Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Heterogeneous arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-01
2001-08-28
Douyon, Lorna M. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Heterogeneous arrangement
C510S451000, C510S495000, C264S117000, C264S141000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281188
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a process for producing a low density detergent composition. More particularly, the invention is directed to a non-tower process during which low density detergent agglomerates are produced by hardening an aqueous surfactant paste by mixing said paste with a water absorbing material, and then mixing the hardened paste with other detergent ingredients so as to produce agglomerates. The process produces a free flowing, low density detergent composition which can be commercially sold as a conventional non-compact detergent composition or used as an admix in a low dosage, “compact” detergent product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, there has been considerable interest within the detergent industry for laundry detergents which are “compact” and therefore, have low dosage volumes. To facilitate production of these so-called low dosage detergents, many attempts have been made to produce high bulk density detergents, for example with a density of 600 g/l or higher. The low dosage detergents are currently in high demand as they conserve resources and can be sold in small packages which are more convenient for consumers. However, the extent to which modern detergent products need to be “compact” in nature remains unsettled. In fact, many consumers, especially in developing countries, continue to prefer higher dosage levels in their respective laundering operations. One characteristic common to the existing process for producing modern detergent composition by agglomeration, namely, non-tower process, is that the apparent density of the granules by such process is typically not less than 600 g/l. Consequently, there is a need in the art of agglomeration (e.g., non-tower process) to produce modem detergent compositions for flexibility in the ultimate density of the final composition, especially for low density (for example, the range of the density is from about 300 g/l to about 600 g/l).
Generally, there are three primary types of processes by which detergent granules or powders can be prepared. The first type of process involves spray-drying an aqueous detergent slurry in a spray-drying tower to produce highly porous detergent granules (e.g., tower process for low density detergent compositions). The second type of process involves spray-drying an aqueous detergent slurry in a spray-drying tower as the first step, then, the resultant granules are agglomerated with a binder such as a nonionic or anionic surfactant, and finally, various detergent components are dry mixed to produce detergent granules (e.g., tower process plus agglomeration process for high density detergent compositions). In the third type of process, the various detergent components are dry mixed after which they are agglomerated with a binder such as a nonionic or anionic surfactant, to produce high density detergent compositions (e.g., agglomeration process for high density detergent compositions). In the above three processes, the important factors which govern the density of the resulting detergent granules are the shape, porosity and particle size distribution of said granules, the density of the various starting materials, the shape of the various starting materials, and their respective chemical composition.
There have been many attempts in the art for providing processes which increase the density of detergent granules or powders. Particular attention has been given to densification of spray-dried granules by post tower treatment. For example, one attempt involves a batch process in which spray-dried or granulated detergent powders containing sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sulfate are densified and spheronized in a Marumerizer®. This apparatus comprises a substantially horizontal, roughened, rotatable table positioned within and at the base of a substantially vertical, smooth walled cylinder. This process, however, is essentially a batch process and is therefore less suitable for the large scale production of detergent powders. More recently, other attempts have been made to provide continuous processes for increasing the density of “post-tower” or spray dried detergent granules. Typically, such processes require a first apparatus which pulverizes or grinds the granules and a second apparatus which increases the density of the pulverized granules by agglomeration. While these processes achieve the desired increase in density by treating or densifying “post tower” or spray dried granules, they are limited in their ability to go higher in surfactant active level without subsequent coating step. In addition, treating or densifying by “post tower” is not favourable in terms of economics (high capital cost) and complexity of operation. Moreover, all of the aforementioned processes are directed primarily for densifying or otherwise processing spray dried granules. Currently, the relative amounts and types of materials subjected to spray drying processes in the production of detergent granules has been limited. For example, it has been difficult to attain high levels of surfactant in the resulting detergent composition, a feature which facilitates production of detergents in a more efficient manner. Thus, it would be desirable to have a process by which detergent compositions can be produced without having the limitations imposed by conventional spray drying techniques.
To that end, the art is also replete with disclosures of processes which entail agglomerating detergent compositions. For example, attempts have been made to agglomerate detergent builders by mixing zeolite and/or layered silicates in a mixer to form free flowing agglomerates. While such attempts suggest that their process can be used to produce detergent agglomerates, they do not provide a mechanism by which starting detergent materials in the form of pastes, liquids and dry materials can be effectively agglomerated into crisp, free flowing detergent agglomerates having low densities.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to have a non-tower process for producing a low density detergent composition directly from starting detergent ingredients. Also, there remains a need for such a process which is more efficient, flexible and economical to facilitate large-scale production of detergents of low as well as high dosage levels.
BACKGROUND ART
The following references are directed to densifying spray-dried granules: Appel et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,924 (Lever); Bortolotti et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,657 (Lever); Johnson et al, British patent No. 1,517,713 (Unilever); and Curtis, European Patent Application 451,894.
The following references are directed to producing detergents by agglomeration: Charles et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,079 (FMC Corporation), Beujean et al, Laid-open No. WO93/23,523 (Henkel), Beerse et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,646 (Procter & Gamble); Capeci et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,652 (Procter & Gamble); Aouad et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,354 (Procter & Gamble); Hollingsworth et al, European Patent Application 351,937 (Unilever);and Swatling et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,958.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,079 describes agglomeration process for low density nonphosphate detergents having increased resistance to non ionic bleeding. The first process step agglomerates detergent ingredients with non aqueous liquid surfactant. The first step is, followed by a second agglomeration step where the surfactant loaded particles are dispersed into an inert gaseous medium, wetting the dispersed particles with atomized stream of aqueous sodium silicate or with separate atomized streams of water and concentrated sodium silicate to form the agglomerate detergent. It is not clear from the disclosure on what contributes to the low density. In addition, the disclosure does not include aqueous surfactants and phosphate containing detergents. The process in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,079 differs from the invention disclosed herein which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a non-tower process
Kandasamy Manivanan
Nakamura Yuji
Douyon Lorna M.
Dressman Marianne
Miller Steven W.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
William Zerby Kim
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