Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Heterogeneous arrangement
Patent
1996-10-18
1997-12-30
Lieberman, Paul
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Heterogeneous arrangement
510350, 510351, 510443, 510452, 510475, 510476, 510504, 510507, 510510, C11D 1100
Patent
active
057030375
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a process for the manufacture of free flowing detergent granules having a bulk density of at least 600 g/l which comprises the addition of a spray dried powder comprising anionic polymer and cationic surfactant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cationic surfactants are well-known detergent ingredients which are used, in particular, for imparting a soft feel to fabrics after they have been washed. The most commonly used cationic surfactants are commercially available as aqueous solutions, typically with a surfactant activity of about 35% or 40%.
Anionic polymers, such as polycarboxylates are also well-known detergent ingredients. It has been found to be particularly beneficial to incorporate such polymers into surfactant pastes during the process of preparing high density detergent granules. EP508543, published on 12th April 1991 describes a process in which a surfactant paste is structured (or "conditioned") with various agents, including polycarboxylate, prior to an agglomeration step. The addition of the polymer enables higher surfactant activities to be achieved in this process whilst still providing free-flowing, high bulk density detergent granules with a rapid rate of dissolution.
The preparation of lower density granules which comprise both cationic surfactant and anionic polymer has been described. U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,090, 9th February 1988 discloses spray dried powders comprising anionic co-polymers based upon an amide monomer.
Whilst this disclosure provides a method for processing commercially available solutions of cationic surfactant, it is not suitable for use in today's compact detergents because the bulk density of the spray dried product is too low. Alternatively, simply adding cationic surfactant in the form a fine powder to a granular detergent matrix significantly impairs the dispensing properties of the product.
The present invention provides a process for incorporating aqueous solutions of cationic surfactants into free-flowing, high bulk density, high active detergent granules.
The objective of the present invention is achieved by complexing anionic polymer with cationic surfactant in solution. The solution is then spray dried and mixed with high active surfactant pastes, preferably in a twin screw extruder, prior to agglomeration resulting in high active surfactant agglomerates of desirable properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of free flowing detergent granules having a bulk density of at least 600 g/l, comprising the steps of: 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; and anionic polymer and cationic surfactant.
In a preferred process step b) comprises the steps of: anionic polymer and cationic surfactant to form a homogeneous pasty mixture; and subsequently high shear mixer to form the granular product.
The spray dried powder which is added in step (b) preferably comprises: surfactant; and polymer comprising functional groups which are anionic.
Furthermore it is preferred that the spray-dried powder comprises less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, (on anhydrous basis) of inorganic components. If however inorganic components are present, the spray dried component should comprise less than 5% by weight (on anhydrous basis) of aluminosilicate, carbonate and tripolyphosphate. It is also preferred that the spray dried powder comprises less than 10%, more preferably less than 1% by weight of anionic surfactant.
A useful anionic polymer (II) is one which comprises carboxylate functional groups. Such a polymer may be selected from the group consisting of water-soluble salts of homo-and copolymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, maleic acid, vinylic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid, methylenemalonic acid, aspartic acid and mixtures thereof. Especially useful are hydrophobically
REFERENCES:
patent: 4379080 (1983-04-01), Murphy
patent: 4704221 (1987-11-01), Bleil et al.
patent: 4724090 (1988-02-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5066425 (1991-11-01), Ofosu-Asante et al.
Doumen Achille Jules Edmond
Goovaerts Luc
Vega Jose Luis
Douyon Lorna M.
Lieberman Paul
Patel Ken K.
Rasser Jacobus C.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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