Lever Brothers Company

Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.

Thomas Taylor

Peter C Knight

Peter J Russell

William J Iley

Ian R Kenyon

David P Jones

Michael J Heybourne

Colin Atkinson

A process for the preparation of a free-flowing detergent powder comprises the steps of (i) mixing a detergent base powder with finely divided zeolite in a weight ratio of the zeolite (hydrated basis) to the base powder of from 0.13:1 to 0.40:1, whereby the small zeolite particles are adhered to the outer surface of the larger base powder particles, and (ii) spraying a liquid composition comprising nonionic surfactant onto the mixture formed in step (i), at a weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to alkali metal aluminosilicate of at least 0.25:1. This improves flow properties, increases bulk density, and improves dispensing in an automatic washing machine.

Process for preparing high bulk density detergent powders admixed with

Powders prepared by drying a slurry and suitable for use as detergent powders or components thereof contain (or consist of) sodium carbonate and/or the sodium carbonate/sodium sulphate double salt Burkeite the crystal forms of which have been modified by means of a low level of an organic polycarboxylate. The powders are able to absorb and retain very high levels of liquid components such as nonionic surfactants.

Process for preparing needle-shaped crystal growth modified burkeite

A particulate composition for softening textile fabrics in the wash comprises: (a) from 5 to 30% by weight of a primary, secondary or tertiary amine capable of softening fabrics, sorbed onto (b) from 70 to 95% by weight of a particulate carrier comprising a porous crystal-growth-modified carbonate-based salt. The preferred particulate carrier is the sodium carbonate/sodium sulphate double salt Burkeite modified by means of a polymeric polycarboxylate. The softening composition may be incorporated in a detergent powder, suitably in an amount providing from 0.5 to 15% by weight of amine in the total powder.

Wash-softener containing amine on a crystal-growth-modified carbonate

Spray dried detergent compositions which incorporate a sodium aluminosilicate detergency builder, are prepared by forming an aqueous detergent slurry containing the sodium aluminosilicate and then admixing an aqueous solution or suspension of sodium silicate with the detergent slurry at a point between the slurry mixing vessel and the spray nozzle. This avoids harmful interaction between the sodium aluminosilicate and the sodium silicate, which otherwise decreases washing performance, while retaining good powder properties.

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Northwich, United Kingdom

Thomas Taylor