Detergent particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for making a laundry detergent particle comprising from 10 to 60 wt % (anhydrous basis) zeolite, from 12 to 75 wt % polycarboxylate polymer, and optional additional ingredients to 100% by weight, said method comprising preparing an aqueous slurry comprising zeolite, and polycarboxylate polymer and optional additional ingredients and spray drying the slurry. The weight ratio of zeolite (anhydrous basis) to polycarboxylate polymer in the slurry is from 4:1 to 1:2. The particles have been found to reduce caking of detergent product whilst providing improved cleaning compared with the addition of the polycarboxylate polymer as a separate granule. The invention also includes detergent compositions comprising such particles. The particles may be incorporated into a finished detergent composition as part of an agglomerate or extrudate.

1 . A method for making a laundry detergent particle comprising from 
 (a) 10 to 60 wt % (anhydrous basis) zeolite,    (b) 12 to 75 wt % polycarboxylate polymer, and    (c) optional additional ingredients to 100% by weight,    said method comprising preparing an aqueous slurry comprising zeolite, and polycarboxylate polymer and optional additional ingredients and spray-drying the slurry, the weight ratio of zeolite (anhydrous basis) to polycarboxylate polymer in the slurry is from 4:1 to 1:2.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the slurry is prepared by adding zeolite to an aqueous solution comprising polycarboxylate polymer.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the spray-dried particle comprises 15 to 50 wt % polycarboxylate polymer (salt form).  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the polycarboxylate polymer has a molecular weight greater than 10 000.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  in which soap is added into the slurry in an amount to produce a level of soap in the spray-dried particle of 0.05 to 20 wt %.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the particle produced comprises zeolite (anhydrous basis) in an amount of from 29% by weight to no more than 54% by weight based on the total weight of the particle.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the slurry for spray-drying also comprises an alkoxylated cationic diamine, polyamine or polymer of mixtures thereof, optionally sulphated or sulphonated.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the slurry for spray-drying additionally comprises phosphonate or succinate chelant.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the slurry for spray-drying additionally comprises a magnesium salt in an amount such that the finished particle will comprise magnesium in an amount equivalent to 0.5 to 5% by weight magnesium sulphate.  
     
     
         10 . A detergent composition comprising spray-dried particles prepared according to  claim 1  and additional surfactant-containing detergent particles, said additional particles comprising from 10 to 60% by weight surfactant.  
     
     
         11 . A detergent composition according to  claim 10  in which the surfactant-containing detergent particles are spray-dried particles, agglomerates or extrudates.  
     
     
         12 . A detergent composition according to  claim 10  in which the spray-dried particles are incorporated into the detergent composition as part of an agglomerate or extrudate with other detergent adjunct ingredients.  
     
     
         13 . A detergent composition according to  claim 10  additionally comprising a soil suspension agent of the formula:  
         bis((C 2 H 5 O)(C 2 H 4 O) n )(CH 3 )—N + —C x H 2x —N + —(CH 3 )-bis((C 2 H 4 O) n (C 2 H 5 O)), wherein, n=from 10  
       to 50 and x=from 1 to 20.