阅读说明：本技术 用于制备衣物洗涤剂组合物的方法 (Process for preparing laundry detergent composition ) 是由 H·H·坦塔维 埃里克·圣·何塞·罗布尔斯 H·哈马迪安 克莱尔·路易斯·达克特 P·A·戈 于 2020-04-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于制备自由流动的固体颗粒状衣物洗涤剂组合物的方法,其中所述方法包括以下步骤：(a)通过使以下物质接触来形成混合物：(i)熔融脂肪酸；(ii)液体碱性成分,和(iii)非离子表面活性剂,以获得混合物,其中所述混合物包含：(i)部分中和的脂肪酸组分,其中所述部分中和的脂肪酸组分包含脂肪酸和皂；(ii)非离子表面活性剂；和(iii)水,其中在步骤(a)中一起接触的脂肪酸与液体碱性成分的摩尔比高于1:1；(b)使步骤(a)中获得的所述混合物与洗涤剂粉末接触以形成自由流动的固体颗粒状衣物洗涤剂组合物,其中在步骤(b)中通过在大于50℃的温度下将所述混合物喷涂到所述洗涤剂粉末上而使所述混合物与所述洗涤剂粉末接触,其中所述洗涤剂粉末包含洗涤剂成分,其中所述自由流动的固体颗粒状衣物洗涤剂组合物包含：(i)非离子表面活性剂；(ii)皂；(iii)脂肪酸；(iv)水；和(v)洗涤剂成分。(The present invention relates to a process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming a mixture by contacting: (i) melting the fatty acid; (ii) (ii) a liquid alkaline component, and (iii) a non-ionic surfactant, to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acid to liquid alkaline component contacted together in step (a) is greater than 1: 1; (b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein in step (b) the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 50 ℃, wherein the detergent powder comprises detergent ingredients, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a nonionic surfactant; (ii) soap; (iii) a fatty acid; (iv) water; and (v) detergent ingredients.)

1. A process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the process comprises the steps of:

(a) forming a mixture by contacting:

(i) melting the fatty acid;

(ii) a liquid alkaline component, and

(iii) a non-ionic surfactant, a surfactant,

to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises:

(i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap;

(ii) a nonionic surfactant; and

(iii) the amount of water is controlled by the amount of water,

wherein the molar ratio of fatty acids to liquid alkaline component contacted together in step (a) is higher than 1: 1;

(b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition,

wherein the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder in step (b) by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 50 ℃,

wherein the detergent powder comprises a detergent ingredient,

wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises:

(i) a nonionic surfactant;

(ii) soap;

(iii) a fatty acid;

(iv) water; and

(v) a detergent ingredient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid alkaline component is sodium hydroxide.

3. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein step (a) is performed in a mixer having a frequency of 10ms^-1To 30ms^-1Tip speeds within the range.

4. The process according to any preceding claims, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises less than 0.1 wt% fatty acids.

5. The method according to any preceding claims, wherein the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder in step (b) by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 55 ℃.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acids to soap in the partially neutralized fatty acid component is in the range of 1:0.5 to 1: 5.0.

7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fatty acid is C₁₆-C₁₈A fatty acid.

8. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of partially neutralized fatty acid component to non-ionic surfactant in the mixture obtained in step (a) is in the range of 1:0.05 to 1: 0.30.

9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the nonionic surfactant is ethoxylated C having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 10₈-C₁₈An alkyl alcohol.

10. The process according to any preceding claims, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises:

(i) a fatty acid in crystalline form; and

(ii) soap in crystalline form.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the fatty acid and at least a portion of the soap together are in a co-crystal form.

12. A process according to any preceding claims, wherein the detergent ingredient is an anionic detersive surfactant, and wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises an anionic detersive surfactant.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl benzene sulphonate.

14. The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture obtained in step (a) comprises:

(i) 4.0% to 24.0% by weight of a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises:

(i) (i)38.0 to 84.0 wt.% of fatty acid; and

(i) (ii)16.0 to 62.0 wt% soap;

(ii)75 to 95 wt% of a nonionic surfactant; and

(iii)0.15 to 2.80% by weight of water,

and wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises:

(i)0.2 to 5.0 wt% of a nonionic surfactant;

(ii)0.0035 to 0.2700 wt.% of a fatty acid;

(iii)0.0015 to 0.1800 wt% soap;

(iv)0.0003 to 0.0370 wt% of water comprised by the mixture formed in step (a);

(v) from 5.0 wt% to 25 wt% anionic detersive surfactant; and

(vi) optionally from 0.01 wt% to 15.00 wt% of a polymer.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition. The process provides a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprising a nonionic surfactant. The free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition provided by the process of the present invention exhibits good flow characteristics, such as flow functionality.

Background

Detergent manufacturers incorporate nonionic surfactants into their free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent compositions to improve the cleaning performance of the compositions. However, the incorporation of nonionic surfactants into the compositions results in poor powder flow characteristics. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a process for the preparation of a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition. The process involves partial neutralization of fatty acids which are mixed with the nonionic surfactant, for example by spraying, prior to contacting the mixture with the detergent powder. The method of the present invention provides a means of incorporating nonionic surfactants into the composition in such a way that the resulting composition exhibits good powder flow characteristics such as flow functionality.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming a mixture by contacting: (i) melting the fatty acid; (ii) (ii) a liquid alkaline component, and (iii) a non-ionic surfactant, to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acid to liquid alkaline component contacted together in step (a) is greater than 1: 1; (b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the detergent powder comprises detergent ingredients, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a nonionic surfactant; (ii) soap; (iii) a fatty acid; (iv) water; and (v) detergent ingredients.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming a mixture by contacting: (i) melting the fatty acid; (ii) (ii) a liquid alkaline component, and (iii) a non-ionic surfactant, to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acid to liquid alkaline component contacted together in step (a) is greater than 1: 1; (b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein in step (b) the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 50 ℃, wherein the detergent powder comprises detergent ingredients, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a nonionic surfactant; (ii) soap; (iii) a fatty acid; (iv) water; and (v) detergent ingredients.

