EP1017772B1 - Cleaning agent containing alcoholate - Google Patents

Abstract

A paste-form to solid detergent composition is provided consisting of a) 21 to 70 percent by weight of an aqueous lye solution having a concentration of 42 to 55 percent by weight of lye; b) 0.5 to 40 percent by weight of one or more alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol or butyleneglycol, and c) 10 to 35 percent by weight of water. The detergent is a high alkaline detergent, useful for cleaning hard surfaces.

Description

The present invention relates to water-containing cleaners with pasty to solid consistency based on alkali hydroxide. To set the desired Consistency contain the cleaning agents alcoholates. By a specifically sequential Addition of other components can be optionally the Check hardness and duration of curing of the cleaning agent.

Highly alkaline detergents are today in the most diverse forms of presentation commercially available, for. B. as a powder, as granules, as a liquid, as a melted block or as a tablet made by compression.

Each type of presentation has its own specific purpose for a defined purpose Advantages and disadvantages. For cleaning textile surfaces or for manual mechanical cleaning of hard surfaces have powder, Granules or liquids proven, while for mechanical cleaning of hard surfaces, z. B. machine cleaning of dishes, in addition to powders, Granules or liquids increasingly produced by compression Tablets or obtained by melting and subsequent cooling block-shaped cleaners (melting blocks) can be used. Tablets and Melting blocks offer the advantage of targeted and powdered powders simple dosing, do not dust and are easy to handle.

These advantages can be found, for example, in household dishwashers use, but especially in continuous commercial dishwashers, in which the items to be cleaned through different wash zones is driven.

It has now been shown that very hard tablets and very hard fused blocks Disadvantage. So z. B. on such tablets breakage occur: such damaged tablets naturally no longer provide the Advantage of a precise dosage. Another problem with tablets is in that the desired water solubility is not always guaranteed can, d. H. Sometimes tablets dissolve either too fast or too slowly. In the case of melting blocks, a high breaking strength is to be expected during transport, but with larger containers, there is a problem with the dosage of this very solid detergent. In addition, both tablets require also melted blocks so far very expensive manufacturing process, which is just at the processing of alkaline melts particularly high demands the materials used and the conditions chosen:

It is also particularly desirable to have a high degree of homogeneity of the resulting cleaners, but this is often difficult to achieve with solid cleaners. This problem occurs less in liquid cleaners that can be easily stirred. He wishes So would be the homogeneity of a liquid, a viscous liquid or a stirrable paste which is then controllably variable to a solid Strength solidifies, at this stage their advantages in storage and Use transport and dosing. It would be particularly desirable if stirrability were maintained at temperatures as low as about 40 ° C, because then less thermally stable components are added could. From an application point of view, it would be of particular advantage to have an early one Curing of the material during the production process in the Prevent production equipment. Especially desirable would be a broad control of the parameters that the curing process decisively influence.

WO 96/27653 A1 describes a paste-like Detergents based on NaOH, by the thickening effect of certain glycols, Glycol derivatives and / or alkanolamines aqueous alkali oil eye uses.

The object of the present invention is to provide highly alkaline, on alkali hydroxide, preferably potassium or sodium hydroxide, more preferably sodium hydroxide general-purpose cleaning agents for textile surfaces, preferably but those for cleaning hard surfaces, eg. As tableware, and in particular to provide cleaning agents for the commercial cleaning of dishes, the advantages of powders and liquids on the one hand and the Advantages of tablets and fused blocks on the other hand unite. The means to provide cleaning agents that are one of the most diverse Application conditions have defined solubility, on the other hand but are stable to transport and storage stable and beyond fast, easy and to dose precisely, which are not dusty and without great technical Effort to produce and easy to fill. Especially the stirrability the production, a controlled variable consistency and a delayed Curing in the production of solid detergents would be great advantages offer and should be considered. A procedure should be developed It also allows less temperature stable substances if necessary below 42 ° C without endangering the other tasks. Of course, as with any technical process, there is a given Effect under the lowest possible conditions regarding raw materials and To achieve production conditions.

