High-shear process for preparing silicate-containing paste-form detergent compositions

Claim 1

A process for the production of alkaline, silicate-containing, paste-form detergent compositions, comprising from about 30 to about 80% of solid inorganic components selected from the group consisting of silicates, phosphates, polyphosphates, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, sulfates, and mixtures thereof; and containing at least about 0.5% of an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant, wherein the alkoxy moiety is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures thereof; wherein the amount of water-soluble alkali metal silicate in the final composition is from about 10 to about 40%; and wherein the final composition contains from about 10 to about 50% of a detergency builder selected from the group consisting of polyphosphates, carbonates, bicarbonates, organic builders and mixtures thereof; comprising the steps of: (a) high-shear mixing the solid and liquid components of said composition, such that the temperature of the mixture exceeds about 80° F; the ratio by weight, of said solid components to said liquid components being from about 4:1 to about 1:2; followed by (b) simultaneously mixing and cooling said mixture to a temperature of less than about 80° F when a temperature of about 120° F is exceeded in step (a).