A process for preparing a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition:

the method comprises the following steps: (a) forming a mixture by contacting: (i) melting the fatty acid; (ii) (ii) a liquid alkaline component, and (iii) a non-ionic surfactant, to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water, wherein the molar ratio of fatty acid to liquid alkaline component contacted together in step (a) is greater than 1: 1; (b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein in step (b) the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 50 ℃, wherein the detergent powder comprises detergent ingredients, wherein the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a nonionic surfactant; (ii) soap; (iii) a fatty acid; (iv) water; and (v) detergent ingredients.

Step (a) forming a mixture：

Step (a) forms a mixture by contacting: (i) melting the fatty acid; (ii) (ii) a liquid alkaline component, and (iii) a nonionic surfactant. The mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water, wherein the molar ratio of the fatty acids contacted together in step (a) to the liquid alkaline component is greater than 1: 1.

Preferably, step (a) is carried out in a mixer having a frequency of at least 10ms^-1And preferably 10ms^-1To 30ms^-1A tip speed within a range of (a).

Step (b) forming a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition：

Step (b) contacting the mixture obtained in step (a) with a detergent powder to form a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition. The detergent powder comprises detergent ingredients. The free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a nonionic surfactant; (ii) soap; (iii) a fatty acid; (iv) water; and (v) detergent ingredients.

Preferably, the mixture is contacted with the detergent powder in step (b) by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of greater than 40 ℃, or greater than 50 ℃, or even greater than 55 ℃.

Mixture of：

The mixture comprises: (i) a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises a fatty acid and a soap; (ii) a nonionic surfactant; and (iii) water.

Preferably, the weight ratio of partially neutralized fatty acid component to nonionic surfactant in the mixture obtained in step (a) is in the range of from 1:0.05 to 1: 0.30.

Preferably, the mixture obtained in step (a) comprises: (i) 4.0% to 24.0% by weight of a partially neutralized fatty acid component, wherein the partially neutralized fatty acid component comprises: (i) (i)38.0 to 84.0 wt.% of fatty acid; and (i) (ii)16.0 to 62.0 wt% soap; (ii)75 to 95 wt% of a nonionic surfactant; and (iii)0.15 to 2.80 wt% water.

Fatty acids：

The fatty acid is an alkyl carboxylic acid, typically having the structure R-COOH, where R is an alkyl chain. Typically, R is C₇-C₂₃Alkyl radicalAnd (3) a chain. Preferably, the fatty acid is C₁₆-C₁₈A fatty acid. The fatty acid may be saturated, unsaturated or a mixture of saturated and unsaturated.

The fatty acid is in molten form during step (a). Typically, during step (a), the temperature of the fatty acid is at least 5 ℃ or 10 ℃ greater than the melting range of the fatty acid. Typically, step (a) is carried out at a temperature above 50 ℃ or even 60 ℃.

Preferably, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a fatty acid in crystalline form; and (ii) a soap in crystalline form. The skilled person can control the crystallinity of the fatty acid by ensuring that the fatty acid is below its melting point. The melting point of the fatty acid can be controlled by its degree of neutralization, which can be increased.

Soap：

Soaps are salts of fatty acids. Typically, the soap has the structure R-COO^-M⁺Wherein R is an alkyl chain, and M⁺Is a cation. Typically, R is C₇-C₂₃An alkyl chain. In general, M⁺As any alkali metal cation, suitable cations include Na⁺、K⁺。

Partially neutralized fatty acid component：

Preferably, the molar ratio of fatty acid to soap in the partially neutralized fatty acid component is in the range of 1:0.5 to 1: 5.0.

Preferably, the degree of neutralization of the partially neutralized fatty acids is in the range of 30% to 60%, more preferably 40% to 50% (mole%).

Crystalline forms of fatty acids and soaps：

When present in a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, the fatty acid is typically in crystalline form. At least a portion of the fatty acid may form a fatty acid crystal, typically having a crystal structure R-COOH, where R is the alkyl chain of the molecule. This is commonly referred to as the free fatty acid crystalline form.

When present in a free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition, the soapUsually in crystalline form. At least a portion of the soap may form soap crystals, typically having the crystal structure R-COO^-M⁺Wherein R is the alkyl chain of the molecule and M⁺Is a cation. This is commonly referred to as the free soap crystalline form.

At least a portion of the fatty acid and at least a portion of the soap may co-crystallize together to form a co-crystal. These co-crystals may have different structures depending on how many fatty acid molecules and soap molecules co-crystallize together. Typical crystal structures include NaH₂(R-COO)₃、NaH(R-COO)₂、Na₂H(R-COO)₃And wherein R is the alkyl chain of the molecule. The co-crystal may be formed by: the fatty acid is partially neutralized at an elevated temperature to form a mixture of fatty acid and soap, and the mixture is then cooled to below the melting point of the co-crystal.

