Background
1. Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to compositions of matter which are useful for water
softening or as detergent builders.
2. Description of the art
[0002] Aluminosilicates which have high calcium and magnesium exchange rates and capacity
have been added to water softening and detergent products to remove water hardness.
Effective removal of calcium and magnesium ions from water when considered in the
context of detergent products is important in that those ions can precipitate anionic
surfactants rendering the former less effective in fabric cleaning. Moreover, if the
calcium and magnesium ions are not removed from water used for washing, these ions
will interact with soils on the fabrics thus interfering with soil removal.
[0003] U.S. Patent 3,985,669, issued October 12, 1976, Krummel et al, describes the formulation
of a detergent composition containing aluminosilicates and alkali metal silicates.
In Krummel et al the silicates are present at a very low level to avoid the interaction
with the aluminosilicate. This product is formed by spray drying all of the components
in the composition including the aluminosilicate and the alkali metal silicate.
[0004] It has been found that the incorporation of the aluminosilcate materials into detergent
and water softening compositions described above presents great difficulties. For
instance, if aluminosilcates are to be admixed into the composition as a dry material,
a considerable quantity of dust can be generated by improper handling of the finely
divided aluminosilicate. Moreover, the aluminosilicates per se are not free flowing.
It is also noted that if the aluminosilicate materials with which the present invention
is concerned are admixed dry with the remainder of a composition, that segregation
of the fine aluminosilicate materials will occur during packing and transportation
of the finished product. The segregation is extremely undesirable in that when the
consumer uses the product the lack of uniformity may result in over-usage or under-usage.
[0005] The present invention is an improvement on U.S. Patent 4.096.081, Phenicie et al,
issued June 20, 1978. This patent teaches agglomeration of the aluminosilicate particles
using an organic agglomerating agent and an inorganic salt. This agglomerate can be
admixed with conventional spray-dried detergent granules.
[0006] Throughout the specification and claims, percentages and ratios are by weight and
temperatures are in degrees centigrade unless otherwise indicated.
Summary of the invention
[0007] A free-flowing particulate water softening composition comprising an intimate mixture
of:
(a) from 60% to 95% by weight of an aluminosilicate detergency builder, selected from
the group consisting of:
(i) an amorphous aluminosilicate;
(ii) a hydrated crystalline zeolite selected from the group consisting of zeolite
A, X, P and mixtures thereof, containing at least 10% of water and having a particle
size in the range from 0.1 to 25 micrometers; and
(iii) mixtures of the amorphous and the crystalline species; said aluminosilicates
having a calcium ion-exchange capacity of at least 200 mg CaCO3/g; and a calcium ion-exchange rate of at least 0.034 g CaCO3/i/min/g;
(b) from 1 % to 4% by weight of synthetic anionic detergent surfactant which is relatively
hardness insensitive;
(c) from 0,5% to 10% by weight of an inorganic salt and being essentially free of
silicates; and
(d) balance water.
Detailed description of the invention
[0008] The aluminosilicate detergency builder of this invention comprise both amorphous
and crystalline aluminosilicates as is well known in the art. U.S. Patent 4.096.081
contains a description of such builders. Zeolites A, X, and P are preferred, with
Zeolite A being most preferred.
[0009] An essential feature of the ion-exchange builder materials herein is that they be
in a hydrated form, i.e., contain at least 10% by weight of water. Highly preferred
Zeolite A aluminosilicates herein contain the theoretical maximum of from 18% to 22%
(wt.) water in their crystal matrix. It has been found, for example, that less highly
hydrated Zeolite A aluminosilicates, e.g., those with about 6% water, do not function
effectively as ion exchange builders when employed in the context of a laundry detergent
composition.
[0010] A second essential feature of the ion exchange builder materials herein is their
particle size range. Of course, the amorphous aluminosilicates inherently have a small
particle size (ca. 0.01-5
11m diameter). However, the crystalline aluminosilicates must have a small particle
size in the range disclosed herein. Proper selection of small particle sizes results
in fast, highly efficient builder materials. Moreover, the small particle size of
the preferred aluminosilicates herein (<10 µm) presumably accounts for the fact that
they are not noticeably deposited on fabrics from an aqueous laundering liquor. This
nondeposition is, of course, desirable when the aluminosilicates are employed as detergent
builders.
[0011] The amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange builder/water softening materials herein
can be prepared according to the following procedure:
(a) Admix sodium aluminate (NaAlOz) and sodium hydroxide in water to form a mixture having the following (preferred)
weight ratios of the components:

The temperature of the mixture is adjusted to about 20°C-70°C, preferably 50°C. If
prepared at lower temperatures, the mixture of aluminate and sodium hydroxide is not
a true solution and may contain a small quanity of finely dispersed particulate materials.
(b) Add a sodium silicate solution (ca. 37% wt. solid; 3.2:1 SiO2/Na2O ratio) rapidly to the mixture of step (a). This rapid mixing step can be carried
out using a vessel employed with an efficient agitator; alternatively, the two mixtures
at the desired temperature can be metered into an inline mixer which can be part of
a dominant bath system to provide a continuous process: The ratio of NaAI02 to sodium silicate (anhydrous basis) is 1.6:1.
(c) Heat the mixture of step (b) rapidly to 75°C to 95°C (preferably 80°C-85°C) and
maintain at this temperature for 10 minutes to 60 minutes (preferably 10 minutes-20
minutes).
(d) Cool the slurry from step (c) to 50°C and filter. Recover the resulting filter
cake and wash in water using a sufficient quantity of water to yield a wash water/solids
(anhydrous basis) weight ratio of 2.0:1 (preferred). Repeat the filtration and washing
operations.
[0012] The filter cake prepared by the foregoing process comprises a mixture of crystalline
aluminosilicate and amorphous aluminosilicate in a 1:1 (wt.) ratio. The material from
the filter cake exhibits a rapid and efficient uptake of both Ca
++ and Mg
++ ions. The filter cake is useful per se as an ion exchange material. For use in powdered
or granular detergent compositions, it is preferred to dry the filter cake only the
minimum amount to eliminate free moisture, using a drying temperature below 175°C
to avoid excessive dehydration. Preferably, the drying is performed at 100°C to 105°C.
[0013] The amorphous aluminosilicate of this invention can, if desired, be separated from
the amorphous-crystalline mixture prepared in the foregoing manner by simply suspending
the filter cake mixture in water. When thus suspended, the crystalline portion of
the mix settles out (over a period of 1-6 hours), whereas the amorphous material remains
suspended in the aqueous medium. The amorphous material can be separated by decantation
or other physical means. Of course, low speed centrifugation can be employed to more
rapidly separate the amorphous component from the crystalline component of the mixtures
herein.
[0014] Both the crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchangers herein are further
characterized by their calcium ion exchange capacity which is at least 200 mg of CaC0
3 hardness/gram of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which preferably
lies within the range of 300 to about 352 mg CaCO/g.
[0015] The ion exchange materials herein are further characterized by their calcium ion
exchange rate which is at least 0.034 g CaCO
3/I/min/g of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis). Optimum aluminosilicates for builder
purposes exhibit a calcium exchange rate of at least 0.068 g CaC0
3/I/min/g.
[0016] The amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchanges herein are further characterized by their
magnesium exchange capacity, which is at least 42 mg of MgC0
3 hardness/gram of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which generally
lies within the range of 42 to 126 mg/g or greater.
[0017] The amorphous ion exchange materials herein are still further characterized by their
magnesium ion exchange rate which is at least 0.004 g (Mg
++)/I/min/g of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis). Optimum aluminosilicates for builder
purposes exhibit a magnesium exchange rate of at least 0.008 g (Mg
++)/I/min/g.
[0018] The ion exchange properties of the aluminosilicates herein can conveniently be determined
by means of a calcium ion electrode and a divalent ion electrode. In this technique
the rate and capacity of Ca
++ and Mg
++ uptake from an aqueous solution containing a known quantity of Ca
++ and Mg
++ ions are determined as a function of the amount of aluminosilicate ion exchange material
added to the solution. More specifically, the ion exchange rates of the amorphous
and mixed amorphous-crystalline aluminosilicates herein are determined as follows.
The aluminosilicate prepared in the foregoing manner is added in the sodium form to
150 ml of aqueous solution containing 0.080 g/I Ca
++ and 0.041 g/I Mg
++ (measured as CaC0
3) at a concentration of 0.06% (wt.), pH of 10.0, and with gentle stirring of the solution.
The rate of calcium depletion is measured using the calcium electrode (commercially
available; Orion@) and the rate of total calcium and magnesium depletion is determinea
using the general divalent cation electrode. Magnesium ion removal is thereafter determined
by the difference in readings. The rate of depletion is determined for each cation
by taking measurements at appropriate time intervals. Total depletion from the solution
is calculated after ten minutes, which corresponds to the normal wash time in an aqueous
laundering process. Rate curves for calcium depletion, magnesium depletion and mixed
calcium and magnesium depletion can be plotted as g/I v. time.
[0019] Calcium exchange capacity of the aluminosilicates herein can be determined by a simple
titration method. In practice the aluminosilicate sample is equilibrated with a known
excess of Ca
++. After equilibration and uptake of the calcium ion, the excess calcium ion remaining
in solution is determined by a standard titration with EDTA, using a standard Eriochrome@
Black T Indicator. Magnesium ion capacity is determined titrimetrically, in similar
fashion.
[0020] As noted hereinabove, both the crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates herein
exhibit excellent rates of exchange and capacities for calcium ions. Moreover, the
amorphous material herein additionally provides rapid and efficient uptake of magnesium
ions. Accordingly, a mixture of crystalline and amorphous material can provide mixed
Ca
++/Mg
++ hardness control.
[0021] Preferably, the compositions of this invention are essentially free of the organic
agglomerating agents of U.S. Patent 4,096,081.
[0022] The surfactant agglomerating agents of this invention include the following.
[0023] Preferably the detergent component of the present invention is a water-soluble salt
of: an alcohol polyethoxylate sulfate with an average degree of ethoxylation of 1
to 10 and an alkyl chain length of from 8 to 20; an alkyl benzene sulfonate with an
average alkyl chain length between 9 and 15, preferably from 11 to 13, and most preferably
11.8 carbon atoms; a C
6-G
ZO alpha-sulfocarboxylic acid or ester thereof having 1 to 14 carbon atoms in the alcohol
radical; a C
8―C
18 secondary paraffin sulfonate; a C
10―C
18 olefin sulfonate or mixtures thereof; or other hardness insensitive anionic surfactant.
Such preferred detergents are discussed below. Blends of surfactants which exhibit
hardness resistance (insensitivity) can be used as well.
[0024] An especially preferred alkyl ether sulfate detergent component of the present invention
is a mixture of alkyl ether sulfates, said mixture having an average (arithmetic mean)
carbon chain length within the range of 12 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably from 14
to 15 carbon atoms, and an average (arithmetic mean) degree of ethoxylation of from
1 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide, preferably from 2 to 3 moles of ethylene oxide.
[0025] Specifically, such preferred mixtures comprise from 0 to 10% by weight of mixture
of C
12-13 compounds, from 50 to 100% by weight of mixture of C
14-11 compounds, and from 0 to 45% by weight of mixture of C
16-17 compounds, and from 0 to 10% by weight of a mixture of C
18-19 compounds. Further, such preferred alkyl ether sulfate mixtures comprise from 0 to
30% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation of 0, from 45
to 95% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation from 1 to
4, from 5 to 25% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of ethoxylation
from 5 to 8, and from 0 to 15% by weight of mixture of compounds having a degree of
ethoxylation greater than 8. The sulfated condensation products of ethoxylated alcohols
of 8 to 24 alkyl carbons and with from 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 4 moles of ethylene
oxide may be used in place of the preferred alkyl ether sulfates discussed above.
[0026] Preferred water-soluble organic detergent compounds herein also include alkyl benzene
sulfonates (preferably essentially linear, although "hard" ABS may be used) containing
from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. Examples of the above are sodium and
potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from 11 to 13
carbon atoms, in straight chain or branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the
type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are
straight chain alkyl benzene sulfonates in which the average of the alkyl groups is
11.8 carbon atoms, abbreviated as C
11.2LAS.
[0027] Another useful detergent compound herein includes the water-soluble salts of esters
of alpha- sulfonated fatty acids containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty
acid group and their esters with alcohols containing from 1 to 14, preferably 1 to
2, carbon atoms.
[0028] Preferred "olefin sulfonate" detergent mixtures utilizable herein comprise olefin
sulfonates containing from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Such materials can be produced by
sulfonation of olefins by means of uncomplexed sulfur trioxide followed by neutralization
under conditions such that any sultones present are hydrolyzed to the corresponding
hydroxy-alkane sulfonates. The alpha-olefin starting materials preferably have from
14 to 16 carbon atoms. Said preferred alpha-olefin sulfonates are described in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,332,880.
[0029] The secondary paraffin sulfonates embraced in the present invention are essentially
linear and contain from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 16 and more preferably
from 14 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.
[0030] Other anionic detergent compounds herein include the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether
sulfates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut
oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; and sodium
or potassium salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfate containing 1 to 10
units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl groups contain 8 to 12
carbon atoms.
[0031] Other useful detergents include water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1-sulfonic
acids containing from 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from 9 to 18 carbon
atoms in the alkane moiety; beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about
1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkane
moiety; alkylmethylammoniopropane sulfonates and alkyl- methylammoniohydroxypropane
sulfonates wherein the alkyl group in both types contains from 14 to 18 carbon atoms:
and alkyl glycerol ether sulfates with from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.
[0032] A typical listing of the classes and species of detergent compounds useful herein
appear in U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,211, to Ohren issued Dec. 3, 1974. The foregoing list
of detergent compounds and mixtures which can be used in the instant compositions
is representative of such. materials, but is not intended to be limiting.
[0033] The compositions comprise from 1 to 4%, preferably from 2% to 3% of hardness insensitive
anionic surfactant. Higher levels of surfactant simply dilute the zeolite without
any benefit and can give undesirable physical properties to the agglomerate.
[0034] The surfactant improves dispersion of the zeolite as shown hereinafter thus minimizing
unacceptable deposits, e.g. on fabrics, and increasing the rate of ion exchange.
[0035] The inorganic salts are water soluble and form ions. They promote dispersion of the
aluminosilicate as shown to rapidly control the water hardness. Examples of such inorganic
salts include those having alkali metal cations such as sodium, or potassium, and
having as anions thereof sulfates, chlorides, carbonates, bicarbonates, aluminates
and phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
[0036] Preferred inorganic salts include sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium orthophosphate,
sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate. Especially
preferred are sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate. Alkali metal silicates should not
be present because of their ability to polymerize the aluminosilicate leading to deposits
upon washed fabrics.
[0037] When the aluminosilicate, the inorganic salt and the organic surfactant are to be
incorporated into a detergent composition, additional surface active agent (detergent
surfactant) will be included as a portion of the overall detergent composition since
the level of surfactant herein is insufficient to form a complete detergent product.
[0038] Exemplary of detergent components which may be used in the present invention are
those described in U.S. Patent 3,852,211 to Ohren, issued December 3, 1974.
Composition preparation
[0039] The preparation of the agglomerate containing the aluminosilicate, the inorganic
salt and the detergent surfactant is described as follows:
(a) dispersing the detergent surfactant;
(b) dispersing the inorganic salt into the detergent surfactant;
(c) admixing into the dispersed detergent surfactant the aluminosilicate of the present
invention, thereby forming an intimate mixture; and,
(d) solidifying the resultant mass to form the particulate. Alternatively, the detergent
surfactant can be sprayed onto a bed of the aluminosilicate and the inorganic salt.
Water may be added to the mixture of the detergent surfactant, the inorganic salt,
and the aluminosilicate to facilitate mixing. The excess water is then driven off
by heating on forming the agglomerate.
[0040] In a preferred method, sulfuric acid is added to the synthesis liquor of the aluminosilicate
to neutralize excess caustic (while staying above pH 9) and form Na
2S0
4. The surfactant is then dispersed in the slurry and the product is spray or flash
dried.
[0041] Another preferred method of preparing the agglomerate of the present invention is
to spray the mixture of the aluminosilicate, the inorganic salt and the detergent
surfactant to form granules of the size compatible with normal detergent particles.
It is to be understood, however, that the product can take several forms, e.g. cakes,
flakes, prills, or granules which are reduced by conventional methods to the appropriate
size.
[0042] The preferred method of preparing the agglomerate of the present invention is by
spray-drying or spray cooling the mass to form the agglomerate. It is essential when
spray-drying is employed that the aluminosilicate should not be dehydrated beyond
the point where its ion exchange capacity is adversely affected. Also, certain of
the surfactants which are heat sensitive should not be heated to the extent at which
they begin to decompose.
[0043] When a spray-drying operation is used to prepare the agglomerate the apparatus for
conducting the drying operating may be a multilevel spray-drying tower such as that
described in U.S. Patent 3,629,950 and 3,629,955 issued to Davis et al.
[0044] In preparing the agglomerate of the present invention the detergent surfactant will
be present at from 0.5% to 4%, preferably from 1.5% to 2.5% by weight while the aluminosilicate
will be present at from 60% to 95%, preferably from 70% to 80% by weight.
[0045] The inorganic salts which promote lessened friability are used at a level of from
0.5% to 10%, preferably from 2% to 4%. Larger amounts of the inorganic salts may be
utilized in the particulate, however, the benefit reaches a maximum at 5% and additional
amounts merely take up more formula room.
Composition utilization
[0046] When the agglomerate of the present invention is utilized as a water softener for
laundering purposes, it is simply added to the wash tub or washing machine, preferably
before the fabrics and the detergent composition are introduced and after the water
has been introduced into the container.
[0047] When the agglomerate of the present invention is used as part of a complete detergent
product admixed with a separate granule containing additional detergent surfactant,
the overall product is desirably added to the wash tub or the washing machine before
the fabrics and after the water has been added.
[0048] The amount of the agglomerate utilized as a water softening pretreatment is simply
an amount sufficient to remove most of the calcium and magnesium ions present in the
wash water. As the product of the present invention normally has a density of from
0.45 gram per cc to 0.65 gram per cc, sufficient usage of the product will, under
most United States conditions, be satisfied by the use of from 1/4 cup to 1 cup. Under
continental European washing conditions where the water hardness is somewhat greater,
the product will normally be used at a level of from 1/2 cup to 3 cups.
[0049] Laundry detergent products of the present invention are used under U.S. washing conditions
at from 1/2 to 1-1/2 cups and from 1 cup to 3 cups under European washing conditions.
[0050] The agglomerate of this invention, when added to a spray-dried detergent granule
containing a surfactant to give an agglomerate level of from 5% to 80%, preferably
from 10% to 60% by weight of the total composition, provides a complete detergent
composition with little or no apparent formation of insolubles. This is especially
important when the spray-dried detergent granule contains large amounts of silicates.
In order to avoid segregation, the agglomerate should have a size that is compatible
with the detergent granule, e.g., not less than 100µm in diameter, preferably not
less than 150 µm in diameter. The agglomerates of this invention do not break down
unacceptably under ordinary handling and shipping.
[0051] Particle size can be adjusted by sieving and recycling or by adjusting spray drying
pressure and nozzle size.
[0052] Preferably the agglomerates of this invention are completely free of the agglomerating
compounds of U.S. Patent 4,096,081, and especially free of the polyethylene glycol
of said patent.
