Inventors:
Barry M. Weinstein - Old Bridge NJ
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company - New York NY
International Classification:
C11D 308
C11D 314
C11D 1100
D06M 1106
Abstract:
Bentonite agglomerates are made which are suitable for use as a particulate fabric softener for softening washed laundry, especially when incorporated in detergent compositions by mixing with spray dried beads containing essential detergent composition components. Such agglomerates are in the Nos. 10-100 sieve range and are agglomerates of finely divided bentonite. The agglomerates are of a bulk density in the range of 0. 7 to 0. 9 g. /ml. , a moisture content of 8 to 13% and a frangibility less than 30, and include 1 to 5% of a binder (sodium silicate). Also disclosed is a method for making the bentonite agglomerates by spraying an aqueous solution of the binder onto moving surfaces of finely divided bentonite until the moisture content thereof is elevated and the amount of binder for the agglomerate is sufficient, and drying the agglomerated particles to their "equilibrium moisture range". The agglomerated particles, which are irregular in shape and craggy of surface, when mixed with spray dried built detergent particles, do not objectionably segregate from them despite different bulk densities and some variations in particle sizes, and it is considered that the irregularity of shape and the cragginess of the agglomerated bentonite bead surfaces help to maintain the uniformity of distribution of the agglomerates in such fabric softening laundry detergent product.