Method of making non-caustic solid cleaning compositions
First Claim
1. A method for preparing a solid detergent composition, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) mixing a fluid detergent composition in an extruder at shear sufficient to mix the fluid detergent composition having a viscosity of between 5,000 and 200,000 cps in a flowable consistency, the detergent composition comprising;
(i) cleaning agent comprising at least one of anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, and zwitterionic surfactant (ii) hardening agent comprising polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000;
(iii) metal carbonate; and
(iv) water at a concentration, based on the weight of the detergent composition, of between 1.0 wt. % and about 15 wt. %; and
(b) solidifying the fluid detergent composition to a solid form at a time of between about 1 minute and about 3 hours to a solid form having a consistency of from a solid block to a malleable consistency.
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Abstract
A process for preparing a homogeneous, solid cleaning composition that comprises a cleaning agent, and optionally an additive agent and a hardening agent is provided. The compositions are processed in a continuous mixing system at high shear, at or below the melting temperature of the ingredients. Preferably, the ingredients are processed in an extruder, and the mixture is extruded directly into a mold or other packaging system for dispensing the cleaning composition. The consistency of the composition ranges from that of a fused block solid to a malleable article. The cleaning compositions are useful for warewashing and cleaning hard surfaces, rinsing, sanitizing, deodorizing, laundry detergents, conveyor lubricants, and the like.
105 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for preparing a solid detergent composition, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) mixing a fluid detergent composition in an extruder at shear sufficient to mix the fluid detergent composition having a viscosity of between 5,000 and 200,000 cps in a flowable consistency, the detergent composition comprising;
(i) cleaning agent comprising at least one of anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, and zwitterionic surfactant (ii) hardening agent comprising polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000;
(iii) metal carbonate; and
(iv) water at a concentration, based on the weight of the detergent composition, of between 1.0 wt. % and about 15 wt. %; and
(b) solidifying the fluid detergent composition to a solid form at a time of between about 1 minute and about 3 hours to a solid form having a consistency of from a solid block to a malleable consistency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeEcolab, Inc.
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Original AssigneeEcolab, Inc.
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InventorsMaier, Helmut K., Schulz, Rhonda Kay
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Primary Examiner(s)Douyon, Lorna M.
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Application NumberUS09/550,912Time in Patent Office1,359 DaysField of Search510/451, 510/108, 510/224, 510/233, 510/294, 510/298, 510/421, 510/440, 510/445, 510/447, 510/514, 510/506US Class Current510/445CPC Class CodesC11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene g...C11D 17/0052 Cast detergent compositionsC11D 17/0065 Solid detergents containing...C11D 3/06 Phosphates, including polyp...C11D 3/08 SilicatesC11D 3/10 Carbonates ; BicarbonatesC11D 3/128 Aluminium silicates, e.g. z...C11D 3/3707 Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyle...
