CA2324336A1 - Aqueous multiphase cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

An aqueous liquid multiphase surfactant-containing cleaner, in particular a hand dishwashing detergent, having at least two continuous phases, which has at least one lower aqueous phase I and an upper aqueous phase II which is immiscible with the first phase, can be temporarily converted into an emulsion by shaking, comprises more than 2% by weight of at least one organic solvent, can be used for the cleaning of hard surfaces, in particular of dishes, and can be prepared by blending directly from its raw materials, subsequently mixing thoroughly and finally allowing the composition to stand for separation of the temporary emulsion.

Description

AQUEOUS MULTIPHASE CLEANER
Field of the Invention The invention relates to aqueous multiphase liquid cleaners, in particular hand dishwashing detergents, which can be temporarily emulsified by shaking, to the use thereof for the cleaning of hard surfaces, in particular of dishes, and to a method for the preparation thereof.
Background of the Invention Conventional liquid aqueous cleaners, in particular hand dishwashing detergents, are usually in the form of homogeneous stable solutions or dispersions. The use of certain, in particular, hydrophobic, components in such compositions for improving the detergency or the skincare properties can, however, lead to this homogeneity being lost and inhomogeneous visually unattractive compositions being obtained, the acceptance of which by the consumer is to be assessed as low. Moreover, the stable incorporation of relatively large amounts of perfume oils is also extremely problematic. The stable incorporation of relatively small amounts of hydrophobic components or perfume oils into conventional dishwashing detergents or cleaners is possible only by using solubility promoters and/or emulsifiers.
European patent application 116 422 describes a liquid hair or body shampoo having two aqueous phases which can be dispersed temporarily in one another by shaking. Here, the upper phase comprises 8 to 25% by weight, based on the total composition, of at least one surfactant, and the lower phase at least 6% by weight, based on the overall composition, of dissolved sodium hexametaphosphate of the formula I, ONa ONa ONa Na0-P P P-Ona (I) tn-2~

