DE10212184A1 - Dosing solids-containing free-flowing detergent paste concentrates to industrial washing machines uses an eccentric screw pump - Google Patents

Abstract

A solids-containing free-flowing detergent paste concentrate (2) is fed to an industrial washing machine by removing the paste from a vessel (1) using an extractor (4) which is stationary within vessel (1) and which includes a stationary eccentric screw pump (3). An Independent claim is also included for a free-flowing, viscous detergent concentrate comprising (wt. %): (a) a structurizing agent (0.1-25) comprising a bentonite and/or etherified sorbitol; (b) a thickener (1-15) which is a carbonate, sulfonate or amorphous or crystalline disilicate; (c) an alkylpolyglycoside nonionic surfactant (0.1-10%); and optionally (d) further surfactants, bleaches or conventional detergent ingredients.

Description

The invention relates to a method for dosing at least one Pasty detergent concentrate containing solids in a commercial Washing machine, wherein the detergent concentrate using a Eccentric screw pump removed from a container and one or more feeds commercial washing machines. In the commercial washing machine can also be a car wash.

It is known to be highly concentrated in commercial laundries, not free Flowable pasty detergents use a number of advantages compared to powder detergents.

Paste-like, essentially water-free detergents are mainly used in commercial laundries. Examples of such pastes are described in DE 38 26 110 A1 described. The advantages lie in the high washing power as a result the high concentration of wash-active components compared to powdery ones Detergents, as washing inactive, only the conditioning of the detergent serving additives are not required here.

Problems arise, however, with the physical properties of the pastes, namely the high viscosity and especially the thixotropic (pseudoplastic) behavior that emptying and dosing of the paste is prevented in a simple manner. Under Thixotropy is understood to mean the drop in viscosity when stirring or shaking or other shear stress on the paste, and the gradual thereafter The viscosity of the unmoved paste increases. At room temperature that is Viscosity of the pastes mentioned above without using shear forces high that under the exclusive influence of gravity not in a time and amount required for the intended application flow into the reservoir.

If a paste-like detergent concentrate for commercial laundries so far, it has always been considered necessary and self-evident considered that this concentrate is not free-flowing. The well-known dosing methods actually used in practice are matched to this.

Another corresponding detergent is described in EP 0 295 525 A2 (Henkel KGaA). This is also a pasty detergent, the special handling requirements for dosing and Mix with water as a solvent. For dosed feeding and Mixing in this publication is based, among other things, on the principle of Water jet pump working injector proposed. As Detection device for the metered amount of paste is a measuring arrangement based on Conductivity measurements disclosed.

Further details of such a metering device can be found in WO 98/15 682 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG). The water is used to operate the Injector to generate the necessary vacuum so that Detergent paste is sucked in and mixed with the water. The water pressure serves also for conveying the paste-solvent mixture obtained to Place of use, i.e. for commercial washing machines.

The entire structure of such a metering device together with the Storage containers for the pasty product are described in detail in WO 99/12 816 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG) and shown in the figures.

In these processes, it is necessary to use the pasty Detergent concentrate filled container, which in this case consists of a flexible Plastic container is to be placed on the dosing device from above, so that pasty detergent concentrate is sucked down into the injector. Even in this prior art, a non-free flowing Detergent concentrate used. Due to the flexible walls of the container and because of the lack of a ventilation opening pull the container walls when Suck in the detergent concentrate together and none form Cavities in the container so that the detergent concentrate despite its lack Flowability until the container is essentially completely emptied is sucked in.

Since in this state of the art the container from above onto the dosing device has to be attached and the injector has a limited dosing capacity, only one or, if valve manifolds are used, three to five commercial washer extractors with a capacity of 35 to 100 kg of laundry can be supplied with the detergent concentrate. It will accordingly relatively small containers with a content of about 5 kg correspondingly used about 5 l.

If there is a much greater need in a laundry, it is from the State of the art known, the pasty, not flowing freely Detergent concentrate from barrels with about 200 kg content in the corresponding dosing commercial washing machines or in the car wash. by virtue of the poor or nonexistent fluidity and the thixotropy of the Paste-like detergent concentrates cannot simply be done with a pump promoted from the barrels, e.g. B. be sucked in. To remove the Detergent concentrates are therefore known to have a movable, tightly fitting plate (follower plate) to attach, due to their weight exerts pressure on the surface of the paste and causes the Detergent concentrate through the dispenser, which is a simple Pipeline with a pump can be removed. With decreasing The amount of paste the follower plate slowly follows the paste level down. This The arrangement is described in EP 0 295 525 A2 (Henkel KGaA).

Further developments of this removal device can be found, for example, in DE 43 32 850 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG). Here is under the Follower plate attached a stirring propeller, which is slightly below the Follower plate can rotate freely in the paste, so that highly viscous, thixotropic pastes be liquefied due to the acting mechanical forces. The The removal device is connected to the follower plate outside its center, being an eccentric screw pump, a Gear pump, a peristaltic pump or an injector as preferred have been specified.

Another corresponding metering device is from DE 197 26 706 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG). Here have the already mentioned Stirrer blades or propellers and the removal device have the same drive.

A screw or screw pump is used as a removal device provided, which feeds the conveyed paste to an injector.

In these cases, due to the high viscosity of the detergent concentrate the arrangement with the follower plate is necessary.

A further proposal for removing the detergent concentrate from a container without using a follower plate can be found in the aforementioned EP 0 295 525 A2, published on December 21, 1988, in the description of FIG. II shown there. The paste is used here removed open container. The extraction line, which is designed as a simple tube, extends to the bottom of the container. The mixing device, which can consist of an injector and generates a negative pressure in the extraction line, sucks in the paste and mixes it with water, which is supplied via a line system. The mixing device can also consist of a motor-driven pump, which draws in the paste via the said removal line and mixes it with the inflowing water on the pressure side, for example by means of a nozzle. However, this is a theoretical proposal, in which neither at the time of the publication of the document mentioned nor at the present time was the practical suitability known or not. In fact, it has so far not been possible to put this proposal into practice.

In a smaller laundry there is a significantly lower need for dosing detergent concentrate, but the demand is significantly higher than in the case of the method according to WO 98/15 682 A1 or WO 99/12 816 A1 and wherein, for example, the emptying of containers with a content of about 30 kg is desired, it is known a dosing method and a Dosing device according to DE 44 14 708 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG) use. Here you empty a filled with the pasty detergent, in the essential fully compressible container that is made out of a bag Polyethylene is formed by applying shear forces to the by means of a roller Exerts paste and thereby the one container wall to the opposite Presses the container wall so that the paste towards the opening of the Container is pressed. The paste pressed out of the container is in a mixing container mixed with water and the point of consumption, that is commercial washing machine fed.

Although this method and this device are evident in terms of apparatus less expensive than dosing the detergent paste from a barrel using a Follower plate and a stirrer fails, this known method is still too expensive in terms of equipment costs if containers with a Contents of about 20 or 30 kg should be emptied.

When removing the pasty detergent concentrate from its Container and dosing in a commercial washing machine is also too note that the detergent concentrate is usually not one contains insignificant solids. The fine particles with a grain size up to about 100 µm consist of washing alkalis, e.g. B. soda or metasilicate and other ingredients, if any. Despite the fineness, they can Solids in connection with the highly viscous liquid phase of the Detergent concentrate for faults in mechanical components of the dosing device, for Example lead to sticking and blockages.

The invention is based on the method of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph the already mentioned DE 43 32 850 A1 is described.

The invention has for its object a paste-like detergent concentrate with a solid content with a considerably cheaper device than that above to promote said arrangement having a follower plate, wherein a Dosing performance of at least 800 g / min should be achieved.

The known dosing methods mentioned above fail in this task. If dosing with an injector, the dosing rate is too low. The one Follower plate, a stirring blade and a worm pump working process provide sufficient dosing performance, but are due to the considerable technical and especially equipment expenditure too expensive. adversely are especially the many moving and moving parts.

This task is performed in the procedure of the type mentioned at the beginning solved according to the invention in that a more viscous flowable Detergent concentrate and the detergent concentrate with a stationary dispensing line arranged in the container and also with a stationary one Eccentric screw pump removed from the container.

In contrast to the prior art, a viscous flowable is used here Detergent concentrate used, which compared to the very highly viscous, thixotropic, not freely flowing detergent concentrates. The However, the disadvantage of this dilution is more than offset by the advantage the particularly simple dosing with inexpensive devices. Since at the Dosing device used according to the invention both the sampling line and the pump is also arranged stationary with respect to the container the facilities required in the prior art for gradual Moving the follower plate, for example pneumatic cylinder with the appropriate Control unit, and for turning the impeller. The when using a Problems encountered with the follower plate with respect to the sealing of the follower plate the container wall is eliminated. Problems with a possible tipping and Tilting of such a movable plate also does not occur.

However, it is not enough to simply use any conventional pump of the detergent concentrate from the container. Because of the Glue and clog solid matter in the detergent concentrate movable pump parts such as valve members, so that with common pumps such as Membrane pumps cannot permanently remove the detergent concentrate. It is therefore essential in the invention to combine the use of highly viscous flowable detergent concentrate, from stationary to the Container arranged removal device and the use of a Progressive cavity pump. The inventors have found that despite the Solid content in the detergent concentrate a trouble-free operation in the long run the use of an eccentric screw pump is possible.

With the pump, depending on its arrangement, this can be done Detergent concentrate either sucked in through the sampling line or into the Sampling line can be pressed.

Following the removal of the detergent concentrate from the container it is advantageous if you have the detergent concentrate in a mixing unit Water is mixed before being used in one or more commercial Feeds washing machines, also under the term "commercial washing machine" a car wash can be understood. By mixing it with water are possible problems with the delivery of the detergent concentrate downstream with certainty excluded. The mixing unit should be sufficient have wide openings and openings in those areas where the still unmixed detergent concentrate enters the mixing unit so that there are no blockages or sticking due to the properties of the Detergent concentrate and especially because of the solids content.

