US4276326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Free flowing builder beads and detergents
Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
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Filing: 1978-12-28
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Granted: 1981-06-30
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Expires: 1998-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing free flowing spray dried base builder beads comprising inorganic detergent builders. The builder beads comprise alkali metal phosphate, alkali metal silicate and water. The alkali metal phosphate component includes a hydrated and an anhydrous portion. Relatively large amounts of liquid or liquifiable detergent ingredients such as surface active agents etc. can be applied to the base beads after spray drying, without destroying their free flowing properties.
Inventors
- 👤 David Joshi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:17
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D11/00; C11D11/02; C11D1/00; C11D1/66; C11D1/72; C11D11/0082; C11D11/0088; C11D3/00; C11D3/02; C11D3/04; C11D3/06; C11D3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for producing a free flowing base builder bead comprising hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt in the presence of an alkali metal silicate to form an aqueous slurry; adding a second quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt to said slurry to form a crutcher mix, said addition being made under conditions which maintain said second quantity of phosphate builder in an anhydrous state; spray drying said crutcher mix to form a particulate material, the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said alkali metal silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5 and the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said second quantity of builder salt being from about 0.3 to about 0.7.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for producing a free flowing base builder bead comprising hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt in the presence of an alkali metal silicate to form an aqueous slurry; adding a second quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt to said slurry to form a crutcher mix, said addition being made under conditions which maintain said second quantity of phosphate builder in an anhydrous state; spray drying said crutcher mix to form a particulate material, the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said alkali metal silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5 and the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said second quantity of builder salt being from about 0.3 to about 0.7.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further including the addition of water to said slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrating step is performed at a temperature suitable for hydrating said first quantity of phosphate builder salt and said slurry is raised to a temperature that would inhibit hydration of said second quantity of phosphate builder salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said first quantity of said phosphate builder salt to said alkali metal silicate is about 2 to about 4.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said crutcher mix contains from about 40 to about 55 percent solids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said spray drying takes place in a countercurrent spray tower at a spray pressure from about 200 psig to about 1000 psig and an inlet air temperature from about 500° F. to about 700° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 including the addition subsequent to said hydration step of up to 10 percent by weight based on crutcher solids, of builder salts chosen from the group consisting of carbonates, citrates and silicates having detergent building properties or combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of producing a free flowing particulate detergent containing from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight of a liquid or semi-solid nonionic detergent material comprising the steps of supplying base builder beads made in accordance with the process of claim 1 having a porous outer surface and a skeletal internal structure, applying said nonionic detergent onto said beads such that said nonionic detergent impregnates said beads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said base builder beads comprise from about 45 to about 80 percent by weight phosphate builder salt; from about 5 to about 15 percent alkali metal silicate solids and from about 5 to about 15 percent water and said nonionic is present in an amount of from about 12 to about 25 percent by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said builder beads are substantially free from organic surface active agents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said applying step includes spraying said nonionic detergent material onto said builder beads while they are being agitated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for producing a free flowing base builder bead comprising the steps of: a. hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt in the presence of an alkali metal silicate to form an aqueous slurry; and b. adding a second quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt to said slurry to form a crutcher mix; and c. spray drying said crutcher mix to form a particulate material; the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said alkali metal silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5 and the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said second quantity being from about 0.3 to about 0.7; said base builder bead having an exterior surface substantially as depicted by FIG. 1, and an interior structure substantially as depicted by FIG. 2.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for producing a free flowing base builder bead comprising the steps of: a. hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt in the presence of an alkali metal silicate to form an aqueous slurry; and b. adding a second quantity of anhydrous phosphate builder salt to said slurry to form a crutcher mix; and c. spray drying said crutcher mix to form a particulate material; the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said alkali metal silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5 and the weight ratio of said first quantity of builder salt to said second quantity being from about 0.3 to about 0.7; said base builder bead having an exterior surface substantially as depicted by FIG. 1, and an interior structure substantially as depicted by FIG. 2.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said base builder bead comprises by weight from about 45 to 80 percent phosphate builder salt; from about 5 to 15 percent alkali metal silicate solids, and from about 5 to 15 percent water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said base builder bead comprises by weight from about 50 to 70 percent phosphate builder salt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the weight ratio of hydrated phosphate builder salt to alkali metal silicate in the crutcher mix and in the base bead is about 2 to 4; and the weight ratio of hydrated phosphate builder salt to anhydrous phosphate builder salt in the crutcher mix and in the base bead is from about 0.4 to about 0.6.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 further including the steps of heating said hydrated slurry to a temperature from about 170° F. to about 200° F.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 further including the addition of water to said hydrated slurry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said hydrating step is performed at a temperature suitable for hydrating said first quantity of phosphate builder salt and said slurry is raised to a temperature that would inhibit hydration of said second quantity of phosphate builder salt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the weight ratio of said first quantity of said phosphate builder salt to said alkali metal silicate is about 2 to about 4.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said crutcher mix contains from about 40 to about 55 percent solids.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said spray drying takes place in a countercurrent spray tower at a spray pressure from about 200 psig to about 1000 psig and an inlet air temperature from about 500° F. to about 700° F.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method claim 12 including the addition of up to 10 percent by weight based on the crutcher solids, of builder salts chosen from the group consisting of carbonates, citrates and silicates having detergent building properties or combinations thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for the production of a free flowing granular product including from about 2 to about 40 percent by weight of a liquid or liquifiable organic material suitable for incorporation into a detergent formulation comprising: (a) hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate in the presence of a quantity of sodium silicate to form an aqueous slurry; (b) said hydrating step being performed in an aqueous medium and at a temperature of at least about 140° F. and not greater than about 170° F.; (c) the weight ratio of said first quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate to said sodium silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5; (d) raising the temperature of said slurry to more than about 170° F. and less than about 200° F.; (e) adding a second quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate to said slurry to form a crutcher mix, the weight ratio of said first quantity of sodium tripolyphosphate to said second quantity of sodium tripolyphosphate being from about 0.3 to about 0.7; (f) supplying said crutcher mix to a spray drying tower; (g) said slurry and said crutcher mix being maintained at temperatures of at least about 170° through steps (e) and (f); (h) spraying said crutcher mix in said spray tower to produce spray dried base beads; and (i) applying said organic material to said base beads in an amount to produce a free flowing granular product.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for the production of a free flowing granular product including from about 2 to about 40 percent by weight of a liquid or liquifiable organic material suitable for incorporation into a detergent formulation comprising: (a) hydrating a first quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate in the presence of a quantity of sodium silicate to form an aqueous slurry; (b) said hydrating step being performed in an aqueous medium and at a temperature of at least about 140° F. and not greater than about 170° F.; (c) the weight ratio of said first quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate to said sodium silicate being from about 1.5 to about 5; (d) raising the temperature of said slurry to more than about 170° F. and less than about 200° F.; (e) adding a second quantity of anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate to said slurry to form a crutcher mix, the weight ratio of said first quantity of sodium tripolyphosphate to said second quantity of sodium tripolyphosphate being from about 0.3 to about 0.7; (f) supplying said crutcher mix to a spray drying tower; (g) said slurry and said crutcher mix being maintained at temperatures of at least about 170° through steps (e) and (f); (h) spraying said crutcher mix in said spray tower to produce spray dried base beads; and (i) applying said organic material to said base beads in an amount to produce a free flowing granular product.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method for producing a free flowing particulate detergent composition containing from about 10 to 40 percent by weight of a liquid or semi-solid nonionic detergent material comprising the step of treating the builder beads prepared in accordance with the process of claim 12 by applying said nonionic detergent onto said beads such that said nonionic detergent impregnates said beads.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said base builder beads comprise from about 45 to about 80 percent by weight phosphate builder salt; from about 5 to about 15 percent alkali metal silicate solids and from about 5 to about 15 percent water and said nonionic is present in an amount of from about 12 to about 25 percent by weight.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said builder beads are substantially free from organic surface active agents.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said applying step includes spraying said nonionic detergent material onto said builder beads while they are being agitated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein subsequent to hydration of said phosphate said aqueous slurry is heated to a temperature of from about 170° F. to about 200° F., which is followed by the addition of said second quantity of said anhydrous phosphate builder salt to said heated aqueous slurry.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 28 which further includes addition of water to said heated slurry.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, 12, 18 or 28 wherein said second quantity of builder salt is added in two portions to said slurry.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2, 17 or 29 wherein said second quantity of builder salt is added in two portions to said slurry.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said water and said two portions of second quantity of builder salt are added in the sequence: salt, water, salt.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein said two portions of builder salt are equal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said two portions of builder salt are equal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein said two portions of builder salt are equal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, 12, 18 or 28 wherein said anhydrous phosphate builder salt is a sodium or potassium phosphate salt, said phosphate being selected from tripolyphosphate, tribasic phosphate, dibasic phosphate, monobasic phosphate, dibasic pyrophosphate or pyrophosphate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, 12, 18 or 28 wherein said builder salt is pentasodium tripolyphosphate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 37 wherein said silicate is sodium silicate having an Na 2 O: SiO 2 ratio of from about 1:1.6 to about 1:3.4.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 37 wherein said silicate is sodium silicate having an Na 2 O:SiO 2 ratio of from about 1:2 to about 1:3.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 37 wherein said silicate is sodium silicate having an Na 2 O:SiO 2 ratio of about 1:2.4.
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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) | 1984-06-29 | 1984-12-29 | 1985-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-29 | 1988-12-29 | 1989-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-29 | 1992-12-29 | 1993-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |