EP3033411A1

EP3033411A1 - Multiphase cleaning tablet

Info

Publication number: EP3033411A1
Application number: EP14747358.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Meinrad Budich
Original assignee: Budich International GmbH
Current assignee: Budich International GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-14
Filing date: 2014-07-31
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-31
Also published as: EP3033410A1; US20160186107A1; DE102014110847A1; EP3033411B1; US20160194585A1; WO2015022196A1; US10053656B2; WO2015022195A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multiphase cleaning tablet (1) comprising a first cleaner phase with an alkali system made of one or more components, at least one component of which contains sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), said component not being suitable for touching, and comprising a second cleaner phase for covering the first cleaner phase. The second cleaner phase contains substantially no components which are not suitable for touching, in particular no corrosive, toxic, or hygroscopic components, optionally no irritating components either, and the cleaning tablet is designed as an at least three-layer tablet with a first layer (10) of the second cleaner phase, a second central layer (12) of the first cleaner phase, and a third layer (14) of the second cleaner phase. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a multiphase cleaning tablet (1) and to the use thereof for cleaning kitchen devices, in particular of the commercial kitchen field.

Description

Multi-phase cleaning tablet

The present invention relates to a multi-phase cleaning tablet, a manufacturing method for a multi-phase cleaning tablet and a use of this multi-phase cleaning tablet for cleaning kitchen appliances, especially in the commercial kitchen area.

On the market a variety of detergents for heavily soiled surfaces and cooking appliances are known based on different active substances. Frequently, these active substances are corrosive, irritating or toxic, so that they should be handled only under appropriate safety precautions. Thus, for example, highly alkaline cleaning tablets (see, for example, DE Application 10 2013 100 195.5), which are generally designed for commercial applications, are given the marking "corrosive" and, according to safety instructions, should only be handled with gloves.

Experiments with water-soluble protective films, for example made of polyvinyl alcohol, have a relatively short life due to the high alkalinity, since the films harden after a short storage period, often after only a few weeks, become brittle and lose their water-soluble properties.

Since it is not ensured that always all users adhere to the safety instructions of the handling instructions, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning tablet that allows a particularly highly alkaline component and yet a reliable application or safe handling. Another object is to specify a manufacturing method for such cleaning tablets. The objects described here and further are achieved on the one hand by a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1, a manufacturing method for such a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 9 and on the other hand by a use of the multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 14. Such a multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention comprises a first cleaning phase with an alkali system comprising one or more components, of which at least one contact-unsuitable component contains sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), and a second detergent phase for covering the first detergent phase, wherein the second detergent phase contains substantially no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components.

Contact inadequate components are for the purposes of the invention, such ingredients that either should not come into contact with the skin, as they are either hazardous or highly irritating, such as the above-mentioned highly alkaline component sodium hydroxide or other corrosive, or toxic or irritating compounds, or components which change chemically or physically upon contact with the skin or the environment, such as B. hygroscopic compounds. In other words, contact-inappropriate components are those compounds that should come into contact with the skin or the environment as little as possible or not at all.

Toxic means substances or mixtures that are toxic or harmful to humans when inhaled, when in contact with the skin or when ingested. Corrosive means substances or mixtures that can cause burns. First and foremost, this means burns to the human skin or mucous membranes. Highly irritating are substances or mixtures that can cause serious eye damage. Both are usually already given at pH values less than 2 or greater than 1 1.

By irritant is meant substances or mixtures that irritate the eyes, the respiratory system or the skin. This is usually already given at pH values less than 4 or greater than 10. Under weakly irritant one understands compounds or substances, which can lead to at best to small skin irritations and z. B have a pH of 8 to 10 or 4 to 5.

Hygroscopic compounds are compounds which, when in contact with water or moisture, e.g. B. humidity, absorb the water to a high degree and even partially build in their crystal lattice or form hydrates. Highly hygroscopic compounds are compounds which, for example, absorb at least one third of their own weight of water and / or, due to their hygroscopicity, partially also for drying air however, such as common salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, silica gel, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, methylglycine diacetic acid, soda, phosphate, metasilicate and many acids also behave hygroscopically. On the other hand, contact-suitable components are those compounds and substances which, on contact with the skin or the environment, cause little to no damage or hardly or not at all change. Basically, this may include light irritant compounds that cause no permanent damage or only slight irritation of the skin. The fact that the second detergent phase contains "essentially no" unsuitable components is therefore to be understood as meaning that the components in the detergent phase are preferably not present at all or only in quantities such that these conditions are met with respect to contact with the detergent phase. Polyphase in the sense of the invention is a cleaning tablet with three or more layers or layers which are arranged one above the other to form a cleaning tablet with a layered structure of the first and second detergent phases and optionally further detergent phases such horizontal layer structures are often referred to as sandwich structures. According to the invention, the cleaning tablet has at least three layers arranged one above the other, with a first layer of the second detergent phase, a second, middle layer of the first detergent phase and a third layer of the second detergent phase the first layer and the third layer comprise a similar or identically composed second detergent phase, or may in principle include different components as long as they fall within the definition that they comprise substantially exclusively or predominantly contact-suitable or substantially no contact-inappropriate component. For example, a preferred embodiment comprises a three-layer cleaning tablet comprising a first layer of a second detergent phase, a second, middle layer of a first detergent phase and a third layer of a second detergent phase having a different composition to the second detergent phase of the first layer. The compositions of the two outer layers can have both chemical and physical differences. Such a layered construction advantageously makes it possible to cover the first detergent phase from two sides, which are preferably selected such that the two largest sides are covered by the second detergent phase. Thus, only on the edge surfaces of such a layered cleaning tablet one does not completely remain covered first cleaning phase with the contact-unsuitable, ie in particular the irritating, corrosive, or toxic, components. This outwardly uncovered first detergent phase, z. B. at the edges of a cleaning tablet, is relatively small from the areal proportion compared to the covered area shares. Thus, in a rather simple manner, an appropriate coverage of the first cleaning phase can be achieved with the contact-unsuitable components from two opposite sides, which is generally sufficient to allow safe handling, for example, without gloves or other safety precautions.

By, for example, color design of the second cleaning phase, the user can be made aware of the layers of the second cleaning phase, which contains no corrosive or toxic and preferably also no irritating components. By a different color design, for example, a warning color, the first cleaning phase, with which any contact is to be avoided, can be signaled.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a manufacturing method for such a cleaning tablet, which comprises the step of preparing an at least three-layered cleaning tablet having a first detergent phase with at least one component containing sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and a second detergent phase in the form of a cover the first detergent phase on at least two opposite sides of the first detergent phase comprises.

This covering step can advantageously provide a cleaning tablet in which the two outer layers are formed from the second cleaning phase. These can also be handled without excessive safety regulations, for example without gloves, since they contain no corrosive or toxic and optionally also no irritating components. The user does not get in contact with the corrosive or toxic or irritating components of the central first cleaning phase in the usual application of these cleaning tablets. This advantageous distribution of the respective constituents into the different compartments of a multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention offers a simple and cost-effective provision of a cleaning tablet for safe handling. The tableting processes used in this case are generally known to the person skilled in the art. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of this cleaning tablet according to the invention for cleaning kitchen appliances, especially from the commercial kitchen area, such. As commercial dishwashers, ovens, grills, convection, large cooking vessels, degreasing. As a result of the improved handling, an increased safety of the user compared with the conventional cleaning tablets, which frequently contain strongly alkaline, ie corrosive or even irritating cleaner components, in particular also in the outer layers because of their good solubility, can be achieved. Further preferred embodiments and further developments of the cleaning tablet according to the invention and the production method according to the invention and the use of such a cleaning tablet are also evident from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments and the examples given. In this case, the production method or the use can also be designed in accordance with the dependent claims of the cleaning tablet according to the invention or of the production method.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning tablet according to the invention has a cylindrical or cuboidal shape. Cylindrical or cuboid tablets generally have a smaller height than width, so that the edges or the lateral surface are preferably smaller than the two opposite base surfaces. Because of these basic forms of cleansing tablets, it is advantageous to take the bases as those areas which are covered by the second cleansing phase. This achieves a predominant coverage of the first cleaning phase by the second cleaning phase, so that the handling can be improved.

In order to improve the protection of the user, it is advantageous if at least a part of a region of the contact-unsuitable first cleaning phase, which is not covered by a layer of the second cleaning phase, is provided with a water-soluble, preferably rapidly water-soluble, protective film. This applies in particular to areas of the peripheral edges of the cleaning tablet, ie the surfaces bounding the tablet transversely to the layering. The water-soluble protective film preferably consists of a cooled or hardened liquid coating composition, which is stable with respect to the first and second detergent phases and dissolves quite quickly during use, ie at the beginning of the cleaning process. The additional covering of the edges or the lateral surface of the cleaning tablet allows additional protection against accidental However, contacting the first detergent phase with the component containing sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) during handling of the detergent tablet hardly or never interferes with the dissolution process of the first and second detergent phases in use. Water-soluble substances which can preferably be applied in liquid form (for example as a solution or melt) and then form a water-soluble protective film are suitable for the coating composition. Preferred examples of these are sugar compounds, polyethylene glycols and solid or meltable surfactants or polymers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first cleaning phase comprises a metasilicate. This additional component can impart high alkalinity to the first detergent phase in addition to sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Metasilicates, such as sodium hydroxide, are classified as highly irritating or corrosive components subject to mandatory labeling. An alkaline detergent phase in the context of the invention is a phase which, when dissolved in water (in a 1% strength solution), preferably sets an alkaline pH of greater than 10, particularly preferably greater than 12. In this case, one or a combination of several of these alkaline components or in combination with additional alkaline agents can be used in the alkaline cleaning tablet in order to suitably adjust the alkalinity (also called "basicity") for the solution of fats and proteins from soiled surfaces Adjustment of the pH is often sufficient, and detergents on an alkaline basis may have a cleaning action based on complex-forming groups or surface-active groups, as long as they can develop their action in an alkaline medium (pH greater than 10) Additional detergent component may be combined in one substance, but may also be separate substances as long as they are included together in the first detergent phase.

The cleaning tablet according to the invention contains a total of alkaline cleaner components preferably in a total amount of about 20 to 80 wt .-%, more preferably in a proportion of about 40 to 70 wt .-%. Based on the first detergent phase in which the strongly alkaline components are concentrated, the alkaline detergent components can account for up to 100% by weight.

As exemplary toxic, corrosive or irritating components for the first detergent phase, which can be used in addition to the alkaline component (caustic soda and possibly metasilicate, soda), biocides (eg quaternary ammonium compounds) can be used. gen) are called. Their proportions are in the above areas or the expert knows in which concentrations the respective substances are used appropriately. Biocides can be used with a desired disinfecting effect, in particular in rather lower concentrations below 10%, preferably below 5%.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second cleaning phase of the cleaning tablet according to the invention comprises a weak alkali system which contains, for example, soda and / or di-silicates, but is at best irritant in the composition (ie in a 1% solution, for example, a pH of 10 to 1 1) and preferably only has a pH (in a 1% solution) in the weakly alkaline range (about pH 8 to 10). These non-irritating or less irritating alkaline components are suitable for use in the second detergent phase as they can be handled without much safety precautions.

The second detergent phase preferably contains the alkaline detergent components in a total amount of not more than about 40% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 10 to 30% by weight, with respect to the second detergent phase. Preferably, these alkaline components of the first and the second detergent phase of the tablet matrix are mixed, which also falls under the invention, if these in the tablet matrix in the tabletting in whole or in part in more stable products, e.g. Hydrates or oxides, etc., as long as this conversion is reversible again in the use of the cleaning tablet in water, thus providing the desired alkalinity (also called "basicity") The tablet matrix may also be composed of the alkaline component itself the solution of fats and proteins from soiled surfaces is often sufficient to adjust the pH, although detergents based on alkaline substances may also have a cleaning action based on complex-forming groups or surface-active groups, and protein-denaturing alkaline substances may also be used as cleaner components as long as they can develop their effect in an alkaline environment.