[0053] The following are Examples of the present invention:
Example I
[0054] Detergent compositions were made with the intent of increasing the thoroughness of
zeolite builder dispersion in wash water. The expected benefits of increased dispersion
are (1) reduced incidence of insoluble aggregates on washed fabrics, and (2) increased
rate of zeolite availability for complexation of water hardness.
[0055] The method used for evaluating degree of dispersion involved Nephelometer® Turbidity
Unit (NTU) measurements of wash water concentrations (0.3 g active zeolite/I city
water at about 0.154 g/I hardness). A water sample was grabbed after four minutes
of normal wash agitation with the zeolite- containing composition present. A higher
turbidity reading indicates greater exposed particle surface and thus more effective
dispersion. A more sustained turbidity reading after 30 minutes of static observation
indicates a slower settling rate and thus a smaller average zeolite aggregate size.
Zeolite A, Arogen 2000 from Huber Co., was used in these experiments.

[0056] It is known that electrolytes alone aid in dispersion of aluminosilicates in an aqueous
medium, and this is seen in comparing A and C. The addition of a binding and wetting
agent, polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), in D (ref. U.S. Patent 4,096,081) improves
dispersibility to the level seen with a typical full detergent composition (non-phosphate),
as in B. Addition of a relatively hardness-insensitive synthetic surfactant in E and
G improves the dispersion, though removal of the PEG (F and H) now shows further benefit
in fineness and stability of the zeolite dispersion.
[0057] Both of the surfactants in E-H are acceptably hardness insensitive. A tallow alkyl
sulfate, for example, would be precipitated by free hardness and rendered ineffective
as a zeolite dispersant. It is noted that the higher sustained dispersion at 30 minutes
with samples E and F reflect the greater degree of hardness insensitivity of the alkyl
polyethoxy sulfate vs. the alkylbenzene sulfonate of G and H.
[0058] In all cases, the zeolite was dried from an aqueous slurry of 50-60% total water
to which the other ingredients had been added.
[0059] The slurry was heated to 60°C and mixed thoroughly. This mixture was then dried in
a thin film in a 70°C oven until only 18-20% H
20 remained. The water of hydration in the Zeolite A is generally not removed under
these conditions. The dried cake was granulated arid screened through a 1.19 mm screen.
The resultant density was 0.58 g/cc. The particle size was mostly greater than 1 50
IIm. Zeolite delivered to the wash water was controlled at 0.3 g/I and other components
(except in B) were used as: sodium sulfate at 0.01 to 0.03 g/I, PEG 8000 at 0.01 to
0.015 g/I, and synthetic surfactants at 0.008 g/I.

[0060] 27.6% of the following admix, formed by spray drying a slurry according to Example
1 H, heated to 79.4°C and pressure atomized into a pilot scale (3.05 m (10') diameter)
spray-drying tower with 260°C inlet air, was mixed with the above base granule and
the mixture was sprayed with .9% polyethyleneglycol (M.W. 8000) and 0.14% perfume.
The admix density was 0.55-0.58 g/cc and the particle size was 90% greater than 150
µm diameter.

Example III (comparison)
[0061] Composition of Example II was made using powdered zeolite (as received) admixed to
the base granule composition. The resulting detergent product was excessively dusty
and free flow was unacceptable due to bridging and surging. Segregation is a further
potential problem with this approach.
Example IV
[0062] The zeolite composition of Example II is metered into a fluidized bed along with
other dry ingredients and nonionic surfactant, minors, and perfume are sprayed on.

1. A stable, rapidly-dispersible zeolite detergent builder agglomerate consisting
essentially of an intimate mixture of:
(a) from 60% to 95% by weight of an aluminosilicate detergency builder, selected from
the group consisting of:
(i) an amorphous aluminosilicate;
(ii) a hydrated crystalline zeolite selected from the group consisting of zeolite
A, X, P and mixtures thereof, containing at least 10% of water and having a particle
size in the range from 0.1 to 25 micrometers; and
(iii) mixtures of the amorphous and the crystalline species;
said aluminosilicates having a calcium ion-exchange capacity of at least 200 mg CaCOg/g;
and a calcium ion-exchange rate of at least 0.034 g CaCO
3/l/min/g;
(b) from 1 % to 4% by weight of synthetic anionic detergent surfactant which is relatively
hardness insensitive;
(c) from 0,5% to 10% by weight of an inorganic salt and being essentially free of
silicates; and
(d) balance water.
2. The composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the size of the agglomerate
is not less than 100 micrometers in diameter.
3. The agglomerate of Claim 1 wherein the aluminosilicate is from 70% to 80% by weight,
the surfactant is from 1-1/2% to 2-1/2% by weight, and the inorganic salt is from
2% to 4% by weight.
4. The agglomerate of Claim 2 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting
of water-soluble salts of:
(a) alcohol polyethoxylate sulfates wherein the alcohol contains from 8 to 20 carbon
atoms and the average degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 10;
(b) alkylbenzene sulfonates with alkyl groups containing from 9 to 15 carbon atoms;
(c) alpha-sulfocarboxylic acids containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms;
(d) the esters of (s) with alcohols containing up to 14 carbon atoms;
(e) secondary paraffin sulfonates containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms;
(f) olefin sulfonates containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms; and
(g) mixtures thereof.
5. The agglomerate of Claim 1 wherein the zeolite is zeolite A.
6. The agglomerate of Claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the inorganic salt is selected from
the group consisting of sodium and potassium sulfates, chlorides, carbonates, bicarbonates,
aluminates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
7. The agglomerate of Claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the inorganic salt is sodium carbonate
or sodium sulfate.
8. A detergent composition comprising from 5% to 80% by weight of the agglomerate
of Claim 1 and from 20% to 95% by weight of a spray-dried granule containing a surfactant.
1. Aggloméré d'adjuvant de détergence et de zéolite, stable et rapidement dispersable,
consistant essentiellement en un mélange intime de:
(a) de 60% à 95% en poids d'un adjuvant de détergence de type aluminosilicate, choisi
dans l'ensemble constitué par:
(i) un aluminosilicate amorphe;
(ii) une zéolite cristalline hydratée, choisie dans l'ensemble comprenant les zéolites
A, X, P et leurs mélanges, contenant au moins 10% d'eau et ayant une granulométrie
se situant entre 0,1 et 25 micromètres; et
(iii) des mélanges de l'espèce amorphe et de l'espèce cristalline;
lesdits aluminosilicates ayant une capacité d'échange de l'ion calcium d'au moins
200 mg de CaCOg/g; et une vitesse d'échange de l'ion calcium d'au moins 0,034 g de
CaC0
3/I/min/g;
(b) de 1% à 4% en poids d'un tensioactif détergent anionique synthétique qui est relativement
insensible à la dureté;
(c) de 0,5% à 10% en poids d'un sel minéral essentiellement exempt de silicates; et
(d) le reste étant de l'eau.
2. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la dimension des agglomérés
n'est pas inférieure à un diamètre de 100 micromètres.
3. Aggloméré selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'aluminosilicate représente de
70% à 80% en poids, de tensioactif représente de 1,5% à 2,5% en poids, et le sel minéral
représente de 2% à 4% en poids.
4. Aggloméré selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le tensioactif est choisi dans
l'ensemble constitué par les sels hydrosolubles de:
(a) des (alcool polyéthoxylé)-sulfates dans lesquels l'alcool contient de 8 à 20 atomes
de carbone et le degré moyen d'éthoxylation est de 1 à 10;
(b) des alkylbenzène sulfonates dont les groupes alkyles contiennent de 9 à 15 atomes
de carbone;
(c) des acides alpha-sulfocarboxyliques contenant de 6 à 20 atomes de carbone;
(d) les esters de (a) avec des alcools contenant jusqu'à 14 atomes de carbone;
(e) des paraffine (secondaire) sulfonates contenant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone;
(f) des oléfine sulfonates contenant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone; et
(g) leurs mélanges.
