Solid pot and pan detergent

• US 6,608,023 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2002
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Klaers, Karen G., Bailly, Helen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): DELCOTTO, GREGORY R
• Application Number:
  US10/068,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 510/224, 510/225, 510/298, 510/445, 510/446, 510/447, 510/451, 510/457, 510/495
• US Class Current: 510/495
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/02 Anionic compounds C11D1/002, C11D1/004, C11D1/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/123 derived from carboxylic acids, e.g. sulfosuccinates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/143 Sulfonic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/146 Sulfuric acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/22 derived from aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/29 Sulfates of polyoxyalkylene ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/525 Carboxylic amides (R1-CO-NR2R3), where R1, R2 or R3 contain two or more hydroxy groups per alkyl group, e.g. R3 being a reducing sugar rest
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/662 Carbohydrates or derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/86 Mixtures of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/90 Betaines
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/94 Mixtures with anionic, cationic or non-ionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0052 Cast detergent compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/046 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3707 Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyleneoxides

Abstract

A solid block detergent composition is described which can be dispensed with a water spray to form an aqueous detergent for cutting and removing grease, removing and suspending soils and rinsing easily leaving cleaned ware. The aqueous detergent concentrate can be used in a cleaning liquid having exceptional soil, particularly grease removing properties with stable foam properties. The solid block detergent contains a package of surfactants including a neutralized anionic surfactant with either one or a mixture of an alkali and alkaline earth metal salt thereof and an alkylpolyglycoside. The active ingredients and polyethylene glycol as a hardening agent are dispersed in a matrix which hardens to form a solid block.

Claims

1. A method for neutralizing alkyl benzene sulfonic acid to provide alkyl benzene sulfonate, the method comprising steps of:

(a) mixing alkyl benzene sulfonic acid with at least one of alkali metal salt, alkaline earth salt, and mixture thereof in an extruder to provide a mixture, wherein the extruder is operated at a screw speed of at least about 20 rpm,

(b) neutralizing the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid to alkyl benzene sulfonate.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid comprises linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of mixing comprises mixing the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid with a mixture of alkali metal salt and alkaline earth salt.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the alkali metal salt comprises sodium metal salt, and the alkaline earth salt comprises magnesium salt.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the molar ratio of sodium metal salt to magnesium salt is 3:

1 to 1;

1.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the molar ratio of sodium metal salt to magnesium salt is about 2:

1.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is provided at a pressure of between about 5 psig and about 150 psig.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruder comprises a single screw extruder.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruder comprises a twin screw extruder.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruder is operated at a screw speed of between about 20 rpm and about 300 rpm.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruder is operated at a screw speed of between about 40 rpm and about 150 rpm.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mixture in the extruder is provided at a temperature of between about 50°

C. and about 200°

C.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:

(a) discharging the alkyl benzene sulfonate at a temperature of at least about 30°

C.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mixture in the extruder is provided at a pressure of between about 5 psig and about 6000 psig.

15. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:

(a) discharging the alkyl benzene sulfonate directly into a packaging receptacle.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of neutralizing occurs during the step of mixing.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of mixing and neutralizing occur without the application of external heat to the extruder.