In a further embodiment, the first and / or the second cleaning phase may comprise at least one additional cleaning agent. These substances may, for example, be complexing agents whose additional cleaning action on the complex bilayer personality. But also surfactants can be mentioned as such additional cleaning agents. Exemplary compounds may be selected from the group consisting of ionic or nonionic surfactants or complexing agents, especially phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polymers, layered silicates, N-methylglycinediacetic acid, polyepoxysuccinic acid and gluconates. All these detergents are expediently as little foam-forming as possible in order to avoid excessive foam formation from the outset. Preferred surfactants are fatty alcohol ethoxylates, in particular end-capped Plurafac types (BASF), glucosides (Akzo) or fatty amines. Although anionic surfactants are conceivable, they are less relevant because they are often highly foaming. Alkali-stable phosphonates are z. For example, salts of the nitrilotrismethylene phosphonic acid of the sequion types (polygon) or cublene types (Zschimmer & Schwarz). The polymers used are preferably polycarboxylates (BASF). Complexing agents are preferably used in an amount of not more than 10 to 40% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 15 to 25% by weight, of the cleaning tablet. Surfactants are preferably used in an amount of about 0.2 to 20 wt .-%, more preferably in an amount of about 0.5 to 5 wt .-%, of the cleaning tablet. The quantities given refer in each case to the entire cleaning tablet as well as to the first or second cleaning phase.

The first and / or the second detergent phase may according to a further advantageous embodiment have a tablet matrix with conventional matrix components. For this purpose you may additionally comprise one or more builders (for example water-soluble sulphates such as, for example, Na sulphate) and / or auxiliaries, in particular, for example, binders, tableting aids, disintegrants, dissolution inhibitors, retarding agents or lubricants.

The builders are preferably used in an amount of not more than 20 wt .-%, more preferably in a proportion of not more than 10 wt .-%, of the cleaning tablet. The auxiliaries are preferably used in an amount of not more than 20% by weight, more preferably in a proportion of about 3 to 10% by weight, of the cleaning tablet. The quantities are based on the entire cleaning tablet as well as on the first and second cleaning phase. Excipients for tablets fulfill a wide variety of tasks and are indicated accordingly in the literature. Basically, a distinction is made between the following categories of different excipients, because of their different functions. Binders or disperse additives include starches, celluloses, polyethylene glycol, calcium compounds, bentonites, polysaccharides, sugar compounds, proteins or synthetic polymers.

Exemplary disintegrants include starches, (microcrystalline) celluloses, alginates, polysaccharides, proteins, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidine, polymethacrylate derivatives, or bentonites.

Exemplary dissolution retardants include waxes, ethylcelluloses, fats, polyvinylacetate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, gels or stearates.

Examples of suitable lubricants include fatty acid esters, talc, oils and fats or fatty acids or fumed silica.

Depending on the desired properties of the cleaning tablets, for example in terms of treatability and solubility, as well as to ensure the compressibility of a suitable combination of different auxiliaries or builders is used depending on the application.

In addition, other functional compartments or substances such as, for example, a descaling agent, a rinse aid, an ion exchange agent, a special cleaning agent for further contamination, etc. can also be integrated into the cleaning tablet. For example, you can use your own layers or areas.

Preferably, an adhesive can be used, which connects the individual layers of the first and second detergent phase together. For example, polyethylene glycol can be used for this purpose. In the manufacturing process of the cleaning tablet according to the invention, for example, this is applied in molten form to two opposite sides of the first cleaning phase before three-layered cleaning tablets are subsequently formed from both sides by pressing on prefabricated, solid second detergent phases. Alternatively, the three-layer tablets, e.g. B. with usual for detergent tablets weights of about 10 to 100 g, be pressed in square or round form on a commercial rotary table lathe machine in an integrated form. In this variant, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be introduced as a powder into the tablet matrix. The cleaning tablet according to the invention may preferably be packaged individually or in a defined number in a sealed foil, a so-called flow pack (a tubular bag in which the products are placed horizontally in the bag for packaging), so that they are accurately and simply dosed on occasion can. A single package of each cleaning tablet is preferred, but not necessarily required by the above-described improved handleability, since user exposure to the highly alkaline ingredients in the middle layer has been significantly reduced by masking. Therefore, the cleaning tablets can also without additional packaging in a collective packaging, eg. B. without tubular bag loose or stacked in a sealed plastic container, be packed.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning tablet comprises holes and / or depressions which penetrate one or more layers with the first and / or second detergent phase. The holes or depressions are configured in particular in the upper (or also in the lower) base area with the second detergent phase and either pass completely through the cleaning tablet or protrude at least as far as the middle layer, ie. H. into the first cleaning phase, in order to enlarge the surface of the exposed first cleaning phase. Thereby, the dissolution rate of the layer with the first detergent phase, i. H. the middle layer, although it is covered with cleaner layers for ease of handling. Although these holes or recesses may not be touchable inside due to their dimensions, you can optionally also inside, ie. H. on the inner surfaces or edges, be covered with a water-soluble coating agent.