Of course, at the same time to be placed on cleaning agents Requirements such as good cleaning power, fat dissolving force, etc. be fulfilled.

Both higher-viscosity and pasty cleaning agents are already known in the prior art described as well as solid detergents in tablet or block shape.

For example, in German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS-31 38 425 the rheological Behavior of the cleaner described there described so that a gel-like paste by the action of mechanical forces, for example by Shake or apply pressure to a deformable storage bottle or tube or liquefied by means of a dosing pump and squeezed out of a spray nozzle leaves.

US Pat. No. 3,607,764 describes glass cleaner in solid Form, which are diluted to a sprayable solution. These funds included et al Sodium or potassium hydroxide, sodium or potassium tripolyphosphate, Sodium or potassium pyrophosphate, hydroxycarboxylic acid builder, a water-soluble nonionic surfactant, alkylene glycol ethers and optionally sodium carbonate. A control of the viscosity or the strength in the sense of the present Invention is not described.

Japanese Patent Publication JP 84/182870 describes solutions of alkali hydroxides in glycols or alcohols by neutralizing with long chain Carboxylic acids are viscous and by adding silicone oil a pasty Consistency, whereby they are used as pastes in the leather fatliquoring can.

Japanese Patent Publication JP 86/296098 describes anhydrous solid detergents based on alkali hydroxides. Here, the alkali carrier is in alkanolamines and water-soluble glycol ethers, thereby forming a solid Cleaner receives. A technical teaching for the variable reduction of strength and for controlling the hardening process is not described.

a) verdickte wässrige Alkalilauge, bevorzugt Kali- und/oder Natronlauge, bevorzugt 42 - 55%ige, in einer Menge von 21 bis 70 Gew.%, vorzugsweise 35 bis 55 Gew.% bezogen auf das Reinigungsmittel,
und zum Aufbau einer erhöhten Viskosität

b) ein Alkoholat oder mehrere Alkoholate von Ethanol, Propanol, Isopropanol, Glycerin und Butylenglykol, vorzugsweise als Kalium- oder Natriumalkoholat,
in einer Gesamtmenge von 0,5 bis 40 Gew.%, vorzugsweise 1 bis 10 Gew.-%, besonders bevorzugt 2 bis 8 Gew.%, alle Gew.-% Angaben bezogen auf das gesamte Reinigungsmittel,
und

c) ggf die zum Alkoholat korrespondierenden Alkohole und/oder Schauminhibitoren und/oder Builderkomponenten und/oder Paraffinöl und/oder Tenside und/oder Alkalihydroxid als. Feststoff und/oder weitere in Wasch- und Reinigungsmittel übliche Inhaftstoffe, wobei der Wassergehalt des Reinigungsmittels bei 10 bis 35 Gew.% liegt.

The present invention is a pasty to solid containing water-containing alkaline cleaning agent

a) thickened aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution, preferably potassium hydroxide and / or sodium hydroxide solution, preferably 42-55% strength, in an amount of 21 to 70% by weight, preferably 35 to 55% by weight, based on the cleaning agent,
and to build up an increased viscosity

b) one or more alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol and butylene glycol, preferably as potassium or sodium alcoholate,
in a total amount of from 0.5 to 40% by weight, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably from 2 to 8% by weight, all percentages by weight based on the total cleaning agent,
and

c) if appropriate, the alcohols corresponding to the alkoxide and / or foam inhibitors and / or builder components and / or paraffin oil and / or surfactants and / or alkali metal hydroxide as. Solid and / or other in washing and cleaning agents customary adhesives, wherein the water content of the cleaning agent is 10 to 35 wt.%.

The cleaning agents according to the invention have a finished state pasty or firm consistency, the transitions being fluid. she are preferably not pumpable at room temperature. The inventive However, consistency can also take the form of cut resistance, for example express. Many of the solid detergents according to the invention are during the Processing still pourable and shaping even after prolonged storage compressible.

The agents can post-cure during storage. Especially with the addition of Solid fine alkali hydroxide, this curing process can very quickly run. Particularly advantageous is the use of up to 35 wt .-% preferably 2 to 25% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 15% by weight, of solid Alkali hydroxide based on the total agent. By addition of surfactants, Paraffin oil and polyhydroxy compounds can turn the curing process be delayed.

The delayable curing time is measured by the stirring process is continued after addition of all components and until it stops is tracked as a result of curing. Purely phenomenological has the composition at the time that is called curing and the can be controlled, a consistency in which you can not, as desired, through a down at a production boiler located drain pipe can let, or can flow out of an upside down beaker.

Another object of the invention is a process for the preparation of these Medium. They are obtained in the simplest case by stirring the alcoholates into the alkali solution. Especially preferred agents are obtained, if necessary after that, foam inhibitors and / or Builderkomponenten, then surfactants and / or paraffin oil and finally 0.1 to 35 wt.%, Preferably 2 to 25 wt.%, Based on the total Medium solid alkali hydroxide, preferably potassium or sodium hydroxide, especially preferably sodium hydroxide may be added.

Another object of the invention is the use of these means for machine cleaning of dishes and surfaces and washing of Laundry.

In the inventive choice of the composition of matter are in the simplest case in addition to alkali, no other additives except the alkoxide as a thickener necessary to solidify the desired inventive solidifying To achieve effect in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Here, the consistency by the preferred further addition of suitable amounts of paraffin oil, surfactants and solid alkali hydroxide over a period of application favorable period, at be maintained in an easily stirrable condition, i. e. it a controlled delay of material curing can be achieved.

Finally, the water content is a critical parameter; he lies between 10 and 35 wt .-%, advantageously between 20 and 30 wt .-%.

Due to the high NaOH content, the pH of the invention Detergent above 13.

The cleaning agents of the invention can over the already mentioned Ingredients addition to other common in alkaline cleaners ingredients contain, so far as the inventive variable strength not get lost. In this sense, the cleaning agent of alkali lye, preferably Potassium and caustic soda, particularly preferably sodium hydroxide solution, substance I. or the corresponding alcohol and optionally solid alkali hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, as well as surfactants and / or paraffin oil as the carrier phase for other common in cleaning agents ingredients.

As alcoholates become more commercial Alcohols, with the exception of the alcoholates of ethylene glycol and 1,2-propylene glycol used. They are alcoholates of Ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol and butylene glycol. At the same time, the alkyl chain content is differentiated Properties achieved. Thus, with increasing chain length, the gradually decrease the thickening effect of alcoholates. Also branches In the alkyl chain, a change in the thickening process seems to be effected. there The alkoxides can be prepared by the usual methods of organic chemistry easily manufactured. There is also the option of the alcoholates in situ by adding the corresponding alcohols to the alkali hydroxide solution drops. Depending on the position of the balance remains one the amount of alcohol corresponding to the alcoholate as such in the solution.

The amount of alcoholate added should be 0.5 to about 40% by weight, preferably about 1 to about 10 wt .-% based on the total Cleaning agent amount. Since the alkoxide with the corresponding Alcohol in equilibrium is possibly contained free alcohol mathematically included in the Alkoholatmenge, in polyhydric alcohols as a monoalcoholate.

As surfactants, both anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants can be used. The cleaning performance is decisively influenced by the amount of surfactants. In particular, of their concentration but also depends on the curing time after addition of all components. Depending on the application z. B. in the cleaning of dishes and surfaces weakly foaming surfactants, especially nonionic surfactants, in an amount of up to 10 wt.%, Preferably 0.1 to 5 wt .-% and particularly preferably 0.5 to 4 wt .-% be included. Normally, extremely low-foam compounds are used for automatic dishwashing. These include preferably C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ -Alkylpolyethylenglykolpolypropylenglykolether each with up to 8 moles of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in the molecule. But you can also use other known as low-foaming nonionic surfactants such. B. C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ -Alkylpolyethylenglykolpolybutylenglykolether each with up to 8 moles of ethylene oxide and butylene oxide in the molecule and endgruppenverschlossene Alkylpolyalkylenglykolmischether.

If the mixtures according to the present invention for machine Washing are used, it is recommended that a higher surfactant content, which is usually up to 30 wt .-%, preferably 0.1 to 15 particularly preferred 1 to 10 wt .-% and most preferably 2 to 4 wt .-% based on the total means may be. You then use next to or instead of nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants especially anionic Surfactants, preferably from the group of alkylbenzenesulfonates, the fatty alcohol sulfates and the fatty alcohol ether sulfates.

Paraffin oil, which according to the invention may contain up to 10% by weight, Long-chain hydrocarbons are understood as being branched or unbranched could be. In a preferred embodiment, they are the inventive Agents in amounts between 0.1 and 8 wt .-% particularly preferred between 0.5 and 5 wt .-% added.

Optionally, the cleaning agents may additionally builders in one Amount of up to 60 wt .-%, preferably 15 to 40 wt .-%, included.

The builder contained in the cleaning agents according to the invention In principle, any substance can be that in the state of the art as in the broadest sense for washing and cleaning agent suitable builder is known. Preferably Water-soluble builder substances are used, these in the However, agents of the invention may be present undissolved. Also the Coated builders known in the art can be used and are even preferred when bleached with chlorine is working.

As builders z. As alkali phosphates in question, in the form of their Sodium or potassium salts may be present. Examples include: tetrasodium diphosphate, Pentasodium triphosphate, so-called sodium hexametaphosphate and the corresponding potassium salts or mixtures of sodium hexametaphosphate and the corresponding potassium salts or mixtures Sodium and potassium salts.

Furthermore, complexing agents are mentioned, such as. B. nitrilotriacetate or ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Also soda and Borax count within the scope of the present Invention to the builders.

Further possible water-soluble builder components are, for. B. organic Polymers of native or synthetic origin, especially polycarboxylates. In Consider, for example, polyacrylic acids and copolymers of maleic anhydride and acrylic acid and the sodium salts of these polymeric acids. Commercially available products are z. Sokalan® CP 5 and PA 30 from BASF, Alcosperse® 175 and 177 from Alco, LMW® 45 N and SP02 ND from Norsohaas. Suitable native polymers include, for example, oxidized starch (eg DE 42 28 786) and polyamino acids such as polyglutamic acid or polyaspartic acid, z. B. the companies Cygnus, Bayer, Rohm & Haas, Rhone-Poulenc or SRCHEM.

Other possible builder components are naturally occurring hydroxycarboxylic acids such as B. mono-, dihydroxy-succinic acid, α-hydroxypropionic acid, Citric acid, gluconic acid, and their salts. Citrates are preferably used in the form of trisodium citrate dihydrate.

As builders, amorphous metasilicates or sheet silicates may furthermore be mentioned. Even crystalline phyllosilicates are suitable builders, provided that they are sufficiently stable to alkali; crystalline phyllosilicates are marketed by the company Hoechst AG (Germany) under the trade name Na-SKS, z. Na-SKS-1 (Na ₂ Si ₂₂ O ₄₅ .xH ₂ O, Kenyaite), Na-SKS-2 (Na ₂ Si ₁₄ O ₂₉ .xH ₂ O, magadiite), Na-SKS-3 (Na ₂ Si ₈ O ₁₇ .xH ₂ O), Na-SKS-4 (Na ₂ Si ₄ O ₉ .xH ₂ O), makatite), Na-SKS-5 (α-Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ ), Na-SKS -7 (β-Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ , natrosilite), Na-SKS-11 (τ-Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ ) and Na-SKS-6 (δ-Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ ).

Particularly preferred are builders from the group pentasodium triphosphate, Trisodium citrate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, Sodium salts of polyacrylic acid and of maleic acid - acrylic acid - Copolymers, soda, alkali silicate and mixtures thereof.

Bleaches customary in detergents and cleaners can also be used in the novel bleaches Be contained means, then preferably in amounts between 0.5 and 10% by weight, and more preferably between 1.5 and 10% by weight. These may be selected from the group of oxygen-based bleaching agents, such as sodium perborate, also in the form of its hydrates, or sodium percarbonate, or from the Group of chlorine-based bleaches, such as N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonic acid amide, Trichloroisocyanuric acid, alkali metal dichloroisocyanurate, alkali hypochlorites, and alkali hypochlorites releasing agents, with particularly alkali stable bleaching compositions are preferred. These can be both alkaline stable substances or by suitable methods such as surface coating or passivation be stabilized components.

Further possible ingredients in the cleaners according to the invention are defoamers. These may be in concentrations between 0.1 and 5 wt.%, Preferably 0.5 and 3 wt .-% are used when a selected surfactant under foam too much in the given circumstances, or act foam-suppressing foaming food particles in the dishwasher. Under defoamers one understands all known in the prior art foam-damping substances, but preferably those based on silicone and paraffin, more preferably on Paraffin-based, as z. B. in DE 34 00 008, DE 36 33 518, the DE 30 00 483, DE 41 17 032, DE 4323410, WO 95/04124 and the DE 196 20 249 are. But other defoamers can be used.

Other optional ingredients are e.g. Dyes or alkali stable Perfumes. Although abrasive ingredients may in principle contain However, preferably the cleaning agents of the invention are free thereof.

Although in addition thickeners such. B. swellable phyllosilicates of Montmorillonite type, bentonite, kaolin, talc or carboxymethylcellulose optional can be used to vary the strength, they are to achieve the desired controllable solids properties and the consistency of Cleaning agent according to the invention not required, d. H. on such Thickener can be dispensed with.

The use of high-melting paraffins or high-melting polyethylene glycols for the solidification of mixtures is here to achieve the inventive Success not necessary. In addition, however, such funds may be included. Also, the use of long-chain fatty acids and long-chain Fatty acid salts, as used in the soap industry (chain lengths between C12 and C18) is not sufficient to achieve the strength according to the invention required. In general, however, such substances are the inventive Success not detrimental. Also is the production of liquid crystalline structures not necessary for thickening.

Other subjects of the invention result from the strengthening effect the alcoholates in combination with solid alkali hydroxide, preferred Potassium or sodium hydroxide, more preferably sodium hydroxide Alkali, preferably potassium and caustic soda, more preferably caustic soda, with the subsequent delay of cure by the addition of surfactants and / or paraffin oils.

Thus, the use of alcoholates as solidifying agents for water-based detergents for the automatic rinsing of dishes or for washing textiles containing alkali metal hydroxide Sodium hydroxide, with subsequent sequential addition of various Components, in particular of paraffin oil and / or surfactants in combination claimed with the subsequent addition of solid NaOH.

Furthermore, a method for solidifying aqueous 42 to 55 wt.% Iger Alkali solution, preferably potassium and sodium hydroxide, more preferably sodium hydroxide claimed. The method is characterized in that one such Alkali solution with stirring an alkoxide is added and so a paste-like preparation, which is followed by one or more components from the classes of paraffin foam inhibitors and / or builders and / or paraffin oil and / or surfactants are added before solid Alkali hydroxide, preferably potassium or sodium hydroxide, more preferably Sodium hydroxide or a mixture of these substances is added to a delayed, controlled and variable curing of the cleaning material too to reach. In general, the process at 20 ° C to 50 ° C is preferred at 30 to 48 ° C particularly preferably carried out at 38 to 42 ° C. Because at higher Temperatures increase the solubility of NaOH in water, then the content NaOH in the aqueous solution also be more than 55 wt .-%. Accordingly, at lower temperatures, the NaOH content is also below 42 wt .-% are. The restriction to 42 to 55% by weight NaOH solutions is therefore limited essentially to temperatures of 20 ° C to 25 ° C.

A particular advantage of the invention is that the stirrability and thus associated benefits are already given at room temperature. In some Cases, e.g. at greatly increased viscosity of the thickened alkali, preferred Potassium and caustic soda, particularly preferably sodium hydroxide, may be added before addition the solid ingredients are low, to reduce the viscosity slightly to go up with the temperature. The consistency of the invention can but in almost all cases below 42 ° C, preferably between 38 ° C and 42 ° C be realized, so that less temperature-stable components, such as Example, chlorine-containing bleach in the detergents of the invention can be incorporated.

In particular, an early hardening of the cleaning agent as a result of Addition of solid alkali hydroxide counteracted by previously other Components, for example foam inhibitors, builders, paraffin oils and / or surfactants are added. Depending on the desired curing time all or only certain substances of these classes can be added. A maximum curing time is achieved if all of the above Substances are added in this order, before firm Alkali hydroxide is mixed for solidification. In a preferred Embodiment becomes after completion of the addition of the alcoholates for at least 3 minutes, preferably for 10 to 20 minutes before stirring you add the other components, after their addition, respectively is stirred for at least 3 minutes, preferably 8 to 15 minutes.

Thus, the preparation of the cleaning agent, for example, in a stirred tank at 20 to 50 ° C, preferably at 30 to 48 ° C, more preferably at 38 - 42 ° C take place. The detergent has procedurally by the sequence-bound Addition of paraffin oils and / or surfactants has the advantage that the curing of the detergent can be delayed so long that it no solid deposits can occur in the production equipment. Afterwards, the detergent can be stored at approx. 40 ° C in the sales container be bottled and e.g. via a cooling tunnel to about 20 ° C to reach the be cooled according to the invention consistency. But also other methods the filling and return to room temperature are conceivable.

The application of the solid detergent according to the invention can, for. B. in the Make sure that in a container (capacity, for example, 0.5 to 10 kg) of controllable strength sprayed with water sprayed is and the so-dissolved detergent is used, for. In a dishwasher is metered. Here, for example, offers a from the company Henkel Hygiene GmbH under the name Topmater® P40 sold dosing device or a marketed by Henkel-Ecolab Solid Dosing Unit V / VT-2000 on. Pasty cleaners can be used with Help of suitable, strong pressure exerting devices directly into the Application liquor are dosed or also first with water in one brought liquid form and dosed in this form.

Examples

1. Detergents of the compositions 1 to 3 shown in Table 1 were prepared with differences in the order of addition of the components and the composition of the detergents. 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was placed in a 2 liter beaker and heated to 38 to 40 ° C. With slow stirring in of methanol (60 rpm), the temperature rose to about 46 ° C. Stirring was continued for 15 minutes, after which paraffin defoamer was added and again stirred for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the temperature was reduced to 38 to 40 ° C and kept constant. The optionally added further components of the compositions were added in the order shown in the table; after their addition, stirring was continued for 10 minutes. After addition of the last component (chlorine carrier) was determined by a person skilled in the time to that degree of hardness of the composition, the stirring at 38 to 40 ° C only very difficult or not at all allowed. From a purely phenomenological point of view, the composition after this point had a consistency in which it could not have been drained off, as desired, by a drainpipe located at the bottom of a production kettle. Composition of detergents 1 and 2 (percent by weight) ingredient 1 2 Caustic soda (50% aq) 50 40 methanol 6 8th Paraffin defoamers 1.5 1.5 NaOH (solid) (Microprills) 15 25 paraffin oil 2 3.5 surfactant 3.5 - sodium triphosphate 15 15 Chlorine carrier (coated) 7 7 consistency firmly Hard Approximate max. Stirring time (in minutes) <60 <10

2. In an analogous manner to Examples 1 to 2, the cleaning agents 3 to 7 described in more detail in Table 2 were prepared using ethanol for alkoxide formation. Here the Paraffinentschäumer and the solid NaOH were entered as last components. Composition of cleaners 3 - 7 (weight percent) ingredient 3 4 5 6 7 NaOH 50% 51.5 39 39 44 47 ethanol 7 6 6 6 6 sodium triphosphate 30 26 26 26 26 glycerin 1 3 3 soda 10 6.8 5.8 3.8 Paraffin defoamers 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 NaOH Microprills 21 21 16 18 Stirring time in minutes > 180 <5 25 45 > 180

3. In an analogous manner to Examples 1 to 7, Examples 8 to 9 described in more detail in Table 3 were prepared using methanol or 1,3-butanediol for alkoxide formation. Composition of detergents 8 - 9 (weight percent) ingredient 8th 9 NaOH 50% 85 85 51.5 51.5 Butanediol 1.3 10 10 12 methanol 12 NaOH Microprills 5 Sodium nitrilotriacetate 5 25 25 soda 10 10 Paraffin defoamers 1.5 1.5 surfactant consistency paste Solid Examples 1, 2 and 8 are comparative examples.

4. In a manner analogous to the preceding examples, Examples 10 to 16 described in more detail in Table 4 were prepared. As last components, the chlorine carrier and then the solid NaOH were incorporated.

Claims (12)

1. A pasty to solid, hydrous alkaline cleaning agent containing

   a) thickened, aqueous alkali solution, preferably potassium and/or sodium hydroxide solution, preferably having 42-55%, in an amount of from 21 to 70 wt.-%, preferably from 35 to 55 wt.-%, relative to the cleaning agent, for developing increased viscosity;

   b) an alcoholate or a plurality of alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol and butylene glycol, preferably in the form of potassium or sodium alcoholate, in an overall amount of from 0.5 to 40 wt.-%, preferably from 1 to 10 wt.-%, more preferably from 2 to 8 wt.-%, all weight percentages relative to the overall cleaning agent; and

   c) optionally the alcohols corresponding to the alcoholate of b) and/or foam inhibitors and/or builder components and/or paraffin oil and/or surfactants and/or alkali hydroxide in the form of a solid and/or other ingredients customary in detergents and cleaning agents, the water content ranging from 10 to 35 wt.-%.
2. The agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally contains solid alkali hydroxide with up to 35 wt.-%, preferably 2 to 25 wt.-%, relative to the overall agent.
3. The agent according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it contains surfactants in amounts of up to 30 wt.-%, preferably from 0.1 to 15 wt.-%, more preferably between 1 and 10 wt.-%, and especially preferably between 2 and 4 wt.-%, relative to the overall agent.
4. The agent according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the surfactants are selected from the group of non-ionic surfactants, alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates and mixtures thereof.
5. The agent according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains paraffin oil in amounts of up to 10 wt.-%, preferably between 0.1 and 8 wt.-%, and particularly between 0.5 and 5 wt.%, relative to the overall agent.
6. The agent according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it contains builder substance in an amount of up to 60 wt.%, preferably from 15 to 40 wt.-%, relative to the overall agent.
7. The agent according to claim 6, characterized in that the builder substance is selected from the group of pentasodium triphosphate, trisodium citrate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium salts of polyacrylic acid and of maleic acid/acrylic acid copolymers, soda, alkali silicate and mixtures thereof.
8. A method for the production of cleaning agents according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the aqueous alkali hydroxide solution is added with stirring with an alcoholate or a plurality of alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol and butylene glycol, preferably in the form of potassium or sodium alcoholate and/or the corresponding alcohols, optionally followed by foam inhibitors and/or builder components, thereafter surfactants and/or paraffin oil, and finally solid alkali hydroxide with 0.1 to 35 wt.-%, preferably 2 to 25 wt.-%, relative to the overall agent.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the addition of one or more alcoholates of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol and butylene glycol, preferably in the form of potassium or sodium alcoholate or the corresponding alcohol, is followed by stirring for at least 3 minutes, preferably between 10 and 20 minutes.
10. The method according to any of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that each further addition of material is followed by stirring for at least 3 minutes, preferably between 8 and 15 minutes.
11. Use of a hydrous solid agent according to any of claims 1 to 7 for cleaning surfaces and crockery.
12. Use of a hydrous solid agent according to any of claims 1 to 7 for washing laundry.