5. Aggloméré selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la zéolite est la zéolite A.
6. Aggloméré selon les revendications 1, 3, 4 ou 5, dans lequel le sel minéral est
choisi dans l'ensemble constitué par les sulfates, chlorures, carbonates, bicarbonates,
aluminates, phosphates de sodium et de potassium, et leurs mélanges.
7. Aggloméré selon les revendications 1, 3, 4 ou 5, dans lequel le sel minéral est
le carbonate de sodium ou le sulfate de sodium.
8. Composition détergente comprenant de 5% à 80% en poids de l'aggloméré de la revendication
1 et de 20% à 95% en poids d'un granule, séché par atomisation et contenant un tensioactif.
1. Beständiges rasch dispergierbares Zeolithedetergensgerüststoff-Agglomerat bestehend
im wesentlichen aus einem innigen Gemisch aus:
(a) 60 bis 95 Gew.-% eines Alumosilikatdetergensgerüststoffes ausgewählt aus der Gruppe
bestehend aus:
(i) einem amorphen Alumosilikat;
(ii) einem hydratisierten kristallinen Zeolith ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend
aus Zeolith A, X, P und Gemischen daraus enthaltend wenigstens 10% Wasser und mit
einer Teilchengröße im Bereich von 0,1 bis 25 µm; und
(iii) Gemischen der amorphen und der kristallinen Arten;
wobei die Alumosilikate eine Calcium-lonenaustauscherkapazität von mindestens 200
mg CaCOg/g und eine Calcium-lonenaustauschgeschwindigkeit von mindestens 0,034 g CaCO
3/I/min/g aufweisen;
(b) 1 bis 4 Gew.-% eines synthetischen anionischen oberflächenaktiven Detergens, welches
relativ härteunempfindlich ist;
(c) 0,5 bis 10 Gew.-% eines anorganischen Salzes und im wesentlichen frei von Silikaten
ist; und
(d) als Rest Wasser.
2. Zusammensetzung gemäß Anspruch 1, worin die Größe des Agglomerates nicht weniger
als 100,um im Durchmesser beträgt.
3. Agglomerat nach Anspruch 1, worin das Alumosilikat 70 bis 80 Gew.-% ausmacht, das
oberflächenaktive Mittel 1-1/2 bis 2-1/2 Gew.-% beträgt und das anorganische Salz
2 bis 4 Gew.-% ausmacht.
4. Agglomerat nach Anspruch 2, worin das oberflächenaktive Mittel ausgewählt ist aus
der Gruppe bestehend aus wasserlöslichen Salzen von:
(a) Alkoholpolyethoxylatsulfaten, worin der Alkohol 8 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatome enthält
und der durchschnittliche Ethoxylierungsgrad 1 bis 10 beträgt;
(b) Alkylbenzolsulfonaten mit Alkylgruppen mit 9 bis 15 Kohlenstoffatomen;
(c) Alpha-sulfocarbonsäuren mit 6 bis 20 Kohlenstoffatomen;
(d) Estern von (c) mit Alkoholen mit bis zu 14 Kohlenstoffatomen;
(e) sekundären Paraffinsulfonaten mit 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen;
(f) Olefinsulfonaten mit 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen; und
(g) Gemischen daraus.
5. Agglomerat nach Anspruch 1, worin der Zeolith Zeolith A ist.
6. Agglomerat nach den Ansprüchen 1, 3, 4 oder 5, worin das anorganische Salze ausgewählt
ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Natrium- und Kaliumsulfate, -chloriden, -carbonate,
-bicarbonaten, -aluminaten, phosphaten und Gemischen daraus.
7. Agglomerat nach den Ansprüchen 1, 3, 4 oder 5, worin das anorganische Salz Natriumcarbonat
oder Natriumsulfat ist.
8. Detergenszusammensetzung, enthalten 5 bis 80 Gew.-% des Agglomerates nach Anspruch
1 und 20 bis 95 Gew.-% eines sprühgetrockneten Granulates, welches ein oberflächenaktives
Mittel enthält.