The manufacturing process for a multi-phase cleaning tablet, e.g. Example, for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial kitchen area, includes, inter alia, the step of producing a cleaning layer at least three layers with a first detergent phase with at least one kontaktungeeigneten, sodium hydroxide-containing component and a second detergent phase in the form of a cover of the first detergent phase at least two opposite sides of the first Cleansing phase, wherein the second cleaning phase contains substantially no contact-unsuitable, especially no corrosive, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components. The production method according to the second aspect of the invention can ensure improved handling of the cleaning tablets by means of simple method steps and commercially available production systems and machines. By placing the corrosive, irritating and toxic components in the middle layer of a cleaning tablet at least three layers, the cleansing tablets can be handled without difficulty.

In order to further improve the handling or safety during handling, in an additional step, a liquid coating composition is applied to at least part of the circumferential sides or edges of the previously prepared, multiphase cleaning tablet which is not covered by the second cleaning phase , As a result, a water-soluble, non-hazardous protective film is formed on these edges or lateral surfaces. A particularly preferred coating only or exclusively on the circumferential sides or edges of the cleaning tablet has the advantage, in addition to saving material, that the two cleaning phases lying outside are uncoated over a large area and therefore dissolve faster than in the case of a complete cleaning coating. After the preparation of the three-layer cleaning tablets, for example in commercially available rotary tabletop machines, the cleaning tablets can then pass by laterally placed nozzles or mechanical devices for applying a liquid coating mass on the conveyor belt.

Advantageously, in the step of applying the coating composition to the cleaning tablet, the cleaning tablet is rotated continuously or discontinuously about its own axis, while the coating composition applied to the edges of the cleaning tablet, particularly preferably sprayed, rolled and / or painted, is. Alternatively, the coating composition can be achieved on the respective edges by immersing the edges in a dipping bath with the liquid coating composition and turning or rolling the tablet edges therein. For this purpose, it is advantageous to supply the tablets to the immersion bath continuously or discontinuously via a conveyor belt running just above the immersion bath and to easily immerse them in the edges for application of the coating mass to the edges. For square tablets (cuboid), it is advantageous to rotate them after application on one side (or two opposite sides) in each case by 90 ° in order to provide all edges with the coating composition. It is preferred to provide a second, third or fourth device for applying the coating composition on the conveyor belt. In the case of cylindrical tablets, it is advantageous to rotate it during application of the coating composition about its axis of rotation, preferably by at least 360 °. The liquid or applied as a solution coating composition is then allowed to cool or harden.

In order to accelerate the curing or cooling, it is advantageous if the manufacturing method additionally comprises the step of cooling the liquid coating composition (melt) by means of a cold air blower or the evaporation of the solvent by means of a cold or hot air blower for solidification of the coating composition.

Subsequently, the finished tablets are packed, for example, in a tubular bag. However, as already indicated above, it is also possible to use other packaging variants due to the special division of the hazardous components in the multi-layer cleaning tablets. For example, it is preferable to store and sell the cleansing tablets without tubular pouches loosely or stacked in a sealed plastic container.

To improve the dissolution rate of the middle layer containing the high proportion of highly alkaline, caustic, toxic, irritating or hygroscopic components, it may be appropriate to improve the attack surface of the water for the resolution of the middle layer by special solution accelerators or by constructive means.

According to a particular embodiment, the surface of the middle layer can be increased by providing the outer layers of the cleaning tablet with one or more possibly continuous holes as mentioned above. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the production method, an additional step can be carried out, namely the provision of holes or depressions which penetrate one or more layers with the first or second detergent phase. For example, in the cleaning tablet with a solid mandrel (eg in a compression mold), one or more penetrating wells can be inserted as far as possible. be inserted into the tablet. This ensures that the water can also penetrate into the tablet from the center of the tablet or from several places and thus dissolves it more quickly on shorter diffusion paths. The cleaning tablet according to the invention can be used in particular for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial sector, which are usually cleaned with alkaline to highly alkaline detergents. Examples are z. As commercial dishwashers, ovens, grills, Konvek- tomatoes, large cooking containers, degreasing systems, and soiled surfaces from the commercial kitchen area, especially such ovens, grills, Vektomaten, large cooking vessels, degreasing with an integrated self-cleaning program. However, this does not preclude the use of the cleaning tablets for ordinary kitchen appliances from the private sector and for soiled items, pots, dishes, etc. which are cleaned more frequently or after each use.

