Detergent compositions
AssigneeUnilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
InventorsSiobhan Casey, Philip Ronald Moore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An anionic surfactant particle for use in laundry detergent compositions has an anionic surfactant content of at least 95 wt % of anionic surfactant and comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) and primary alcohol sulphate (PAS) in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:3. The particle, which is preferably in the form of a flake, is of low hygroscopicity and dissolves rapidly in water.
Claims11
1 An anionic surfactant particle for use in a laundry detergent composition, the particle having a total anionic surfactant content of at least 95 wt % and comprising linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) and primary alcohol sulphate (PAS) in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:3.
2 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, having a total anionic surfactant content of at least 98 wt %.
3 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ratio of LAS to PAS is within the range of from 3:1 to 1:2.
4 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, having an inorganic salt content not exceeding 2 wt %.
5 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PAS has an average alkyl chain length within the range of from C10 to C16, preferably from C12 to C14.
6 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactants are in sodium salt form.
7 An anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, which is the form of a flake.
8 A process for the preparation of an anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, which comprises the steps of
- (i) reacting LAS acid with sodium carbonate to form sodium LAS and water,
- (ii) admixing PAS in any suitable form,
- (iii) drying the resulting mixture to a solid form, and
- (iv) comminuting to form particles.
9 A particulate detergent composition comprising an anionic surfactant particle as claimed in claim 1, in admixture or conjunction with one or more other solid detergent ingredients.
10 A particulate detergent composition as claimed in claim 1, which comprises
- (a) a base powder composed of composite granules comprising surfactant and builder,
- (b) anionic surfactant particles as claimed in claim 1,
- (c) optionally postdosed detergent ingredients.
11 A particulate detergent composition as claimed in claim 10, having a total anionic surfactant content of at least 20 wt %.