Formation of detergent granules by deagglomeration of detergent dough
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorJohn M. Jolicoeur
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a process for making detergent granules by forming a doughy mass comprising surfactant and/or water-soluble organic polymer and/or detergent builder, and then granulating by mixing a deagglomerating agent into the doughy mass at a high shear rate. Neutral or alkaline salt, detergent builder and other conventional detergent ingredients can be, and preferably are, kneaded into the doughy mass before addition of the deagglomerating agent. The deagglomerating agent is a fine powder having a mean particle size of less than about 200 microns and is most preferably sodium aluminosilicate.
Claims25
A process for making detergent granules, comprising:
- (a) forming a doughy mass comprising a substantially uniform mixture of, by weight:
- (1) from about 5% to about 40% of water;
- (2) from about 20% to about 90% of an ingredient selected from the group consisting go anionic, zwitterionic, cationic, ampholytic, and nonionic surfactant;
- water-soluble organic polymer;
- detergent builder;
- and mixtures thereof;
- (3) form 0 to about 25% of a deagglomerating agent which is a fine powder having a mean particle size less than about 200 microns;
- (b) mixing the doughy mass with an effective amount of a deagglomerating agent, which is a fine powder having a mean particle size of less than about 200 microns, in a high shear mixer at a tip speed of greater than about 10 meters per second;
- wherein the ratio of doughy mass to deagglomerating agent added in step (b) is from about 9:1 to about 1:5;
- wherein said mixing is at a temperature between about 35.degree. and 100.degree. C.;
- and wherein steps (a) and (b) do not include crushing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.