Chlorine-containing ingredients in cleaning tablets are also among the toxic or corrosive substances that can be used in the first cleaning phase. Such multiphase cleaning tablets are used, for example, as sanitary cleaners or toilet blocks.

Another possible application of the multiphase cleaning tablet according to the invention results from the special layer structure of the three-layer tablets, for automatic metering devices. If the tablets are to be used in an automatic metering device in which the individual tablets can no longer be protected individually in a tubular bag (so-called flowpacks), they lie directly on or against one another without protection. The tablets are stacked in the metering device, wherein usually the lowest tablet can be dosed by a mechanical slide in the device. Since the outer layers contain no highly alkaline ingredients, which are generally highly hygroscopic, they can not stick together due to the influence of humidity. This ensures safe single dosing. In that regard, the term "contact unsuitable" may also be understood that the relevant component of the first cleaning phase is not suitable for contact with other adjacent tablets, because this undesirable effects may occur, such as in highly hygroscopic components stick together two tablets. The coating of the edges in this case is an application as stacked tablets in which no contact occurs between the peripheral edges (the sides transverse to the lamination) of the tablets, optional and can easily be eliminated. However, the cleaning performance is not compromised due to the special structure, since the highly alkaline ingredients are present in the middle layer and can quickly develop their effect after dissolving the cleaning tablet.

For this reason, it may be preferred that not only the outer two layers of the cleaning tablet rapidly dissolve in water, but also that the dissolution rate of the middle layer containing the high proportion of highly alkaline, caustic, toxic or irritating components becomes high is. Since the attack surface of the water for the dissolution of the middle layer is relatively small due to the special structure of the multiphase cleaning tablet, it is advantageous to improve the dissolution rate of the middle layer either by special solution accelerators or by constructive means.

According to a particular embodiment, namely for the case that the middle layer of the cleaning tablet should dissolve sufficiently quickly in water, as mentioned above, the enclosed surface of the middle layer by one or more continuous holes as possible in the first cleaning phase and / or the second Cleaning phase can be increased. Therefore, according to a simple embodiment, one or more recesses which penetrate as far as possible are introduced into the tablet into the tablet with a fixed mandrel or preferably with a displaceably mounted mandrel. This ensures that the water can also penetrate into the tablet from the center of the tablet or from several places and thus dissolves it more quickly on shorter diffusion paths.

The principle of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings by way of example. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of an inventive square cleaning tablet.

2 shows a perspective side view of a second embodiment of a round cleaning tablet according to the invention 3 shows a perspective side view of a third embodiment of an angular cleaning tablet according to the invention.

4 shows a perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of a round cleaning tablet according to the invention

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an apparatus for applying a coating material to a cleaning tablet according to the invention according to the first embodiment. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleaning tablet according to the invention is shown, which has a cuboidal basic structure.

The cleaning tablet 1 consists of a first layer 10 of a second detergent phase, a second layer 12 of a first detergent phase and a third detergent gerschicht 14, which in turn consists of the second detergent phase.

The cleaning tablet 1 has a cuboidal basic shape, wherein the two large base areas of the first cleaning phase are covered with the layers of the second cleaning phase. Thus, the first cleaning phase is with the contact inappropriate, i. Corrosive, toxic, irritating or hygroscopic substances only at the edge surfaces 20 free, so that the cleaning tablet on the sides of the second detergent phase can be handled well despite the exposed at the edges of substances.