With regard to optimal residual emptying, it is still advantageous if the inlet of the sampling line is open and at the lowest point in the container is arranged. Alternatively, the outlet of the eccentric screw pump can also be used connected to the inlet of the sampling line and the inlet of the Eccentric screw pump can be arranged at the lowest point in the container. In the first In the second case, the pump works by sucking in the detergent concentrate In this case, the pump works as a "submersible pump" that contains the detergent concentrate pushes the sampling line in. It is essential that the respective admission to the lowest point in the container.

It is particularly advantageous if you have such a container used and arranges the container so that the deepest point about is punctiform. You can adjust the bottom of the container accordingly shape so that it is, for example, funnel-shaped. It is more advantageous however, if you have a container according to a further embodiment of the invention with a flat bottom and the container is tilted. The flat floor allows a higher one with the same external dimensions Filling volume and also increases the stability of the container when Transport and storage. For example, the container can have the shape of a Have buckets. If the container is tilted, then get an approximately punctiform deepest point at which the inlet of the sampling line or the eccentric screw pump should be arranged.

In this way, the emptying of the container is only extreme except for one little rest possible, this advantage in the known dosing and Removal method according to DE 43 32 850 A1, which with a follower plate and a stirring propeller works, is not possible. Necessarily stays there a residue of detergent concentrate on the entire bottom of the container left, which can no longer be removed with the known removal device can.

Although with the method according to the invention in particular metering rates of 800 g / min and more in a particularly inexpensive and simple way can be achieved, significantly smaller and larger Dosing rates can be set. It is therefore proposed that the Process according to the invention with a metering rate of 300 g / min to 1600 g / min is working.

With regard to the detergent concentrate, it is proposed that it be a Viscosity up to 40,000 mPas, preferably up to 25,000 mPas and in particular from has about 10,000 mPas.

The following is an embodiment of the invention and the results of experiments on the method according to the invention, partly based on Drawings, explained in more detail. Show it

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus arrangement for implementing the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a well-known per se, usable in the present process eccentric screw pump and

Fig. 3 shows the cross section along the line III-III in Fig. 2.

In all drawings, the same reference numerals have the same meaning and may therefore only be explained once.

In the method according to the invention, a pasty, free-flowing detergent concentrate 2 is removed from a container 1 , which in the present example has the shape of a cylindrically symmetrical bucket, by means of an eccentric screw pump 3 and a removal line 4 . The drive shaft 5 for the eccentric screw pump 3 rotates within the extraction line 4 . Above the extraction line 4 there is a motor 6 with a gear which drives the eccentric screw pump 3 via the drive shaft 5 .

The detergent concentrate 2 pressed into the extraction line 4 by the eccentric screw pump 3 leaves the extraction line 4 via a branch and flows via a further line 7 into a mixing funnel 8 into which the diluent and solvent water flows via a water line 9 . The resulting water / detergent concentrate mixture is intimately mixed with one another in a centrifugal pump 10 , so that a real solution is produced, and is pumped by this centrifugal pump 10 to the consumption points, that is to say to the commercial washing machines.

Furthermore, measuring and control devices, not shown, may be present in the drawing, e.g. B. conductivity measuring devices at the outlet of the centrifugal pump 10 , which are connected to corresponding control devices for the motor 6 . Such devices are not necessary for the method according to the invention, because by controlling the eccentric screw pump, for. B. with a stepper motor, the amount of detergent concentrate can be dosed very precisely. Such or other measuring devices for recording the amount of detergent concentrate actually dispensed can nevertheless be present if this is desired. These devices are known from the prior art mentioned above and are described there in detail, so that they are not to be explained in more detail here.

For a better understanding of the structure and operation of eccentric screw pumps, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 3. The eccentric screw pump 3 consists of two main parts, the rotor 11 and the stator 12 . The only moving part is the rotor 11 , which is designed as an external screw with one or more gears. The eccentric arrangement of the rotor 11 with respect to the stator 12 is indicated by the longitudinal axes of the rotor 11 and the stator 12 which are arranged at a distance from one another. The rotor is usually made of high-strength steel with a tempered surface. The rotor 11 rotates in the stator 12 , which is an internal screw with a number of gears higher by 1 , thereby forming cavities 13 in which the medium, that is, the detergent concentrate 2 , is continuously transported from the suction side to the pressure side of the eccentric screw pump. The material of the stator 12 is usually an elastomer, which is fixed to an outer tube 14 , which is usually a steel tube.

The length of the eccentric screw pump 3 is approximately 15 to 20 cm in the exemplary embodiment according to the invention.

According to the invention, the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders required in the method with the follower plate for moving this follower plate in steps are eliminated. The control unit required in the prior art for the gradual movement of the follower plate downward is also no longer necessary according to the invention. The pump occupies a maximum of two positions here. To change the container 1 , the pump 3 with the extraction line 4 and the motor 6 can be started up. For metering, on the other hand, the pump 3 with the extraction line 4 and the motor 6 is moved into the lower position, in which it remains until the container 1 is practically completely emptied. In this lower position, the suction opening of the pump is located close to the bottom of the container.