in which n is an average value of about 12. Optionally, further builder salts may be present in the lower phase.
German laid-open applications 195 O1 184, 195 O1 187 and 195 O1 188 (Henkel KGaA) disclose hair-treatment compositions in the form of a two-phase system which have an oil phase and a water phase, the oil phase being based on silicone oil or paraffin oil. The two phases are temporarily miscible by mechanical action.
Summary of the Invention The object of the present invention was to provide a cleaner, in particular dishwashing detergent, which, despite a given inhomogeneity of the composition, which is caused, for example, by the use of hydrophobic components for improving the detergency or the skincare properties, has a defined external appearance and use form which is acceptable to the consumer. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a cleaner, in particular a dishwashing detergent, which also has high detergency.
Further objects arise from the description below.
The invention provides an aqueous liquid multiphase surfactant-containing cleaner having at least two continuous phases, which has at least one lower aqueous phase I and one upper aqueous phase II and which can be temporarily converted into an emulsion by shaking, and which comprises more than 2% by weight of at least one organic solvent.
The invention likewise provides for the use of a composition according to the invention for the cleaning of hard surfaces, in particular of dishes. The composition according to the invention is preferably used for the manual cleaning of hard surfaces, in particular for the manual cleaning of dishes.
Within the scope of the present invention - unless expressly stated otherwise - the use of a salt is just as possible as the use of the corresponding acid/base pair of the salt, even if this is not always explicitly formulated in the present teaching. In this sense, sodium citrate and the citric acid/sodium hydroxide combination, for example, are equal alternatives.
If, according to the invention, it is intended for a certain component to be used for different purposes, then its use may be described more than once below, knowingly or unknowingly. This is true, for example, for citric acid, which can be used both as an acid to adjust the pH, and also as a phase-separation auxiliary and builder.
The compositions according to the invention are notable for high detergency, in particular on greasy and bleachable soilings, for example soilings caused by tea, when used neat or in dilute form. Conversion to a temporary emulsion remains reversible even after frequent shaking.
Within the scope of the present invention, temporary means that 90% of the cracking of the emulsion formed by shaking into the separate phases at temperatures of from 20°C to about 40°C takes place over the course of 2 minutes to 10 hours, and the final 2% of the cracking takes place over the course of a further 15 minutes to 50 hours.
Moreover, the compositions permit the stable incorporation of components which can only be stably incorporated into single-phase aqueous solutions or stable emulsions or microemulsions by using solubility promoters or emulsifiers. The abovementioned components include in particular the hydrophobic components and perfume oils described below. In addition, the multiphase character, in particular two-phase character, improves the chemical stability of the composition as a result of the separation of ingredients into separate phases.
Substances which are also used as ingredients for cosmetic compositions are referred to below where possible in accordance with the International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) nomenclature. Vegetable ingredients are listed exclusively according to the Linnean system in Latin, and so-called trivial names such as "water", "honey" or "sea salt" are likewise given in Latin. The INCI names are given in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook - Seventh Edition (1997), which is published by The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA), 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036, USA and contains more than 9000 INCI names and references to more than 37,000 trade names and technical terms including the relevant distributors from more than 31 countries. The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook assigns to the ingredients one or more Chemical Classes, for example Polymeric Ethers, and one or more Functions, for example Surfactants - Cleansing Agents, to which reference is also made below where appropriate.
Organic solvents According to the invention, the composition comprises at least one organic solvent. According to the invention, the content of organic solvent is more than 2% by weight and usually not more than 30% by weight, preferably 3 to 25% by weight, in particular 5 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 7 to 15% by weight, for example 10% by weight.
Suitable solvents are, for example, saturated or unsaturated, preferably saturated, branched or unbranched Ci-ao-hydrocarbons, preferably C2_ls-hYdrocarbons, having one or more hydroxyl groups, preferably one hydroxyl group, and optionally one or more ether functions C-O-C, i.e. oxygen atoms interrupting the carbon atom chain.
Preferred solvents are the Cl_6-alcohols, in particular ethanol, n-propanol or isopropanol, and also the CZ_s-alkylene glycols and poly-Cz_3-alkylene glycol ethers -optionally etherified at one end with a C1_6-alkanol -having, on average, 1 to 9 identical or different, preferably identical, alkylene glycol groups per molecule, in particular the poly-CZ_3-alkylene glycol ethers etherified at one end with a C1_6-alkanol and having, on average, 1 to 9, preferably 2 to 3, ethylene or propylene glycol groups, for example PPG-2 Methyl Ether (dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether).
Examples of solvents are the following compounds named in accordance with INCI: Alcohol (Ethanol), Buteth-3, Butoxydiglycol, Butoxyethanol, Butoxyisopropanol, Butoxypropanol, n-Butyl Alcohol, t-Butyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctanol, Diethylene Glycol, Dimethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Glycol, Hexanediol, 1,2,6-Hexanetriol, Hexyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Isobutoxypropanol, Isopentyldiol, Isopropyl Alcohol (isopropanol), 3-Methoxybutanol, Methoxydiglycol, Methoxyethanol, Methoxyisopropanol, Methoxymethylbutanol, Methoxy PEG-10, Methylal, Methyl Alcohol, Methyl Hexyl Ether, Methylpropanediol, Neopentyl Glycol, PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-6 Methyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-7, PPG-2-Buteth-3, PPG-2 Butyl Ether, PPG-3 Butyl Ether, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, PPG-3 Methyl Ether, PPG-2 Propyl Ether, Propanediol, Propyl Alcohol (n-propanol), Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether, Propylene Glycol Propyl Ether, Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol, Trimethylhexanol.
Monomeric or homo- or heteropolymeric, in particular monomeric and homodi- and trimeric CZ-C4-alkylene glycols esterified or etherified with aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, e.g. methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, tert-butanol or phenol, or carboxylic acids, e.g. acetic acid or carbonic acid are sold, for example, under the trade name Dowanol~ from Dow Chemical, and under the trade name Arcosolv°R and Arconate° from Arco Chemical, and the products referred to below by their INCI name according to the International Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients from The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA), e.g.
Butoxydiglycol (Dowanol~ DB), Methoxydiglycol (Dowanol~ DM), PPG-2 Methyl Ether (Dowanol~ DPM), PPG-2 Methyl Ether Acetate (Dowanol~ DPMA), PPG-2 Butyl Ether (Dowanol~ DPnB), PPG-2 Propyl Ether (Dowanol~ DPnP), Butoxyethanol (Dowanol~
EB), Phenoxyethanol (Dowanol~ EPh), Methoxyisopropanol (Dowanol~ PM), PPG-1 Methyl Ether Acetate (Dowanol~ PMA), Butoxyisopropanol (Dowanol~ PnB), Propylene Glycol Propyl Ether (Dowanol~ PnP), Phenoxyisopropanol (Dowanol~ PPh), PPG-3 Methyl Ether (Dowanol~ TPM) and PPG-3 Butyl Ether (Dowanol~ TPnB) and Ethoxyisopropanol (Arcosolv~ PE), tert-Butoxyisopropanol (Arcosolv~ PTB), PPG-2 tert-Butyl Ether (Arcosolv~ DPTB) and propylene carbonate (Arconate~ PC), of which butoxyisopropanol (dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, Dowanol~ PnB) and, in particular, PPG-2 Methyl Ether (dipropylene glycol methyl ether, Dowanol~ DPM) are preferred.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more organic solvents from the group ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether and butoxyisopropanol (1,2-propylene glycol n-butyl ether), preferably ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol and/or dipropylene glycol methyl ether, in particular isopropanol and/or n-propanol.
In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises, as organic solvent, ethanol and n-propanol, preferably in an amount of together at least 10% by weight, particularly preferably of together at least 12% by weight.
Phases In the simplest case, a composition according to the invention consists of a lower continuous phase which consists of the entire phase I, and of an upper continuous phase which consists of the entire phase II. One or more continuous phases of a composition according to the invention can, however, also comprise parts of another phase in emulsified form, meaning that in such a composition, for example, some of phase I is in the form of continuous phase I, which is the lower continuous phase of the composition, and some is emulsified as discontinuous phase I in the upper continuous phase II. Analogous statements apply for phase II
and further continuous phases.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the continuous phases I and II are delimited from one another by a sharp interface.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, one or both of the continuous phases I and II comprise parts, preferably 0.1 to 25% by volume, in particular 0.2 to 15% by volume, based on the volume of the respective continuous _ 7 _ phase, of the other phase in each case as dispersant. In this connection, the continous phase I or II is then reduced by the part by volume which is distributed as dispersant in the other phase in each case. Preference is given here to compositions in which phase I is emulsified in phase II in amounts of from 0.1 to 25% by volume, preferably 0.2 to 15%
by volume, based on the volume of phase II.
In a further particular embodiment of the invention, in addition to the continuous phases I and II, part of the two phases is in the form of an emulsion of one of the two phases in the other phase, this emulsion being delimited by two sharp interfaces, one upper and one lower, from the parts of phases I and II not involved in the emulsion.
The compositions according to the invention comprise phase I and phase II usually in a volume ratio of from 90:10 to 10:90, preferably 75:25 to 15:85, in particular 60:40 to 20:80, particularly preferably 50:50 to 25:75, most preferably 40:60 to 30:70, for example about 1:6 (14:86), 1:5 (17:83) , 1:4 (20:80) , 1:3 (25:75) or 1:2 (33:67) .
Surfactants The compositions according to the invention can comprise, as surfactant component, one or more nonionic, anionic, amphoteric or cationic surfactants or surfactant mixtures of one, more than one or all of these classes of surfactant. The compositions comprise surfactants in amounts, based on the composition, of usually 1 to 45% by weight, preferably 5 to 40% by weight, in particular 10 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably 2 to 35% by weight, most preferably 25 to 35% by weight, for example 28 or 33%
by weight. In a particular embodiment, the compositions according to the invention comprise more than 30% by weight of surfactant.
Anionic surfactants are particularly preferred for cost reasons and because of their performance spectrum.
Surfactants of the individual groups can be used as individual substances. It is preferred to use mixtures of surfactants, preferably mixtures of surfactants from two or - g _ more of said groups. Particularly suitable surfactant mixtures are those of anionic surfactants in combination with one or more nonionic surfactants or betaine surfactants, where the betaine surfactants are in this connection to be equated with the class of amphoteric surfactants. The common additional use of nonionic surfactants and betaine surfactants in the mixture can also be advantageous for many applications.
Anionic surfactants Anionic surfactants according to the present invention may be aliphatic sulfates such as fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, dialkyl ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, and aliphatic and aromatic sulfonates, such as alkanesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, ether sulfonates, n-alkyl ether sulfonates, ester sulfonates, lignosulfonates and alkylbenzenesulfonates.
Within the scope of the present invention, use can likewise be made of fatty acid cyanamides, sulfosuccinates, fatty acid isethionates, acylaminoalkanesulfonates (fatty acid taurides), fatty acid sarcosinates, ether carboxylic acids and alkyl (ether) phosphates.
As alk(en)yl sulfates, the alkali metal salts and in particular the sodium salts of sulfuric half-esters of Clz C18-fatty alcohols, for example of coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol, or of Clo-Czo-oxo alcohols and the half-esters of secondary alcohols (secondary alkyl sulfates) of these chain lengths are preferred. Also preferred are alk(en)yl sulfates of said chain length which contain a synthetic straight-chain alkyl radical prepared on a petrochemical basis, which have a degradation behavior analogous to that of suitable compounds based on fatty chemical raw materials. With regard to the use of the composition according to the invention as (hand) dishwashing detergents, the C12-Cls-alkyl sulfates and C1z-Cis-alkyl sulfates and C14-Cls-alkyl sulfates are preferred. Suitable secondary alkyl sulfates comprise 2- and/or 3-alkyl sulfates _ g _ and optionally higher homologs (4-, 5-, 6-alkyl sulfates etc.), can be prepared, for example, in accordance with US
Patent Specifications 3,234,258 or 5,075,041 and are available as commercial products from Shell Oil Company under the name DAN~, e.g. the products, mentioned in the US
Patent Specifications 5,529,724 and H 1,665, DAN° 214, a C14-SAS containing 99% of 2- and 3-alkyl sulfate, DAN° 216, a C16-SAS containing 99% of 2- and 3-alkyl sulfate, and DAN~
100, a SAS containing 62% of 2- and 3-alkyl sulfate.
Within the scope of the present invention, particular preference is given to fatty alcohol ether sulfates. Fatty alcohol ether sulfates are products of sulfation reaction on alkoxylated alcohols. The reaction of ethylene oxide with longer-chain alcohols, for example straight-chain or branched alcohols having chain lengths of from C-, to Czl, such as, for example, 2-methyl-branched C9- to Cll-fatty alcohols, gives suitable alkoxylated alcohols. As a rule, n moles of ethylene oxide and one mole of alcohol produce a complex mixture of addition products of differing degree of ethoxylation depending on the reaction conditions. In the ethoxylation reaction it is also possible to use mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. For the purposes of the present invention, very particular preference is given to fatty alcohols with low degrees of ethoxylation (0.5 to 4 mol of EO, preferably 1 to 2 mol of EO).
Within the scope of the present invention, particular preference is also given to alkanesulfonates, in particular the secondary alkanesulfonates obtained from unbranched paraffin hydrocarbons, in particular Clz-la-alkanes, for example by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis or neutralization. A preferred secondary alkanesulfonate is the secondary Na Cla-1~-alkanesulfonate sold as Hostapur~ SAS 60 by Clariant.
While the fatty alcohol ether sulfates are in most cases easily superior to the secondary alkanesulfonates with regard to detergency, alkanesulfonate-containing compositions generally require a lesser amount of phase separation auxiliaries and/or builders described below.

Suitable further surfactants of the sulfonate type are alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, i.e. mixtures of alkene- and hydroxyalkanesulfonates and disulfonates, as are obtained, for example, from Cla-ls-monoolefins having a terminal or internal double bond by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products. For the purposes of the teaching according to the invention, alkylbenzenesulfonates are alkylbenzenesulfonates having straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radicals, preferably C$_1$-alkyl radicals, in particular Cg-14-alkyl radicals, most preferably Clo-13-alkyl radicals. They are used as alkali metal salts and/or alkaline earth metal salts, in particular sodium, potassium, magnesium and/or calcium salts, and also as ammonium salts or mono-, di- or trialkanolammonium salts, preferably mono-, di- or triethanol- and/or -isopropanolammonium salts, in particular mono-, di- or triethanolammonium salts, but equally as alkylbenzenesulfonic acid together with the corresponding alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and/or ammonia or mono-, di- or trialkanolamine. The esters of 2-sulfo fatty acids (ester sulfonates), e.g. the 2-sulfonated methyl ester of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids, are also suitable.
The anionic surfactants are used in the form of their alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts, in particular sodium, potassium and magnesium salts, and also ammonium and mono-, di-, tri- or tetraalkylammonium salts, and in the case of the sulfonates, also in the form of the acid, e.g.
dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, Clo-C13-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and/or Clo-Ci4-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid. If the sulfonic acid is used, this is usually partially or completely neutralized, depending on the pH of the composition to be established, in situ using one or more corresponding bases, e.g. alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, in particular sodium, potassium and magnesium hydroxide, and ammonia or mono-, di-tri- or tetraalkylamine, to give the abovementioned salts.

The compositions comprise one or more anionic surfactants in amounts, based on the composition, of from 0 to 45% by weight, preferably 1 to 40% by weight, in particular 5 to 35% by weight, most preferably 10 to 30% by weight, most preferably 15 to 25% by weight, for example 20%
by weight. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises, as anionic surfactants, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, preferably magnesium and/or sodium fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates. In a further preferred embodiment, the surfactant system is based essentially on anionic surfactant (s) , i.e. the proportion of anionic surfactant (s) is half of the total amount of surfactants, preferably even more than half of the total amount of surfactants.
Nonionic surfactants Suitable nonionic surfactants are, for example, C6-C2a-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkyl polyglycosides and nitrogen-containing surfactants and also sulfosuccinic C1-C12-alkyl esters or mixtures thereof, in particular of the first two. The compositions according to the invention comprise nonionic surfactants in amounts, based on the composition, of usually 0 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 25% by weight, in particular 1 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 2 to 15% by weight, most preferably 3 to 10% by weight, for example 4 or 9% by weight.
Presumably, nonionic surfactants, with their nonionic character, advantageously contribute to the individual phases being stable over a long period without, for example, the formation of deposits, and to the conversion to a temporary emulsion remaining reversible even after frequent shaking.
Alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers C6-C22-Alkyl alcohol polypropylene glycol/polyethylene glycol ethers are preferred known nonionic surfactants. They can be described by the formula II, R10- (CHZCH (CH3) O) p (CHZCH20) e-H, in which Rl is a linear or branched, aliphatic alkyl and/or alkenyl radical having 6 to 22, preferably 8 to 18, in particular 10 to 16, carbon atoms, p is 0 or numbers from 1 to 3, and a is a number from 1 to 20.
The C6-Czz-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers of the formula II can be obtained by adding propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide to alkyl alcohols, preferably to oxo alcohols, to branched-chain primary alcohols obtainable by oxo synthesis, or to fatty alcohols. Typical examples are polyglycol ethers of the formula II in which R1 is an alkyl radical having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, p is 0 to 2 and a is a number from 2 to 7. Preferred representatives are, for example, Clo-C14-fatty alcohol+1P0+6E0 ethers (p=1, e=6) , Clz-C16-fatty alcohol+5.5E0 (p=0, e=5.5) , Clz-Cia-fatty alcohol+7E0 ethers (p=0, e=7) and isodecanol+6E0 (Rl=isomer mixture of Clo-oxo alcohol radicals, p=0, e=6) , and mixtures thereof. In particular mixtures, at least one representative of the formula II containing a linear alkyl radical R1 is combined with at least one representative of the formula II
containing a branched alkyl radical R1, for example Clz-Cis-fatty alcohol+5.5E0 and isodecanol+6E0. In this connection, it is also preferred that the linear alkyl radical contains more carbon atoms than the branched alkyl radical.
Particular preference is given to Ca-fatty alcohol+1.2P0+8.4E0, Ca_lo-fatty alcohol+5E0, Clz-14-fatty alcohol+6E0 and Clz-14-fatty alcohol+3E0, and mixtures thereof .
Nonionic surfactants and, in particular, alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers, effect an increase in the volume of the lower phase. As a result, it is, for example, possible to shift the phase barrier of a two-phase cleaner according to the present invention up or down in a targeted manner by adding lesser or greater amounts of, for example, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers.
It is also possible to use terminally capped C6-Czz-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers, i.e. compounds in which the free OH group in the formula II is etherified. The terminally capped C6-022-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers can be obtained by relevant methods of preparative organic chemistry. Preference is given to reacting C6-022-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers in the presence of bases with alkyl halides, in particular butyl or benzyl chloride.
Typical examples are mixed ethers of the formula II in which R1 is a technical-grade fatty alcohol radical, preferably 012/14-cocoalkyl radical, p is 0, and a is 5 to 10, which are capped with a butyl group.
Alkyl polyglycosides Preferred nonionic surfactants are also alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) of the formula III, R20[G]X, in which RZ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, [G] is a glycosidically linked sugar radical and x is a number from 1 to 10. APGs are nonionic surfactants and are known substances which can be obtained by relevant methods of preparative organic chemistry. The index number x in the general formula III
gives the degree of oligomerization (degree of DP), i.e. the distribution of mono- and oligoglycosides, and is a number between 1 and 10. While x in a given compound must always be an integer and here, in particular x can assume the values 1 to 6, the value x for a certain alkyl glycoside is an analytically determined arithmetical parameter, which in most cases is a fraction. Preference is given to using alkyl glycosides having an average degree of oligomerization x of from 1.1 to 3Ø From an applications-related viewpoint, preference is given to those alkyl glycosides whose degree of oligomerization is less than 1.7 and is in particular between 1.2 and 1.6. The glycosidic sugar used is preferably xylose, but in particular glucose.
The alkyl or alkenyl radical RZ (formula III) can be derived from primary alcohols having 8 to 22, preferably 8 to 14, carbon atoms. Typical examples are caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, capric alcohol and undecyl alcohol, and technical-grade mixtures thereof as produced, for example, in the course of the hydrogenation of technical-grade fatty acid methyl esters or in the course of the hydrogenation of aldehydes from the ROELEN oxo synthesis.
However, the alkyl or alkenyl radical Rz is preferably derived from lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol or oleyl alcohol. Further examples are elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol and technical-grade mixtures thereof.
Nitrogen-containing nonionic surfactants Suitable nitrogen-containing nonionic surfactants are, for example, amine oxides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, for example glucamides, and ethoxylates of alkylamines, vicinal diols and/or carboxamides which have alkyl groups having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. The degree of ethoxylation of these compounds is generally between 1 and 20, preferably between 3 and 10.
Preference is given to ethanolamide derivatives of alkanoic acids having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms. Particularly suitable compounds include the monoethanolamides of lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid.
Amine oxides Amine oxides which are suitable according to the invention include alkylamine oxides, in particular alkyldimethylamine oxides, alkylamidoamine oxides and alkoxyalkylamine oxides. Preferred amine oxides satisfy the formula R1R2R3N+-O-, in which R1 is a saturated or unsaturated Cs-zz-alkyl radical, preferably C$_1a-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-C16-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-14-alkyl radical, which is bonded to the nitrogen atom N in the alkylamidoamine oxides via a carbonylamidoalkylene group -CO-NH-(CH)z)Z- and in the alkoxyalkylamine oxides via an oxaalkylene group -O-(CH)z)Z-where z in each case is a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 3, and Rz and R3 independently of one another are optionally hydroxyl-substituted Cl-C4-alkyl radicals, such as, for example, a hydroxyethyl radical, in particular a methyl radical.
Examples of suitable amine oxides are the compounds below named in accordance with INCI: Almondamidopropylamine Oxide, Babassuamidopropylamine Oxide, Behenamine Oxide, Cocamidopropyl Amine Oxide, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Cocamine Oxide, Coco-Morpholine Oxide, Decylamine Oxide, Decyltetradecylamine Oxide, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl C8-10 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl C9-11 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Cocamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Lauramine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Stearamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Tallowamine Oxide, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Amine Oxide, Hydrogenated Tallowamine Oxide, Hydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Isostearamidopropylamine Oxide, Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Oxide, Lauramidopropylamine Oxide, Lauramine Oxide, Methyl Morpholine Oxide, Milkamidopropyl Amine Oxide, Minkamidopropylamine Oxide, Myristamidopropylamine Oxide, Myristamine Oxide, Myristyl/Cetyl Amine Oxide, Oleamidopropylamine Oxide, Oleamine Oxide, Olivamidopropylamine Oxide, Plamitamidopropylamine Oxide, Palmitamine Oxide, PEG-3 Lauramine Oxide, Potassium Dihydroxyethyl Cocamine Oxide Phosphate, Potassium Trisphosphonomethylamine Oxide, Sesamidopropylamine Oxide, Soyamidopropylamine Oxide, Stearamidopropylamine Oxide, Stearamine Oxide, Tallowamidopropylamine Oxide, Tallowamine Oxide, Undecylenamidopropylamine Oxide and Wheat Germamidopropylamine Oxide. Preferred amine oxides) is/are, for example, Cocamine Oxide (N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide), Dihydroxyethyl Tallowamine Oxide (N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide) and/or Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, in particular Cocamidopropylamine Oxide.
Polyhydroxy fatty amides Further suitable surfactants are polyhydroxyfatty acid amides of the formula III

R' I
R-CO-N-[Z] (I I I) in which RCO is an aliphatic acyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R1 is hydrogen, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and [Z] is a linear or branched polyhydroxyalkyl radical having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 3 to 10 hydroxyl groups. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known substances which can usually be obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or a fatty acid chloride.
The group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides also includes compounds of the formula IV
R, -o-R2 s R-c o-N-~z~ ( Iv>
in which R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R1 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and RZ is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical or an oxyalkyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, where C1_4-alkyl or phenyl radicals are preferred, and [Z] is a linear polyhydroxyalkyl radical whose alkyl chain is substituted by at least two hydroxyl groups, or alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated, derivatives of this radical.
[Z] is preferably obtained by reductive amination of a reduced sugar, for example glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose or xylose. The N-alkoxy- or N-aryloxy-substituted compounds can then be converted into the desired polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, for example in accordance with the teaching of International Application WO-A-95/07331 by reaction with fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of an alkoxide as catalyst.
In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the invention comprise one or more nonionic surfactants, preferably alkyl polyglycosides and/or C6-Czz-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers and/or amine oxides.
Amphoteric surfactants Suitable amphoteric surfactants (zwitterionic surfactants) are, for example, betaines, alkylamidoalkylamines, alkyl-substituted amino acids, acylated amino acids or biosurfactants, of which the betaines are preferred within the scope of the teaching according to the invention.
Betaines Suitable betaines are the alkylbetaines, the alkylamidobetaines, the imidazoliniumbetaines, the sulfobetaines (INCI Sultaines) and the phosphobetaines and preferably satisfy the formula (RA) (RB) {R~)N+CH2C00- in which RA is an alkyl radical having 8 to 25, preferably 10 to 21, carbon atoms, and optionally interrupted by heteroatoms or heteroatom groups, and RB and R~ are identical or different alkyl radicals having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in particular Clo-C1$-alkyldimethylcarboxymethylbetaine and C11-Cl-,-alkyl-amidopropyldimethylcarboxymethylbetaine, or formula A
RI- [CO-X- (CHz) n] x-N+ (RII) (RIII) _ (CHz) m- [CH (OH) -CHz] y-Y- (A) in which RI is a saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radical, preferably C$-C18-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-is-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz_14-alkyl radical, X is NH, NRI° with the C1_4-alkyl radical RI", O
or S, n is a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 3, x is 0 or 1, preferably 1, RII, RIII independently of one another are Cl_4-alkyl radicals, optionally hydroxyl-substituted, such as, for example, a hydroxyethyl radical, but in particular a methyl radical, m is a number form 1 to 4, in particular 1, 2 or 3, y is 0 or 1 and Y is COO, 503, OPO (OR°) O or P (O) (OR°) O, where R°
is a hydrogen atom H or a C1_4-alkyl radical.
The alkyl- and alkylamidobetaines, betaines of the formula A having a carboxylate group (Y-=COO-), are also called carbobetaines.
Preferred amphoteric surfactants are the alkylbetaines of the formula A1, the alkylamidobetaines of the formula A2, the sulfobetaines of the formula A3 and the amidosulfobetaines of the formula A4, RI-N+ (CH3) 2-CHZCOO- (A1) RI-CO-NH- (CHZ) 3-N+ (CH3) 2-CHZCOO- (A2) RI-N+ (CH3) 2-CHZCH (OH) CHZS03- (A3 ) RI-CO-NH- (CHZ) 3-N+(CH3) 2-CHZCH (OH) CH2S03- (A4) in which RI has the same meaning as in formula A.
Particularly preferred amphoteric surfactants are the carbobetaines, in particular the carbobetaines of the formula A1 and A2, most preferably the alkylamidobetaines of the formula A2.
Examples of suitable betaines and sulfobetaines are the compounds below named in accordance with INCI:
Almondamidopropyl Betaine, Apricotamidopropyl Betaine, Avocadamidopropyl Betaine, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Behenamidopropyl Betaine, Behenyl Betaine, Betaine, Canolamidopropyl Betaine, Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, Carnitine, Cetyl Betaine, Cocamidoethyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Betaine, Coco-Hydroxysultaine, Coco/Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Sultaine, Decyl Betaine, Dihydroxyethyl Oleyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Soy Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Tallow Glycinate, Dimethicone Propyl PG-Betaine, Erucamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Hydrogenated Tallow Betaine, Isostearamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Sultaine, Milkamidopropyl Betaine, Minkamidopropyl Betaine, Myristamidopropyl Betaine, Myristyl Betaine, Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Oleamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Oleyl Betaine, Olivamidopropyl Betaine, Palmamidopropyl Betaine, Palmitamidopropyl Betaine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Palm Kernelamidopropyl Betaine, Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl Betaine, Ricinoleamidopropyl Betaine, Sesamidopropyl Betaine, Soyamidopropyl Betaine, Stearamidopropyl Betaine, Stearyl Betaine, Tallowamidopropyl Betaine, Tallowamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Tallow Betaine, Tallow Dihydroxyethyl Betaine, Undecylenamidopropyl Betaine and Wheat Germamidopropyl Betaine. A preferred amphoteric surfactant is Cocamidopropyl Betaine. A particularly preferred amphoteric surfactant is Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine (CAB), which is available, for example, under the trade name Tegotens~ B 810 from Th. Goldschmidt AG.
Alkylamidoalkylamines The alkylamidoalkylamines (INCI Alkylamido Alkylamines) are amphoteric surfactants of the formula B, R°I-CO-NR°zi- (CHz);-N(R°iii) _ (CHzCH20) ~- (CHz)x-[CH(OH) ] i-CHz-Z-OM
(B) in which RBI is a saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radical, preferably C8_18-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-ls-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-14-alkyl radical, R"=I is a hydrogen atom H or a C1_4-alkyl radical, preferably H, i is a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 2 or 3, R°III is a hydrogen atom H or CH2COOM (for M see below) , j is a number from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2, in particular 1, k is a number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, 1 is 0 or 1, where k=1, if 1=1, Z is CO, SO2, OPO (OR12) or P (O) (OR12) , where Rlz is a C1_4-alkyl radical or M (see below), and M is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine.
Preferred representatives satisfy the formulae B1 to B4, R°I-CO-NH- (CHz) 2-N (R°Im) -CHzCH20-CH2-LOOM (B1) R°I-CO-NH- (CHZ) 2-N (R°im) -CH2CH20-CHzCH2-COOM (B2 ) R°I-CO-NH- (CH2) 2-N(R°m) -CHZCH20-CH2CH (OH) CHz-S03M (B3) R°I-CO-NH- (CH2) z-N (R°IZi) -CH2CH20-CHZCH (OH) CHZ-OP03HM
(B4 ) in which R°I, R°II= and M have the same meanings as in formula B.
Examples of alkylamidoalkylamines are the compounds below named in accordance with INCI: Cocoamphodipropionic acid, Cocobetainamido Amphopropionate, DEA-Cocoamphodipropionate, Disodium Caproamphodiacetate, Disodium Caproamphodipropionate, Disodium Caprylamphodiacetate, Disodium Capryloamphodipriopionate, Disodium Cocoamphocarboxyethylhydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Disodium Isostearoamophodiacetate, Disodium Isostearoamphodipropionate, Disodium Laureth-5 Carboxyamphodiacetate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Disodium Lauroamphodipropionate, Disodium Oleoamphodipropionate, Disodium PPG-2-Isodeceth-7 Carboxyamphodiacetate, Disodium Stearoamphodiacetate, Disodium Tallowamphodiacetate, Disodium Wheatgermamphodiacetate, Lauroamphodipropionic Acid, Quaternium-85, Sodium Caproamphoacetate, Sodium Caproamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Caproampho-propionate, Sodium Capryloamphoacetate, Sodium Capryloamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Caprylo-amphopropionate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphopropionate, Sodium Cornamphopropionate, Sodium Isostearoamphoacetate, Sodium Isostearoamphopropionate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Lauroampho PG-Acetate Phosphate, Sodium Lauroamphopropionate, Sodium Myristoamphoacetate, Sodium Oleoamphoacetate, Sodium Oleoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Oleoamphopropionate, Sodium Ricinoleoamphoacetate, Sodium Stearoamphoacetate, Sodium Stearoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Stearoamphopropionate, Sodium Tallamphopropionate, Sodium Tallowamphoacetate, Sodium Undecylenoamphoacetate, Sodium Undecylenoamphopropionate, Sodium Wheat Germamphoacetate and Trisodium Lauroampho PG-Acetate Chloride Phosphate.
Alkyl-substituted amino acids Alkyl-substituted amino acids (INCI Alkyl-Substituted Amino Acids) preferred according to the invention are monoalkyl-substituted amino acids according to formula C, R~"-NH-CH(R")-(CH2)~-COOM' (C) in which RIX is a saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radical, preferably C8-ie-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-is-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-i4-alkyl radical, RX is a hydrogen atom H or a Cl_4-alkyl radical, preferably H, a is a number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, in particular 1, and M' is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine, alkyl-substituted imino acids according to the formula D
Rx~-N-I(C~"~2)~ LOOM°Jz in which RXI is a saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radical, preferably C$_1$-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-ls-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-14-alkyl radical, v is a number from 1 to 5, preferably 2 or 3, in particular 2, and M" is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine, where M" in the two carboxyl groups can have identical meanings or two different meanings, e.g. hydrogen and sodium, or sodium twice, and monoalkyl- or dialkyl-substituted natural amino acids according to formula E, Rxu_N(Rxm~H(Rxm~-LOOM"
in which R"ii is a saturated or unsaturated C6_zz-alkyl radical, preferably C8_1$-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-ls-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-i4-alkyl radical, Rxzzi is a hydrogen atom or a Cl_4-alkyl radical, optionally hydroxy- or amine-substituted, e.g. a methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl or aminopropyl radical, R"iv is the radical of one of the 20 natural a-amino acids HzNCH (RXiv) COOH, and M"' is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine.