FIG. 2 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a second embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1, but has a round basic shape, more precisely a cylindrical basic structure. The layered structure is identical to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1 except for the shape. FIG. 3 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a third embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cuboid cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 1, but has holes or recesses 30 in the upper (or lower) base area. The holes either pass completely through the cleaning tablet or protrude at least as far as the middle layer, ie until the first cleaning phase, in order to increase the surface of the exposed first cleaning phase and thus to increase the dissolution rate. FIG. 4 shows a cleaning tablet 1 according to a fourth embodiment, which is constructed analogously to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 3, but has a round basic shape, more precisely a cylindrical basic structure. The layered structure is identical to the cleaning tablet shown in FIG. 3 except for the shape.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a conveyor belt 50 on which cleaning tablets 1 are transported in the direction of the arrow. In stage I, the two edges 20 are provided with a coating of a respective spraying device 41 arranged laterally to the conveyor belt. In stage II, the cleaning tablet 1 is rotated by 90 °. Subsequently, the two other edges 22 are sprayed with the spray 42, so that forms a water-soluble coating on all four edges.

Since the preceding detergent tablets described in detail are exemplary embodiments, they can be modified in a customary manner by a person skilled in the art to a large extent, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, concrete embodiments of the cleaning tablets can be present in other forms and for other fields of application than those described here. Likewise, the formulations of the cleaning tablets can be modified by the person skilled in the art in the sense of the specific embodiments described above. In particular, it should be emphasized once again that the upper and lower layers of a three-layer cleaning tablet may have different compositions, i. Both outer layers, each with a second detergent phase, can be constructed differently chemically, as long as they both essentially contain no components which are unsuitable for contact, or are constructed essentially only of contact-suitable components. The person skilled in the art also knows how to adapt the individual weight fractions to the corresponding requirements within the scope of the solution according to the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "on" or "one" does not exclude that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

Claims

claims

1 . Multi-phase cleaning tablet (1) comprising

- A first cleaning phase with an alkali system of one or more components, of which at least one contact-unsuitable component sodium hydroxide

Contains (caustic soda), and

a second cleaning phase for covering the first cleaning phase, the second cleaning phase essentially containing no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components,

wherein the cleaning tablet is configured as an at least three-layered tablet having a first layer (10) of the second detergent phase, a second, middle layer (12) of the first detergent phase and a third layer (14) of the second detergent phase.

2. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tablet has a cylindrical or cuboid shape.

A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of a portion of the non-contacting first detergent phase which is not covered by a layer of the second detergent phase, in particular at least a portion of the peripheral edges (20, 21, 22) of the cleaning tablet, are provided with a water-soluble protective film.

4. Multi-phase cleaning tablet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first detergent phase contains sodium metasilicate.

5. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second cleaning phase comprises an alkali system of one or more components selected from soda or di-silicates.

6. Multiphase cleaning tablet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second Reingerphase at least one additional cleaning agent selected from the group of ionic or nonionic surfactants or complexing agents, in particular phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polymers, phyllosilicates, Na Methylglycinediacetic acid, polyepoxysuccinic acid and glucose include.

7. Multiphase cleaning tablet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second Reingerphase additionally one or more builder Fe and / or auxiliaries, in particular binders, tabletting excipients, disintegrants, dissolution inhibitors, retardants or lubricants include.

8. A multi-phase cleaning tablet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning tablet comprises holes (30) and / or depressions penetrating one or more layers with the first and / or second detergent phase.

A manufacturing method of a multi-phase cleaning tablet (1) comprising the step of preparing at least a three-layered cleaning tablet having a first detergent phase with at least one non-contacting component containing sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and a second detergent phase in the form of a first detergent phase coverage two opposite sides of the first detergent phase, wherein the second detergent phase contains substantially no contact-inappropriate, in particular no caustic, toxic, or hygroscopic, optionally also no irritating, components.

The manufacturing method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of applying a liquid coating on at least one side or edge (20, 21, 22) of the multi-phase cleaning tablet which is not covered with the second detergent phase to form a water-soluble protective film.

1 1. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein in the step of applying the coating composition, the cleaning tablet is continuously or discontinuously rotated about its own axis, thereby applying the coating mass to the edges of the cleaning tablet.

12. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 or 1 1, further comprising the step of cooling the liquid coating composition by means of a cold air blower or the evaporation of the solvent by means of a cold or hot air blower for solidifying the coating composition.

13. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, additionally comprising the step of providing holes (30) and / or depressions that penetrate one or more layers having the first and second detergent phases, respectively.

14. Use of a multi-phase cleaning tablet according to one of claims 1 to 8 for cleaning kitchen appliances, in particular from the commercial kitchen area.