The cost of such a metering process is in terms of apparatus side only about a third of the cost of the known method, which works with a follower plate and impellers. The method according to the invention is well suited for container sizes from 5 to 200 kg and particularly preferred for Container sizes from 15 to 30 kg and especially for around 20 kg. A sticking components of the metering device and clogging of openings due to the solids content does not occur in the process according to the invention. In contrast to this end, the free-flowing pasty used according to the invention Detergent concentrate not with a dosing system according to WO 98/15 682 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG) are removed and dosed, which with an injector works. Since the detergent concentrate is free flowing and the Dosing takes place overhead, the paste runs when the container is pierced uncontrolled and can be dangerous due to the strong alkalinity of the operating personnel. In fact in the prior art This problem does not occur with detergent concentrates that are not flowing freely on.

Further advantages of the invention over metering processes for pasty Detergent concentrates according to the prior art are on the one hand significantly lower number of wearing parts, so maintenance costs and the costs for spare parts are correspondingly lower. The dosage can also directly on the number of revolutions of the rotor in the Eccentric screw pump can be made so that a sufficient exact dosage possible and an additional, additional costs Measuring technology for determining the metered quantities, as is the case in the prior art is known, is no longer absolutely necessary. After all, it is The inventive method is particularly user-friendly and can be carried out without the need for extensive staff training.

The following are some attempts to dose the free flowing pasty Detergent concentrate explained in more detail.

Was the free flowing concentrate with an injector according to the status the technology dosed, the concentrate from bottom to top via a line of 56 cm length was sucked in, so with dynamic Water pressures of 4 and 5 bar dosing rates between 80 and 120 g / min. at Theoretically, the dosing performance could be higher dynamic water pressures increase, but these water pressures are in practice in the Laundry companies using detergent concentrate are not readily available.

On the other hand, the free-flowing detergent concentrate came out of its container sucked upside down into the injector, for example is described in WO 98/15 682 A1, so obtained with dynamic Water pressures of 3 and 4 bar dosing rates between 490 and 680 g / min. This Dosing performance was considerably higher than the performance after the previous ones Try, but still not satisfactory. Furthermore, these can be Do not convert experiments into practical dosing methods, since here one uncontrolled leakage of the concentrate when tapping the container cannot be ruled out. Due to the high content of the concentrate On the other hand, caustic alkali must be in contact with human skin be avoided.

On the other hand, the dosing method according to the invention was released with a flowing detergent concentrate with a viscosity of 16,000 mPas, the measurements showed dosing capacities between 800 and 830 g / min. at an inclination of the container by an angle of 30 ° could do that The concentrate should be emptied down to a residual product quantity of 1.17%. The absolute amount of residual product in the container with a content of 20 kg in the experiment 234 g. The distance between the inlet of the Eccentric screw pump and the container bottom was about 4 mm.

It is advantageous if the container is made of PE-HD and the shape, for example a bucket that can be tilted. The elastic material of the The test consisted of EPDM, which was an advantage in the highly alkaline detergent concentrate can be used.

Detergent concentrates for use in an inventive Processes that appear applicable at first glance are in DE 198 22 939 disclosed.

These non-aqueous viscous detergent concentrates contain a special one Thickening system.

• a) 0,1 bis 1,0 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer Strukturgeber aus der Gruppe der Bentonite und/oder mindestens teilweise veretherten Sorbitole sowie
• b) 5,0 bis 30 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer Verdicker aus der Gruppe der Carbonate, Sulfate und amorphen oder kristallinen Disilikate

umfassen. In particular, non-aqueous, highly viscous dishwashing detergents are described which contain surfactant (s), bleaching agents and optionally other customary detergent ingredients, and specifically

• a) 0.1 to 1.0 wt .-% of one or more structurants from the group of bentonites and / or at least partially etherified sorbitols and
• b) 5.0 to 30% by weight of one or more thickeners from the group of the carbonates, sulfates and amorphous or crystalline disilicates

include.

• a) 0,1 bis 2,5, vorzugsweise 0,2 bis 2,0 und besonders bevorzugt 0,4 bis 1,8 Gew.-% und insbesondere 0,5 bis 1,5 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer Strukturgeber aus der Gruppe der Bentonite und/oder mindestens teilweise veretherten Sorbitole sowie
• b) 1,0 bis 15, vorzugsweise 2 bis 12 und besonders bevorzugt 2 bis 10 Gew.-% eines oder mehrerer Verdicker aus der Gruppe der Carbonate, Sulfonate und amorphen oder kristallinen Disilikate und
• c) 0,1 bis 10, vorzugsweise 1 bis 5 Gew.-% eines nichtionischen Tensids aus der Gruppe der Alkylpolyglykoside, sowie
• d) gewünschtenfalls weitere Tenside und/oder Bleichmittel und/oder weitere übliche Reinigungsmittelinhaltsstoffe.

