EP1781768B1 - Coated shaped detergent or cleaning agent body - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods for manufacturing a washing- or cleaning-agent shaped element, encompassing the steps of a) making available a shaped element that comprises a cavity in the form of a recess or a passthrough hole, b) applying a coating agent onto the surface of the shaped element so that the surface coverage of the coated shaped-element surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg/cm2, are suitable for the manufacture of washing- or cleaning-agent shaped elements having excellent hardness and good solubility.

Description

The present invention relates to coated detergent tablets and to processes for their production. In particular, the present application relates to shaped bodies which have a cavity in the form of a depression or a through hole and whose surface coverage of the coated molding surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² .

Detergents or cleaners are now available to the consumer in a variety of forms. In addition to washing powders and granules, this offer also includes, for example, detergent concentrates in the form of extruded or tabletted compositions. These fixed, concentrated or compressed forms of supply are characterized by a reduced volume per dosing unit and thus reduce the costs for packaging and transport. In particular, the washing or cleaning agent tablets additionally meet the consumer's desire for simple dosing. The corresponding means are comprehensively described in the prior art.

However, tableted detergents or cleaners are more difficult to dissolve than conventional powdered or liquid detergents or cleaners due to the high densification of their constituents.
This can cause problems. Delayed disintegration / dissolution of the ingredients can result in reduced cleaning performance, incomplete flushing of the media through the dispenser compartment, and the formation of stains and encrustations.

Although it can be sufficiently fracture-resistant, i. hard detergent tablets are often produced, but these are often the stresses in packaging, transport and handling, i. Falling and rubbing stresses, not sufficiently grown, so that Kantenbruch- and Abrieberscheinungen affect the appearance of the molding or even lead to a complete destruction of the molding structure.

Despite the numerous publications in the field of detergents or cleaning agents, there remains a need for improving the cleaning performance of these agents, in particular while maintaining or reducing the amounts of washing or cleaning substances used per washing or cleaning cycle.
In the course of the discussion on environmental protection and the saving of resources, there is also a need to reduce the amount of non-washing or cleaning-active materials used for packaging and packaging these agents (eg water-soluble or non-water-soluble polymer films of the outer packaging).

To overcome the dichotomy between hardness, i. Transport and handling stability, and easy disintegration of the moldings, many approaches have been developed in the prior art. An approach known in particular from the pharmaceutical industry and extended to the field of detergent tablets is the incorporation of certain disintegration aids which facilitate the ingress of water or which swell or become gas-evolved or otherwise disintegrate upon the ingress of water. Other proposed solutions from the patent literature describe the compression of premixes of certain particle sizes, the separation of individual ingredients of certain other ingredients and the coating of individual ingredients or the entire molded article with binders.

The coating of detergent tablets is the subject of some patent applications.

This is how the European patent applications describe EP 846 754 A1 . EP 846 755 A1 and EP 846 756 A1 (Procter & Gamble) coated detergent tablets which comprise a "core" of compacted, particulate detergent and cleaning agent and a "coating", being used as coating materials dicarboxylic acids, in particular adipic acid, optionally containing further ingredients such as disintegration aids.

Coated detergent tablets are also the subject of the European patent application EP 716 144 A2 (Unilever). According to the information in this document, the hardness of the tablets can be increased by a "coating", without affecting the disintegration and dissolution times. As coating agents, film-forming substances, in particular copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid or sugar and polyethylene glycols are mentioned.

Detergents or cleaning active preparations in the form of coated mortar tablets are in the publications US 6340664 B1 . WO 00/66701 A1 . WO 02/051976 A1 and EP 1 158 041 A1 (all handles) described.

The proposed solutions disclosed in the prior art use coating materials which are only partially releasable in the later washing or cleaning process and in some cases have to be made disintegratable by the addition of disintegration auxiliaries. In this way, either no or insufficient active substance is available in the liquor at the beginning of the cleaning cycle, or a metering via Einspülkammern of household washing machines is not given without additional costs.

The international application WO 01/05929 A1 (Henkel ) discloses mortar tablets whose trough is closed by means of a foil.

The object of the present application was therefore to provide laundry detergent or cleaning product tablets, which are distinguished by a significantly improved solubility with respect to the known shaped articles of the prior art with the same or comparable breakage hardness. The moldings should in particular have improved cold water solubility. Preferably, the resulting coated moldings should be storable and transportable without further packaging, in particular without further outer packaging of water-insoluble polymer films.

This object has been achieved by a coating method for detergent tablets, in which the tablet surface is coated with a surface coverage of between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² .

1. a) Bereitstellen eines Formkörpers, der eine Kavität in Form einer Mulde oder eines durchgehenden Loches aufweist;
2. b) Aufbringen eines Beschichtungsmittels auf die Oberfläche des Formkörpers, so dass die Oberflächenbedeckung der beschichteten Formkörperoberfläche mit dem Beschichtungsmittel zwischen 0,2 und 50 mg/cm² beträgt;
3. c) Aufsiegeln einer wasserlöslichen oder wasserdispergierbaren Folie auf die beschichtete Oberfläche des Formkörpers durch Heißsiegelung.

A process for producing a laundry detergent or cleaning product molding, comprising the steps

1. a) providing a shaped body having a cavity in the form of a trough or a through hole;
2. b) applying a coating agent to the surface of the molding so that the surface coverage of the coated molding surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² ;
3. c) sealing a water-soluble or water-dispersible film on the coated surface of the molding by heat sealing.

Preferred processes according to the invention are characterized in that the surface coverage of the shaped body is between 0.4 and 40 mg / cm ² , preferably between 0.8 and 30 mg / cm ² and in particular between 1 and 20 mg / cm ² . The proportion by weight of the coating in the total weight of the coated shaped body is preferably less than 2% by weight, preferably less than 1% by weight, more preferably less than 0.7% by weight and in particular less than 0.4% by weight. ,

In the process according to the invention, the coating compositions can be used as pure substances, for example in the form of their melts, but also as dispersions or solutions. In addition to water, organic solvents are also suitable as dispersants, with aqueous dispersions or aqueous solutions being particularly preferred. These dispersions or solutions, in particular the aqueous dispersions or solutions, preferably have a weight fraction of the coating agent below 80% by weight, preferably below 65% by weight, more preferably below 50% by weight and in particular below 40% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the dispersion or solution.

The loading of the shaped body with the coating agent is preferably carried out by spraying. For spraying the moldings, all known to those skilled in the art for this purpose are suitable. The spraying is preferably carried out by means of single-fluid or high-pressure spray nozzles, two-component spray nozzles or three-component spray nozzles. For spraying with single-fluid spray nozzles, the application of a high melt pressure (5-15 MPa) is required, while spraying in dual-fluid spray nozzles takes place by means of a stream of compressed air (at 0.15-0.3 MPa). The spraying with two-component spray nozzles is more favorable, especially with regard to possible blockages of the nozzle, but more expensive due to the high consumption of compressed air. It is also possible to use three-component spray nozzles which, in addition to the stream of compressed air for atomization, are intended to prevent another air guidance system which is intended to prevent blockages and droplet formation at the nozzle. In the context of the method according to the invention, the use of two-component spray nozzles, preferably two-component spray nozzles with a fluid bore of between 1 and 6 mm, in particular between 3 and 5 mm, is particularly preferred.

The nozzles in the process room can spray from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Particularly preferred are methods in which the spray device is integrated into the process chamber limiting side walls and fixed there. Particularly preferred are those methods in which two or more spraying devices are used in the process chamber, wherein at least two of the spraying devices differ with regard to their orientation, that is, with regard to their spraying direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the shaped body and the spraying device are moved relative to one another during the spraying process. This movement can be realized both by a movement of the shaped body and by a movement of the spraying device or by the movement of the shaped body and spraying device. Particularly preferred are those methods in which the spraying device is moved in at least one spatial direction, preferably in two or three spatial directions. If, at the same time, the shaped bodies are also moved, the direction of movement of the spraying device can, for example, run counter to or coincide with the direction of movement of the shaped bodies. Also, a movement of the spraying device orthogonal to the direction of movement of the moldings can be carried out. The moldings can be moved continuously and discontinuously into and through the process space of the spray device.

The droplet diameter of the sprayed-on coating material or of the sprayed coating dispersion or solution is preferably between 1 and 100 μm, particularly preferably between 2 and 80 μm, very particularly preferably between 4 and 70 μm and in particular between 8 and 60 μm. The temperature of the sprayed coating material is preferably between 20 and 90 ° C, preferably between 25 and 60 ° C, more preferably between 30 and 55 ° C and in particular between 40 and 50 ° C.

The advantages of the process according to the invention can be realized in particular by those preferred process variants in which a surface load of the shaped body surface by spraying the sprayed liquid between 0.1 and 200 mg / (cm ² s), preferably between 0.2 and 100 mg when spraying the molded body / (cm ² s), more preferably between 0.4 and 50 mg / (m ² s), and in particular between 0.8 and 20 mg / (cm ² s). The application of the coating composition to the molding is preferably completed in less than 10 minutes, preferably less than 5 minutes, more preferably less than 2 minutes, most preferably less than 1 minute, and most preferably less than 0.5 minutes.

During the spraying process, the detergent tablets are preferably present in isolated form, that is to say without direct contact with one another. The process according to the invention thus differs from those coating processes in which ordered or unordered stacks or piles of shaped articles, for example in drum coaters or coating pans, are coated.

Method, characterized in that the coating agent is sprayed onto the molding, are particularly preferred.

The sprayed washing or cleaning agent shaped body is preferably dried after spraying. The drying can be carried out, for example, thermally and / or by the action of a vacuum. In the case of thermal drying, methods using hot air or heat radiation are preferred. Drying temperatures are preferably between 35 and 90 ° C, preferably between 40 and 80 ° C and in particular between 50 and 70 ° C. The drying of the moldings is usually not complete, that is, not all of the amount of solvent applied by the spraying is removed by the drying.

Particularly preferred are processes in which less than 50% of the applied amount of solvent is evaporated in the drying step. This evaporated portion can be obtained by weighing the uncoated body, the wet body before drying, and the dried body, i. be determined from the measured before and after drying weight increase of the molding.

Particular preference is given to processes according to the invention in which a drying step is dispensed with after spraying the shaped bodies.

The coating agents used are preferably water-soluble organic polymers. In a preferred process variant, the coating material comprises one or more water-soluble polymer (s), preferably a material from the group (optionally acetalized) polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, cellulose, and derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.

Polyvinyl alcohols of a certain molecular weight range are preferably used as the coating material, it being preferred according to the invention that the film material comprises a polyvinyl alcohol whose molecular weight is in the range from 10,000 to 100,000 gmol ^-1 , preferably from 11,000 to 90,000 gmol ^-1 , particularly preferably from 12,000 to 80,000 gmol ^-1 and in particular from 13,000 to 70,000 gmol ^-1 .

The degree of polymerization of such preferred polyvinyl alcohols is between about 200 to about 2100, preferably between about 220 to about 1890, more preferably between about 240 to about 1680, and most preferably between about 260 to about 1500.

Coating materials which comprise a polymer from the group starch and starch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, in particular methyl cellulose and mixtures thereof, are preferred within the scope of the process according to the invention.

Particular preference is given to processes according to the invention in which the coating agent used is a water-soluble organic polymer, preferably a polymer from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and cellulose ether. Of course, mixtures of various substances in the form of their melts, solutions or dispersions are used as coating materials.

The inventive method is suitable for simple as well as repeated coating of the shaped body. A method, characterized in that the coating agent is applied to the molding by the moldings is sprayed several times with a solution or a dispersion of the coating composition, according to the invention are preferred. A "multiple" or "repeated" coating of the shaped body takes place in such a way that the shaped body is dried at least superficially between the individual coating steps. The coating steps are consequently interrupted by a drying step but at least by a waiting time, which preferably exceeds at least one minute, preferably at least two minutes and in particular at least three minutes. Drying steps which are carried out under more severe conditions, that is to say at elevated temperature and / or greater vacuum, may preferably be at least 10 seconds, more preferably at least 30 seconds, preferably at least 40 seconds and in particular reduced to at least 50 seconds.

The surface coverage of the moldings after this repeated coating is preferably between 0.2 and 100 mg / cm ² , preferably between 1 and 80 mg / cm ² , more preferably between 10 and 70 mg / cm ² and in particular between 20 and 60 mg / cm ² .

1. a) Bereitstellen eines Formkörpers, der eine Kavität in Form einer Mulde oder eines durchgehenden Loches aufweist;
2. b) Wiederholtes Aufbringen eines Beschichtungsmittels auf die Oberfläche des Formkörpers, so dass die Oberflächenbedeckung der beschichteten Formkörperoberfläche mit dem Beschichtungsmittel bei jedem Beschichtungsvorgang zwischen 0,2 und 50 mg/cm² beträgt;
3. c) Aufsiegeln einer wasserlöslichen oder wasserdispergierbaren Folie auf die beschichtete Oberfläche des Formkörpers durch Heißsiegelung.

A further subject of the present application is therefore a process for the preparation of a washing or cleaning agent shaped article comprising the steps

1. a) providing a shaped body having a cavity in the form of a trough or a through hole;
2. b) repeatedly applying a coating agent to the surface of the molded article such that the surface coverage of the coated molded article surface with the coating agent at each coating operation is between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² ;
3. c) sealing a water-soluble or water-dispersible film on the coated surface of the molding by heat sealing.

1. a) die LCST Subtanzen
2. b) die Wachse
3. c) die Paraffine

Particularly preferred are those inventive methods in which the molding is coated twice, three or four times. If the coating is repeated a number of times, it is also possible, depending on the field of application of the detergent tablets or cleaning agent tablets, to use different coating agents in the individual coating operations. Such methods, in which different coating materials are used, are particularly preferred according to the invention.
Other coating materials which are suitable in combination with the particularly preferred water-soluble polymers, for example in the form of a molten, dissolved or dispersed mixture, or as a second or third coating material in a repeated coating of the moldings

1. a) the LCST subtances
2. b) the waxes
3. c) the paraffins

LCST substances are substances that have better solubility at low temperatures than at higher temperatures. They are also referred to as substances with lower critical demixing temperature. These substances are usually polymers. Depending on the conditions of use, the lower critical demixing temperature should be between room temperature and the temperature of the heat treatment, for example between 20 ° C, preferably 30 ° C and 100 ° C, in particular between 30 ° C and 50 ° C. The LCST substances are preferably selected from alkylated and / or hydroxyalkylated polysaccharides, cellulose ethers, polyisopropylacrylamide, copolymers of Polyisopropylacrylamids and blends of these substances.

Examples of alkylated and / or hydroxyalkylated polysaccharides are methylhydroxypropylmethylcellulose (MHPC), ethyl (hydroxyethyl) cellulose (EHEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), carboxymethylmethylcellulose (CMMC), Hydroxybutyl cellulose (HBC), hydroxybutylmethylcellulose (HBMC), hydrdoxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylcarboxymethylcellulose (HECMC), hydroxyethylethylcellulose (HEEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxypropylcarboxymethylcellulose (HPCMC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), methylhydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC), methylhydroxyethylpropylcellulose (MHEPC), Methylcellulose (MC) and propylcellulose (PC) and mixtures thereof, with carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose and methylhydroxypropellulose, as well as the alkali metal salts of CMC and the slightly ethoxylated MC or mixtures of the foregoing, being preferred.

Further examples of LCST substances are cellulose ethers and mixtures of cellulose ethers with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Other polymers which exhibit a lower critical demixing temperature in water and which are also suitable are polymers of mono- or di-N-alkylated acrylamides, copolymers of mono- or di-N-substituted acrylamides with acrylates and / or acrylic acids or mixtures of interconnected networks of the above (co) polymers. Also suitable are polyethylene oxide or copolymers thereof, such as ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymers and graft copolymers of alkylated acrylamides with polyethylene oxide, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl methyl ether, certain proteins such as poly (VATGVV), a repeating unit in the natural protein elastin, and certain alginates. Mixtures of these polymers with salts or surfactants can also be used as the LCST substance. By such additions or by the degree of crosslinking of the polymers, the LCST (lower critical demixing temperature) can be modified accordingly.

By "waxing" is meant a number of natural or artificially derived substances which generally melt above 35 ° C without decomposition and are already slightly above the melting point, relatively low viscosity and non-stringy. They show a strong temperature-dependent consistency and solubility. According to their origin, the waxes are divided into three groups, the natural waxes, chemically modified waxes and the synthetic waxes.

The natural waxes include, for example, vegetable waxes such as candelilla wax, carnauba wax, Japan wax, Espartograswachs, cork wax, guaruma wax, rice germ oil wax, sugarcane wax, ouricury wax, or montan wax, animal waxes such as beeswax, shellac wax, spermaceti, lanolin (wool wax), or raffia fat Mineral waxes such as ceresin or ozokerite (groundwax) or petrochemical waxes such as petrolatum, paraffin waxes or microwaxes.

The chemically modified waxes include, for example, hard waxes such as montan ester waxes, Sassol waxes or hydrogenated jojoba waxes.

Synthetic waxes are generally understood as meaning polyalkylene waxes or polyalkylene glycol waxes. Also suitable as coating materials are compounds from other classes of substances which fulfill the stated requirements with regard to the softening point. Suitable synthetic compounds have, for example, higher esters of phthalic acid, in particular dicyclohexyl phthalate, which is commercially available under the name Unimoll ^® 66 (Bayer AG), proved. Also suitable are synthetic waxes made of lower carboxylic acids and fatty alcohols, such as dimyristyl tartrate, sold under the name Cosmacol ^® ETLP (Condea) is available. Conversely, synthetic or partially synthetic esters of lower alcohols can be used with fatty acids from natural sources. This class of substances includes, for example, ^Tegin® 90 (Goldschmidt), a glycerol monostearate palmitate. Shellac, for example shellac KPS three-ring SP (Kalkhoff GmbH) can be used as further substance.

Likewise to the waxes in the context of the present invention, for example, the so-called wax alcohols are calculated. Wax alcohols are higher molecular weight, water-insoluble fatty alcohols having generally about 22 to 40 carbon atoms. The wax alcohols are present, for example, in the form of wax esters of higher molecular weight fatty acids (wax acids) as the main constituent of many natural waxes. Examples of wax alcohols are lignoceryl alcohol (1-tetracosanol), cetyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol or melissyl alcohol. The coating can optionally also contain wool wax alcohols which are understood to be understood triterpenoid and steroid alcohols, for example lanolin, available, for example, under the trade designation Argowax ^® (Pamentier & Co). In the context of the present invention, fatty acid glycerol esters or fatty acid alkanolamides but optionally also water-insoluble or only slightly water-soluble polyalkylene glycol compounds may also be used as part of the coating in the context of the present invention.

Paraffin is the term for a solid or liquid mixture of purified, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons (paraffins). This is readily soluble in ether and chloroform Water, however, not soluble. Both liquid paraffins and paraffin melts can be used in the context of the present invention.

Because of their solubility properties, the liquid and solid paraffins are preferably used as a solution or dispersion in an organic solvent or solvent mixture. However, the use of paraffins without the addition of solvent in the form of melts or liquids is possible.

In the context of the present invention, paraffin waxes have the advantage over the other natural waxes mentioned that the use of preferred washing or cleaning agent shaped bodies coated with paraffin waxes in an alkaline cleaning agent environment does not result in hydrolysis of the waxes (as for example in the case of wax esters), since paraffin wax contains no hydrolyzable groups.

Paraffin waxes consist mainly of alkanes and low levels of iso- and cycloalkanes. The paraffin to be used according to the invention preferably has substantially no constituents with a melting point of more than 70 ° C., more preferably of more than 60 ° C.
Preferred coating materials contain at least one paraffin wax with a melting range from 40 ° C to 60 ° C.

Preferably, the content of the paraffin wax used at ambient temperature (usually about 10 to about 30 ° C) solid alkanes, isoalkanes and cycloalkanes as high as possible. The more solid wax constituents in a wax at room temperature, the more useful it is within the scope of the present invention.

Paraffin waxes applied in the form of their melts preferably solidify within 10 minutes, preferably within 5 minutes and especially within 2 minutes.

The use of hydrophobic substances as a coating material is preferred in the present invention, since these substances improve the storage behavior of the laundry detergent or cleaner moldings according to the invention at high humidities. The increased moisture resistance of the coated body makes it possible to dispense after application of a hydrophobic substance to a seal with a water-soluble or water-dispersible film. However, this is only a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention. On the other hand, it may be preferable to apply a film to the hydrophobic-coated molded body. In this case, the film can be fused at least proportionately with the coating, loosely, that is to enclose the body, or even contain an air cushion, so that the molded body is additionally protected against mechanical effects.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the shaped bodies are coated twice, three times or four times, it being possible in each case for the coating processes to use the same or different coating materials. In principle, in the context of the present application, a distinction is made between coating materials from the group of water-soluble polymers (for example PVA, PVP, gelatin or LCST polymers) and the water-insoluble waxes and the paraffins. The table below gives an overview of a number of particularly preferred sequences of these coating materials. The coating marked as the first layer corresponds to the layer first applied to the shaped body.
Within the following table, the slash (I) takes on the meaning of a "and / or" -link. 1st shift 2 layer 3 layer 4th shift PVA PVA / LCST Wax / paraffin Wax / paraffin PVA PVA - - PVA PVA PVA - PVA PVA PVA PVA PVA LCST - - PVA LCST Wax / paraffin - PVA PVA LCST - PVA PVA LCST Wax / paraffin PVA LCST PVA PVA PVA PVA LCST PVA PVA PVA PVA LCST PVA Wax / paraffin LCST PVA PVA PVA Wax paraffins LCST Wax / paraffin PVA PVA PVA Wax / paraffin PVA LCST PVA

The coating materials can be mixed with active ingredients and active ingredients. Dyes, fragrances or bitter substances are preferably added to the coating materials.

The spatial form of the detergent tablets is not subject to any restriction. Examples are room bodies with a polygonal base area, whereby the body represents a continuation of the polygonal floor space in the room. Preferred examples of the polygonal body are prismatic bodies. Examples of the prismatic body are trigonal prisms, rhombic prisms, orthorhombic prisms, tetragonal prisms, pentagonal prisms, hexagonal prisms, or octagonal prisms. Particularly preferred is a cuboid shape. Examples of other suitable polygonal bodies are trigonal, tetragonal, rhombic, orthorhombic, hexagonal or octagonal pyramids and dipyramids. According to the present invention, the body may also be a hybrid of various geometric bodies. Preference is furthermore given to moldings with an oval or round base surface, wherein the body preferably again represents a continuation of the base surface in the room.

The volume of the detergent tablets is preferably between 12 and 30 ml, preferably between 15 and 25 ml and in particular between 17 and 22 ml. The weight of the tablets is preferably between 10 and 25 g. Such detergent tablets are particularly suitable as dosing units for single use. The dosage of these moldings is usually done via the metering chambers of washing machines or dishwashers. The spatial form of the molding can therefore of course be adapted to any irregular shapes of dosing / Einspülkammern different washing machines and dishwashers. A cuboid shape of the washing or cleaning agent shaped body is preferred insofar as this makes it possible to fill in the usual cuboid insufflation chambers or dishwashers best in terms of volume. In addition, cuboid-shaped detergents or cleaning agents can be stored very well in a space-saving manner.

In particular moldings with convex or concave side surfaces can also be used. A preferred embodiment of a shaped body with a concave side surface is the molded body. The well volume of these shaped bodies preferably corresponds to at least 10% by volume, preferably at least 20% by volume and in particular at least 40% by volume of the molding volume (without the depression).

As an alternative to a trough, the detergent tablets may have a cavity in the form of a through hole. The openings of this hole may be located in adjacent side surfaces and / or in opposite side surfaces of the shaped body. If the openings of the hole are located on mutually opposite sides of the shaped body, the corresponding shaped bodies are also referred to as ring shaped bodies or ring tablets.

The moldings used in the process according to the invention may be, for example, cast bodies, (extruded) extrudates or compactates. With particular preference tablets are used as tablets. To produce tablets, particulate premixes are compacted in a so-called matrix between two punches to form a solid compressed product. This process, hereinafter referred to as tabletting, is divided into four sections: dosing, compaction, plastic deformation and ejection.

Of course, the tablets in the context of the present invention also multi-phase, in particular multi-layered, ausgestalten. The moldings can be made in a predetermined spatial form and predetermined size. As a form of space practically all useful manageable configurations come into consideration, for example, the training as a blackboard, the bar or bar shape, cubes, cuboids and corresponding space elements with flat side surfaces and in particular cylindrical configurations with circular or oval cross-section. This last embodiment covers the presentation form of the tablet up to compact cylinder pieces with a ratio of height to diameter above 1.

After pressing, the detergent tablets have a high stability. The breaking strength of cylindrical shaped bodies can be determined by the measured quantity of the diametral breaking stress. This is determinable $$\mathrm{\sigma }=\frac{2P}{\mathit{\pi Dt}}$$

Herein, σ is the diametrical fracture stress (DFS) in Pa, P is the force in N which results in the pressure applied to the molded article causing the breakage of the molded article, D is the molded article diameter in meters and t the height of the moldings.

As stated at the outset, the stability and hardness of the processed shaped bodies can be improved by the method according to the invention without impairing their decay and dissolution properties. In other words, the molded body after coating with constant dissolution behavior characterized by an increased breaking strength. This unexpected effect becomes particularly clear when using the above-described shaped bodies which have a cavity in the form of a depression or a through hole, in particular if the coating in step b) is applied to the outer surfaces of the molding but not within the cavity , In large-scale processes, a low "contamination" of the surfaces within the cavity can not be avoided under certain circumstances. However, this "contamination" should preferably be less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5 wt .-% and in particular less than 3 wt .-% of the total amount of the applied coating agent amount.

Accordingly, preferred processes according to the invention are characterized in that the coating in step b) takes place on the outer surfaces of the molded body with the cavity, but not within the cavity.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines Formkörpers, vorzugsweise einer Tablette, welche eine Kavität in Form einer Mulde oder eines durchgehenden Loches aufweist;
2. b) Aufbringen eines Beschichtungsmittels auf die Oberfläche des Formkörpers, so dass die Oberflächenbedeckung der beschichteten Formkörperoberfläche mit dem Beschichtungsmittel zwischen 0,2 und 50 mg/cm² beträgt, wobei die Beschichtung auf den Außenflächen des Formkörpers, nicht jedoch innerhalb der Kavität aufgebracht wird;
3. c) Aufsiegeln einer wasserlöslichen oder wasserdispergierbaren Folie auf die beschichtete Oberfläche des Formkörpers durch Heißsiegelung.

A preferred subject matter of the present application is therefore a process for the preparation of a laundry detergent or cleaning product tablet comprising the steps

1. a) providing a shaped body, preferably a tablet, which has a cavity in the form of a trough or a through hole;
2. b) applying a coating agent to the surface of the molding so that the surface coverage of the coated molding surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² , the coating being applied to the exterior surfaces of the molding but not within the cavity;
3. c) sealing a water-soluble or water-dispersible film on the coated surface of the molding by heat sealing.

With particular preference, the coating of the molding is repeated in this process variant, preferably twice, three or four times.

In a preferred process variant, the cavity of the above-described troughed or ring-shaped bodies is filled with a washing- or cleaning-active substance or a washing or cleaning-active substance mixture. As filler materials, preference is given to a) particulate compositions from the group of powders, granules or extrudates or b) liquid or gelatinous preparations. As liquid preparations, for example, solutions or melts can be filled. The filling of the cavity can be carried out before or after the application of the coating material, but also between two coating courses. Preference is given to processes in which the filling takes place after the coating of the shaped body.

The substances or mixtures of substances filled in the cavity can be fixed in the cavity in different ways. In a first preferred embodiment, the substances or substance mixtures in the cavity are fixed by adhesion. In a further preferred embodiment, the substances or substance mixtures are present in a water-soluble or water-dispersible packaging, for example a deep-drawn bag or an injection-molded container, which at least partially fills the cavity and in turn with the molded body by adhesion or a mechanical connection, for example a detent, Snap, plug or clamp connection is connected.

The cavity is preferably filled to at least 70% by volume, preferably at least 80% by volume, more preferably at least 90% by volume and in particular at least 95% by volume of its volume.

In the process according to the invention, after coating, a water-soluble or water-dispersible film is sealed onto the coated surface of the shaped body, the sealing being effected by heat sealing.

The sealed foil can perform a number of different functions. For example, such a film is suitable for fixing the substances or substance mixtures filled in the cavity of the shaped body in this cavity. Furthermore, the breaking strength and / or storage stability of the shaped body can be further increased by means of these films. Preferred film materials used are, in particular, the water-soluble polymers mentioned above from the group (optionally acetalized) polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, cellulose, and derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.

It has surprisingly been found that the sealing of the abovementioned films on the moldings coated according to the invention over seals on conventional moldings is distinguished by increased strength and imperviousness.

A further subject of the present application is a coated washing or cleaning agent shaped article, characterized in that the surface coverage of the coated molding surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg / cm ² and the water-soluble or water-dispersible film is sealed onto the coated surface, characterized in that the shaped body comprises a coated surface and a water-soluble or water-dispersible film, wherein the coating and the water-soluble or water-dispersible film are at least partially fused together.

With regard to the preferred embodiments of these moldings mutatis mutandis apply the information previously given for the inventive method.

In particular, preferred coated detergent tablets have a surface coverage of the coated shaped body surface with the coating agent between 0.4 and 40 mg / cm ² , preferably between 0.8 and 30 mg / cm ² and in particular between 1 and 20 mg / cm ² ,

The coating agent is preferably a water-soluble organic polymer, preferably a polymer from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and cellulose ethers.

The fracture hardness of the coated detergent tablets is preferably above 60 N, preferably above 80 N, particularly preferably above 100 N and in particular above 110 N.

The shaped bodies preferably have a cavity in the form of a depression or a through hole, wherein those shaped bodies which are coated on the outer surfaces but not within the cavity are particularly preferred.

The cavity of the shaped bodies according to the invention is preferably filled.

Inventive detergent tablets are characterized in that the shaped body comprises a coated surface and a water-soluble or water-dispersible film, wherein the coating and the water-soluble or water-dispersible film are at least partially fused together.

The compositions according to the invention or the compositions prepared by the process according to the invention described above contain washing and cleaning substances, preferably washing and cleaning substances from the group of builders, surfactants, polymers, bleaches, bleach activators, enzymes, glass corrosion inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, disintegration aids , Fragrances and perfume carriers. The agents are therefore usually water-soluble or water-dispersible.

In addition to the components described in detail so far, the detergents and cleaners can contain further ingredients which further improve the performance and / or aesthetic properties of these compositions. Preferred agents contain one or more of the group of electrolytes, pH adjusters, fluorescers, hydrotopes, foam inhibitors, silicone oils, anti redeposition agents, optical brighteners, grayness inhibitors, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-crease agents, color transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, antistatic agents, ironing aids , Phobic and impregnating agents, swelling and anti-slip agents and UV absorbers.

Claims (15)

1. A method for manufacturing a shaped washing or cleaning agent body, comprising the steps of:

   a) providing a shaped body, which comprises a cavity in the form of a recess or a through-hole;

   b) applying a coating agent to the surface of the shaped body in such a way that the surface coverage of the coated shaped body surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg/cm²;

   c) sealing a water-soluble or water-dispersible film onto the coated surface of the shaped body by heat sealing.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface coverage of the shaped body is between 0.4 and 40 mg/cm², preferably between 0.8 and 30 mg/cm² and most preferably between 1 and 20 mg/cm² _.
3. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the coating agent is applied by means of a solution or a dispersion, preferably by means of an aqueous solution, preferably by means of an aqueous solution with a proportion by weight of the coating agent of less than 80 % by weight, preferably less than 65 % by weight, more preferably less than 50 % by weight and in particular less than 40 % by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the solution.
4. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a water-soluble organic polymer, preferably a polymer from the group of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and cellulose ether is used as the coating agent.
5. A method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coating agent is sprayed onto the shaped body.
6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the coating agent is applied to the shaped body by spraying the body with a solution or dispersion of the coating agent a plurality of times.
7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating in step b) takes place on the external surfaces of the shaped body but not inside the cavity.
8. A method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the cavity is filled before or after the coating agent is applied in step b).
9. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body, characterized in that the shaped body comprises a cavity in the form of a recess or a through-hole and the surface coverage of the coated shaped-body surface with the coating agent is between 0.2 and 50 mg/cm² and a water-soluble or water-dispersible film is sealed onto the coated surface of the shaped body, characterized in that the shaped body comprises a coated surface and a water-soluble or water-dispersible film, the coating and the water-soluble or water-dispersible film being melted together at least in part.
10. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to claim 9, characterized in that the surface coverage of the coated shaped-body surface with the coating agent is between 0.4 and 40 mg/cm², preferably between 0.8 and 30 mg/cm² and in particular between 1 and 20 mg/cm².
11. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to either claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the coating agent is a water-soluble organic polymer, preferably a polymer from the group of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and cellulose ether.
12. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the coated shaped body has a fracture toughness of more than 60 N, preferably more than 80 N, more preferably more than 100 N and in particular more than 110 N.
13. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the shaped body is coated on the external surfaces but not inside the cavity.
14. A coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the cavity has a filling.
15. A washing or cleaning method using a coated shaped washing or cleaning agent body according to one of claims 9 to 14.