Patent ID: 6599871
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A detergent tablet comprising a nonionic surfactant having a melting point greater than 25Â° C. and wherein the detergent tablet is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of:a) heating the nonionic surfactant to above its melting point to form a liquid nonionic surfactant; and b) applying the liquid nonionic surfactant to a premix of detergent components to form a detergent composition; and c) forming the detergent composition into tablets; wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group of consisting of: i) surfactants having the general formula: R1O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CH(OH)R2]1 wherein R1 is a linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; R2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; x is an integer having an average value of from 0.5 to 1.5; and y is an integer having a value of least 15; ii) surfactants having the general formula: R1O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CH(OH)R2]2 wherein R1 is a linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; R2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; x is an integer having an average value of from 0.5 to 1.5; and y is an integer having a value of least 15; iii) surfactants having the general formula: R1O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CH(OH)R2]3 wherein R1 is a linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; R2 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; x is an integer having an average value of from 0.5 to 1.5; and y is an integer having a value of least 15; and iv) mixtures thereof.