It may be preferred to minimise the amount of free fatty acid crystalline forms and/or free soap crystalline forms present in the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition. It may be preferred to maximize the amount of fatty acids and soaps in the co-crystalline form. A low degree of neutralization will tend to result in a high level of free fatty acid crystals and NaH having the structure₂(R-COO)₃Co-crystal of (a). A high degree of neutralization will tend to result in a high level of free soap crystals and having the structure Na₂H(R-COO)₃Co-crystal of (a).

Liquid alkaline component：

Any liquid alkaline composition may be used. The preferred liquid alkaline component is a liquid alkali metal hydroxide. A highly preferred liquid alkaline component is sodium hydroxide.

Nonionic surfactant：

Suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated alcohols. Preferred nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated C's having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 10₈-C₁₈An alkyl alcohol. Preferred nonionic surfactants are ethoxylated C's having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 10₈-C₁₈An alkyl alcohol.

Non-ionic surfaceThe active agent may be linear or branched. One suitable nonionic surfactant is a linear C having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 10₈-C₁₈An alkyl alcohol. Another suitable nonionic surfactant is a branched chain C having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 10₈-C₁₈An alkyl alcohol.

Detergent powder：

Typically, detergent powders contain detergent ingredients. Preferably, the detergent powder comprises an anionic detersive surfactant. Preferably, the detergent powder comprises alkyl benzene sulphonate.

The detergent powder may be a detergent base powder, such as a spray-dried powder or an agglomerate. The detergent powder may be a mixture of different types of detergent particles. Suitable detergent granules are described in more detail below.

Detergent composition：

Preferably, the detergent ingredient is an anionic detersive surfactant. A preferred anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl benzene sulphonate. Other suitable detergent ingredients are described in more detail below.

Free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition：

Preferably, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises less than 0.1 wt% fatty acids. Preferably, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises from above 0 wt% to 0.1 wt% fatty acid.

Preferably, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i) a fatty acid in crystalline form; and (ii) a soap in crystalline form.

Preferably, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition comprises: (i)0.2 to 5.0 wt% of a nonionic surfactant; (ii)0.0035 to 0.2700 wt% of fatty acid (iii)0.0015 to 0.1800 wt% of soap; (iv)0.0003 to 0.0370 wt% of water comprised by the mixture formed in step (a); (v) from 5.0 wt% to 25 wt% anionic detersive surfactant; and (vi) optionally 0.01 wt% to 15.00 wt% of a polymer.

Typically, the free-flowing solid particulate laundry detergent composition is a fully formulated laundry detergent composition, not a part thereof (such as a spray-dried, extruded or agglomerate particle forming only a part of the laundry detergent composition). Typically, the solid composition comprises a plurality of chemically distinct particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and/or agglomerated base detergent particles and/or extruded base detergent particles; one or more, typically two or more, or five or more, or even ten or more particles selected from: surfactant granules including surfactant agglomerates, surfactant extrudates, surfactant needles, surfactant sheets; phosphate particles; zeolite particles; silicate particles, especially sodium silicate particles; carbonate particles, especially sodium carbonate particles; polymer particles such as carboxylate polymer particles, cellulosic polymer particles, starch particles, polyester particles, polyamine particles, terephthalic acid polymer particles, polyethylene glycol particles; aesthetic particles such as colored bars, needles, lamellar particles, and ring particles; enzyme granules, such as protease granules, amylase granules, lipase granules, cellulase granules, mannanase granules, pectate lyase granules, xyloglucanase granules, bleaching enzyme granules and co-granules of any of these enzymes, preferably the enzyme granules comprise sodium sulphate; bleach particles, such as percarbonate particles, in particular coated percarbonate particles, such as percarbonate coated with carbonate, sulphate, silicate, borosilicate, or any combination thereof, perborate particles, bleach activator particles such as tetraacetylethylenediamine particles and/or alkyloxybenzenesulfonate particles, bleach catalyst particles such as transition metal catalyst particles, and/or isoquinolinium bleach catalyst particles, preformed peracid particles, in particular coated preformed peracid particles; filler particles such as sulfate and chloride particles; clay particles such as montmorillonite particles and clay and silicone particles; flocculant particles, such as polyethylene oxide particles; wax particles, such as waxy agglomerates; silicone particles, brightener particles; dye transfer inhibitor particles; dye fixative particles; perfume particles, such as perfume microcapsules and starch encapsulated perfume accord particles, and pro-perfume particles, such as schiff base reaction product particles; a hueing dye particle; chelant particles, such as chelant agglomerates; and any combination thereof.

Suitable laundry detergent compositions comprise detergent ingredients selected from the group consisting of: detersive surfactants such as anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants, and amphoteric detersive surfactants; polymers such as carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers and care polymers; bleaching agents such as sources of hydrogen peroxide, bleach activators, bleach catalysts and preformed peracids; photobleaches such as, for example, sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine and/or sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine; enzymes such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases; a zeolite builder; a phosphate builder; co-builders, such as citric acid and citrates; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; sulfates, such as sodium sulfate; silicates, such as sodium silicate; chloride salts, such as sodium chloride; a whitening agent; a chelating agent; a toner; a dye transfer inhibiting agent; a dye fixative agent; a fragrance; a siloxane; fabric softeners, such as clay; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; a suds suppressor; and any combination thereof.

Suitable laundry detergent compositions may have low buffering capacity. Such laundry detergent compositions typically have a reserve alkalinity to pH 9.5 of less than 5.0g naoh/100 g. These low-buffer laundry detergent compositions typically contain low levels of carbonate.

Detersive surfactant:suitable detersive surfactants include anionic detersive surfactant, nonionic detersive surfactant, cationic detersive surfactant, zwitterionic detersive surfactant and amphoteric detersive surfactantsA detersive surfactant. Suitable detersive surfactants can be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and can be derived from petrochemical or biological materials.

Anionic detersive surfactant: suitable anionic detersive surfactants include sulphonate detersive surfactants and sulphate detersive surfactants.

Suitable sulphonate detersive surfactants include methyl sulphonate, alpha olefin sulphonate, alkyl benzene sulphonate, especially alkyl benzene sulphonate, preferably C_10-13An alkylbenzene sulfonate. Suitable alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) are available, preferably obtained by sulfonating commercially available Linear Alkyl Benzenes (LAB); suitable LAB include lower 2-phenyl LAB, other suitable LAB include higher 2-phenyl LAB, such as under the trade name LABThose supplied by Sasol.

Suitable sulphate detersive surfactants include alkyl sulphates, preferably C_8-18Alkyl sulfates, or predominantly C₁₂An alkyl sulfate.

Preferred sulphate detersive surfactants are alkyl alkoxylated sulphates, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulphates, preferably C_8-18Alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably C_8-18Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates having an average degree of alkoxylation of from 0.5 to 20, preferably from 0.5 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulfate is C_8-18Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3, and most preferably from 0.5 to 1.5.

Alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates and alkyl benzene sulfonates may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical or biological materials.

Other suitable anionic detersive surfactants include alkyl ether carboxylates.

Suitable anionic detersive surfactants can be in the form of salts, and suitable counterions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. The preferred counterion is sodium.

Nonionic detersive surfactant: suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are selected from: c₈-C₁₈Alkyl ethoxylates, such as from ShellA nonionic surfactant; c₆-C₁₂Alkylphenol alkoxylates, wherein preferably the alkoxylate units are ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof; c₁₂-C₁₈Alcohol and C₆-C₁₂Condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, such as those available from BASFAlkyl polysaccharides, preferably alkyl polyglycosides; a methyl ester ethoxylate; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-terminated poly (alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and/or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C_8-18Alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C_8-18The alkyl ethoxylated alcohol, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol has an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol is C_8-18An alkyl ethoxylated alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7, more preferably from 1 to 5, and most preferably from 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohol may be linear or branched, and substituted or unsubstituted.

Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include secondary alcohol-based detersive surfactants.

Cationic detersive surfactant: suitable cationic soil removalSurfactants include alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl ternary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred cationic detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula:

(R)(R₁)(R₂)(R₃)N⁺X^-

wherein R is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C_6-18Alkyl or alkenyl moieties, R₁And R₂Independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties, R₃Is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl moiety, X is an anion that provides electrical neutrality, preferred anions include: halide ions, preferably chloride ions; sulfate radical; and a sulfonate group.

Zwitterionic detersive surfactant: suitable zwitterionic detersive surfactants include amine oxides and/or betaines.

Polymer and method of making same: suitable polymers include carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, care polymers, and any combination thereof.

Carboxylate polymers: the composition may comprise a carboxylate polymer such as a maleate/acrylate random copolymer or a polyacrylate homopolymer. Suitable carboxylate polymers include: a polyacrylate homopolymer having a molecular weight of 4,000Da to 9,000 Da; a maleate/acrylate random copolymer having a molecular weight of from 50,000Da to 100,000Da, or from 60,000Da to 80,000 Da.

Another suitable carboxylate polymer is a copolymer comprising: (i) from 50 to less than 98 wt% structural units derived from one or more monomers comprising a carboxyl group; (ii) from 1 wt% to less than 49 wt% structural units derived from one or more monomers comprising a sulfonate moiety; and (iii)1 to 49 wt% of structural units derived from one or more types of monomers selected from ether bond-containing monomers represented by formulas (I) and (II):

formula (I):

wherein in formula (I), R₀Represents a hydrogen atom or CH₃Group, R represents CH₂Radical, CH₂CH₂A group or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, with the proviso that when R is a single bond, X represents a number from 1 to 5, and R₁Is a hydrogen atom or C₁To C₂₀An organic group;

formula (II)

Wherein in formula (II), R₀Represents a hydrogen atom or CH₃Group, R represents CH₂Radical, CH₂CH₂A group or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, and R₁Is a hydrogen atom or C₁To C₂₀An organic group.

It may be preferred that the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 50kDa or even at least 70 kDa.

Soil release polymers: the composition may comprise a soil release polymer. Suitable soil release polymers have a structure as defined by one of the following structures (I), (II) or (III):

(I)-[(OCHR¹-CHR²)_a-O-OC-Ar-CO-]_d

(II)-[(OCHR³-CHR⁴)_b-O-OC-sAr-CO-]_e

(III)-[(OCHR⁵-CHR⁶)_c-OR⁷]_f

wherein:

a. b and c are 1 to 200;

d. e and f are 1 to 50;

ar is 1, 4-substituted phenylene;

sAr is SO at position 5₃1, 3-substituted phenylene substituted with Me;

me is Li, K, Mg/2, Ca/2, Al/3, ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium, where alkyl is C₁-C₁₈Alkyl or C₂-C₁₀Hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof;

R¹、R²、R³、R⁴、R⁵and R⁶Independently selected from H or C₁-C₁₈N-alkyl or C₁-C₁₈An isoalkyl group; and is

R⁷Is straight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₈Alkyl, or straight or branched C₂-C₃₀Alkenyl, or cycloalkyl having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, or C₈-C₃₀Aryl, or C₆-C₃₀An arylalkyl group.

Suitable soil release polymers are prepared from Clariant andseries of polymers sold, e.g.SRN240 andSRA 300. Other suitable soil release polymers are prepared from SolvaySeries of polymers sold, e.g.SF2 andCrystal。

anti-redeposition polymers: suitable anti-redeposition polymers include polyethylene glycol polymers and/or polyethyleneimine polymers.

Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers include random graft copolymers,the random graft copolymer comprises: (i) a hydrophilic backbone comprising polyethylene glycol; and (ii) one or more hydrophobic side chains selected from the group consisting of: c₄-C₂₅Alkyl radical, polypropylene, polybutylene, saturated C₁-C₆Vinyl esters of monocarboxylic acids, C of acrylic or methacrylic acid₁-C₆Alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers have a polyethylene glycol backbone with randomly grafted polyvinyl acetate side chains. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol backbone may be in the range of 2,000Da to 20,000Da, or 4,000Da to 8,000 Da. The molecular weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol backbone to the polyvinyl acetate side chains can be in the range of 1:1 to 1:5, or 1: 1.2 to 1: 2. The average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.02, or less than 0.016, the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be in the range of 0.010 to 0.018, or the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.010, or in the range of 0.004 to 0.008.

Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers are described in WO 08/007320.

A suitable polyethylene glycol polymer is Sokalan HP 22.

Cellulose polymers: suitable cellulosic polymers are selected from alkyl celluloses, alkyl alkoxyalkyl celluloses, carboxyalkyl celluloses, alkyl carboxyalkyl celluloses, sulfoalkyl celluloses, more preferably from carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

Suitable carboxymethyl celluloses have a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.5 to 0.9 and a molecular weight of 100,000Da to 300,000 Da.

Suitable carboxymethyl celluloses have a degree of substitution greater than 0.65 and a degree of blockiness greater than 0.45, for example as described in WO 09/154933.

Care polymers: suitable care polymers include cationically modified or hydrophobically modified cellulosic polymers. Such modified cellulosic polymers are useful in laundry cyclesDuring which both an anti-abrasion benefit and a dye lock benefit may be provided to the fabric. Suitable cellulosic polymers include cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

Other suitable care polymers include dye-locking polymers, such as condensation oligomers produced by condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin, preferably in a 1: 4: 1 ratio. Suitable commercially available dye-locking polymers areFDI(Cognis)。

Other suitable care polymers include amino-silicones, which can provide fabric feel benefits and fabric shape retention benefits.

Bleaching agent: suitable bleaching agents include sources of hydrogen peroxide, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, preformed peracids, and any combination thereof. Particularly suitable bleaching agents include a hydrogen peroxide source in combination with a bleach activator and/or bleach catalyst.

Hydrogen peroxide source: suitable sources of hydrogen peroxide include sodium perborate and/or sodium percarbonate.

Bleach activators: suitable bleach activators include tetraacetylethylenediamine and/or alkylphenol sulfonates.

Bleaching catalyst: the composition may comprise a bleach catalyst. Suitable bleach catalysts include the peroxyimine cation bleach catalysts, transition metal bleach catalysts, especially manganese and iron bleach catalysts. Suitable bleach catalysts have a structure corresponding to the general formula:

wherein R is¹³Selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isotridecyl and isotentadecyl.

Preformed peracids: suitable preformed peracids include phthalimido-peroxycaproic acid.

Enzyme: suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, cellulases, amylases, and any combination thereof.

Protease enzyme: suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include: subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62); trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type proteases; and a metalloprotease. Suitable proteases include chemically modified or genetically modified mutants of the aforementioned suitable proteases.

Suitable commercially available proteases include those under the trade name LiquanaseSavinaseAndthose sold by Novozymes A/S (Denmark); under the trade name of A series of proteases comprisingP280、P281、P2018-C、P2081-WE、P2082-EE andP2083-A/J、PurafectPurafectand PurafectThose sold by DuPont; under the trade name ofAndthose sold by Solvay Enzymes; those purchased from Henkel/Kemira, i.e., BLAP (sequence shown in FIG. 29 of US 5,352,604, with the following mutations S99D + S101R + S103A + V104I + G159S, hereinafter referred to as BLAP); BLAP R (BLAP with S3T + V4I + V199M + V205I + L217D), BLAP X (BLAP with S3T + V4I + V205I), and BLAP F49 (BLAP with S3T + V4I + A194P + V199M + V205I + L217D), all from Henkel/Kemira; and KAP from Kao (alkalophilic bacillus subtilisin with mutations a230V + S256G + S259N).

Suitable proteases are described in WO11/140316 and WO 11/072117.

Amylase: suitable amylases are derived from an AA560 α amylase endogenously derived from bacillus sp DSM 12649, preferably with the following mutations: R118K, D183, G184, N195F, R320K and/or R458K. Suitable commercially available amylases includePlus、Natalase、Ultra、SZ、 (both from Novozymes) andAA、a series of amylase,AndOx Am、HT Plus (both from Du Pont).

Suitable amylases are described in WO 06/002643.

Cellulase enzymes: suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Suitable cellulases include those from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, FusariumCellulases of the genera Fusarium (Fusarium), Rhizopus (Thielavia), Acremonium (Acremonium), such as fungal cellulases produced by Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila and Fusarium oxysporum (Fusarium oxysporum).

Commercially available cellulases includeAndPremium、and(Novozymes A/S)、the series of enzymes (Du Pont), andseries of Enzymes (AB Enzymes). Suitable commercially available cellulases includePremium、Classic. Suitable proteases are described in WO07/144857 and WO 10/056652.

Lipase enzyme: suitable lipases include those of bacterial, fungal or synthetic origin, as well as variants thereof. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Examples of suitable lipases include lipases from humicola (the synonym Thermomyces), for example from humicola lanuginosa (h.lanuginosa) (Thermomyces lanuginosus) sp.

The lipase can be"first cycle lipases", for example, such as those described in WO06/090335 and WO 13/116261. In one aspect, the lipase is a first wash lipase, preferably a variant of a wild-type lipase from thermomyces lanuginosus comprising a T231R and/or N233R mutation. Preferred lipases include those known under the trade nameAndthose sold by Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

Other suitable lipases include: liprl 139, for example as described in WO 2013/171241; and TfuLip2, for example as described in WO2011/084412 and WO 2013/033318.

Other enzymes: other suitable enzymes are bleaching enzymes such as peroxidases/oxidases, including those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin, and variants thereof. Commercially available peroxidases include(Novozymes A/S). Other suitable enzymes include choline oxidase and perhydrolase, such as for Gentle Power Bleach^TMOf (a).

Other suitable enzymes include those known under the trade name(from Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) andpectate lyases sold by DuPont and under the trade name(Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) andmannanase sold by (Du Pont).

Zeolite builders: the composition may comprise a zeolite builder. The composition may comprise from 0 wt% to 5 wt% zeolite builder, or 3 wt% zeolite builder. The composition may even be substantially free of zeolite builder; substantially free means "not intentionally added". Typical zeolite builders include zeolite a, zeolite P and zeolite MAP.

Phosphate builders: the composition may comprise a phosphate builder. The composition may comprise from 0 wt% to 5 wt% phosphate builder, or to 3 wt% phosphate builder. The composition may even be substantially free of phosphate builder; substantially free means "not intentionally added". A typical phosphate builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

Carbonate salt: the composition may comprise a carbonate salt. The composition may comprise 0 wt% to 10 wt% carbonate, or 0 wt% to 5 wt% carbonate. The composition may even be substantially free of carbonate; substantially free means "not intentionally added". Suitable carbonates include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

Silicates of acid or alkali: the composition may comprise a silicate. The composition may comprise from 0 wt% to 10 wt% silicate salt, or from 0 wt% to 5 wt% silicate salt. The preferred silicate is sodium silicate, particularly preferred is Na having a value of 1.0 to 2.8, preferably 1.6 to 2.0₂O∶SiO₂Sodium silicate in a ratio.

Sulfates of sulfuric acid: a suitable sulfate salt is sodium sulfate.

Whitening agent: suitable optical brighteners include: distyrylbiphenyl compounds, e.g.CBS-X, diaminostilbene disulfonic acid compounds, e.g.DMS pure Xtra andHRH, and pyrazoline compounds, e.g.SN and coumarin compounds, e.g.SWN。

Preferred whitening agents are: 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl) -2H-naphthol [1,2-d ] triazole sodium, 4' -bis { [ (4-phenylamino-6- (N-methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1,3, 5-triazin-2-yl) ]; disodium amino } stilbene-2-2 'disulfonate, disodium 4,4' -bis { [ (4-phenylamino-6-morpholino-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl) ] amino } stilbene-2-2 'disulfonate, and disodium 4,4' -bis (2-sulfostyryl) biphenyl. Suitable optical brighteners are c.i. Fluorescent whitening agent 260, which may be used in its beta or alpha crystalline form or a mixture of these crystalline forms.

Chelating agents: the composition may further comprise a chelating agent selected from: diethylene triamine pentaacetate, diethylene triamine penta (methyl phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine-N' -disuccinic acid, ethylene diamine tetraacetate, ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid), and hydroxyethane di (methylene phosphonic acid). Preferred chelating agents are ethylenediamine-N' -disuccinic acid (EDDS) and/or hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP). The composition preferably comprises ethylenediamine-N' -disuccinic acid or salts thereof. Preferably ethylenediamine-N 'N' -disuccinic acid is in the form of the S, S enantiomer. Preferably, the composition comprises 4, 5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid disodium salt. Preferred chelating agents may also act as calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitors, such as: 1-hydroxyethane diphosphoric acid (HEDP) and salts thereof; n, N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1, 5-dioic acid or its salt; 2-phosphonobutane-1, 2, 4-tricarboxylic acid and salts thereof; and combinations thereof.

Toner and image forming apparatus: suitable hueing agents include small molecule dyes, typically of the color index (c.i.) class of acidic, direct, basic, reactive (including their hydrolyzed forms) or solvent or disperse dyes, for example, as classified as blueViolet, red, green or black dyes, and individually or in combination provide the desired hue. Preferred such hueing agents include acid violet 50, direct violet 9, 66 and 99, solvent violet 13, and any combination thereof.

Many toners suitable for use in the present invention are known and described in the art, such as the toners described in WO 2014/089386.

Suitable hueing agents include phthalocyanine and azo dye conjugates, such as described in WO 2009/069077.

Suitable toners may be alkoxylated. Such alkoxylated compounds may be prepared by organic synthesis, which may result in a mixture of molecules having different degrees of alkoxylation. Such mixtures may be used directly to provide a toner, or may be subjected to a purification step to increase the proportion of target molecules. Suitable hueing agents include alkoxylated disazo dyes, such as described in WO2012/054835, and/or alkoxylated thiophene azo dyes, such as described in WO2008/087497 and WO 2012/166768.

The hueing agent may be incorporated into the detergent composition as part of the reaction mixture as a result of the organic synthesis of the dye molecule by one or more optional purification steps. Such reaction mixtures generally comprise the dye molecules themselves and may, in addition, comprise unreacted starting materials and/or by-products of organic synthesis pathways. Suitable hueing agents may be incorporated into the hueing dye particles, such as described in WO 2009/069077.

Dye transfer inhibitors: suitable dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyvinylimidazole, and mixtures thereof. Preferred are poly (vinylpyrrolidone), poly (vinylpyridine betaine), poly (vinylpyridine N-oxide), poly (vinylpyrrolidone-vinylimidazole), and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available dye transfer inhibitors include PVP-K15 and K30(Ashland),HP165、HP50、HP53、HP59、HP56K、HP56、HP66(BASF)，s-400, S403E, and S-100 (Ashland).

Perfume: suitable perfumes include perfume materials selected from the group consisting of: (a) perfume material having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of less than 250 ℃ (quadrant 1 perfume material); (b) perfume materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of 250 ℃ or greater (quadrant 2 perfume materials); (c) perfume materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of less than 250 ℃ (quadrant 3 perfume materials); (d) a perfume material having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of 250 ℃ or greater (quadrant 4 perfume material); and (e) mixtures thereof.

It may be preferred for the perfume to be in the form of a perfume delivery technology. Such delivery techniques are also stable and enhance deposition and release of perfume materials from laundered fabrics. Such perfume delivery technologies can also be used to further increase the longevity of perfume release from laundered fabrics. Suitable perfume delivery technologies include: perfume microcapsules, pro-perfumes, polymer assisted delivery, molecular assisted delivery, fiber assisted delivery, amine assisted delivery, cyclodextrins, starch encapsulated accords, zeolites and other inorganic carriers, and any mixtures thereof. Suitable perfume microcapsules are described in WO 2009/101593.

Siloxanes: suitable silicones include polydimethylsiloxane and amino-siloxanes. Suitable siloxanes are described in WO 05075616.

Process for preparing solid compositions: in general, the particles of the composition can be prepared by any suitable method. For example: spray drying, agglomeration, extrusion, and any combination thereof.

Generally, suitable spray drying methods include the steps of forming an aqueous slurry mixture, transferring it to a pressure nozzle by at least one pump, preferably two pumps. Atomizing the aqueous slurry mixture into a spray drying tower and drying the aqueous slurry mixture to form spray dried particles. Preferably, the spray drying tower is a counter current spray drying tower, although a co current spray drying tower may also be suitable.

Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to cooling, e.g. stripping. Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to particle size classification, e.g. sieving, to obtain the desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the spray-dried powder has a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 500 microns and less than 10% by weight of the spray-dried particles have a particle size greater than 2360 microns.

It may be preferred to heat the aqueous slurry mixture to raise the temperature prior to atomization into a spray drying tower, such as described in WO 2009/158162.

For anionic surfactants, such as linear alkyl benzene sulphonate may preferably be introduced into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry mixture: for example, after pumping, the acid precursor is introduced into an aqueous slurry mixture, such as described in WO 09/158449.

For gases, such as air, it may be preferred to be introduced into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry, such as described in WO 2013/181205.

For any inorganic ingredients, such as sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate, it may be preferred if present in the aqueous slurry mixture to be micronized to small particle sizes, such as described in WO 2012/134969.

Generally, a suitable agglomeration process comprises the step of contacting a detersive ingredient, such as a detersive surfactant, for example linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) and/or alkyl alkoxylated sulphate, with an inorganic material, such as sodium carbonate and/or silica, in a mixer. The agglomeration process may also be an in-situ neutralisation agglomeration process, wherein an acid precursor of the detersive surfactant, such as LAS, is contacted with a basic material, such as carbonate and/or sodium hydroxide, in a mixer, and wherein the acid precursor of the detersive surfactant is neutralised by the basic material during the agglomeration process to form the detersive surfactant.

Other suitable detergent ingredients that may be agglomerated include polymers, chelants, bleach activators, silicones, and any combination thereof.

The agglomeration process may be a high, medium, or low shear agglomeration process, wherein a high shear, medium shear, or low shear mixer is used, respectively. The agglomeration process may be a multi-step agglomeration process in which two or more mixers are used, such as a high shear mixer in combination with a medium or low shear mixer. The agglomeration process may be a continuous process or a batch process.

It may be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a drying step, for example, a fluid bed drying step. It may also be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a cooling step, for example, a fluidized bed cooling step.

Typically, the agglomerates are subjected to particle size classification, e.g., fluidized bed elution and/or sieving, to obtain the desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the agglomerates have a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 800 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size of less than 150 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size of greater than 1200 microns.

It may be preferred for the fine and oversized agglomerates to be recycled back into the agglomeration process. Typically, the oversized particles are subjected to a size reduction step, such as milling, and recycled back to an appropriate location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer. Typically, the fines are recycled back to an appropriate location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer.

For ingredients such as polymer and/or nonionic detersive surfactant and/or perfume, it may be preferred to spray-coat onto the base detergent particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and/or agglomerated base detergent particles. Typically, this spraying step is carried out in a tumble mixer.

Method for washing fabrics: a method of laundering fabrics comprises the steps of contacting a solid composition with water to form a wash liquor, and laundering fabrics in said wash liquor. Typically, the washing liquid has a temperature of from above 0 ℃ to 90 ℃, or to 60 ℃, or to 40 ℃, or to 30 ℃, or to 20 ℃. In making solid groupsThe fabric may be contacted with water before, after, or simultaneously with the contacting of the composition with water. Typically, the wash liquor is formed by contacting the laundry detergent with water in such an amount that the concentration of the laundry detergent composition in the wash liquor is from 0.2g/l to 20g/l, or from 0.5g/l to 10g/l, or to 5.0 g/l. The method of washing fabrics may be carried out in a front loading automatic washing machine, a top loading automatic washing machine, including high efficiency automatic washing machines, or a suitable hand washing receptacle. Typically, the wash liquor comprises 90 litres or less, or 60 litres or less, or 15 litres or less, or 10 litres or less of water. Typically, 200g or less, or 150g or less, or 100g or less, or 50g or less of the laundry detergent composition is contacted with water to form a wash liquor.

Analysis of: the samples can be analyzed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and small/wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) or X-ray diffraction (XRD). DSC measures melting point, while SWAXS/XRD determines the number and type of crystals present in the sample, such as fatty acids, soaps, and fatty acid soaps, and for the latter, the molar ratio of fatty acid to soap.

DSC: samples with different degrees of neutralization were grounded and several milligrams of sample were loaded onto an aluminum pan. The sample pan was heated from ambient temperature to 100 ℃ at a continuous heating rate of 5-10 ℃/min. The corresponding melting peak was then determined.

SWAXS/XRD: the grounded sample is loaded onto the sample holder. The sample holder was then placed on the temperature stage. The sample was heated from ambient temperature to 80 ℃ in 5 ℃ steps and SWAXS/XRD was recorded at each step for 10-20 minutes depending on the signal intensity.

The DSC and SWAXS/XRD data as a function of degree of neutralization and temperature were then compared to identify the presence of fatty acids and fatty acid soap crystals.

Examples

A comparison is made between the particulate laundry detergent composition according to the present invention and particulate laundry detergent compositions outside the scope of the claims of the present invention.

An aqueous alkaline slurry consisting of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, water, acrylate/maleate copolymer and miscellaneous ingredients was prepared at 80 ℃ in a crutcher preparation vessel. Alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (HLAS) and sodium hydroxide were added to the aqueous slurry and the slurry was pumped through a standard spray system pressure nozzle and atomized into a counter current spray drying tower with an air inlet temperature of 275 ℃. The atomized slurry was dried to produce a solid mixture which was then cooled and sieved to remove oversize material (>1.8mm) to form a spray-dried powder. The spray-dried powder had a bulk density of 470 g/l.

The composition of the spray-dried powder is given below.

Table 1: spray-dried laundry detergent powder compositions

Components	% w/w spray-dried powder
		Sodium silicate salt	11.6
C8-C24Alkyl benzene sulfonate	19.5
		Acrylate/maleate copolymers	3.5
Hydroxyethane bis (methylenephosphonic acid)	0.8
		Sodium carbonate	17.4
Sodium sulfate	43.4
		Water (W)	2.5
Miscellaneous items, such as magnesium sulfate, and one or more stabilizers	1.3
		Total parts of	100.00

Table 2: granular laundry detergent composition

The granular laundry detergent composition described above was prepared by dry mixing all of the above granules (all granules except AE7, fatty acid and NaOH) in a continuous rotary mixer (drum diameter 0.6 meter, drum length 1.8 meter, 28 revolutions per minute). The mass flow rate of the spray-dried powder fed to the continuous rotary mixer was set at 992kg/hr to produce granular detergent compositions A, B and C.

For powder a, AE7 in liquid form was sprayed onto the powder particles as they passed through the continuous rotary mixer.

Powder B was prepared wherein the liquid mixture was prepared by passing molten fatty acid and nonionic surfactant through a high shear dynamic mixer (IKA Dispax-The model size is as follows: DR 2000/mixer speed 4000 rpm). By spraying the mixture onto the wash at a temperature of-55 ℃The liquid mixture is contacted with the complete granular detergent powder.

According to the present invention, a granular detergent composition (powder C) is prepared in which a liquid mixture is prepared by passing molten fatty acid, nonionic surfactant and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution through a high shear dynamic mixer (IKA Dispax-The model size is as follows: DR 2000/mixer speed 4000 rpm). The liquid mixture is contacted with the whole granular detergent powder by spraying the mixture onto the detergent powder at a temperature of-55 ℃.

For powders A, B and C, a representative powder sample of 1kg exiting the continuous rotary mixer was taken and analyzed for cake strength. The average analysis is shown in table 3.

Table 3: cake Strength analysis of granular detergent compositions A, B and C

	Cake strength (kgf)
		Powder detergent A	7.5
Powder detergent B	9.1
		Powder detergent C	3.6

The cake strength of powder C was significantly lower compared to the powders a and B according to the invention. Lower cake strength indicates a significant improvement in powder flow characteristics.

This example illustrates the importance of forming a mixture of partially neutralized fatty acids together with nonionic surfactant in a composition comprising fatty acids and soap in such a way that the resulting composition exhibits improved powder flow characteristics.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".