US4083813A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making granular detergent composition
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1977-01-31
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Granted: 1978-04-11
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Expires: 1997-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A process for the preparation of spray-dried granular detergent compositions containing an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant, wherein the degradation of the zwitterionic surfactant during processing is minimized, is disclosed. In the process, the nonionic and zwitterionic components are intimately mixed, in the absence of alkaline components, prior to their addition to an aqueous alkaline crutcher mix, which is formed into detergent granules by spray-drying.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney Mahlon Wise
- 👤 Donna M. Derstadt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:44
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D11/00; C11D11/02; C11D1/00; C11D1/88; C11D1/94; C11D1/66; C11D1/722; C11D1/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A process for preparing a zwitterionic surfactant-containing spray-dried granular alkaline detergent composition, wherein the degradation of the zwitterionic surfactant by the alkaline components is minimized, comprising the steps of: (a) Forming a mixture consisting essentially of (i) an alkoxylated nonionic surface-active agent; and (ii) a zwitterionic surface-active agent; in a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) of from about 5:1 to about 1:5 said mixture having a pH of less than about 9 at a concentration of 1% by weight in water; (b) thoroughly agitating said mixture of (a); (c) thereafter adding said mixture to an alkaline aqueous slurry of an alkaline component or components; and (d) spray-drying the aqueous slurry formed in steps (a)-(c) inclusive to form detergent granules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process for preparing a zwitterionic surfactant-containing spray-dried granular alkaline detergent composition, wherein the degradation of the zwitterionic surfactant by the alkaline components is minimized, comprising the steps of: (a) Forming a mixture consisting essentially of (i) an alkoxylated nonionic surface-active agent; and (ii) a zwitterionic surface-active agent; in a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) of from about 5:1 to about 1:5 said mixture having a pH of less than about 9 at a concentration of 1% by weight in water; (b) thoroughly agitating said mixture of (a); (c) thereafter adding said mixture to an alkaline aqueous slurry of an alkaline component or components; and (d) spray-drying the aqueous slurry formed in steps (a)-(c) inclusive to form detergent granules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture of zwitterionic and nonionic has a pH of less than about 7 at a concentration of 1% by weight in water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the alkaline component is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an alkali metal oxide; (b) an alkali metal hydroxide; (c) an alkali metal carbonate; (d) an alkali metal silicate having an SiO 2 :M 2 O molar ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2.5:1 wherein M is sodium or potassium or mixtures thereof; and (e) mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the nonionic surface-active agent has the formula ##STR7## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals wherein the alkyl groups contain from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, wherein Y is an integer from 0 to about 7 and wherein Z is an integer from about 1 to about 45.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the zwitterionic surfactant is one selected from the group consisting of ##STR8## (c) mixtures thereof; wherein a is from about 5 to 25, the sum of b + c is equal to about 15, and X is SO 3 or SO 4 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the zwitterionic surface-active agent is a sultaine of the formula ##STR9## wherein R 1 is an alkyl radical containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and hydroxyethyl radicals, R 4 is selected from the group consisting of methylene, ethylene, and propylene radicals and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydroxyl group wherein said hydroxyl group is attached only to a secondary carbon atom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of ethoxylated nonionic surface-active agent to zwitterionic surface-active agent is from about 2:1 to about 1:2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the mixture of step (a) is thoroughly aggitated so as to form a uniform gel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the aqueous slurry of step (c) has a pH greater than about 9 at a concentration of 1% by weight in water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the aqueous slurry of step (c) has a pH greater than about 9.5 at a concentration of 1% by weight in water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein the nonionic surface-active agent is such that R is an alkyl radical containing from about 10 to 16 carbon atoms and Z is from about 2 to about 10.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the zwitterionic surface-active agent is such that R 4 is a propylene radical and X is a hydroxyl group.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein the alkaline component is sodium silicate having an SiO 2 :Na 2 O molar ratio of from about 1.6:1 to about 2.4:1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 13 such that the final spray-dried granules contain at least about 8% by weight of the nonionic/zwitterionic surfactant mixture of step (a).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 14 such that the final spray-dried granule contains at least about 12% and not more than about 50% by weight of the alkali metal silicate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1 such that the final spray-dried granules contain from about 2 to about 30% of said zwitterionic surfactant and from about 3 to about 30% of said alkoxylated nonionic surfactant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A new process according to claim 16 such that the final spray-dried granules contain from about 12 to about 50% of said alkaline component or components.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |