Detergent compositions containing coated particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate

Claim 2

Particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate having a coating of a substantially water-insoluble calcium salt on and interspersed with the particles thereof, said coating comprising 10% to 75% by weight based on the total combined weight of the water-insoluble calcium salt and calcium sulfate dihydrate of a substance selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, calcium sulfite, calcium orthophosphate, and hydroxyapatite.

Claim 3

Coated particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate in accordance with claim 1 wherein said substantially water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium carbonate.

Claim 4

Coated particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate in accordance with claim 1 wherein said substantially water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium silicate.

Claim 5

A particulate detergent composition comprising about 5% to about 30% of an anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, about 10% to about 60% of a detergent builder, and about 1% to about 75% of a detergent filler comprising particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate having a coating of a substantially water-insoluble calcium salt on and interspersed with the particles thereof, said coating comprising 10% to 75% by weight based on the total combined weight of the water-insoluble calcium salt and calcium sulfate dihyrate a substance selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, calcium sulfite, calcium orthophosphate, hydroxyapatite, and a calcium salt of an alkanoic acid having about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Claim 6

A particulate detergent composition comprising about 5% to about 30% of an anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, about 10% to about 60% of a detergent builder, and about 1% to about 75% of a detergent filler comprising particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate having a coating of a substantially water-insoluble calcium salt on and interspersed with the particles thereof, said coating comprising 10% to 75% by weight based on the total combined weight of the water-insoluble calcium salt and calcium sulfate dihyrate a substance selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, calcium sulfite, calcium orthophosphate, hydroxyapatite, and a calcium salt of an alkanoic acid having about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Claim 7

A particulate detergent composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium carbonate.

Claim 8

A particulate detergent composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium silicate.

Claim 9

A particulate detergent composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said water-insoluble calcium salt is a calcium salt of an alkanoic acid having about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Claim 10

A particulate detergent composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium stearate.

Claim 11

A particulate detergent composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said water-insoluble calcium salt is calcium laurate.

Claim 12

A process for producing a detergent composition comprising i. charging into a crutcher about 35% to about 45% water, the percentages being based on total cruthcer charge, by weight, ii. mixing therewith about 10% to about 60% of sodium carbonate, iii. adding to said mixture about 1% to about 75% of particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate, iv. agitating said mixture until a coating of calcium carbonate forms on said particles of calcium sulfate dihydrate, while maintaining the temperature of the mixture between 20° C and about 100° C, v. adding to said mixture 0% to about 30% sodium sulfate, vi. adding about 5% to about 30% of a surfactant having detergent properties fo form a built detergent slurry in said crutcher, and vii. spray drying said slurry, said percentages set forth in (ii), (iii), (v) and (vi) being by weight of the spray-dried detergent composition, and the total of the percentages of said coated calcium sulfate dihydrate and sodium sulfate being about 3% to about 75%.

Claim 13

A process for producing a detergent composition comprising i. charging into a crutcher about 35% to about 45% water, the percentages being based on total cruthcer charge, by weight, ii. mixing therewith about 10% to about 60% of sodium carbonate, iii. adding to said mixture about 1% to about 75% of particulate calcium sulfate dihydrate, iv. agitating said mixture until a coating of calcium carbonate forms on said particles of calcium sulfate dihydrate, while maintaining the temperature of the mixture between 20° C and about 100° C, v. adding to said mixture 0% to about 30% sodium sulfate, vi. adding about 5% to about 30% of a surfactant having detergent properties fo form a built detergent slurry in said crutcher, and vii. spray drying said slurry, said percentages set forth in (ii), (iii), (v) and (vi) being by weight of the spray-dried detergent composition, and the total of the percentages of said coated calcium sulfate dihydrate and sodium sulfate being about 3% to about 75%.

Claim 14

The process in accordance with claim 10 wherein step (iv) is carried out in the temperature range of 20°-60° C.

Claim 15

The process in accordance with claim 10 wherein step (iv) is carried out in the temperature range of 20°-30° C.