing or granulation.

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 process for producing free-flowing granules comprising the steps of (a) drying with superheated steam an aqueous mixture containing at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants to form carrier granules having a porous inner structure, and (b) impregnating the porous inner structure of the carrier granules with an aqueous coating composition selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, detergents, cleaning agents, and mixtures thereof, to form an impregnated carrier granule.

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: 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.