Particularly preferred alkyl-substituted amino acids are the aminopropionates according to formula C1, R"'-NH-CH2CH2COOM' (C1 ) in which RIX and M' have the same meanings as in formula C.
Examples of alkyl-substituted amino acids are the compounds below named in accordance with INCI: Aminopropyl Laurylglutamine, Cocaminobutyric Acid, Cocaminopropionic Acid, DEA-Lauraminopropionate, Disodium Cocaminopropyl Iminodiacetate, Disodium Dicarboxyethyl Cocopropylenediamine, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate, Disodium Steariminodipropionate, Disodium Tallowiminodipropionate, Lauraminopropionic Acid, Lauryl Aminopropylglycine, Lauryl Diethylenediaminoglycine, Myristaminopropionic Acid, Sodium C12-15 Alkoxypropyl Iminodipropionate, Sodium Cocaminopropionate, Sodium Lauraminopropionate, Sodium Lauriminodipropionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, TEA-Lauraminopropionate and TEA-Myristaminopropionate.
Acylated amino acids Acylated amino acids are amino acids, in particular the 20 natural a-amino acids, which carry the acyl radical Rx"CO
of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid R""COOH on the amino nitrogen atom, where R"" is a saturated or unsaturated Cs-zz-alkyl radical, preferably C8_18-alkyl radical, in particular a saturated Clo-ls-alkyl radical, for example a saturated Clz-i4-alkyl radical. The acylated amino acids can also be used as alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt or alkanolammonium salt, e.g. mono-, di- or triethanolammonium salt. Examples of acylated amino acids are the acyl derivatives grouped under Amino Acids in accordance with INCI, e.g. Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauroyl Glutamic Acid, Capryloyl Glycine or Myristoyl Methylalanine.
The compositions comprise one or more amphoteric surfactants, preferably betaines, in particular alkylamidobetaines, in amounts, based on the composition, of from 0 to 15% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, in particular 1 to 8% by weight, particularly preferably from 2 to 6% by weight, most preferably 3 to 5% by weight, for example 4% by weight.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the compositions comprise one or more anionic surfactants together with one or more nonionic and/or one or more amphoteric surfactants, preferably one or more anionic surfactants and one or more nonionic surfactants, in particular one or more anionic, one or more nonionic and one or more amphoteric surfactants.
H3rdrophobic components In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compositions comprise one or more hydrophobic components. The hydrophobic components improve not only the cleaning action on hydrophobic contaminants such as grease soiling, and/or the skincare action, but also have a positive effect on the phase separation and the reversibility thereof. The present invention permits stable incorporation - including, in particular, in relatively large amounts - of hydrophobic components into the two- or multiphase compositions, while hydrophobic components can only be stably incorporated in, in most cases, very limited amounts into single-phase aqueous solutions or stable emulsions or microemulsions by the use of solubility promoters or emulsifiers.
Examples of suitable hydrophobic components are dialkyl ethers having identical or different C4- to C14-alkyl radicals, in particular linear dioctyl ether; hydrocarbons havng a boiling range from 100 to 300°C, in particular 140 to 280°C, e.g. aliphatic hydrocarbons having a boiling range from 145 to 200°C, isoparaffins having a boiling range from 200 to 260°C; essential oils, in particular limonene and the pine oil extracted from pine roots and stumps; and also mixtures of these hydrophobic components, in particular mixtures of two or three of said hydrophobic components.

Preferred mixtures of hydrophobic components are mixtures of different dialkyl ethers, of dialkyl ethers and hydrocarbons, of dialkyl ethers and essential oils, of hydrocarbons and essential oils, of dialkyl ethers and hydrocarbons and essential oils and mixtures of these.
Particularly preferred hydrophobic components are the skincare dialkyl ethers, in particular di-n-octyl ether.
The compositions comprise hydrophobic components in amounts, based on the composition, of from 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight, in particular 1 to 12% by weight, particularly preferably 2 to 10% by weight, most preferably 3 to 8% by weight, for example 4 to 6% by weight, e.g. 5% by weight.
Phase sex~aration auxiliaries The compositions according to the invention can comprise one or more phase separation auxiliaries. Examples of suitable phase separation auxiliaries are the alkali metal halides and alkaline earth metal halides, in particular chlorides, and alkali metal and alkaline earth metal sulfates and nitrates, in particular sodium chloride and potassium chloride and sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate, and also ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate and mixtures thereof. Being strong electrolytes, and increasing the ionic strength, said salts aid phase separation as a result of the salt effect. Particularly preferred phase separation auxiliaries are magnesium salts of the abovementioned anions, in particular magnesium chloride, for example in the form of its hexahydrate MgClz~6Hz0, since the magnesium ions additionally improve the kindness to the skin and, being dissolvers of grease, the cleaning action.
The ionic or salt-like builders described below likewise act as phase separation auxiliaries meaning that in their presence either less or in some cases even no additional phase separation auxiliary is required.

Builders The composition according to the invention preferably further comprises one or more builders, in particular for improving the cleaning performance. Examples of suitable builders are alkali metal citrates, gluconates, nitrilotriacetates, carbonates and bicarbonates, in particular sodium citrate, gluconate and nitrilotriacetate, and sodium and potassium carbonate and bicarbonate, and also alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, in particular sodium and potassium hydroxide, ammonia and amines, in particular the alkanolamines mono-, di- and triethanolamine, and mixtures thereof. These also include the salts of glutaric acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid and benzenehexacarboxylic acid, and aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid, hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, 1-aminoethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and phosphonates.
In contrast, phosphates are less suitable; thus, for example, the pentasodium triphosphate commonly known as sodium tripolyphosphate (NaTPP) often leads to considerable precipitation.
If the builder is to additionally act as pH-stabilizing buffer, preference is given to using alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates and bicarbonates, preferably sodium carbonate (soda), in particular together with citric acid or citrate, which is generated where necessary in situ from citric acid and hydroxide, e.g. sodium or potassium citrate, particularly preferably together with the above-described mixture of citric acid or citrate.
Within the scope of the present invention, unless expressly stated otherwise, the citrates are salts of triply deprotonated citric acid. However, the mono- and dihydrogencitrates can also be used according to the invention.
Said builder salts can also be used in the form of their corresponding acids or bases, which are then partially or completely neutralized depending on the pH to be established. Equally, said acids can be used in the form of their salts, preferably their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and mono-, di- and trialkanolammonium salts, in particular mono-, di- and triethanolammonium salts, or mixtures thereof, in particular their sodium salts, for example citric acid in the form of its monohydrate citric acid~1H20 instead of citrate. The builder salts additionally act here as phase separation auxiliaries. The complexing builders also serve, in particular, to ensure a clear use solution when the composition is used with hard water.
Particularly preferred builders are citric acid and citrates. Preference is given to citrate, if necessary generated in situ from citric acid and hydroxide or alkanolamine, from the group of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and mono-, di- or trialkanolammonium citrates, preferably mono-, di- or triethanolammonium citrates, or mixtures thereof, in particular sodium citrate and/or potassium citrate, particularly preferably monoethanolammonium citrate, since citrates combine builder and phase separation auxiliary properties in a particularly advantageous manner and additionally promote the removal of lime soiling and bleachable soilings.
In a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises citric acid or citrate and magnesium chloride, in particular monoethanolammonium citrate and magnesium chloride.
The compositions comprise builders and/or phase separation auxiliaries in a total amount, based on the composition, of preferably 1 to 40% by weight, in particular 5 to 35% by weight, particularly preferably 10 to 31% by weight, most preferably 15 to 25% by weight.
Perfume oils The composition according to the invention also preferably comprises one or more perfume oils since, in addition to the scent effect, they aid phase separation and improve the cleaning performance. These very perfume oils regularly present problems when incorporated, in particular in relatively large amounts, into single-phase aqueous solutions or stable emulsions or microemulsions. The use of solubility promoters or emulsifiers usually enables relative small contents of perfume oil to be stabilized. A great advantage of the multiphase compositions according to the present invention is that stable incorporation of the perfume oils, including in particular in relatively large amounts, is permitted.
The components of the suitable perfume oils described below are followed by numbers in brackets, e.g. "(5.0)", which give exemplary suggestions regarding the composition of the perfume oil in question in % by weight, based on the perfume oil. Thus, "geraniol (105.0)" means that the perfume oil geraniol may be present, for example, in an amount of 105.0% by weight.
A suitable perfume oil having a fresh fruity scent note comprises, for example, Dynascone 10 (5.0), cyclovertal (7.5), hexyl acetate (35.0), allyl heptanoate (200.0), amyl butyrate (5.0), prenyl acetate (10.0), aldehyde C 14 so-called (70.0), Manzanate (15.0), Melusat (30.0), ortho-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate (200.0), cinnamaldehyde (5.0), isobornyl acetate (10.0), Dihydrofloriffone TD (2.5), Floramat (100.0), phenylethyl alcohol (30.0), geraniol (105.0), cyclohexyl salicylate (150.0) and citronellol (20.0) .
A suitable perfume having a fresh, floral scent note comprises, for example, bergamot oil (250.0), lemon oil, Messina (50.0), citronellal (2.0), orange oil, sweet (50.0), lavender oil (50.0), terpineol (50.0), lilial (100.0), phenethyl alcohol (80.0), citronellol (100.0), geraniol (20.0), benzyl acetate (60.0), isoraldein 70 (50.0), ylang (30.0), Ambroxan 10% in IPM (1.0), heliotropin (47.0) and Habanolide (60.0) .
A suitable perfume oil having a citrus scent note comprises, for example, orange oil (710.0), a-pinene (130.0), (3-pinene (20.0), y-terpinene (95.0) and Litsea cubeba oil (55.0).

The content of one or more perfume oils is usually 0.1 to 15% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 10% by weight, in particular 0.5 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably 1 to 2% by weight.
Enzymes In a particular embodiment of the invention the composition comprises one or more enzymes.
Enzymes customary in detergents and cleaners are suitable, for example proteases (e.g. BLAP 260 L~, BLAP S
260 SLD~, BLAP S 260 ALD~, BLAP S 260 LD~ and BLAP S 260~
from Biozym or Durazym~, Savinase~ and Alcalase~ from Novo Nordisk), amylases (e. g. Termamyl~ from Novo Nordisk), cellulases (e. g. KAC 500~ from Kao, Celluzyme~ from Novo Nordisk), lipases (e.g. Lipolase 100 L~ and Lipolase 100 T'~
from Novo Nordisk) and peroxidases and reductases.
The nonionic surfactants generally and the alkyl polyglycosides specifically improve the storage stability of the enzyme-containing variant, as do citric acid or its salts and also the hydrophobic components, in particular the optionally etherified or esterified monomeric or polymeric CZ-C4-alkylene glycols, e.g. the products sold under the trade names Dowanol~, Arcosolv~ and Arconate~, and polyethylene glycols and derivatives thereof. In this connection, the multiphase character of the composition according to the invention has an advantageous effect on the stability of the enzymes, which presumably is to be attributed to the concentration of the enzymes in the upper phase II which is richer in the abovementioned stabilizing components and, in the sense of ionic strength, is less ionic.
The pH of the compositions according to the invention can be varied, to match the intended use in each case, over a wide range from strongly acidic via neutral to highly alkaline, and is preferably in a range from 1 to 12, in particular 2 to 11.

Suitable pH regulators are firstly acids, such as the mineral acids, e.g. hydrochloric acid, but in particular citric acid, and secondly the abovementioned alkaline builders, preferably sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and alkanolamines, in particular monoethanolamine.
In an alkaline variant of the invention, the compositions have a pH of more than 7 to 12, preferably 8 to 11, in particular 8 to 10.5, for example between 8 and 9, e.g. 8.3, for moderate alkalinity, or greater than 9 to 10.5, 11 or even 12, e.g. 10, for stronger alkalinity.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular for manual dishwashing, the compositions are rendered neutral to acid with a pH of from 3 to 7, preferably 3.5 to 7, in particular 4 to 6.5, particularly preferably 4.5 to 6.5, most preferably 5 to 6, for example 5.5. To establish such a pH, the compositions comprise at least one acid. Suitable acids are inorganic acids, for example the mineral acids, e.g. hydrochloric acid, and organic acids, for example saturated or unsaturated C1_s-mono-, -di- and -tricarboxylic acids and -hydroxycarboxylic acids having one or more hydroxyl groups, e.g. citric acid, malefic acid, formic acid and acetic acid, amidosulfuric acid, C6_zz-fatty acids and anion-active sulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof, e.g. the succinic acid/glutaric acid/adipic acid mixture available under the trade name Sokalan° DCS from BASF. Particularly preferred acids are citric acid, preferably used in the form of its monohydrate citric acid~1H20, and the anion-active sulfonic acids and combinations of citric acid with one or more anion-active sulfonic acids, in particular with alkylarenesulfonic acids.
Citric acid combines in an advantageous manner acid, builder and phase separation auxiliary properties, while the anion-active sulfonic acids act as acid and anionic surfactant at the same time. Where appropriate, one or more alkalis can additionally be used, for example the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium hydroxides and carbonates, and ammonia or amines, preferably sodium and potassium hydroxide, and alkanolamines, particular preference being given to monoethanolamine.
To stabilize or buffer the pH, the composition according to the invention comprises, in a particular embodiment, small amounts of corresponding buffer substances, in the alkaline variant described, for example, soda or sodium bicarbonate.
Thickeners To adjust the viscosity, the composition according to the invention can comprise one or more thickeners, preferably in an amount of from 0.01 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 2.5% by weight, particularly preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight.
Suitable thickeners are organic natural thickeners (agar agar, carrageen, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, carob seed grain, starch, dextrins, gelatins, casein), organic modified natural substances (carboxymethylcellulose and other cellulose ethers, hydroxyethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose and the like, bean flour ether), organic completely synthetic thickeners (polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, polyimines, polyamides) and inorganic thickeners (polysilicas, clay minerals such as montmorillonites, zeolites, silicas).
The polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds include, for example, the high molecular weight homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with a polyalkenyl polyether, in particular an allyl ether of sucrose, pentaerythritol or propylene (INCI name according to International Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients of The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA): carbomer), which are also referred to as carboxyvinyl polymers. Such polyacrylic acids are available, inter alia, from BF Goodrich under the trade name Carbopol~, e.g. Carbopol~ 940 (molecular weight about 4,000,000), Carbopol~ 941 (molecular weight about 1,250,000) or Carbopol~ 934 (molecular weight about 3,000,000). They also include the following acrylic acid copolymers:

(i) copolymers of two or more monomers from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or its monoesters preferably formed with C1_4-alkanols (INCI Acrylates Copolymer), to which, for example, the copolymers of methacrylic acid, butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (CAS name according to Chemical Abstracts Service: 25035-69-2) or of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (CAS 25852-37-3) belong, and which are available, for example, from Rohm & Haas under the trade names Aculyn~ and Acusol~, e.g. the anionic nonassociative polymers Aculyn~ 33 (crosslinked), Acusol~
810 and Acusol~ 830 (CAS 25852-37-3); (ii) crosslinked high molecular weight acrylic acid copolymers, to which, for example, the copolymers of Clo-ao-alkyl acrylates, crosslinked with an allyl ether of sucrose or of pentaerythritol, with one or more monomers from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or its monoesters preferably formed with C1_4-alkanols (INCI Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer) belong and which are available, for example, from BF Goodrich under the trade name Carbopol~, e.g. the hydrophobicized Carbopol~ ETD 2623 and Carbopol~
1382 (INCI Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer) and Carbopol~ AQUA 30 (formerly Carbopol~ EX 473) .
Preferred thickeners are the polysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides, in particular the polysaccharide gums, for example gum arabic, agar, alginates, carrageens and their salts, guar, guaran, tragacanth, gellan, ramsan, dextran or xanthan and their derivatives, e.g. propoxylated guar, and mixtures thereof. Other polysaccharide thickeners, such as starches or cellulose derivatives, can be used as alternatives, although it is preferable to use them in addition to a polysaccharide gum, for example starches from a very wide variety of origins and starch derivatives, e.g.
hydroxyethylstarch, starch phosphate esters or starch acetates, or carboxymethylcellulose or its sodium salt, methyl-, ethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, hydroxypropyl-, hydroxypropyl-methyl- or hydroxyethyl-methyl-cellulose or cellulose acetate.

A particularly preferred polymer is the microbial anionic heteropolysaccharide xanthan gum, which is produced by Xanthomonas campestris and a few other species under aerobic conditions and has a molecular weight of from 2 to 15x106 and is available, for example, from Kelco under the trade name Keltrol°, e.g. as a cream-colored powder Keltrol~
T (Transparent) or as white granules Keltrol~ RD (Readily Dispersable).
In a preferred embodiment the composition according to the invention is free from thickeners.
Auxiliaries and additives In addition to said components, the compositions according to the invention can comprise further auxiliaries and additives as are customary in compositions of this type.
These include, in particular, polymers, soil-release active ingredients, solubility promoters, hydrotropic agents (e. g.
sodium cumenesulfonate, octyl sulfate, butyl glucoside, butyl glycol), emulsifiers (e. g. bile soap), gloss drying additives, cleaning promoters, antimicrobial active ingredients or disinfectants, antistats, preservatives (e. g.
glutaraldehyde), bleaching systems and dyes, and opacifiers and also skin protectants as are described in EP-A-522 566.
The amount of such additives in the cleaner is usually no greater than 12% by weight. The lower use limit depends on the nature of the auxiliary and additive and can, for example in the case of dyes, be up to 0.001% by weight and below. The amount of auxiliaries and additives is preferably between 0.01 and 7% by weight, in particular 0.1 and 4% by weight.
Preferred auxiliaries and additives are dyes since as a result of their addition the phases can be colored differently, which makes it easier to see the separate phases and also to monitor emulsion formation and separation, thus making the composition even easier to handle.
The invention further provides a process for the preparation of a two- or multiphase cleaner as claimed in any of the preceding claims by blending directly from its components, optionally subsequently mixing thoroughly and/or finally allowing the composition to stand for separation of the temporary emulsion.
Components for the purposes of the present invention are all of the abovementioned compounds and substances which may be present in the cleaner according to the invention.
Preferably, to establish the quantitative phase ratios following separation of the temporary emulsion, further portions of at least one component are optionally added once or more than once, if necessary the mixture is then mixed thoroughly and/or finally the mixture is left to stand for separation of the temporary emulsion.
In addition, the compositions according to the invention can also be prepared by firstly preparing a single-phase composition which is preferably essentially homogeneous and to which further, optionally additional components which effect separation of the composition into two or more phases are then added.
The further, optionally additional components are preferably chosen from the group comprising alcohols, acids, bases and/or fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, a single-phase composition comprising at least one anionic and/or nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactant and/or at least one builder and/or at least one organic solvent and/or at least one thickener and optionally further additives is firstly prepared, and then citric acid, preferably citric acid monohydrate, n-propanol, monoethanolamine, water and optionally fatty alcohol polyglycol ether are added for the purpose of forming a two-or multiphase composition.
It is also preferred to firstly prepare a single-phase composition comprising fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfate, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, fatty acid alkanolamide, amine oxide, amphoteric surfactant, betaine, 1,2-propanediol, ethanol, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, water and optionally further additives, and then to add citric acid, preferably citric acid monohydrate, n-propanol, monoethanolamine, water and optionally fatty alcohol polyglycol ether for the purpose of forming a two- or multiphase composition.
According to the invention, it is particularly preferred to add at least 6% by weight of citric acid monohydrate, at least 6% by weight of n-propanol and such an amount of monoethanolamine to the intermediate single-phase composition such that the resulting composition has a pH of about 5Ø
For example, a cleaner or hand dishwashing detergent according to the invention is obtained by firstly preparing a single-phase composition comprising 13% by weight of fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfate, 15% by weight of fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, 1.5% by weight of fatty acid alkanolamide, 1.5% by weight of amine oxide, 2.2% by weight of amphoteric surfactant/betaine, 0.1% by weight of 1,2-propanediol, 6.5% by weight of ethanol, 0.4% by weight of sodium sulfate and 0.2% by weight of sodium chloride and 55.3% by weight of water, which is then converted into a two-phase cleaner by the subsequent addition of 7.1% by weight, based on the single-phase composition, of citric acid monohydrate, 5.7% by weight, based on the single-phase composition, of n-propanol, 6.0% by weight, based on the single-phase composition, of monoethanolamine, and 7.1% by weight, based on the single-phase composition, of fatty alcohol polyglycol ether.

The compositions E1 to E6 according to the invention were prepared by the process according to the invention. Table 1 gives the composition of each in % by weight.
Table 1 Composition 81 82 83 84 1E5 86 Na Clz_14-fatty 20 20 - - - -alcohol+1.3E0 sulfate sec. Na C13-1~- - - 20 20 20 20 alkanesul f onate ~a~

Clz-ls-Fatty alcohol4 4 4 4 4 4 1,4-glucoside C8-Fatty alcohol - 5 - - - 5 +1.2P0+8.4E0 C8_lo-Fatty alcohol - - - - - -+5E0 Clz-14-Fatty alcohol- - - - - -+6E0 Clz_14-Fatty alcohol- - - - - -+3E0 Cocamidopropyl- 4 4 4 4 4 4 betaine Di-n-octyl ether 5 5 5 5 5 5 Ethanol - - 10 - - -Isopropanol 10 - - - - -n-Propanol - 10 - 10 10 10 Dipropylene glycol - - - - - -methyl ether ~b~

Butoxyisopropanol~~ - - - - - -Citric acid~H20 14 10 13 - 11 8 MgClz ~ 6Hz0 - - - 15 10 -Monoethanolamine 9.8 6.7 9.4 - 9.3 5.5 NaOH - - - - - -KOH - - - - - -Perfume oil 1 1 1 1 1 1 Dye <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Water ad ad ad ad ad ad '°' Hostapur'~ SAS 60 (Clariant) ~b~ Dowanol~ DPM
~°~ Dowanol~ PnB
The cleaner compositions listed in Table 1 without exception displayed two clear continuous phases which temporarily formed an emulsion upon shaking. Even after repeated shaking separate phases again formed upon standing.
The two-phase compositions E7 to E12 according to the invention were likewise prepared by the process according to the invention. Table 2 gives the composition of each in % by weight. In addition, Table 2 gives the respective parts by volume (pts.) of the lower (1) and upper (o) phase.
Composition E7 E8 E9 E10 E11 E12 AS Texapon 13 13 13 13 13 13 AS Texapon 15 15 15 15 15 15 Ke 3419 AS Neodol 4.5 4.5 7.0 8.0 8.0 9.0 AS Dehyton 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 AS glucamide 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 AS Genaminox 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 LA

Ethanol 6.5 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 n-Propanol 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Citric 8.0 16.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 16.0 acid ~ Hz0 Monoethanol- 6.2 12.5 6.3 6.3 7.7 11.8 amine Perfume oil 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 Dye (Sicovit 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.000 Patent Blue) g Water ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad PH 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Appearance 1:1 1:1 1:1 l:l 1:1 1:1 pt. pt. pt. pt. pt. pt.

clear clear clear clear clear clear u:2.5 u:2 u:3.5 u:4 u:3 u:2 pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts.

clear clear clear clear clear clear Appearance 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1 after 1 week pt. pt. pt. pt. pt. pt.

clear clear clear clear clear clear u:2.5 u:2 u:3.5 u:4 u:3 u:2 pts. pts. pts. pts. pts. pts.

clear clear clear clear clear clear Table 2 shows that the cleaners according to the invention were obtained without exception as two-phase compositions.
The respective parts by volume of the consistently clear phases or the phase boundaries can be adjusted or shifted in a targeted manner by appropriate choice of the ingredients.
The optical appearance does not change even after storage or standing for a relatively long period either, i.e. no precipitation was observed.
Table 3 below gives the composition of a customary hand dishwashing detergent of the prior art Vl.

Table 3 Composition V1 AS Texapon SPN 70 13 AS Texapon Ke 3419 15 AS Neodol 91-6 4.5 AS Dehyton AB 30 2.2 AS glucamide 1.3 AS Genaminox LA 1.5 Ethanol 6.5 1,2-Propanediol 0.1 Sodium sulfate 0.4 Sodium chloride 0.2 Water ad 100 Appearance single-phase To demonstrate the excellent cleaning ability of the cleaners according to the present invention, the cleaning performance of V1 and of E7 were investigated. The results are given in Table 4.
Table 4 Detergency [~] (based on laboratory standard) Grease soiling I 117 110 Grease soiling II 119 119 Mixed soiling I 105 108 Mixed soiling II 100 117 Mixed soiling III 102 116 Foaming ability [ml]

without grease 90 105 + 5 ml of oil/1 75 75 + 10 ml of oil/1 60 55 Emulsifying power [ml]

Separated water after 1 h/4h 3/14 4/17 The results obtained show that the two-phase hand dishwashing detergent E7 according to the invention has excellent detergency which is improved relative to the conventional hand dishwashing detergent Vl. The emulsifying power and foaming ability of E7 are also to be evaluated as very good.

Claims (44)

1. An aqueous liquid multiphase surfactant-containing hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising at least two phases, at least one lower aqueous phase I and one upper aqueous phase II and which detergent can be temporarily converted into an emulsion by shaking and which comprises more than 2% by weight of at least one organic solvent.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which comprises at least one organic solvent in an amount of from 2 to 30% by weight.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the amount is 3 to 25% by weight.

4. The composition of claim 2, wherein the amount is 5 to 20% by weight.

5. The composition of claim 2, wherein the amount is 7 to 15% by weight.

6. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, which comprises one or more organic solvents selected from the group comprising ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether and butoxyisopropanol.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the solvents are isopropanol and/or n-propanol and particularly preferably a solvent mixture of ethanol and n-propanol.

8. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the continuous phases I and II are delimited from one another by a sharp interface.

9. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or both of the continuous phases I and II
comprise parts, based on the volume of the respective continuous phase, of the other phase in each case as dispersant.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein 0.1 to 25% by volume of the other phase in each case is present as dispersant.

11. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein 0.2 to 15% by volume of the other phase in each case is present as dispersant.

12. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein phase I is emulsified in phase II in amounts of from 0.1 to 25% by volume, based on the volume of phase II.

13. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein from 0.2 to 15% by volume of Phase I is emulsified.

14. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein, in addition to the continuous phases I and II, part of the two phases is in the form of an emulsion of one of the two phases in the other phase, this emulsion being delimited by two sharp interfaces, one upper and one lower, from the parts of the phases I and II not involved in the emulsion.

15. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 14, which comprises phase I and phase II in a volume ratio of from 90:10 to 10:90.

16. The composition as claimed in claim 15, wherein the volume ratio is 75:25 to 15:85.

17. The composition as claimed in claim 15, wherein the volume ratio is 60:40 to 20:80.

18. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, which comprises one or more anionic surfactants.

19. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, which comprises, as anionic surfactants, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, preferably magnesium and/or sodium fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates.

20. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, which comprises one or more nonionic surfactants.

21. The composition as claimed in claim 20, wherein the surfactants are alkyl polyglycosides, C6-C22-alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers and/or amine oxides.

22. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, which comprises one or more amphoteric surfactants.

23. The composition as claimed in claim 22, wherein the surfactant is betaine.

24. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, which additionally comprises hydrophobic components from the group of dialkyl ethers having identical or different C4-C14-alkyl radicals of hydrocarbons having a boiling range from 100 to 300°C of essential oils and mixtures of two or three of said hydrophobic components.

25. The composition as claimed in claim 24, wherein dioctyl ether is present.

26. The composition as claimed in claim 24, wherein hydrocarbons have a boiling range of 100 to 300°C

27. The composition as claimed in claim 24, wherein the essential oils are limonene and pine oil and mixtures thereof.

28. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 27, which additionally comprises one or more phase separation auxiliaries.

29. The composition as claimed in claim 28, wherein magnesium chloride is present.

30. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 29, which additionally comprises one or more builders.

31. The composition as claimed in claim 30, wherein the builders are citric acid or citrates

32. The composition as claimed in claim 30, wherein the builders are triethanolammonium citrate.

33. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 32, which comprises one or more perfume oils.

34. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 33, which comprises one or more enzymes.

35. A method for the preparation of a two or multiphase cleaner as claimed in any of claims 1 to 34 by blending directly from its components, optionally subsequently mixing thoroughly and/or finally allowing the composition to stand for separation of the temporary emulsion.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein, to establish the quantitative phase ratios following separation of the temporary emulsion, further portions of at least one component are optionally added once or more than once, if necessary the mixture is then mixed thoroughly and/or finally the mixture is left to stand for separation of the temporary emulsion.

37. A method for the preparation of a two- or multiphase composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 34, wherein, firstly, a single-phase composition is prepared, which is preferably essentially homogeneous and to which further, optionally additional components which effect separation of the composition into two or more phases are then added.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the further, optionally additional components are chosen from the group comprising alcohols, acids, bases and/or fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers.

39. The method as claimed in either of claims 37 or 38, wherein, firstly, a homogeneous single-phase composition comprising at least one anionic and/or nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactant and/or at least one builder and/or at least one organic solvent and/or at least one thickener and optionally further additives is prepared, and then citric acid, n-propanol, monoethanolamine, water and optionally fatty alcohol polyglycol ether are added for the purpose of forming a two- or multiphase composition.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein citric acid monohydrate is present.

41. The method as claimed in any of claims 37 to 40, wherein, firstly, a homogeneous single-phase composition comprising fatty alcohol polyglyol ether sulfate, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, fatty acid alkanolamide, amine oxide, amphoteric surfactant, betaine, 1,2-propanediol, ethanol, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, water and optionally further additives is prepared, and then citric acid, n-propanol, monoethanolamine, water and optionally fatty alcohol polyglycol ether are added for the purpose of forming a two- or multiphase composition.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein citric acid monohydrate is present.

43. The use of a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 34 for the cleaning of hard surfaces.

44. The use as claimed in claim 43, wherein the hard surfaces are dishes.