However, a closer look at the disclosure of DE 198 22 939 reveals a disadvantage for the application of the teaching, in particular in the commercial washing sector. Unlike in commercial detergents, the detergent concentrate is often not stored in the house or in rooms with normal room temperature. So it can happen that detergent concentrates, which are free flowing at room temperature and are good for household use, lose their flowability at very low temperatures, which can be around 5 ° C. If products of this type are to be available for commercial use at short notice, it is determined that the use of such products in the method according to the invention can be problematic. The result is that additional effort or falsification of the dosing result arises or, if necessary, the corresponding detergent concentrates have to be made flowable by adding heat before dosing. Accordingly, it was an additional object of the present invention to provide a detergent concentrate which is more flowable than DE 198 22 939 and which can be used advantageously in the process according to the invention. The bridge to the method according to the invention results from the necessity of flowability even in the cold. The detergent concentrate is part of the present invention, which, as already described, consists of the dosing method and, secondly, the subject of an appropriately optimized detergent concentrate, which enables this method only in the commercial sector. By improving the flowability, the residual emptying of containers that are used in the commercial sector should of course also be improved. These objects were achieved by free-flowing, viscous detergent concentrate, based on the detergent concentrate

• a) 0.1 to 2.5, preferably 0.2 to 2.0 and particularly preferably 0.4 to 1.8% by weight and in particular 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of one or more structuring agents the group of bentonites and / or at least partially etherified sorbitols and
• b) 1.0 to 15, preferably 2 to 12 and particularly preferably 2 to 10% by weight of one or more thickeners from the group of the carbonates, sulfonates and amorphous or crystalline disilicates and
• c) 0.1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 wt .-% of a nonionic surfactant from the group of alkyl polyglycosides, and
• d) if desired, further surfactants and / or bleaches and / or other customary detergent ingredients.

It is preferred that the concentrate mentioned also at temperatures around 5 ° C. is still free flowing.

It is also preferred that the concentrate mentioned essentially is anhydrous.

In the context of this invention, a condition is "non-aqueous" understand, in which the free water content in the compositions is below 5% by weight, based on the mean.

By adding the alkyl polyglycoside is especially for the commercial area compared to flowability at low temperatures DE 198 22 939 improved. It also becomes an apparently thinner one Formulation reached. This is to be understood as an inventive Formulation in concentrated form appears thinner than formulations that are otherwise the same and not the alkyl polyglycosides according to the invention contain.

In addition, it is possible by using inventive Formulations the proportion of the remains that remain in the container, essential to reduce.

The viscosity values contained in the following table were determined at a temperature of 5 ° C. by determination with a Brookfield viscometer DV II and a spindle 06 at 20 revolutions.

It is preferred that the concentrates of the invention be at room temperature a viscosity of 4000 to 12000, particularly preferably 5000 to 10000 mPs have.

The structuring agent a) comes from the group of bentonites and / or at least partially etherified sorbitols. These substances are used to ensure physical stability of the agents and adjust the viscosity. Although conventional thickeners such as polyacrylates or polyurethanes in non-aqueous media fail, the viscosity control works with the mentioned substances in the non-aqueous system.

Bentonites are contaminated clays caused by weathering from volcanic tuffs have arisen. Owing to their high content of montmorillonite Bentonites have valuable properties such as swellability, ion exchange capacity and thixotropy. It is possible that the properties of the bentonite Modify the intended use accordingly. Bentonites are considered Clay component common in tropical soils and are known as sodium bentonite z. B. mined in Wyoming / USA. Sodium bentonite has the cheapest application properties (swellability), so that its Use in the context of the present invention is preferred. Naturally Occurring calcium bentonites originate, for example, from Mississippi / USA or Texas / USA or from Landshut / D. The naturally extracted Ca bentonites are artificially replaced by exchanging Ca for Na into the more swellable Na Bentonite converted.

The main constituents of the bentonites are so-called montmorillonites, which can also be used in pure form in the context of the present invention. Montmorillonites belong to the phyllosilicates and here to the dioctahedral smectites clay minerals that crystallize monoclinic-pseudohexagonal. Montmorillonite predominantly form white, gray-white to yellowish, completely amorphous appearing, easily friable, swelling in the water, but not becoming plastic, by the general formulas

Al ₂ [(OH) ₂ / Si ₄ O ₁₀ ] .nH ₂ O or

Al ₂ O ₃ .4SiO ₂ .H ₂ O.nH ₂ O or

Al ₂ [(OH) ₂ / Si ₄ O ₁₀ ] (dried at 150 °)

can be described.

Montmorillonites have a three-layer structure that consists of two tetrahedral layers that are electrostatically cross-linked via the cations of an intermediate octahedral layer. The layers are not rigidly connected, but can be reversibly incorporated by water (in 2-7 times the amount) and other substances such as. As alcohols, glycols, pyridine, α-picoline, ammonium compounds, hydroxy aluminosilicate ions, etc. swell. The above. Formulas are only approximate formulas because montmorillonites have a large ion exchange capacity. Al can be exchanged for Mg, Fe ²⁺ , Fe ³⁺ , Zn, Cr, Cu and other ions. As a result of such a substitution, the layers are negatively charged, which is balanced by other cations, especially Na ⁺ and Ca ²⁺ .

In combination with the bentonites or as a replacement for them if their use is not desired, at least partially etherified sorbitols as Structure donors are used.

Sorbitol is a hexahydric alcohol (sugar alcohol) that One or two moles of water split off relatively intramolecularly and cyclic Forms ether (e.g. sorbitan and sorbide). The splitting off of water is also possible intermolecularly, with noncyclic ethers consisting of sorbitol and the form alcohols concerned. Here too is the formation of monoethers and Bis-ethers possible, with higher degrees of etherification such as 3 and 4 also occurring can. Those to be used preferably within the scope of the present invention at least partially etherified sorbitols are double etherified sorbitols, from where dibenzylidene sorbitol is particularly preferred.

Inorganic agents are used as thickeners in the agents according to the invention the group of carbonates, sulfates and amorphous or crystalline disilicates for Commitment. In principle, the salts of all metals mentioned can be used here are, the alkali metal salts being preferred. Be particularly preferred in the context of the present invention as thickener alkali carbonate (s), Alkali sulfate (s) and / or amorphous (s) and / or crystalline (s) alkali disilicate (s), preferably sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and / or amorphous or crystalline Sodium disilicate used.

The alkyl polyglycosides c) are surfactants which are caused by the reaction of sugars and Alcohols according to the relevant procedures of preparative organic Chemistry can be obtained, depending on the type of manufacture to one Mixture of monoalkylated, oligomeric or polymeric sugar comes. preferred Alkyl polyglycosides can be alkyl polyglucosides, with particular preference the alcohol is a long chain fatty alcohol or a mixture of long chain Is fatty alcohols and the degree of oligomerization of the sugars is between 1 and 10. The alkyl group preferably comprises the alkyl polyglycoside having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 8 to 14 and very particularly preferably 8 to 10 C atoms.

In addition to the thickening system, the agents according to the invention contain Structure donor and thickener bleach and other surfactant (s). As a bleach the bleaches known for detergents and cleaning agents come into play here Question, especially alkali metal perborates, percarbonates and their derivatives as well Monopersulfate. Typical inorganic oxygen bleaches are Alkali metal perborates and their hydrates and the alkali metal percarbonates, wherein in Within the scope of the invention, preferably sodium perborate, as mono- or tetrahydrate, or sodium percarbonate can be used.

Particularly preferred agents contain one or more substances as bleaching agents from the group sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and Sodium percarbonate in amounts of 4 to 25% by weight, preferably in amounts from 5 to 20% by weight and in particular in amounts of 6 to 15% by weight, in each case based on the total mean.

The bleaching agent or agents are preferably used in combination with Bleach activator (s) used. As bleach activators, compounds that under perhydrolysis conditions with aliphatic peroxocarboxylic acids preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in particular 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and / or optionally substituted perbenzoic acid result can be used. Substances containing O- and / or N-acyl groups of the C- Bear atomic number and / or optionally substituted benzoyl groups. Multi-acylated alkylenediamines are preferred, in particular Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated triazine derivatives, in particular 1,5- Diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT), acylated glycolurils, especially tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU), N-acylimides, especially N-nonanoylsuccinimide (NOSI), acylated phenol sulfonates, especially n-nonanoyl or Isononanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (n- or iso-NOBS), carboxylic anhydrides, especially phthalic anhydride, acylated polyhydric alcohols, in particular Triacetin, ethylene glycol diacetate and 2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran. Another the preferred bleach activator is N-methyl-morpholino-acetonitrile Methosulfate (MMA).

In addition to the conventional bleach activators or in their place so-called bleach catalysts are also used. With these fabrics are bleach-enhancing transition metal salts or Transition metal complexes such as Mn, Fe, Co, Ru or Mo Salene complexes or carbonyl complexes. Also Mn, Fe, Co, Ru, Mo, Ti, V and Cu complexes with nitrogen-containing tripod ligands as well as Co, Fe, Cu and Ru-amine complexes can be used as bleaching catalysts.

Agents preferred in the context of the present invention additionally contain one or more bleach activators in amounts of 1 to 10% by weight, preferably in amounts of 2 to 7.5% by weight and in particular in amounts of 3 to 6 wt .-%, each based on the total agent.

In order to develop their cleaning performance even more, they contain Detergent concentrates surfactant (e) according to the invention. Conveniently, are used for low-foaming nonionic surfactants Within the scope of the present invention, the use of liquid nonionic surfactants is clearly preferred. The amounts in which liquid nonionic surfactant (s) used in the agents according to the invention are in the range of 15 to 60% by weight, preferably in the range from 20 to 50% by weight and in particular in the range from 25 to 45% by weight, based in each case on the total agent.

In principle, all surfactants are suitable as further surfactants. Those are preferred non-ionic surfactants and especially the low-foaming ones non-ionic surfactants, but also other low-foaming surfactants in question. The alkoxylated alcohols are particularly preferred, especially those ethoxylated and / or propoxylated and the alkyl polyglucamides.

The person skilled in the art generally understands alkoxylated alcohols to mean the reaction products of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, with alcohols, preferably in the context of the present invention the longer-chain alcohols (C ₁₀ to C ₁₈ , preferably between C ₁₂ and C ₁₆ , such as C ₁₁ -, C ₁₂ -, C ₁₃ -, C ₁₄ -, C ₁₅ -, C ₁₆ -, C ₁₇ - and C ₁₈ -alcohols). As a rule, a complex mixture of addition products of different degrees of ethoxylation is formed from n moles of ethylene oxide and one mole of alcohol, depending on the reaction conditions. A further embodiment consists in the use of mixtures of the alkylene oxides, preferably the mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. If desired, final etherification with short-chain alkyl groups, such as preferably the butyl group, can also give the class of "closed" alcohol ethoxylates, which can also be used for the purposes of the invention. For the purposes of the present invention, very particularly preferred are highly ethoxylated fatty alcohols or their mixtures with end-capped fatty alcohol ethoxylates. Examples of the substances mentioned are the commercial products Plurafac® LF 132 and LF 231, Lutensol® SC 9713 (trademark of BASF, end-capped nonionic surfactants), Synperonic® LF types, in particular LF / D25 (trademark of ICI, fatty alcohol EO- PO adducts), Neodol® types such as Neodol®-25-7 and 23-6.5 (trademark of Shell Chemical Company, ethoxylation products of C12-13 fatty alcohols with an average of 6.5 EO groups), Tergitol® types such as Tergitol ® 15-S-7 and 15-S-9 (trademark of Union Carbide, ethoxylated linear secondary alcohols) and Neodol® 45-11 (trademark of Shell Chemical Company, C _14-15 alcohols with an average of 11 moles EO).

Fatty acid polyhydroxylamides (glucamides) are acylated reaction products of reductive amination of a sugar (glucose) with ammonia, where as Acylating agents usually long chain fatty acids, long chain fatty acid esters or long-chain fatty acid chlorides

Water-soluble and water-insoluble builders, especially for binding calcium and magnesium be used. Water-soluble builders are preferred because they are based on Dishes and hard surfaces tend to be less insoluble To form residues. Usual builders who in the context of the invention between 10 and 90% by weight, based on the total preparation, can be present the low molecular weight polycarboxylic acids and their salts, the homopolymers and copolymeric polycarboxylic acids and their salts and the phosphates. To Water-insoluble builders include the zeolites, which are also used can, as well as mixtures of the aforementioned builder substances.

Trisodium citrate and / or pentasodium tripolyphosphate and / or are preferred Gluconates and / or silicate builders from the class of metasilicates used. The inorganic thickeners described above can also develop builder effect, but are within the scope of the present Invention in the calculation of the amount of builder used not with included.

Particularly preferred agents contain one or more water-soluble ones Builder substances, preferably from the group of alkali metal citrates and / or -phosphates, in amounts of 10 to 50% by weight, preferably in amounts of 12.5 up to 45% by weight and in particular in amounts of 15 to 40% by weight, in each case based on the total mean.

In addition to those mentioned above, the agents according to the invention can Other common detergent and cleaning agent ingredients, especially those from the group of complexing agents, the Corrosion inhibitors, foam inhibitors, enzymes, pearlescent agents and / or the colors and fragrances.

Suitable chelating agents are, for example, the alkali salts of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as well Alkali metal salts of anionic polyelectrolytes such as polyacrylates, polymaleates and polysulfonates. Furthermore, low molecular weight hydroxycarboxylic acids are like Citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid or gluconic acid are suitable. suitable Complexing agents can also be selected from organophosphonates such as for example 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), Aminotri (methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), Diethylenetriaminepenta (methylenephosphonic acid), iminodisuccinate (IDS) and 2- Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBS-AM).

The detergent concentrates according to the invention can contain between 0 and 5% by weight Enzymes based on the entire preparation are added to the To increase the performance of detergent concentrates or to reduce them Conditions. To ensure the cleaning performance in the same quality. To the most commonly used enzymes include lipases, amylases, cellulases and proteases. Preferred proteases are e.g. B. BLAP®140 from Biozym, Optimase®-M-440 and Opticlean®-M-250 from Solvay Enzymes; Maxacaf®CX and Maxapem® or Esperase® from Gist Brocades or Savinase® from Novo. Celluzym® 0.7 T and. Are particularly suitable cellulases and lipases Lipolase® 30 T from Novo Nordisk. Special use as amylases find Termamyl® 60 T, and Termamyl® 90 T from Novo, Amylase-LT® from Solvay Enzymes or Maxamyl® P5000 from Gist Brocades and Purafect OxAm4000G® from Genencor but also other enzymes can be used become.

Dyes and fragrances are used in the process according to the invention in order to to improve the aesthetic impression of the products and the consumer in addition the washing and cleaning performance is visually and sensory "typical and to provide a distinctive "product. As perfume oils or Fragrances can individual fragrance compounds, e.g. B. the synthetic Products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and type Hydrocarbons are used. Fragrance compounds of the type Esters are e.g. B. benzyl acetate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, p-tert.- Butylcyclohexyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinylacetate, Phenylethyl acetate, linalyl benzoate, benzyl formate, ethyl methylphenyl glycinate, Allyl cyclohexyl propionate, styrallyl propionate and benzyl salicylate. To the ethers include, for example, benzyl ethyl ether, the aldehydes z. B. the linear Alkanals with 8-18 C atoms, citral, citronellal, citronellyloxyacetaldehyde, Cyclamenaldehyde, Hydroxycitronellal, Lilial and Bourgeonal, to the ketones z. B. the Jonone, α-isomethyl ionone and methyl cedryl ketone, to the alcohols anethole, Citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol and terpineol Hydrocarbons mainly belong to the terpenes like limonene and pinene. However, mixtures of different odoriferous substances are preferably used create an appealing fragrance together. Such perfume oils can also contain natural fragrance mixtures, such as those from plant sources are accessible, e.g. B. pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouly, rose or ylang Ylang oil. Also suitable are muscatel, sage oil, chamomile oil, clove oil, Lemon balm oil, mint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, linden blossom oil, juniper berry oil, vetiver oil, Olibanum oil, galbanum oil and labdanum oil as well as orange blossom oil, neroliol, Orange peel oil and sandalwood oil.

The agents according to the invention can be produced in a manner known per se by mixing the individual components. In preferred Manufacturing process, the surfactants to be used are heated and with the Structurers mixed. The bleach is then added to the cooled mixture as well as the other ingredients with the exception of the bleach activator and Enzymes added and the mixture ground in a roller mill. After this The remaining ingredients are then mixed in, step by step depending on the amount of thickening system used, higher viscosity liquids, Form flowable gels or cut-resistant pastes.

In preferred agents, the average particle size of the bleaching agents and thickeners and of the optional builders is less than 25 μm, preferably less than 10 μm and in particular less than 5 μm. REFERENCE LIST 1 container
2 detergent concentrate
3 eccentric screw pump
4 Extraction line
5 drive shaft
6 engine with gearbox
7 other line
8 mixing funnels
9 water pipe
10 centrifugal pump
11 rotor
12 stator
13 cavity
14 outer tube

Claims (15)

1. A method for dosing a paste-like detergent concentrate ( 2 ) containing at least one solid component into a commercial washing machine, the detergent concentrate ( 2 ) being removed from a container ( 1 ) by means of an eccentric screw pump ( 3 ) and fed to one or more commercial washing machines, characterized in that that a free-flowing detergent concentrate ( 2 ) is used and the detergent concentrate ( 2 ) is removed from the container ( 1 ) with a removal line ( 4 ) arranged stationary in the container ( 1 ) and with an eccentric screw pump ( 3 ) that is also stationary. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the detergent concentrate ( 2 ) removed with the removal line ( 4 ) from the container ( 1 ) is mixed with water in a mixing unit ( 8 ) before it is fed to one or more commercial washing machines. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet of the sampling line ( 4 ) is open and arranged at the lowest point in the container ( 1 ). 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet of the eccentric screw pump ( 3 ) is connected to the inlet of the extraction line ( 4 ) and the inlet of the eccentric screw pump ( 3 ) is arranged at the lowest point in the container ( 1 ). 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that one uses such a container ( 1 ) and arranges the container ( 1 ) such that the deepest point is approximately punctiform. 6. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one uses a container ( 1 ) with a flat bottom and brings the container ( 1 ) into an inclined position. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized, that you work with a dosing rate of 300 g / min to 1600 g / min. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detergent concentrate ( 2 ) has a viscosity of up to 40,000 mPas, preferably up to 25,000 mPas and in particular of about 10,000 mPas. 9. Free flowing, viscous detergent concentrate, based on the detergent concentrate a) 0.1 to 2.5 wt .-% of one or more structurants from the group of bentonites and / or at least partially etherified sorbitols and b) 1.0 to 15 wt .-% of one or more thickeners from the group of carbonates, sulfonates and amorphous or crystalline disilicates and c) 0.1 to 10 wt .-% of a nonionic surfactant from the group of alkyl polyglycosides, and d) if desired, further surfactants and / or bleaches and / or other customary detergent ingredients. 10. detergent concentrate according to claim 9, characterized in that it based on the detergent concentrate 0.2 to 2.0, preferably 0.4 to 1.8 and in particular contains 0.5 to 1.5 wt .-% of said thickener. 11. Detergent concentrate according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that it contains 2 to 12 and particularly preferably 2 to 10 wt .-% of the said structuring agent based on the detergent concentrate. 12. detergent concentrate according to one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it is based on the detergent concentrate 1 contains up to 5 wt .-% of said alkyl polyglucoside. 13. detergent concentrate according to one or more of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it is still at temperatures around 5 ° C. is free flowing. 14. detergent concentrate according to one or more of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it is essentially anhydrous. 15. Detergent concentrate according to one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the alkyl group of said alkyl polyglucoside contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 14 and very particularly preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms.